Transportation Policy Council Meeting: Oct. 23
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At its meeting on Oct. 23, the Transportation Policy Council formally adopted a resolution to create a regional Vision Zero plan supporting the elimination of all traffic fatalities in the eight-county metropolitan planning area by 2050. The resolution will support state and local efforts to reduce traffic deaths, such as the Texas Road to Zero initiative and complimentary Vision Zero campaigns under way in Houston and Harris County.
The council also approved a resolution acknowledging the Gulf Coast Transit District as a designated recipient of federal grant funds. The Gulf Coast Transit District is a joint urban and rural transit district managing transit operations in Brazoria and Galveston counties. Originally, the Gulf Coast Center managed these operations under the branded name Connect Transit, but they were split from the Gulf Coast Center earlier in May to give local stakeholders a stronger say in their transit service. With the TPC's approval, the Gulf Coast Transit District is one step closer to becoming a designated recipient of state and federal grant funding. The final step will be to seek approval from the Federal Transit Administration.
H-GAC representatives presented the latest draft of the memorandum of understanding for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The draft is being developed by a work group composed of TPC members representing the Texas Department Transportation (TxDOT) and local governments involved in the project. The memorandum seeks to establish mutual accountability and foster collaboration between the key cooperating entities on the project. Representatives also held a listening session where members of the public were read the draft memorandum in its entirety and had the chance to give feedback. Click HERE to read the draft memorandum of understanding.
Representatives from TxDOT presented the findings of a study to better understand heavy truck travel patterns between regional gateways and major Port Houston terminals. The study helped to develop more comprehensive data on truck travel patterns within the Greater Houston area. The most common type of truck trip was found to be short-haul and first/last mile travel between warehousing and distribution centers. The study results will aid developers in identifying opportunities to improve efficiency in freight movement throughout Greater Houston.
The council also recognized the service of outgoing member Jon Branson, deputy manager for the City of Pearland. Branson has been a member of the Transportation Policy Council since July 2014, where he also served on the Transportation Advisory Committee and on the Regional Transit Subcommittee.
To listen to the audio recording of the latest TPC meeting, click HERE. The next meeting is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 20 via teleconference webinar. Click HERE for more information. Public comments on agenda items may be sent by email to [email protected]. Comments received by 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 will be entered into the meeting record.
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H-GAC to Hold Virtual Public Meeting on Dec. 3 Discussing Important Regional Transportation Updates
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The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. H-GAC experts will present on the meeting topics, after which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and make public comments. Your feedback is essential to ensuring that these proposed amendments truly meet the transportation needs of the region and your community. The public comment period for these topics opens on Nov. 23 and will close on Jan. 7, 2021.
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To Join the Zoom Meeting:
Meeting URL:
Meeting ID: 971 2022 6719
Passcode: 099178
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To Dial in by Your Location:
888-788-0099 (U.S. toll free) or
877-853-5247 (U.S. toll free)
Meeting ID: 971 2022 6719
Passcode: 099178
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Transportation Policy Council Adopts Regional Vision Zero Resolution
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At its meeting on Oct. 23, the Transportation Policy Council adopted a regional Vision Zero resolution supporting the elimination of all traffic fatalities in the eight-county Transportation Management Area by the year 2050. The council adopted the resolution to support both state and local efforts to reduce traffic deaths.
Vision Zero began in Sweden in the 1990s. The central tenets of the concept are that no loss of life in traffic crashes is acceptable; all traffic fatalities are preventable; a system approach should be use to implement safety improvements, and safety improvements should be implemented first in areas with the greatest need.
In May 2019, the Texas Transportation Commission adopted a Road to Zero policy that aspires to eliminate traffic deaths in the State of Texas by 2050. The Texas Department of Transportation has since begun to develop strategies to achieve this goal. Locally, both the City of Houston and Harris County have launched complimentary Vision Zero campaigns with the goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2030.
H-GAC will continue to work closely with our regional partners to reduce traffic fatalities in region through upcoming traffic intersection safety audits, a regional safety campaign, and other transportation planning activities. Click here to read the full resolution.
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Become a Commute Solutions Partner
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The Commute Solutions Partners Program proudly serves employers, developers, government agencies, universities, and community organizations who assist commuters living in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Liberty, and Montgomery County. Our experts provide the research, resources, and tools to develop robust, sustainable commuter programs that maximize travel choices, save money, and improve quality of life.
Commute Solutions partners receive a multitude of customized, complimentary benefits and resources to help maximize their commuter programs including targeted research, educational webinars and trainings, planning assistance, marketing and outreach support, help with awards and recognition, and featured placement on our website and newsletter.
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Texas Southern University Center for Transportation, Training and Research Will Host Transportation Workshop on Dec. 10
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The workshop will explore autonomous vehicles and other technologies to improve transportation for people with disabilities and ways to provide better connectivity for rural and vulnerable communities around the three major cities of the Texas Triangle megaregion (Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio).
For more information, contact Carol Lewis, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Transportation, Training and Research, at [email protected].
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H-GAC Searching for Its Next Transportation Director
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H-GAC is searching for its next Transportation Director. View our brochure on the position to get a detailed overview about what experience and qualities we're seeking in the ideal candidate.
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Use Mobility Links to Find Free or Affordable Transportation Options in Your Community
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Need help finding free or affordable transportation options in your community? Mobility Links is a user-friendly, one-stop search hub with directory information on hundreds of providers of medical transport, commute assistance, taxi and shuttle services, meals on wheels, and other essential mobility services for residents throughout the 13-county Houston-Galveston region.
Mobility Links can be used by anyone in need of transportation services and is especially suited for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income families. Results can be broken down by county service area, service type, passenger type, and organization name, and include each provider's hours of operation, cost information, contact information, scheduling requirements, and more.
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Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020
6-7 p.m.
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