Region View November 2022

H-GAC Transportation Newsletter: November 2022

Transportation Policy Council Meeting: Oct. 28

At its meeting on Oct. 28, the Transportation Policy Council approved a resolution recognizing the week of Nov. 14-18 as Crash Responder Safety Week.

Every minute of every day, law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, public works, transportation, towing, and other responders work roadside to make roadways safe for all road users. Unfortunately, these traffic incident responders put their lives at risk when clearing each of the nearly 7 million annual motor vehicle crashes or the broader range of incidents, such as stalled vehicles or roadway debris. Crash Responder Safety Week is an opportunity to promote road user awareness and adherence to Move Over, Slow Down laws and Traffic Incident Management training for all traffic incident responders.

Additionally, the policy council approved 13 new amendments to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program and the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. It also received an informational update regarding a request from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to update the federal functional classification of two roadway construction projects in the Webster and League City, Texas areas. The Federal Functional Classification System provides a framework for identifying the role of a roadway in moving vehicles through the highway system. It consists of seven categories: 1) Interstates, 2) Other Freeways and Expressways, 3) Other Principal Arterials, 4) Minor Arterials, 5) Major Collectors, 6) Minor Collectors, and 7) Local Roads. The system aids in deciding federal funding eligibility for certain improvement projects.

TxDOT is requesting the NASA Rd. 1 bypass extension project (between FM 528 and Landing Blvd.) in Webster be reclassified as a Major Collector and the Landing Blvd./NASA Rd. 1 bypass extension project (between FM 518 and IH-45 South) in League City and Webster be reclassified as a Minor Arterial. The request will be brought before the TPC for discussion and further action at its next meeting. Towards the end of the meeting, the policy council received updates on the results of the Liberty County Mobility Study and upcoming bike safety training opportunities in the eight-county metropolitan planning area.

The next TPC meeting is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 18. The meeting agenda can be viewed online at www.h-gac.com/transportation-policy-council/meeting-agendas. To view or listen to the video recording of the latest TPC meeting, click here.

Two More Public Meetings Left! Help Set the Vision and Top Priorities of H-GAC’s Long-Range Transportation Plan.

Two more public meetings are left in the second round of H-GAC’s process to update its 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Residents and stakeholders in Harris and Montgomery County are invited to share their thoughts on how to make getting around the Houston-Galveston region safer and better for years to come. At the meetings, H-GAC representatives will discuss a preliminary vision that would set the top transportation priorities and strategies for the updated 2045 Regional Transportation Plan and shape the way future investments are made to the region’s transportation network.

The Harris County public meeting will take place at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 17 at the H-GAC second-floor conference rooms (3555 Timmons Ln., Houston, Texas 77027). The Montgomery County public meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1 at Magnolia Event Center (11659 FM 1488, Magnolia, Texas 77354). Both public meetings will have Spanish language interpreters and American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf community. The Harris County public meeting will also have Mandarin and Vietnamese language interpreters.

Visit www.h-gac.com/RTP to learn more and save the meeting dates. Or if you can’t make the meetings and still want to give your feedback, a video recording of the preliminary vision presentation is available to watch on the page.

H-GAC Recognizes National Crash Responder Safety Week

This week is Crash Responder Safety Week. H-GAC recognizes this national effort to reduce the number of traffic incident responders injured or killed in the line of duty by promoting Move Over, Slow Down law awareness for motorists and free Traffic Incident Management training for responders.

Safety is at the center of H-GAC’s Tow and Go program, which keeps freeways moving and motorists safe by towing stalled vehicles to the nearest exit for free. Every day, H-GAC works with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Houston TranStar, and the Texas Department of Transportation to assist road users in need, provide emergency traffic control, and quickly clear incidents from roadways.

In 2021, 65 traffic incident responders were killed nationally, and far more sustained life-altering injuries. Crash Responder Safety Week aims to reduce this number significantly by highlighting the critical role that each of us plays in keeping responders safe.

Free Bike Safety Trainings Are Available Near You

Sometimes riding a bicycle around Greater Houston can be daunting or intimidating. H-GAC is tackling this challenge head on by offering free bike safety courses that will teach cyclists vital bicycle handling skills, rules of the road, and more. Below are virtual and in-person courses for both novice and experienced riders/drivers.

CyclingSavvy

CyclingSavvy is a virtual cycling safety course you can take in the convenience of your home. This comprehensive course creates a solid foundation of biking as an adult. It is easy to understand for a novice and has golden nuggets of wisdom for the seasoned cyclist.

Learn more and register at Houston.cyclingsavvy.org.

Train Your Bike

For new or experienced bicycle riders, this on-the-bike class teaches riders how to anticipate the most common scenarios they will face and provides the tools to address real world challenges, from debris to sharing the road, in order to boost confidence and enhance the riding experience. Classes will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on the following dates and locations:

2022 Classes

Saturday, Dec. 10 at Duhacsek Park, Sugar Land, Texas

2023 Classes

Saturday, Jan. 14 at Bates Park, Angleton, Texas
Saturday, Jan. 21 at Liberty Municipal Park, Liberty, Texas
Saturday, Feb. 4 at The Crossroads Plaza, Dayton, Texas
Saturday, March 18 at Eagle Pointe Recreation Complex, Mont Belvieu, Texas
Saturday, March 25 at Magnolia Unity Park, Magnolia, Texas
Saturday, April 15 at the Aquatic Center, The Woodlands, Texas
Saturday, April 22 at Pearland Education Support Center, Pearland, Texas
Saturday, April 29 at Winnie Stowell Park, Winnie, Texas

Learn more and find a ‘Train Your Bike’ class happening near you at h-gac.com/pedestrian-bicyclist-planning/bike-safety.

Livable Centers Studies, Regional Conservation Initiative Receive American Planning Association Texas Chapter Planning Awards

The Regional Conservation Initiative and two Livable Centers studies were selected for recognition at the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association’s (APA's) 2022 Planning Awards program.

The H-GAC Regional Conservation Initiative earned Silver recognition in the Environmental Planning category. This award honors efforts to create more sustainable and greener communities that reduce the impact of development on the natural environment and improve environmental quality. The project was also recognized at the inaugural APA Texas Chapter Houston Section 2022 Planning Awards.

The East Aldine Livable Centers study earned Silver recognition in the Best Practice category. This award is for a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process. This category emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices help to create communities of lasting value.

The Old Seabrook Livable Centers study earned Silver recognition in the Urban Design category. This award honors efforts to create a sense of place, whether a street, public space, neighborhood, or campus effort.

Congratulations to the Regional Conservation Initiative and Livable Centers for their awards!

Happening Tomorrow! Celebrate Houston Area GIS Day at UH - Clear Lake on Nov. 16!

We're just one day away from Houston Area GIS Day! This free, one-day event takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the University of Houston - Clear Lake campus (2700 Bay Area Blvd., Bayou Building). Celebrate all things neat about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with area GIS professionals, universities, high school students, and teachers!

This year’s activities include:

Live educational presentations for students
Live geospatial presentations for professionals
College and university GIS program exhibitors
Geospatial exhibitors and vendors
Student GIS activities and games
URISA Texas “Mappy Hour” post-event
Professional map contests and more!

For more event and registration information, visit the Houston Area GIS Day web page.

H-GAC's Annual Fall Planning Workshop Will Discuss Planning Communities That Accomodate Residents of All Abilities

Register today for H-GAC’s Annual Fall Planning Workshop, taking place from 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, Dec. 2 virtually via Zoom. This year’s workshop covers “Accommodating Your Community: ADA Requirements for Local Governments.” Experts will discuss Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules, policies, and best practices to make built environments and engagement accessible for all. Confirmed topics and presenters include:

Keynote: Polices, Best Practices, and ADA Transition Plans

Kori Allen, City of Coppell and Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities

Accommodating Your Residents and Employees

Angel Ponce, Houston Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

ADA and the Built Environment

Jonathan Sparks and Jamie Hill, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations
Timothy Mills, METRO

ADA and Engagement Technology

Kristi Avalos, Accessology Too, LLC

Click here to register for the workshop. For questions, contact Cheryl Mergo.

IRS Increases Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit for Another Year

Have you heard? The IRS has announced numerous adjustments for the tax year 2023, including an increase in the Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit to $300 per month!

How It Works

Commuter benefits are offered as part of an employer's benefits package. Benefits are often preloaded on an employee’s benefits card or are provided from the employer through the transit or vanpool provider for direct payment of transit passes, monthly vanpool costs, and parking expenses. Employers save on payroll taxes, and the employee has pre-tax income to cover those expenses. Everybody wins!

To learn more about the IRS adjustment, click here. To discuss to pros and cons of setting up or increasing benefits for commuters, feel free to email Commute Solutions.