Transportation Policy Council Meeting: Sept. 24 |
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Additionally, the council received an update regarding the recent launch of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District's ConnectSmart application. The ConnectSmart app aims to reduce congestion and enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of Houston's regional transportation system by providing regional travelers a one-stop source for traffic conditions, travel modes, and alternative routes for their trip. Features on the app, which is now available for download on Google Play and the App Store, include an intermodal trip planner with markers for bike routes, parking lots, shared bike stations, and truck route low structure clearance points; transit ticketing and carpool/vanpool portals; driving navigation assistance; roadside dynamic messaging signs and freeway cameras powered by Houston TranStar; and Tow and Go roadside assistance.
Later, the council heard updates from H-GAC staff about a series of upcoming transportation surveys in 2022 and 2023. H-GAC, TxDOT, and METRO will all conduct surveys to update demographic forecasting, regional travel, and air quality models. Data collected will assist in the planning of the next RTP and TIP as well as travel forecasts, sub-regional and corridor-level studies, and air quality analyses. H-GAC staff also updated the council about the scope and schedule for the next Regional Transportation Plan, the quarterly TIP status report, and other ongoing transportation planning activities.
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Public Hearing to Discuss Continuation of Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Communications District Services Set for 10 a.m., Nov. 16, Immediately after H-GAC Board of Directors Meeting |
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The H-GAC Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District promotes enhanced public safety and increased fiscal and service efficiencies in the administration of emergency communications for the municipalities and counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton.
The district will hold a public hearing to discuss the continuation of services within the aforementioned counties on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the H-GAC office located at 3555 Timmons Ln. in the second floor conference rooms B and C. Residents and stakeholders may attend the in-person H-GAC Board of Directors meeting at 10 a.m. and stay for the public hearing, which will take place immediately after the Board of Directors meeting has adjourned. There will also be an option via Zoom for residents and stakeholders to attend virtually.
Click here for more information about the meeting. Residents and stakeholders may submit public comments regarding the Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District by email to [email protected] or by mail to "Gulf Coast Regional Emergency Communications District", P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX, 77227-2777.
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Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan Focus Groups Starting Soon |
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The Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP), H-GAC's five-year plan to provide more efficient and effective public transportation services across the entire 13-county region, is undergoing an update for 2022-2026. Soon, H-GAC will host focus groups to seek in-depth input from community members about their public transportation needs and where improvements are needed in their neighborhoods. H-GAC will also host public meetings in early 2022.
Residents and stakeholders can get the latest information regarding the RCTP by visiting engage.h-gac.com/RCTP. Bookmark the page and check back frequently for updates. The final RCTP report is expected to be ready in the spring of 2022.
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Rural and Small Town Downtown Revitalization Summit |
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Participants will consider recent urban-to-rural migration and opportunities for rural places to maximize their open spaces and outdoor recreation amenities. Strategies to explore include eco-tourism, trail-oriented development, and large-scale conservation.
Program Notes:
- Dr. Charles Gilliland, research economist at the Texas Real Estate Research Center, will discuss the recent uptick in small property rural land sales and urban-to-rural migration trends in Texas.
- Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will suggest how rural and small towns in Texas can cultivate their nature tourism offerings.
- Liz Thorstensen, vice president of trail development at the Rails to Trails Conservancy, will share how rural towns have built and leveraged trails to bring people downtown.
We will also highlight case studies from around the region.
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Registration Period Closes Soon for 2022 Aerial Imagery Cost-Share |
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The registration period closes soon for the 2022 Aerial Imagery Cost-Share program. H-GAC has been collecting digital aerial imagery for the metropolitan region since 2000. The cost-share program is an excellent way for members of the GIS and engineering communities to save time, money, and resources acquiring high-quality, up-to-date imagery data as they plan for growth and expansion within our region. The cost-share is fully managed by H-GAC.
Aerial imagery is flown by highly qualified orthoimagery companies and delivered to cost-share participants within six to eight months of original flight times. Participants can specify what imagery they would like to receive in 2022 by individual tile, county, any combination of tile and county, or the entire regional coverage at 13.5 thousand square miles. Imagery is available at 6-inch resolution in true color (RGB) or infrared color (CIR).
For questions, contact the H-GAC Data Services GIS Program at [email protected] or 713-993-4519.
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Preparing for a Hurricane Can Help You Prepare for Other Types of Severe Weather |
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As we move towards end of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and colder weather comes to the region, H-GAC would like to remind residents to be vigilant and stay prepared. Many hurricane preparedness measures and strategies are useful in preparing for other types of severe weather, including severe storms, flooding events, unexpected power outages, and winter storms.
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Make Safety a Priority When Driving throughout the Region |
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H-GAC would like to remind drivers to practice safe habits and use caution when traversing our roads. The region has experienced tremendous population growth and a corresponding increase in traffic-related injuries and deaths. Last year, traffic fatalities increased by 7% in Texas and by 11% in the eight-county metropolitan planning area. Improving traffic safety will take every one of us working together. Otherwise, we will continue to pay the price.
Visit h-gac.com/paytheprice for tips and resources on how we can improve transportation safety in the region.
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Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
9:30-11 a.m.
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Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021
9:30-11 a.m.
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