H-GAC Transportation Newsletter: March 2018
The latest news from the Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Department!
New Assistant Director of Transportation at H-GAC
Congratulations to Patrick Mandapaka, recently named Assistant Director of Transportation.

Patrick came to H-GAC in May 2016 to manage the department's Multimodal Team. Patrick oversaw sub-regional planning, transit, freight, thoroughfare, bicycle-pedestrian, safety, intelligent transportation systems, operations, and hurricane evacuation efforts.
 
Previously Patrick worked for nine years at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) as a Principal Planner. There he managed Sustainable Development Funding, Transit-Oriented Development, and Community Schools and Transportation Programs. Prior to joining the NCTCOG, Patrick worked as a planner in housing and community development.
 
Patrick received his Doctoral Degree in Urban Planning and Public Policy and his Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Andhra University (India). 

He also received certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), a Professional Certification in GIS, and an Advanced Diploma in Architectural CADD Certifications. Patrick is a member of the American Planning Association.
H-GAC Welcomes Laurie Chandler
Laurie joins H-GAC as an Administrative Assistant in the Transportation Department and will work with the Clean Vehicles and Public Outreach groups. She has more than 15 years experience as an administrative professional.

Laurie began her career as a Biomedical Equipment Repair Technician in the US Army where she served for nearly four years.

Following a brief stint as a Computer Technician at Darnall Army Medical Center, she accepted an administrative position. Since then, she served in an administrative capacity. She holds an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Computer Science Network Systems.

A connoisseur of learning and self-development, you will often find her reading articles on her cell phone or participating in online webinars.

She enjoys art exhibitions and poetry performances. She is the proud mom of five children.
SAVE THE DATE: March Brown Bag Lunch Series
“The Resilient Houston Region: How the Urban Land Institute Fits into the Picture”

Guest Speaker: David Kim, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute Houston

Kim's presentation will cover the Urban Land Institute's:
  • Mission and priorities 
  • Activities and impact
  • Post-Hurricane Harvey goals

Monday, March 19, 2018
Noon to 1:00 PM
3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Rm B. 
Houston, TX 77027

This event is open to the public. Feel free to extend this invitation to others. Contact Rosalind Hebert, CAP-OM, at 713-993-2471 or email to [email protected] with inquires, questions, or comments.
March, April RTP Public Meetings Fast Approaching
In the year 2045, our region will have an integrated multimodal transportation system, achieved through coordinated public and private investments that support a desirable quality of life, enhanced economic vitality and increased safety, access and mobility.

To accomplish and realize this vision, H-GAC, transportation agencies, local governments, and the residents of our communities must work together to ensure that long-range transportation plans reflect the region's needs and desires.

The months of March and April are nearly upon us, and opportunities to participate in Public Meetings are fast approaching. Find out when and where the 2045 RTP public meetings are taking place. There may be one near your home or place of employment. Get involved today!
TxDOT Houston District: Electric Vehicle Pilot Kickoff
On Thursday, February 15, 2018, TxDOT's Houston District held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Electric Vehicle Fleet Kickoff.

Dalton Pratt, TxDOT Fleet Operations Director and Quincy Allen, TxDOT Houston District Engineer spoke about the exciting move into the future. The vehicles that have been added to the fleet include two electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt, and two hybrid vehicles, the Ford C Max Energi and Toyota Prius Prime. 

Employees participated in test drives and charging station demonstrations.
Galveston Bay Plan, 2nd Edition Open House: March 5
Galveston Bay estuary program logo
The Galveston Bay Estuary Program will host an open house on Monday, March 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m to communicate information concerning The Galveston Bay Plan, 2nd Edition Draft.

The open house will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Offices, 4102-B Main Street, La Marque, TX.

This plan offers strategies for sustaining and protecting the waters in the Galveston Bay watershed.

Public comment will be open on the project website from March 5 through April 4, 2018.
Interactive Planning Tools Seminar Series: March 22
Interactive Planning Tools Seminar Series graphic
H-GAC is hosting a series of seminars and hands-on workshops to demonstrate interactive web applications for community and transportation planning. The first seminar will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at H-GAC.

The focus will be on the Demographic Explorer, which provides quick and easy access to U.S. Census American Community Survey data. Participants will have access to computers to participate in the interactive session and master the use of these online applications. Space is limited to 16 in-person attendees, and registration is required.

A webinar option is also available; however, hands-on activities will be presented to in-person attendees only. The next two seminars and workshops will be:

  • Seminar 2: Regional Employment Snapshot and Commute Patterns - April 26
  • Seminar 3: Activity-Connectivity Explorer - May 24

For more information, e-mail [email protected].
25th Annual Trash Bash: March 24
Trash Bash Logo Celebrating 25 Years 1994-2018
On Saturday, March 24, "River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash," the largest single-day waterway cleanup in Texas, will celebrate its 25th consecutive cleanup event.

In 2017, 3,242 volunteers collected 52 tons of trash, 1.5 tons for recycling, and 574 tires while cleaning 150 shoreline miles at 14 cleanup sites around the region.
 
Over the event's 24-year history, almost 106,000 volunteers have collected 2,189 tons of trash, 16 tons for recycling, and 10,709 tires.
 
Volunteers receive cleanup supplies, free lunches, t-shirts, and an opportunity to win door prizes.

There are 14 cleanup sites around the region. This event helps people learn the effects of littering and simple ways to protect storm-water quality at educational exhibit areas.
Clean Waters Initiative Workshop: March 28
Save the date for the next Clean Waters Initiative Workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, at H-GAC (2nd Floor, Rm B).


Speakers from the Texas Department of Transportation, H-GAC, and the Harris County Engineering Department will provide information about how environmental factors, such as water quality, are incorporated into transportation project planning and implementation.

The Clean Waters Initiative program offers workshops that help local governments, landowners, and residents develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in area waterways. Registration is requested. For more information, contact Kathy Janhsen at 713-993-2423.

Upcoming Meetings
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

H-GAC Offices
3555 Timmons Lane
2nd Floor, Room B
Houston, TX 77027
Transportation Policy Council (TPC) Meeting

Friday, March 23, 2018
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

H-GAC Offices
3555 Timmons Lane
2nd Floor, Room B
Houston, TX 77027