Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Newsletter: April 2019
The latest news from the Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Department!
Transportation Policy Council - March 22, 2019
At its March meeting, the Transportation Policy Council approved:

  • A Resolution for approval of three amendments to the 2019-2022 TIP and 2040 RTP;
  • A Resolution for approval of amendments to the 2018-2019 Unified Planning Work Program;
  • The Technical Advisory Committee's recommendation to approve $761M of federal funds for the 2018 Call for Projects.
  
View the Archived Meeting Livestream HERE.
2045 Regional Transportation Plan - Final Draft Public Meeting
The Houston-Galveston Area Council's transportation team is hosting the final 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and transportation conformity public meeting on April 24 at 5:30 p.m. We traveled the Houston-Galveston region highlighting our transportation experts at public meetings, discussed what’s next for this region-wide transportation plan, and asked our residents what they need most from their transportation network.
During this session, we will take an in-depth look at the 2045 RTP, the role it plays in regional air quality, and ask for final public comments. The public comment period for the 2045 RTP and transportation conformity begins on April 5 and ends on May 5.

Attend the public meeting at the Houston-Galveston Area Council at 3555 Timmons Lane or stream it online at 2045RTP.com.
SAVE THE DATE - May Brown Bag Lunch Series

Monday, May 20, 2019
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Room B
Houston, TX 77027

Bring your lunch, bring a friend and join us!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...A Storm is Coming!
During the March Brown Bag Lunch Series at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Sam Lott, local consultant and engineer, proposed 12 conclusions about how autonomous vehicle technology should be integrated with high capacity transit. Learn all about the coming storm in the PowerPoint presentation and opinion papers HERE.
Timmons Talkers Toastmasters
Have you heard? H-GAC has a Toastmasters Club that is available to everyone! You are welcome to drop in for a visit anytime. Bring your lunch, bring a friend, and come hear what Timmons Talkers are talking about!

If you want to have fun while you learn how to improve your public speaking and presentation skills, Timmons Talkers are here to help. We meet every Thursday from 11:30 a.m -12:30 p.m. at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77027.

Need more information? Contact John Ferro, Club President, or Alex Rischan, Vice President of Membership.
Text-to-911 Service Available
The Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District (GCRECD) announces the availability of Text-to-9-1-1 service in Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties.

Text-to-9-1-1 is a service that allows cell phone users to send a text message directly to 9-1-1 for assistance when they can't make a voice call. Text-to-9-1-1 services should only be used in an emergency when the person needing assistance is unable to speak or hear. 

To learn more, watch this short video or visit www.gulfcoast911.org and click on "Text-to-911."
Financial Assistance Available Through AirCheck Texas
The AirCheck Texas Drive a Clean Machine Program is designed to help motorists in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, and Montgomery counties to comply with vehicle emissions standards. 

AirCheck Texas offers financial incentives to repair or replace currently driven vehicles. An applicant will receive both a financial and environmental benefit while contributing to air quality solutions by removing older vehicles from Texas roadways. 

The deadline to apply is Monday, April 8. For more information, visit www.aircheckhouston.com or call 832-681-2527.
Transportation Alternatives, Safe Routes to Schools Funding Programs
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announces an upcoming call for projects for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Two sources of funding will be included: Transportation Alternatives (TA) $10.6M and Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) $8.7M.

Eligible projects include sidewalks, bikeways, shared use paths, traffic calming measures, and other safety improvements for non-motorized travel.
 
The 2019 TA/SRTS Call for Projects will have a two-step process:
  • Preliminary Project Applications will be due in April 2019.
  • Detailed Project Applications will be due in August 2019.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, visit TxDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding web page.
Upcoming Meetings
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons Lane
2nd Floor, Room B
Houston, TX 77027
Transportation Policy Council
SPECIAL MEETING

Friday, April 5, 2019
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Texas Department of Transportation
Houston District
7600 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007