Transportation Project Questionnaire

Regional Goods Movement Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	IH 10 W (Inner Katy) Reconstruction and Managed Lanes
Facility/Street/Highway	IH 10 W
Limits	From Voss Rd to IH 610 W
Description	INNER KATY SEG 4: Reconstruct 10 mainlanes and two 3-lane frontage roads. Construct 4 new non-tolled managed lanes and drainage improvements
Timeframe	Long Term (More than 10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$25,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a statewide, regional, or local freight plan?

2. Is the proposed project located on a Critical Urban/Rural Freight corridor (CUFC/CRFC)?

Yes

3. What is the estimated percentage of daily truck volume on the existing project facility? H-GAC staff can provide assistance in gathering the truck data from our website.

6.7%

4. What is the estimated percentage of daily truck volume on the project facility after the proposed project implementation?

7.1%

5. Does the project facility provide new or improved connectivity to a port/airport?

6. Does the project facility provide new or improved connectivity to other freight generators?

Yes

6a. If yes, what is the estimated warehouse capacity of the other freight generators?

500,000 plus

7. Please provide a narrative explaining how the project improves regional goods movement within and through the region. In the narrative, please mention if the project scope includes grade separations at at-grade railroad crossings or implementation of ITS technologies.

Description: This project connects to the heart of Houston with project limits from Voss Rd. to IH-610 West Loop. The project involves reconstructing 10 main lanes, two 3-lane frontage roads, and will construct 4 new non-tolled managed lanes while also providing drainage improvements. The project will improve safety and add capacity to this congested project segment. The project improves existing ramp configurations and spacing by meeting or exceeding current geometric length standards reducing undesirable weave movements, reducing crashes, and improving operations and safety. The project is in a high growth area of Harris County. IH 10 W is an important freight link on the National Highway Network and Critical Urban Freight Network and is included in the National Highway Freight Network, Texas Highway Freight Network, and H-GAC Highway Freight Network. The project segment also connects to part of IH 10 that is a state hurricane evacuation route as well as to several other key safety, capacity, and interchange projects on the corridor. According to the H-GAC Resilience Tool, the project segment is classified with a High criticality score and a Moderate rating for 500-year flooding. Drainage improvements will be implemented on this project to mitigate the exiting flooding issues along the corridor. Need: This segment of IH 10 W is heavily congested and in need of additional capacity to meet both person and good demands. According to TTI’s 2022 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas Report, the segment that contains the project was ranked 33rd highest in delay and 41st highest in truck delay statewide. The annual total delay per mile was 239,301 person hours, and truck delay is 15,189 person hours. The current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 297,897 vehicles, of which 6.7 percent are trucks. This is estimated to increase by 40 percent by 2041 to approximately 417,000 vehicles. The crash rate on the segment is 126.18 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, where the average statewide crash rate is 124.8 for similar facilities for 2017-2021. The fatality rate is 0.32 and the serious injury rate is 1.64. Purpose and Contribution: The purpose of the project is to improve connectivity and ease congestion on this heavily used segment of IH 10. This improvement, in conjunction with the other adjacent proposed improvements, will improve access to the heart of the region for both persons and goods. Improved freight access to many major freight generators in the region include the region’s seaports, airports, manufacturing facilities, and many freight warehouses will also be provided. The project will improve operations for the regional network by reducing congestion on IH 10 W and improving the connections between other parts of the freeway network. The roadway may improve transit services for Houston METRO buses (Routes 160, 161, 162, 214, 216, 217, 219, 221, 222, 228, 229, and 298) that will not be using the METRO Inner Katy BRT parallel bridge facility, by allowing them to use the managed lanes to get downtown faster, thereby increasing reliability of the transit service and reducing emissions. The added capacity will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the segment of IH 10 W up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards. The enhanced drainage system that results from the reconstruction will improve regional resilience by reducing the risk of flooding on this critical freeway link.

8. Is the project sponsor’s jurisdiction considering strategies to promote off-peak and overnight freight delivery?

9. Is the proposed project located on a State designated hurricane evacuation route?

9a. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility identified as a hurricane evacuation route in any regional or local plans?

9b. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility that functions as an alternate to a hurricane evacuation route?

Yes

i. If yes, please explain in a narrative.

This project, IH 10 W with project limits from Voss Rd. to IH-610 West Loop, connects directly to IH 45 and IH 10 W segments classified as State evacuation route.

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

1. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves traffic operations. Within the narrative, please include if the proposed project includes construction of truck only lanes or managed truck only lanes, construction of an interchange, or intersection improvements.

This segment of IH 10 W is heavily congested and in need of additional capacity to meet both person and good demands. According to TTI’s 2022 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas Report, the segment that contains the project was ranked 33rd highest in all delay and 41st highest in truck delay statewide. The annual total delay per mile was 239,301 person hours, and truck delay is 15,189 person hours. The current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 297,897 vehicles, of which 6.7 percent are trucks. This is estimated to increase by 40 percent by 2041 to approximately 308,400 vehicles. Trucks have been using the managed lanes out to Katy/Brookshire on IH 10 W to bypass general purpose lanes traffic. The project will provide better accessibility for freight movement. Additionally, the project will reduce congestion and improve the capacity, connectivity, level of service and safety of the project segment and the Critical Urban Freight Network in the region. The added capacity will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also reducing congestion and improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the segment up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards.

2. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project benefits high growth areas. Within the narrative, please explain if the proposed project improves or provides access to new residential developments, retail stores, other land uses, or if the proposed project alleviates future congestion due to potential economic development activity such as expansion of warehouses or other freight generators.

The project is in a high growth area of Harris County. This improvement, in conjunction with the other adjacent proposed improvements, will improve freight access to many major freight generators and economic drivers in the region including the region’s seaports, airports, manufacturing facilities, and many freight warehouses. Freight can also benefit from the use of the managed lanes during congested periods allowing freight to get through the area and downtown faster, increasing reliability of the freight service, and reducing emissions, similar to what is already occurring on the west side of IH 10.

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves walking and biking conditions. Within the narrative, please explain if the proposed project scope includes construction of a new or improved existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure on a project facility or in the vicinity of the project.

As required by state and federal design guidelines, the capacity increase will also be balanced with improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the corridor. Newly constructed frontage roads will accommodate sidewalks/shared use paths on them. TXDOT is committed to working with partners, e.g., the City of Houston, to enhance bike and pedestrian connectivity for the cross streets, improving overall connectivity on either side of IH 10 including improved connectivity between trails and recreation facilities along White Oak Bayou north of IH 10 and Memorial Park on the south side of IH 10.

4. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves traffic conditions for transit services (local, express, signature, or commuter).

METRO buses (Routes 160, 161, 162, 214, 216, 217, 219, 221, 222, 228, 229, and 298) not using the METRO’s Inner Katy parallel BRT facility could use these managed lanes to get downtown faster, increasing reliability of the transit service, and reducing emissions.

5. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project will reduce inoperability for significant periods due to infrastructure damaged by a collision with vehicles such as trucks, ships, and barges.

The project will add lanes and improve the shoulders to allow more space to move disabled vehicles and to better maintain flow on the facility vehicle collisions. The frontage roads will provide an alternative route when main lane operations are blocked.

6. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project will improve state of good repair and extend the service life of the project facility.

Heavy traffic leads to rapidly deteriorating pavement conditions, as seen on this segment with the majority of pavement only being in fair condition according the FHWA’s standard of having an International Roughness Index (IRI) score of between 95 and 170. The improvements will update the 1960’s designed segment up to TxDOT and FHWA standards and approve the state of good repair of the segment and overall system. ?

Planning Factors Criteria

1. What is the existing fatality crash rate at the project location? Regional crash data is available online on the crash data viewer. H-GAC staff will provide assistance in calculating the crash rates upon request.

0.32

2. What is the existing serious injury crash rate at the project location? Regional crash data is available online on the crash data viewer. H-GAC staff will provide assistance in calculating the crash rates upon request.

1.64

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project reduces expected fatality and serious injury crashes. Narrative must include specific improvements (work types) included in the project scope. Crash reduction factors associated with specific work types can be found in the safety benefits calculation template. H-GAC staff can provide assistance in gathering the crash reduction factors upon request.

The crash rate on the segment is 126.18 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which is over the average statewide crash rate of 124.8 for similar facilities for years 2017-2021. The fatality rate is 0.32 and the serious injury rate is 1.64. The added capacity will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the segment of IH 45 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards. The project improves existing ramp configurations and spacing by meeting or exceeding current geometric length standards reducing undesirable weave movements, reducing crashes, and improving operations and safety.

Resiliency

1. Please select the vulnerability to flooding score at the project location based on the Regional Resiliency tool. H-GAC staff can provide assistance with the regional resiliency tool upon request.

Low

2. Please select the criticality score at the project location based on the Regional Resiliency tool. H-GAC staff can provide assistance with the regional resiliency tool up on request.

High

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project reduces vulnerability to flooding. The narrative must include specific improvements such as drainage improvements that are included in the scope.

This project will construct/install new storm sewer pumps, a new detention pond, and increased sized boxes/trunk lines that meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 Standards. These will drain into Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou. The enhanced drainage system that results from the reconstruction will improve regional resilience by reducing the risk of flooding on this critical freeway link. According to the H-GAC Resilience Tool, the project segment is classified with a High criticality score and a Moderate rating for 500-year flooding.

Access/Connectivity

Please enter the household population located within a quarter mile buffer of the project location: 1a. Low-Income

5,680

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

7,767

2. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a medical facility within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

3. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a school/college/university within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

Yes

4. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a social services facility within a quarter buffer of the project location?

Environmental Justice

Please enter household population located within quarter mile buffer of the project location. H-GAC staff can assist in gathering the data. 1a. Low-Income

5,680

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

7,767

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

1,333

1d. Disabled Persons

1364

1e. Elderly Persons

1315

1f. Limited English Proficiency

209

2. What is the average Livable Center Need Index within quarter mile buffer of the project location? H-GAC staff can assist in gathering the data.

11.00

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project provides benefits to vulnerable populations. Benefits include safety improvements, construction of or improvements to ped/bike facilities, or improvements to transit stops.

Because of its central location in the regional network, the project will also produce improvements in mobility and connectivity for vulnerable populations as well as connectivity to schools, medical facilities, and social services for the regional population. TXDOT is committed to working with partners, e.g., the City of Houston, to enhance bike and pedestrian connectivity for the cross streets, improving overall connectivity on either side of IH 10 including improved connectivity between trails and recreation facilities along White Oak Bayou north of IH 10 and Memorial Park on the south side of IH 10.

4. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project avoids or mitigates adverse effects to vulnerable populations. A list of adverse effects was provided in detailed criteria document.

All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards (reduce flooding). These will drain into Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou. The enhanced drainage system that results from the reconstruction will improve regional resilience by reducing the risk of flooding on this critical freeway link. Any sound walls that are identified prior to or during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will be constructed on this project, otherwise the corridor is in an urban area and residential and commercial land uses line the corridor’s ROW.

Impacts on Natural and Cultural Resources

1. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project avoids or mitigates impacts to natural (flood plains, wetlands) and cultural (historic and archeological sites) resources. H-GAC staff can provide assistance in identifying natural and cultural resources located within a quarter mile buffer of the project location.

No Cultural or Natural resources that could be impacted have been identified on this segment at this time. Not only will the IH 10 as a whole benefit from drainage improvements but it is expected surrounding areas will benefit from drainage system improvements.

2. Please provide Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) reductions provided by the project. H-GAC staff can provide assistance in calculating NOx and VOC reductions.

H-GAC Staff, Please calculate Emissions reductions for us per email instructions 4/26/23.

Innovation

1. Does the project propose to implement new infrastructure technologies to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, or traffic operations?

Yes

1a. If yes, please explain.

The project will implement new infrastructure and autonomous/ connected vehicle technologies to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, and traffic operations and will implement new autonomous/ connected vehicle technology. Brand new Signal Phasing and timing (SpAT) signals will be installed on this segment of the project (Related to CSJ 0912-00-701 that will install 1,100+ of these signals on all traffic lights on TxDOT HOU district roads). This simply broadcasts red, green, and yellow times ahead of signalized intersections to connected vehicles (model year 2021 or newer) or if you have the apps (Traffic Safely and ConnectSmart) downloaded on your cell phone for older vehicles. This provides ample time for you to slow down before intersections because of the timing and to adequately adjust with flow of traffic-platooning. The advantages are improved safety because of a reduction of red-light-running crashes and carbon emission reductions resulting from better traffic platooning.

2. Does the project propose to implement new autonomous/connected vehicle technology?

Yes

2a. If yes, please explain.