Transportation Project Questionnaire

Regional Goods Movement Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	US 90A Widening
Facility/Street/Highway	US 90A
Limits	From FM 762 to FM 359
Description	Widen from 4-lanes to 6-lanes divided (phase 3 of 3)
Timeframe	Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$28,570,000.00

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)?

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.

2.7%

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

2.7%

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?

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.

This project consists of widening US 90A from 4 lanes to 6 lanes in a nationally recognized high-growth area (Fort Bend County). The project spans US 90A from FM 762 to FM 359. It is an essential link on the Critical Urban Freight Network, as part of the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN) and close to state hurricane evacuation route system. The project is featured in the RTP (MPOID 10114) and the Fort Bend County Subregional Plan. It is part of a larger project that will widen US 90A between FM 762 and SH 99 (MPOIDs 17236, 18154). SH 99 serves as an important state hurricane evacuation route. This route is used by the local transit service, Fort Bend Transit, Fort Bend County Blue Route at the intersection of US 90A and 2nd Street and US 90A and 5th Street. The project will improve access and connectivity to medical facilities, schools, and social services. The project provides access to development of residential, retail, and other land uses and connects to multiple retailers and downtown Richmond retail locations that receive freight. As part of the widening process, the project will include added capacity, congestion relief, crash reduction, improved safety, connectivity, drainage improvements and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. This section of 90A is congested and in need of additional capacity. The crossing of US 90A over the Brazos River in Richmond is the only crossing between SH 99 and IH 69 near Sugarland and FM 723 in Rosenberg. The average daily traffic on this roadway is 27,926 vehicles per day of which 2.7% are trucks. Volume is estimated to increase 40% by 2041. The crash rate on this segment is 351.13 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This is over twice the statewide average for similar roadways, which is 166.73. The fatality rate is 1.21 and the serious injury rate is 7.26. The latter is also higher than the statewide average of 5.95. The pavement along this segment has many sections in fair condition, having an International Roughness (IRI) Index Score between 95 and 170. The bridge on this segment is in fair condition as well, with a minimum condition score of 5, according to FHWA guidelines. Both need improvements in order to save preservation money in the long term and to maintain the flow of freight movement. The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion on US 90A and to improve the capacity, connectivity, level of service, and safety on US 90A. This improvement, in conjunction with the other adjacent proposed improvements, will improve freight access to many major freight generators in the region including the region’s seaports, airports, manufacturing facilities and many freight warehouses. 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 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. Transit (Fort Bend County Blue Route) uses this corridor near the intersections of US 90A and 2nd Street and US 90A and 5th Street. This widening project comes with intersection improvements that could lead to transit reliability improvements. 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. The project will also improve transit connectivity in the Fort Bend Area.

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?

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 section of 90A is congested and in need of additional capacity. The crossing of US 90A over the Brazos River in Richmond is the only crossing between SH 99 and IH 69 near Sugarland and FM 723 in Rosenberg. The average daily traffic on this roadway is 27,926 vehicles per day. Volume is estimated to increase 40% by 2041. The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion and to improve the capacity, connectivity, level of service, and safety of the project segment. 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.

This project consists of widening US 90A from 4 lanes to 6 lanes in a high-growth area in Fort Bend County. The project will improve access and connectivity to medical facilities, schools, and social services. The project provides access to development of residential, retail, and other land uses and connects to multiple retailers and downtown Richmond retail locations that receive freight.

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 design guidelines, the capacity increase will also be balanced with improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the corridor, thus improving walking and biking conditions for multimodal commuters and increasing users access to opportunities.

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

This route is used by the local transit service, Fort Bend County Blue Route at the intersection of US 90A and 2nd Street and US 90A and 5th Street. This widening project comes with intersection improvements that would improve transit reliability.

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.

This is the only crossing on Brazos River in Richmond until SH 99 and IH 69 S near Sugarland and FM 723 in Rosenberg. 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 and prevent stopped traffic in an area with no alternative route.

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.

The pavement along this segment has many sections in fair condition, having an International Roughness (IRI) Index Score between 95 and 170. The bridge on this segment is in fair condition as well, with a minimum condition score of 5, according to FHWA guidelines. The project includes reconstruction of the roadway which will bring the roadway and bridges to FHWA and TxDOT standards. This will lead to an improvement in the state of good repair and extend the service life of the facility.

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.

1.21

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.

7.26

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 this segment is 351.13 crashes per 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled. This is over twice the statewide average for similar roadways, which is 166.73. The fatality rate is 1.21 and the serious injury rate is 7.26. The latter is also higher than the statewide average of 5.95. 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 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards.

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.

High

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.

The enhanced drainage system that results from the reconstruction will improve regional resilience by reducing the risk of flooding on this critical freeway link. All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards. It is in proximity to a state evacuation route.

Access/Connectivity

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

4,341

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

8,080

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

Yes

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?

Yes

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

4,341

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

8,080

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

2,524

1d. Disabled Persons

755

1e. Elderly Persons

550

1f. Limited English Proficiency

452

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.

33.80

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. The project will provide better access to the Fort Bend County courthouse and annex building for public services.

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.

New and contiguous sidewalks will be installed along the corridor which will help vulnerable populations access services. 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.

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.

The added capacity will be balanced with bicycle and pedestrian improvements for vulnerable populations. New and contiguous sidewalks will be installed along the corridor.

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 autonomous/ connected vehicle technology. Brand new Signal Phasing and timing (SpAT) signals will be installed on this segment of the project. This is related to CSJ 0912-00-701 (letting in 11/1/2024) that will install 1,100+ of these signals on all traffic lights on TxDOT HOU district roads. The project will implement new infrastructure 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 newer than model year 2021 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 also 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.

The project will implement new autonomous/ connected vehicle technology. Brand new Signal Phasing and timing (SpAT) signals will be installed on this segment of the project. This is related to CSJ 0912-00-701 that will install 1,100+ of these signals on all traffic lights on TxDOT HOU district roads. The project will implement new infrastructure 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 newer than model year 2021 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 also 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.