Transportation Project Questionnaire

Operational Improvements and Congestion Management Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	FM 1485 AMS Phase 2 of 3
Facility/Street/Highway	FM 1485
Limits	From SL 494 to SH 242
Description	FM 1485 Access Management Study Medium Term Recommendations Implementation (Phase 2)
Timeframe	Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$6,129,385.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Is the project located on a facility listed on Texas 100 most congested roads list?

1b. If no, please provide the existing peak period travel time index (TTI) of the facility where proposed project is located.

1.25 – 1.50

1b-i. Provide a narrative describing the existing congestion where proposed project is located and describe narrative to explain methodology to calculate existing TTI.

Travel Time Index (TTI) is a ratio that compares peak period travel times along a corridor to average travel times, thus estimating a relative level of rush hour congestion. Current TTI for the project area is 1.35, indicating that it takes 1.35 times as long to travel this corridor in the peak period than average, which is moderately congested.

2. What is the estimated TTI after project is implemented?

1.5 – 1.75

2a. Provide a narrative describing the existing congestion where proposed project is located. Within the narrative explain the methodology and data used to calculate existing Travel Time Index (TTI).

3. Please provide a narrative to describe congestion management strategies and improvements (work types) proposed to reduce congestion on facility where the proposed project is located.

FM 1485 from SH 242 to SL 494 is a 6.5-mile-long corridor. The corridor is a 2-lane undivided facility between SH 242 and Gene Campbell Blvd, a 2-lane facility with center turn lane between Gene Campbell Blvd and Kidd Cemetery Rd, and a 4-lane road with two-way left turn lane (TWLTL) between Kidd Cemetery Rd and SL 494. It has been experiencing rapid growth from last 20 years. Recent origin-destination (Replica) data indicates that approximately 50% of the corridor traffic are through traffic from Woodlands/Conroe to access US-59 to Harris County, and the through traffic will continue to increase as Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. FM 1485 traffic has been approximately doubled from 2001 to 2021. Highest AADT grew from 13,000 to 24,000. The average annual growth rates of the 10 years by segments were between 3.6% and 6.0%. INRIX speed data identifies congestion on FM 1485 as peak hour speeds at segments between Gene Campbell Blvd and SL 494 are 10 to 20 mph below the speed limit. The congestion gets worse as the corridor approaches the US 59 frontage roads. According to the COMPAT tool, there are over 130,000 person hours of delay by year 2022. FM 1485 near US 59 experience congestion and reliability problems. The COMPAT indicates that the TTI Planning Time Index 80 are between 1.43 and 1.55, meaning commuter must reserve 40%-55% of extra travel time to be on time. The average Planning Time Index of all FM roads in H-GAC region is 1.28. The most severe bottlenecks at the intersections of FM 1485 and US-59 frontage roads. Due to lack of capacity, vehicle queues spill back upstream. Micro-simulation model indicates the intersections currently have peak hour level of service (LOS) E and will be degraded to LOS F in next 10 years without improvements. Another bottleneck is at the intersection of FM 1485 and Gene Campbell Blvd. This intersection is unsignalized and has no exclusive turn lane on Gene Campbell Blvd or FM 1485 southbound. Recent expansion of the East Montgomery Park and the relocation of the middle school on Gene Campbell Blvd attracted more turn traffic from FM 1485 to Gene Campbell Blvd. Public comments received from the public meetings confirms this intersection as the most concerned congestion hotspot. The improvements could attempt to remove the bottleneck and to prevent turning vehicles blocking the through the traffic. The strategies include: Install new traffic signals at unsignalized intersection bottlenecks. Rebuild the interchange of FM 1485 and US-59 to provide additional capacity. Raised median to prohibit excessive traffic making left turn to or from unsignalized intersections or property driveways. Build new exclusive turn lanes or extend existing turn lane to provide enough storage space for turning vehicles. Other low-cost, high impact improvements, such as intelligent transportation system.

4. Is the proposed project located on a facility identified as a hurricane evacuation route in any regional or local plans?

4a. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility that functions as an alternative to an evacuation route?

Yes

4a-i. If yes, explain.

FM 1485 connects directly to IH 69 N which is identified as an evacuation route.

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

1. Was the project scored under Regional Goods Movement Category?

1a. If no, please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves regional goods movement. Within the narrative, please include if the proposed project is designated as a critical freight corridor or a local/regional/state truck route.

The project is not located on a Critical Urban Freight Corridor. The project is not located on the TxDOT or FHWA Freight Networks. The project improves regional goods movement by access management (medians/turn lanes) which will enhance traffic flow and reduce the quantity and severity of crashes.

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.

East Montgomery Industrial Park is a premier freight generator and logistic center in Montgomery County. It is located along Gene Campbell Blvd, and FM 1485 is one of the two roads (other being FM 1314) which provides access to Gene Campbell Blvd. The industrial park is expected continuous growth in future. It currently has 800 acres of land with expansion plans for additional acreage. The EMCID recruits and provides incentive for business. See work types on High Growth Area Needs Question 3.

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.

10 Ft Shared use paths and/or 6 ft sidewalks are being recommended on the entire corridor.

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

There is no transit along this corridor.

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.

FM 1314 Corridor runs almost parallel to this project, inoperability impacts would be minimized because traffic could use FM 1314 as a backup route if FM 1485 were shut down.

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.

Pavement Score: Poor This segment contains pavement in Poor condition, according to TxDOT and FHWA guidelines. The project includes reconstruction of the roadway which 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.

1.826

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.

15.068

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 per VMT on FM 1485 is far above the statewide average. The state average crash rate of FM rural and urban roads are 116 and 250 crashes per 100 million VMT by year 2022, but the average crash rate on FM 1485 is 298 for year 2022 and 318 for year 2023. The segment between Walton Ave and SL 494 (near US 59) has an astonishing 662 crashes per 100 million VMT. Crashes data from CRIS for years 2017-2019, 21 and 22 have been reviewed. There are 4 fatal and 25 serious injury crashes in these years, suggesting that these severe crashes reoccur annually. There are 5 crashes involving biker or pedestrians and 4 out of the 5 crashes are either fatal or serious injury. 36 crashes were commercial vehicles related. See work types on High Growth Area Needs Question 3.

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.

Low

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.

All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards.

Access/Connectivity

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

8,663

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

8,538

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

8,663

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

8,538

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

2,408

1d. Disabled Persons

2,267

1e. Elderly Persons

632

1f. Limited English Proficiency

1,885

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.

39.9

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.

This project will improve mobility to and from jobs and provide for multimodal opportunities by including sidewalks/shared use paths. Students will now have safe routes to schools along the corridor.

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.

This project includes medians that opportunity spaces for green landscaping (improves air quality and creates a traffic calming measure to improve safety). For example, the project will improve drainage to ATLAS-14 standards, which will mitigate impacts from added capacity to vulnerable populations.

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.

FM 1485 subjects to frequent flooding as it is located between the Caney Creek and the Dry Creek. Most of the FM 1485 corridor is under the 100-year or 500-year floodplains. Some of the corridor is environmental justice area. All projects are being designed to match or exceed ATLAS-14 standards.

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.
(Optional)

NOx: 0, VOC: 0

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.

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)

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

Yes

2a. If yes, please explain.