Transportation Project Questionnaire

Operational Improvements and Congestion Management Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	FM 1314 AMS Phase 1 of 3
Facility/Street/Highway	FM 1314
Limits	From SL 494 to SH 242
Description	FM 1314 Access Management Study Short Term Recommendations Implementation (Phase 1)
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$3,340,000.00

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 1.33, indicating that it takes 1.33 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.

AADT for various count locations along and near the study corridor were collected from STARS II for the year 2019. The bidirectional volume along the FM 1314 study corridor ranges from 17,200 to 36,400 annually. The highest volume is seen west of the IH 69 N interchange where most of the study corridor’s commercial development exists. INRIX speed data identifies congestion on FM 1314 as peak hour speeds at segments between south of SH 99/Grand Pkwy and just south of Sorters Rd are more than 10 mph below the speed limit. The congestion gets worse as the corridor approaches the IH 69 interchange and SL 494. The most densely developed section of the corridor is located between Ferne Dr and SL 494 spanning five miles. This section experiences a higher concentration of congestion and crashes. The average travel time along this section of the corridor is 10.8 minutes in the northbound direction and 10.2 minutes in the southbound direction. Nine intersections were identified with an approach LOS of E or F that necessitate priority. Most notable are eastbound approaches at Valley Ranch Pkwy/Old Sorters Rd, Riverwalk Dr/Spartan Dr, Cumberland Blvd/Painted Blvd, and the Grand Pkwy EBFR, westbound approaches at Commerce Ave, Partner’s Way, Valley Ranch Pkwy/Old Sorters Rd, Riverwalk Dr/Spartan Dr, Cumberland Blvd/Painted Blvd, Kelley Joe Smith Rd/GameStop Dwy, and the Specs Dwy/Subway Dwy. Other notable LOS failures occur along FM 1314 at the northbound approaches of intersections at IH 69 NBFR and Specs Dwy/Subway Dwy. The short-term congestion management strategy is part of a broader initiative to improve traffic flow and safety along the FM 1314 corridor. These improvements focus on cost-effective and rapidly deployable solutions within ROW that aim to tackle urgent congestion issues and set the groundwork for mid- and long-term improvements. To address traffic flow, these strategies prioritize optimization and coordination of signals at all signalized intersections, improving timing and synchronization and minimizing stop-and-go traffic along the corridor. By recalibrating traffic lights, this strategy seeks to reduce travel time and improve mobility, particularly during peak periods. In addition, a new traffic signal is suggested to improve mobility at Fatheree Dr near Porter High School, which is expected to experience increased traffic due to the presence of the high school and proposed future developments. Safety issues are addressed through the installation of emergency flashing signals at Porter Fire Department (south of Rolling Hills Dr) and the improvement of pavement markings and school signage along the corridor, contributing to traffic awareness. Enhanced street lighting is suggested at Lazy Lane to improve visibility and safety for all road users. Additionally, raised medians are proposed throughout the corridor to control left-turn movements, improve road aesthetics, and contribute to reduced congestion as well as increased safety. The proposal also recommends the installation of a 5-ft sidewalk from SH 242 to McQueen (2.5 mi) and a 10-ft shared-use sidepath from McQueen to SL 494 (2.8 mi), which seeks to improve sidewalk connectivity, facilitate safe pedestrian movement, and encourage walking for shorter distances, providing potential relief to vehicular traffic.

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 1314 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. EMCID is a premier freight generator and logistic center. It is located along Gene Campbell Blvd, and FM 1314 is one of the two roads (the other being FM 1485) that provides access to Gene Campbell Blvd. The industrial park is expected to continue future growth, with an additional 800 acres of land in expansion plans.

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.

EMCID is a premier freight generator and logistic center. It is located along Gene Campbell Blvd, and FM 1314 is one of the two roads (the other being FM 1485) that provides access to Gene Campbell Blvd. The industrial park is expected to continue future growth, with an additional 800 acres of land in expansion plans.

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 1485 Corridor runs almost parallel to this project, inoperability impacts would be minimized because traffic could use FM 1485 as a backup route if FM 1314 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: Fair This segment contains pavement in Fair 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.

3.196

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.

16.895

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 the southern end of FM 1314 are above the statewide average, with the segment between IH 69 and SL 494 far exceeding the statewide average. The statewide average crash rate of FM roads is 253.5 per 100 million VMT (MVMT). However, the average crash rate on FM 1314 is 340 per 100 MVMT from Sorters Rd to IH 69 and an astonishing 1,246 per 100 MVMT from IH 69 to SL 494. Crashes data from CRIS for years 2017-2022 report a total of 1,358 crashes within those six years. There are eight fatal and 30 severe injury crashes in these years, suggesting that severe crashes reoccur annually. Failing to control speed and failing to yield right of way are the top primary contributing causes to crashes. This project will be installing raised medians (WC 203), widening shoulders (WC 536), left and right turn lanes (WC 519 and 521), and constructing shared use paths (WC 407).

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.

Medium

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. Detention ponds are likely when the corridor is widened.

Access/Connectivity

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

12,790

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

12,904

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?

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

12,790

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

12,904

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

3,900

1d. Disabled Persons

2,426

1e. Elderly Persons

1,348

1f. Limited English Proficiency

2,605

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.

28.5

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) by EMCID if they so choose. Another example is 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 1314 subject to frequent flooding as it is located between the Caney Creek and Dry Creek. Segments of the FM 1314 corridor are under the 100-year or 500-year floodplains. 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: -3.34, VOC: -14.08

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.