Transportation Project Questionnaire

Operational Improvements and Congestion Management Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	METRO
Project Title	82 Westheimer BOOST
Facility/Street/Highway	VA
Limits	Milam @ SP 527 to SH 6 (West Oaks Mall)
Description	Optimize bus operations using a toolbox of improvements - traffic sign al prioritization, real-time travel information, shelters, level boarding, etc.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$42,546,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

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

Yes

1a. If yes, please provide link to the list.

https://mobility.tamu.edu/texas-most-congested-roadways/

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

1.0 – 1.25

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).

This project seeks to add additional seating capacity through additional trips funded by the savings created through improved operations. Those savings will be reinvested in the service to create additional trips for new riders. More travelers leaving their cars should help improve traffic conditions.

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.

For the transit vehicles on the corridor, the program will utilize bus stop optimization and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) to keep buses moving.

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 1093 (w\Westheimer) was used as an alternative evacuation route during Hurricane Ike . It served as an alternative to IH-10W.

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.

This corridor is not designated as a critical freight corridor, however it serves a high volume pf trucks delivering goods to four major activity centers (Downtown, Greenway, Uptown and Westchase) as well as the many businesses and residents located along the route.

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 82 Westheimer is among the slowest of METRO’s highest-ridership lines. On weekdays, the bus is scheduled to travel at an average speed of 10.2 miles per hour, with some trips scheduled at even slower speeds. The low average scheduled speed can be attributed to closely-spaced stops, a lack of transit signal priority, and delays from traffic—especially in Uptown and Downtown Houston. Treatments applied through the BOOST process aim to increase operating speeds and reliability, which can stimulate higher ridership by creating a more attractive service. The more people we can encourage to leave their cars at home for transit the more we’re able to contribute to improved traffic operations.

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.

Nearly every transit trip involves walking at one or both ends of the ride; this can be challenging for customers as many streets in the METRO service area have missing or uneven sidewalks or lack accessible curb ramps. Crossing high-speed streets to safely reach the bus stop or a trip destination can be difficult and unsafe. The BOOST program addresses these issues by making improvements to the sidewalk and bikeway networks along and connecting to project corridors so more people can safely access transit service. Focus areas for BOOST access improvements include: 1. New, wider sidewalks and accessible curb ramps connecting the bus stop to nearby intersections and destinations. 2. Implementing elements of the Houston Bike Plan that provide meaningful connectivity to existing or programmed bikeways or destinations. Where feasible, this can include network segments of high-comfort bikeways to expand access to transit service to more people.

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

The Bus Operations Optimized Service Treatments (BOOST) program will holistically improve the transit experience on METRO’s busiest bus routes across the system, delivering benefits to tens of thousands of existing riders and positioning the corridors to attract new ridership in the years to come. Through a coordinated set of capital and service improvements, the BOOST program provides existing and prospective customers with a better walk, a better stop, and a better ride. Nearly every transit trip involves walking at one or both ends of the ride. This can be challenging for customers as many streets in the METRO service area have missing or uneven sidewalks or lack accessible curb ramps. Crossing high-speed streets to safely reach the bus stop or a trip destination can be difficult and unsafe. The BOOST program will address these issues through construction of missing sidewalk segments, reconstructing and widening to current five-foot standards existing sidewalks that need repair or widening (right of way permitting), and adding or refreshing crosswalk markings, signage and pedestrian “hawk” signals. Metro will seek to provide connections to bikeway networks along and connecting to project corridors so more people can safely access transit service by both walking and bicycling. These improvements benefit all people who are traveling along these corridors, not just transit riders. BOOST will also improve the portion of the trip waiting at the bus stop. BOOST corridors will be planned to have improved shelters at every bus stop, providing shade and protection from the elements. Quality seating and lean rails will be included to make the experience more comfortable. Shelters will have integrated lighting to improve safety, security, and visibility for waiting passengers. Where possible, additional space will be acquired behind the curb to provide more room for waiting customers and increased separation from traffic on the street. Improved passenger information – Passenger information is important toward maximizing rider understanding of the transit system and communicating service conditions. Enhanced stops on BOOST corridors will provide real-time bus arrival and status updates. Improved signage and wayfinding maps will provide schedule data, key information, and wayfinding to destinations from the transit stop. Easier boarding platforms and safe all-door access – To improve access to the bus and help improve bus speeds, stops will be designed to include near-level accessible platforms. This allows customers, particularly those with mobility challenges, to board buses faster and more seamlessly. Stops will be designed to allow riders to safely use all doors to board and alight the bus, reducing conflicts that occur at busy stops when only the front door is accessible. And a better ride – METRO will fully reconstruct two miles of pavement with full depth repairs (mostly the right lane) and provide a curb-to-curb pavement overlay from the West Loop to Buffalo Speedway (where needed).

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.

i. Westheimer is a significant route for trucks moving goods to and from the four major activity centers along its length. A primary goal of the project is to reduce collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and transit vehicles. The BOOST corridor improvements at intersections, crosswalks and transit stops will contribute to a reduction in these and other vehicle crashes, including those associated with trucks. For example, one way to achieve this is by placing stops on the far side of the intersection as opposed to the near side. It is our belief that this will help us minimize rear-end collisions with stopped transit vehicles. Traffic crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists often result in serious injury or death. These incidents require significant emergency response resulting in prolonged lane closures.

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.

a. The BOOST program will address these issues through construction of missing sidewalk segments, reconstructing and widening to current five-foot standards existing sidewalks that need repair or widening (right of way permitting), and adding or refreshing crosswalk markings, signage and pedestrian “hawk” signals. Metro will seek to provide connections to bikeway networks along and connecting to project corridors so more people can safely access transit service by both walking and bicycling. These improvements benefit all people who are traveling along these corridors, not just transit riders. b. BOOST will also improve the portion of the trip waiting at the bus stop. BOOST corridors will be planned to have improved shelters at every bus stop, providing shade and protection from the elements. Quality seating and lean rails will be included to make the experience more comfortable. Shelters will have integrated lighting to improve safety, security, and visibility for waiting passengers. Where possible, additional space will be acquired behind the curb to provide more room for waiting customers and increased separation from traffic on the street. c. Easier boarding platforms and safe all-door access – To improve access to the bus and help improve bus speeds, stops will be designed to include near-level accessible platforms. This allows customers, particularly those with mobility challenges, to board buses faster and more seamlessly. Stops will be designed to allow riders to safely use all doors to board and alight the bus, reducing conflicts that occur at busy stops when only the front door is accessible. d. And a better ride – METRO will fully reconstruct two miles of pavement with full depth repairs (mostly the right lane) and provide a curb-to-curb pavement overlay from the West Loop to Buffalo Speedway (where needed).

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.

i. In the year 2022, there were a total of 9,706 crashes that happened on the 19-mile Westheimer Road corridor. There were 11 fatal crashes. The fatality crash rate for the Westheimer corridor is 3.95 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The 2022 Texas statewide average fatality rate is 1.55 per 100 VMT.

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.

i. In the year 2022, there were a total of 41 serious injury crashes found on the 19-mile Westheimer Road corridor. The serious injury crash rate for the Westheimer corridor is 14.72 per 100 VMT. The 2022 Texas statewide average fatality rate is 5.28 per 100 VMT.

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.

a. METRO will implement high-visibility crosswalks and repaint stop bars at all signalized intersections adjacent to bus stops on BOOST corridors. In addition to improving ramps as described in the Sidewalks & Ramps section, METRO will modify medians as needed to ensure accessible, unobstructed crosswalks on all legs of signalized intersections. b. In addition, METRO will coordinate with the City of Houston (or any other agency responsible for signal timing) to implement an automatic pedestrian phase at all signalized intersections adjacent to stops and to consider leading pedestrian intervals on an intersection-by-intersection basis. Automatic pedestrian phases give pedestrians the green light to safely cross during every signal cycle, regardless of whether someone has pressed the pedestrian push button. The H-GAC crash reduction factor for improving pedestrian signals is 10%. H-GAC crash reduction estimator was used to estimate the safety benefit from the proposed project. The safety benefit over the next 20 years would be $354,653,000 (2018 dollars)

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.

i. The proposed project will not impact flooding vulnerabilities

Access/Connectivity

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

59,314 (39.5%)

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

108,664 (61.32%)

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

59,314 (39.5%)

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

108,664 (61.32%)

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

22,039 (12.44%)

1d. Disabled Persons

10,772 (6.08%)

1e. Elderly Persons

6,848 (3.86%)

1f. Limited English Proficiency

9,221 (5.20%)

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.

28.7

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.

i. The BOOST program addresses these issues by making improvements to the sidewalk and bikeway networks along and connecting to project corridors so more people can safely access transit service. These improvements benefit all people who are traveling along these corridors, not just transit riders. However, vulnerable populations including low income, minority and elderly or disabled persons are disproportionately dependent on transit services. ii. BOOST corridors will be planned to have improved shelters at every bus stop, providing shade and protection from the elements. Quality seating and lean rails will be included to make the experience more comfortable. Shelters will have integrated lighting to improve safety, security, and visibility for waiting passengers. Great attention has been given to accessibility both at transit stops and from connecting sidewalks and crosswalks providing access to the transit stops.

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.

It will improve the pedestrian environment near our transit stops. Improved crosswalks, ADA accessible pads, and lighting for greater visibility for waiting passengers.

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 project would not impact natural resources in the area since it will make improvements within a developed urban area. For cultural resources, the project would mitigate impacts to historic resources by either avoiding these resources or reducing the impacts on a case by case basis.

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 reduction: 110M vmt x .06 gm/mi / 907,185 gm/ton = 7.3 tons reduced. VOC reduction: 110M vmt x .01 gm/mi / 907,185 gm/ton = 1.2 tons reduced

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.

Transit Signal Priority (TSP) will be utilized on the corridor to improve reliability and provide faster operations. Each stop will be equipped with solar powered shelters and digital lighting where feasible.

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