Transportation Project Questionnaire

Operational Improvements and Congestion Management Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	METRO
Project Title	Northline TC
Facility/Street/Highway	Fulton St.
Limits	@ Julia St.
Description	Construct new multi-level TC on new location to replace existing Northline TC
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$42,000,000.00

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.

>2.0

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

The proposed new Northline Transit Center (NLTC) will not improve travel time, per se; but, it will enhance transit connectivity and allow for safe and convenient transfers between bus routes and drivers, helping reduce congestion and expediting access to major destinations.

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

>2.0

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.

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail enabling travelers to Downtown to skip the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area.

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

Yes

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.

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.

a. The new Northline Transit Center (NLTC) is located across the street from the existing NLTC on leased property and adjacent to the METRORail Red Line terminal Northline/HCC station. This location is a critical hub for transit connections. The NLTC will connect local bus routes and the METRORail Red Line, as well as area drivers via structured parking. The proposed facility will have space for METRO Police, customer service, and potential retail space, creating a multi-modal center facilitating mixed-use development and economic reinvestment.

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.

a. The proposed NLTC will be served by the 56 Airline/Montrose BOOST route, which is designed to optimize service and transit treatment to provide a “Better Walk, Better Stop and Better Ride”. BOOST routes will have enhanced amenities with greater accessibility. b. METRO is making Universal Accessibility (UA) improvements throughout the METRO Service area to better connect bust stops and shelters to meet or exceed ADA standards. c. The City of Houston proposes bike lanes on the same block of Fulton Street as the proposed NLTC. d. Finally, the proposed NLTC will have a drop-off area with bicycle parking and pedestrian access to better serve active transportation.

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

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail enabling travelers to Downtown to avoid the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area. b. The 56 Antoine/Montrose route, which stops at the NLTC, will be upgraded to a BOOST route. BOOST routes will have higher frequency and upgraded amenities, such as next bus information, branded shelters and signage, and transit-friendly signal timing.

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.

a. The proposed NLTC is located at near Fulton Street and Crosstimbers Street. It is not on any truck routes nor adjacent to a bridge over the Houston Ship Channel. The project is located outside of the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. Drainage improvements will also be included in the project to mitigate any additional drainage needs from the project.

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 NLTC will be a new facility designed and constructed to METRO’s high standards. The facility will not be in the floodplain and will be designed to accommodate additional drainage needs from the project. b. The new facility will be included in METRO’s Asset Management Plan.

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.

Traffic fatalities within a half-mile of the project site from 2019-2023 include: a. 9/30/2023 – Bauman Rd. @ Julia St. b. 9/24/2022 – IH 45 @ Crosstimbers St. c. 10/17/2021 – IH 45 @ Crosstimbers St. d. 11/29/2020 – IH 45 @ Crosstimbers St. e. 11/04/2020 – IH 45 Frontage Road @ Crosstimbers St. f. 11/29/2020 – IH 45 @ Airline Dr. g. 10/19/2019 – Berry Rd. @ Fulton St.

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.

Traffic serious injuries within a half-mile of the project site from 2019-2023 include: a. Four in 2023 b. Two in 2022 c. Five in 2021 d. Four in 2020 e. Two in 2019

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. The proposed NLTC will offer improved connectivity for transit users and allow automobile drivers to access bus and rail facilities, reducing the need travel in congested freeways.

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.

The project is located outside of the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. Drainage improvements will also be included in the project to mitigate any additional drainage needs from the project.

Access/Connectivity

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

The Household population located for low-income is 4,153 or 64.5%.

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

The total population is 6,106 or 97.46%.

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

4,153 or 64.5%

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

6,106 or 97.46%

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

1,392 or 22.22%

1d. Disabled Persons

462 or 7.37%

1e. Elderly Persons

237 or 3.78%

1f. Limited English Proficiency

1,589 or 25.37%

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.

62.4

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.

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail enabling travelers to Downtown to avoid the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area. b. METRO is making Universal Accessibility (UA) improvements throughout the METRO Service area to better connect bust stops and shelters to meet or exceed ADA standards. c. Finally, the proposed NLTC will have a drop-off area with bicycle parking and pedestrian access to better serve active transportation.

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.

a. The new NLTC will be larger than the existing facility and will enhance the connectivity of the Northline community to the overall METRO network with more bus routes and parking capacity, expanding access to jobs and education. b. A Categorical Exclusion (CE) was approved for the new NLTC that recognized the project’s benefits to the primarily low-income and minority community (attached). The findings of the Environmental Justice analysis for the project determined that there were no disparate or disproportionate impacts on low-income and minority 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.

a. The project is located outside of the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. b. There are no cultural resources impacted by the project as documented in the project CE.

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)

a. The NLTC will provide a safe and convenient connection for transit customers by expanding the facility to accommodate more existing bus routes and METRORail service: therefore, emissions reductions are negligible. b. As an approved bus transfer facility in a conforming RTP and approved in the TIP, the project is exempt from air quality analysis.

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.

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail creating a multi-modal center enabling travelers to Downtown to avoid the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area. b. METRO is also making Universal Accessibility (UA) improvements throughout the METRO Service area to better connect bust stops and shelters to meet or exceed ADA standards. c. Finally, the proposed NLTC will have a drop-off area with bicycle parking and pedestrian access to better serve active transportation.

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

Additional Documents

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