Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	FM 518 Intersection Improvements
Facility/Street/Highway	FM 518 (Main St)
Limits	AT SH 3
Description	INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
Timeframe	Long Term (More than 10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$5,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Define High Growth Area Need: Provide a narrative to explain how proposed project is needed to serve a high growth where project is located. (Please provide quantifiable data that demonstrates high growth in population, employment, commercial development or daily traffic.)

The project consists of widening FM 518 from 4-lanes to 6-lanes in Pearland, a high growth and activity area of Brazoria County, with the purpose of improving capacity, connectivity, level of service, and safety. 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 of FM 518 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards. FM 518 is the City of Pearland’s “Main Street” and is essential to the city’s placemaking. The population is projected to grow by 81.3% and jobs are projected to increase by 142.8%. This is evident with a planned multifamily housing land use change off Garden Rd south of the project. This section of FM 518 is congested and in TTI’s 2022 report 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas, the annual total delay per mile on the segment is 101,640 person hours. The current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 27,047, of which 1.7 percent are trucks. By 2041 daily traffic volume is expected to increase by 40 percent to approximately 38,000.

2. Is the proposed project recommended in a statewide, regional, or local plans?

Yes

2a. If yes, please provide link to the plan.

https://www.h-gac.com/getmedia/28624d53-96f2-48aa-9c7a-766ebf5b3e0f/brazoria-county-thoroughfare-plan.pdf

3. Please provide proposed project description (detailed project scope).

This project will widen from 4-lanes to 6-lanes. A raised median will be included and may vary between 14 and 18 feet. The raised median is a safety improvement that reduces the number of conflict points resulting in the reduction of the quantity and severity of crashes throughout the corridor and at intersections, while improving traffic flow throughout the corridor. Raised median also provide refuge to crossing pedestrians. The project proposes to include sidewalks and 10-ft shared-use sidepaths on the north and south side of the corridor, respectively. The project will also convert the existing open ditch drainage system to a curb and gutter drainage system for drainage and flood control. In addition to the reconstruction and widening of the exiting roadway, the project will include improvements to safety, drainage, and pavement conditions.

3a. Does the project provide access to new planned land use development (residential or commercial), or connects existing discontinuous networks?

Yes

3a-i. If yes, explain.

The project is located in a high growth area that is highly commercialized/retailed based. The population is projected to grow by 81.3% and jobs are projected to increase by 142.8%. A multifamily housing land use change off of Garden Rd, south of the project is planned.

3b. Does the project expand existing networks to alleviate anticipated congestions?

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

This project proposes to add capacity to meet the expected demand from new subdivisions and retail areas being built along the vicinity of the corridor. Adding capacity will help relieve congestion on the facility by reducing the vehicle to capacity ratio. Further, it will allow more room for maneuvering around traffic, avoiding crashes on the segment and reducing congestion caused by crashes. Also proposed are the addition of raised medians. As an access management strategy in corridors, medians reduce mid-block left turn related crashes. They enhance traffic flow and reduce the quantity and severity of crashes at intersections and resulting congestion as well as a traffic calming strategy to manage traffic maneuvers and reduce speeds. The addition of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure like 10-ft shared-use sidepath will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to safely use the facility and reduce points of conflict with vehicles, thus improving the overall safety of the segment. This benefits pedestrians and bicyclist from new subdivisions and new schools located adjacent to the road. The consolidated crash reduction factor for this project is 135%, as a result of installing a raised median (WC 203), installing a shared-use sidepath (WC 407), and converting a 2-lane facility to a 4-lane divided (WC 538).

3b-ii. What is the estimated Level of Service after the project is completed.

LOS C

4. Does the proposed project provide an alternative route to existing corridor (Road or commuter transit)?

Yes

4a. If yes, explain.

This route provides east-west connectivity through Pearland, parallel to Magnolia Pkwy, Bailey Rd, and McHard Rd, all of which can be used as alternate routes to each other in case of inoperability.

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

5a. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility that functions as an alternative to an evacuation route?

Yes

5a-i. If yes, explain.

Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.InvestmentCategory5ai

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

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

Yes

2. 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 FM 518 is congested. In the 2022 report 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas by the Texas Transportation Institute, the annual total delay per mile on the segment is 101,640 person hours. The current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 27,047, of which 1.7 percent are trucks. By 2041 daily traffic volume is expected to increase by 40 percent to close to 38,000. The purpose of the project is to improve capacity, connectivity, level of service, and safety of the project segment. The project will improve operations for the regional network by reducing congestion on FM 518 and improving the connections between other parts of the freeway network. The added capacity will improve regional connectivity for all modes, including pedestrian and bicyclists, while also improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the segment of FM 518 up to TxDOT and FHWA design safety standards.

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.

The project consists of widening FM 518 from 4-lanes to 6-lanes in Pearland’s “Main Street” in Brazoria County. A raised median will be included and may vary between 14 and 18 feet. In addition to the reconstruction and widening of the exiting roadway, the project will include improvements to safety, drainage, and pavement conditions. Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure are proposed, with 10-foot shared-use sidepath on the south side of the corridor and 5-foot sidewalk she on the north side. Shared-use sidepaths provide a low-stress experience for active transportation users due to wider buffers from motorized traffic increasing user safety and health while improving regional connectivity. The pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on this project will be built according to the 2018 schematic. Their addition will create transportation alternatives and allow those walking or biking greater access to services and improve quality of life.

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

No existing or planned transit service is provided on this facility. The Pearland Transit Needs Assessment and Plan study is starting soon (June 21 or 22) by H-GAC (Part of their UPWP, no CSJ ID or MPOID), no transit recommendations yet.

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.

The project will provide additional lanes to allow more space to maneuver through the corridor, reducing delays due to disabled vehicles, vehicles turning to retail complexes which will help maintain flow on the facility overall reducing delays. The proposed raised median helps decrease the number of conflict points resulting in the reduction of the quantity (primary and secondary crashes) and severity of crashes throughout the corridor and at intersections, while improving traffic flow throughout the corridor.

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 project segment contains pavement in good to fair condition with the highest observed rating of 179. In a widening/reconstruction project like this project the roadway’s in a widening/reconstruction project like this project, brought to FHWA and TxDOT standards, increasing the state of good repair and extending the service life of the facility. This will lead to an improvement in the state of good repair and extend the service life of the facility. Similarly, by providing additional capacity for the current and expected demand will help eliminate congestion, such as heavy and stop and go traffic, which extends the life of the facility due to less pavement deterioration.

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.

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.

7.306

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 total crash rate for all crash types over the past five years was 346.17 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles. The fatality rate is 0, lower than the regional average (1.23), and the serious injury rate is 7.306, higher than the regional average (6.18). The Crash rates for this segment are reported per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The proposed additional lanes will provide additional capacity, from 4 to 6 lanes, that will help reduce primary and secondary crashes caused by the existing congestion. The additional lane would mitigate current unsafe behaviors including following too closely and changing lanes when unsafe, among others. Additionally, it would allow for a safe passing lane for drivers to change lanes when one of the lanes is impeded due to turning traffic, crashes, stalled vehicles, or routine maintenance. Including raised medians on the project provide a safety improvement reducing the number of conflict points which result in a decrease in the quantity and severity of crashes throughout the segment and at intersections while improving traffic flow throughout the corridor. Raised median also provide refuge to crossing pedestrians. As an access management strategy, raised medians have proven to reduce mid-block left turn-related crashes. They enhance traffic flow and can be used as part of a traffic calming strategy to reduce speed. The addition of pedestrian infrastructure will allow cyclists and pedestrians to safely use the facility and reduce points of conflict with vehicles, thus improving the overall safety of the segment. The consolidated crash reduction factor for this project is 168%, as a result of the inclusion of medians (WC 203), installing sidewalks (WC 407), drainage improvements (WC 209), and the addition of through lanes (WC 517).

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.

Medium

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.

Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.Resiliency2

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

6,387

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

12,551

12. 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

6,387

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

12,551

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

754

1d. Disabled Persons

1,218

1e. Elderly Persons

786

1f. Limited English Proficiency

508

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.

16.20

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.

The area surrounding the project segment has a lower low-income population (3.51%) as compared to the regional average of 13.5% and a lower minority population (58.5%) as compared to the regional average of 65% minority. The project is centrally located ion in the regional and Pearland network, which will produce improvements in mobility and connectivity for vulnerable populations as well as connectivity to schools, medical facilities, and social services for the regional population. According to HGAC’s Regional Resilience Tool, the project segment sits on a facility that is rated as having medium vulnerability and criticality score for resilience. An enhanced drainage system resulting from the project will improve drainage to ATLAS-14 standards, which will reduce flooding events and their impact on vulnerable populations. As a result of the improvement, vulnerable populations will have increased resilience and evacuation capacity in the event of hazards.

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.

The area surrounding the project segment has a lower low-income population (3.51%) as compared to the regional average of 13.5% and a lower minority population (58.5%) as compared to the regional average of 65% minority. TxDOT’s Environmental Process is designed to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Executive Order on Environmental Justice. Standard practice is to implement projects that provide user safety and operational efficiency while considering environmental quality and impacts to surrounding communities. In practice this means identifying and assessing potential project impacts, then proposing measures to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse effects to Environmental Justice Populations. 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.

This project received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in 2020. Through the development of an Environmental Assessment, TxDOT has determined there will be no significant impacts to natural or cultural impacts as a result of the project. The study noted that the preferred alternative was selected from among 4 proposed build alternatives because it resulted in the fewest residential, business, and other displacement or relocation impacts, the least impact to waters of the US, and the smallest ROW acquisition in the project area. The required displacements for the preferred alternative are 4 residences and 10 commercial facilities.

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

NOx: 1.75, VOC: 6.41

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 infrastructure and infrastructure or technology to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, or traffic operations. 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 (model year 2021 and newer) 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.

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

Yes

2a. If yes, please explain.

The project will implement new infrastructure and 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 (model year 2021 and newer) or if you have the apps (Traffic Safely or ConnectSmart in the near future) 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.