713-627-3200
High Growth Area Needs 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
The 82 Westheimer is the highest-ridership bus route in the METRO system and all of Texas, garnering over 13,000 boardings on the average weekday. The 19-mile Westheimer Corridor extends from Downtown Houston to West Oaks Mall on SH 6, running through the heart of four of region’s largest employment centers: Downtown, Greenway Plaza, Uptown, and Westchase. The Texas Medical Center (TMC), another of Houston’s major job centers, is easily accessible from the Westheimer Corridor via a short trip on the METRORail Red Line. The 82 Westheimer BOOST will expand the transit services, facilities and performance in this high volume, high growth corridor reducing VMT and crashes, particularly those involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Yes
https://www.h-gac.com/regional-transportation-plan https://www.ridemetro.org/about/metronext/moving-forward-plan
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 the project corridor 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). At major intersections, METRO will install Transit Signal Priority (TSP) reducing bus and other vehicle delay with an extended green time or a shortened red time. TSP has been shown to reduce both bus and other vehicle delay.
Yes
The 19 mile long Westheimer BOOST Transit Corridor has and continues to be a high growth corridor. Based on just adjacent traffic zone level data from the Houston-Galveston Area Council, population and employment growth of over 25% is expected by the horizon year of 2045, increasing adjacent population by 42,475 residents (to a total of 201,565 persons) and adjacent jobs by 35,635 (to a total of 175,503 jobs). This project will add new and bolster existing transit service serving that growth and easing the potential congestion associated with it.
Yes
BOOST corridor improvements will reduce transit travel times by at least 10 to 15 percent, helping people reach their destinations faster. Patrons using the new Westheimer Signature express service to major activity centers will see travel times reduced by as much as half. Travel time savings and simplified service patterns allow METRO to more effectively tailor bus schedules to match customer demand. This means more frequent service at the busiest times of day and less crowded buses with room for everyone to sit. The additional seating capacity will provide travelers with an alternative option vs using their own personal vehicle.
Level of service improvements vary by intersection and approach. Since the level of service is largely defined by a volume to capacity ratio as opposed to a measure of vehicle delay, estimated level of service will be dependent on the potential diversion of traffic from nearby parallel corridors, including Richmond Avenue, Westpark and Briar Forest. the Westheimer BOOST will reduce vehicle delay but not change the level of service as measured by volume/capacity ratio.
Yes
the proposed project will provide a new alternative to many nearby residents dependent on auto travel along Westheimer. The 82 BOOST will include a new express commuter service to Westchase, Uptown, Greenway and (via the Southwest Freeway HOV) downtown Houston. Travel time to these destinations will be approximately one half that currently experienced on the 82 Westheimer.
No
Yes
Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.InvestmentCategory5ai
Other Investment Category Focused Criteria
No
FM 1093/Westheimer is a vital truck route for deliveries to for major activity centers (Downtown, Greenway, Uptown and Westchase) as well as the many businesses and residents adjacent to the corridor. The 82 BOOST will reduce congestion along this corridor by: - increasing transit ridership and reducing vehicle travel demand; - reducing intersection travel delays; and - reducing vehicle crashes, which are the single largest source of vehicle delay in themetro region.
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 such as the consolidation of transit stops and the relocation of transit stops to the far side of a signalized intersection applied through the BOOST corridor will increase operating speeds and reliability for both transit vehicles and autos and trucks. Transit Priority Treatments at signalized intersections will extend green time for approaching transit buses or shorten red times for stopped buses. In trail application to similar Houston streets, these treatments have been shown to increase throughput for all vehicles and reduce intersection travel dely. Reduced transit travel times and increased transit reliability will also stimulate higher transit 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 roadway capacity and improved traffic operations.
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: New, wider sidewalks and accessible curb ramps connecting the bus stop to nearby intersections and destinations. 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.
This is a Transit project. The 82 Westheimer is the highest ridership bus route in the METRO System. While heavily utilized, the 82 faces several challenges including slow travel speeds and long travel times due to the length of the corridor and closely spaced bus stops. Persistent traffic congestion further decreases the speed and reliability of the service, discouraging prospective customers from choosing transit and limiting ridership growth opportunities. This program will improve the overall transit experience on the Westheimer corridor. The use of TSP and the optimization (repositioning of stops to the far side of the intersection) of stops along the corridor will improve transit operations by helping us move faster and maintain the bus schedule. A limited stop, express service (Signature Service) will be added to the Westheimer BOOST corridor providing expedited travel time to all four major activity centers located along this corridor.
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.
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. 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).
Planning Factors Criteria
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.
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.
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. 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
Low
Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.Resiliency2
The proposed project will not impact flooding vulnerabilities.
Access/Connectivity
59,314 (39.5%)
108,664 (61.32%)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Environmental Justice
56574
95738
21037
10244
6693
8685
28.7
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. 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.
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
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. The 82 Westheimer BOOST will enhance transit access to important cultural resources within 1/4 mile of the facility, including 64 places of worship, 8 libraries, 2 community centers and 31 parks.
. New riders generated from the proposed project will lead to a reduction in auto use and a reduction of Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds. Additional emissions reductions will result from reduced auto delay at many intersections. Over the project life, more than 110 million vehicle miles of travel will be reduced, resulting in the following reduction of air pollutants: i. NOx reduction: 110M vmt x .06 gm/mi / 907,185 gm/ton = 7.3 tons reduced ii. VOC reduction: 110M vmt x .01 gm/mi / 907,185 gm/ton = 1.2 tons reduced.
Innovation
Yes
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. Stops will also be equipped with next bus arrival signage.
No
Additional Documents
1 - BUDGET 82 Westheimer BOOST.docx
Westheimer BCA+SEVA Final Report_.pdf