Transportation Project Questionnaire

Transit Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	Fort Bend County Public Transportation
Project Title	Bus Facility -Parking Garage
Facility/Street/Highway	Thomas Taylor Parkway & Texas Parkway Missouri City, TX
Limits
Description	Construct structured TOD parking garage of 400 spaces in downtown Missouri City with bus and passenger accommodations for a permanent park and ride including dedicated bus bays with passenger platforms, passenger waiting shelters and transit information systems.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$10,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a regional, subregional, local, transit, livable centers or other plans?

Yes

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

This project was selected for development for the 0-2Y carryover spend down.

2. Does the proposed project provide transit service or expand transit service to locations which do not currently have a transit service?

Yes

2a. If yes, please provide narrative describing the proposed transit expansion (Local bus, commuter, etc.).

The proposed project will expand commuter service from the centralized parking structure. The proposed commuter route will connect to METRO’s Missouri City – Fondren Park and Ride and Fannin South Transit Center for destinations to the medical center, downtown Houston, and other destinations in the METRO service area via the METRO rail and bus system. The proposed project is scalable and can support expanded services for growth through coordinated efforts with METRO.

3. Does the proposed project provide connectivity to other transit services?

Yes

3a. If yes, please provide narrative describing the proposed transit provides connectivity to other transit services (service operated by other transit agency, fixed route, commuter bus, rail, etc.).

In addition to connecting to a Fort Bend Transit (FBT) commuter route, the proposed project will connect to FBT Demand Response (DR) service. The proposed commuter route will provide connectivity to METRO transit services via the Missouri City – Fondren Park and Ride and Fannin South Transit Center through coordinated efforts with METRO.

4. Does the proposed project improve or provide transit connectivity to jobs?

Yes

4a. Please provide # of jobs located within 1/4 mile distance of transit stops.

1,300

5. Please provide daily ridership served by the proposed transit project.

In FY23, there were 148 Demand Response (DR) trips that originated or ended in the quarter mile buffer. See FBC Support Document 5.

6. Please provide narrative explaining how the transit agency (sponsor) helps to evacuate people during severe weather events (Hurricanes).

The proposed project can be a vital community resource during emergencies by serving as a central hub to mobilize relief efforts. The Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Plan provides detailed instructions on how each County Department is to provide support during an emergency. During severe weather events, such as hurricanes, it may be necessary to rapidly evacuate the public, school children, hospital patients, nursing home residents, older adults, individuals with disabilities, or prisoners. Fort Bend Transit, with the Fort Bend County Emergency Operations and Homeland Security Department, assists in transporting people from areas identified as at risk. These evacuations are conducted using high-water vehicles to extract and transport evacuees to designated locations where Fort Bend Transit buses subsequently transport them to designated shelters. The proposed project can serve as a designated location for future emergency operations. Furthermore, this facility would allow residents to park their vehicles in an enclosed garage while they are transported to a shelter.

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.

According to the 2023 H-GAC Regional Goods Movement Plan, the proposed project site is located on a parcel adjacent to medium and high need corridors and intersections, the I-69 corridor, and the intersection of FM 2234 and US 90-A. Although the proposed project will not directly improve regional goods movement, indirect benefits are anticipated. The proposed project is expected to decrease single occupant vehicle (SOV) trips by adding a connection to METRO’s Missouri City – Fondren Park and Ride and Fannin South Transit Center. Reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs) at the major intersection where 26 trains travel along the US 90-A corridor will alleviate congestion in the area. With the new commuter route that will utilize a segment of the TxDOT Freight Network, specifically US 90-A, there is a potential for improvement in traffic flow. This initiative not only aims to enhance commuter travel but also minimize congestion and subsequent freight delays in the vicinity.

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 proposed project will add transit connectivity and mobility options in a high-growth area with no current local fixed-route or commuter bus services. A new commuter route is planned to operate between the park-and-ride located at the project site to METRO’s Missouri City – Fondren Park and Ride and Fannin South Transit Center, which connects to the METRO light rail network and local bus routes. The project will also provide new service connections to the Houston Community College – Southwest campus, City Hall – Missouri City, Missouri City Community Center, Fort Bend County Library, and three public high schools within walking distance (Thurgood Marshall High School, Progressive High School, Stafford High School) and adjacent area. The proposed project will add convenient centralized parking for transit commuters, which will reduce single occupant vehicle (SOV) trips. The proposed project is expected to utilize approximately two acres of the 20-acre site; the remaining 18 acres are planned for retail, green space, and multi-family dwelling units to create a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project. Additionally, this project will connect to existing designated bike lanes on Thomas Taylor Parkway and connect pedestrian infrastructure within the parcel and to adjacent uses. Providing adequate parking and transit connections will be necessary to support economic development and job access and improve multimodal connections to adjacent uses.

3. 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.

The proposed project will feature new transit connections with a park-and-ride, new traffic patterns, pedestrian connections, and centralized parking facility to improve daily traffic operations. A new commuter route and additional pedestrian connections will decrease single occupant vehicle (SOV) trips in the area and encourage commuters to utilize multimodal strategies for transportation. The proposed project will feature dedicated turn lanes to provide access to the parcel. The turn lanes will assist and encourage free flow traffic conditions by allowing decelerating vehicles entering the parcel to minimize obstructing to traffic flow. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) turn lanes provide measurable safety and operational benefits. Centralized parking will allow commuters and shoppers to complete multiple errands and trips in one location.

4. 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.

According to the City of Missouri City Ordinance O-04-32 Article VII Sections 46-191, “sidewalks shall be required to be constructed along all roadways abutting the property in all residential and commercial areas being developed except for local streets in R rural single family residential districts.” As the proposed project will support residential and commercial uses, new sidewalks will be added and increase connectivity to adjacent areas and existing bike infrastructure. Additionally, the parcel will feature internal sidewalks connecting retail, residential, and open space uses. The proposed green space may feature walking trails and pedestrian infrastructure. The additional internal sidewalks will connect to the proposed project which will feature transit connections. The proposed project will connect to existing designated bike lanes on Thomas Taylor Parkway.

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 proposed project is a new standalone cast-in-place concrete parking facility that will be designed to meet or exceed all applicable structural standards. Though unlikely, if a vehicle collision with the structure were to occur, the structure would remain operational depending on the severity of the collision and pending the required clearance for structural integrity.

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.

As a capital transit asset, the proposed project will be included in Fort Bend Transit’s Transit Asset Management (TAM) plan, and its condition evaluated to ensure a state of good repair (SGR) is maintained. A capital asset is considered in a state of good repair when it can perform its manufactured design function, does not pose an identified unacceptable safety risk and/or deny accessibility, and the life-cycle investment needs of the asset have been met or recovered, including all scheduled maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacements. At a minimum, Fort Bend Transit assesses the condition of its assets annually using the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM) scale. The physical condition of each asset is assessed throughout the asset life cycle on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor/inoperable. Missouri City and Fort Bend County will have long-term operations and maintenance responsibilities.

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.

According to the HGAC crash data viewer, along the proposed commuter route there were 16 fatal crashes. See FBC Support Document 2.

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.

According to the H-GAC crash data viewer, along the proposed commuter route there were 2,159 crashes with injury. See FBC Support Document 2.

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 proposed project will include a dedicated transit stop, turn lanes to provide access to the site, and multimodal connections. A new commuter route and additional pedestrian connections will decrease single occupant vehicle (SOV) trips by encouraging multimodal trips. According to the National Library of Medicine, the fatality rate for auto users is 23 times higher than for transit riders, per 100 million person-trips. According to the HGAC Crash Data Viewer, from 2018 to 2022 there were 79 crashes within the quarter-mile buffer of the proposed project site, but no fatal crashes. There were 2,159 injuries and 16 fatal crashes within the quarter-mile buffer of the proposed commuter route. HGAC recognizes left and right turn lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks, and stop signs to be crash reduction factors. The proposed project will feature turn lanes to provide access to the parcel. The turn lanes will assist and encourage free flow traffic conditions by allowing decelerating vehicles entering the parcel to not obstruct through traffic. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), turn lanes provide measurable safety and operational benefits to reduce fatality and serious injury crashes. The proposed project site plan will include pedestrian infrastructure such as crosswalks and sidewalks to provide safe access to the adjacent transit stop and surrounding uses. Additionally, the site plan will include stop signs for internal vehicular traffic.

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.

The proposed project is within an area of low vulnerability to flooding. The design of the proposed project will meet all applicable federal, state, and local standards and requirements to reduce vulnerability to flooding. The area adjacent to the proposed project will feature permeable green space and a lake to facilitate any runoff and retain excess water.

Access/Connectivity

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

The weighted low and moderate income population is 1,517. See FBC Support Document 4.

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

There are 4,852 Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities. See FBC Support Document 4.

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

The weighted low and moderate income population is 1,517. See FBC Support Document 4.

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

There are 4,852 Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities. See FBC Support Document 4.

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

There are 130 persons in poverty. See FBC Support Document 4.

1d. Disabled Persons

There are 309 persons with disabilities. See Support FBC Document 4.

1e. Elderly Persons

There are 157 elderly persons. See FBC Support Document 4.

1f. Limited English Proficiency

There are 255 Limited English Proficiency households. See FBC Support Document 4.

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.

The weighted Livable Center Need Index is 29.4. See FBC Support Document 4a.

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 proposed project will provide benefits to vulnerable populations by adding connectivity and mobility options in an area with no existing local fixed-route or commuter service options. A new commuter bus service connecting to METRO’s Missouri City – Fondren Park and Ride and Fannin South Transit Center is in addition to the existing Demand Response (DR) service that connects all of Fort Bend County. In addition to adding a commuter route connection to a light rail station, it will add connections to the METRO network and a regularly scheduled connection to the Houston Community College – Southwest campus. Adding connections to major education centers, including public schools, can benefit vulnerable populations by providing accessible mobility options to jobs and educational opportunities. The proposed parking garage will include a dedicated transit stop that will create a central place for transit riders to access multiple transit modes. Furthermore, the proposed project is expected to be a part of a larger Transit Oriented Development (TOD) site. Active transportation and multimodal options will be enhanced as this project will connect to existing designated bike lanes on Thomas Taylor Parkway while adding pedestrian infrastructure within the parcel and the adjacent area. As the proposed project will support residential and commercial uses, new sidewalks will be added to increase connectivity internally to shops, to adjacent uses, and existing bike infrastructure. The additional sidewalks will connect the proposed project and planned transit connections.

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 proposed project will mitigate adverse effects to vulnerable populations by mitigating air pollution, destruction or diminution of aesthetic values, impact to public or private facilities/services, impact on employment, and increased traffic congestion. This proposed project is expected to reduce single occupant vehicle (SOV) trips and encourage multimodal connections, thus reducing emissions that cause low air quality and other harmful health effects. Additionally, this project will increase connections to public facilities, such as transit services, and new employment opportunities as the site is further developed beyond the proposed project. The proposed project will also be adjacent to new retail and open spaces, increasing aesthetic values by making use of beautification measures.

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 proposed project is not located in a flood zone, environmentally sensitive area, or on a historic/archeological significant site. The design of the proposed project avoids any impacts to flood plains or wetlands. The site plan will meet the federal, state, and local requirements to reduce vulnerability to flooding. The adjacent area to the proposed project will feature permeable green space and a lake to facilitate runoff and retain excess water.

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)

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 proposed project is a new 400-space parking garage with an attached transit stop that will serve as a park-and-ride facility. The project will enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, and traffic operations in the adjacent area. The proposed project will increase reliability of travel, accessibility to multimodal transportation options, and reduce single occupant vehicle (SOV) trips. Active transportation and multimodal options will be enhanced as this project will connect to existing designated bike lanes on Thomas Taylor Parkway, while adding pedestrian infrastructure within the parcel and connecting to nearby uses. As the proposed project will support planned residential and commercial uses, new sidewalks will be added to increase internal connectivity and to adjacent uses such as Houston Community College – Southwest campus, and to existing bike infrastructure and on-site transit facilities. By providing a centralized parking location with a commuter route connection to METRO’s Missouri City – Fondren Park and Ride and Fannin South Transit Center, the proposed project will reduce SOVs and simultaneously increase travel reliability by increasing free-flow traffic conditions. The proposed project is scalable and can support expanded services for growth through coordinated efforts with METRO.

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