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Houston-Galveston Area Council
November 2011 |
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| Meetings |
TAC, November 9, 2011
TPC, November 18, 2011
FM 1092 Access Management - Public Meeting
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Missouri City Community Center
6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
1522 Texas Pkwy
Missouri City, TX 77489
"Go Coogs, Go Green" Football Game
Saturday, November 19, 2011
University of Houston
Robertson Stadium 3875 Holman Street Houston, TX 77204-6014
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Transportation Policy Council - October 28, 2011 |
The Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council voted unanimously to adopt an amendment of the 2011-14 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) adding projects funded with Congestion Mitigation Air Quality, Surface Transportation Program - Metro Mobility, TxDOT Category 12 and Proposition 12 Bond Program Funds. These projects will take effect through 2012-2014. 
The TPC also accepted the BF 1960 Access Management Study. While the study was not adopted, it is programed for $5.9 million in Proposition 12 funding.
TPC approved the appointments to the Nominating Committee for 2012 Officers. For meeting details, visit the TPC October Agenda page HERE. |
FM 1092 Access Management - Public Meeting | |
 The FM 1092 corridor study area is the southern section of FM 1092 from SH 6 South to Dove Country Road, just north of the city limits of Missouri City. The purpose of the public meeting is to solicit feedback from people who use the corridor or own property along the corridor and to present short and long-term recommendations to increase safety and mitigate congestion.
FM 1092 Access Management Public Meeting
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Missouri City Community Center
6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
1522 Texas Pkwy
Missouri City, TX 77489
For more information, visit the website HERE. |
Regional Goods Movement Study - Public Meetings | |
 H-GAC is developing a Regional Goods Movement Plan to provide a system-level overview of freight movements in the Houston-Galveston region. Round Three of the H-GAC Regional Goods Movement Study Public Meetings concluded in October.
Public Comment Period ends November 4, 2011.
Visit our website and send us your comments at:
www.h-gac.com/go/rgm |
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H-GAC and METRO Announce Call for Projects for JARC-NF Programs | |
H-GAC, together with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), is conducting an ongoing Call for Projects for Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom (NF) grant programs.
The purpose of these programs is to expand transportation services in the Houston Urbanized Area for low income or disabled residents and commuters traveling to suburban employment centers. The residential end of the proposed service must be within the Houston Urbanized Area.
The Application Package and related documents are available at:
www.h-gac.com/purchasing/rfp/trn11-jnf-01.aspx
The documents are also available on METRO's website at:
http://ridemetro.org/Opportunities/GrantPrograms.aspx
Project submittals in electronic format only are due to H-GAC on or before Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. for this cycle. Completed application packages should be emailed to proposals@h-gac.com, Attn: Kari Hackett, Manager of Special Studies. Late submittals will NOT be accepted. |
"Go Coogs, Go Green" Football Game - November 19, 2011 | |
 On Saturday, November 19th, the H-GAC Commute Solutions Program will partner with IMG Sports and the University of Houston for the 3rd Annual "Go Coogs, Go Green" Football Game at Robertson Stadium. This event enables the Commute Solutions staff to distribute commute alternative information to the more than 30,000 fans that attend the game.
For more information and to view pictures from last year's event, please visit the Clean Air Action Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cleanairaction.
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Clean Fleet Technologies Conference 2011: Fueling the Choice | |
 The Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles Program hosted the annual Clean Fleet Technologies Conference (formerly Advancing the Choice) on October 19, 2011 at the Humble Civic Center in Humble, Texas. Nearly 175 transportation professionals learned about opportunities for alternative fuels and emission reduction technologies through presentations, breakout sessions, and panel discussions from distinguished local and national speakers.
In addition, Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter, the Texas Parent-Teacher Association, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality presented Humble Independent School District with a $2.9 million check for the purchase of 27 propane school buses and a propane fueling station.
Thank you to all conference attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for making the 2011 CFTC event a great success. H-GAC will continue efforts to foster clean air in our region, and we hope you will join us next year.
To learn more visit the website to view conference materials and speaker presentations.
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Chinese Delegation Attends Transportation Policy Council Meeting | |
 A group of 25 officials from Ningbo, China, attended the Transportation Policy Council's October meeting. They are currently attending the University of Houston's Hobby Center for Public Policy. Prior to the October 28th meeting, Alan Clark, MPO Director, briefed the delegation on H-GAC's governing bodies and regional transportation policy. The visiting group, led by University of Houston professor David Guo, is touring the area focusing on American government, economics, education and business practices.
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Sustainable Transportation Strategies Brochure | |
 H-GAC recently produced "Sustainable Transportation Strategies." This publication showcases the various elements of H-GAC's Livable Centers and Pedestrian/Bicycle Special District programs, including studies that have been completed throughout the region. It also includes federal and local funding success stories, and case studies highlighting partnerships, planning and construction.
H-GAC's Sustainable Transportation program is based on a vision of a future where everyone in the region has the choice to get where they want to go by walking, biking or using transit, rather than always relying on their vehicles.
This publication is available online, or contact Meredith Dang at meredith.dang@h-gac.com or 713-993-2443 for a copy.
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Alan Clark, H-GAC Director of Transportation |
Alan Clark, H-GAC MPO Director, participated in this year's Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations convention as a panelist at the session called "Emergency Response and Preparedness." Mr. Clark, a member of the AMPO governing board, described regional collaborative efforts among governments and stakeholders in addressing emergency situations.
Other session panelists included Councilman Phil Mendelson (D.C. City Council), Camelia Ravanbakht (HRTPO, Chesapeake. VA) and R. Todd Ashby (Des Moines Area MPO). The 2011 AMPO Annual Conference took place in Dallas, Texas, October 25-28.
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Bridging the Gaps in Transportation | |
On October 17, 2011 the United Way of Greater Houston led by Rebecca Jasso, hosted a workshop that focused on improving the coordination of transportation for seniors between non-profit organizations and transportation agencies. The workshop included presentations about the Harris County RIDES program, METRO's collaboration with One Voice, a coalition of Health and Human Services agencies and an innovative volunteer driver program for seniors in Austin, Texas, among others.
Kari Hackett, Manager of Special Studies at H-GAC, provided information about H-GAC's role in regional transportation planning and related activities of the Area Agency on Aging. Other H-GAC staff members - Rosalind Hebert, Lydia Abebe, Katrina Bayer, and Rick Guerrero - provided information about other transportation initiatives and the Commute Solutions program at display tables.
 As keynote speaker, Ms. Jeannie Barrett Teel of the Faith in Action Caregivers of Austin, captured the audience's attention with her remarks about focusing on the big picture.
Copies of the workshop presentations are available for viewing or download HERE. Photos provided courtesy of Sheila Holbrook-White, Executive Director of the Texas Citizen Fund-Mobility Partnerships who also coordinated the workshop.
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Hurricane Season - Together Against the Weather | |
"Together Against the Weather" is a communication program developed to target populations with access and functional needs after Hurricane Rita in 2005. Since our materials were successfully distributed to service agencies and our local governments, we have had requests to provide more materials. Service agencies such as Meals on Wheels and Neighboring Arms produce many of our materials every year. Phase Two of this program is currently underway. It consists of translating all existing materials to Chinese (Mandarin), producing a pediatric point of service video in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese (Mandarin), and the creation of a website.
The Chinese version of the original "Together Against the Weather" video is complete and available on youtube through this Link. During the month of November, H-GAC staff will be traveling across the region to receive feedback on this program from the emergency management community. We are also working on a pediatric point of service video script at this time.
If you would like more information on this program, click HERE.
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Drayage Loan Program
The H-GAC Drayage Loan Program is a low-interest loan program that enables eligible truck owners who conduct port-related activity to finance the purchase of newer, more environmentally-friendly trucks. Visit HERE for more details. Grants are also available.
Clean Vehicles Program
H-GAC's Clean Vehicles program is a fuel/technology-neutral grant program that funds cost-effective vehicle retrofit, repower, replacement, conversion (to alternative fuels), or the establishment of alternative fuel infrastructure. Prospective applicants are urged to review the program guidelines at www.houston-cleancities.org before submitting a grant application.
Commute and Transit Pilot Program
Qualifying projects are eligible to receive federal CMAQ funds to cover a percentage of incurred operating expenses for up to three years. This program funds new services which provide additional commuting options and do not duplicate or replace existing transit services. Visit HERE, for more details.
Telework  Program
Find out how your business can receive a federal grant for up to $72,000 to begin or expand your existing telework program. Applications are available at: www.commutesolutionshouston.org/telework/telework.htm. |
H-GAC Makes Latest Census Data Available Online |
On May 26, the U.S. Census Bureau released additional data for the H-GAC region based on the 2010 Census. The product, called "2010 Demographic Profile," includes 23 data tables for counties and cities. The tables include detailed age/sex distribution, median age, and types of households. The data is now available on H-GAC's website. |
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TxDOT collects traffic data 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to support federal, state, regional and local transportation entities. H-GAC uses these counts to develop its Regional Travel Demand Model. For more information about traffic counts visit these sites:
www.txdot.gov/travel/traffic_map.htm
http://ttihouston.tamu.edu/hgac/trafficcountmap/
 H-GAC has it's own YouTube site. To view our videos visit HERE.
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H-GAC Brown Bag Series - To view all videos of Brown Bag presentations visit HERE.
Distracted Teen Driving PSA - H-GAC and Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia have joined forces to create a Spanish-language television campaign aimed at Hispanic kids and parents warning of the dangers of distracted driving. "La Voz" covered the story. To read the article click HERE. You can view the Public Service Announcement HERE.
KTMD-Telemundo aired a three-minute news story on H-GAC's Drayage Loan program on June 14th. Reporter Teresa Alonso highlighted details of the program and encouraged truck owners/operators to make inquiries via telephone. To see complete story click
HERE. En Español.
Chronicles of a Teen Killer
H-GAC and the Houston Police Department (HPD) recently produced "Chronicles of a Teen Killer," a documentary about the dangers of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).You can watch "Chronicles of a Teen Killer" on YouTube HERE. |
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