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Houston-Galveston Area Council
October 2011 |
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| Meetings |
TAC, October 12, 2011
TPC, October 28, 2011
TIP and RTP Public Meeting
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
4 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Texas Department of Transportation
Houston District Offices
7600 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77251
Regional Goods Movement Study - Public Meetings
Tuesday, October 11, 20115:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Brady's Landing 8505 Cypress Street Houston, TX 77012 Wednesday, October 12, 2011 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn 12101 Shadow Creek Pkwy Pearland, TX 77584 Thursday, October 13, 2011 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Stafford Center 10505 Cash Road Stafford, TX 77477 Clean Fleet Technologies Conference 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Humble Civic Center
7233 Will Clayton Pkwy.
Humble, TX 77338
H-GAC's Brown Bag Series
Monday, October 24th, 2011
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Lane
Conference Room A
Houston, TX 77027
FM 1764 Public Meeting
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Doyle Convention Center
2010 55h Avenue North
Texas City, Texas 77590
SH 105 Public Meeting
Thursday, October 27, 2011
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Austin Elementary School
14796 Highway 105 East
Conroe, Texas 77306
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Transportation Policy Council - September 23, 2011 |
The Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council voted to approve amendments to the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program and the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan Update.
The TPC voted unanimously to open a public comment period for additional projects proposed for the 2011-14 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funded with Congestion Mitigation Air Quality, Surface Transportation Program - Metro Mobility, TxDOT Category 12 and Proposition 12 Bond Program Funds.
The TPC voted unanimously to approve a resolution recognizing the service of John Sedlak, who is retiring from METRO.
H-GAC Chief Transportation Planner Christy Willhite presented recommendations and progress on four access management studies. For meeting details, visit the TPC September Agenda page HERE.
Reminder: the next TPC meeting will be on Friday, October 28, 2011. |
TIP and RTP Public Meeting - October 4, 2011 | |
H-GAC is announcing the opening of a 30-day public comment period to give the public an opportunity to review and provide comments on projects proposed for inclusion in the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Update. These actions would program $438 million of funding on projects throughout the eight-county Transportation Management Area.
The public comment period began on Friday, September 23, 2011, and will end on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 5:00 pm.
Public Meeting
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Texas Department of Transportation
Houston District Offices
7600 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77251
More information regarding these proposed actions and a list of projects can be found at www.h-gac.com/taq/tip. Comments can be submitted via email publiccomments@h-gac.com. |
Clean Vehicles Program Grant Workshop Series
Sept. 8th - Oct. 3rd | |
Grant applications can be intimidating, but here's the workshop to work them out. Find out how to get Clean Vehicles funding to upgrade your whole fleet or just one truck. Whether it's propane, natural gas, hybrid-electric, or just clean diesel, we have funding for your upgrade and the know-how to guide you through the process.
Convenient workshop locations will be all over the region from September 8th until October 3rd. At least one workshop is scheduled in every county, so check out the website to find a location near you. http://www.houston-cleancities.org/events.htm
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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 will present components and recommendations of the Draft Study to freight-intensive communities located within the H-GAC region.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Brady's Landing
8505 Cypress Street
Houston, TX 77012
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
12101 Shadow Creek Pkwy
Pearland, TX 77584
Thursday, October 13, 2011
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Stafford Center
10505 Cash Road
Stafford, TX 77477
For more information visit our web site HERE. |
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Clean Fleet Technologies Conference 2011: Fueling the Choice | |
 H-GAC's cutting-edge fleets and alternative fuel conference is coming up! The 2011 Clean Fleet Technologies Conference will include information on natural gas, propane, electric vehicles, ethanol, biodiesel, and fueling stations.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Humble Civic Center
7233 Will Clayton Pkwy.
Humble, TX 77338
State Representative Dan Huberty will be the opening speaker, and the keynote will be delivered by Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter. The event will also feature speakers from the Houston Airport System, Isuzu Motors, Ferrell Gas, and others.
Click here to register, sponsor, or to see the agenda. |
Proposition 12 - TIP Call for Projects | |
 In September, the TPC received project selection recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Proposition 12 funding and for the balance of Surface Transportation Program - Metro Mobility and Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds for the 2011-2014 TIP. The TAC also provided a list of potential contingency projects to be approved should any additional funding become available. The TPC issued approval to receive public comment on the list of proposed projects and the contingency project list.
The public comment period will close on Monday, October 24th, 2011 at 5 p.m. In October, final TAC and TPC approval of the amendments to the 2011-14 TIP and 2035 RTP Update is anticipated. TxDOT approval of amendments to the Statewide TIP should occur in November.
For more information and background visit HERE.
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H-GAC's Brown Bag Series - Bicycling and Walking Data | |
Please join us for H-GAC's October Brown Bag Series presentation. Shawn Turner is a senior research engineer and Division Head for the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) in College Station, Texas. He is a licensed professional engineer in Texas, a League Cycling Instructor with the League of American Bicyclists, and currently chairs the Pedestrian Committee of the Transportation Research Board.
Shawn will discuss data for biking and walking and present a national overview for various activities.
H-GAC's Brown Bag Series
Monday, October 24th, 2011
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Lane
Conference Room A
Houston, TX 77027
Bring your lunch and join us! |
Access Management - Public Meetings | |
Access Management is a transportation strategy designed to improve mobility and safety along busy corridors. Currently, H-GAC is conducting four Access Management studies that include: BF 1960 from west of Lee Road in Houston to east of Humble at FM 1960; SH 105 from Loop 336 in Conroe to US 59 in Cleveland; FM 1764 from SH 146 in Texas City to 14th Street; and FM 1092 from SH 6 South in Missouri City to Dove Country Road.
A second round of Public Meetings to present recommendations for the FM 1764 and SH 105 corridors will be held on:
FM 1764 Public Meeting
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Doyle Convention Center
2010 55h Avenue North
Texas City, Texas 77590
SH 105 Public Meeting
Thursday, October 27, 2011
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Austin Elementary School
14796 Highway 105 East
Conroe, Texas 77306.
A second public meeting for FM 1092 will be held in early November. The completed BF 1960 Access Management Study will be presented to the Technical Advisory Committee and Transportation Policy Council in October for approval.
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Regional Electric Vehicle Update Teleconference | |
The Houston-Galveston region's Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure continues to expand and begin efforts for intercity EV planning in the Texas Triangle. Please join us for a Houston-Galveston Regional EV Update Teleconference on Thursday, October 6, from 2-3 p.m. Agenda items will include:
Stakeholder updates - Information gathering for the Regional Assessment
Discussion of Texas Triangle planning efforts
Discussion of next steps for regional EV deployment & planning
The Houston-Galveston Clean Cities Coalition is assembling a "Regional Plug-In Electric Assessment for the Houston-Galveston Region" and we need your help to ensure that it is comprehensive and complete.
Please RSVP to cleancities@h-gac.com. We will be sending a more detailed agenda and call-in details prior to the meeting. |
SH 99 -Segment E Groundbreaking Ceremony | |
 On September 13 more than 100 people and numerous elected officials joined the TxDOT and Texas Transportation Commissioner Ned Holmes to mark the beginning of construction on SH 99 Grand Parkway from I-10 West to US 290, referred to as Segment E.
Segment E includes construction of a 15-mile segment four-lane, controlled access toll road with limited frontage roads. It also includes construction of four direct connectors at SH 99 and US 290 (US 290 east and westbound to SH 99 southbound and SH 99 northbound to US 290 east- and westbound), and construction of two additional direct connectors at SH 99 and I-10 West (SH 99 southbound to I-10 eastbound, and I-10 eastbound to SH 99 northbound).
 | | Ned Holmes, Texas Transportation Commissioner |
Once complete, this section of SH 99 will ease congestion by providing an alternate route for highways such as US 290 and I-10 West, among others. In addition, constructing this outer loop system will provide motorists more direct travel options for the movement of goods, people and services to, through and around the region.
For a complete map, visit HERE.
The construction is divided into four contracts totaling $320 million which were awarded by the Texas Transportation Commission in July 2011 and August 2011. Construction is estimated to last approximately 28 months. |
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Alan Clark, H-GAC Director of Transportation |
On September 14, 2011 the Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County and the Brazoria County Council of Chambers presented the 2011 Brazoria County Transportation Infrastructure Summit. Among the topics discussed were funding and a growing need for proper transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges, airports, waterways, and railroads.
State Senator Tommy Williams, chair of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, was keynote speaker at the Transportation Infrastructure Summit. Among the other distinguished speakers was H-GAC's Director of Transportation, Alan Clark.
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 H-GAC's Drayage Truck Fair, held September 17, 2011 at the Port of Houston, was attended by more than 150 people from throughout the region. The event targeted owner/operators of heavy duty trucks interested in replacing their older vehicles for newer, less polluting ones. H-GAC staff provided information on grant and low-interest loan opportunities available to those who conduct port-related business within the eight-county nonattainment region. Staff from the Port of Houston and Environmental Defense also participated.
H-GAC saw a 40% increase in applications for the program since the last truck fair in April. Participants were also given an opportunity to meet with truck vendors, win donated prizes, and enjoy food and refreshments.
Univision covered the story. You can watch HERE. |
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Together Against the Weather is a joint program between H-GAC and the Houston TranStar partners to develop a hurricane evacuation communications program targeting populations with special needs. Phase Two of this program is currently underway. This phase consists of the translation of all existing materials to Chinese (Mandarin), creation of a pediatric point of service video in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and the creation of a website. Marketing materials have been translated to Chinese and work is underway to apply on-screen Chinese captions in the initial Together Against the Weather video.
The Together Against the Weather team is also meeting with staff and parents of patients at the Texas Children's and Memorial Herman Hospitals to discuss unique challenges with children that have functional and access needs.
Once Phase II is complete in February, 2012, H-GAC, the Houston TranStar partners, and emergency management agencies in the region will have a tool kit of downloadable posters, flyers, door hangers, questionnaires, a video in four different languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin Chinese) as well as an updated website designed for persons with functional and access needs. These materials will address what to do in the event of a weather emergency and will be available to all agencies in the thirteen county region.
You can learn more about Together Against the Weather HERE.
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Reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU | |
On September 16, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law HR 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011. HR 2887 extends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and extends the federal gas tax through March 31, 2012. This legislation also extends the Federal Aviation Administration through January 31, 2012. Funding is maintained at current levels for highways, transit, and safety programs.
To view the full text of HR 2887, click HERE for the Library of Congress. |
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 Teenagers are four times more likely to cause a motor vehicle crash than other age groups, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Their lack of experience at the wheel and the use of mobile phones come together to make them more vulnerable.
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. In the ad, which is currently running on Telemundo, the sheriff appears with his daughter, Nina.
"La Voz" covered the story. To read the article click HERE. You can view the Public Service Announcement HERE.
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Hurricane Season - The Regional Joint Information Center | |
 The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1st and will end on November 30th. With meteorologists forecasting above-average storm activity this year, it's more important than ever that the public is prepared for a storm event.
The Regional Joint Information Center is a collaboration between regional emergency management partner organizations. Its website includes a hurricane preparedness checklist, hurricane tracking and evacuation maps, and other resources. In the event of an emergency, any evacuation orders for the region will be announced on this website. In addition to hurricane preparedness, you can also access information about natural and manmade disasters, traffic, safe schools and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
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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 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.
KTMD-Telemundo 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 commissioned and premiered "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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