PEDESTRIAN-BICYCLIST SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 PEDESTRIAN-BICYCLIST SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Houston-Galveston Area Council: Conference Room A (Second Floor) Thursday, October 23, :30 A.M. 11:30 A.M. Members in Attendance Valerie Marvin (City of Missouri City) (Chair) Shaida Libhart (METRO) (Vice Chair)* Evan Duvall (City of Webster) Ryan Granata (City of League City)* Cathy Halka (City of Sugar Land)* *Attended via conference call MEETING MINUTES Anita Hollmann (City of Houston) Tenille Jones (Fort Bend County)* Jen Powis (Houston Parks Board) Ana Ramirez Huerta (TxDOT) H-GAC Staff Andrew Pompei Absent Kelly Dietrich (The Woodlands Township) Patrick Garrett (Harris County PID) Michael Howlett (Harris County: Precinct 4) Shawn Johnson (City of Conroe) Lata Krishnarao (City of Pearland) Clark Martinson (Energy Corridor District) Guests William Rub (Houston B-Cycle) David Manuel (LAN) Robert Benz (Texas Transportation Institute) Geoff Carleton (Traffic Engineers, Inc.) Kelly Porter Jeff Taebel (H-GAC) Vacant (Texas Medical Center) Vacant (Harris County Public Health) Gerald Griffith (METRO) Kristen Grayson (City of Houston) Yuhayna McCoy (City of Houston)* *Attended via conference call Quorum A quorum was certified. 1. Call to Order/Introductions Valerie Marvin (Chair) called the meeting to order. 2. Update: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan Andrew Pompei (H-GAC) provided an update on the status of the 2040 Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. On October 9, 2014, the Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee recommended that the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) release the current draft of the plan for public review. The public review period of the plan will align with that of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The public review period for each document is scheduled for late November through early January. Over the coming months, H-GAC staff will be making presentations to organizations interested in pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Meeting Minutes: October 23,

2 3. Approval of Minutes Mr. Duvall moved to approve the minutes from September 11, 2014 and October 9, 2014 as presented, and Ms. Ramirez seconded. The motion carried by an unanimous vote. 4. Presentation: Houston Parks Board Jen Powis (Houston Parks Board) provided an update on the status of the Bayou Greenways Initiative (BGI) and offered tips on how to successfully design, construct and fund shared-use paths. A non-profit organization, the Houston Parks Board (HPB) is dedicated to creating, improving, protecting and advocating for parkland throughout the region. The BGI is a multi-jurisdictional effort to provide parkland and shared-use paths along the region s bayous. Studies have shown that this initiative will provide a variety of environmental, economic, and health benefits. Ms. Powis provided helpful tips for those pursuing similar projects and seeking inclusion with the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Phased Implementation When seeking inclusion within the TIP, propose smaller segments that are part of a larger plan. In response to a previous TIP: Call for Projects, HPB selected a few projects that closed gaps in the existing network and connected a variety of destinations, creating new recreational and transportation opportunities. Project Development Process and Funding Before seeking inclusion within the TIP, consider what stage of development the proposed project is in. It may be advantageous to wait until the project s design is complete or underway. If the project is shovel-ready, it may be easier to develop a realistic timeline for implementation. Interjurisdictional Coordination Consider how you can work with other jurisdictions and entities to complete projects and connect existing and proposed pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Funding Determine what funding sources are appropriate for each particular project. When utilizing federal funding, pedestrian and bicycle projects must adhere to standards established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); this can result in higher project costs. In some situations, it may be more appropriate to use public and/or private funds from other sources, allowing partners to construct a more cost-effective project. Communities may even consider partnering with businesses to sell the naming rights to these facilities. Project Development and Staffing Needs When developing a project proposal, consider the time needed to manage design and construction. If hiring a consultant to oversee construction, consider the amount of time required to effectively work with them and provide feedback. Project Management and Decisionmaking Unexpected issues may come up during design and construction. Determine who the primary decisionmaker will be throughout the project s implementation. Public Awareness Consider ways to promote the project before and after construction, ensuring the public is aware of proposed improvements (and the benefits of these projects). Meeting Minutes: October 23,

3 Challenges Project sponsors can have difficulty acquiring land and providing safe crossings over railroads, major streets, and other barriers. Utilizing underused public right-of-way can reduce some of the challenges associated with land acquisition. Completing Proposals When responding to the TIP: Call for Projects, start the application process as early as possible and provide sufficient information about the proposed improvement, including maps and photos. 5. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education At its meeting on September 11, 2014, the Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee expressed interest in discussing education programs that teach pedestrians and bicyclists how to safely travel along the region s roadways. To further address this issue, the Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee discussed existing pedestrian and bicycle safety education programs and the need for these programs regionwide. Subcommittee members provided the following comments: The City of Houston provides a variety of educational materials on its website, including its Bike Smart Handbook and Watch for Cyclists! videos. Privately-owned bicycle shops throughout the region offer pedestrian and bicycle education courses. AARP has a program that teaches seniors how to walk, bike, and use transit safely. The City of Houston Police Department used to have a bicycle rodeo. Texas Childrens Hospital used grant funding to teach children how to bike safely. BikeHouston provides safety trainings and helmet-fitting assistance. The City of Sugar Land recently posted safety information and other resources related to pedestrian and bicycle safety on its website ( The city also gives away helmets and helps with fitting, and will begin implementing safety programing recommended within its Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2013). Subcommittee members identified additional programmatic needs that may help improve pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout the region: Many school districts have reduced or eliminated bus service near schools, forcing children to walk or bike from their homes. Entities could work with school districts to ensure students practice safe walking and biking techniques. Consider training advocacy groups and professionals on how to provide pedestrian and bicycle safety courses (i.e. Train the Trainer ). There is a need to encourage motorists to be more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling along local roadways (e.g. Share the Road ). Pedestrian and bicycle safety could be integrated into drivers education programs. Consider working with employers to promote bicycle safety and commuting. Install signs in parks that provide bicycle safety information. Different departments within local governments can work together to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety. 6. Update: Regional Bikeway Map Mr. Pompei provided an update on the print Regional Bikeway Map. Copies have been distributed to different organizations represented on the Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee, and additional copies Meeting Minutes: October 23,

4 will be printed in the coming months. Before the second round of printing occurs, H-GAC is accepting requests from subcommittee members for minor edits to the map. For example, some entities have mentioned their park-and-ride lots are missing; those elements can be added to the maps prior to the next round of printing. Any requested changes should be submitted by November 7, Member Roundtable Discussion Subcommittee members and guests provided information on projects, programs and intiaitives their organizations are pursuing: City of Webster The City of Webster is considering adopting an ordinance allowing use of utility easements for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The city is also working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to add pedestrian and bicycle facilities along the State Highway 3 corridor, and has hired a consultant to identify the alignment of a trail connecting local parks. City of Sugar Land The City of Sugar Land is realizing recommendations identified within its Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2013). Bicycle lanes are now open along Sugar Lakes Drive, and portions of University Boulevard are being designed and constructed to include pedestrian and bicycle accomodations. H-GAC: Community & Environmental Planning H-GAC is accepting applications though the TIP: Call for Projects until December 15, To assist project sponsors in completing applications, webinars will be held each week (Mondays at 2:00 p.m.) to answer questions submitted to H-GAC. Temporary pedestrian and bicycle counters are available for loan to local governments and transportation agencies throughout the eight-county Transportation Management Area (TMA). Local governments and other entities submitted a Letter of Intent indicating their intention to submit proposals for Special Districts and Livable Centers studies (Note: Since this meeting was held, the application deadline for the TIP: Call for Projects was extended to January 12, 2015). City of Missouri City The City of Missouri City is building new roadways that include pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, in accordance with the city s Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan (2013). City of Houston: Planning and Community Development The City of Houston is in the process of selecting a consultant to complete the city s bicycle master plan. City of Houston: Department of Health and Human Services As part of Sunday Streets Houston, streets in the Third Ward/Museum Park will be closed to automobile traffic on November 2 and in the East End/Fifth Ward on December 7. While automobile traffic will be prohibited, members of the public are invited to walk and bike down these streets without interference from cars. 8. Next Pedestrian and Bicyclist Subcommittee Meeting Date(s) A workgroup meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2014 (9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.) at H-GAC: Conference Room B. 9. Closing Remarks Ms. Marvin concluded the meeting. Meeting Minutes: October 23,

5 10. Adjourn There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Meeting Minutes: October 23,