Regional Transit Coordination Subcommittee Meeting Houston ... · Regional Transit Coordination...
Transcript of Regional Transit Coordination Subcommittee Meeting Houston ... · Regional Transit Coordination...
Regional Transit Coordination
Subcommittee Meeting
Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Conference Room B/C
Thursday January 11, 2018
9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Agenda
1. Introductions and Certification of Quorum (8) – Vernon Chambers, Harris County
Transit, Chair.
2. Public Comments
3. Action Item: Approval of RTCS Meeting Summary- October 12, 2017
4. Agency Highlight: American Red Cross Transportation - Steve Atchison (15 minutes)
5. Information Items:
• Job Candidate and Employee Transportation (JET) Pilot Project- Omar Fortune
(15 minutes);
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program
Commuter, Transit and Innovative Services- Requests for Proposals- Alan
Rodenstein (15 minutes)
6. Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP) Updates- Kari Hackett (15 minutes)
• FY 2018 Project Grant Agreement and RCTP Workshop
• Interactive Database Development- Working Group
• Regional Trip Planner/ Google Transit
7. Agency Reports (5 minutes each)
Next RTCS Quarterly Meeting- April 12, 2018, H-GAC Conference Room B/C.
Regional Transit Coordination Subcommittee
April 13, 2017 Page 1 of 1
REGIONAL TRANSIT COORDINATION SUBCOMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, October 12, 2017 – 9:30 A.M.
Houston-Galveston Area Council of Government Offices
3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120, Houston, Texas 77027
(Meeting Held – Second Floor, Agency Conference Rooms 2-B and C)
BRIEFING
1. Call to Order, Introductions and Certification of Quorum (8) – Vernon Chambers, Harris County Transit,
Chair.
2. Public Comments- None
3. Action Item: Approval of August 17, 2017 RTCS Meeting Summary- Approved
4. Information Items: (see the power point presentations for details)
RTCS Action Plan Updates; Kari Hackett described a process to update the RTCS Action Plan by
incorporating the results of the updated Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP). He presented an
example based on the Agency Stakeholder Survey Results.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Vernon Chambers – Harris County Transit
James Hollis – Gulf Coast Connect Center
Valerie Marvin- City of Pearland
Travis Madison-TxDOT
James Hollis- GCC/Connect Transit
Mary Fay-METRO
ALTERNATES PRESENT
Kenneth Brown-METRO
Tennille Jones – Fort Bend County Transit
Vincent Morrison – Harris County Community Services
Other Interested Parties
Steve Atchison- American Red Cross
Katrina Bayer-Houston Downtown Mgmt. District
Anthony Cochran – TxDOT
Kelly Rector-Energy Corridor District
Gretchen Stockstill- Coalition for Barrier Free Living (FBCIL)
Larna Brown-HKTransit/LAJ Transport
RTCS Members and other interested persons participating by telephone
Wendy Weedon, Brazos Transit District, Vice-Chair
Michael Worthy, City of Galveston, Island Transit – Primary
Janis Scott, Bus Rider
H-GAC STAFF PRESENT
David Wurdlow
Kari Hackett
Alan Rodenstein
Thomas Gray
Patrick Mandapaka
Greg Seal
Lucinda Martinez
Page 2
Regional Transit Framework Study and High Capacity Transit Task Force; Thomas Gray summarized the
current activities and the next steps for the Task Force and the Framework Study.
Investment Matrix and Commuter Transit Support; David Wurdlow provided an update on the Investment
Matrix and requested comments from the members within the next week. During the meeting, Vernon
Chambers requested that the Mobility Investment area in the Investment Matrix include the Regional Single
Point of Information Database which would also be used for Trip Planning.
Suggestions were submitted by email to the Chair (after the meeting) from Fort Bend County Transit on the
Investment Categories. For Vehicle Replacement and Vehicle Purchase/Fleet Expansion; we should eliminate
a Maximum Funding amount per project. Instead we should use NO Max as listed for some of the other
categories. It would be determined on a case by case basis.
5. Agency Reports (5 minutes each) Notable mentions by: 1) GCC/Connect Transit-the subcontractor for demand
response services in Galveston and Brazoria counties (Le Fleur) is going out of business. Connect transit staff
will attempt to fill in the gaps until another subcontractor is procured. Older vehicle fleet will need replacements;
2) American Red Cross is working with Harris County RIDES, City of Baytown and Chambers Health to
improve transportation services in Chambers County; 3) Harris County Transit is working with the City of
Pasadena to re-implement fixed route transit services starting in 2018; 4) TxDOT PTN 2-Year Coordinated Call
for Projects to be announced soon.
6. Other Business:
• Google Transit Updates and Future Request for Assistance-Progressing
• TxDOT PTN Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP) Workshop, November 2017.
Next RTCS Quarterly Meeting-January 11, 2018 (tentative), H-GAC Conference Room B/C.
Gulf CoastRegionally Coordinated
Transportation Plan Update
More Options for More People
Regional Transit Coordination Subcommittee
Action Plan Update
October 12, 2017
Kari J. Hackett
Action Plan Summary
▪ Elected Officials, Business Leaders
▪ Regional Mobility Management
▪ Seamless Fares
▪ Shared Maintenance Facilities
Action Plan Summary (cont’d)
▪ Regional Transit Information
▪ Local Match Fund
▪ Regional Volunteer Driver
–Voucher Program
Focus on RCTP Gaps
▪ Regional Service Providers
▪ Customer Comments/ Complaints
▪ Geographic, Demographic Analyses
Stakeholders’ Survey Results
▪ Transportation Needs Identified
–Access to medical, groceries, trip planning
information, weekday trips.
▪ Primary Transportation Barriers
–Access, infrastructure, resources.
Stakeholders’ Survey Results (cont’d)
▪ Obstacles to Coordination
–Lack of funding for current needs
– Inadequate fixed routes
–Lack of information about other providers.
Stakeholders’ Survey Results (cont’d)
▪ Coordination Enhancements Needed
–Encourage cooperation among providers
–Coordinate scheduling, planning,
implementation
– Increase/improve funding
–Seamless/regional fare
–Sustainability (and more).
High Capacity Transit
Taskforce
Update to RTC Subcommittee
October 2017
PURPOSE OF THE TASKFORCE
▪ Identify extent to which high capacity
transit is needed to support economic
growth, mobility and quality of life
▪ Determine if there is a “Business Case” for
investment in HCT
▪ Estimate what investment is needed
▪ Identify constraints and opportunities by
corridor
▪ Complete “findings and recommendations”
report by August 2018
2
TASKFORCE STRUCTURE
3
TASKFORCE DELIVERABLES
▪ Peer region assessment and case studies (HGAC staff)
– July-September 2017
▪ Report on economic impact of HCT (workgroup)
– Phase One: July-October 2017
– Phase Two: February 2018-April 2018
▪ Report on HCT service concepts (workgroup)
– November 2017-February 2018
▪ Report on funding opportunities (workgroup)
– Phase One: July-October 2017
– Phase Two: February- April 2018
▪ Final report and recommendations (HGAC Staff)
– May-August 2018
4
TASKFORCE TIMELINE
5
Regional Transit
Framework Study
Update to RTC Subcommittee
October 2017
PURPOSE OF THE RTFS
▪ Provide framework for examination and
discussion of future public transportation
services and policies for the region
▪ Explore potential costs and benefits
▪ Promote consensus on regional transit
priorities
▪ Support cooperation between providers
▪ Horizon year of 2040 – soon to be 2045
▪ Refine transit component of RTP
▪ Basis for modeling and other analysis
2
WHAT THE RTFS IS NOT
▪ The region’s only transit planning effort
– Must coordinate with other corridor- and
agency-level planning efforts
(ex. METRONext and HCT Task Force)
– Other transit plans will change/refine the RTFS
▪ A compulsory implementation plan
– Services and policies are conceptual and do not
compel providers to implement anything
▪ A ranking or timeline of transit projects
– Regional providers will implement new services
according to need and fiscal capacity
3
HOW THE RTFS WAS DEVELOPED
▪ Meetings with regional providers
– Short-term needs and long-term goals
▪ Review of previous planning efforts
– Regional and subregional transit plans
– Corridor and Livable Centers studies
▪ Identification transit-supportive areas
– 2016 Transit Need Index
– 2040 Population and Employment Projections
▪ Forecasted congestion conditions
4
EXISTING TRANSIT NEED AND SUPPLY
5
2040 POPULATION AND JOB DENSITY
6
2040 CONGESTION
7
RTFS COMPONENTS
▪ “Incremental Expansion” Scenario
– Financially constrained*
– For potential inclusion in future RTP
▪ “Vision” Scenario
– Unconstrained
– Contains projects that can be added to RTP as
new funds become available
▪ Policy concepts supporting both scenarios
– Improves usefulness of regional transit
– Fosters regional cooperation
*Acknowledges that new funding sources are necessary for even a
modest expansion of service
8
ELEMENTS OF RTFS NETWORK
▪ Four types of High Capacity (HCT) Services:
– HCT Peak (example: Commuter Rail)
– HCT All Day (example: METRORail)
– Express Bus (example: P&R buses using HOV)
– Signature Bus (example: METRO Quickline)
▪ HCT services supported/fed by underlying
local and regional bus network
▪ Expansion of Flex Zone (i.e. METRO’s
“Community Connector”) concept
– Anchored at HCT stations and facilities
– Provides “first mile/last mile” service
9
EXISTING HIGH CAPACITY NETWORK
10
INCREMENTAL EXPANSION NETWORK
11
VISION NETWORK
12
PRELIMINARY MODELING RESULTS
▪ Strong potential demand for expanded
transit
– Some services have more potential demand
than capacity
▪ Implementation of Incremental Expansion
Scenario decreases regional VMT:
– 3.0% decrease in AM Peak from 2040 baseline
– 2.2% decrease in PM Peak from 2040 baseline
▪ Some models (Vision Scenario, Flex Zones)
still in development
13
SCENARIO COMPARISON
14
Current Service**
Incremental
Expansion
Scenario
Vision Scenario
Number of Fixed Routes 156 235 293
Annual Vehicle Revenue
Miles (Fixed Route)47,847,917 115,165,379 144,947,224
Miles of HCT Guideway 27.6 136.9 383.1
Total Vehicles in Use 1,820 3,900 5,620
Annual Transit Demand
(Fixed Route Boardings)83,866,394 400,223,265 595,297,267^
Annual Passenger Miles 604,901,257 2,004,472,774 3,110,859,737^
Population within ¼ mile of
local transit service*47.1% 59.7% 70.8%
Jobs within ¼ mile of local
transit service*67.7% 82.7% 89.4%
Transit Mode Share (HBW) 2.4% 11.3% (tbd)
* Local bus and rail service only. Percentages may be higher if express/commuter services included.
** Current service statistics based on 2015 NTD and 2014 Census ACS data.
^ Preliminary modeling results
SUPPORTIVE CONCEPTS
▪ Seamless Services
– Regional fare media, single point of information
▪ Access to Transit
– Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity
– Full compliance with ADA
▪ Operations management
– Traffic and incident management; parking
management; transit priority; TDM strategies
▪ Leverage new services and technologies
– Potential for partnerships with Transportation
Network Companies (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
– ITS; smartphone apps; automated vehicles
15
CURRENT STATUS AND NEXT STEPS
▪ Modeling results being refined
▪ “Interim Report” to be available
▪ Anticipated data updates:
– 2045 Population and Employment Forecasts
– Census, ridership, NTD data, etc.
▪ Coordination with/incorporation of other
current transit planning efforts
(e.g. High Capacity Transit Taskforce & METRONext)
▪ Public outreach effort
▪ Revised/updated study to inform 2045 RTP
▪ Regular update cycle
16
Investment Matrix and
Commuter Transit Support
Regional Transit Coordination Subcommittee
October 12, 2017
Investment Matrix Feedback
▪ General Comments
– Simplify
– Consider removing modal divisions
– Recognize project development timelines
▪ Transit Subcommittee
– Provider coordination concerns, access to regional
travel information
Investment Areas
RTP Strategies
MANAGE
System Management & Operations
MAINTAIN
Asset Management
EXPAND
Transportation Network Capacity
Mobility Highways &
Thoroughfares
• Access Management
• Interchange/Intersection improvements
(direct connectors, geometry)
• Rail grade separations
• [PRG] Regional ITS Infrastructure
(communications, motorist /passenger
information, dynamic facility mgmt.)
• [FUT] Autonomous and Connected
Vehicle Infrastructure
• Reconstruction of principal
arterials/NHS
• Rehabilitate/Reconstruct
intermodal connectors (First
Mile/Last Mile)
• Interjurisdictional connectivity
(e.g. bridges)
• Regional Thoroughfare
Widening and New
Construction
• Innovative freight movement
Transit • Regional Fare Collection
• Transit Priority Infrastructure
• Regional/Shared Maintenance
Facilities
• [PRG] Vehicle Replacement
• Passenger Facilities (Park &
Ride/Pool, Transfer
Points/Super Stops, Shelters)
• [PRG] Vehicle Purchase
Ped / Bike • First Mile/Last Mile Gaps (access to
fixed route transit, employment, etc.)
• Pedestrian Safety Treatments
(Midblock crossing, etc.)
• ADA compliance of pedestrian
network
• Eliminate gaps between
existing facilities within the
regional bikeway system
DRAFT
Transit – Regional Fare Collection
▪ Prepare a Regional Fare Collection Plan
▪ Funding set-aside for implementation capital
costs
– Objective #1: Payment platform
– Objective #2: Fare policy coordination
Transit – Priority Infrastructure
▪ Prioritize movement of transit vehicles within
mixed traffic
▪ Eligible Activities: Bus pullouts, queue jump, stop
consolidation, ITS systems, signage
Transit – Vehicle Replacement
▪ [Annual Program]
▪ Support revenue vehicle SOGR via replacement or
overhaul
▪ Tied to provider asset management plans (TAMP)
and performance targets
▪ Leverage FTA reporting requirements (NTD)
Transit – Vehicle Purchase/Fleet
Expansion
▪ [Annual Program]
▪ Revenue vehicle fleet expansion to address
capacity constraints
▪ Leverage FTA reporting requirements (NTD)
Transit – Passenger Facilities
▪ New and expanded passenger facilities
▪ Eligible Activities: Park & Rides/Pool, Multi-route
transfer points/Super Stops, Shelters
Commuter Transit Support
Capital Support
▪ Call for Projects:
– New and expanded passenger
facilities
– Priority Infrastructure
▪ Annual Programs:
– Vehicle Replacement
– Fleet Expansion
– Ped/Bike First Mile/Last Mile
Operating Support
▪ Pilot Projects (RFI):
– First Mile/Last Mile
– Suburb-to-Suburb
– Etc.
▪ Commuter Service Expansion:
– Incentive payment for ridership growth (PMT)
– Apply to previous or next year service expansion costs
– Leverage with capital eligibility under 5307/etc.
Gulf Coast Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan
FY 2018 Update
(UPWP Sub Task 4.3d.1-Transit Coordinated Planning)
1. Background:
a. RTCS Action Plan-approved by the Regional Transit Coordination
Subcommittee (RTCS) for FY 2015-2016. Priorities included;
i. Public Transportation Alliance with Elected Officials and
Business Leaders,
ii. Regional Mobility Manager,
iii. Seamless Fare Policy (regional fare payment app),
iv. Shared Maintenance Program,
v. Regional Transit Information (One Call/One Click),
vi. Public Transportation Local Match Fund,
vii. Baseline Public Transportation Services (county-level transit
plans)
viii. Regional Volunteer Driver Voucher Program.
b. 2017 RCTP Update- developed FY 2016-2017, approved September
2017.
a. RTCS Action Plan
•Approved for 2015-
2016
b. RCTP Update
• Approved Sept. 2017
c. Project Grant
Agreement
•Executed November 2017
for FY 2018
i. Recommendations included closer focus on financials to enable
transit service expansions as one strategy to resolve geographic
(spatial) and temporal gaps. Priorities are different for each
stakeholder group;
1. Service Providers
2. General Public
3. Elected Officials and Business Leaders.
4. Strategies also vary by areas based on Geographic and
Demographic Analyses (urban, small urban, rural).
c. FY 2018 Project Grant Agreement (PGA), executed November 2017;
i. Monitor Progress on RCTP-advanced planning. RCTP Metrics
Data Collection and Reporting (percent transit, on-time
performance)
ii. Document New Unmet Needs (ie. Post Harvey Transportation
Initiatives)
iii. Develop Strategies to resolve gaps
iv. Statewide Metrics Data Collection and Reporting to TxDOT-
PTN (document gaps, collaborations and strategies to resolve
them starting in March 2017)
v.
d. 2018-2019 Unified Planning Work Program-Products
i. Provide monitoring and planning support for the implementation
of priority projects identified in the Regionally Coordinated
Transportation Plan (RCTP)
ii. Coordinate with local transit service providers to initiate plans
for the development of new or expanded transit services in
counties adjacent to Harris County including but not limited to;
Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty {Chambers},
Montgomery and Waller counties.
2. Next Steps
a. Management Plan for FY 2018-2019 with Timeline and Task
Assignments
b. Coordination with RTCS at Quarterly Meetings
c. Planning for the development of Pilot Projects with Stakeholders
Gulf Coast
Regional One Call/One Click
Transportation Resource Center Concept
ONE CALL ONE CLICK
United Way- 211 Transportation
Referrals
Regional Trip Planner-Google Transit
(for fixed routes)
(compatible with RideSystem software)
Regional Mobility Manager (RMM)
Partnership with Harris County RIDES,
METRO, H-GAC, others, TBD.
Online Interactive Resources Database
for Demand Response Trips
(Extension of Commute Solutions
website)
Operations Funding Needed
(UPWP PL funds?)
Regional Smart Phone- Fare Payment
App.
(Expansion of METRO Fare Payment
App.)
REGIONAL TRANSIT COORDINATION SUBCOMMITTEE
2018 MEETING SCHEDULE
HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL
2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM B/C
9:30am – 11:00am
JANUARY 11, 2018
APRIL 12, 2018
JULY 12, 2018
OCTOBER 11, 2018