TEXAS RURAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2035 (TRTP 2035) Helping shape the future of rural Texas Texas Rural Transportation Plan 2035
Texas Rural Transportation Plan 2035 What is it? Component of the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035 (SLRTP) Prioritization of non-mpo highway projects(20+ year planning horizon) Projects not in the Unified Transportation Program Rural (non-mpo) Areas only Considers needs of non-highway modes Developed with input from all stakeholders and system users of all modes What is the TRTP?
TRTP Objectives Develop a parallel process for long range planning in rural areas similar to MPOs Establish priorities for added-capacity highway projects not already in UTP To identify needs for non-highway modes To build on work completed on SLRTP 2035 What is the TRTP?
Planning and Programming Documents Texas Rural Transportation Plan (TRTP) What is the TRTP?
TRTP Study Area What is the TRTP?
Non-Highway Modes Non-highway modes include Railroads Transit Aviation Bicycles Walking Non-Highway Modes in the TRTP
Importance of Non-Highway Modes Non-highway modes are important to rural Texans Offer travel choices Provide links to local destinations Part of the multi-modal transportation system Non-highway modes are also essential for the Texas economy Provide alternative to road freight Offer connectivity to business hubs Support employment and job creation Non-Highway Modes in the TRTP
Challenges of Non-Highway Modes Non-highway modes present some planning challenges TxDOT does not directly operate railroads, transit systems, and airports TxDOT provides some, but not all, funding for nonhighway modes Non-highway modes do not adopt the same approach to long-range planning as for highways Non-Highway Modes in the TRTP
Opportunities of Non-Highway Modes However, non-highway modes present some opportunities Non-highway modes are part of a multi-modal transportation system, and may offer alternatives to highway investments A better understanding of all rural transportation needs will result in a more comprehensive TRTP Non-Highway Modes in the TRTP
TRTP and Non-Highway Modes For the non-highway modes, the TRTP will Identify rural transportation needs List known non-highway projects The TRTP will not Rank or prioritize projects for non-highway modes Non-Highway Modes in the TRTP
Non-Highway Mode Data Collection For the non-highway modes, data gathering approach Coordinate with TxDOT Divisions and other state agencies as appropriate Seek feedback from stakeholder meetings Contact non-highway operators and other stakeholders Independent research Non-Highway Modes in the TRTP
Highway Project Data Collection Collecting highway projects from TxDOT Sorting projects to identify appropriate projects Added capacity Capacity enhancements Will be reviewed by each TxDOT District office Select projects that will be ranked based on criteria Development of Highway Project Lists
Highway Project Lists Sources of Data DCIS TxDOT s project database Projects not in the current UTP Transportation Funding Brochures (Jan. 2011) Lists unfunded major projects One for each TxDOT District Corridor study recommendations My35 I-69 Ports-to-Plains Development of Highway Project Lists
Highway Projects Considered Added capacity Expanding 2 lanes to 4 lanes Capacity enhancements Super 2 Adding frontage roads 2-way left turn lanes Undivided to divided Development of Highway Project Lists
SLRTP Goals and TRTP Criteria TRTP criteria are based on two of the six goals: Mobility Connectivity Highway Project List Criteria
Highway Scoring Criteria - Connectivity Trunk System Defined network for rural connectivity System Gap Does the project fall between two segments of roadway with more lanes (a bottleneck)? Truck Freight Movement Dollars Tonnage Highway Project List Criteria
Highway Scoring Criteria - Connectivity Accessibility How does the project connect population and employment centers? Hurricane Evacuation Route (HER) Is the project on a designated HER or is it on a connector to an HER? Highway Project List Criteria
Highway Scoring Criteria - Mobility Cost Effectiveness How does construction cost compare to usage? Population Buffer How many people live in proximity to the project? Volume to Capacity Ratio Existing traffic on existing facility Future traffic on existing facility Future traffic on planned facility Highway Project List Criteria
Highway Scoring Criteria - Mobility Truck Traffic Existing truck percentage of total traffic Existing truck traffic Projected truck traffic Total Traffic What is current traffic volume? What is the future traffic volume? Safe Passing Needs Can you pass safely on the current highway? Highway Project List Criteria
Questionnaire Highway Project List Criteria
Top Rated Criteria Safe Passing Needs Score Frequency Forecast Truck Traffic Score Frequency 50 45 50 40 40 30 20 10 0 19 11 14 3 0 0 1 2 2 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 30 20 10 0 22 22 21 15 8 5 1 0 2 1 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 Existing Truck Traffic Score Frequency Accessibility Score Frequency 50 50 40 40 30 20 10 0 22 21 20 15 9 4 4 1 0 1 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 30 20 10 0 24 20 19 9 8 9 4 1 1 2 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Lowest Rated Criteria Hurricane Evacuation Route Score Frequency Population Score Frequency 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 10 12 5 6 4 13 13 15 8 7 14 20 10 8 4 9 6 6 18 17 13 7 9 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 Hurricane Evacuation Route Score Frequency 50 40 30 20 10 12 5 6 4 13 13 15 8 7 14 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Where are we now? Project Listing Sent to Districts to: Confirm Data Set Supply Missing Data Provide Location Information Confirm Construction Costs Validate Need for Overlapping Projects Provide Info for Unfunded Projects NOT in DCIS Identify Prop 12 projects Identify Other Projects
Public/Stakeholder Outreach How will we involve the public? Newsletters (3) Stakeholder outreach Meetings in 8 locations (August 2011) Distribution of draft project lists and priorities (December 2011 Webinar) Distribution of final project lists (April 2012 email) Public outreach Open houses hosted by TxDOT Districts (February 2012) Public hearing (May 2012) in Austin Upcoming Tasks and Meetings
Upcoming Tasks and Meetings Next Steps: Continuous stakeholder and public outreach Preliminary list of projects Finalize criteria and analyze projects Preliminary project scoring and ranking Feedback and adjustment Upcoming Tasks and Meetings