2004-12-13 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting

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Houston-Galveston Area Council DRAFT 2025 Regional Transportation Plan AASHTO guidelines are flexible, and cost-effective designs are available, especially in areas not subject to flooding or where lower usage is projected. H-GAC's Guidelines for Accommodating Pedestrians and Bicyclists provides a range of recommendations for off-road bikeways, based on AASHTO guidelines. . Design - Another common bikeway design problem in the TMA concerns the striping of bike lanes on existing roadways that are not well suited for bicycle travel. Smooth pavement, proper placement of gutter seams, and orientation of storm sewer grates are all key features of safe on-road facilities. If existing roadway conditions are unsuitable, it may be desirable to defer striping of a bike lane until the roadway is scheduled for resurfacing. . Maintenance - Regular maintenance is a critical factor for on- and off-street facilities. Cracked or uneven pavement, debris, low-hanging limbs, missing signs and deteriorated striping can pose greater safety threats to a bicyclist than to a motorist. A program to provide an appropriate level of maintenance should be a component of any project plan, including street sweeping and repairs to cracked pavement. Funding Most federal funding support for bikeway projects in the TMA has come from the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) or STEP programs. However, both of these programs have drawbacks with respect to implementing a regional bikeway network. . CMAQ - A problem with the use of CMAQ funding is the difficulty in calculating air quality benefits from bikeway projects. This deficiency could be addressed by the availability of better data and tools for projecting facility usage. H-GAC has completed the before stage of a before and after study to determine prototypical usage levels for facilities in a variety of settings. Consideration should be given to completing this study or developing other measures for calculating project benefits. Such information would also be helpful in justifying bikeway expenditures and prioritizing projects, regardless of funding source. . STEP - It is also difficult to ensure implementation of regional bikeway initiatives through STEP funding, since these project selection decisions are made by TxDOT in Austin without input from the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). H-GAC will work with TxDOT to enable better local input into the STEP project selection process. . Safety Funds - A previously untapped source of funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is federal transportation safety funds. H-GAC has initiated a safety study in the East End of Houston using this funding source and will pursue this funding mechanism in other areas with high incidences of bicycle crashes. . Blended Funding - Opportunities for blended project funding should also be considered. For example, on-street bicycle and pedestrian accommodations could be funded through CMAQ or STEP funds, with STP funds supporting Appendix C Regional Bikeway Plan and Design Guidelines Page 10 of 27