Mobility Investment Priorities Project: Early Recommendations Report

Traffic congestion has been a significant problem in Texas’ major metropolitan areas for many years, directly affecting the state’s economic growth and quality of life. About two-thirds of Texas residents live in urban areas that are ranked in the 40 most congested U.S. metro areas, and three metro areas (Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin) are in the top 15. Perhaps more disturbing, however, is the fact that not only is congestion high, but Texas traffic problems are also increasing faster than in similar U.S. areas. The four largest metro areas (including San Antonio) rank in the 15 fastest growing congested areas in the U.S. over the last 15 years. As a part of the General Appropriations Act, 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011 (H.B. 1, TxDOT Rider 42), the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) was directed to provide assistance to the metropolitan planning organizations, the TxDOT District offices and other project partners in their development of projects and programs to address mobility concerns and to report to the Texas Legislature and the Transportation Commission. The Mobility Investment Priorities project complements existing planning and project development activities in the metro areas. The project assists the agencies in prioritizing and targeting additional mobility improvement funds; it is not intended to replace or supersede existing planning processes and products or current funding allocations for other programs. Each metro area is developing its own set of projects, programs, and plans to address the most congested sections of road; the mix of strategies will be different in each area. The intent of Rider 42 is to ensure that the metro areas are incorporating all of the best congestion reduction practices so that it is clear that funding is being spent as effectively and efficiently as possible while addressing the state’s most congested roadways. Each area’s goals and vision will result in different approaches; if the best public communication principles are used, each of them will reflect the public interests and the best congestion reduction practices. This report describes interim conclusions from the first few months of a two-year project. There will be other reports, additional recommendations, and other project ideas over the remaining time. A detailed summary of the possible near-term actions is presented for each metropolitan area. These initial findings may be modified upon more investigation, but this early report identifies projects that are likely to meet the standards identified in the Rider (e.g., significantly reduce congestion in a cost effective manner with a project that makes maximum usage of the possible management and financial options) and allow agencies to continue with project development activities.

• Record URL:
  http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/TTI-2012-9-summary.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://mobility.tamu.edu/mip/pdfs/MIP-Early-Report-Executive-Summary.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Authors:
  • Lomax, Tim
  • Stockton, Bill
  • Ellis, David
  • Lasley, Phil
• Publication Date: 2012-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 45p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Congestion management systems; Financing; Metropolitan areas; Mobility; Strategic planning; Traffic congestion; Traffic mitigation; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01446278
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 2012 11:16AM