At its meeting on Oct. 23, the Transportation Policy Council formally adopted a resolution to create a regional Vision Zero plan supporting the elimination of all traffic fatalities in the eight-county metropolitan planning area by 2050. The resolution will support state and local efforts to reduce traffic deaths, such as the Texas Road to Zero initiative and complimentary Vision Zero campaigns under way in Houston and Harris County.
 
The council also approved a resolution acknowledging the Gulf Coast Transit District as a designated recipient of federal grant funds. The Gulf Coast Transit District is a joint urban and rural transit district managing transit operations in Brazoria and Galveston counties. Originally, the Gulf Coast Center managed these operations under the branded name Connect Transit, but they were split from the Gulf Coast Center earlier in May to give local stakeholders a stronger say in their transit service. With the TPC's approval, the Gulf Coast Transit District is one step closer to becoming a designated recipient of state and federal grant funding. The final step will be to seek approval from the Federal Transit Administration.
 
H-GAC representatives presented the latest draft of the memorandum of understanding for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The draft is being developed by a work group composed of TPC members representing the Texas Department Transportation (TxDOT) and local governments involved in the project. The memorandum seeks to establish mutual accountability and foster collaboration between the key cooperating entities on the project. Representatives also held a listening session where members of the public were read the draft memorandum in its entirety and had the chance to give feedback. Click HERE to read the draft memorandum of understanding.
 
Representatives from TxDOT presented the findings of a study to better understand heavy truck travel patterns between regional gateways and major Port Houston terminals. The study helped to develop more comprehensive data on truck travel patterns within the Greater Houston area. The most common type of truck trip was found to be short-haul and first/last mile travel between warehousing and distribution centers. The study results will aid developers in identifying opportunities to improve efficiency in freight movement throughout Greater Houston.
 
The council also recognized the service of outgoing member Jon Branson, deputy manager for the City of Pearland. Branson has been a member of the Transportation Policy Council since July 2014, where he also served on the Transportation Advisory Committee and on the Regional Transit Subcommittee.
 
To listen to the audio recording of the latest TPC meeting, click HERE. The next meeting is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 20 via teleconference webinar. Click HERE for more information. Public comments on agenda items may be sent by email to [email protected]. Comments received by 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 will be entered into the meeting record.