Monthly Archives: May 2016

How the Proposed Harris County Toll Rate Hike Failed.

The toll rate hike would cost more to implement than it would bring in.

What costs are considered when implementing a toll hike?

  • cost to update internal, roadside and back-office tolling systems
  • cost to purchase new permanent roadside signage
  • cost to update external digital and print materials
  • cost to complete testing of the tolling infrastructure system
  • cost to conduct transactional audits to ensure accuracy of the system changes once implemented

Houston Chronicle | Harris County…

Revenue Source. Gas Tax Alternative. 4 Pieces Intel from the West's Pay as You Drive Plans.

Which state is at the forefront of pay by the mile policies? Oregon has pursued this option for  the last 10 years & charges 1.5 cents per mile driven with a gas tax credit

Which state begins a pay as you drive pilot program in July 2016? California
 

Why is California looking for gas tax alternatives for transportation funding?

  • By 2035, California will lose 1/2 of its gas tax revenue to fuel efficieincy
  • Federal Funding
    •  The FAST Act offers $95 million in funding availability to…

ROUND 2. The Texas Congressman vs. High Speed Rail. 3 Pieces of Intel.

Which Texas Congressman wrote to the Surface Transportation Board about opposing high speed rail in Texas? Congressman Brady

What is Congressman Brady’s opposition to high speed rail in Texas? 

  • Congressman Brady opposes accelerated use of eminent domain or construction
  • Congressman Brady says the route is wrong
  • Congressman Brady opposes financial loans for high speed rail from the federal government

What is Congressman Brady’s opposition to the high speed rail route? 

  • The route…

7 Points. Mayor Turner Mobility Plan

  • Land Use decisions will be front and center. Limited Land. Lots of Transportation projects.
  • Wider streets can be less appealing
  • Not every street needs a bike lane
  • Light rail should be where people want it, not in neighborhoods that don’t want light rail
  • Buses will be the backbone of mass transit
  • 2 Way HOV lanes on ALL freeways
  • Culture Change– remove the stigma that buses are for the poor & hipsters

 

Mass Transit | TX: Seven Points of Conversation From Mayor Turner’s Houston…

5 Ways Politics Get in the Way of Better Roads. Better Bridges.

  • By 2015 the federal transportation funding gap to maintain transportation infrastructure will be  $1.4 trillion gap
  • U.S. Roads fell from #1 in the world to #11

What and who is to blame?

  • President Obama blames Republicans
  • Democratic Congressmen blame the stimulus package
    • too little transportation funds
    • too long wait to start projects
  • Fear of raising the gas tax according to Transportation Secretary
  • Republicans say a lack of faith in the federal government makes it difficult to…

Texas High Speed Rail Job Numbers.

  • 40,000 jobs to be created during construction
  • 1 subsidiary of the Japanese company created in Dallas to oversee the High Speed Rail
  • 20 technical and operations experts in Dallas
  • $10 to $12 billion project
  • 1,000 employees for the high speed rail
  • 2021 completion 

Dallas Business Journal | Japanese company to create Dallas subsidiary for Texas bullet train

The Hill | Texas rail project poised to generate local jobs, economic benefits, choice for travelers