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UTC Project Information – Cooperative Mobility for Competitive Megaregions (CM2)

Project Title Compilation: A Statement of Vulnerability Regarding Texas’ Megaregion Corridors

University

Texas Southern University

Principal Investigator Carol Abel Lewis, Ph.D. and Gwen Goodwin, Ph.D.

PI Contact Information Carol.lewis@tsu.edu; 713-313-7924

Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Houston, TX

Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization)

U.S. Department of Transportation:

Other: $40,000

Other: (20,000) Match

Total Project Cost $60,000

Agency ID or Contract Number

UTDOT Grant number: 69A3551747135

Start and End Dates January 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022

Brief Description of Research Project

Previous CM2 developed a rubric and identified vulnerable communities on the Texas Triangle and Gulf Coast Megaregions. This task will assemble the previously disaggregated work for decision making.

Describe Implementation of Research Outcomes (or why not implemented)

Research outcome is to incorporate the rubric and knowledge about the vulnerable residents living proximate to the triangle to improved decision making processes by MPOs and state government.

Impacts/Benefits of Implementation (actual, not anticipated)

Discussion has begun with MPOs, but has not run its course, so no impacts have been realized.

Web Links to Reports

Year1_CAL_Framework_Equity.pdf (utexas.edu)

Application-of-Equity-Rubric-TSU-Yr-2.pdf (utexas.edu)

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Compilation: A Statement of Vulnerability Regarding Texas’ Megaregion Corridors

Objective

The research findings are designed to assist decision making by providing an assessment tool to identify the location of vulnerable populations and determine the travel needs that can be met in the megaregion -- outside traditional jurisdictional boundaries. Before planning can begin for any transportation a need must be established. The need is the gap between the deficiency in the area’s transportation system and the possible solutions to address the deficiency. The objective of this year 5 research is to compile findings from year 1, 2, 3 and 4 analysis which determined vulnerability of residents in corridors proximate to Texas’ Megaregion corridors. Findings from the Year 1, 2 and corridors are summarized below. Later year data are still being synthesized, but will be finalized prior to the year 5 initiation. The study team developed a composite vulnerability index (CVI) that collected vulnerability variables of ethnicity, female headed households and English spoken assessed with consideration of percent of income spent on transportation. The rural residents always had high auto ownership values from necessity because there is generally no public transit available. The corridor US290 connecting Houston and Austin showed greatest vulnerability in residents from Washington and Bastrop Counties. For the corridor IH 10 from Houston to the Texas state line, there are three counties, Chambers, Orange and Jefferson. Jefferson County has the highest presence of vulnerable residents.

The CVI shows a combination of the need via the socioeconomic criteria and the purpose by highlighting the percentage of income spent on transportation. That these individuals and families must spend a larger portion of their income moving around leaves less for all other needs. Disposable income might be used to access education or better employment, spending that could lead to improved lifestyles. Rural and small town residents are often challenged in making their case for public transportation improvements because their problems do not seem as significant as those of urban areas. Public transportation is a remedy to this situation as it would offer dependable alternatives and act as a connector between all the central areas. It is the determination of purpose and need that leads to agency exploration of suitable transportation responses. The public entities expected to recognize and address the gap between need and available transit service are the MPOs and COGs. These agencies require the assessment of purpose and need as a starting point to address mobility gaps. The year 5 research will assemble findings from all previous years to present the perspective of vulnerability proximate to each Texas Megaregion corrido.

Background and Motivation for the Topic

Megaregional travel crosses boundaries of political jurisdictions and typical planning boundaries. Detailed work is often done on specific projects (like high speed rail) with little or no attention to the needs of vulnerable populations. State DOTs consider environmental justice in project planning, but in a localized manner, not focusing on interregional travel needs. It is important as megaregion planning improves and matures that access to opportunities that a major focus is on promoting equity. Urban and rural communities should be better

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connected and access to employment, health care and other trip purposes should be improved, and not just for people with financial means.

Attention to this subject by other researchers is not easy to locate. Two recent publications from TRB conferences will be reviewed for sections that might apply to this research. The titles are Megaregion Projections 2015-2045 with Transportation Policy Implications (2017) and Exercising a Mega-Region Analysis Framework in the Chesapeake Bay Area (2013).

Project Description

Traditional transportation planning processes are conducted by MPOs, but these agencies are bound by legislation to focus within their designated boundaries. The state department of transportation conducts planning across county boundaries, but only for highways or rural transportation. Likewise, local public transit agencies must address planning only per their boundary as defined by statute. There is no study of the transportation needs of vulnerable populations statewide. As the megaregion develops, new tools will be needed to conduct the analyses.

US DOT requires all projects to begin with a statement of purpose and need. The point is to clearly show why a particular transportation concept is proposed, supported by descriptions of need. The need reflects the gap between the existing condition and the improvements essential for improved functioning of the transportation system. In the book, A Guide to Assessing Needs: Tools for Collecting Information, Making Decisions, and Achieving Development Results (2012), the author provides specific guidance to professionals working through the process and stakeholder groups required for this first step in the planning or implementation process.

Fainstein and Fainstein (2009) caution that reconsidering the geographic boundaries, as for megaregions, will not materially change the distribution of wealth, but has potential to improve life quality for some individuals. Positively addressing gaps in service and transportation experienced by vulnerable populations is most likely to occur in the context of megaregion discussion if the needs of these communities are clearly understood.

Census data show that most growth in metro areas occurs in suburbs. Decisions regarding housing are usually made during the third and fourth decade in life. Typically, commuting long distances from home to work are non-issues because the most important factors involve schools, neighborhood amenities, and quality of life for their family. This means that little to no thought is given to their future mobility. As these suburban residents age in place and mature into seniors, they will face lower levels of activity if they can no longer drive. Further, according to Beyond Traffic 2045 (BT), roughly 1/3 of seniors have mobility challenges. Currently, many Texas suburbs do not offer transit options; some seniors will forego their independence as they will depend on relatives to help transport them.

The magnitude of the challenge to meet transportation needs of people in these communities is described in USDOT’s Beyond Traffic 2045 (BT), as the document refers to the difficulties of coordinating transportation across boundaries as follows:

Income. Since 2009, Americans’ incomes have declined for all but the wealthiest 10 percent. Today, the average wealth for the other 90 percent of families is at the same

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level as it was in 1986. This is affecting all aspects of life, including access to reliable and convenient transportation (BT, p.22). Suburban and rural concentrations. Low income residents are not concentrated in central cities. Beyond lower income communities of cities and suburbs, megaregions will result in areas typically termed rural incorporated into consideration of travel needs. Rural residents face challenges accessing transportation services for medical, work, and basic life sustaining activities. Despite being in the midst of a boom in technology, rural residents find themselves on the fringe as their access to these technologies is limited. For example, TNCs like Uber or Lyft operate in urban areas but have not made great strides to operate in rural areas.

“By 2005, the number of poor people in suburbs exceeded that in central cities by more than a million.” (Fainstein and Fainstein, 2009, p. 196).

Ethnicity. Wealth disparities between white and black and Hispanic households have grown since 2007. The median wealth of white households is now 13 times the median wealth of black families and 10 times that of Hispanic households (BT, p.22). A further challenge to residents of vulnerable communities will be the incorporation of

innovation and new methods of doing things. For instance, Transportation Network Connectors (Uber and Lyft) have already materially altered the travel options for many Americans. While less expensive than taxis, the higher than public transportation costs limits the how frequently lower income residents utilize these services. Supermarkets advertise services that delivery groceries to the home. Further, with each new year, greater advances are likely for automated vehicles. It is important for attention to be paid to vulnerable populations as these advances occur to assure people in these communities are not left even further behind as their current communities grow into megaregions. In fact, if properly prepared for, advances have the potential to allow more accurate route planning, better connectivity and thus improving travel time and reliability for vulnerable communities. With no attention, these people will potentially be left behind and left out of the innovation wave. Method Summary

The rubric analytic tool was developed based on results of literature review, viewing other assessments for other purposes and adapting for the application to transportation decision making. Data will be compiled from each corridor of the Texas Megaregions (Triangle and Gulf Coast). Tasks, Schedule And Deliverable Specific Tasks are as Follows:

Task 1. Assemble previously data compiled by corridor for the Texas Triangle and Gulf Coast megaregions. Review for similarities and variances that would inform transportation decision making. A few of the corridors have basic public transportation systems that could be considered for service extension, expansion or other improvement.

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Task 2. Solicit supplemental data from CAMPO, HGAC and Beaumont (MPOs) and proximate public transportation agencies.

Task 3. Identify two demonstration areas, for in-depth case study analyses of travel needs. Locations of health care, grocery and employment will occur as part of this task

Task 4. Describe available transportation options for the two demonstration areas and record. Gaps will be identified.

Task 5. Prepare technical report; present to relevant decision makers.

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Task Jan (2021)

Feb to

May

Jun Jul Aug Sep to

Dec

Jan to

Feb 2022

Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Task 1. Collect Data

Task 2. Solicit Supplemental Information

Task 3. Identify Case Analysis Areas

Task 4. Describe Available Transportation Options

Task 6. Prepare Final Report & Tech Transfer

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Description of the Expected Research Product and Contribution to Practice

Technology Transfer: Prepare 1 final report and present findings to MPO transportation planning staff.

Qualifications

Drs. Lewis and Goodwin have extensive experience in conducting research in environmental justice. In addition to their bios, the brief descriptions below highlight several key relevant research.

An Examination of Severe Environmental Justice Zones in Houston, Texas – Working with the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), the Center for Transportation Training and Research developed a methodology for H-GAC to determine which census tracts in the planning region should be designated as Environmental Justice Zones (EJZs). This research focused the eight most severe Environmental Justice zones in Houston Texas and their access to public transportation, travel times, and car ownership.

North Central Texas Council of Governments: This research includes examining issues related to environmental justice and determining “best practices” in public involvement that MPOs and DOTs use to engage persons with low and limited English proficiency and traditionally disenfranchised populations. In addition, “best practices in visualization tools” are addressed by co-researcher. Other duties include administering, and analyzing MPO and DOT survey.

Senior Accidents and Fatalities in Texas – This study examines senior fatalities as a result of driving on Texas roads. The study analyzes accident data from Texas Department of Transportation from 2003 to 2008.

Moving the Concept of Megaregions into Transportation Planning: A workshop posed key questions about whether another planning layer should be added that examines the megaregions and investigating the interrelationships to determine the advantages and efficiencies available by considering operation of the complex whole as one unit. Clearly, such an assessment would not negate the smaller, local level planning activities, but would offer the potential to more competitively posture a megaregion in line with the other 40 or so world megaregions.

Regional Transportation Coordination Plans : Working as a sub-consultant with the Goodman Corporation, a public involvement plan was developed for Deep East Texas Council of Governments, Houston-Galveston Area Council, and Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission as they developed their regional transportation coordination plans. Tasks included

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supervising meeting logistics, writing press releases, interacting with the media, developing brochures and flyers, and compiling a database of key community stakeholders.

Harris County Transit Plan Study – Duties included developing guidelines for cost effective marketing & public involvement plan for new transit services. An extensive database of local media outlets was developed and given to County officials for future use.

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Reference List Fainstein, Norman and Susan S. Fainstein, (2009) Social Equity and the Challenge of Distressed

Places, MEGAREGIONS, (ed. Catherine Ross), Island Press.

US Department of Transportation. Beyond Traffic: 2045. http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Draft_Beyond_Traffic_Framework.pdf (retrieved October 4, 2017)

Watkins, Ryan. (2012) A Guide to Assessing Needs: Essential Tools for Collecting Information, Making Decisions, and Achieving Development Results (World Bank Training Series)

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BIOGRAPHY Carol Abel Lewis, Ph.D. is a Professor in Transportation Studies and Director of the Center for Transportation Training and Research at Texas Southern University. She is responsible for educating students in fundamentals of transportation and urban transportation issues, as well as conducting operational and policy related transportation research. From 2007 until 2012, she served as Principal Investigator for the DHS National Transportation Security Center of Excellence. Current research focuses on modal distribution and demand estimation for intercity rail systems, transit supportive development, bus operations on managed lanes, best practice in public involvement and increasing contracts for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in heavy highway construction. Since joining TSU in 1992, Lewis has conducted research for the USDOT, Texas

Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, metropolitan planning organizations (Houston Galveston Area Council and North Central Texas Council of Governments) and with private transportation consultants. EDUCATION Ph.D., University of Houston, Political Science with emphasis in Public Policy and Public Administration M.A., University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa Urban Planning with emphasis in Transportation Planning B.A., University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa Sociology/Elementary Education APPOINTMENTS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Texas Southern University (1992 to Present) Professor Transportation Studies & Center for Transportation Training & Research (Emeritus

Director 2017 to Present; Director 1992 to 2017) • Gulf Coast Rail District (Houston Mayoral Appointment, 2010 to Present) • Technical Advisory Committee to the Transportation Policy Council of the MPO (1997- Present) • Executive Transportation Advisor to the Mayor of Houston (2005 - 2010) • Texas Hurricane Evacuation Task Force – Texas Gubernatorial Appointee (2005)

SELECTED LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS

• Recipient, TRB Sharon D. Banks Humanitarian Award (2016) • Land and Development Committee, Transportation Research Board – Member and Friend (1998

to Present) • Women in Transportation (WTS), Houston Chapter, Woman of the Year (2008) • Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, Academic Advisor

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Lewis, Carol Abel, Gwendolyn Goodwin, Jermaine Potts and Brandon Rogers (2019). A Framework to

Carol Abel Lewis, Ph.D., Professor & Director Emeritus Center for Transportation Training and Research (CTTR) Texas Southern University Lewis_ca@tsu.edu 713-894-8709

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Determine Purpose and Need for Increased Travel Options in the Megaregion for Vulnerable Non-Urban Communities.

Potts, Jermaine, Gwen Goodwin, Carol Abel Lewis, Velyjha Southern (2017) Social Parameters as a Component of Transit Network Analysis: Examining Public Transit in Minority and Low-Income Areas Without Service. Transportation Research Board. Annual Meeting, January 2018.

Southern, Velyjha, Earthea Nance, Carol Abel Lewis, Gwen Goodwin. (2016) Strategies for High Intensity Bus: Best Practices for Operating Buses in Managed Lanes.

Transportation Research Board. January 2017. Martin, Jonathan, Nance Earthea, Lewis, Carol, Young, Nekia (2016) Exclusivity and Shared Use:

Examining the State of the Practice in US High Intensity Bus Service. Transportation Research Board January, 2016 16-4403.

Lewis, Carol Abel, Sandra Onyejekwe, Garlin Wynn, Brandon Mosley (March/April 2015). Options for improving evacuation: Investigating an unconventional strategy and expanding route options using TRansportation ANalysis and SIMulation System, Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.13, No. 2, pp 173-181.

Lewis, Carol Abel, Sandra Onyejekwe, Garlin Wynn, Brandon Mosley (March/April 2015). Options for improving evacuation: Investigating an unconventional strategy and expanding route options using TRansportation ANalysis and SIMulation System, Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.13, No. 2, pp 173-181.

Hassell, Vincent, Roderick Holmes and Carol Abel Lewis (January 2015), A Methodology to Predict Intercity Commute Volume: Focus on Texas Megaregion Communities, Transportation Research Board. Washington, D.C. 15-4890.

SELECTED FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS

• September 2018 to August 2019, TSU Automated Vehicle Shuttle Planning ($48,600) • January 2018 to December 2018, University of Texas CM2 Application of the Equity

Rubric for Purpose and Need to a Demonstration Corridor in the Texas Megaregion ($65,000)

• May 2017 to August 2018, University of Texas CM2, Creating a Framework to Determine Purpose and Need for Increased Travel Options in the Megaregion for Vulnerable (Environmental Justice) Communities ($67,000)

• July 2015 to December 2017, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Business and Opportunity Development (TBOD) ($289,998)

• May 2016 to September 2016, North Central Texas Council of Governments. Operating Express Buses in Managed Lanes ($35,000)

• March 2015 to December 2015, North Central Texas Council of Governments. Assessment of Express Bus Services ($62,000)

• October 2014 to August 31, 2015, Texas Department of Transportation, Public Involvement Training ($40,000)

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BIOGRAPHY Gwendolyn C. Goodwin is an Assistant Professor and Director with Texas Southern University’s Center for Transportation Training and Research (CTTR). She has over 30 years of experience in project management and policy planning. At CTTR, Goodwin is responsible for conducting research, developing and implementing surveys, developing and conducting training, preparing publications and transferring findings into the public domain. Goodwin’s research also seeks to find sustainable and safe solutions to transportation and mobility issues for seniors, teens and pedestrians. Goodwin’s dissertation included an analysis of senior driver crashes

and walkability in urban and suburban areas. Goodwin conducted a walkability assessment of several communities in the Greater Houston area for her dissertation. Environmental Justice and public involvement are two areas of study for Dr. Goodwin. Her work with the Houston-Galveston Area Council was helpful in the identification and assessment of EJ communities in nine counties. Dr. Goodwin’s work for the United Way of Greater Houston resulted in changes to medical transportation programs. She coordinates public involvement, meeting logistics, and media activities for Center projects. She is certified by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2). More recently, Goodwin is studying the impact of autonomous vehicles (AV) in public transit. This research is a partnership with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris, County TX (METRO), Texas Southern University, and Houston-Galveston Area Council. Dr. Goodwin also supervises all research conducted by the Graduate Research Assistants. As an Assistant Professor, she teaches in the Maritime Studies undergraduate program, the General Studies undergraduate program, and the Transportation Management and Policy graduate program. Prior to working at CTTR, Goodwin worked for the City of Austin and Houston. Her areas of expertise involved analysis of census data for various reports and projects for the City of Houston. She also worked for the U.S. Census Bureau where she worked with cities, counties and councils of governments to prepare for the Census. Her duties also included working with agencies to extract data for analysis. EDUCATION • Ph.D. – Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Texas Southern University, 2012. M.S. –

Community and Regional Planning, The University of Texas at Austin, 1988. • B.A. – English, The University of Texas at Austin, 1986.

APPOINTMENTS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Stafford Economic Development Council, Treasurer • Stafford Zoning Board of Adjustments, Chair

Gwendolyn C. Goodwin, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Director Center for Transportation Training and Research (CTTR) Texas Southern University Gwendolyn.Goodwin@tsu.edu 713-313-7283

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SELECTED LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS • Transportation Research Board • Friend of TRB Environmental Justice Committee • Conference of Minority Transportation Officials • Transportation Research Forum

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS - Articles

• Lewis, Carol Abel, Gwendolyn Goodwin, Jermaine Potts and Brandon Rogers (2019). A Framework to Determine Purpose and Need for Increased Travel Options in the Megaregion for Vulnerable Non-Urban Communities

• Potts, Jermaine, Gwen Goodwin, Carol Abel Lewis, Velyjha Southern (2017) Social Parameters as a Component of Transit Network Analysis: Examining Public Transit in Minority and Low-Income Areas Without Service. Transportation Research Board. Annual Meeting, January 2018.

• Southern, Velyjha, Earthea Nance, Carol Abel Lewis, Gwen Goodwin. (2016) Strategies for High Intensity Bus: Best Practices for Operating Buses in Managed Lanes. TRB. January 2017.

• Lewis, C.A. and Goodwin, G.C. (2013). Impact of Bus Transit Centers on Values of Nearby Single-Family Residential Land in Houston, Texas. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2276, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., pp.72-77. DOI: 10.3141/2276-09.

• Lewis,C.A., Goodwin, G., and Sabaroche, S. (2011) Public Involvement Study 0-6662, Texas Department of Transportation http://www.txdot.gov/about_us/commission/2010_meetings/documents/minute_orders/dec15/2.pdf

• Goodwin, G. and C. Lewis - Bus Operator Awareness Research and Development (Summer 2010).

Presentations • An Assessment of the Relationship Between Land Use, Land Values, and Bus Facilities in

Houston, Texas. Presented at the National Association of African American Studies Conference February 2008.

• Engaging Minorities in Transportation Planning. Presented at the National Association of African American Studies Conference February 2009.

• Driving Cessation - Senior Driver Fatalities in Texas. Presented at the International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People TRANSED Conference May 2010, Hong Kong.

• Senior Driver Fatalities in Texas. Presented at the Transportation Research Board Conference January 2011.

• An Assessment of Seniors Aging in Place in Urban and Suburban Areas: A Case Study of Houston, Sugar Land, and Pearland, Texas. Presented at the Transportation Research Forum Conference April 2013.

• An Examination of Severe Environmental Justice Zones in Houston, Texas. Presented at the Urban Affairs Association March 2014.

• A Hot Spot Analysis of Teenage Crashes: An Assessment of Crashed in Houston, Texas. Presented at the Transportation Research Board Conference January 2015.

SELECTED FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Web-based Training for DBEs • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Texas Opportunities Business Development

Program (TBOD) • Metropolitan Transit Authority of Houston (METRO) Reimagining Project • Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) High Capacity Transit Study • United Way of Greater Houston, Assessment of Transportation Services • A Hot Spot Analysis of Teenage Crashes: An Assessment of Crashed in Houston, Texas • Environmental Justice Assessment for Transportation Projects in the Houston-Galveston Area • A Comparison of Crashes and Fatalities in Texas by Age Group: Selected Cities in Texas

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• Senior Accidents and Fatalities in Texas • An Examination of Severe Environmental Justice Zones in Houston, Texas • An Assessment of Public Involvement - Texas Regional Transportation Coordination Plans • An Assessment of the Relationship between Land Use, Land Values, and Bus Facilities • Harris County Transit Mystery Rider Project • Harris County RIDES Mystery Rider Project • Direct impact of Autonomous Vehicles

METRO’s University District using Autonomous Vehicle at Texas Southern University