Texas strategizing plans to enhance mass, active transit statewide
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Texas' population continues to boom, state transportation leaders are seeking public feedback to help cultivate a vision for mass transit and active transportation initiatives across the Lone Star State.
The Texas Department of Transportation is developing the Texas Statewide Active Transportation Plan (TSATP) and the Texas Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan (TSMTP). The goal is to "lay out a coordinated, unified vision for transit and active transportation priorities through 2050 and beyond," per TxDOT documents. Officials added both plans are needed to improve mobility and connectivity as well as to support population and economic growth.
Draft TSATP documents outline more than a dozen challenges facing Texas mobility, including increased traffic congestion, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, limited available right of way on Texas roads and a "lack of coordination between land use planning and active transportation implementation."
Findings from a statewide survey conducted also found 77% of respondents don't feel safe while using active transportation in Texas, while 83% said they want improvements to trail connectivity, 63% supported enhanced roadway crossings and 74% shared support for upgraded sidewalks.
Possible solutions identified by the draft TSATP documents include:
- Constructing more sidewalks, bikeways and trails
- Increasing funding for active transportation and targeting more public-private funding structures
- Improving physical separations between pedestrians and cyclists with vehicular traffic
- Developing a funding mechanism for "the maintenance and upkeep of active transportation facilities" across Texas
"The SATP will inform future TxDOT decisions through a set of strategies and actions supported by a set of progress measures intended to monitor progress," documents read in part. "The SATP places an emphasis on constructing a walkable and bikeable transportation network that aligns with community efforts across Texas."
With the TSMTP, documented noted Texans traveled more than four million miles each day via public transit in 2022, signifying a need for enhancements to mass transit operations. Strategies denoted in the draft TSMTP documents included:
- Enhancing urban transit services and creating new transit corridors in urban and rural areas
- Bolstering Texas' passenger rail network alongside improvements to intercity and regional transit connections
- Expanding funding for transit statewide
- Improving linkages between transit and other transportation modes/options
TxDOT is collecting feedback on both draft plans through Nov. 4, as part of the department's fall public engagement process. Those interested can take a survey online and share feedback by emailing PTN_Plans@txdot.gov, leaving a voicemail at 800-671-9854 or mailing comments to the following address:
- SMTP/SATP
PO Box 5459
Austin, TX 78763
TxDOT officials are expected to begin creating an implementation plan for the initiatives next year.