RTP Frequently Asked Questions


2035 RTP FAQs Page 

  1. What is the 2035 RTP? And why do we need it?
  2. Who sponsors RTP projects?
  3. What is new about the 2035 RTP?
  4. What goals came out of the Envision Houston Region process?
  5. How were the Envision Houston Region results incorporated into the 2035 RTP?
  6. What are Scenarios A, B, C and D, and how were they created?
  7. Will the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) fund any projects in the RTP?
  8. What is a Smart Street, and how has the list of potential streets changed from the 2025 RTP?
  9. What is the 3C’s model and are there local examples? How does the RTP support this strategy?
  10. How does the 2035 RTP address air quality?
  11. What is environmental stewardship?
  12. How does rail and air traffic factor into the RTP? Is passenger rail mentioned?
  13. How can I find out what projects are planned for my area?
  14. How can the public become more involved in the process?
  15. Will there be any public meetings to allow for public comment?

 

1.  What is the 2035 RTP? And why do we need it?

The 2035 RTP is the long-range transportation vision and plan for the Houston-Galveston region and serves as the blueprint that will guide the development of our transportation system through the next 30 years. The plan was developed in cooperation with cities and counties, METRO and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The RTP combines the plans and programs developed by the agencies into one comprehensive plan that is updated every four years. The RTP identifies long-range transportation needs, prioritizes programs and projects, and provides a forum for dialogue and regional problem solving.

Transportation projects require much advance planning. As the plan evolves, citizens, organizations, businesses and government work together to plan a transportation system that works for everyone.

2. Who sponsors RTP projects?

RTP projects are sponsored on the local government level by toll road and transit authorities, economic development agencies and management districts, and on the state level by TxDOT.

3.  What is new about the 2035 RTP?

Each RTP provides a stepping stone for the next plan, in a progressive cycle of continual improvements and evolving regional priorities. The 2035 RTP builds on the 2025 RTP while incorporating new elements and looking forward to the 2040 RTP. Ground-breaking initiatives in the 2035 RTP include:

  • Environmental Stewardship – The 2035 RTP takes a pro-active approach to the environment. It has an increased focus on protection of natural resources and provides for analysis of the impacts of transportation on the environment. An Environmental Advisory Committee was created to aid in the identification and mapping of natural assets.
  • Envision Houston Region – H-GAC conducted an extensive visioning process in 2006, Envision Houston Region, to explore strategies for the future, test alternative scenarios regarding land use and transportation, and collect opinions from a wide range of people regarding land use, transportation, quality of life and the future.

4.  What goals came out of the Envision Houston Region process?

  • Better mobility, less congestion and cost – The 2035 RTP has expanded the scope of innovative potential means of improving mobility and accessibility in the region, such as coordinating land use and transportation.
  • Easier access to jobs, homes and services – The 2035 RTP proposes consideration of more efficient development patterns where work, shopping and leisure activities are grouped together, allowing people to combine multiple destinations into one trip.
  • Preservation of floodplains as reservoirs and for recreation – The 2035 RTP recognizes the challenges of continued development in the floodplains, as well as the potential benefits of preserving green space for use as both recreational areas and stormwater detention basins.
  • Expanded transit alternatives – The 2035 RTP recognizes that the region cannot build itself out of congestion and a state-of-the-art, efficient public transportation system is a necessary component of any future transportation system. METRO's 2035 Long Range Plan includes a significant expansion of transit services, including new Commuter Rail lines, new Light Rail and Guided Rail Transit lines, new signature express bus service, and new transit facilities.
  • Healthier environment – The 2035 RTP recognizes the importance of the natural environment to the region's quality of life. Envision Houston Region participants stressed the need to preserve the region's green space and to improve air quality.

5.  How were the Envision Houston Region results incorporated into the 2035 RTP?

The opinions gathered from Envision Houston Region workshop participants formed the goals and values that are the foundation of the 2035 RTP. Strategies to help the region reach these transportation goals by 2035 were pulled from this workshop. In addition, the 2035 RTP explores alternative scenarios for future growth within the region. These alternative scenarios, which reinforce the connections between transportation and land use, are a result of an Envision Houston Region workshop mapping process.

6.  What are Scenarios A, B, C and D, and how were they created?

The four scenarios take into account different potential paths for the eight-county Houston-Galveston region. Scenario A is a forecasted plan created from past trends and growth patterns. Scenario B is a synopsis of public input from the Envision Houston Region meetings held in 2005. Scenario C combines the previous two scenarios to create a hybrid plan that incorporates past trends with public input. Scenario D, or the Envision Scenario, takes that plan one step further by creating population densities along the major traffic corridors and in livable centers, as opposed to spread across the region. With Scenario D transit-oriented development is a viable resource both inside and outside of the Houston-metro area.

7. Will the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) fund any projects in the RTP?

HCTRA will fund any proposed toll road projects within Harris County. In addition, it may also partner with toll road authorities outside Harris County to build toll road connections to adjacent counties.

8. What is a Smart Street, and how has the list of potential streets changed from the 2025 RTP?

A Smart Street is a roadway that incorporates traffic management and technological improvements in order to improve traffic flow and capacity rather than adding lanes. For example, a Smart Street may have synchronized signals, left turn lanes, raised medians, designated bus lanes and loading bays at bus stops. The list of potential Smart Streets has been modified from the 2025 RTP to more accurately reflect the local conditions of each potential project.

9. What is the 3C’s model and are there local examples? How does the RTP support this strategy?

3C’s refer to Centers, Connections and Context-Sensitive Solutions – three strategies for better coordinating land use and transportation planning. A Center combines housing, employment and entertainment in a setting that accommodates a variety of travel options, including pedestrian friendly areas and transit-oriented development. Street Connections refer to the grid patterns found in many traditional downtowns and older neighborhoods. These patterns and their modern variations provide the best opportunities for walking and bicycling and also disperse automobile traffic. Context-Sensitive Solutions take into account the needs of all users by relating street and road designs to the surrounding community.

There are several communities located in the Houston-Galveston region that are incorporating the 3C’s model. The most advanced example is The Woodlands. Other livable centers are emerging in Houston, in the Uptown and Midtown areas, Galveston, the Sugar Land Town Square and in many private developments.

The 2035 RTP supports the 3C’s by establishing a livable centers program that provides funding opportunities through the TIP for both livable centers implementation and studies. The RTP also supports the 3C’s model through the Envision Scenario which encourages increased population and employment density in areas with well-connected street systems and through Smart Street projects that examine opportunities for employing Context-Sensitive Solutions.

10. How does the 2035 RTP address air quality?

The eight-county Houston-Galveston region exceeds current federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone. To address this issue the Texas air quality plan for our area calls for significant reductions from all sources of air pollution, including vehicles traveling our roadways. The 2035 RTP supports important air quality goals through Clean Vehicles, Commute Solutions and other regional traffic management programs.

11. What is environmental stewardship?

Environmental stewardship seeks to pro-actively conserve the environment. The 2035 RTP moves toward a model of environmental stewardship by identifying significant natural areas that should be priorities for conservation. Assisted by various natural resource agencies and land conservation organizations, current environmental conservation efforts are underway throughout the region, and these efforts can potentially be expanded to reduce the impacts of major transportation projects. With appropriate funds, we can create major reserves of natural areas for the enjoyment of the region’s present and future residents.

12. How does rail and air traffic factor into the RTP? Is passenger rail mentioned?

The 2035 RTP examines the impact freight rail and air traffic projected growth may have on future mobility. Safety concerns and proposed recommendations regarding freight rail are also addressed. METRO’s light rail plans are included in the RTP as well as the commuter rail component of METRO Solutions Phase 2 along U.S. 290, State Highway 3 and U.S. 90A.

13. How can I find out what projects are planned for my area?

RTP project descriptions and locations are available on the Project Viewer or on the Documents page. You can search by project ID number, street name, county or status. Hard copies of project listings will be made available upon request by calling (713) 627-3200.

14.  How can the public become more involved in the process?

Public comments about the 2035 RTP are always welcome. Call 713-627-3200 for information about public meetings or you can submit comments on the Get Involved page.

15. Will there be any public meetings to allow for public comment?

Public involvement and input are very important to H-GAC and the success of the 2035 RTP. H-GAC will be holding public meetings throughout the region to obtain public comments.  Click for a schedule of meetings.

 

 

A program of the Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77027
713.627.3200 • Fax 713.993.4508