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Home My WebLink About1974 B-CS Urban Transportation Study Annual ReportMESOSCALE AIR QUALITY STUDY ,00 ANNUAL REPORT 1974 An Air Quality Study was made in Bryan- College Station using an area analysis computer program. The study indicates that total air pollu- tion due to vehicle emissions is at the highest level at the present time and even now is well below EPA standards. The program computed total pollutant loads from vehicular emissions for a 24 -hour period, based on the total vehicular miles traveled, vehicle speeds, type of driving operation, and emissions based on a national vehicular mix. For this study, Bryan - College Station was divided into three catego- ries of operating characteristics, as shown on the mesoscale map and described as follows: Central Business Distr icts -- Stop- and -go operation Central City -- Traffic congestion but higher mobility Suburban -- Reduced co ngestion and higher speeds Total pollutant loads of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and hy- drocarbons were computed for three possible transportation systems and results are shown in the following tables. The tables indicate that the highest pollutant loads are occurring at this time due to the num- ber of vehicles without emission control devices and to slower oper- ating speeds. The Recommended Transportation Plan produces the least total pollutant loads because of the existence of emission control de- vices and improved roadways permitting higher operating speeds. ,J 1970 Air quality studies of can only be used to compare this type y are effects p 22,525 27,260 BRYAN 1,350 - COLLEGE Manufacturing Employment .......... 1,600 2,430 STATION 1.6% 1.6% of changes in operating characteristics of the transportation system. City Tax Levy on Taxable Property..... $827,547 $1,250,075 TAMU Enrollment ....................... 14,316 18,520 7 Coed Enrollment ............ Approx. 10% 21.57 Vehicle Registration (County) .......... 33,632 41,495 0 6.93 The results cannot be compared to 20 17 17 EPA LOCAL EPA standards. It is interesting URB AN TRANSPORTATION STUDY POLLUTANT STANDARDS MONITORI to note, however, that monitoring by the Texas Air Quality Board in 2589 /a 211 220 0 240 32.13 33.91 698 1522 1522 6 188 359 0 0 17.96 22.99 Total Particu- 260 ug /m 134 ug 7 447 899 fates 132 10.56 the local area indicates the total 1711 2237 Sulfur Dioxide 365 ng /111 3 7 ug / m 3 pollutant loads to be well below 0 0 6.67 6.97 357 EPA standards, as shown in chart 367 9 Nitrogen Dioxide loo ug /m 3 2 0 ug /s on the left. This is the first Annual Report for the Bryan -College Station Urban Transportation Study. The recommended Transportation Plan was adopted in 1973. Volume II is being published at this time. It will be re- leased soon. This Study is operating under guidelines established in the Operations Plan adopted in June, 1973. The Policy Advisory and Steering Committees have organized and are directing the Study. THE LOCAL ECONOMY Changes which have occurred in this Study Area during the period from 1970 when base data was obtained to 1973 follow: POPULATION SUMMARY: The impact of Texas A&M University remains a domi- nant force in the economy of the Study Area. Enrollment for the 1973 Fall semester in- creased 14.6 %. 1970 Brazos County Population .......................57,978 1970 Study Area Population .. ........................57,008 1973 Estimated Study Area Population ................ 69,9681 This estimate is predicated on the holding capacity of the Study Area as determined by the following method. First, a people per unit fac- tor by District was established, based on 1970 Study Area population and the dwelling unit count made in the Origin & Destination Survey. Then the current number of dwelling units was determined and expanded by the people per unit factor to obtain a holding capacity. Finally, the vacancy rate for each major mobile home park and apartment complex was determined. The people per unit factor was then applied for this number of vacant units, and this amount was reduced from the holding capacity. The result is an estimated 1973 population of 69,968. Cal- culations showing the holding capacity were included below for infor- mation. O&D Dwelling + New Dwelling Units Permitted X People /Unit z Holding Unit Count (1970 -1973) including mobile Factor for Capacity home spaces in established each district parks and apartment units 20,688 + (1,919 + 4,428 = 6 X Variable by 74,723 district Single Multi- Total Family Family LAND USE COMPARISON CHART DIS_ TRICT 1970 1973 Total Employment(Aprii 1970) .......... 22,525 27,260 Agricultural Employment .......... 1,350 1,250 Manufacturing Employment .......... 1,600 2,430 Unemployment Rate ................. 1.6% 1.6% Bank Deposits .................... $104,011,680 $151,251,238 City Tax Levy on Taxable Property..... $827,547 $1,250,075 TAMU Enrollment ....................... 14,316 18,520 7 Coed Enrollment ............ Approx. 10% 21.57 Vehicle Registration (County) .......... 33,632 41,495 POPULATION SUMMARY: The impact of Texas A&M University remains a domi- nant force in the economy of the Study Area. Enrollment for the 1973 Fall semester in- creased 14.6 %. 1970 Brazos County Population .......................57,978 1970 Study Area Population .. ........................57,008 1973 Estimated Study Area Population ................ 69,9681 This estimate is predicated on the holding capacity of the Study Area as determined by the following method. First, a people per unit fac- tor by District was established, based on 1970 Study Area population and the dwelling unit count made in the Origin & Destination Survey. Then the current number of dwelling units was determined and expanded by the people per unit factor to obtain a holding capacity. Finally, the vacancy rate for each major mobile home park and apartment complex was determined. The people per unit factor was then applied for this number of vacant units, and this amount was reduced from the holding capacity. The result is an estimated 1973 population of 69,968. Cal- culations showing the holding capacity were included below for infor- mation. O&D Dwelling + New Dwelling Units Permitted X People /Unit z Holding Unit Count (1970 -1973) including mobile Factor for Capacity home spaces in established each district parks and apartment units 20,688 + (1,919 + 4,428 = 6 X Variable by 74,723 district Single Multi- Total Family Family LAND USE COMPARISON CHART DIS_ TRICT RESIDENTIAL UNITS SINGLE- FAMILY APARTMENTS 1970 1973 1970 1973 C "IERCIAL ACREAGE 1970 1973 1970 POPULATION 1973 HOLDING CAPACITY ESTIMATED 1973 POPULATION 1, 6 6 39 39 10.38 10.38 116 1L6 116 2 16 16 0 0 11.01 11.01 74 74 74 3 7 6 0 0 6.93 7.06 20 17 17 4 618 626 110 114 18.24 19.07 2547 2589 2589 5 211 220 0 240 32.13 33.91 698 1522 1522 6 188 359 0 0 17.96 22.99 547 1067 925 7 447 899 0 132 10.56 11.09 1711 2237 1559 8 105 108 0 0 6.67 6.97 357 367 367 9 622 626 51 51 7.50 7.68 1817 1828 1828 10 735 716 4 4 9.48 13.30 2064 2011 2011 11 305 295 0 0 14.86 20.25 759 734 734 12 721 728 20 24 10.26 10.26 1930 1957 1957 13 284 284 75 95 19.89 20.05 707 746 738 14 889 926 0 60 52.66 63.36 2712 2885 2885 15 438 451 0 12 21.81 23.01 1532 1620 1957 It, 42 74 26 221 L7.06 32.08 186 421 412 17 393 408 252 643 17.68 26.21 2269 3698 3638 i.8 549 556 0 10 39.48 40.31 1887 1945 1945 19 14 14 737 979 11.08 11.08 2108 2788 2513 20 192 193 500 546 17.86 29.57 1687 L802 1729 21 794 838 243 449 17.56 20.14 2829 3511 3366 22 444 445 36 36 21.52 23.05 1255 1258 1248 23 503 502 100 128 28.07 29.93 1555 1625 1607 24 243 253 158 200 30.02 30.39 969 1095 1056 25 200 266 0 0 33.16 33.16 665 885 755 26 179 179 0 0 11.76 11.76 643 643 643 27 58 58 0 0 2.00 2.00 188 188 188 28 57 57 0 0 1.02 1.02 169 169 169 29 73 73 0 0 61.17 61.17 226 226 226 30 20 20 0 0 17.21 17.21 50 50 50 31 7 7 0 0 .00 .00 23 23 23 32 28 28 0 0 .09 .09 78 78 78 33 41.0 487 0 0 10.05 10.05 1445 1716 IuBB 34 318 364 0 0 16.12 40.56 927 100 1.061 35 44 65 0 0 1.20 1,20 176 260 260 36 41 41 0 0 10.39 10.39 86 86 86 37 29 29 0 0 0.10 0.10 56 56 56 38 578 596 0 4 18.80 L9.31 1446 1501 1481 39 522 526 43 47 7.73 8.13 1249 1267 1267 40 99 412 0 15 26.67 26.67 361 1558 1558 41 92 92 0 0 3.00 6.50 282 282 282 42 206 325 0 0 5.05 11.47 672 1060 943 43 17 17 0 348 .00 11.55 44 945 44 44 182 182 0 0 .00 5.75 572 572 572 45 20 20 10 186 .00 0.82 89 612 89 46 2 2 3351 3847 6411 7358 7358 47 482 512 8 21 19.54 28.87 1326 1443 1443 48 453 505 348 1470 0.91 3.03 2512 6198 5074 49 925 1009 298 650 11.48 15.68 3451 4681 4199 50 467 773 0 418 4.37 6.41 1525 3892 3582 TOTAL 14,275 16,194 6,409 LO,837 732.49 855.85 57,008 74,723 69,968 L1 __ 2 m 3E A T5 Alf 44 •,,•' T...I� &V 4 rs'i - 19- 1 1 Tel Tai LAND USE Land use information for this Study Area is being computerized by the Study Office at this time. For the Annual Report, emphasis was placed on residential and commercial development trends since 1970. The pre- liminary data shows the following changes in the land use categories during the 1970 -1973 period. Single - Family Residential Units ............ 1,919 units permitted (Including mobile home units) (13.4% growth) Multi- Family Apartment Units 4,428 units permitted (Including Texas A&M University (69% growth) dorms and campus housing) Commercial Acreage ............•• 123.36 acres (16.8% growth) A map indicating the increases in residential and commercial develop- ment by District since 1970 is included. The map does not attempt to show total residential and cominercial development, but indicates only that growth which has occurred since 1970. Preliminary data shown on this map does not include all development outside the city limits of Bryan and College Station. This data is being compiled at this time. Residential Growth The map indicates the increases in single - family units (including occupied mobile home spaces) and multi - family apart- ment units (including those under construction). Approximately 30% of the new single - family units were mobile homes. This map does not indicate acreage in residential usage. Commercial Growth The map indicates commercial growth since 1970 in total acres developed. Square footage in commercial land use is being compiled at this time and will be included in the computer program for land use. Expanded growth and development in shopping centers which were previously designated as commercial are not shown on the map. The tabulation summarizes the change in residential and commercial use and indicates holding capacity and estimated 1973 population. I LEGEND CORDON LINE E %TERNAL INTERVIEW STATION E%PRESSWAYS ARTERIALS L OCAL STREETS PROPOSED ARTERIALS PROPOSED LOCAL STREETS r CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ,+ CENTRAL CITY O SURURaAN T" TAK T's; T114 T Tom & - -H4 3 T" 3 is % rifl & TRAFFIC GENERATORS Several traffic generators have been constructed since 1970 and addi- tional growth and development has occurred in some areas which had pre- viously been designated commercial. Some of the highlights of growth in the Study Area since 1970 are summarized below: Traffic Ceuerator District Comments _ Medical Complex 16 Located on Villa Maria at 29th Street. Facilities include area's two hospitals, several doctors' offices and clinics. Bryan High School 17 Completed in 1371. Located on 29th St. 1 1 -., J 11 Tko z T 50 Located on FM 2818 at Welch Street. High School Enrollment of 650+ students. Elementary School LAND USE Land use information for this Study Area is being computerized by the Study Office at this time. For the Annual Report, emphasis was placed on residential and commercial development trends since 1970. The pre- liminary data shows the following changes in the land use categories during the 1970 -1973 period. Single - Family Residential Units ............ 1,919 units permitted (Including mobile home units) (13.4% growth) Multi- Family Apartment Units 4,428 units permitted (Including Texas A&M University (69% growth) dorms and campus housing) Commercial Acreage ............•• 123.36 acres (16.8% growth) A map indicating the increases in residential and commercial develop- ment by District since 1970 is included. The map does not attempt to show total residential and cominercial development, but indicates only that growth which has occurred since 1970. Preliminary data shown on this map does not include all development outside the city limits of Bryan and College Station. This data is being compiled at this time. Residential Growth The map indicates the increases in single - family units (including occupied mobile home spaces) and multi - family apart- ment units (including those under construction). Approximately 30% of the new single - family units were mobile homes. This map does not indicate acreage in residential usage. Commercial Growth The map indicates commercial growth since 1970 in total acres developed. Square footage in commercial land use is being compiled at this time and will be included in the computer program for land use. Expanded growth and development in shopping centers which were previously designated as commercial are not shown on the map. The tabulation summarizes the change in residential and commercial use and indicates holding capacity and estimated 1973 population. I LEGEND CORDON LINE E %TERNAL INTERVIEW STATION E%PRESSWAYS ARTERIALS L OCAL STREETS PROPOSED ARTERIALS PROPOSED LOCAL STREETS r CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ,+ CENTRAL CITY O SURURaAN T" TAK T's; T114 T Tom & - -H4 3 T" 3 is % rifl & TRAFFIC GENERATORS Several traffic generators have been constructed since 1970 and addi- tional growth and development has occurred in some areas which had pre- viously been designated commercial. Some of the highlights of growth in the Study Area since 1970 are summarized below: Traffic Ceuerator District Comments _ Medical Complex 16 Located on Villa Maria at 29th Street. Facilities include area's two hospitals, several doctors' offices and clinics. Bryan High School 17 Completed in 1371. Located on 29th St. at Briarcrest. Enrollment of 1,200 +. College Station 50 Located on FM 2818 at Welch Street. High School Enrollment of 650+ students. Elementary School 40 Located just off Barak Lane in east Bryan. Houses 450+ students in kindergarden through grade 4. Shopping Center 47 Located on university Drive at 29th St. Includes shopping facilities and auto service center. Expansion planned. Shopping Center 43 Located on SH 6 at FM 2818. Employs 80. Shopping Center 20 Located on SH 308 at University Drive. Adjacent to Texas A&M university Campus. Includes shopping facilities, theaters, restaurants, and office buildings. Shopping Center 17 Strip development of shopping facilities along 'East 29th Street. Industrial Park 26 Includes four industries with 45 acres developed. Expansion in progress. Residential 33 -34 -35 Located in northeast Bryan. Approxi- Subdivision mately 140 houses constructed. Residential 40 Located in southeast Bryan. Approxi- Subdivision mately 310 houses constructed. Residential 50 Located in southwest Ccllege Station. Subdivision Approximately 300 houses constructed. Multi- Family 5 -7 -17 Located in west Bryan. Approximately Apartments 760 units completed. Multi- Family 19 -21 Located northwest of Campus. Approxi- Apartments mately 450 units completed. Multi - Family 48 Located along SH 30. Approximately Apartments 1,120 units completed Multi- Familv 43 -45- Includes 1,294 new units. Apartments 49 -50 Mobile Home 6 -7 -25 Located in west Bryan. Includes Park Spaces approximately 650 spaces. Mobile Home 4 Located southeast of College Station. Park Spaces Includes approximately 100 spaces. ACCIDENTS A summary of accident occurrence since 1970 has been prepared from the computer file. This summary includes accidents which occurred inside the city limits of Bryan and College Station and those on the campus of Texas A&M University. This annual tabulation includes total acci- dents, personal injuries, and total fatalities. Detailed studies of high- accident locations are underway to determine if corrective mea- sures are necessary to reduce the total accident occurrence. A list of accident information by year follows: Year Total Accidents Total Fatalities Total Injuries 1970 1,541 4 272 1971 1,659 2 415 1972 1,578 14 327 1973 1,887 6 368 TRAFFIC VOLUME Traffic counts at several screenline stations in the Study Area were made to determine changes from 1970 volumes. These counts indicate a reduction in growth of traffic volumes between 1973 and 1974. Since vehicle registration, University enrollment, and population estimates show increases, a reduction in total vehicular miles is not a logical supposition. Therefore, it is assumed that a shift in travel patterns is occurring, placing both a large percent of the population and the major traffic generators south of the screenline. Traffic counts as shown in the following chart reflect the increase in vehicles per day over 1970 traffic volumes. 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 54,970 62,210 64,200 63,710 61,237 VPD VPD VPD VPD VPD - 13.4% 17.0% 16.1% 11.6% RANDOM NEWS ITEMS RAILROAD RELOCATION A public meeting was held in February, 1974, to discuss the possibility of relocating the railroad from downtown Bryan to the FM 2818 corridor west of the cities. Residents of subdivisions in that area raised objections to the proposed relocation, while the residents of the central city generally favored the proposal. No con- clusions were reached and further feasibility studies will be needed. BRYAN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT PARKING A one -way southbound street adjacent to the railroad tracks between 23rd and 28th Streets has been improved to handle traffic flow. A parking area was developed along this street and it provides 98 additional parking spaces to serve the downtown area. PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY The pedestrian walkway over FM 2154, west of the Texas A&M University campus, has been completed. Funds for this proj- ect were provided by the University and all construction was performed under their supervision. NEW COUNTY PARK Brazos County has acquired a 50 -acre tract of land adjacent to the Briarcrest Drive Extension, east of the SH 6 Express- way. This land will be developed for use as a County Park. The Park will include a single multi - purpose building, picnic area, bike paths and open space. This park project has been designated as this area's Bi- Centennial Project, and a 1976 target date for completion is anti- cipated. Public meetings enlisting citizen input as to usage of this Park have been held. B -C /S UTS ORGANIZATION In April of 1974, speed -delay studies were made on several major arte- rial routes. A comparison with average operating speeds in 1970 indi- cates little change in traffic flow pattern or levels of service since that time. Overall operating speed3 are generally well above minimum tolerable limits. The current operating speeds on the streets studied indicate little change since 1970, 3s shown in the following chart: Along arterial streets, average operating speeds are generally within allowable limits, even though certain sections are deficient. A list of some of these deficient section is shown below. For comparisons, 1970 average operating speeds are also shown: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC TRANSIT SEMINAR A seminar was held on April 23, 1974, at the Bryan Public Library to discuss the need for a local public transpor- tation system. Dr. Ron Holder and Dr. A. Schaffer were speakers for the seminar. Mr. Claude Davis was panel moderator. Further studies are required to determine the feasibility of having some form of pub- lic transportation in Bryan - College Station. PUBLIC TRANSIT - TEXAS A&M CAMPUS The campus generates trip volumes equivalent to the central business district of a city with a 200,000 population. The existing Shuttle Bus System serves as a form of mass transit, carrying 6,000 trips per day and 2,000 riders. The ridership is limited to a select group and not available to the general public. The 0& D Survey showed 35,000 person trips daily originating within a two -mile radius of the campus. By 1990, there will be 65,000 person trips daily. To handle this trip volume effectively, mass transporta- tion facilities to the campus will need to be expanded. PUBLIC BUS SYSTEM The lone bus which was operating in 1970 on a non - franchised basis has been discontinued. There is no true public tran- sit in Bryan - College Station at this time. PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS TRANSIT Bryan's Public School Bus System operates 40 buses daily serving 4,628 passengers. The average cost of opera- tion is slightly over a cent per passenger mile and the buses average 140 passenger miles per gallon of gasoline. The A&M Consolidated School Bus System operates seven buses each day for a total of 491 miles and carries 567 passengers. These buses average 114 passenger miles per gallon of gasoline. The present local school bus systems are examples of the most efficient use of energy today. This is primarily because they operate with a fixed ridership two periods per day, are lighter in construction than commercial buses, and do not have air condition- ing. State law precludes the use of school buses for public transit. PUBLIC TRANSIT SURVEY A public transit survey was made in the local area by Sociologist Dr. A. Schaffer and Mrs. Peggy Harding. The sur- vey compared persons from low - income, minority groups without cars to those of similar background with cars. The former were much less mo- bile and more confined to their neighborhoods. They made infrequent trips to shopping centers, supermarkets, and department stores. There was reduced participation in local organizations. Travel outside the community was rare. These persons relied heavily on taxis for local transportation, and a high percent of their income was spent for this service. Results of this survey indicate that the lack of public trans- portation is especially burdensome to persons without cars and to the elderly. PLANNERS' CORNER MEMORANDUM April 8, 1974 TO: D. D. Williamson FROM: Hubert Nelson SUBJECT: URBAN TRANSPORTATION STUDY ANNUAL REPORT The City of Bryan has made some strides toward the objectives outlined in the Urban Transportation Study which we feel are very significant. The following is a brief summary of projects the City has concentrated its efforts toward in beginning the program of implementing the Urban Trans- portation Study and transportation related activities. During 1973 the following major street projects were initiated: Barak Lane from Oak Ridge to Oak Hill Sims Street from 29th to Bryan Carson from Texas to South College Briarcrest -Villa Maria from 29th to South College The Barak Lane and Carson Street projects were completed while the Briarcrest - Villa Maria project isstill under construction and the Sims Street project construction phase has not been started. All these streets are considered either arterial or collector type streets. Also during 1973 the City Council contlritted all the general revenue sharing funds that have been received to date for residential street construction. This project involved hiring a consulting engineering firm to design a lower cost paving section to be installed on previously unpaved streets mostly in the low income sections of the City. A test section has recently been constructed in hopes that it will provide the type of paving necessary to upgrade approximately 35 miles of unpaved City streets. In July the City opened a Traffic Safety Office with the assistance of a State grant to hire a Traffic Safety Coordinator. The Traffic Safety Coordinator's Office is located at ill South Main along with the Planning and Traffic Department. The City Council appointed a 13 member Traffic Safety Commission which has met regularly since its inception in August and has recommended several items to the Council to assist in Traffic Safety. I feel like we have accomplished a great deal in the area of Urban Trans- portation and are beginning to implement the Urban Transportation Plan and cause an awareness among our citizens toward the problem of traffic safety. SPEED -DELAY STUDY Route Section 1970 1973 Street Limits of Section Length Avg Spd Avg Spd SH 21 42 MPH Arterial Roates -- Minimum Desirable Operating Speed ............ 25 MPH Texas New Main- Walton to University 0.43 16 19 Texas University to Hensel 0.27 13 18 Texas Hensel to North Rosemary 0.13 17 20 Texas Broadmoor to Sulphur Springs 0.38 22 17 Texas Villa Maria to Dellwood 0.08 23 41 Texas Dellwood to Post Office 0.37 21 18 Texas Post Office to Carson 0.32 17 27 Texas Coulter to Dodge 0.09 22 25 i' xas 29th to 25th 0.26 17 24 Texas 25th to 23rd 0.13 18 28 Texas 23rd to 19th 0.24 22 20 �tI 21 Tabor Road to Texas 0.33 17 22 SH 21 Texas to Sims 0.16 12 11 15th St. Texas to Tabor 0.12 18 22 25th St. Tabor to Main 0.07 13 11 25th St. Main to Bryan 0.04 14 07 25th St. Bryan to Sims 0.12 18 22 29th St. Sims to Bryan 0.12 15 13 29th St. Bryan to South Main 0.05 15 06 29th St. South Main to Texas 0.19 13 13 :901 St. Texas to Haswell 0.36 21 19 =9th St. Haswell to Coulter 0.27 19 21 29th St. Esther to Villa Maria 0.16 16 17 S. college Coulter to Dodge 0.10 19 33 S. College Dodge to South Main 0.13 23 29 university Texas to South College 0.49 20 21 17 University Scutt, College to Nagle 0.23 24 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC TRANSIT SEMINAR A seminar was held on April 23, 1974, at the Bryan Public Library to discuss the need for a local public transpor- tation system. Dr. Ron Holder and Dr. A. Schaffer were speakers for the seminar. Mr. Claude Davis was panel moderator. Further studies are required to determine the feasibility of having some form of pub- lic transportation in Bryan - College Station. PUBLIC TRANSIT - TEXAS A&M CAMPUS The campus generates trip volumes equivalent to the central business district of a city with a 200,000 population. The existing Shuttle Bus System serves as a form of mass transit, carrying 6,000 trips per day and 2,000 riders. The ridership is limited to a select group and not available to the general public. The 0& D Survey showed 35,000 person trips daily originating within a two -mile radius of the campus. By 1990, there will be 65,000 person trips daily. To handle this trip volume effectively, mass transporta- tion facilities to the campus will need to be expanded. PUBLIC BUS SYSTEM The lone bus which was operating in 1970 on a non - franchised basis has been discontinued. There is no true public tran- sit in Bryan - College Station at this time. PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS TRANSIT Bryan's Public School Bus System operates 40 buses daily serving 4,628 passengers. The average cost of opera- tion is slightly over a cent per passenger mile and the buses average 140 passenger miles per gallon of gasoline. The A&M Consolidated School Bus System operates seven buses each day for a total of 491 miles and carries 567 passengers. These buses average 114 passenger miles per gallon of gasoline. The present local school bus systems are examples of the most efficient use of energy today. This is primarily because they operate with a fixed ridership two periods per day, are lighter in construction than commercial buses, and do not have air condition- ing. State law precludes the use of school buses for public transit. PUBLIC TRANSIT SURVEY A public transit survey was made in the local area by Sociologist Dr. A. Schaffer and Mrs. Peggy Harding. The sur- vey compared persons from low - income, minority groups without cars to those of similar background with cars. The former were much less mo- bile and more confined to their neighborhoods. They made infrequent trips to shopping centers, supermarkets, and department stores. There was reduced participation in local organizations. Travel outside the community was rare. These persons relied heavily on taxis for local transportation, and a high percent of their income was spent for this service. Results of this survey indicate that the lack of public trans- portation is especially burdensome to persons without cars and to the elderly. PLANNERS' CORNER MEMORANDUM April 8, 1974 TO: D. D. Williamson FROM: Hubert Nelson SUBJECT: URBAN TRANSPORTATION STUDY ANNUAL REPORT The City of Bryan has made some strides toward the objectives outlined in the Urban Transportation Study which we feel are very significant. The following is a brief summary of projects the City has concentrated its efforts toward in beginning the program of implementing the Urban Trans- portation Study and transportation related activities. During 1973 the following major street projects were initiated: Barak Lane from Oak Ridge to Oak Hill Sims Street from 29th to Bryan Carson from Texas to South College Briarcrest -Villa Maria from 29th to South College The Barak Lane and Carson Street projects were completed while the Briarcrest - Villa Maria project isstill under construction and the Sims Street project construction phase has not been started. All these streets are considered either arterial or collector type streets. Also during 1973 the City Council contlritted all the general revenue sharing funds that have been received to date for residential street construction. This project involved hiring a consulting engineering firm to design a lower cost paving section to be installed on previously unpaved streets mostly in the low income sections of the City. A test section has recently been constructed in hopes that it will provide the type of paving necessary to upgrade approximately 35 miles of unpaved City streets. In July the City opened a Traffic Safety Office with the assistance of a State grant to hire a Traffic Safety Coordinator. The Traffic Safety Coordinator's Office is located at ill South Main along with the Planning and Traffic Department. The City Council appointed a 13 member Traffic Safety Commission which has met regularly since its inception in August and has recommended several items to the Council to assist in Traffic Safety. I feel like we have accomplished a great deal in the area of Urban Trans- portation and are beginning to implement the Urban Transportation Plan and cause an awareness among our citizens toward the problem of traffic safety. SPEED -DELAY STUDY COMMITTEE STRUCTURE Policy Advisory and Steering Committees for the Bryan - College Station Urban Transportation Study have been organized. Their structure is shown below. Brazos County Judge William R. Vance has been elected chairman of both committees. Route 1974 1970 Texas Avenue 36 MPH 36 MPH FM 60 39 MPH 36 MPH SH 21 42 MPH 44 MPH COMMITTEE STRUCTURE Policy Advisory and Steering Committees for the Bryan - College Station Urban Transportation Study have been organized. Their structure is shown below. Brazos County Judge William R. Vance has been elected chairman of both committees. STEERING POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTIMATED Hon. Mtlliam R. Vance, Chairman Brasoe County tinx �fembe rsh ip County Judge Olin E. Teague State of Texas U.S. Congre swan, 6th Dietr ic[ Texas Ave. to South Main Mon . 41LItam T. Moore State of Texas Non-VOtfng Membership Stale Senator, 5th Distrtc[ 1,869,750 Non. Bill Presna1 State of Texas Texas Ave, to Bryan City Limit State Representative, 28th Diatrtct S11 `308 Non. J. A. Skr ivanek Bryan, Texas 276,750 Mayor, City of My" Nall Lane to Briarcrest Hon. 0. M. Rolt College Station, Texas AgrOnowy Road Mayor, City of College Sutfnn STEERING COMMITTEE ESTIMATED One Representative for: tinx �fembe rsh ip city of Bryan City of Callege Station St.— County Texas Ave. to South Main Texas Highmay Department Non-VOtfng Membership Braroa VaLLey Development Council 1,869,750 Te xae A University Texas Ave, to Bryan City Limit Federal Highvey Admin tatratlon S11 `308 Te ass fL Transit Council 276,750 Texas Aeronautics Co ®isaion Nall Lane to Briarcrest Texas Air Control Board AgrOnowy Road Study PLanning Engineer PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE TECHNICA CCMMI'1"1'EE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVISED PROJECT PRIORITIES Project priorities developed for the Recommended Transportation Plan were reviewed by the Steering Committee on May 8, 1974. One revision was made, and this was the upgrading of the Briarcrest Extension to a Priority I Grouping. A revised listing of the Priority I projects is shown below: 1974 URBAN SYSTEM PROGRAM Construction funds of approximately $500,000 have been allocated to the Bryan - College Station area under the 1974 Urban System Program. These projects were selected by the appropriate local officials with the con- currence of the Highway Department and the Federal Highway Administra- tion, in accordance with Section 134 1. Briarcr Dri ve from SH 6 Planning Process. The Steering Com- Expressway to FM 158 mittee has recommended the construc- t. Fountain Street from Villa Maria tion of these projects under the 1974 to old College Road Program: 3. Signalization of FM 2154 and Jersey Street Intersection The Committee further recommended that funds from the next Urban System Program be committed to the following 1. Old College Road from F &B Road Improvements. The recommendations for co FM 60 these improvements are tentative, and they are subject to a later review by 2• Briarcrest -Villa M aria from Finfeather to FM 2818 the Committee. Hubert Nelson HN:jh May 1, 1974 MEMO TO: Mr. D. D. Williamson Supervising Planning Engineer FROM: William F. Koehler College Station City Planner SUBJECT: College Station City Planner's Report Approximately 3 miles of major urban streets are currently under construction in College Station. The projects involved are the result of the City's street improvement program and private development. Projects underway, in addition to major street construction, include a bridge structure, bicycle pathway deliniation, and completion of street inventories and a transportation plan as a part of a Comprehensive Development Plan for the City. Public projects underway include Lincoln Avenue which parallels University Drive from Ashburn Street to State Highway 6 and provides alternate access to Highway 6 from the Tarrow - University Drive area and the northeast section of College Station. The Southwest Parkway project from Welch to F.M. 2154 completes a 2 mile major thoroughfare linking F.M. 2154 to State Highway 6. Right -of -way for a one mile extension to the Hwy. fi East Bypass has already been acquired. Private development projects provide for improved access to University Drive from the Tarrow -29th Street area along Fed -Mart Drive. A local developer is nearing completion of a bridge structure which will link Southwest Parkway to F.M. 2818 in the southern part of the City. Construction has begun on Longmire Drive which will parallel Highway 6 South and serve a major future development on the City's south side. The City is completing the marking of 5 -1/2 miles of bicycle- pedest.ri.ln pathways. This system may be extended after the response to and effectiveness of the current program have -been evaluated. The major projects mentioned above are in addition to 3 miles of residential. street construction by private developers and 1 -1/2 miles of petition paving of residential streets under construction. William F. Koehler City Planner WFK /smh ESTIMATED STREET LIMITS COST Washington Ave. Texas Ave. to South Main 1,159,650 Texas Avenue South College to FM 2818 1,869,750 29th Street Texas Ave, to Bryan City Limit 2,708,370 S11 `308 Brookside Drive to R1 60 276,750 Villa Maria Road Nall Lane to Briarcrest 747,225 AgrOnowy Road Finfeather to FM 2347 830,250 2501 Street Texas to FM 158 1,444,500 Fountain Street Villa Maria to Old College Road 395,700 Oli! College Road F&B Road to FM 60 325,800 FM 2154 Jersey Street to FM 2818 472,500 Villa Maria South College to Finfeather 330,750 Inner Loop :Near Beck St. to 'Texas Ave. 901,462 Dominik Puryear to Jersey -Texas Int. 329,400 Beck Street Palasota to FM 2818 821,47` Briarcrest SH 6 Expressway to FM 158 240,200 1974 URBAN SYSTEM PROGRAM Construction funds of approximately $500,000 have been allocated to the Bryan - College Station area under the 1974 Urban System Program. These projects were selected by the appropriate local officials with the con- currence of the Highway Department and the Federal Highway Administra- tion, in accordance with Section 134 1. Briarcr Dri ve from SH 6 Planning Process. The Steering Com- Expressway to FM 158 mittee has recommended the construc- t. Fountain Street from Villa Maria tion of these projects under the 1974 to old College Road Program: 3. Signalization of FM 2154 and Jersey Street Intersection The Committee further recommended that funds from the next Urban System Program be committed to the following 1. Old College Road from F &B Road Improvements. The recommendations for co FM 60 these improvements are tentative, and they are subject to a later review by 2• Briarcrest -Villa M aria from Finfeather to FM 2818 the Committee. Hubert Nelson HN:jh May 1, 1974 MEMO TO: Mr. D. D. Williamson Supervising Planning Engineer FROM: William F. Koehler College Station City Planner SUBJECT: College Station City Planner's Report Approximately 3 miles of major urban streets are currently under construction in College Station. The projects involved are the result of the City's street improvement program and private development. Projects underway, in addition to major street construction, include a bridge structure, bicycle pathway deliniation, and completion of street inventories and a transportation plan as a part of a Comprehensive Development Plan for the City. Public projects underway include Lincoln Avenue which parallels University Drive from Ashburn Street to State Highway 6 and provides alternate access to Highway 6 from the Tarrow - University Drive area and the northeast section of College Station. The Southwest Parkway project from Welch to F.M. 2154 completes a 2 mile major thoroughfare linking F.M. 2154 to State Highway 6. Right -of -way for a one mile extension to the Hwy. fi East Bypass has already been acquired. Private development projects provide for improved access to University Drive from the Tarrow -29th Street area along Fed -Mart Drive. A local developer is nearing completion of a bridge structure which will link Southwest Parkway to F.M. 2818 in the southern part of the City. Construction has begun on Longmire Drive which will parallel Highway 6 South and serve a major future development on the City's south side. The City is completing the marking of 5 -1/2 miles of bicycle- pedest.ri.ln pathways. This system may be extended after the response to and effectiveness of the current program have -been evaluated. The major projects mentioned above are in addition to 3 miles of residential. street construction by private developers and 1 -1/2 miles of petition paving of residential streets under construction. William F. Koehler City Planner WFK /smh