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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8193 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8193 I rr- 111 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 18, 1999 41 Subject: DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) A proposed listing of planning projects is attached along with the submittal forms to be transmitted to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) under the 1.999- 2000 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP documents transportation planning projects to be conducted over the next fiscal year by NCTCOG and/or City of Fort Worth utilizing federal transportation planning funds. A draft 1999-2000 UPWP will be submitted by NCTCOG to the Texas Department of Transportation (TY-DOT) by June 1, 1999. The time period covered by the 1999-2000 UPWP is October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000. Transportation and Public Works Department staff had mentioned at the Pre-Council meeting, on May 4" that we would be coming back to the City Council with a presentation on the proposed projects to be submitted under the 1999-2000 UPWP. The development of the attached proposed planning projects was coordinated with the Planning and Growth Management Department, Parks and Community Services Department, and Transportation and Public Works Department. Should you have any questions regarding these projects, please call Mr. Joe Temus, Assistant Director, Transportation and Public Works Department at 871-8055. job Terrell City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS r CITY OF FORT WORTH DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) Proposed Planning Project Estimated Cost 1. Trolley extension feasibility study $50,000 2. Coordinated wayfinding program $180,000 3. Downtown parking study $150,000 4. Assistance in development of a sidewalk survey $50,000 5. Development of implementation strategies for four (4) $40,000 pedestrian pathway projects developed to correct serious pedestrian conflicts between activity centers 6. Technical assistance in improving roadway design plans $20,000 to meet criteria established in the bicycle plan 7. Continued support for travel forecasting in the southwest $40,000 and northwest sectors of the City of Fort Worth 8. Development of a Fort Worth municipal airport $100,000 development plan ...............................--........... ................................... 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Linkages Trolley Extensions Feasibility Study Estimated Cost: $50,000 Project Description One of the major recommendations from the 1997 Linkages Study was the development of a historic trolley to connect the three most heavily visited areas of the city: the Downtown, historic Stockyards, and the Cultural District. The 1997-98 LTPWP funded the feasibility study of a trolley for a route that served these three centers. That feasibility study was completed showing it is both technically and financially feasible, and plans are underway to proceed with the next step of preliminary engineering and environmental assessment. The consultant for the 1998 feasibility study identified the need to extend the trolley to the Zoo, which is just south of the Cultural District and has over one million visitors each year. However, the project committee restricted the feasibility study to only the three identified areas for the initial trolley project. When the feasibility report was presented to the City Council in December 1998, the Council directed staff to include the Zoo in the initial plans for the trolley. In order to include the Zoo in the engineering and environmental assessment, a feasibility study needs to be completed of the link between the Cultural District and the Zoo. It is also recognized that once the trolley has been established in Fort Worth,an extension to the Medical District from Downtown should be considered. This route would include Lancaster and is particularly important due to the potential revitalization of the Lancaster corridor following the removal of the 1-30 overhead. It is requested that this feasibility study address the two trolley routes listed below so that the Zoo extension can be a part of the initial trolley project and the Medical District extension can be a part of the Lancaster Corridor redevelopment plans. Feasibility of trolley routes between the: 1) Cultural District Visitor's Information Center and the Zoo, and 2) T&P Station on Lancaster and the Medical District. Requested By: City of Fort Worth 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Coordinated Wayfinding Program Estimated Cost: $180,000 Project Description Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI) has developed a computerized comprehensive geographical information system (the"DFWI GIS")that inventories parking supply and calculates parking demand within the Fort Worth Central Business District(CBD). This GIS has the capability to quantify and map the location of parking resources and parking demand generators in the CBD. Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., through sponsorship by the City of Fort Worth, proposes the design and implementation of a multifaceted wayfinding program for downtown Fort Worth that utilizes the DFWI GIS to assist motorists by directing them to the most appropriate parking resource for their given destination. The wayfinding program will also direct downtown visitors as pedestrians from the parking resource to their ultimate destination. This program envisions three components: Development and operation of a web page that will link users to the DFWI GIS. This web be interactive. The user will be able to enter his destination and then view a map, page will I which shows the best parking resources for his destination. The user will be able to select a parking resource and query the system for directions to the facility, whereupon a map will be produced with the most appropriate route marked to the parking resource. The user will also be able to view a map that will map out the remainder of the user's journey as a pedestrian. A coordinated comprehensive signage program. A comprehensive signage program plan will be commissioned to design a coordinated program of directional and wayfinding C, signage. C., 0 Implementation of the signage plan will be completed based on the recommendations of this plan. A coordinated marketing campaign. A marketing campaign will be designed and implemented to increase public awareness of the above wayfinding programs. The coordinated wayfinding program is intended to respond to the Fort Worth Area Goals as identified in the Fort Worth Regional Intelligent Transportation System(ITS)Plan. As such, the proposed program will also meet the goals of the CNIAQ and STP project call for TEA-21 project funding. This project will be coordinated with Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Requested By: City of Fort Worth and Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI) 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Downtown Parking Study Estimated Cost: $150,000 Project Description This study will address the parking within the study area defined by Lancaster Ave. on the south, the Trinity River on the west and north, and 1-35W on the east. The study will focus on the existing and anticipated supply of parking, both off-street and on-street metered parking. This plan will focus on the available supply of parking, estimate the need for future parking, and make recommendations, both short-term and long-term, to address these parking needs in the Central Business District(CBD) of the City of Fort Worth. It will include parking information being developed by Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI)and future public and private developments, such as the Convention Center, Lancaster Avenue,etc. Requested By: City of Fort Worth 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Assist the City of Fort Worth in developing a Sidewalk Survey. Estimated Cost: $50,000 Project Description The City's new Transportation Plan is committed to satisfying the needs of all modes of transportation. Accommodating the needs of the pedestrian must begin to take priority. Assuring pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs, have adequate facilities is the crucial initial step towards developing progress. A sidewalk inventory would provide information on locations requiring construction and rehabilitation to ensure a safe, contiguous pedestrian network is achieved. Requested By: City of Fort Worth 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Development of Improvement Projects to Improve Pedestrian Links Between Activity Centers Estimated Cost: $40,000 Project Description As part of the Transportation Plan Update, the Fort Worth Linkages Study has been reviewed to identify particular pedestrian problem areas. Four particular areas pose problems for pedestrians as they try to access activity centers: 1. The connection from the Zoo to the Cultural District along University has serious safety barriers. One idea, perhaps, is a link to the off road trail along the Trinity as an alternative to walking along University Drive at the Interstate 30 underpass. 2. The Trinity Trail along the Trinity River is an excellent trail system that has few links to rlyr, activity centers. Consider best locations to establish easily identified entry points and links to F growth centers identified by the Comprehensive Plan and the Linkages Study. 3. The connection of downtown to the Cultural District. 4. Connections from the west side of downtown to the new Intermodal Transportation Center. Requested By: City of Fort Worth ror ........... 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Obtain technical assistance on evaluating roadway and right- of-way improvements in accordance with the Fort Worth Bicycle Plan. Estimated Cost: $20,000 Project Description This project would provide technical assistance for improving roadways and rights-of way to meet criteria established in the Fort Worth Bicycle Plan. This Bicycle Plan is an integral component of the City's commitment to multi-modal transportation. Acquiring expert, technical assistance during roadway improvement planning can ensure that the City will remain devoted to the needs of all users. Requested By: City of Fort Worth F ................... 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECIINICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Continued Support in Travel Forecasting for Southwest and Northwest Fort Worth Estimated Cost: $40,000 Project Description This planning project would continue support in transportation modeling and forecasting for the Northwest and Southeast Sub Areas. This project would include assistance for travel forecasts using the Tarrant County Travel Model. Requested By: City of Fort Worth -—--------- 1999-2000 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING NEW PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM FOR PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed Planning Project Title: Fort Worth Aviation Plan Estimated Cost: $100,000 Project Description Technical assistance is requested for development of a City of Fort Worth Municipal Airports Development Plan. This plan would develop short-term and long-term infrastructure improvements for Spinks, Meacham, and Alliance Airports. Requested By: City of Fort Worth ........................