CATC Mobility Headlines

The Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program received $1.4 million in funding from the ARRA allotment.  HERO was the very last of the fourteen projects funded and then only on an 11-9 vote.  HERO received the remaining balance of funds available, short of the already reduced request of $2M.  It would not have been approved at all except for the determined support of Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe.

Other ARRA projects approved:

Other CAMPO news:

• Executive Director Joe Cantalupo framed the CAMPO $1.9M budget of which $1.3M is a direct Federal allocation with the balance coming from STPMM or local discretionary Federal funds.
• Bastrop and Caldwell Counties have accepted invitations to eventually join CAMPO.
• Senator Kirk Watson summarized the dismal results of the Legislative session. The major positive results were the Capital Metro legislation and the possible funding of the Rail Relocation Fund. Major failures were TxDOT Sunset Bill, local option and lack of funding. He noted that transportation funding was in a drought and getting worse. Cuts at the State level and rescissions at Federal level were more than offsetting gains from stimulus funding.
• A report was made on the status of the SH 45SW Committee by its Chairman Sam Biscoe. The committee is focusing on two options. Both have four tolled lanes. One would have stand alone financing; the other “toll system” financing. The latter would require a change in CAMPO policy to allow the toll road to use revenues from other toll roads to be considered as security for its bonded debt. SOS and Sierra Club presented a minority report with the conclusion that vehicle trips were declining and we didn’t need new roads (very insightful and creative alternative).
• Approved a $100K contract with Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) for forecasting bicycle and pedestrian usage.
• Approved a $30K contract with TTI for air quality emission analysis in case CAMPO must meet air quality conformance.
• Approved a $39K sole source contract with Eastern Research Group to refine greenhouse gas analysis of CAMPO transport model.
• Authorized Executive Director to sell air quality campaign material to San Antonio.

On Monday, June 8 the CAMPO Board will vote on which projects to fund with the federal economic stimulus allotment. One project under consideration is the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) roadside assistance program. CATC and other business organizations are advocates of this cost-effective strategy to reduce congestion on IH-35.

With a $2 million jumpstart using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) funds, the HERO program can provide relief almost immediately for the heavily congested segment of IH-35 in Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The program can be sustained with a combination of future local Federal discretionary funds (STPMM) and private sponsorships. The most recent example of this is the Georgia Department of Transportation’s collaborative sponsorship with State Farm Insurance, in which State Farm will provide $5.1 million ($1.7m/year) in sponsorship fees over the next three years to support the Georgia DOT HERO program.

Fiscal constraints curtail the region’s ability to add enough road capacity to meet demand, so we must use make the best use of existing roadways. Roadway operational improvement is THE most effective means of reducing congestion. HERO should be implemented and the stimulus money allows us to do it now.

On Monday, May 11, the CAMPO Board will hold a public hearing regarding proposed CAMPO federal economic stimulus projects.  One project under consideration is the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) roadside assistance program.  CATC and other business organizations are advocates of this cost-effective strategy to reduce congestion on IH-35.

HERO is one of only two applications for stimulus money involving operations. Normally, CATC doesn’t recommend using one-time Federal funds for ongoing expenses, but in this case it is imperative we make an exception. The HERO program (#13 on the proposed project list) is critical for the safe and effective operation of our roadways. When agencies face severe budget problems, seemingly mundane operations programs often get the ax. Construction programs are important and are more visible to the public but when it comes to safety and congestion reduction, real life examples have demonstrated that roadway operational improvement is THE most effective means of reducing congestion. Federal and State governments will once again underfund mobility, which means we cannot add enough capacity to meet demand. Until this changes we must make the best use of our existing roadways.

HERO should be implemented and the stimulus money allows us to do it now. If you support better mobility, urge CAMPO to fund HERO.

The public comment period is open through Wednesday, May 13 at 5:00 PM. To provide comments to CAMPO in support of the HERO program, you many testify at the May 11 public hearing OR submit comments at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xIY3CU696ydL0_2f9SbLrFkA_3d_3d.

The TXDOT Austin District’s courtesy patrol - the H.E.R.O. (Highway Emergency Response Operator) program - is another victim of the agency’s budget problems. The program loses funding February 1.

The patrol program, in operation for eight years, helped keep traffic congestion down by helping stalled and disabled vehicles. The service helped over 3,000 vehicles statewide in 2007.

TXDOT’s courtesy patrol to be eliminated - KXAN

Courtesy patrol likely on the chopping block - Austin American-Statesman