Urban Transportation Commission Special Called Meeting September 7th, 2021 at 5pm AUSTIN CITY HALL – BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W. SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live AUSTIN, TEXAS CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Mario Champion, Chair Susan Somers, Vice Chair Ruven Brooks Nathan Ryan Daniel Alvarado Samuel Franco Athena Leyton Allison Runas Cynthia Weatherby Diana Wheeler James Driscoll AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF August 18th, 2021 MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS A. Taxicab Franchise Transfer Presenters: Jacob Culberson B. Cypress & Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy Presentation Presenters: Nina Rinaldi 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS A. Downtown Commission: Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby C. Joint Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Diana Wheeler D. Bicycle Advisory Council: Commissioner Athena Leyton E. Pedestrian Advisory Council: Commissioner Allie Runas F. City Council Mobility Committee: Commissioner Mario Champion 4. Future Agenda Items ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christopher Parks, at (512)-978-1568, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Urban Transportation Department, please contact Christopher Parks at christopher.parks@austintexas.gov.
Taxicab Industry Update – September 7, 2021 City of Austin Transportation Department Taxicab Franchise Operators Current Franchise Operators Franchise Closures During Pandemic ATX Co-Op Taxi Lone Star Cab (May 2020) Central City Taxi Longhorn Taxicab Co. (Dec. 2020) Yellow Cab Number of Taxicabs in Service 2019-2021 Three Year Comparison 1,016 245 220 FY 2018-2019 FY 2019-2020 FY 2020-2021 Current Taxicab Franchise Fleet Numbers ATX Co-Op Taxi 100 Taxicabs / 93 Standard + 7 WCL Central City Taxi 25 Taxicabs / 21 Standard + 4 WCL Yellow Cab 95 Taxicabs / 87 Standard + 8 WCL 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0 Taxicab Number of Trips Five-Year Comparison: 2016 - 2021 3,078,481 1,814,306 1,000,207 FY 2016-17 FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21* *As of 7/31/2021 466,841 197,012 Franchise Model Operating Authority Model Application takes more than 30 days to complete Application can be completed in one business day Requires Council action for approval, renewal, or transfer Three-readings franchise approval processes may take 3 to 6 months Approval, renewal, or transfer based on established prerequisite criteria Approval granted within 2 business days upon the fulfillment of established prerequisite criteria Rigid application timeframes and deadlines Flexible application timeframes and deadlines Difficult to scale vehicle fleets to demand due to Easy to scale vehicle fleets to demand Inability to cease and resume operations when necessary Ability to cease and resume operations at will Limited driver autonomy and choice Greater driver autonomy and choice Unique vehicle-for-hire Category, unlike any others permitted in Austin Does not align with taxicab permitting programs in other Texas cities Aligns with all other vehicle-for-hire permitted services in Austin Aligns with taxicab permitting programs in other Texas cities Taxicab Industry Update – September 7, 2021 City of Austin Transportation Department
Community Concepts Study Results Community Concepts Feasibility Study ASSESS EVALUATE CONSIDER METHODS Independent 3rd Party Assessment of Feasibility of Community Concepts Feasibility of community concepts as standalone alternatives Anticipated growth in population and traffic volume Literature and media reviews Elements of the community concepts that are currently incorporated or could be reasonably incorporated into the proposed TxDOT build alternatives Elements of the community concepts that require further study and analysis Design and constructability of community concepts and TxDOT build alternatives Impacts of community concepts on city streets and highways in the area Alignment with TxDOT’s Purpose and Need for the project Stakeholder interviews Comparative analysis Development parcel analysis Travel demand modeling Key Elements of Community Concepts Depress mainlanes of I-35 Redesignate SH 130 to I-35 Create a continuous cap from Holly Street to MLK, Jr. Blvd. Create 6-lane boulevard on cap Narrow current footprint by removing frontage roads and allow development on reclaimed land in ROW Restore east-west connectivity Convert I-35 to urban boulevard Provide dedicated bus lanes and future rail in center of boulevard Through traffic uses other highways around central Austin Restore east-west connectivity Depress or lower mainlanes of I-35 Cap over some areas but not continuous East-west connectivity with stitches Decrease downtown entrances and exits Cantilevere frontage roads Allow development on reclaimed land in ROW Increase in multimodal travel Restore east-west connectivity Increase in multimodal travel Increase in multimodal travel Use reclaimed ROW for specific city purposes FINDINGS Related to June 2021 TxDOT Alternatives Incorporated / Possible Status Element or Issue Notes/Continued Analysis Freeway mainlanes below ground between Holly St and Airport Blvd. Alternatives have lowered general purpose lanes removing high-speed roads from the surface and improved street network connectivity (east-west and north-south). Add street network connections (east-west and north- south). 5th Street connection being added on TxDOT alternatives Enhance multimodal mobility on the east-west connections. TxDOT plans for east-west connectivity improvement, additional bike and pedestrian crossings, and transit provision on managed lanes and cross streets. Already incorporated into one or more TxDOT alternatives Reduce vehicular-related deaths and maximize safety TxDOT’s Road to Zero Initiative Mitigate traffic spillover into neighboring streets and communities. Community concepts reduce capacity on I-35 and increases traffic in neighborhoods. Match City of Austin guidelines for Vision Zero. TxDOT’s Road to Zero Initiative supports City of Austin’s Vision Zero Initiative Engineering Actions. Boulevard can facilitate positive climate change impacts. Facilities that support bus …
Urban Transportation Commission Susan Fraser, P.E., CFM – Mobility35 Program Manager Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 Sept. 9, 2021 Table of contents 1 2 3 4 5 5 Mobility35 Program Overview I-35 Capital Express Program Overview I-35 Capital Express Central Project I-35 Capital Express North Project I-35 Capital Express Central Project I-35 Capital Express Central Project 3-5 6-7 8-34 35-38 16-42 16-42 Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 2 OVERVIEW Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 3 About the Mobility35 Program Focus on Improvements to 79 miles of I-35 through Williamson, Travis and Hays counties. 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas: – #1 – I-35 from US 290 to SH 71. – #12 – I-35 from SH 71 to Slaughter Lane. – #34 – I-35 from RM 1431 to SH 45N/Louis Henna Boulevard. – #45 – I-35 from Slaughter Lane to SH 45SE. – #70 – I-35 from Parmer Lane to US 290E. 30+ projects in Mobility35 Program. – $8 billion in construction costs for active or future projects. – 20+ contracts totaling ~$90 million in environmental and design. Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 4 Mobility35 Goals and Objectives Enhance safety. Optimize the roadway footprint. Increase capacity. Minimize additional right of way. Manage traffic better. Improve east/west connectivity. Improve compatibility with neighborhoods. Enhance bicycle, pedestrian and transit options. Northbound I-35 braided ramps completed at US 79 Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 5 I-35 CAPITAL EXPRESS OVERVIEW Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 6 I-35 Capital Express Program Three stand-alone projects: – North - SH 45 North to US 290 East. – Central - US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. – South - SH 71/Ben White Boulevard to SH 45 Southeast. Proposes to add non-tolled, high- occupancy vehicle (HOV) managed lanes. https://my35capex.com/ Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 7 I-35 CAPITAL EXPRESS CENTRAL PROJECT Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 8 I-35 Capital Express Central Overview Video Link: For All Of Us Mobility Committee Presentation Sept. 9, 2021 9 I-35 Capital Express Central Project Scope Limits: US 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard, with additional flyovers at I-35 and US 290 East. Length: 8 miles. Project details: direction. – Construct two non-tolled managed lanes in each – Managed lanes, such as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, are a set of …
Urban Transportation Commission Special Called Meeting September 7th, 2021 at 5pm AUSTIN CITY HALL – BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W. SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live AUSTIN, TEXAS CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Mario Champion, Chair Susan Somers, Vice Chair Ruven Brooks Nathan Ryan Daniel Alvarado Samuel Franco Athena Leyton Allison Runas Cynthia Weatherby Diana Wheeler James Driscoll CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF August 18th, 2021 MINUTES REVISED AGENDA 2. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS A. TxDOT I-35 Presentation Presenters: Susan Fraser B. Taxicab Franchise Transfer Presenters: Jacob Culberson C. Cypress & Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy Presentation Presenters: Nina Rinaldi 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS A. Downtown Commission: Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby D. Joint Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Diana Wheeler E. Bicycle Advisory Council: Commissioner Athena Leyton F. Pedestrian Advisory Council: Commissioner Allie Runas G. City Council Mobility Committee: Commissioner Mario Champion 4. Future Agenda Items ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christopher Parks, at (512)-978-1568, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Urban Transportation Department, please contact Christopher Parks at christopher.parks@austintexas.gov.
Taxicab Industry Update – September 7, 2021 City of Austin Transportation Department Taxicab Franchise Operators Current Franchise Operators Franchise Closures During Pandemic ATX Co-Op Taxi Lone Star Cab (May 2020) Central City Taxi Longhorn Taxicab Co. (Dec. 2020) Yellow Cab Number of Taxicabs in Service 2019-2021 Three Year Comparison 1,016 245 220 FY 2018-2019 FY 2019-2020 FY 2020-2021 Current Taxicab Franchise Fleet Numbers ATX Co-Op Taxi 100 Taxicabs (93 Standard + 7 WCL) Central City Taxi 25 Taxicabs (21 Standard + 4 WCL) Yellow Cab 95 Taxicabs (87 Standard + 8 WCL) 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0 Taxicab Number of Trips Five-Year Comparison: 2016 - 2021 3,078,481 1,814,306 1,000,207 FY 2016-17 FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21* *As of 7/31/2021 466,841 197,012 • • • • • • Taxicab companies were first licensed in the City of Austin under an operating authority model on March 8th, 1932. On June 8th, 1950, taxicab companies were declared public utilities by City Council and formed into taxicab franchises by subsequent ordinance. Taxicab Companies reached their peak service in 2016-2017 with over 3 million trips and more than 1500 taxicabs deployed within the City. In 2017, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft began operating in Austin under state regulatory authority and taxicab franchises experienced an eventual seventy-five percent decline in their number of trips the following year. Council In 2018, reform recommendations, intended to address this decline, lighten franchise restrictions, and level the playing field between taxicabs and other transportation options. taxicab franchise approved ATD’s regulatory In 2020-2021, due to the global pandemic, taxicab franchises have now experienced the lowest trip numbers on record. ATD recommends that taxicab companies no longer be regarded as public utilities, but rather as a valuable part of a diverse and ever-evolving network of competitive mobility options and that Council transition taxicabs from a franchise licensing model to an operating authority licensing model. The benefits of licensing taxicab companies under an operating authority model versus a franchise model are demonstrated in the figure below: Franchise Model Operating Authority Model Application takes more than 30 days to complete Application can be completed in one business day Requires Council action for approval, renewal, or transfer Approval, renewal, or transfer based on established prerequisite criteria Three-readings franchise approval processes may take 3 to 6 months Approval granted within 2 business days upon the fulfillment …
SHOAL CREEK TRAIL PLAN Trail Network >> Seamless, connected network of hike-and-bike trails along the 11-mile Shoal Creek corridor, and connection to other urban trails city-wide City Adoption >> In 2018, the City of Austin Public Works Department accepted the Trail Plan. Top Priority Project >> The improvements along the Cypress & Shoal project area is one of the top five stakeholder-identified priority improvements. The Big Loop >> The City of Austin’s Urban Trail Plan and Bicycle Plan position the Shoal Creek Trail to become a major segment in a 30-mile ‘Big Loop’ of bikeways traversing the city. Shoal Creek Trail is also poised to be the western link in the Downtown Urban Greenbelt, a 6.5 mile loop formed by the Shoal Creek Trail, the Capitol Mall, Waterloo Greenway, and the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. PROPOSED PROJECT AREA >> GABLES WEST AVENUE TRADER JOE’S THE INDEPENDENT 360 CONDOS SEAHOLM RESIDENCES AUSTIN ENERGY SUBSTATION THIRD + SHOAL 3RD STREETNUECES STREETWEST AVENUE SEAHOLM DRIVE THE INDEPENDENT GABLES WEST AVENUE TRADER JOE’S 360 CONDOS THIRD + SHOAL SEAHOLM RESIDENCES AUSTIN ENERGY SUBSTATION LANCE ARMSTRONG BIKEWAY L I A R T K E E R L C A O H S LANCE ARMSTRONG BIKEWAY A N N & ROY B U T L E R H I K E - A N D - I K E T RAIL B NEW CROSSTOWN PATHWAYS PROJECT AREA EXISTING BIKE & TRAIL ROUTES PROPOSED BIKE & TRAIL ROUTES Located on the cusp of Shoal Creek’s confluence with the Colorado River, the Cypress & Shoal Creek area is home to two major crosstown pathways: Shoal Creek Trail which runs north- south, and the Lance Armstrong Bikeway which runs west-east. W 3RD STREETW 4TH STREETW 2ND STREETW CESAR CHAVEZ STREETNUECES STREETWEST AVENUE SEAHOLM DRIVE PROJECT PROCESS On-the ground site inventory and analysis >> Community and stakeholder input >> Two stages of widely promoted online feedback to first gather information about existing conditions and then collect feedback on the draft Public Space Strategy. Technical Advisory Group >> Comprised of representatives from key City of Austin departments. Presented the project and its desired outcomes to gauge feasibility and to collect embedded knowledge of the history of this area. Review with area property owners >> Insight about current day-to-day usage and potential challenges with the proposed concept. 1 BOWIE STREET UNDERPASS GABLES WEST AVENUE TRADER JOE’S 1 THE INDEPENDENT 360 CONDOS SEAHOLM RESIDENCES …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20210907-02B part 2: [Taxicab Franchise from Yellow Cab to zTrip] WHEREAS, The purpose of the board is to serve as an advisory body to the city council, the city manager, and all other 11 transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matters including: transportation energy conservation matters grant applications; streets and highways; bus and rail service; pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; safety related programs and projects; provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation; WHEREAS, The City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) is allowed to review and make recommendations to the city council on all request for taxicab permits, including annual permits and franchise permits per Urban Transportation Commission Bylaws WHEREAS On August 5, 2021 WHC ATX LLC zTrip purchased the Greater Austin Transportation Company ( d b a Yellow Cab), including all its assets. WHEREAS, zTrip has applied for a transfer of the taxicab franchise license from Yellow Cab to zTrip in accordance with § 13 2 403 of City Code and Yellow Cab has provided a notarized letter of intent to transfer the franchise license to zTrip. WHEREAS, The Mobility Services Division of the Austin Transportation Department has reviewed the application and letter of intent to transfer and has found its contents compliant with the applicable sections of Chapter 13 2 of City Code. WHEREAS, Austin Transportation Department recommends the transfer of the Yellow Cab taxicab franchise license to zTrip. WHERAS Austin Transportation Department respectfully requests that the Urban Transportation Commission provide their recommendation to City Council on this transfer. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the UTC supports Austin Transportation Department's recommendation to transfer the Yellow Cab taxicab franchise license to zTrip. Date of Approval: 9/7/21 Record of the vote: 11-0 unanimous vote. No abstentions Attest: Christopher Parks Christopher Parks, Staff Liaison
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20210907-02B part 1: [Taxicab Franchise Transition to Operating Authority] WHEREAS, The purpose of the board is to serve as an advisory body to the City Council, the City Manager, and all other 11 transportation-related departments concerning transportation- related matters including: transportation energy conservation matters grant applications; streets and highways; bus and rail service; pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; safety related programs and projects; provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation; WHEREAS, The City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) is allowed to review and make recommendations to the City Council on all requests for taxicab permits, including annual permits and franchise permits per Urban Transportation Commission Bylaws ; WHEREAS Taxicab companies were first licensed in the City of Austin under an operating authority model on March 8th,1932; WHEREAS, On June 8th, 1950 taxicab companies were declared public utilities by City Council and formed into taxicab franchises by subsequent ordinance; WHEREAS, Taxicab Companies reached their peak service in 2016/2017 with over 3 million trips and more than 1500 taxicabs deployed within the City WHEREAS, In 2017 Transportation Network Companies such as Uber and Lyft began operating in Austin under state regulatory authority and taxicab franchises experienced an eventual seventy five percent decline in their number of trips the following year WHEREAS, In 2018 Council approved ATD’s taxicab franchise regulatory reform recommendations, intended to address this decline, lighten franchise restrictions, and level the playing field between taxicabs and other transportation options WHEREAS, In 2020/2021 due to the global pandemic, taxicab franchises have now experienced the lowest trip numbers on record THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the UTC supports Austin Transportation Department's recommendation that taxicab companies no longer be regarded as public utilities, but rather as a valuable part of a diverse and ever evolving network of competitive mobility options and that Council transition taxicabs from a franchise licensing model to an operating authority licensing model. Date of Approval: 9/7/21 Record of the vote: 11-0 unanimous vote. No abstentions Attest: Christopher Parks Christopher Parks, Staff Liaison
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20210907-02A: [TXDOT I-35 Capital Express ] WHEREAS, The City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) has made previous recommendations opposing the core purpose and response of TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express project, WHEREAS, the UTC opposes the TxDOT plan’s outcomes, specifically, ● To demolish small businesses and homes, despite the current economic and housing crisis ● To widen I-35 to as many as 20 lanes, exacerbating racial and economic divides while reducing safety for pedestrians, bikers, wheelchair users and others not in cars ● To add multiple square miles of concrete through the center of Austin, despite the current climate catastrophe in which we are already engaged and which we all must play a part in addressing ● To spend billions of taxpayer dollars, despite lacking assurance of a positive outcome ● To impose the negative outcomes of major highway construction through the heart of the 11th largest city in America, despite objection from local elected officials and informed citizen groups WHEREAS, All these disruptive and negative outcomes are without believable data or key stakeholder belief they will meaningfully reduce congestion or increase mobility, especially when accounting for the years of construction disruption, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the UTC urges the City Manager, Mobility Committee, and Council Members to pursue all legal methods to require TxDOT to defer any I-35 Capital Express project construction until the I-45 widening project in Houston and Harris County is resolved and can be used for clues to prevent widening I-35 in Austin, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Urban Transportation Commission urges TxDOT in the strongest possible way to abandon the I-35 Capital Express project. Record of the vote: 8-3 vote with Commissioners Brooks, Driscoll and Weatherby voting nay. No abstentions. Date of Approval: 9/7/21 Attest: Christopher Parks Christopher Parks, Staff Liaison
