Urban Transportation Commission Special Called Meeting November 2nd, 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 Samuel Franco Athena Leyton Allison Runas Cynthia Weatherby Diana Wheeler James Driscoll AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF November 2nd, 2021 MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS A. Right of Way Vacation of Harvey St. Presenters: Mashell Smith, Development Services Department Sponsors: Cynthia Weatherby and Nathan Ryan B. 2022 UTC Dates Facilitator: Christopher Parks, Austin Transportation Department Sponsors: Diana Wheeler and Samuel Franco 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS A. Downtown Commission: Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby B. Joint Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Diana Wheeler C. Bicycle Advisory Council: Commissioner Athena Leyton D. Pedestrian Advisory Council: Commissioner Allie Runas E. City Council Mobility Committee: Commissioner Mario Champion F. Community Advisory Committee for Austin Transit Partnership Board: Susan Sommers 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.
Urban Transportation Commission Special Called Meeting November 2nd, 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 Samuel Franco Athena Leyton Allison Runas Cynthia Weatherby Diana Wheeler James Driscoll CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF November 2nd, 2021 MINUTES REVISED AGENDA 2. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS A. Right of Way Vacation of Harvey St. Presenters: Mashell Smith, Development Services Department Sponsors: Cynthia Weatherby and Nathan Ryan B. Quiet Zones Presentation Presenters: Sam Sargent Project and Jason Gregory Capital Metro Sponsors: Ruven Brooks and Cynthia Weatherby C. 2022 UTC Dates Facilitator: Christopher Parks, Austin Transportation Department Sponsors: Diana Wheeler and Samuel Franco 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS A. Downtown Commission: Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby B. Joint Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Diana Wheeler C. Bicycle Advisory Council: Commissioner Athena Leyton D. Pedestrian Advisory Council: Commissioner Allie Runas E. City Council Mobility Committee: Commissioner Mario Champion F. Community Advisory Committee for Austin Transit Partnership Board: Susan Sommers 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.
Capital Metro Quiet Zone Crossings Jason Gregory, Project Manager, Rail Operations Sam Sargent, Director of Strategy City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission November 2, 2021 1 Capital Metro Rail Operations RED LINE MAP • 162 miles of total track, freight and commuter operations • 32 miles of MetroRail Red Line commuter rail service • 10 MetroRail vehicles, 9 Red Line stations • 25 miles of future Green Line service, 10 stations 2 What is a Quiet Zone Crossing • Freight and Commuter Engineers are required to sound the horn in advance of all crossings UNLESS there is an approved quiet zone in place. • A quiet zone is usually requested through the railroad from various municipalities (i.e. cities, neighborhood associations, etc.). 3 What is a Quiet Zone Crossing • A thorough approval process is followed in order to establish a quiet zone. Railroad officials as well as State and Federal authorities, called a Diagnostic Review Committee, establish what is needed at the crossings to deem them safe for quiet zone status. • Quiet zones are periodically reviewed to ascertain whether the current configuration is still valid to maintain quiet zone status. • Internal audits are also performed to verify quiet zone crossing integrity. 4 What is a Quiet Zone Crossing • Quiet zone crossings must adhere to federal regulations that are stringent in order to maintain safety. • Quiet zone crossings must have sufficient safety measures included using either: • Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) – Methods such as 4 quadrant gates, channelization efforts such as medians or delineators. • Alternative Safety Measures (ASMs) – Enforcement programs or other engineering efforts. 5 What is a Quiet Zone Crossing • Engineers can and will still blow the horns if dangers at the crossing are evident, such as trespassers, cars blocking the crossing or workers and equipment near the Right Of Way. 6 How Are Quiet Zone Crossings Funded? Quiet Zone crossings are funded through: • Capital Project funds (Capital Metro) • Federal Grants • Local government funds, in some cases 7 Quiet Zone Crossings in the Austin Metro Area Austin, Cedar Park and Leander comprise the Capital Metro commuter line. There are 86 crossings in the commuter Central Subdivision. All of them are official quiet zone crossings with the exception of: • Rundberg Lane • Rutland Drive • Braker Lane • Kramer Lane • McNeil (Round Rock) • Pleasant Valley Road 8 …
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Meeting November 2, 2021 The Urban Transportation Commission convened a meeting on November 2, 2021 via hybrid format. Commission Members in Attendance Susan Somers Cynthia Weatherby Cecilla Ramos Ruven Brooks Diana Wheeler Commission Members Absent: Mario Champion Athena Leyton Samuel Franco Allison Runas Nathan Ryan James Driscoll CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Somers called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 2nd, 2021 MEETING The November 2nd 2021 minutes were approved on a 9-0 vote with Commissioner Champion and Leyton absent 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Right of Way Vacation of Harvey St. Presenters: Mashell Smith, Development Services Department Sponsors: Cynthia Weatherby and Nathan Ryan ***Item was postponed until January meeting B. Quiet Zones Presentation Presenters: Sam Sargent Project and Jason Gregory Capital Metro Sponsors: Ruven Brooks and Cynthia Weatherby C. 2022 UTC Dates Facilitator: Christopher Parks, Austin Transportation Department Sponsors: Diana Wheeler and Samuel Franco Staff and Committee Reports A. Downtown Commission: Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby- brief updates on Downtown Commission and the potential deconstruction of the convention center. B. Joint Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Diana Wheeler- No updates given C. Bicycle Advisory Council: Commissioner Athena Leyton- No updates given D. Pedestrian Advisory Council: Commissioner Allie Runas-No updates given E. City Council Mobility Committee: Commissioner Mario Champion-brief update on Mobility Committee D. Future Agenda Items • Project Connect Racial Equity Anti-Displacement Tool • Red River Extension • Quiet Zones • Planning and Highway Funding Projects • TDM Update • ASMP Update • 2022 Meeting Schedules ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Champion adjourned the meeting at 5:45pm without objection.
