Traffic and Transit
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Rails with Trails – Segment 1, Austin, Texas
Klotz Associates designed Rails with Trails Route to follow City of Austin streets along the Capital Metro Rail Line between Crestview Railroad Station and US 183 / Burnet Road intersection. The route will provide access for those traveling to / from the Crestview Station, several local schools and a multitude of businesses along the way.
Flashing Yellow Arrow Left-Turn Signal Implementation, Houston, Texas
Klotz Associates recently assisted the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District with the District’s first implementation of the Flashing Yellow Arrow at the intersection of State Highway 6 and Sugar Ridge Drive in northwest Harris County. The Flashing Yellow Arrow became a new standard for left turn signals in the 2011 Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The Flashing Yellow Arrow allows motorists to turn on the “protected” green arrow signal when opposing traffic is heavy and turn on the “permissive” flashing yellow arrow signal when opposing traffic is light. Following this first installation, TxDOT implemented the Flashing Yellow Arrow at several nearby intersections along State Highway 6. This new operation improved the traffic flow at each intersection and along the corridor. Mr. Kevin Tyer, PE and Mr. Scott Schmidt, PE, PTOE performed this project.
City of Houston MKT / SP 'Rails to Trails' Project, Houston, Texas
As part of the City of Houston’s Accelerated Bikeway Program, add-on work assignment involved design of 6.5 miles of bike trails for the MKT/SP ‘Rails to Trails’ project. Three existing railroad trestles were refurbished for use in conjunction with the bike trail. Klotz Associates provided services ranging from conceptual design through construction and addressed issues that included drainage, erosion control, environmental impacts, pavement considerations and security. Funded by ISTEA, this project was designed to TxDOT standards, met AASHTO criteria, and complied with all ADA requirements. TxDOT reviewed and approved the design. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Mayor of Houston was held with the project completion.
City of Houston Signal Timing Optimization, Houston, Texas
Klotz Associates performed signal design (signal modifications through complete redesign), signal timing and communications design for eight arterial corridors comprised of over130 intersections in accordance with the City of Houston and TxDOT standards and specifications. The project included signal and roadway field inventory and traffic data collection, and compliance with all ADA, Federal, State, and local criteria. The Team developed signal timing and optimization plans for these arterial corridors and conducted field-implementation of these timings which were conducted before and after travel-time runs along each corridor. Klotz Associates analyzed each traffic signal to determine reduction in emissions, improvement in air quality and to compute time savings.
Gulf Coast Rail District (GCRD) US 290 Eureka Commuter Rail Project, Houston, Texas
Klotz Associates provided conceptual engineering services for the Eureka Subdivision Commuter Rail project for the Gulf Coast Rail District (GCRD). This study identified the requirements for implementing commuter rail operations on the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Eureka subdivision along US 290 and Hempstead Road. The limits of this study were from the City of Hempstead to the Eureka Yard (near Tower 13), just inside IH 610 (Loop 610) in Houston, a distance of approximately 45 miles. The scope of services included preparation of Ridership Estimates; development of Conceptual Cost Estimates; development of Implementation Plans; Identification of Potential Station Locations; Identification of Potential Maintenance Yards and Storage Facilities; Identification of Funding Options and Revenue Sources; and, Identification of Transit Connectivity & System Inter-Operability. Klotz Associates managed the project team; coordinated the studies, analysis, and modeling; and developed recommendations for funding and implementation. Klotz Associates also conducted Stakeholder Meetings and Project Status Update Presentations to the GCRD Board. The study recommendations were documented in the Conceptual Engineering Report that detailed project costs, ridership, and an implementation schedule for startup and 20-year operations.
