I. INTRODUCTION
The Laredo Urban Transportation Study in its capacity as the Laredo Metropolitan Planning Organization, provides continuous, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning for the Laredo Metropolitan Area as required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). The Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan was submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation and U.S. D.O.T. in December 1994.
The FY 1998 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) was adopted by the Laredo Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee on July 3rd, 1997 following a thirty day comment period required by the adopted Public Involvement Process.
A. Purpose
The UPWP describes and schedules work to be undertaken by the Laredo Urban Transportation Study during the 1997-98 fiscal period. The UPWP also includes a financial and participation summary. All elements described are consistent and in support of transportation planning objectives.
ISTEA requires that the Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan address the following fifteen factors in considering the transportation needs of the Laredo metropolitan planning area. The 1997 UPWP includes tasks that will allow on-going evaluation of community transportation needs in relation to these fifteen factors.
- Preservation of existing transportation facilities (pavement management, long range planning)
- Consistency with Federal, State and local energy conservation programs, goals and objectives
- The need to relieve/prevent congestion
- Effects of policy decisions on land use and consistency with land use and development plans
- Programming of expenditures for enhancement activities
- Effects of all transportation projects without regard to funding source
- International border crossings, access to ports, airports, intermodal facilities, freight distribution routes, national parks, recreation areas etc.
- Connectivity with roads outside planning area
- Needs identified through the use of management systems
- Preservation of rights-of-way for future transportation projects
- Efficient movement of freight
- Use of life-cycle costs in design & engineering of bridges, tunnel & pavement
- Overall social, economic, energy, and environmental effects
- Expansion, enhancement, increased use of transit services
- Capital investments that would result in increased security in transit systems
- Tourism
B. Definition Of Area
The Laredo Metropolitan Area includes the City of Laredo and portions of Webb County.
C. Organization
The Laredo Metropolitan Planning Organization is governed by the Policy Committee established in accordance with bylaws adopted June 9th, 1994. The Committee is chaired by the Mayor of the City of Laredo and includes as voting members: the Laredo District Engineer, the Webb County Judge and three City Councilpersons from the City of Laredo City Council, two County Commissioners from the Webb County Commissioners Court, and theDirector of Transportation Planning and Development. The State Senator for District 21 and the State Representative for District 42 serve as non-voting, ex-officio members. The Policy Committee is the body of the MPO that provides review and has decision-making authority over transportation planning efforts in the Laredo Metropolitan Area undertaken by the planning staff of the Laredo Urban Transportation Study acting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and by the Texas Department of Transportation. (See Appendix A)
Technical Committee responsibilities include professional and technical review of work programs, policy recommendations and the transportation planning activities. The Technical Committee includes:
a. City of Laredo Representatives
Planning Director (Chairperson and MPO Planning Director)
Transportation Planner
Transit System General Manager
Traffic Safety Director
Airport Manager
City Engineer
b. Webb County and Regional Representatives
A staff representative of the County Judge
South Texas Development Council Regional Planning Director
Rural Transit System General Manager
c. State Representatives
Director Transportation Planning & Development
District Planning Coordinator (Vice-Chairman)
District Transportation Funding Administrator
FHWA Planning Representative (Austin)
TxDOT Area Engineer
TxDOT Area Planning Representative (Austin)
d. Private Sector Representatives
Texas-Mexican Railroad Coordinator
Union Pacific Railroad Coordinator
Chairperson of the Laredo Transportation Association
A transportation provider representative who shall also serve on the Laredo Transportation Advisory Committee
MPO staff includes the MPO Planning Director, a transportation planner, and support staff.
D. Private Sector Involvement
The private sector is encouraged to participate in the development of all transportation programs and plans. Private transportation providers are invited to participate in TIP development as members of the Technical Committee and as project evaluation committee members. Private consultants will be used for the completion of a Transit study, the West Laredo Traffic Circulation Study, a Bicycle Plan update, and a Control Access Study.
E. Planning Issues And Emphasis
Growth and Development Projections.
West Laredo Traffic Access.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities.
Traffic Access Management.
Building Livable Communities Through Transportation.
International Bridge Crossing Operations.
Transit Service Route Enhancements.
Congestion Management.
Hazardous Material Cargo Routes.
II. TASK 1.0 – ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
A. Objective
To ensure that the Laredo Metropolitan Area transportation planning process is fully a cooperative, comprehensive and continuing activity; to monitor on-going planning activities; and to ensure that all modes of transportation are given consideration as elements of a single urban transportation system and are considered in the overall planning process.
B. Expected Products
Fulfillment of planning objectives; compliance with state and federal requirements; continuation of a proactive public involvement process, reports and certifications, revisions to the 1998 UPWP and completion of 1999 UPWP; updates to the Transportation Improvement Plan; updates to the Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
C. Previous Work
The 1998 UPWP is an on-going planning activity as required by the Federal Highway Act of 1962, Title 23, US Code as amended. Previous work has included the preparation of the 1997 UPWP, reports and certifications, development of a Public Involvement Process, and staff training.
D. Subtasks
1.1 Program support and administration. This element includes grant administration, record keeping, monitoring completion of UPWP projects, audit, preparation of reports and the 1999 UPWP, interagency coordination, and citizen participation.
1.2Travel, training and supplies that are not directly related to any other program element.
E. Funding & Participation Summary
| UPWP Task | FTA Task | ResponsibleAgency | TPF Funds | FTA Sec. 5307 | GTPF | Local | Total |
| 1.1 | 41.11.01 | LUTS | 40,000 | 0 | 0 | 4,000 | 44,000 |
| 1.2 | 41.11.02 | LUTS | 15,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,500 | 16,500 |
| TOTAL | 55,000 | 0 | 0 | 5,500 | 60,500 | ||
| TXDoT State Funds | 0 |
III. TASK 2.0 – DATA DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
A. Objective
Maintain a database on population, housing, land use and transportation characteristics. Monitor growth patterns in the study area for their impact on community transportation systems. Integration of data into GIS for ready organization, retrieval and analysis, and to forecast pertinent information to continue and further the goals and objectives of comprehensive transportation planning.
B. Expected Products
Updated population, land use, housing, employment and street databases and maps. A fully integrated mapping/database system to be used in data retrieval, analysis, projection, mapping, and graphic publication elements of future transportation planning tasks.
C. Previous Work
Compilation of data and data bases on housing, land use, population, employment and traffic; population and economic projections.
D. Subtasks
2.1 Growth and development monitoring and projections. On-going updates and maintenance of data and maps related to population, land use, housing and employment. Current estimates and forecasts of population and employment. GIS demographic updates.
E. Funding & Participation Summary
| UPWP Task | FTA Task | ResponsibleAgency | TPF Funds | FTA Sec. 5307 | GTPF | Local | Total |
| 2.1 | 41.12.01 | LUTS | 10,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,000 | 11,000 |
| TOTAL | 10,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,000 | 11,000 | ||
| TXDoT State Funds | 0 |
IV. TASK 3.0 – SHORT RANGE PLANNING
A. Objective
To complete those activities associated with near-term planning and implementation for projects that will be undertaken within the next five years.
B. Expected Products
Development of a freight inspections and operations model in conjunction with U.S. Customs, USDA, FDA, DOT, DEA, and state agencies for operating, processing, inspecting commercial cargo. Application of Intelligent Vehicle technology into design for both U.S. and Mexican operations. U.S. 83 Congestion Study.
C. Previous Work
1996 Commodities Flow Study,1996 Rail Highway Crossing Safety Plan, Bridge Crossing Operations Computer Model, Hazardous Cargo Risk Analysis, U.S. 83 Congestion Study.
D. Subtasks
3.1Development of an international commercial cargo inspections and bridge crossing operations computer model.
3.2 Control Access Study
3.3 Traffic Calming Study.
3.4 Laredo Hazardous Cargo Community Risk Assessment and Route Alternative Analysis.
E. Funding & Participation Summary
| UPWP Task | FTA Task | ResponsibleAgency | TPF Funds | FTA Sec. 5307 | GTPF | Local | Total |
| 3.1 | 41.13.01 | LUTS | 15,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,500 | 16,500 |
| 3.2 | 41.13.02 | LUTS | 5,000 | 0 | 0 | 500 | 5,500 |
| 3.3 | 41.13.02 | LUTS | 5,000 | 0 | 0 | 500 | 5,500 |
| 3.4 | 41.13.02 | LUTS | 11,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,100 | 12,100 |
| TOTAL | 36,000 | 0 | 0 | 3,600 | 39,600 | ||
| TXDoT State Funds | 0 |
V. TASK 4.0 – METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN/ LONG RANGE PLANNING
A. Objective
To update the Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan covering plans for a twenty-year period in accordance with local needs and in conformance to federal and state regulations; to continue study and analysis of projects and data for long-range planning elements and long-range project studies.
B. Expected Products
Update the Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan, in accord with U.S. DOT and TxDOT requirements including information and implementation strategies identified by: congestion and other management systems and look into future transit system needs.
C. Previous Work
The Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan was submitted to TxDOT and U.S. DOT in December 1994. Congestion Management Systems and Pavement Management Systems have been implemented based on commodity flow analysis; rail crossing safety; and Metro Rail technology analysis.
D. Subtasks
4.1Update Metropolitan Transportation Plan in conformance with federal requirements.
4.2Transit Plan Study to identify location, scope, and demand of future transit corridors.
E. Funding & Participation Summary
| UPWP Task | FTA Task | ResponsibleAgency | TPF Funds | FTA Sec. 5307 | GTPF | Local | Total |
| 4.1 | 41.13.01 | LUTS | 40,000 | 0 | 0 | 4,000 | 44,000 |
| 4.2 | 41.13.02 | LUTS | 10,855 | 29,145 | 0 | 4,000 | 44,000 |
| TOTAL | 50,855 | 29,145 | 05 | 8,000 | 88,000 | ||
| TXDoT State Funds | 0 |
VI. TASK 5.0 – SPECIAL STUDIES
A. Objective
To further the goals and objectives of the transportation planning process through special studies undertaken by MPO staff or consultants in support of existing or projected local needs. To maintain the transportation management systems required by federal and state regulations, to assist decision makers in selecting cost-effective strategies to improve the efficiency and safety of and protect the investment systems.
B. Expected Products
These are specific studies and projects that address special problem areas or help promote and support transportation related topics.
C. Previous Work
1996 Pavement Management System completed. 1995 GIS system initiated, Downtown Circulation Study.
D. Subtasks
5.1 West Laredo Traffic Circulation Study. Develop a comprehensive transportation plan for west Laredo with the objective of improving and enhancing the movement of traffic within the study area.
5.2 Congestion and Safety Management Systems. Develop, establish, and implement on a continuing basis a systematic process that provides information on transportation system performance which identifies and assesses transportation system congestion. Develop cost-effective strategies that alleviate traffic congestion and provide the most efficient and safe use of existing and future transportation facilities while enhancing the mubility of people and goods.
5.3 Livable Communities. Promote a bicycle safety fair as an “alternative solution to pollution.” Sponsor a conference that will promote the building of livable communities through transportation.
5.4 Transit Bus Stop and Shelter Needs Assessment. Present bus stops do not have the proper signage and shelter for bus patrons. This assessment will make recommendations and help coordinate any effort to improve the most used transit bus routes in the area.
5.5 Colombia Bridge Feasibility Study. This study will identify any aplnning issues and activities necessary to maximize the use of the Colombia Bridge.
5.6 IH35/Juarez-Lincoln Bridge II Congestion Study. Traffic approaching Bridge II is blocking access to and from the Downtown area at San Dario and Santa Ursula while backing up several miles on IH35. This study will evaluate what improvements can be made to alleviate the congestion along this corridor.
5.7 Completion of Downtown Circulation Study
E. Funding & Participation Summary
| UPWP Task | FTA Task | ResponsibleAgency | TPF Funds | FTA Sec. 5307 | GTPF | Local | Total |
| 5.1 | 41.16.01.1 | LUTS | 50,000 | 0 | 0 | 5,000 | 55,000 |
| 5.2 | 41.16.01.2 | LUTS | 15,000 | 0 | 0 | 1,500 | 16,500 |
| 5.3 | 41.16.02.1 | LUTS | 9,000 | 0 | 0 | 900 | 9,900 |
| 5.4 | 41.16.02.2 | LUTS | 5,000 | 0 | 0 | 500 | 5,500 |
| 5.5 | 41.16.02.3 | LUTS | 7,500 | 0 | 0 | 750 | 8,250 |
| 5.6 | 41.16.02.4 | LUTS | 7,500 | 0 | 0 | 750 | 8,250 |
| TOTAL | 94,000 | 0 | 0 | 9,400 | 103,400 | ||
| TXDoT State Funds | 0 |