Port Connectivity Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - MARITIME DIVISION Port Connectivity Report 2020-2021 TEXAS PORT MISSION PLAN TxDOT Maritime Port Connectivity Report 2020-2021 TEXAS PORT MISSION PLAN Galveston cruise terminal. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................. 1 Challenges for Port Connectivity ................................ 1 Freight Conscious Roadway Design ......................... 2 Description of Issue ................................................... 2 Case Study ................................................................ 2 Solution ..................................................................... 3 Truck Queuing ............................................................. 4 Description of Issue ................................................... 4 Beaumont truck route, Sycamore and Madison. Case Study ................................................................ 4 Photo Credit: TxDOT Solution ..................................................................... 4 Modal Conflicts ........................................................... 5 Description of Issue ................................................... 5 Case Study ................................................................ 5 Solution ..................................................................... 5 Incompatible Land Uses ............................................. 6 Description of Issue ................................................... 6 Case Study ................................................................ 6 Solution ..................................................................... 6 Previous Connectivity Activities ................................ 7 Connectivity Funding Needs ...................................... 8 Solutions to Enhance Texas Port Connectivity ........ 9 Data Collection and Methodology ........................... 10 Galveston wharf area wind cargo. Beaumont port operations. Project List ................................................................. 12 2020-2021 Texas Port Mission Plan: Port Connectivity Report Page i TxDOT Maritime Ports Studied Port of Port of Orange Beaumont INTRODUCTION Port of Beaumont Texas’s seaports rely on a strong multi-modal freight network with Cedar Bayou Navigation District landside connections including roadways, railroads, and pipelines that Port of facilitate the movement of materials, goods and people to and from the Port Houston Orange ports. Even the perception of landside mobility challenges can cause Port of Ports Port Houston Challenges for Port PortP oofr t Arthur shippers to re-route goods and the cruise industry to re-route ships Port Arthur away from Texas ports. Investments in inland connectivity not only Connectivity Deep Draft Channel Sabine Neches make the individual ports more competitive, but also contribute to the Transportation conditions and Shallow Draft Channel Navigation District competitiveness of the state and nation so that it can continue to be a Port of needs are unique to each port. Texas City maritime trade leader. To continue to support this economic vitality, the State should consider strategic investments in infrastructure to sustain These can include challenges 0 30 60 expected increases in shipping activity. These investments could include as diverse as incompatible ° Miles Port Freeport inland connectivity improvements. PorPt ofrt of surrounding lands uses, modal GalGveaslvtoenston Port of The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Maritime Division has incompatibility and conflicts, Calhoun Bay City CPaolrht oAuunthority Port of Port Freeport Port Authority Bay City completed this Port Connectivity Report as part of the 2020-2021 Texas operational inefficiencies and Port Mission Plan (PMP), the maritime mission plan required in Chapter insufficient design for the 55 of the Texas Transportation Code. The PMP highlights the importance of investing in the port system in order to meet the growth potential of needs of freight operators. In Port of Port of Victoria global trade opportunities. The Port Connectivity Report was developed combination, these challenges Port of Palacios Port of to assess the current state of inland connectivity at 14 public ports along Victoria lead to inefficiencies for multi- Palacios the Texas Gulf Coast. It focuses on roadway connections between the modal freight movement that West port gates and major freight corridors, what some may know as the Calhoun first/last mile for a port. While each port has unique challenges, there can prevent cost-effective and Aransas County are several connectivity challenges that are shared by multiple ports. efficient operations. Navigation District This study evaluates the existing conditions of landside port access Gulf of roads, identifies problems or areas of concern, and proposes potential Mexico solutions to address those issues. The outcome of this analysis is a list Gulf of of recommended solutions that the ports and TxDOT can evaluate for Port of Mexico potential implementation. Corpus Christi Port of Corpus Christi Ports Port Port of Deep Draft Channel Mansfield Harlingen Shallow Draft Channel Port of Harlingen Port of 0 30 60 Port Isabel ° Miles Port of Brownsville 2020-2021 Texas Port Mission Plan: Port Connectivity Report Page 1 Port of Port Isabel Port of Brownsville TxDOT Maritime TxDOT Maritime FREIGHT CONSCIOUS ROADWAY DESIGN FREIGHT CONSCIOUS ROADWAY DESIGN Description of Issue Solution Local roadway access routes between Texas ports and Consider these roadway design factors during rehabilitation Adequate Bridge and Pavement Maintenance and the highway network provide the final, critical link in the or reconstruction planning for local roads that accommodate Design: Deteriorated pavement and structures are causes complex system that has evolved to move freight through significant freight traffic: of concern for truck operators. Trucks create high levels the state and beyond. The location, design, and operational of wear on roadway surfaces and bridges. In some cases, conditions of local truck routes affect both the efficiency of Direct link to Highway Freight Network: A local freight pavement or bridge conditions may deteriorate to the point freight movement and the impacts of truck traffic on port route can minimize conflicts with other roadway users and that weight restrictions are necessary, forcing trucks to find communities. By designing roadways that better support the adjacent land uses when it offers the most direct practical alternate connections to the freight network. movement of trucks, connecting goods to the transportation connection. The shortest route between the port and the system can be made more efficient, safer, and less disruptive freight network that offers the least indirection of travel Adequate Vertical Clearances: Bridges, sign structures, to residents and the traveling public. Local roadways for trucks is the most desirable. Routes that present few utility lines, signal structures and other overhanging items providing the “last mile” connections between ports and complexities such as turns or one-way street segments ease can cause safety and operational issues for truck traffic. Older bridges, especially those not constructed to current the highway freight network may have narrow lanes, Oversize/overweight cargo moving from the navigation. lack sufficient shoulders, have small turning radii at key Port of Port Arthur on local road network. vertical clearance standards, can be particularly problematic, intersections, and may lack wayfinding signage. Additionally, Adequate Road Geometry: Trucks and other large especially if roadway overlays have gradually reduced these these roads may not be constructed for oversize/overweight vehicles operate most efficiently when roadway design is clearances even further. (OS/OW) vehicles that are often traveling in and out of appropriate for their size, turning ability, and acceleration/ ports, which may deteriorate pavement conditions faster deceleration characteristics. Important geometric Operational Characteristics: Several key roadway than anticipated. Even on limited access facilities, freight considerations include number of lanes, intersections with operational factors can affect the utility of truck routes. design is important since trucks need longer acceleration adequate turning radii and queueing lanes for long vehicles, Such factors include adequate signal clearance phases or and deceleration lanes than passenger vehicles. Because adequate shoulder width to allow disabled trucks to move protected turn phases and adequate signage for trucks to of their higher center of mass, trucks are susceptible to out of traffic, absence of physical bottlenecks that can cause utilize designated routes for port access. overturning on sharp roadway curves. Changes in roadway congestion, minimal steep grade changes, and the absence elevation can limit sight distance, which can affect safe of right-of-way encroachments. stopping distances. With the trends of freight movement by truck projected to increase, designing for freight is critical to maintaining safe and operational roadways. Port of Brownsville wind cargo. Case Study The Port of Port Arthur is an important facility for handling break-bulk cargo, including forest products, steel, and military deployments. It is located 20 miles from the National Highway Freight Network and the heavy truck traffic generated Freight movement by truck by port activities rely on the state and local