state of sugar land mobility baseline conditions & insights | september 2020 draft A Introduction About Appendix A Appendix Sections Developing a solid foundation supports the creation of a strong Mobility The next few pages present an overview of “10 Insights to Know” that Master Plan. This Baseline Conditions & Insights appendix is a key are overarching findings supported by the following six sections listed component of that foundation and compiles a comprehensive analysis here. of available and applicable existing data. This appendix reveals key 1 Study Area insights built from looking at relevant data that support future goal setting » An overview of the study area and its context within the larger and recommendations. This analysis is intended to inform subsequent Houston region. components of the Mobility Master Plan, including goal setting, plan development, and clear implementation strategies. 2 Who Lives & Works in Sugar Land This appendix will be within the final Mobility Master Plan document » Summary demographics of Sugar Land residents and the and may be modified and expanded on over this two-year planning businesses based within the City. endeavor. 3 Where People are Going » Trips are driven by key destinations, activity centers, and land uses that allow for a variety of mode choices. Data and the COVID-19 Pandemic 4 How People are Traveling Today The information presented in this report, including data about travel » An overview of travel trends within Sugar Land that are driven and commute behaviors, was collected before the COVID-19 pandemic by work, school, and local activities. and reflects pre-pandemic trends. While the pandemic has significantly Sugar Land’s Mobility Networks changed the nature of mobility across the world, the data presented here 5 represents the best available information and can still inform the way that » A presentation of the existing mobility networks within Sugar Sugar Land plans for its future. Land including major barriers and policy implications that support but sometimes hinder mobility. 6 Safety, Health, & Environment » Safety, health, and environment are directly impacted by mobility networks. They are also all key elements of a community’s quality of life. Mobility Master Plan DRAFT - 9.20 A-2 10 Insights to Know SUGAR LAND IS ENTERING A NEW PHASE SUGAR LAND IS A REGIONAL HUB OF 1 OF THE CITY’S LIFE CYCLE. 2 EMPLOYMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT. Sugar Land has been one of the fastest growing cities in Texas over Sugar Land is remarkably balanced between residential population and the past 60 years, but now the City is becoming built-out. Growth and employment opportunities. This supports many people being able to annexation can no longer be key drivers of continued expansion of the make local trips to work and attracts what would traditionally have been tax base. The City will need to look to new funding sources to continue reverse commuters. Over the past decade the City has also greatly to provide and maintain high-quality transportation infrastructure. The expanded the entertainment destinations, which generate more local 2018 Land Use Plan provides an opportunity to rethink the relationship trips as well as regional trips to Sugar Land. The mobility systems need between land use and transportation for Sugar Land that may allow to adapt to serve more types of trips at more times of day. higher value uses in some places to support infrastructure investment. THERE IS INCREASING IMPORTANCE TO NEW BRIDGE IN IMPERIAL DEVELOPMENT OPTIMIZE THE CITY’S EXISTING ASSETS AND 3 TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS. Significant investment has been put into streets and dedicated right- of-way (ROW), creating one of the City’s most valuable assets. Sugar Land is a leader in utilizing technology to help manage and optimize its roadways to make the most use of what has been built. Intelligent transportation solutions (ITS) such as adaptive traffic signals and real- time data help reduce travel delays, especially on major corridors such as SH-6 and US-90A. This will become even more important as Sugar Land remains a regional hub and will have less available space for roadway widening. The City has an opportunity to optimize its existing ROW to benefit all potential users, rethinking space within excess ROW to provide new or expanded sidewalks, more street trees, and comfortable bikeways. Continued investments in streetscapes can provide more shade, improve ecologies, and enhance the physical appearance of streets. Mobility Master Plan DRAFT - 9.20 A-3 SUGAR LAND HAS DEVELOPED AS A CITY OF SUGAR LAND HAS MADE PROGRESS ON ITS NEIGHBORHOODS, RESULTING IN A LARGE AND BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT 4 GROWING PERCENTAGE OF SHORT TRIPS. 6 BECOME A FULLY INTEGRATED NETWORK. Sugar Land has developed over time primarily through the development Sugar Land has great neighborhoods integrated with quality trails and of master planned communities or neighborhoods. The design of these has made some progress implementing on-street bikeways. Right now, has evolved over time but many include key destinations within a short these remain isolated from each other and barriers prevent the type distance of homes. This has resulted in a high percentage of trips of contiguous bikeway network that will support higher levels of use. made in the City being short (under 3 miles). This share of trips is likely Future projects are planned, such as the Ditch H trail that will begin to increase as new development and redevelopment occurs. These to link the local networks together with continued focus and priority. trips should not require a personal vehicle and could be completed by Multiple streets have available ROW to expand the on-street bikeway walking and/or biking if safe, comfortable facilities are provided. This network to connect more people to more destinations. Intersections supports a goal of having most of life’s daily needs accessible within continue to act as barriers to safe and comfortable trips for biking and 15 minutes of home. wheeling. SUGAR LAND HAS AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF BEST PRACTICES IN STREET DESIGN ARE 5 SIDEWALKS THAT CAN BE BETTER MAINTAINED EVOLVING TO CONSIDER ALL USERS. CITIES WITH AND CONNECTED. 7 HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE ARE RETHINKING HOW THEY DESIGN AND OPERATE THEIR STREETS As Sugar Land communities have developed, they have evolved from AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO MOBILITY. areas with no sidewalks at all to some highlighting walkability as key selling points to quality of life. Over time, the City has developed a robust Most of Sugar Land’s growth has occurred since 1980, developed around network of sidewalks. Some of these sidewalks, however, have aged, streets that were designed to primarily maximize vehicle throughput. creating maintenance challenges for the City and some provide widths This approach has created a successful city with high quality of life, that are not today’s best practice. When available and in good condition, especially for those with ready access to a vehicle. Many leading cities these sidewalks give people access to neighborhood activity centers, are starting to take a more holistic look at how their streets are designed parks, and schools. Often, the biggest challenge to walkability is not for all users and to encourage a range of choices in how people travel. the sidewalk but the challenge of crossing the street at intersections Tailoring street design to provide safe, comfortable walking and biking or mid-block. Expanding and connecting existing sidewalk networks conditions in addition to accessibility for everyone can further enhance with a focus on safer intersection crossings can unlock new levels of their value. While SH-6, IH-69 and US-90A and the parallel UP Railroad walkability for the City. tracks are likely to continue to prioritize vehicle throughput, they also serve as major barriers to connectivity within Sugar Land. Breaking down these barriers can help better connect Sugar Land’s citizens to all the opportunities the City provides. Mobility Master Plan DRAFT - 9.20 A-4 SUGAR LAND RESIDENTS USE TRANSIT. IT IS MANY CITIES’ MOBILITY GOALS ARE EVOLVING CRITICAL TO THINK THROUGH ITS ROLE IN THE TO INTEGRATE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND 8 CITY’S FUTURE. 10 ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP SUPPORTING OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS. Many of Sugar Land’s residents utilize the commuter and local transit options provided through the City’s partnership with Fort Bend County. Through the Plan, Sugar Land has the opportunity to set and achieve Many also utilize METRO’s service from the nearby West Bellfort Park goals consistent with the 2025 Comprehensive Plan supporting & Ride with direct access to downtown Houston. Transit will continue Superior Mobility, safety, and environmental responsibility. Best to play a key role for the City as more residents age in place and may practices in mobility planning across that nation are evolving beyond not be able or wish to drive. It is also a potential tool to manage growth level of service measurements and travel time for personal vehicle of vehicular volumes as it is a more efficient travel mode to serve many trips. They include bringing in factors like health outcomes from more people in dense activity centers or on high peak commute trips with active transportation, safety from reducing crashes, and air quality from transit than other forms of travel. reduced emissions as key components to their plan. The next stage of mobility thinking allows for more robust integration and alignment of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Vision into broader mobility goals to THE CITY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER maintain Sugar Land’s position as a leader in quality of life. 9 BALANCE INVESTMENTS WITH STATED MOBILITY GOALS. TOWN SQUARE This Plan builds upon years of strong planning work that has already been developed. These plans have also all included significant levels of public feedback.