The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which serves New Braunfels and surrounding areas, is updating its long-range multimodal transportation plan, Mobility 2045, earlier than planned, an initiative officials say is being pushed ahead because of air-quality concerns. Metropolitan Planning Organizations are agencies created by Federal law to conduct a cooperative, continuous and comprehensive transportation planning process. According to Linda Alvarado-Vela, AAMPO planning and public involvement program manager, Bexar County was declared a non-attainment area by the Environmental Protection Agency after it did not meet the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards criteria for ozone emissions. The information is based on readings at air  quality monitoring systems, and the pollution could ultimately  impact surrounding areas. “We all know that air does not abide by county lines,” Alvarado-Vela said. “ … So we all need to do our part to enhance air quality.” In an online public survey presented by AAMPO, clean air and water was listed as the second-highest concern for citizens following congestion management. According to Alvarado-Vela, the primary issue in Bexar County is ground-level ozone—more commonly known as smog. An increasing population coupled with stricter air-quality standards are attributed to the county’s non-attainment designation. “[Ground-level ozone] is created whenever you have nitrogen oxide, and then the volatile organic compounds combined with nitrogen oxide and heat will turn into ozone,” Alvarado-Vela said. Because vehicle emissions are cited as a major factor in air-quality control, the need arose for a transportation conformity document that must be submitted to federal reviewers along with the Mobility 2045 plan update in 2019. Moving forward, long-range transportation plans will be submitted every four years rather than every five, and additional benchmark air-quality measurements will be taken in 2024, 2025, 2034 and 2045. “A big part of [the Mobility 2045 plan update] is ensuring from a transportation standpoint that none of the projects we are proposing make air quality worse or keep us from achieving air-quality goals,” Alvarado-Vela said. AAMPO’s study area includes three additional counties—Comal, Guadalupe and a portion of Kendall—which were categorized as “attainment/unclassifiable.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the designation means the county has one or more monitors in attainment of the 2015 air-quality standards, or that it does not have reason to believe the counties are in violation or contributing to a violation of air quality standards in another county. Officials say growth in Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties is exponentially higher than Bexar County, and more cars on the road presents a challenge for keeping air and water pollution at bay. In one chapter, Mobility 2045 looks at the way technology will shape the future transportation system. Autonomous vehicles and more alternatively fueled vehicles are two things that are expected, which will cut down on vehicle-generated pollution while helping to relieve congestions.

Public transit is on the table

More carpooling and ride-share options are also predicted to emerge during the next two decades, helping to make roads cleaner. In New Braunfels, City Engineer Garry Ford said a public transit system could be included in the city’s future plans, and a public transit study funded by AAMPO is underway. Currently, Alamo Regional Transit, or ART, provides an on-demand public transportation option in which users must call and schedule rides in advance. “In the case of New Braunfels what we’re seeing is that you’re kind of already maxing out on what an on-demand transit provider can offer,” Alvarado-Vela said. New Braunfels resident Crystal Kinman said she believes public transportation is needed in the community. “Public transit, preferably using hybrid technology or alternative fuel, is an option that should seriously be considered to help relieve traffic congestion, reduce emissions and protect our green space,” Kinman said. “Being that it could potentially greatly benefit areas like downtown and Gruene where parking is limited, we should consider using tourism dollars to help fund it.” Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are also part of Mobility 2045, although Kinman notes biking and walking are not ideal during periods of high temperatures or rainfall. She and Alvarado-Vela both brought to light how the senior population would benefit from public transit. AAMPO reports that approximately 53 percent of ART’s demand-response service is accessed for medical appointments, including dialysis treatments. “You have to keep in mind that somewhere around 30 percent of the population doesn’t own a vehicle, so when you’re looking at how do you provide accessible options for how to get around a community you can’t just think about the people who are fortunate enough or able to drive because there are multiple reasons [why some people do not drive],” Alvarado-Vela said. Mobility 2045 also identifies needed roadway projects and freight corridors. According to the plan, MPOs with populations greater than 500,000 may work with their states to designate Critical Urban Freight Corridors to their region, and the 10.2-mile stretch of Hwy. 46 from I-35 to I-10, which connects New Braunfels to Seguin, is identified as one of AAMPO’s six recommended CUFCs.

Keeping up with demand

According to AAMPO, the number of people and jobs in Comal and Guadalupe counties are expected to more than double by 2045. Several potential regional roadway projects are outlined in Moblity 2045, and Comal County Commissioner Scott Haag said he believes transportation initiatives need to be a priority for regionwide planning efforts. “In my view we’re already behind, and we’ve got to continue to keep up,” Haag said. “If not, we’re just going to fall further behind.” Haag also feels more mobility options are needed for those who commute to neighboring areas. “If you drive to San Antonio or Austin on the interstate, you never know if it’s going to be a 30-minute trip or a 2-hour trip,” he said. “I think we need to start looking at different routes to add to different ways instead of just relying on one particular road.” Haag cited the anticipatory planning that was used with the Loop 337 improvement project that is underway in New Braunfels. “That right of way was purchased in the ‘50s, and someone had the foresight to put that roadway in there, and look how well that’s working right now,” he said. “It worked wonderfully, and that’s the way we need to be looking forward right now.” Ford said the city is working on a  2019 update to its thoroughfare plan, which fits in with needs identified in the city’s Envision New Braunfels comprehensive plan. “[The thoroughfare plan is] a long-range plan that identifies different types of roadways in the city limits and our extraterritorial jurisdiction, and the intent of that is really for ultimate long-term conditions for our transportation network.”

Funding

Mobility 2045 is a financially constrained plan that will only include projects expected to have viable funding sources during the next 25 years. In an effort to help advance needed transportation projects, AAMPO pursues and secures local funding options that better leverage federal tax dollars. The plan identifies several funding sources in addition to transportation partners, such as the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority. It notes that cities and counties may use local general funds and dedicated road-building funds to match or complete regional transportation improvements.

Public engagement

After a first round of public meetings last fall, AAMPO held a second series of public meetings Nov. 1-15 to educate citizens on Mobility 2045 and hear feedback. Although the official public comment period surrounding the Mobility 2045 draft has ended, Alvarado-Vela said an ongoing two-way dialogue with the community will continue to be a priority as future transportation plans are considered. To see a virtual presentation of what was discussed at a series of public meetings in October and November, visit www.alamoareampo.org/Mobility2045.