Traffic and Transit
Bechtel-Jacobs Joint Venture Expansion of Motiva Refinery, Port Arthur, Texas
Port Arthur became home to the nation's largest refinery when a local refinery doubled its capacity to 600,000 barrels a day. The Bechtel-Jacobs Joint Venture designed and built the expansion and turned to Klotz Associates to solve the dilemma of getting 6,000 peak period construction workers to and from the site without overly congesting the transportation network in and around Port Arthur. Our traffic engineers conducted a traffic study, modeling different combinations of offsite Park & Ride lots, carpooling, signal timing and other techniques. Coordinating our work with the TxDOT Beaumont District and the City of Port Arthur, the Klotz Associates team formulated the optimum scenario to mitigate the impact of additional traffic.
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.
Williamson County Intersection Improvements at O'Connor Drive, RM 620, and Great Oaks Drive
Klotz Associates was chosen to provide engineering services to upgrade the intersections of O’Connor Drive and RM 620 and Great Oaks Drive and RM 620 in Williamson County. The scope of services includes upgrades to the west side of the intersections only, and will not include improvements to RM 620. The project will consist of preparing intersection improvements including collecting traffic data for turning movements, adding left- and right-turn lanes as needed, and revising the intersection layouts, drainage; modifying traffic signals, determining additional right-of-way needs, signing and pavement marking, utility coordination as required to determine any adjustments that may be needed as well as bidding support.
City of San Marcos IH-35 Corridor Signage Improvements, San Marcos, Texas
The City of San Marcos would like to improve the existing large signage along IH 35 Corridor for those commuters and tourists traveling to the various attractions / traffic generators with the City of San Marcos. Klotz Associates has been chosen to perform Phase I services for preparing the cost estimate of preliminary design including proposed signs, removal of existing signs, and possible relocations of signs to large signs along the IH 35 corridor in both directions within the limits of the City of San Marcos, Texas. This project will include services such as data collection and field inventory, preliminary design of large signs, using SignCAD (a software currently used by and acceptable to TxDOT for the design of large signs), determine preliminary location of "Welcome to San Marcos" signs along IH 35, and to hold and participate in various Meetings & Coordination with the City of San Marcos.
Mobility Plan for City of Baytown, Texas
Klotz Associates was selected to develop a Mobility Plan for the City of Baytown and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. The Mobility Plan is a “roadmap to the future” and is a key element in shaping the transportation infrastructure of the City. The plan will address current and future transportation needs and outline short- and long-term mobility solutions. A multi-modal transportation approach (car, bus, rail, trucks, pedestrian trails and bikeways) to address the City’s mobility challenges will be adopted so as to efficiently move goods and people in and out of Baytown.
TxDOT Houston District Traffic Engineering On-Call Contract, Houston, Texas
Klotz Associates was selected by TxDOT Houston District on a Traffic Engineering on-call contract. The work to be performed consists of various types of traffic studies and minor roadway design in the East Region of TxDOT over a two- year period. Competition was fierce as 34 firms submitted an LOI for this contract.
University of Houston Systems Civil Engineering Services for Transportation Master Plan for the Main Campus, Houston, Texas
Klotz Associates was recently awarded a contract by University of Houston System to perform Civil Engineering Services for Transportation Master Plan for the Main Campus. The Master Plan will include a conditions assessment of the existing roadways, striping, signage, emergency vehicle routes, and mobility, as well as identification of proposed repairs and improvements.
