METRORapid University Corridor Project H&H Study
Clients: METRORapid University Corridor Houston, Texas
The University Corridor, served by a METRORapid BRT line from Westchase Park & Ride to the Tidwell Transit Center, was analyzed by Civitas Professionals, Inc. under HNTB Corporation. Civitas utilized HEC-RAS 2D modeling and adhered to City of Houston guidelines to assess overland flow patterns for extreme events, using NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall data to evaluate scenarios that may exceed storm sewer capacity and lead to flooding. The study incorporated effective H&H models for Buffalo Bayou, Brays Bayou, Hunting Bayou, White Oak Bayou, and Halls Bayou, validated against Hurricane Harvey (2017) and Tropical Storm Imelda (2019). Inundation maps identifying flood-prone areas were produced. Additionally, onsite drainage analysis was performed following HCFCD criteria to delineate over 200 sub-basins within the study area, employing HEC-HMS with Green and Ampt loss parameters and Clark unit hydrograph transforms. Flow hydrographs for various storm scenarios were generated to inform the storm sewer network analysis in the next phase.