introduction to the metropolitan transportation planning process mpo 101 michigan transportation...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to the Metropolitan Transportation
Planning ProcessMPO 101
Michigan Transportation Planning Association 35th Annual Conference
July 14, 2011
Flint, MI
Objectives of this Workshop
List and describe the functions of the MPO/TMA
Learn about the major planning decisions/products of the MPO/TMA
Discuss major policy and planning issues these bodies may face.
MPO Basics
What do MPOs Do?What do MPOs Do? Metropolitan transportation planning
process in cooperation with the State DOT and transit operators
Determine responsibilities in concert with the State DOT(s) and transit operators
Cooperatively develop, update, and approve:
Unified Planning Work Program Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program
Have a proactive Public Involvement Process
MPO Composition
Policy Board Local Elected and Appointed Officials Major Modes of Transportation State Officials Citizens
MPO Staff Technical Committees Other Committees
Membership is inclusive
Role of the Board Develop a regional vision
Establish regional policy
Adopt UWP, Transportation Plan, and TIP
Ensure that the decisions reflect the concerns of residents of the region
Voting Structure of the Board
All Board members with voting privileges can vote
Board can contain “ex-officio” members that participate but don’t vote
What Do Board Members Need from Staff?
Reliable and timely information in an understandable format
Information includes options and analysis of their consequences Costs Policy Benefits Environmental consequences
Role of the Staff
Provide information & technical support to Board Members
Prepare documents
Foster interagency coordination
Facilitate input and feedback from the public
Manage the planning process
The MPO as the Forum
Working Beyond Jurisdictions
MPO is the forum for discussion Place to air issues Find solutions that benefit all
jurisdictions/regions MPOs work with adjoining regions
Consistency of projects Multi-regional projects
ThePublicThePublic
StatesStates LocalGovernment
LocalGovernment
User/Special Interest
Groups
User/Special Interest
Groups
RegionalAgenciesRegionalAgencies
TribalGovernments
TribalGovernments
FederalGovernment
FederalGovernment
PrivateSectorPrivateSector
LegalSystemLegal
System
The People in the Process
Key Decisions and Products
Unified Work Program (UWP)
Long Range Transportation Plan (The Plan)
Transportation Improvement Program/Plan (TIP)
Public Participation Plan
Unified Work Program (UWP)
• Lists the metropolitan area’s program of planning studies
• Identifies sources of funding, schedules and responsible agencies
• Coordinates the planning by all regional participants
• Describes all Federally-funded studies • Lays out MPOs Strategic Plan
Sources of Federal Funding
for UWP Development PL and STP funds administered by FHWA
Section 5303 funds administered by FTA
FHWA and FTA capital funds may also be used for planning (STP and Section 5307)
Statewide Planning and Research (SPR)
State and Local Funds
The Transportation Plan
To be eligible for Federal funds:
a project must be consistent with the approved transportation plan
The Transportation Plan… Documents conclusions and decisions Includes long term and short term
policies, strategies, and actions Covers capital improvements and
operations Addresses federal requirements including:
movement of people and goods Environmental Mitigation Environmental Justice
Is financially constrained by reasonably available resources
Requirements for the Transportation Plan…
20+ horizon at time of adoption
An update every 4 or 5 years depending on air quality status
Multi-modal coverage
Fiscal constraint
Early and continuous public involvement including consultation
Consideration of the 8 Planning Factors
Transportation PlanFiscal Constraint
Demonstrate consistency with available and projected revenues
Identify proposed new revenue sources and strategies to ensure their availability
Balance Revenues and expenditures
Unfunded projects are not officially part of the Plan
Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) Allocates limited transportation funds to projects
and programs List of transportation projects to be implemented
in the short-term (no less than 4 years) Includes nearly all federally funded surface
transportation projects Includes all regionally significant projects –
regardless of funding source in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas
Identifies funding source for each project
Programming Transportation Improvements
TIP adoption requires identifying top priority projects for funding
The total cost of worthy projects always exceeds available funding – must set priorities
The TIP and STIP are products of the programming process
TIP Fiscal Constraint Financially constrained by year Demonstrate which projects can be
implemented with current revenue sources
Identify strategies for ensuring the availability of new funding sources
In non-attainment/maintenance areas, projects with available or committed funding can appear in first 2 years of TIP
Requirements for the TIP… Covers at least 4 years Updated at least every 2 years. Consistent with approved Transportation Plan Conforms to air quality requirements Financially constrained by year Approved by MPO and Governor Included in State Transportation Improvement
Program (STIP)
Can be amended during its life span (subject to approval by Governor and inclusion in STIP)
Characteristics of aSuccessful Programming
Process Early consensus on planning goals Effective communication among
technical and policy leaders Continuous public involvement Qualitative as well as quantitative
criteria
Federal Requirements for Public Involvement
MPOs must prepare a public involvement plan
Plan must be proactive and provide for:Complete information and timely public notice
Early and continuing involvement
Full public access to key decisions
Explicit consideration and response to input
Objectives of Public Involvement
Provide timely information about transportation issues and processes
Seek public review and comment Respond to public comments Provide access to key decisions Continuing involvement of the
public in developing plans and TIPs
Congestion Management Process
Required for TMA/MPOs over 200,000 population
Approach to identifying, analyzing, & evaluating system-wide congestion
Serves as input into planning & programming processes
Major Policy and Planning Issues
Federal Aid Fundamentals
Federal Transportation Funding
Federal Aid is provided to the state in several ways and categories: Core Programs Other allocated funding, i.e. LTAP, SPR “Earmarked funding” such as High
Priority Projects Emergency Relief
Amount of funding is based on formulas
Each state is different (75/25 split in Michigan Public Act 51 of 1951)
Final dollar amounts are subject to Congressional obligation limitation
Equity Bonus
Future Funding is subject to change
SAFETEA-LU expired in 9/2009 Administration & Congressional
priorities may change Future motor fuel revenues may vary The Highway Trust Fund has been
saved from insolvency by Congress.
Other Federal-aid Fund Facts The Federal-aid Highway Program is
a reimbursable program
With few exceptions, Federal funds must be matched with funds from other sources (i.e. state or local)
Must be coordinated with the MPO and the State DOT
Traditional State and Local Funding Sources
User fees (dedicated and non-dedicated)
Bonds (revenue and general obligation)
General revenues
Innovative Financing
Public/private partnerships Tolls – Congestion pricing Advance construction GARVEE bonds and TIFIA loans State Infrastructure Bank
What is Operations?
Strategies and approaches to improve system performance Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Traffic Signal Operations Reversible lanes Incident Management Transportation Demand Management
(TDM)
Freight Movement
Good freight movement is vital to a region’s economy
MPO should examine how freight moves in and out of its region
Engage the freight community to find “win-win” solutions to problems
Safety
2010 saw a reduction in fatality levels not seen since the 1950s.
MPO can examine system for trends and allocate resources to address safety related issues.
MPOs can serve as a forum for safety related discussion with applicable agencies.
What is Air Quality Conformity?
• Link between air quality planning and transportation planning
• Analytical process to ensure that transportation plans, programs, and projects meet the SIP’s emissions budgets for mobile sources
• Pass/fail test on meeting the SIP’s emissions budgets
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, or national origin
Proactive Public Involvement key to compliance
Questions?
Thank You
Chris DingmanFHWA-Michigan Division 315 W. Allegan, Room 201Lansing, MI [email protected]
v
Spencer StevensFHWA-Office of Planning
Oversight and Stewardship
1200 New Jersey Ave. SEWashington, DC 20590717-221-4512 or 202-366-