Pima Association of Governments annual report, FY 2008-09: Open to your future

Who we arePima Association of Governments is a metropolitan planning organization and has three divisions: Transportation Planning, Environmental Planning and Technical Services.

PAG, established in 1973 as a federally recognized MPO for Pima County, is a 501(c)4 nonprofit association.

PAG’s MissionTo address regional issues through cooperative efforts and pooled resources and to provide accurate, relevant data that leads to good regional planning decisions.

GovernancePAG ‘s decision-making body, the Regional Council, includes nine members: elected officials serving the Cities of South Tucson and Tucson, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Pima County, the Tohono O’odham Nation, the Towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, and the Arizona State Transportation Board.

Open to your future

Lynne Skelton PAG CHAIR

Mayor of Sahuarita

Ned Norris Jr. PAG VICe CHAIR

Chairman of Tohono O’odham

Nation

Jennifer Eckstrom PAG TReASuReR

Mayor of South Tucson

Ed Honea Mayor of Marana

Robert ValenciaVice Chairman of

Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Paul Loomis Mayor of Oro Valley

Ramon Valadez Pima County

Board of Supervisors

Robert Walkup Mayor of Tucson

S.L. Schorr Arizona State

Transportation Board Representative

In the past year, Pima Association of Governments has

embarked on various projects

that will guide our decisions for

tomorrow and beyond.Updating the long-range regional transportation plan

(2040), conducting a study on high-capacity transit

for the region, updating the region’s greenhouse gas

inventory, turning up the promotion of our ridesharing

program as part of a regional transit rebranding effort

and signing a memorandum of understanding with

Nissan North America and Scottsdale-based ECOtality

Inc. to support local electric vehicle infrastructure are

just a few PAG projects that have an eye on the future.

As a metropolitan planning organization, it is our role to think ahead and develop plans and policies that will guide us to make decisions with successful outcomes.

This requires us to set politics aside and work hand in

hand to guide the region toward a brighter tomorrow.

Finding solutions to the challenges we need to address

requires a regional, visionary approach. This should

compel all of us to look beyond ourselves, roll up

our sleeves and stand side by side as we work for the

greater good of our peers, families, neighbors, friends

and visitors.

Reducing traffic congestion, keeping our air clean,

improving transportation options and assisting in

efforts to reduce the spread of buffelgrass, an invasive

weed, are just a few areas we will continue to address

through our regional plans and policies.

As we move forward, we must remain open to and

encourage innovative ideas and capitalize on relevant

best practices that we can build upon in our planning

and policies.

We invite you to be open to your future and see the

benefits of working together on our journey to becoming

a region that is better prepared to shape its destiny.

— PAG Regional Council Chair Lynne Skelton

Gary Hayesexecutive Director of Pima Association of Governments

High Capacity Transit System Plan High Capacity Transit (HCT) systems are intended to carry high volumes of passengers with fast and convenient service. A well–planned HCT system could help maintain a high level of mobility needed in the future for our region’s quality of life and economic vitality, particularly as costs for fuel, roadway construction and maintenance increase, and as concerns deepen over climate change. HCT also may help address increasing demands for transportation alternatives by an expanding population and for special needs of populations such as the elderly and low income.

Over the past 18 months, Pima Association of Governments has led the development of a High Capacity Transit System Plan to assess different HCT modes and technologies, analyze needs and trends, and gather public and stakeholder input to develop incremental, sustainable and cost-effective steps for the implementation of HCT technologies in the region. The HCT modes identified as the most likely to meet the region’s needs were Express Bus, Modern Streetcar, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Commuter Rail. The HCT System Plan will provide valuable input to the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan.

Congestion Management Process In early 2009, PAG initiated work on a Congestion Management Process (CMP) to establish a systematic approach for the safe and effective management and operation of new and existing transportation facilities. Federal requirements state that all metropolitan areas with population exceeding 200,000 must develop and implement a CMP as part of the metropolitan planning process. A CMP must:

• Measure multi-modal transportation system performance

• Identify the causes of congestion• Assess alternative actions• Implement cost-effective actions• Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented

actions

Transportation Planning

The CMP will facilitate the identification of transportation system deficiencies and the analysis and selection of alternative strategies to address congestion for inclusion in the long-range regional transportation plan (RTP) and the short-range transportation improvement program (TIP).

A key component of the PAG CMP is the supporting performance measurement and monitoring system. This component will allow PAG to plan, implement and operate strategies that are most effective and appropriate for transportation conditions throughout the region. Ultimately, an objectives-driven, performance-based process for managing congestion of the regional transportation system will lead to more efficient use of transportation dollars and result in a reduction of roadway and transportation network congestion.

Regional Transportation System Performance Assessment Early in FY 2008-09, PAG released its Regional Transportation System Performance Assessment, a periodic assessment of five years of data that compares growth trends and travel conditions in the PAG region to the implementation of multi-modal transportation system improvements during the years 2000 to 2005. It should be noted that this assessment covers a period prior to the establishment of the Regional Transportation Authority. The analysis indicates that travel demand increased faster than population growth and faster

than the ability to provide system improvements.

The regional roadway system, consisting of approximately 4,570 lane miles of freeways, parkways, and arterial roadways, provides approximately 85 percent of the total vehicle miles traveled in the Tucson metropolitan area. Local travel on residential streets was not a part of the analysis.

From 2000 to 2005, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) on our roadways grew 1.5 times faster than population and 7 times faster than roadway capacity. During that period, the Tucson region’s population increased by 13.5 percent, while VMT increased by 20.3 percent. New lane miles of roadway capacity increased by only 2.9 percent.

The time spent traveling on the street network is measured by Vehicle Hours of Travel (VHT). From 2000 to 2005, VHT increased by 11.99 percent. Over 35 percent of the Vehicle Miles Traveled are under conditions of heavy to severe congestion.

The Regional Transportation Authority plan approved by voters in 2006 provided additional funding for expanded transit services, and while public transit use in the Tucson region rose 9.2 percent between FY 2001 and FY 2005, more recent ridership increases exceeded 21 percent. Adequate long-term funding for the system remains a challenge. Planned transit service improvements include crucial elements like new and urban circulators, fixed routes, para-transit, park-and-ride lots, rail and rural transit.

1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Urban Area Travel Times and Travel Time Index 2007

Travel Time Value

Ann

ual H

ours

of D

elay

per

Pea

k Pe

riod

Tra

vele

r

Tucson, AZ Phoenix, AZ

Las Vegas, NVSeattle, WA

Austin, TXPortland, OR

Ventura, CAAlbuquerque, NM

Salt Lake City, UT

Nashville, TN

Oklahoma City, OKRichmond, VA

Spring�eld, MA

NYC/Newark, NJ

Washington DCLos Angeles, CA

Bakers�eld, CA

El Paso, TXFresno, CA

Very Large Urban Areas - over 3 million population

Large Urban Areas – over 1 million and less than 3 million population

Medium Urban Areas – 500,000 to 1 million population

Memphis, TN

Raleigh – Durham, NC

Travel Time Value – The travel time, whether 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes, is multiplied times the travel time value in order to determine the amount of time required for a trip dur-ing peak congestion. using a value of 1.3, a 20-minute trip would take 26 minutes. Annual Hours of Delay per Peak Period Traveler – sums up the number of extra hours the average driver will spend on the road each year due to congested conditions.

Source: 2009 Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute, The Texas A&M University System

American Recovery and Reinvestment ActPresident Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) into law on Feb. 17, 2009. PAG identified needed projects that would qualify for ARRA funding even prior to passage of the bill. As a result, PAG successfully obtained over $98.8 million in new funding for state and local transportation projects within the region. Projects were identified in each of the local jurisdictions and tribal governments within the PAG area.

ARRA includes extensive requirements for monitoring and reporting on the progress of the

projects. To facilitate this requirement, PAG prepared Web pages where each jurisdiction

may submit status information for posting. This information is compiled and submitted monthly to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to be incorporated in a report on transportation projects statewide. ADOT is responsible for required submittals to the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Congress.

Near-term job creation was a key objective of the ARRA program, and projects are required to be delivered on an expedited timeframe.

The earliest deadlines applied to state projects. Consequently, as of August 2009, over 77 percent of the state system projects in the region had been put out to bid.

The first of the projects on the local transportation system was bid in early fall 2009. All the remaining state and local system projects should be under way by March 2010. For project details, visit www.PAGnet.org.

Mobility Matters / 2040 Regional Transportation PlanOur region’s network of roads, highways, transit services, bike lanes and sidewalks keeps our community moving and allows us to be connected to our homes, healthcare, job, shopping and recreation. PAG is updating the region’s long-range transportation plan, called the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), and has chosen the theme of “Mobility Matters” for the planning process. The RTP will include strategies and projects to help improve our transportation network and move people and goods throughout our region out to the year 2040. Regular updates to the RTP are required for the region to qualify for various federal, state and local transportation revenues, and the plan must be fiscally constrained.

The 2040 RTP Task Force, made up of 35 representatives from diverse community interests and jurisdictions, is guiding the development of the plan. The Task Force worked hard to develop balanced goals and the following vision for the plan:

“The 2040 RTP envisions a premier, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible regional transportation system that is interconnected,

multi-modal, technologically advanced and integrated with sustainable land use patterns.”

In the past year, there was extensive public outreach to gather ideas for the 2040 RTP, including 20 stakeholder sessions and four open houses. PAG collected over 7,000 comments received from the public and provided a detailed analysis of the data to the Task Force for its consideration.

In addition to public input, the Task Force is reviewing regional data to help determine the best transportation investments to include in the RTP. PAG uses a multi-faceted traffic model to depict current and projected traffic conditions. The travel model takes into account employment, housing, and population data, local land use plans and over 40 other variables when developing its traffic projections.

Once a draft RTP project list is developed, PAG will hold a second round of public input sessions. The plan will likely be finalized in early 2010.

Bicycle PlanningImagine communities with interconnected bike paths and bike lanes with safety features that greatly reduce the risk of accidents. Through a regional bicycle count, which PAG initiated in October 2008, an annual bike crash analysis and an update to the Regional Plan for Bicycling, PAG will use this information to improve how and where projects are implemented. The annual bicycle count will document the number of people currently cycling, monitor how that number is changing over time and prioritize improvements based on demand.

PAG’s update of the Regional Plan for Bicycling

documents how the region has progressed from the first eight miles of bikeways in 1971 to over 800 miles of existing bikeways. The plan also sets forth actions that the region’s jurisdictions can take over the next 20-plus years to address both existing and evolving needs. Projects were prioritized into 10-, 20-, and 30-year implementation groups. Approximately 700 additional miles of signed

bike routes, bicycle boulevards, bike lanes and shared-use paths were identified at an estimated cost of over $450 million.

PAG also continues to conduct an annual regional bicycle crash analysis that examines types of crashes and their locations. This is done to help identify areas with high crash rates and locations in need of safety improvements.

Travel Reduction Program and Sun RideShareFiscal year 2008-09 was a major transition year for both the Rideshare and Travel Reduction programs. Working with local and federal environmental agencies, PAG is developing new Travel Reduction Program (TRP) policy guidelines to streamline and reduce the administrative costs of the Travel Reduction Ordinances (TRO) while improving alternative mode usage within Pima County.

New marketing and outreach efforts were initiated to enhance rideshare services and increase awareness among area commuters. Employer outreach was expanded to include business

development activities and regular in-person contact with TRP employers, outreach to small businesses not mandated to participate in TRP, and partnerships with local trade associations, chambers, and community organizations.

A grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation made it possible for PAG to develop an interactive carpool matching system and commuter database. The interactive system provides quick access to information regarding carpool partners, vanpool availability, transit routes and schedules, park-and-ride locations and bike buddy matching. Travel routes and the location of the commuter’s travel options are displayed in Google Maps. Additional features of this system include a daily commute calendar, pollution savings calculations and

immediate access to an emergency ride home.

Special promotions created a two-year high level of Web site activity and new commuter registrations. A coupon book of over 40 discount offers from downtown merchants was awarded to commuters registering online for Rideshare for the first time.

For the Clean Air Days and Bike Fest promotion, commuters could log in their daily commutes to qualify for prizes. The second annual Green

Commute Fair in downtown Tucson highlighted alternative modes of transportation.

In 2009, Rideshare became Sun Rideshare, a travel option under a new regional transit rebranding that includes Sun Tran, Sun Express, Sun Van and Sun Shuttle. The Sun Rideshare program is working to build awareness around the region and successfully added 1,900 new commuters to its database as well as four new vanpools. There’s a new way to work and it begins with Sun Rideshare.

Cienega CreekPAG’s Watershed Planning Program regularly monitors Cienega Creek by measuring groundwater levels in wells and documenting the extent and amount of surface flow along the creek.

This year, PAG installed wells in the bed of Cienega Creek and fitted them with automatic water level monitors. The wells were installed to evaluate a major erosional head-cut that is migrating upstream and disrupting habitat in its wake. This head-cut project is a unique opportunity to study arid west stream erosion. The study is funded through the Water Protection Fund grant program at the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Why is it important to study these environmental changes? Cienega Creek and its tributary, Davidson Canyon, are two of the rare low-elevation streams in Pima County that exhibit significant surface water flows. As such, they are important water and wildlife resources and have been designated Outstanding Arizona Waters by the State.

Pima County created the Cienega Natural Preserve and has coordinated with PAG to conduct hydrologic investigations along the creek since 1989 in order to better understand this unique groundwater and surface water system.

Stormwater OutreachPAG’s annual stormwater outreach program achieves high visibility during the summer monsoon season throughout the Tucson metropolitan area. This multi-tiered marketing campaign features the slogan “Clean Water Starts With Me” to inform the public about individual responsibility of reducing stormwater pollution.

When it rains in Tucson, stormwater typically washes large amounts of debris, such as trash,

Environmental Planning

chemicals and pet waste downstream and deposits the waste into our fragile desert washes. Since streams cross jurisdictional boundaries, the issue is a regional concern.

Surveys to assess the campaign’s success are under way, but early indications are good; hits on the PAGstorm.com Web page have increased by 15 times since 2008.

Wastewater PlanningThe Town of Marana is currently seeking a 208 amendment to become a Designated Management Agency for wastewater planning within the Town’s planning area.

PAG has established a Task Force to review and provide comment on the amendment. PAG also facilitates presentations to PAG’s environmental committees and will hold a public hearing before the amendment goes before the PAG Regional Council for approval.

In 2009, Pima County gained approval for a 208 amendment to ensure that it can meet near-term future effluent water quality standards as established by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

PAG conducts wastewater planning in order to ensure that decisions about building new facilities are made in a regional context with input from jurisdictions and the public. As the state Designated

Planning Agency in Pima County, PAG ensures that wastewater treatment meets the requirements of Section 208 in the federal Clean Water Act. Section 208 requires that all new, or significantly changed wastewater treatment facilities must gain consistency with local Areawide Water Quality Management Plans (208 Plan) before permits may be issued.

Ozone StandardA change in the federal ozone standard in 2008 prompted Pima Association of Governments to prepare a marketing campaign to bring awareness to the public on how to keep the air clean.

Generally, the Tucson region experiences good air quality and is in attainment for ozone. The standard change, set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in March 2008, placed the region closer to the standard and potential nonattainment. Consequences of a nonattainment designation affecting businesses, residents and government could include: stricter regulatory controls to reduce pollutant levels; requirements for consumers to use different fuels; additional monitoring, modeling and paperwork.

PAG member jurisdictions, aware of the consequences associated with nonattainment, asked PAG in the spring of 2008 to prepare an awareness campaign.

The Live Breathe Clean Air media campaign was conducted in June and July of 2009 to get the word out about our proximity to the strengthened ozone standard and the need to take preventative action during the hot summer months.

PAG’s Air Quality Planning program developed online information to provide further awareness at www.LiveBreatheCleanAir.com, gave presentations at various committee meetings, and coordinated efforts with the Travel Reduction Program to educate participating companies and their

employees about the ozone situation.

Even low levels of ozone can reduce lung function and aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma. As of the end of July, ozone levels remained in the healthy range. With lower ozone levels in 2009, it appears as though the region may have skirted a nonattainment designation. We may be off the edge for now.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory UpdateIn FY 2008-09, Pima Association of Governments prepared a Regional Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

The original data were collected in late 2007 and early 2008 following a resolution by the PAG Regional Council in October 2007 to conduct the inventory. The first full report, available online at www.PAGnet.org, includes inventories for the City of Tucson and eastern Pima County. The county, City of Tucson, Tucson Electric Power and Southwest Gas were instrumental in providing data for this effort. Efforts are under way to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for other jurisdictions. Total GHG emissions are expected to climb with increasing population and economic growth.

The region’s major sources of GHG emissions are from on-road transportation and energy use by the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The major energy sources were electricity, followed by gasoline.

3 Year Average of the 4th Highest 8-Hour Ozone Concentration

n

2006 2008

)

NEW 8-hour Standard

OLD 8-hour Standard

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

Year

Conc

entr

atio

n (p

pm)

22nd/CraycroftSaguaro EastDowntownTangerineFairgroundsO3 8-Hour NAAQS (new-2008)O3 8-Hour NAAQS (old)

NEW 8-hour Standard

Data Source: Pima County Dept. of Environmental Quality

OLD 8-hour Standard

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

The inventory serves as a baseline in assisting the region and government agencies in assessing emissions. The inventories were designed to estimate emissions rather than be a precise accounting of GHG emissions and to provide a resource for future planning efforts.

PAG will continue researching GHG emissions for the Tucson region with an emphasis on transportation.

Buffelgrass ManagementBuffelgrass, an invasive weed in the Tucson region that increases the risk of fire and robs water from native plants, threatens to place a chokehold on the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert in the not-so-distant future.

Fortunately, as the buffelgrass threat increases, control efforts also have accelerated.

The largest single buffelgrass removal event, Beat Back Buffelgrass Day (Feb. 7, 2009), included participation from non-profit organizations, government (federal, state and local), conservation organizations, businesses and citizens. More than 300 volunteers removed an estimated 15,000 plants.

With the formation of the Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Coordination Center (SABCC) in September 2008, jurisdictions, scientists, business leaders and nonprofits banded together to coordinate control efforts regionally, seek grants and raise public awareness. In 2009, SABCC, with funding assistance from PAG, hired Dr. Lindy Brigham as its first executive director.

The future of the region’s native ecosystem and urban environment needs a helping hand. So open the door and join us as we fight this battle to preserve our natural desert environment.

3-Year Average of the 4th Highest 8-Hour Ozone Concentration

Nissan / Ecotality Electric Vehicle and Vehicle Infrastructure ProjectIn March 2009, the PAG Regional Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Nissan North America and Scottsdale-based ECOtality Inc. to oversee the implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure in the Tucson region in the next year to help support the launch of Nissan’s new all-electric vehicle, the Leaf.

The Leaf, with zero tailpipe emissions and other leading-edge technology, is an example of new alternative vehicles that will help the United States reduce dependence on foreign oil and meet climate change and energy challenges.

Tucson is one of five partners nationwide selected by Nissan to be part of the initial deployment of the all-electric Leaf.

The Leaf, which was unveiled in August, will arrive on the market for commercial fleets in late 2010.

In support of the commitment in the MOU, PAG’s Clean Cities Program signed a letter of support in April 2009 as a project partner on a $100 million grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy to support electric infrastructure in five states. The U.S. DOE presented the grant on Aug. 5, 2009, to Electric Transportation Engineering Corp., a subsidiary of ECOtality.

A working group is developing a plan to determine placement of charging stations across the region to minimize “range anxiety” concerns for electric vehicle customers.

Sustainability and Energy ExpoTucson Clean Cities assisted in the planning and implementation of the Sustainability & Energy EXPO9 on March 6 and 7, 2009. The expo, with 90 exhibitors, drew nearly 3,000 attendees to the Tucson Convention

Energy Planning

Center. The expo held a two-day film festival and included displays of alternatively fueled vehicles, solar, rainwater harvesting and “green” products. A speakers’ series on Saturday included Chris Paine, director of “Who Killed the Electric Car,” and Richard Kolodziej, president of NGVAmerica, the Washington, D.C.-based national trade association for natural gas vehicles.

Major sponsors included Tucson Electric Power, a Platinum sponsor, and Tucson-Pima County Metropolitan Energy Commission, Union Pacific Raqilroad, Tucson Newspapers Inc., Jim Click/Holmes Tuttle Ford, Gold sponsors.

Clean Alternative Fuel Infrastructure

BiodieselTwo new B20 stations opened in the Tucson region and three new B20 stations opened outside of Tucson with the help of Tucson Clean Cities.

Compressed Natural GasOne new CNG station opened to assist Tucson Unified School District with its commitment to CNG school buses.

E85 Five new E85 stations were opened in Arizona. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petroleum. Stations were scattered around Arizona, mainly in the southern Arizona region.

PropaneTucson Clean Cities has worked with and continues to promote Ford’s new F-series Propane Trucks with Roush. Ford and Roush teamed up to build the first Roush/Ford F-series product.

Solar PartnershipThe Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership is a cooperative effort to focus attention on

southern Arizona’s natural opportunities for putting solar power to work. Southern Arizona has the natural resource and human capital to expand the use of solar power in a way unequaled in other parts of the country. The Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership, which is based at PAG, seeks to encourage the expansion of solar-based systems to reduce our reliance on sources of energy that generate greenhouse gases.

Every kilowatt hour that is derived from solar energy means that carbon-based fuels are not consumed and that we have deferred the generation of carbon dioxide.

PAG’s Solar Program, in cooperation with Solar America Cities, the City of Tucson and Pima County, continues to assist with outreach and education briefings to sectors in Tucson. The City of Tucson and Pima County have once again applied for Solar America Cities funding.

Census 2010 Technical ProgramsIn preparation for the 2010 Decennial Census, PAG’s Technical Services Division provided support for member agency participation in the LUCA (Local Update of Census Addresses) Program. This is a geographic partnership program that allows the Census Bureau to benefit from local knowledge in developing its master address file for the 2010 Census data collection.

Tribal, state and local governments reviewed the local housing and group quarters’ addresses that the Census Bureau will use to deliver the Census questionnaires. Having an accurate and complete address list will support an accurate and complete count for the PAG region. PAG hosted Census Bureau training for member agencies and provided technical support as requested.

PAG also participated in the Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) on behalf of and in conjunction with local government agencies. PAG reviewed the boundaries for block groups, census tracts, and census-designated places within Pima County and worked with the appropriate jurisdiction to make modifications. In addition to using these geographic units to report Decennial Census statistics, the Census Bureau will use them to report the results of other programs, such as the American Community Survey, until 2021.

Population Estimates and Forecasts

Data Services: • helps produce accurate and reliable

population estimates and forecasts for the region in cooperation with state and national agencies. Data Services provides the State PopStats Unit of the Arizona Department of Commerce, with required information from local jurisdictions for use in the production of state estimates and forecasts.

• represents local interests and provides technical expertise to the Council for

Technical Services

Technical Solutions, a workgroup established by the Governor charged with developing an official methodology for state and substate estimates and projections.

• recently gathered materials for a challenge to the Census Bureau population estimates on behalf of Pima County, correcting annual data for each local government for the last decade, which resulted in a significant correction to the local population estimates.

Delivery of the 2008 Orthophotography ImagerySection-level orthophotography imagery was delivered to PAG in fall 2008 from imagery collected earlier in the year. Orthophotography combines aerial photos with GIS and terrain data. The imagery is shared with PAG-member jurisdictions.

Member jurisdictions and the general public use the imagery in many applications, such as developing infrastructure inventories, tracking land use changes that occurred over the last 10 years, and conducting preliminary roadway and drainage corridor design studies.

The imagery is available to consultants and the general public online at www.PAGnet.org.

Technical Support for PAG ProgramsPAG’s Technical Services Division primarily supports other PAG programs.

Technical Services updates road network databases, produces maps as needed, develops base year and forecast year socioeconomic datasets, and runs the regional travel model to support the Transportation Improvement Program, the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan and the Regional

Transportation Authority.

Staff also compile regional residential building permits, population, employment, and other demographic and land use datasets at different levels of geography for various planning projects.

PAG’s spatial data, travel modeling, and land use modeling techniques are evolving to meet the need for timely land use and transportation data at smaller geographic resolutions. For example, PAG recently extended a national travel information survey to collect additional trip, household, and other travel related samples in Pima County.

PAG Travel Modeling staff recently partnered with the Maricopa Association of Governments to begin development of an activity-based travel model; tentative plans call for its completion in three years. In addition, PAG Data Services staff continues to develop data necessary to implement a regional land use model that will produce forecasts of land use and related variables, including

population and employment, at a geography of approximately one acre that can be aggregated to any planning area by the specific project. PAG staff in Data Services and Watershed Planning worked together recently and made significant progress on generating more reasonable forecasts. The next model run was planned for fall 2009.

The sequence of images to the right shows land use change in the Rancho Sahuarita

area in Sahuarita between 1998 and 2008.

PAG Provides Regional Collaboration Tools and SupportPima Association of Governments promotes collaboration by providing tools and support to address regional issues. One of these tools is ThinkTank, an Internet-based knowledge creation tool. ThinkTank provides the capability of collecting information from all group participants in an open, yet confidential environment with the use of laptops and a meeting facilitator.

Innovating with group intelligence software helps determine who knows what, empowers all participants to think and contribute outside normal boundaries, and engages all individuals in creative or problem-solving objectives.

During 2008-09, ThinkTank was used extensively during the development of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. ThinkTank also was used by:

• Town of Marana• Metropolitan Pima Alliance• Pima County District 1

Supervisor Ann Day• University of Arizona Parking

and Transportation Services

ThinkTank services are provided at no cost to PAG member jurisdictions. A fee structure applies to other organizations.

Regional Cleanups Leave First ImpressionPima Association of Governments coordinated a regional cleanup event on Nov. 14, 2008, in the Town of Marana. More than 100 bags of trash were removed from a 3.5-mile stretch of Tangerine Road, between Interstate 10 and Dove Mountain Road.

Other Highlights

This was the third regional cleanup hosted by Pima Association of Governments, involving its member jurisdictions. Other partners include Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Southern Arizona Leadership Council and Tucson Clean and Beautiful.

The cleanup events have been scheduled in response to a request from TREO and SALC to help improve the aesthetics of the region’s gateway corridors to provide a positive first impression to our visitors as well as our residents.

In the past year, the PAG Regional Council recognized several businesses with the “First Impressions “ award for maintaining aesthetically pleasing landscapes along gateway corridors:

• Tucson Quality Inn locations at 2803 E. Valencia Road and 1025 E. Benson Highway, Tucson

• TRICO Electric Cooperative, 8600 W. Tangerine Road, Tucson

• Jack in the Box at Ina Road and Interstate 10, Tucson• Cottonwood Properties at Tangerine and North Dove

Mountain Boulevard, Marana

• Coca Cola Enterprises at 5551 W. Coca Cola Place, Tucson

Count Me InPima Association of Governments established a Census 2010 Complete Count Committee to assist with public outreach for the upcoming census count. Census Day is April 1, 2010.

Initial public awareness efforts are under way and will continue throughout the remainder of 2009. A media campaign and other public outreach activities will be developed for the weeks leading up to Census Day.

The U.S. Constitution requires that a census is conducted every 10 years to help determine how

many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The results of the census count help determine how much money will be allocated to each state to support programs that pay for such things as education, health care services and transportation improvements. Census data also are used to help guide community planning efforts.

The 2010 form has 10 easy questions and the information remains confidential. For census information, visit www.PAGnet.org.

Regional Transportation AuthorityOne of the most notable achievements in the third year of the Regional Transportation Authority’s operations was construction on the first of 35 RTA Roadway Element projects.

In fiscal year 2008-09, the Twin Peaks Interchange broke ground in the Town of Marana in May. This $81 million interchange project will create a new access point to the Continental Ranch area of Marana as well as a future connection to the Tortolita foothills area by way of the future Camino de Manana project. The Green Valley community also saw the groundbreaking of the Interstate 19 east-side Frontage Road in June.

Progress in the Safety Element included the commencement of construction of the Grant and Craycroft intersection, one of the 10 most congested intersections in the region, as well as completion of 19 High-intensity Actuated cross-WalK (HAWK) pedestrian crossings.

Environmental & Economic Vitality Element activities included the construction of new sidewalks throughout the region as well as the establishment of new bike lanes. The MainStreet business assistance program also provided

substantial pre-construction business assistance to small businesses located within areas influenced by RTA roadway projects.

Substantial new transit improvements occurred during FY 2008-09. The RTA helped purchase 55 new buses for Sun Tran, rolled out a rebranding program to fully integrate all of the region’s public transit services into a seamless service, with a single point of information for the public. In early May, the RTA launched a new neighborhood transit service for the region, Sun Shuttle. The system uses smaller vehicles to serve the growing communities of Green Valley/Sahuarita, Oro Valley/Catalina, and Marana, offering opportunities to travel within those communities, as well as to connect to Sun Tran routes serving the region’s core.

While the revenues collected by the RTA were negatively affected by the economy, bids on new construction have been very competitive, erasing the recent spike in costs of roadway construction.

The FY 2008-09 RTA Annual Report will be published in December 2009. For updated information on the RTA, visit the new Web site at www.RTAmobility.com.

Period Reviewed: July 1, 2006-June 30, 2009 Total No. of Board Approved Projects 265Projects Under Development 107Projects Under Construction/Implementation 36Transit Projects Implemented 9Total No. of Projects Completed 113

RTA Excise Tax Collections $203,633,000Funds Committed $448,866,000Funds Expended $116,001,000Fund Balance $102,516,000

Pima Association of Governments FY 2008-2009 Operating Statement

REVENUES: 22.6% Local $ 1,716,246 5.1% State grants and aid 386,334 72.3% Federal grants and aid 5,496,209 Total revenues $ 7,598,790

EXPENSES: DIRECT PROGRAM COSTS: Personnel services $ 3,357,178 Professional services 2,283,423 Travel 39,132 Occupancy and utilities 212,657 equipment and maintenance 102,028 Depreciation 3,112 Supplies 8,899 Printing, publications, postage 43,422 Conferences, meetings, and memberships 34,647 Other 164,576 Total program costs $ 6,249,073

INDIRECT & ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: Personnel services $ 923,347 Professional services 118,571 Travel 4,172 Occupancy and utilities 155,418 equipment and maintenance 36,190 Depreciation 6,570 Supplies 24,704 Printing, publications, postage 23,211 Conferences, meetings, and memberships 40,389 Other 25,246 Total indirect & administrative costs $ 1,357,818

Total expenses $ 7,606,892

Change in net assets ($8,102) Net assets at beginning of year $ 163,963 Net assets at end of year $ 155,861

(unaudited)

5th Annual Swanson Regional Leadership AwardGreg Gentsch, Tucson District Engineer for ADOT, who lived and breathed transportation as the Tucson District Engineer for the Arizona Department of Transportation, received the Thomas L. Swanson Regional Leadership Award in May from the PAG Regional Council for his leadership and communication efforts in working for all regional players.

In the summer of 2009, Gentsch relocated to serve as ADOT’s District Engineer in Prescott.

In May, then PAG Regional Council member Si Schorr said that “Greg has an outstanding ability to foresee and respond to the various needs of the region.” Schorr, who nominated Gentsch, served as PAG’s representative on the Arizona State Transportation Board for most of 2009. “Greg is commended for his professionalism and regional approach in working with PAG member jurisdictions, particularly during the Interstate 10 widening project.”

The I-10 widening project, between Prince and 29th, was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The Swanson award is given in honor of PAG’s former executive director, the late Thomas L. Swanson, to acknowledge an individual or organization affecting positive change in the Tucson metropolitan region.

Criteria for the Swanson award include:

• Enhancing the regional community despite often restrictive jurisdictional boundaries.

• Promoting cooperation among citizens and local elected officials.

• Providing leadership for regional growth via strong local government representation.

Gentsch also won the 2009 Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Dr. L. I. Hewes Award to recognize his outstanding contributions to highway development programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

Sundance cover is 30 percent recycled. Printed with vegetable oil-based inks. This document was printed with 100 percent clean wind-power energy.

This means that it was manufactured with wind-generated electricity to conserve our natural resources and reduce emissions that will have the following impact on our environment:

Air Emissions Natural GasQuantity Not Generated Not Used 3,500 266 Lbs. 2,211 Cubic Feet

Our contribution to the environment as a result of this wind-generated electricity print project is the equivalent to:

Miles TreesQuantity Not Driven or Planted

3,500 263 or 18

Photo Credits:All photos by Philip Cyr, PAG, unless otherwise noted Page 1: Cecile Follansbee home (entry gate)Page 13: Cienega Creek, photo by Sheila Storm, PAGPage 15: Nissan Leaf eV, Photo © Nissan Photovoltaic trough, photo by Sara Hummel RajcaPage 22: Cecile Follansbee home (front entry)

177 N. Church Ave, Suite 405 • Tucson, AZ • 85701PAGnet.org