Next Steps

 To begin Planning Council discussion about the MPO’s Next Steps. Now that the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan has been updated and adopted, where do we go from here?  How do we make the 2035 RTP happen?  Even without serious $’s, what can we do?

 Finding resources to pay for implementing 2035 RTP.  Funding shortfall of $3.6 billion.  And, dollars identified in the Fiscally Constrained Plan are not necessarily certain sources of funding.  So… what can we do?

1.Planning Council could pursue policies that will aid in implementing the RTP [Chapter 10, 2035 RTP]. 2.Strategies presented here represent : A menu of options Could be used effectively to implement portions of the 2035 RTP for the NFRMPO.

 Acknowledgement that MPO project resources are limited – they should be directed where they can do the most good for the region  Call for Projects Policy Subcommittee currently working on new program to emphasize “regional” projects (e.g. Regionally Significant Corridors)  New program needs to focus on the Planning Council’s articulated goals and objectives for appropriate regional projects

 Emphasis on regional projects would mean more collaboration; less competitiveness – the region would be the winner  Should result in more cooperative projects submitted between large and small jurisdictions

Focus available funding on only the most critical projects  Planning Council has specified a desire to complete existing projects o Council could start with current TIP projects, rather than distributing limited funding to many other projects.  Help CDOT Region 4 implement Phase I of the North I‐25 EIS record of decision.

Focus on projects that provide the most benefit for the least expenditure  Travel Demand Management (e.g. carpooling, vanpooling, ITS)  Transportation System Management (e.g., traffic management, traveler information, intersection improvement projects)  Emphasize “thin roads, thick nodes” to guide improvements, particularly intersections (can provide the highest return on investment)

Emphasize projects that minimize long‐term costs, such as  Phased projects or temporary improvements (e.g. US 34 Interchange).  Roadway maintenance (which can postpone or eliminate the need for expensive reconstruction).

Complete Access Control Plans (ACPs) for regionally significant corridors  Preserves capacity and enhances safety on corridors where residential or commercial development is anticipated. ◦ Strategic Action Plan (2010) encourages developing ACPs for all Regionally Significant Corridors.  Finishing up State Highways.  Additional county and city arterials have been identified as “regionally significant”

Encourage local governments and state and federal agencies to coordinate planning  Coordinate with CDOT Region 4 to develop or update local comprehensive plans (including transportation plans). ◦ Planning minimizes the effects of growth and development on transportation infrastructure.

 Create new opportunities for “leveraging scarce funding sources” ◦ Funding Initiatives - Special Improvement Districts and Regional Transportation Authorities (RTA) - for transportation projects on regional facilities. ◦ Recognize successful projects that leverage NFRMPO funding sources, particularly STP‐Metro funding  e.g. VanGo TM vanpool program leverages less than $150,000 in STP‐Metro funding. Results in:  $900,000 in rider fares  Additional FTA incentive funding ($500, ,000), which covers remaining needed funds  Program working itself toward becoming self‐sufficient.  Support leveraged projects by giving them “priority” treatment in the planning and programming processes.

 Support initiatives to increase state and federal funding for transportation 1)SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization  Planning Council has historically supported indexing of gas tax 2)Agenda Item for a Planning Council  Generate ideas about increasing revenues for transportation  What is Council’s preference about SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization today?

 Study the prospects for an increase in regional services to reduce individual costs to member governments ◦ e.g. MPO currently provided VanGo TM vanpooling program, travel demand modeling, air quality modeling, mobility coordination, access control planning, etc. ◦ Other regional services?  Or, to provide opportunities for cost‐sharing ◦ e.g. data collection and analysis, aerial photography, modeling, grant applications, geographic information systems, U.S. Census data, etc.

Encourage corridor preservation efforts for both passenger and freight rail  Work with member governments, other agencies, and railroads ◦ Coordinate with new Transit & Rail Division in CDOT. Preserve right of way for a regional arterial grid system  Work with member governments to support future development and complement Regionally Significant Corridors.

Example: Street Grids used in Regional Transportation Planning

Implementing the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan

1. Planning Council, TAC & TAG consider potential RTP Strategies for implementing the 2035 RTP 2. Upon recommendation from TAC & TAG, Planning Council adopts selected RTP Strategies 3. MPO staff will review adopted RTP Strategies as part of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and determine those that can be pursued under current staffing levels and budget 4. MPO staff will also recommend to Planning Council an “Amended UPWP,” including Optional Projects ( that could also help advance RTP Strategies). In Process

Results of the optional projects ranking exercise by the Planning Council, July 21, Based on these rankings, MPO staff has reviewed staffing needs for optional projects. Recommendation pending for UPWP amendment. * Potential RTP Strategy Staff preliminary recommendation

 Strategy #1 – Change the Call for Projects  Strategy #2 – Critical Projects  Strategy #3 – Most Benefit/Least Cost  Strategy #4 – Minimize Long-Term Costs  Strategy #5 – Access Control  Strategy #6 – Promote Planning  Strategy #7 – New Funding Mechanisms  Strategy #8 – ROW Preservation In Process