Introduction to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process MPO 101 Michigan Transportation Planning Association 35 th Annual Conference July 14, 2011 Flint, MI

Objectives of this Workshop List and describe the functions of the MPO/TMA List and describe the functions of the MPO/TMA Learn about the major planning decisions/products 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. Discuss major policy and planning issues these bodies may face.

MPO Basics

What do MPOs Do? Metropolitan transportation planning process in cooperation with the State DOT and transit operators 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 Determine responsibilities in concert with the State DOT(s) and transit operators Cooperatively develop, update, and approve: Cooperatively develop, update, and approve: Unified Planning Work Program Unified Planning Work Program Transportation Plan Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program Transportation Improvement Program Have a proactive Public Involvement Process Have a proactive Public Involvement Process

MPO Composition Policy Board Policy Board Local Elected and Appointed Officials Local Elected and Appointed Officials Major Modes of Transportation Major Modes of Transportation State Officials State Officials Citizens Citizens MPO Staff MPO Staff Technical Committees Technical Committees Other Committees Other Committees Membership is inclusive

Role of the Board Develop a regional vision Develop a regional vision Establish regional policy Establish regional policy Adopt UWP, Transportation Plan, and TIP Adopt UWP, Transportation Plan, and TIP Ensure that the decisions reflect the concerns of residents of the region 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 All Board members with voting privileges can vote Board can contain “ex-officio” members that participate but don’t 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 Reliable and timely information in an understandable format Information includes options and analysis of their consequences Information includes options and analysis of their consequences Costs Costs Policy Policy Benefits Benefits Environmental consequences Environmental consequences

Role of the Staff Provide information & technical support to Board Members Provide information & technical support to Board Members Prepare documents Prepare documents Foster interagency coordination Foster interagency coordination Facilitate input and feedback from the public Facilitate input and feedback from the public Manage the planning process Manage the planning process

The MPO as the Forum

Working Beyond Jurisdictions MPO is the forum for discussion MPO is the forum for discussion Place to air issues Place to air issues Find solutions that benefit all jurisdictions/regions Find solutions that benefit all jurisdictions/regions MPOs work with adjoining regions MPOs work with adjoining regions Consistency of projects Consistency of projects Multi-regional projects Multi-regional projects

The Public The Public States Local Government Local Government User/ Special Interest Groups User/ Special Interest Groups Regional Agencies Regional Agencies Tribal Governments Tribal Governments Federal Government Federal Government Private Sector Private Sector Legal System Legal System The People in the Process

Key Decisions and Products Unified Work Program (UWP) Unified Work Program (UWP) Long Range Transportation Plan (The Plan) Long Range Transportation Plan (The Plan) Transportation Improvement Program/Plan (TIP) Transportation Improvement Program/Plan (TIP) Public Participation Plan 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 PL and STP funds administered by FHWA Section 5303 funds administered by FTA Section 5303 funds administered by FTA FHWA and FTA capital funds may also be used for planning (STP and Section 5307) FHWA and FTA capital funds may also be used for planning (STP and Section 5307) Statewide Planning and Research (SPR) Statewide Planning and Research (SPR) State and Local Funds State and Local Funds

The Transportation Plan To be eligible for Federal funds: To be eligible for Federal funds: a project must be consistent with the approved transportation plan a project must be consistent with the approved transportation plan

The Transportation Plan… Documents conclusions and decisions Documents conclusions and decisions Includes long term and short term policies, strategies, and actions Includes long term and short term policies, strategies, and actions Covers capital improvements and operations Covers capital improvements and operations Addresses federal requirements including: Addresses federal requirements including: movement of people and goods movement of people and goods Environmental Mitigation Environmental Mitigation Environmental Justice Environmental Justice Is financially constrained by reasonably available resources Is financially constrained by reasonably available resources

Requirements for the Transportation Plan… 20+ horizon at time of adoption 20+ horizon at time of adoption An update every 4 or 5 years depending on air quality status An update every 4 or 5 years depending on air quality status Multi-modal coverage Multi-modal coverage Fiscal constraint Fiscal constraint Early and continuous public involvement including consultation Early and continuous public involvement including consultation Consideration of the 8 Planning Factors Consideration of the 8 Planning Factors

Transportation Plan Fiscal Constraint Demonstrate consistency with available and projected revenues Demonstrate consistency with available and projected revenues Identify proposed new revenue sources and strategies to ensure their availability Identify proposed new revenue sources and strategies to ensure their availability Balance Revenues and expenditures Balance Revenues and expenditures Unfunded projects are not officially part of the Plan Unfunded projects are not officially part of the Plan

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Allocates limited transportation funds to projects and programs Allocates limited transportation funds to projects and programs List of transportation projects to be implemented in the short-term (no less than 4 years) 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 nearly all federally funded surface transportation projects Includes all regionally significant projects – regardless of funding source in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas Includes all regionally significant projects – regardless of funding source in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas Identifies funding source for each project Identifies funding source for each project

Programming Transportation Improvements TIP adoption requires identifying top priority projects for funding TIP adoption requires identifying top priority projects for funding The total cost of worthy projects always exceeds available funding – must set priorities The total cost of worthy projects always exceeds available funding – must set priorities The TIP and STIP are products of the programming process The TIP and STIP are products of the programming process

TIP Fiscal Constraint Financially constrained by year Financially constrained by year Demonstrate which projects can be implemented with current revenue sources Demonstrate which projects can be implemented with current revenue sources Identify strategies for ensuring the availability of new funding 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 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 Covers at least 4 years Updated at least every 2 years. Updated at least every 2 years. Consistent with approved Transportation Plan Consistent with approved Transportation Plan Conforms to air quality requirements Conforms to air quality requirements Financially constrained by year Financially constrained by year Approved by MPO and Governor Approved by MPO and Governor Included in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Included in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Can be amended during its life span (subject to approval by Governor and inclusion in STIP ) Can be amended during its life span (subject to approval by Governor and inclusion in STIP )

Characteristics of a Successful Programming Process Early consensus on planning goals Early consensus on planning goals Effective communication among technical and policy leaders Effective communication among technical and policy leaders Continuous public involvement Continuous public involvement Qualitative as well as quantitative criteria Qualitative as well as quantitative criteria

Federal Requirements for Public Involvement MPOs must prepare a public involvement plan MPOs must prepare a public involvement plan Plan must be proactive and provide for: 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 Provide timely information about transportation issues and processes Seek public review and comment Seek public review and comment Respond to public comments Respond to public comments Provide access to key decisions Provide access to key decisions Continuing involvement of the public in developing plans and TIPs Continuing involvement of the public in developing plans and TIPs

Congestion Management Process Required for TMA/MPOs over 200,000 population Required for TMA/MPOs over 200,000 population Approach to identifying, analyzing, & evaluating system-wide congestion Approach to identifying, analyzing, & evaluating system-wide congestion Serves as input into planning & programming processes 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: Federal Aid is provided to the state in several ways and categories: Core Programs Core Programs Other allocated funding, i.e. LTAP, SPR Other allocated funding, i.e. LTAP, SPR “Earmarked funding” such as High Priority Projects “Earmarked funding” such as High Priority Projects Emergency Relief Emergency Relief

Amount of funding is based on formulas Each state is different (75/25 split in Michigan Public Act 51 of 1951) Each state is different (75/25 split in Michigan Public Act 51 of 1951) Final dollar amounts are subject to Congressional obligation limitation Final dollar amounts are subject to Congressional obligation limitation Equity Bonus Equity Bonus

Future Funding is subject to change SAFETEA-LU expired in 9/2009 SAFETEA-LU expired in 9/2009 Administration & Congressional priorities may change Administration & Congressional priorities may change Future motor fuel revenues may vary Future motor fuel revenues may vary The Highway Trust Fund has been saved from insolvency by Congress. 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 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) 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 Must be coordinated with the MPO and the State DOT

Traditional State and Local Funding Sources User fees (dedicated and non-dedicated) User fees (dedicated and non-dedicated) Bonds (revenue and general obligation) Bonds (revenue and general obligation) General revenues General revenues

Innovative Financing Public/private partnerships Public/private partnerships Tolls – Congestion pricing Tolls – Congestion pricing Advance construction Advance construction GARVEE bonds and TIFIA loans GARVEE bonds and TIFIA loans State Infrastructure Bank State Infrastructure Bank

What is Operations? Strategies and approaches to improve system performance Strategies and approaches to improve system performance Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Traffic Signal Operations Traffic Signal Operations Reversible lanes Reversible lanes Incident Management Incident Management Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

Freight Movement Good freight movement is vital to a region’s economy Good freight movement is vital to a region’s economy MPO should examine how freight moves in and out of its region MPO should examine how freight moves in and out of its region Engage the freight community to find “win-win” solutions to problems Engage the freight community to find “win-win” solutions to problems

Safety 2010 saw a reduction in fatality levels not seen since the 1950s 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. 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. 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 Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, or national origin Proactive Public Involvement key to compliance Proactive Public Involvement key to compliance

Questions?

Thank You Chris Dingman FHWA-Michigan Division 315 W. Allegan, Room 201 Lansing, MI Spencer Stevens FHWA-Office of Planning Oversight and Stewardship 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington, DC or