Ohio Grantee Meeting Large, Small Urban and Rural Systems SAFETEA-LU Update September 19, 2006

Marisol Simon Regional Administrator Dwight Sinks Regional Civil Rights Officer Donald Gismondi Deputy Regional Administrator Nancy-Ellen Zusman Regional Counsel Melody Hopson, P.E. Cyrell McLemore Andrea Orr General Engineers Derek Davis Lisa Joiner Oscar Waller Transportation Program Specialists Rhonda Reed--Director Office of Planning & Program Development Dominick Gatto, P.E.--Director Office of Program Management & Oversight Vanessa Adams Victor Austin Stewart McKenzie David Werner Bill Wheeler Community Planners Linda Glover Andrew Minyo Transportation Representatives

Region 5 Organization Office of Planning and Program Development Planning – TIP/STIP reviews, planning certification reviews Grant development and approval Environmental reviews Office of Program Management Post grant award activities Oversight activities

Job Access and Reverse Commute Program Supports the development and maintenance of transportation programs that offer job access and reverse commute services to people with lower incomes Includes capital and operating costs Now formula program instead of discretionary States and designated recipients must select grantees competitively Formula-Funds Apportioned to States Direct Apportionment to UZA >200,000 Operating Match is Capital/Planning Match is % for Administration, Planning, and Technical Assistance

New Freedom New formula program Enhances transportation for people with disabilities New public transportation services Alternatives to public transportation beyond the ADA

New Freedom Based on Population of People with Disabilities-identified by US Census (over age 5) Apportioned to the State Direct Apportionment to UZA > 200,000 Operating at 50-50/Capital at % for Administration, Planning, and Technical Assistance

New Freedom New Fixed Route –New Routes or Services –All New Service has to meet ADA requirements Environmental Modifications –beyond what is required in ADA –Enhancements including signage, curb cuts, technologies to enhance customer access

New Freedom PARATRANSIT: Expanded Hours for Paratransit Paratransit Beyond ¾ mile Same Day Service Door THROUGH Door Flex Route for Commuter bus or rail access

New Freedom Accessible Taxi Administration of Volunteer Programs Travel Training Mobility Management

Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Grants to states for capital costs for services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities No change in formula based on number of elderly persons and persons with disabilities States must select grantees competitively

Human Service Transportation Coordinated Plan Three programs must be included: Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities (Section 5310) Job Access and Reverse Commute (Section 5316) New Freedom (Section 5317)

Coordinated Plan Coordinate services so as to minimize the duplication of efforts, enhance services and service options for people with disabilities, people with lower incomes, and seniors Must be developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation and human services providers, as well as the public Coordinated plans are created for entire regions or jurisdictions

Coordinated Plan Elements Assessment of available services (public, private, non-profit) Strategies to address gaps and achieve efficiencies Priorities for implementation

Coordinated Plan Partners Transportation providers - public and private and non-profit Human service agencies MPOs Consumers/Advocates Others

The Plan Lists Both Objectives and Outcomes for Coordination The process of building a coordinated plan involves several important steps: CollaborationCollaboration Public InvolvementPublic Involvement Assessment of Needs and ResourcesAssessment of Needs and Resources Identification of StrategiesIdentification of Strategies

Designated Recipient Responsible for implementing a competitive selection process and managing the program A state agency designated by the Governor to administer the JARC and NFP in small urban and rural areas A public entity designated by the Governor in coordination with local officials in urban areas over 200,000 in population

Designated Recipient Elderly program funds are allocated to the states States may make grants to private non- profit organizations and to public agencies if they are designated to provide coordinated service

Competitive Selection Designated Recipients in large urban areas must coordinate with the MPOs in conducting the competitive selection process In regions under 200,000 in population, the State is the recipient of funding and is solely responsible for conducting the competitive selection process

Competitive Selection Develop Process for Competition –Frequency of competition –Selection process –Public notification –Open competition –Evaluation criteria and project selection Certification of Fair and Equitable Distribution

Relation to Metropolitan and Statewide Planning May occur within the context of the metropolitan transportation planning process or it may outside the confines of that process, depending on local choice Projects selected from the coordinated plan must be included in the Transportation Plan, TIP and the STIP

JARC/New Freedom/Sec September 6, Federal Register Notice Draft Program Circulars - JARC, New Freedom, Section 5310 available for public comment Includes guidance for implementing the coordinated plan

United We Ride Use the United We Ride Framework for Action for creating the coordinated plan

New Starts New Small Starts Program New Discretionary Program for Alternatives Analysis (Sec. 5339) $25 million in FY 06 Ratings – Five Levels (formerly three) Revised Criteria Revised Project Development and Project Evaluation Procedures

Small Starts Capital Grants for New Fixed Guideway Systems and Extension and Bus Corridor Improvements –For projects requesting less than $75 million in New Starts Funds –Total project cost must be less than $250 million –Streamlined criteria and process Separate funding category beginning in FY 07 ($100 million proposed)

Small Starts Definition Must be a fixed guideway; or Have at least 50% of the project in fixed guideway during peak periods; or Be a corridor-based BRT with stations, signal priority, low floor vehicles, corridor branding, 10 minute peak/15 minute off-peak headways

Small Starts Non-Fixed Guideway Corridor Improvements (e.g., Bus Rapid Transit) allowed Large Starts projects may not be sub- divided into several Small Starts projects Exemption for Projects Under $25 Million Eliminated –All projects receiving funding must be analyzed and rated

Small Starts Simplified Development Process –Planning and Alternatives Analysis –Project Development Eliminates separate approval into PE and FD –Construction Multi-year Project Construction Grant Agreement

Very Small Starts Proposed minimum current ridership requirement average weekday Less than $50 million in cost or less than $3 million per mile Small Starts projects may not be sub- divided into several Very Small Starts projects

Very Small Starts Simplified technical approaches to estimating costs and benefits. Develop project warrants based on the nature of the project and effect on mobility and land use benefits.

New Starts/Small Starts Guidance on New Starts Polices and Procedures - May 16, 2006 Proposed Small Starts Interim Guidance June 5, 2006 Small Starts Interim Guidance – August 8, 2006 New Starts NPRM – Fall 2006 Final Rule

Non Urbanized Area Formula Program Sec For public transportation in rural areas and small urban areas under 50,000 in population State administered program Funds apportioned on a formula basis to the states for transportation services in rural areas

Section 5311 cont The Program of Projects must provide maximum feasible coordination with transportation services funded by other Federal sources State must expend at least 15% for intercity bus including activities such as: –Coordinating rural connections between transit operators and intercity bus carriers, or certify that needs are met The 15% allowed for state administration can support, coordination, planning, and technical assistance

Section 5311 continued Recipients must submit data on service levels, costs, and revenues to the National Transit Database (NTD) –total annual revenue –sources of revenue –annual operating and capital costs –fleet size –type and related facilities –revenue vehicle miles –ridership

National Transit Database FTA's primary national database for statistics on the transit industry State DOT provides a consolidated report to NTD for Section

Transportation Cooperative Research Program Reports Effective Approaches to Meeting Rural Intercity Bus Transportation Needs, Report 79 Toolkit for Rural Community Coordinated Transportation Services, Report

5307 Urbanized Area Program Transit enhancement activities are no longer a set-aside. All recipients must certify that 1% is being used for security.

Statewide and Metropolitan Planning NPRM Safety/Security de-coupled to emphasize each Expanded environmental factor to promote consistency with planned growth and economic development Plans must discuss environmental mitigation New consultations Expanded Participation Plan

Planning NPRM Transportation planning should be consistent with regional transit security strategies. Plans should incorporate or summarize emergency relief and disaster preparedness plans, strategies, and policies that support homeland security and safeguard the personal security of all motorized and non-motorized users

Planning NPRM 4-Year Plan update in nonattainment and maintenance areas for transportation plans, TIPs, and STIPs TIPs and STIPs are 4-year programs, funds for first two years must be available and committed

Planning NPRM Consistent with Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan Annual listing of obligated projects, in cooperation with MPO, state and transit operator Visualization techniques to improve understanding of transportation plans and programs

Planning NPRM Published June 9, 2006 Target Final Rule Publication: Early 2007 SAFETEA-LU Phase-In Date: July 1, 2007

Environmental Determinations & Grant Requirements Categorical Exclusions (CE) Activities known to have little or no adverse effects Requirement for grant - Choose applicable citation in the grant application

Environmental Determinations & Grant Requirements Documented CEs Activities that may, under certain circumstances, have adverse effects Grant Requirement – additional information on project site and surrounding land use must be submitted with grant application. Use FTA CE Checklist & Attach to Grant Application

Environmental Determinations & Grant Requirements Environmental Assessment Activities /projects where the significance of environmental impacts cannot be readily determined Grant Requirement – complete EA; receipt of FONSI necessary to proceed with grant

Environmental Determinations & Grant Requirements Factors to be considered when deciding between a documented CE and an EA 1.The likely level of public interest or controversy associated with a project 2.The need to consider alternatives, and 3.The need to mitigate multiple categories

Environmental Determinations & Grant Requirements Environmental Impact Statement Major projects that significantly effect the environment Grant Requirement – Prepare EIS; Record of Decision required to proceed with grant

SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process (Section 6002) Changes to existing FHWA & FTA procedures for implementing NEPA New review process for projects developed as EIS Promote efficient project management by lead agencies Enhance coordination with other federal, state, local & tribal government agencies during project development

Grant Processing All information must be in TEAM Certifications and Assurances Civil Rights Requirements Recipient Information Updated Grant Numbers Project Information Budget Milestones Environmental Findings Fleet Status

Grant Processing Contd Planning Documentation All project must be in the current approved STIP Include in grant application: Copy of TIP/STIP page(s) Copy of TIP cover page Copy of FTA approval letter

Grant Processing, Contd ITS Projects CMAQ Transfers & Documentation Toll Revenue Credit Letter Land Acquisition Documentation

Program Management & Oversight Annual Grantee Oversight Assessment Regional Oversight (e.g. Site Visit, Written Guidance, Meeting, Training) Program Specific Reviews Triennial Financial Management Procurement Safety and Security Civil Rights State Management ITS

Triennial Reviews Mandated by Congressional Law Important Performance Measure for FTA Technical Assistance Added to Program 80% of Review Findings Closed Out by Due Date-FTA Core Accountability

Triennial Reviews Findings Summary –Diligent; Attentive; Knowledgeable –Average number is 6 –Key ConcernsMaintenance; ADA; Charter; Drug & Alcohol Grantee Ideas for Successful Review –Start and maintain File –Study the previous Review –Schedule (flexible) to include agency staff –Garner ideas from Consultant when on-site –Follow-up on Findings before due date Ohio Reviews in 2006 –Ohio DOT State Management Review –Akron Metro; COTA; Sandusky; Stark Area; SORTA; TARTA

Questions and Wrap Up Contact Information Marisol R. Simon, Regional Administrator Federal Transit Administration 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320 Chicago, IL Dominick J. Gatto, PE Vanessa Adams David Werner Oscar Waller Website -