1. ADOT Multimodal Planning Division Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) Program Overview Webinar February 26, 2015

2. Program Overview PARA program is competitive application process Covers of study costs No local match required budget cap for Planning Studies 10-15% allocated towards public involvement tasks Addresses roadway, transit, and non-motorized transportation issues budget cap for Pre-Scoping process Assists in developing more accurate project SOW, budget, and schedule prior to programming. 2

3. Overview Continued Next PARA cycle begins now, February 2015 PARA Applications were distributed on February 25, 2015 Applications Due March 30, 2015 Applications will be reviewed and approved by MPD Regional Planners and Management in April 2015 Approved Planning Studies and Pre-Scoping projects will begin in State fiscal year (FY) 2016 (starting July 2015). 3

4. Overview Continued Eligible Applicants Local communities, cities, towns, and counties located outside Transportation Management Areas (Phoenix and Tucson urbanized boundaries) Tribal governments and their sub-units are also eligible including: chapters, districts and villages

5. Eligible Activities Planning activities eligible for funding include: Roadway operations and facilities planning Transit operations and facilities planning Feasibility review of public transit with intent of seeking FTA or other funding assistance General Plan Circulation Element development / update Scenario Planning Bike / Ped Planning including General Plan Bicycle elements Trails Planning as part of a multimodal roadway, pedestrian and transit system. 5

6. 6 Ineligible Activities Design documents; Environmental clearances (NEPA documents); Engineering documents including pre-design and DCRs; and Construction of facilities or capital expenses including: staff salaries, and purchasing computer hardware.

7. FY 15 Selected Projects Havasupai Tribe Transport Plan Bellemont Access Management Plan Pinetop-Lakeside Pedestrian Safety Study Ganado/Burnside Areas Traffic Circulation Graham County Transit Feasibility Study Verde Valley Multimodal Study

8. 8 PARA Study Examples / FAQ Examples of previous studies and a FAQ page can be accessed through the PARA website at: http://www.azdot.gov/planning/CurrentStudies/PAR AStudies

9. 9 ADOT Project Management ADOT Planner Responsibilities: Overall project management Consultant selection oversight Scheduling TAC meetings Deliverables review and acceptance Consultant services payment Consultant Selection Project Oversight TAC Scheduling Deliverable Review Consultant Payment

10. 10 Applicant’s Role The Local Public Agency or Tribal Government will… Assist ADOT PM as part of study team Assist with development of public involvement materials used in related activities (e.g. public meetings, forums and stakeholder meetings) Provide guidance and local perspective including timely review and final approval of all deliverables Assist with securing meeting rooms for project meetings (e.g. public meetings, TAC meetings, PMT meetings)

11. Application Preparation Applications must be prepared by local agency staff Consultants assisting with application preparation will be disqualified from bidding on projects Partnerships between communities are encouraged, and lead agency must be identified. 11

12. Planning Study Application Content This section will carry the most weight in the scoring process. Primary elements: Overall project considerations Demonstration of the need for study Identify the MAP-21 Performance Management Goal(s) the study would achieve Demonstration of Community Support Demonstration of how the Planning Study would benefit the region 12 Background, Purpose, Need and Goals Statement

13. Study Content Guidelines Studies may consider any amount of the following Performance Management Goals (as identified in MAP-21): Safety—To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Infrastructure condition—To maintain the highway infrastructure asset system in a state of good repair. Congestion reduction—To achieve a significant reduction in congestion on the National Highway System (NHS). (Refer to page 7 of the following link: http://azdot.gov/docs/default- source/maps/mapbook_2014.pdf?sfvrsn=4) System reliability—To improve the efficiency of the surface transportation system. Freight movement and economic vitality—To improve the national freight network, strengthen the ability of rural communities to access national and international trade markets, and support regional economic development. Environmental sustainability—To enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Reduced project delivery delays—To reduce project costs, promote jobs and the economy, and expedite the movement of people and goods by accelerating project completion through eliminating delays in the project development and delivery process, including reducing regulatory burdens and improving agencies’ work practices. 13

14. Scoring Criteria 14 (Application Page 10, Appendix C) Overall Project Considerations0-20 points Demonstrates Need for Study0-25 points Incorporates Planning Elements0-15 points Demonstrates Community Support0-15 points Benefits the State, Region, and/or Community0-25 points

15. Pre-Scoping Process How does it work? Pre-Scoping is a 7-step process: 1. Pre-Scoping application submitted/approved 2. ADOT assigns consultant, TAC, and schedules a kick-off meeting and Field Review 3. TAC meets in field to identify issues 4. Consultant prepares Field Review Form – TAC approves the project scope 5. Consultant prepares Draft Schedule, Budget, and Scoping Document 6. TAC approves deliverables 7. Project is programmed through appropriate COG/MPO TIP

16. Pre-Scoping Process continued… What are the outputs of the Pre-Scoping process? After performing a Field Review with ADOT staff and the consultant, the consultant will produce the following deliverables for review/approval: 1) Draft Project Scoping Document 2) Draft Project Schedule 3) Draft Project Budget

17. Pre-Scoping Process continued… Why are the outputs of the Pre-Scoping process important? Reduce delays during project design Scope changes Contract modifications Funding requests TIP Amendments Improve ability to manage budgets and TIP

18. 18 Questions? All questions and application submittals should be directed to: Dan Gabiou PARA Program Manager Email: dgabiou@azdot.gov Arizona Department of Transportation Multimodal Planning Division 206 South 17 th Avenue, Mail Drop 310B Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phone: 602-712-7025 Fax: 602-712-3046