Pioneer Valley Unified Planning Work Program Fiscal Year 2004 October 2003 to September 30, 2004 1 , Draft Document May,2003 Prepared by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission JUL ! This document is developed through the assistance of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation & Construction, the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Digitized by the Internet Archive 2015 in https://archive.org/details/pioneervalleyuni00pion_1 Table of Contents Introduction 1 Work Element 1 - Managementand Certification of the 3C Process 3 Task 1.1 Management ofthe 3-C Process 3 Task 1.2 Unified Planning Work Program 4 Task 1.3 Public Participation Process 4 Task 1.4 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Development 5 Task 1.5 Statewide Funding Proposal Assistance 6 Task 1.6 Environmental Justice 6 Work Element 2 -Technical Support& Data Collection 8 Task2.1 Traffic Counting 8 Task2.2 Regional Travel Demand Modeling/Clean Air Planning 9 Task2.3 GIS, Mapping and Graphics 10 Task2.4 Information Center 12 Task 2.5 Regional Congestion Management System-Data Collection 13 Task2.6 Regional Pavement Management System - Data Collection 13 Work Element 3 - Regional Transportation Planning 15 Task3.1 McKnight and Bay Neighborhood Traffic Study 15 Task 3.2 Transit System Surveys and Route Implementation 15 Task 3.3 Executive Order418 Implementation 16 Task 3.4 Jacob's LadderTrail Scenic Byway Project 17 Task 3.5 Regional Congestion Management System-Project Development 18 Task 3.6 Regional Pavement Management System - Project Development 20 Task 3.7 Merrick Neighborhood Transportation Study 20 Task 3.8 Regional Safety and Planning Studies 21 Task 3.9 IntelligentTransportation Systems (ITS) - Strategic Planning 22 Task 3.10 Transit Economic Development and Access to Jobs - Regionwide Studies/Programs.23 Task3.11 Connecticut RiverWalk & Bikeway Coordination 24 Task 3.12 Maple Street Bridge Project, Chester 25 Task 3.13 Transportation Demand Management : Bicycling in the PioneerValley (Sharethe Road) 25 Task 3.14 SumnerAvenue Express Corridor Project 26 Task 3.15 PVTA's Communications and CAD/AVL Needs Analysis and Functional Requirements27 Work Element4 - Ongoing Transportation Planning 28 Task4.1 Regional Transit Planning 28 Task4.2 Paratransit Planning Assistance 29 Task4.3 Implementing the Regional Land Use Plan 30 Task4.4 Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning 31 Task4.5 Local Technical Assistance 32 Task4.6 Local Pavement Management Program 33 Task4.7 PioneerValley Community Transit Enhancement Project 34 Additional Planning Projects 35 PioneerValley Metropolitan Planning Organization Members 36 JointTransportation Committee (JTC) 37 Transportation planning Staff 37 Staffing Report 39 Previous Transportation Studies 40 Studies Completed as Part of the FY2003 UPWP 40 Funding Profile 41 Funding Summary 42 MPO Endorsement Sheet 43 I Introduction The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a narrative description of the annual technical work program for a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3C) transportation planning process in the Pioneer Valley Region. As the lead planning agency for the Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is responsible for developing the UPWP in cooperation with other members of the MPO including the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, the Executive Office ofTransportation and Construction (EOTC), and the Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway). The UPWP provides an indication ofregional long and short-range transportation planning objectives, the manner in which these objectives will be achieved, the budget necessary to sustain the overall planning effort, and the sources of funding for each specific program element. All tasks will be performed by the PVPC in cooperation with appropriate agencies, unless otherwise stated. The work tasks within this UPWP are reflective of issues and concerns originating from transportation agencies at the federal, state and local levels. As always, the UPWP continues and extends the PVPC's emphasis on "results-oriented" tasks. In addition, several tasks are specifically targeted to implement provisions of several pieces of federal legislation, particularly the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^' Century (TEA-21), the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The descriptions ofthe tasks to be accomplished and the budgets for these tasks are based on the best estimate of what can be accomplished within the confines of available resources. If, in the performance ofthis work program, it becomes apparent that certain tasks cannot be accomplished due to changing or unforeseen circumstances, the UPWP will be adjusted by redefining the scope of the tasks and/or reallocating funds among tasks. Such adjustments will be developed in cooperation with MassHighway, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Pioneer Valley TransitAuthority (PVTA), and other concerned agencies as appropriate. Thetime periods, or"program years", forthe various funding sources are outlined In the following chart: Funding Source Fiscal Period: FHWA/MassHighway October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004 FTA/EOTC October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004 PVTA July, 2003 through June, 2004 Scenic Byways Program Various Contract Periods The Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization endorses the 2004 Unified Planning Work Program for the Pioneer Valley Region once it has been developed cooperatively and in accordance with the Public Participation Process established for this region. This document was endorsedby the Pioneer ValleyMPO on A copyofthe endorsementsheetappears at , the endofthe document. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FUNDING SOURCES FHWA/MassHighway - MassHighway receives two types of funds from FHWA that are passed through to planning agencies to conduct 3C transportation planning activities. These funds include Metropolitan Planning funds (PL) and Statewide Planning and Research funds (SPR) and are apportioned to states on the basis of population in urbanized areas and relative to the amount of highway construction funds the state receives. MassHighway maintains multi-year contracts with planning agencies to conduct transportation related planning activities within each region. These multi-year contracts utilize the PL and SPRfunds received by FHWA. 1 Within the Pioneer Valley region the predominant source of funding from MassHighway is PL funds. Unexpended funds from contract to contract are reserved in a "PL Balance" account for the region. Below is a summary ofPVPC's continuing PL funding account. Total PL Allocations as of October 1, 2002 (FFY 2003) $9,818,876 Total PL Expenditures as ofSeptember 30, 2002 (FFY 2002) $8,862,836 Current PL Balance as ofOctober 1, 2002 $956,040 Estimated PL Expenditure in FFY2004 UPWP $713,014 Estimated PL Balance as ofSeptember 30, 2004 $735,257 Source: MassHighway Atotal of$713,014 in PL funds has been programmed for PVPC's FY2004 Transportation Work Program. Of this $713,014, $639,227 is "new" PL funding for FY2004. The remaining $73,787 is a drawdown from PVPC's PL Balance. SPR funds are also typically administered by the state to carry out specific technical activities. Within the Pioneer Valley region SPR funds will be used to carry out the objectives of Executive Order 418. A total of $29,100 in SPR funds has been programmed forthe FY2004 Unified Planning Work Program which is an estimate of the remaining funds available from the FY2001, FY2002 and FY2003 Unified Planning Work Programs. FTA/EOTC/PVTA -Two types of funds are used for transit planning purposes in the Pioneer Valley region; Section 5303 (formerly Section 8 Metropolitan Planning) and Section 5307 funds (formerly Section 9 Capital) of the Federal Transit Act Amendments of 1991. Section 5303 funds are earmarked for use in planning and technical studies related to urban mass transportation. They are filtered down from the Federal Transit Administration through the EOTC to the regional planning agencies in the Commonwealth. Section 5307 funds can be used for planning as well as other purposes, and are distributed by the FTA on the basis ofthe Regional Transit Authority (RTA) service area population. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, using Section 5307 funds from the FTA, contracts with the PVPC for assistance on a wide range of planning activities. Both funds require a 20% local match, which is provided by the RTA. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO for the development of the UPWP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development ofthe Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant application including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment. For FTA projects that are not routine; i.e. Section 5307 applications that required environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement, the public involvement provided herein for UPWP review is not sufficient. FTA will require additional public involvement prior to grant approval, as presented in thejoint FHWA/FTA environmental regulations, 23 CFR-Part 771. Other Funding Sources - Other funding sources available are typically sought to conduct specific planning activities. These funds include highway funds such as Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds and Scenic Byway funds. Similar to incentive grants provided by the Executive Office of Community Development (EOCD), these funds are awarded on a competitive basis and award is not guaranteed. Many projects completed bythe Community Development and Land Use Sections are funded through the award of competitive grants and through private contracts with local communities. These sources include MIGs grants. Community Development Block Grants, Community DevelopmentAction Grants, and Urban Development Action Grants. The PVPC also receives a modest amount of funding from community assessment dollars which is used to supplementthe local technical assistance program. 2 Work Element 1 - Management and Certification of the 3C Process This work element encompasses the administration and support of the 3-C transportation process and has been divided into the following tasks for FY 2004. Task 1.1 Management ofthe 3-C Process Objective: To assist, support, and facilitate an open Comprehensive, Cooperative, and Continuing (3C) transportation planning and programming process at ail levels of government in conformance with applicable federal and state requirements and guidelines as described in the 3C Memorandum ofUnderstanding. Previous Work: Management of the 3C process using previous Unified Work Program and prospectus documents, transportation plans, Memorandum of Understanding, and Annual Review Reports. Proposed Activities: 1. Provide liaisons between PVPC communities, PVTA, private transportation providers, abutting regions and communities including the State of Connecticut, and other organizations at the local, regional, state, and federal levels on transportation related matters, issues and actions. 2. Work with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and its constituent members. Present transportation plans and programs developed through the 3C public participation process for MPO appropriate action. 3. Provide technical assistance to the Transportation Policy Advisory Group (i.e. JointTransportation Committee) and subgroups thereof. 4. Participate in Transportation Managers Group as a means to continually improve the quality and operation of the transportation planning process. 5. Review and comment on federal and state transportation-related plans, programs, regulations and guidelines. 6. Provide transportation planning services in support of the PVPC's comprehensive planning programs and conduct meetings and workshops on transportation issues. 7. Participate in informational transportation programs and courses. Review literature on new transportation planning procedures. 8. Administration ofExecutive Order418 Contractsfor communities. Products: 1. Technical assistance memoranda, reports, and workshops as needed. 2. Updates to certification documents as required. MPO 3. meeting minutes. Source Budget Est. StaffEffort MassHighwayPL $32,000 20weeks FTAS.5303 $10,000 6weeks PVTAS.5307 $6,250 4weeks TOTAL $48,250 30weeks 3 . Task 1.2 Unified Planning Worii Program Objective: To prepare and continually maintain a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) that describes all transportation and transportation-related planning activities anticipated within the PVPC planning region during the forthcoming period regardless of funding source. To develop, maintain, and complete the UPWP in conformance with applicable federal, state, and regional guidelines. Previous Work: 1. PioneerValley Unified Work Programs 1974 - 2003. Proposed Activities: 1. Review and amend relevant portions of the PVPC's UPWP in order to meet new planning requirements and/or circumstances pertinent to the region's transportation sector. Circulate revisions to the appropriate agencies for review and/orendorsement. 2. Develop a new UPWP for the PVPC planning region covering the next program year. The development of a new UPWP will be prepared in cooperation with the Regional Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) and MassHighway and subject to the adopted Public Participation Plan. Products: 1. Amendments to the current UPWP as necessary. 2. UPWP forthe next program year (FFY 2004) Source Budget Est. StaffEffort MassHighwayPL $4,000 3weeks FTAS.5303 $1,250 1 weeks TOTAL $5,250 4weeks Task 1.3 Public Participation Process Objective: To provide the publicwith complete information, timely notice, full access to key decisions and opportunities for eady and continuing involvement in the 3C process. To assess the effectiveness of the current Public Participation Process and to develop and enhance the process of regional involvement supporting the objectives ofTEA-21 Previous Work: 1. PioneerValley Public Participation Process 2000-2004. 2. Memorandum of Understanding for the restructure of the Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. 3. PVPC website. 4. "REGION" - PVPC cable access show. Proposed Activities: 1 . Refine the current Public Participation Process as needed. 2. Apply the Public Participation Process to transportation programs and tasks: prepare for public meetings, attend public meetings, use the outreach staff person to increase public participation, inform and educate residents and employers of the region about TEA-21, CAAA, and PVPC activities. 3. Reviewthe Public Participation Process and enhance as necessary. 4. Apply new and innovative approaches to improve public participation levels and opportunities, especially for plans and programs. 5. Provide assistance in implementing start-up activities for grant- funded projects, including TEA-21 Enhancement projects. 4 Assistance will include developing RFPs, advertising projects for bids, assisting in engineer/designer selection and developing contracts for grant-funded projects. Products: 1. Meeting minutes. 2. Press releases forTDM, TMA and Enhancement projects. Source Budget Est. StaffEffort MassHighwayPL $23,263 14weeks FTAS.5303 $ 4,375 2weeks PVTAS.5307 $ 5,000 3weeks TOTAL $32,638 19weeks Task 1.4 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Development Objective: As lead planning agency of the Pioneer Valley MPO, PVPC is responsible for annually developing, amending, adjusting and maintaining the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Pioneer Valley Region. Underthis activity, PVPC will update and refine a staged program oftransportation improvement projects that is consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan, the State Implementation Plan, EPA Air Quality Conformity Regulations and FHWA/FTA Planning Regulations. Previous Work: 1. PioneerValley Transportation Improvement Programs 1974 -2003. Proposed Activities: 1. Solicit transportation improvement projects from municipalities, MassHighway, PVTA and othertransportation providers. 2. Maintain a database of improvement projects. Data will satisfy the requirements ofthe Metropolitan Planning Rules. 3. Provide technical assistance to the JTC for the refinement and application ofa project priority system. 4. Maintain the financial element for all years of the TIP. Financial constraint will be maintained based on funding targets provided by MassHighway. Funding sources will also be provided when available. 5. Present air quality conformity findings conducted for the RTP and TIP. Analyses and documentation will satisfy the requirements ofthe Metropolitan Planning Rules. 6. Maintain a schedule for preparing, reviewing and revising the TIP cooperativelywith federal, state and regional officials. 7. Conduct appropriate public participation for the TIP consistent with the public participation plan forthe region. 8. Present documents to the MPO forendorsement. 9. Conductformal amendments and adjustments as necessary. 10. Produce and distribute TIP documents for federal, state and local officials. 11. Attend regular meetings with MassHighway staff from both district offices to exchange information regarding transportation improvement projects. 12. Maintain an internet based TIP database for both public and official use. Products: 1. FFY2004 - 2008 Transportation Improvement Program. 5 2. Develop and refine procedures necessary for TIP preparation and amendment as necessary. 3. TIP Amendments and Adjustments as necessary. Source Budget Est, StaffEffort MassHighwayPL $28,000 18weeks FTAS.5303 $ 5,625 3weeks PVTAS.5307 $5,625 3 weeks TOTAL $39,250 24weeks Task 1.5 Statewide Funding Proposal Assistance Objective: To provide management, guidance and technical support for the development and maintenance of statewide TIP funding programs. Programs include Transportation Enhancements, Travel Demand Management, and Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality. Previous Work: 1. Funding Proposal Assistance - 1998 - 2003. 2. Participated as MARPA representative to Statewide Enhancement Steering Committee 1998-2003. Proposed Activities: 1. Provide technical assistance to communities in the development of project grant proposals, in public outreach and consensus building, and in implementing projects through the MassHighway funding process. Products: 1. Technical assistance to communities on Enhancement project development. Source Budget Est. StaffEffort MassHighwayPL $10,000 6weeks PVTAS.5307 $2.500 2weeks TOTAL $12,500 8weeks Task 1.6 Environmental Justice Objective: To ensure that minority and low-income communities are treated equitably in the provision of transportation services and projects, and provide full participation forthese communities to advise the MPO during its planning and decision making process. Previous Work: 1. Development of regional maps to identify areas of low-income and minority populations, average vehicle ownership, major employers, the PVTAfixed route transitsystem, and majorshopping areas. 2. PVPC staff attended FHWA training workshops on Title VI. Coordinated a presentation to JTC members regarding Title VI and Environmental Justice. 3. Developed bilingual survey forms fortransit surveys. 4. Provided presentation to the JTC and Plan for Progress Urban Investment Strategy Team regarding transportation planning in the region 5. Updated region-wide databases and GIS maps ofWelfare clients. 6. Participation in the region-wide Welfare-to-Work Task Force and Hampden County SDA Quartet meetings. 7. Develop bilingual pubic notices forthe Transportation Improvement Plan and the Regional Transportation Plan. 6