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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.23.24 TTAC MinutesMINUTES APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Vicky Robrock, Scott Larson, Ellen Habel Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel North Liberty: Josiah Bilskemper University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Johnson County: Greg Parker, Tom Brase STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Hannah Neel 1. CALL TO ORDER Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates Ralston recognized Ellen Habel as an alternate for Kelly Hayworth. b. Consider approval of meeting minutes From moved to approve, Larson seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5307 TRANSIT OPERATING FORMULA FUNDING APPORTIONMENT FOR FY2023 Neel stated that MPOJC has a total of $4,672,402 available in FY2023 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 operating assistance. Neel noted that this amount includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC) funding and that funds can be used for transit operating expenses. Neel explained that for more than 10 years, the MPO has used the same local formula to distribute these funds based on prior year transit statistics from each of the three systems: 25% operating/maintenance costs, 25% locally determined income (LDI), 25% revenue miles, and 25% fare revenue. Neel explained that Iowa City requested a review of the formula because their system is now fare-free. After discussions with the three transit managers and a review of past allocations, the consensus was to adopt a fixed percentage-based allocation that is based on historic averages. Neel stated that at their July 11, 2023 meeting, the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board approved the following fixed percentages to apportion FTA Section 5307 funds: Coralville 16.10%, Iowa City 60.50%, Cambus 23.40%. The funding apportionment for FY2023 is: $752,257 for Coralville, $2,826,803 for Iowa City, and $1,093,342 for Cambus. Neel asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding the apportionment of the FY2023 FTA Section 5307 operating funds. Nagle-Gamm moved to approve the recommendation; McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE STATEWIDE URBAN DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS (SUDAS) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ralston explained that every other year MPOJC is asked to appoint a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. Ralston noted that Scott Larson of Coralville is currently the MPO representative and has indicated his willingness and desire to continue representing the MPO for another two-year term. Ralston asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding a two- year appointment to the SUDAS Board of Directors, noting that the only requirement is that the representative is a professional engineer working for one of the MPOJC entities. Habel moved to recommend Scott Larson for the two-year appointment; Parker seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC FY25 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM & FY25-28 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULES Ralston explained that the Transportation Planning Work Program is a document developed each year to identify projects that will be addressed by MPOJC the following fiscal year. Ralston stated that the MPO will begin soliciting for FY25 Work Program projects from communities in February and that the draft Work Program must be submitted by March 31st, 2024. Ralston explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area including streets, highways, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. Ralston noted that for projects to receive and utilize federal funds, they need to be included in the TIP. Ralston stated that in 2023, the Urbanized Area Policy Board awarded $9.3 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds which are reflected in the FY25-28 TIP, and that in 2025, the Policy Board will allocate more than $13 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, Transportation Alternative Program, and Carbon Reduction Program funds to be programmed in FY29-30. Ralston stated that in July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the FY25-28 TIP for adoption and that in preparation for public review, staff would be working with communities to ensure projects are programmed in the appropriate fiscal year. 6. UPDATE ON THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT Walz reminded the Committee that in July 2023, MPO staff submitted an application for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. Walz stated that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years and that the SS4A program grants go directly to regional, local, and Tribal communities. Walz explained that on December 13th, 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its second round of grant awards and that the MPO was awarded a $300,000 grant to create a Safety Action Plan focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. Walz noted that the adoption of such a plan will make urbanized area communities eligible for demonstration and implementation grants to correct the issues identified in the Safety Action Plan. 7. UPDATE ON METRO AREA BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COLLISION DATA Walz explained that the number of reported collisions involving bicycles and pedestrians began trending downward starting in 2016, reaching an all-time low in 2020. Walz stated that even though there was an increase in collisions from 2020-2022, it appears that in 2023, collisions are returning to the previous downward trend. Walz noted that although the number of collisions is declining, the severity of pedestrian collisions has been on the rise. She also noted that 2023 was the first year that there were no serious injury/fatality collisions for bikes. 8. UPDATE ON METRO AREA TRAFFIC COLLISION ANALYSIS Bothell stated that staff has completed an update on the Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis. The updated analysis identifies any intersection or mid-block location that experienced three or more collisions in the urbanized area between 2020-2022. Locations were ranked based on a formula using number of collisions, crash rates, and severity of collisions. Bothell provided maps of the top collision locations and noted that the full analysis should be available later in the month. 9. UPDATE ON PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT DATA AVAILABILITY Bothell explained that the Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University developed the Iowa Pavement Management Program (IPMP) in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). Bothell stated that this program provides local agencies with access to pavement condition data, tools, and training for both project and network-level activities. As part of the program, the Institute for Transportation hires a vendor to provide pavement conditions on interstates, national highway system routes, Iowa Department of Transportation routes, and local public agency routes. Bothell reminded the Committee that in 2022, the Urbanized Area Policy Board approved $60,000 in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funding to continue the two-year pavement data collection cycle for local routes. Bothell noted that staff at the Institute for Transportation has informed MPO staff that pavement condition data has been collected for all roadways in the Johnson County Urbanized Area. This data will be made available to local jurisdictions in June or July of 2024. 10. VERBAL UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC BUS RAPID TRANSIT STUDY FROM THE MPOJC DIRECTOR Ralston reminded the Committee of the ongoing CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility study that is being completed by Felsburg, Holt, and Ullevig with Nelson Nygaard Associates and noted that it should be completed by July 2024. 11. OTHER BUSINESS From stated that the previously discussed installation of traffic cameras in University Heights has been delayed but that they should be going up in the next few months. From also shared that University Heights is working on the preliminary plans for their streetscape project on Melrose Avenue. Bilskemper gave an update on a few projects in North Liberty including a railroad crossing on Penn Street, the reconstruction of a portion of West Penn Street near I-380, the installation of traffic signals on Forevergreen Road at Jones Boulevard, and the widening of I-380 at West Penn Street and the associated bridge work. Havel stated that they currently have an RFQ out for the Burlington Street bridges project. Havel also discussed the road and pedestrian path closures associated with this project. Sovers noted that the Benton Street project has been substantially completed as of this fall. Sovers also stated that the Rochester Avenue project is now in its final phase which will involve the intersection of 1st Avenue and Rochester Avenue. Sovers mentioned that the project to replace the Gilbert Street bridge over Ralston Creek will begin in March and will require a full closure. Sovers stated that Iowa City will overlay Park Road from North Riverside Drive to Rocky Shore Drive. Some pavement patching will also be done on Mormon Trek Boulevard. Larson gave an update on the diverging diamond interchange on 1st Avenue, stating that it is making good progress with mostly structural work at this time and that the pr oject is expected to be complete by the end of 2024. Another project beginning soon is the reconstruction of 5th Street. Larson stated that Coralville and North Liberty are currently working together on a functional design study regarding the extension of Forevergreen Road, and the study should be completed by the end of August. Nagle-Gamm gave an update on the fare-free pilot program for Iowa City Transit and stated that ridership has increased by an average of 45% over the 5 months that the program has been active. Nagle-Gamm also mentioned that an RFQ will be put out for the design and support for the new Iowa City transit facility. McClatchey stated that the construction of the ramp in lot 43 is progressing. McClatchey also mentioned that Cambus is currently experimenting with automated passenger counters. Rummel shared that Iowa City Transit is looking into updating the AVL hardware on its buses to improve tracking capabilities and predictions. 12. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn the meeting; Nagle-Gamm seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:06 AM.