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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.21.25 TTAC Agenda PacketMEETING NOTICE MPOJC Transportation Technical Advisory Committee Tuesday, January 21, 2025 – 10:30 AM Emma Harvat Hall Iowa City City Hall AGENDA 1.Call to order; recognize alternates; consider approval of meeting minutes 2.Public discussion of any item not on the agenda* 3.Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula funding apportionment for FY2024 4.Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Policy Board regarding the MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation Alternatives Program, and Carbon Reduction Program grant funding process 5.Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Policy Board regarding participation in the Iowa DOT pavement data collection program 6.Update on the MPOJC FY26 Transportation Planning Work Program & FY26-29 Transportation Improvement Program schedules 7.Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant 8.Other Business 9.Adjournment *Public input is permitted on any agenda item. Please indicate to the Chair if you wish to comment on an agenda item. To request any disability-related accommodations or language interpretation, please contact MPOJC staff at 319-356-5230 or Kent-Ralston@Iowa-City.org 48 hours prior to the meeting. MINUTES DRAFT MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Ellen Habel, Scott Larson, Kelly Hayworth Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel North Liberty: Ryan Rusnak University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Johnson County: Dawn Alam, Ed Bartels FHWA: Dakin Schultz Tiffin: Doug Boldt ECICOG: Brock Grenis STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Madelyn Stoen, Camille Lust 1. CALL TO ORDER Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates Ellen Habel was recognized as an alternate for Vicky Robrock (City of Coralville) and Ed Bartels was recognized as an alternate for Greg Parker (Johnson County). b. Consider approval of meeting minutes McClatchey moved to approve, From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA Committee members congratulated Brian McClatchey on his upcoming retirement. Ralston noted that Sam Shea will be the new Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) District 6 Planner. Ralston introduced Dakin Schultz, the Iowa Division planner for the Federal Highway Administration. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SAFETY TARGET SETTING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THE MPO AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION Ralston reminded the Committee of the requirement set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that MPOs set targets for five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program to be reported to the State Department of Transportation (DOT) by February 27th each year. Ralston stated that MPOJC can either choose to support the targets set by the State or set targets for each measure for the metropolitan area. Ralston explained that MPOs are also required to set targets for pavement, bridge, and system reliability performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program to be reported to the State DOT every two years. Since the performance measures were last reported, the DOT has revised three of the four targets. Ralston stated that although there is the option to create targets for our metropolitan area, there is no clear benefit to doing so. As such, Ralston recommended the adoption of the State’s targets for both the safety performance measures and the pavement, bridge, and system reliability performance measures. Ralston asked for a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board to adopt the State’s targets. Hayworth moved to approve the recommendation, Knoche seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT (STBG), TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP), AND CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAM (CRP) SCORING CRITERIA FOR FUNDS ALLOCATED BY MPOJC Bothell explained that MPOJC grant applications for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding will be available in February 2025. Bothell noted that this grant application cycle is the first time that Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds will be awarded by the MPO. This is an opportunity for the Committee to review the grant scoring criteria before the grant funding applications open. These scoring criteria were last updated and approved in November 2022 for the 2023 grant application cycle. In addition to evaluating grant applications, these scoring criteria were also used to score and rank the projects included in the MPOJC 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. Bothell asked the Committee to provide any revisions to the scoring criteria, recommending that any modifications align with the ‘Guiding Principles’ in the adopted Long Range Transportation Plan. Bothell also shared the following estimated dollar amounts available for each funding source. • Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) – $10 Million (FY29 – 30) • Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – $2 Million (FY27 – 30) • Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) – $3 Million (FY23 – 30) The Committee had no suggested edits to the scoring criteria. Sovers moved to approve the scoring criteria for use in the STBG, TAP, and CRP grant programs, Boldt seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION CHANGES FOR MPOJC URBANIZED AREA ROADWAYS Bothell reminded the Committee of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding application available in February 2025, and explained that these funds can only be used on roadways classified as collectors or higher on the Federal Functional Classification (FFC) system. To prepare for the grant solicitation, Bothell requested that each community review the current FFC map and submit any needed revisions by November 30, 2024. Bothell explained that to be included on the FFC system, roadways must demonstrate a high level of transportation connectivity within the respective jurisdiction and new roadways must be included in a community’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Only 35% of the total road milage within the urban area can be designated on the Federal Functional Classification System. Bothell recommended that communities only submit changes if they anticipate applying for federal funding. 6. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC BUS RAPID TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY Ralston stated that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Feasibility study is complete. The goal of the study was to examine the feasibility of providing BRT service in the study corridor and to make comparisons to the previous passenger rail studies that were completed in 2020. Ralston mentioned a few key takeaways from the study, including how alternatives for start and end points for BRT service were narrowed down, the total number of stops, service frequency, and end-to-end travel time. Ralston noted that the ridership for the line was estimated at 3,600 rides per day, with ridership estimated to reach 4,300 rides per day in 2045. In comparison, Iowa City Transit currently provides similar ridership per day. Ralston explained that the total estimated capital costs for implementing BRT are around $92 million, which includes buses, maintenance equipment and facility, track retrofits, stop infrastructure, park and ride facilities, a new transit center, and a 10’ wide trail facility running adjacent to the route (where not currently present). Total yearly maintenance costs are estimated to be around $2.35 million. In comparison, the passenger rail study estimated initial capital costs of around $65 million, with maintenance costs estimated at $6 million per year. Ralston noted that the consultant would be providing a formal presentation of the study results at the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting on November 13th, 2024. 7. UPDATE ON THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT Walz reminded the Committee that in December 2023, the MPO was awarded a $300,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a Safety Action Plan focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. Once the Safety Action Plan is complete, urbanized area communities will be eligible for demonstration and implementation grants to correct issues identified in the plan. Walz stated that at their November 13th meeting, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will vote to approve a contract to accept funds, which will allow the MPO to publish a request for proposals. Hayworth asked how long the demonstration and implementation funding will be available. Ralston responded that although the funding is only available through 2026, it is expected that there will be a continuation of the program and the funding associated with it. Habel asked if there are any other communities in the state that are participating in the program. Ralston stated that all 99 counties in Iowa applied and were awarded funding in the first round of SS4A grants. Ralston noted that many other communities across the state were also awarded funding. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Larson mentioned that the First Avenue and Interstate 80 diverging diamond interchange is now fully functional and operating well. Larson noted that 5th Street has been reopened to the public and will remain open until next spring, when the next phase of the project begins. Finally, Larson explained that the Oakdale Boulevard extension project is nearing completion and will hopefully be open to the public by the end of the month. Sovers explained that the Dubuque Street project is 95% complete and is currently open to traffic. Sovers also noted that the Gilbert Street bridge project is nearing completion and will hopefully be open to traffic by the end of the month. Overlay projects on both Park Road and Benton Street will also be completed soon. From mentioned that the Melrose Avenue complete streets project is progressing with final design plans and construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026. Havel stated that the Burlington Street bridge project has entered the initial study phase, with HDR, Inc. leading the project. This phase is expected to last one year. Nagle-Gamm noted that Iowa City Transit recently completed one year of fare-free service and saw a 43% increase in ridership, which amounts to about 500,000 additional rides on transit. Nagle-Gamm also mentioned that the Iowa City City Council recently approved the contract for architectural and engineering services for the new transit maintenance and equipment facilities. McClatchey noted that CAMBUS has received a grant to purchase six electric buses and modernize their facilities to support the electric buses. CAMBUS is also in the process of designing a new facility that will also include fleet services. McClatchey also mentioned that CAMBUS has recently hired three full-time non-student transit operators to help with staffing issues. Boldt mentioned that the City of Tiffin has hired an Assistant City Manager. Grenis noted that the I-380 Express Bus has continued to see growth in ridership and that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has funded the service through 2026. Bartels explained that the County is working on the Safety Action Plan and that a consultant has been hired. The first workshop will occur in February 2025. Rummel noted that Iowa City Transit is currently fully hired for drivers but is still looking for a mechanic. Burkey stated that the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Economic Impact Study is expected to be released in late January. 9. ADJOURNMENT McClatchey moved to adjourn, From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:18 am. Date: January 14, 2025 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Hannah Neel, Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #3: Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula funding apportionment for FY2024 Iowa DOT has indicated that MPOJC has a total of $4,954,667 available in FY2024 FTA Section 5307 operating assistance. This amount includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC) funding. Section 5307 funds can be used for transit operating and capital expenses. For more than 10 years, the MPO 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. Iowa City Transit requested a review of the formula prior to their agency offering a zero-fare system beginning on August 1, 2023. In addition, the University of Iowa Cambus system does not charge a fare and had never received credit for the fare revenue portion of the formula. Although the percentage/allocation to each of the transit systems has fluctuated over time, a review of past allocations showed that year-over-year changes were small. After discussions with the transit managers, the consensus was to simply adopt a fixed percentage-based allocation (starting with FY 2023 allocations and extending through FY 2027), based on a historic average, and to review those percentages if/when there are major changes to any of the systems (e.g. routes or operations costs). At their July 11, 2023 meeting, the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board approved the following fixed percentages to apportion FTA 5307 funds (Coralville 16.10%, Iowa City 60.50%, and University of Iowa Cambus 23.40%). The following table shows the approved FY2023 apportionment and the FY2024 proposed funding apportionment amounts. Once approved, the MPO will complete and submit the required annual FTA Section 5307 applications on behalf of each transit system. Please be prepared to make a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding the apportionment of the FY2024 FTA Section 5307 operating funds. If you have any questions or comments regarding this information, please contact me at 319-356- 5235 or hneel@iowa-city.org. 2 Approved FY2023 and Proposed FY2024 Section 5307 Operating Apportionments System Multiplier* FY2023 Total Apportionment FY2024 Proposed Apportionment Coralville 0.1610 $ 752,257 $ 797,701 Iowa City 0.6050 $ 2,826,803 $ 2,997,574 CAMBUS 0.2340 $ 1,093,342 $ 1,159,392 TOTAL 1.0000 $ 4,672,402 $ 4,954,667 *Multiplier is a fixed percentage based on the average of 10 years of historic multipliers. Historic multipliers were calculated based on total operating costs, locally determined income, revenue miles, and fare revenue. Date: January 14, 2025 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Emily Bothell, Senior Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #4: Consider a Recommendation to the MPOJC Policy Board Regarding the MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation Alternatives Program, and Carbon Reduction Program grant funding process The MPOJC typically conducts our competitive grant process biennially and calendar year 2025 marks the next grant cycle year. This biennial process has historically reflected the desire of both the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) and the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB) to allow for two years of funding to be allocated at once – thereby allowing projects to receive larger funding awards. MPOJC staff anticipates approximately $10 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding will be available for programming in FY2029-2030, approximately $2 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding will be available for programming in FY27- 30, and approximately $3 million in Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding will be available for programming in FY2026-2030. The 2025 grant process will follow this tentative timeline: February 3, 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity emailed to all jurisdictions. February 24, 2025 STBG, TAP, and CRP applications due by 5:00 p.m. March 5, 2025 Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee (RTBC) meeting to review and discuss projects. March 18, 2025 Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) meeting to review projects and provide a recommendation on funding allocations to the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB). March 26, 2025 UAPB meeting to review projects and approve funding allocations. May 2025 TTAC and UAPB consider Draft FY2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program. July 2025 Final FY2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program presented to the UAPB for adoption. Please be prepared to make a recommendation to the Policy Board regarding the grant funding process. I will be at your January 21st meeting to answer any questions you may have. Date: January 14, 2025 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Emily Bothell, Senior Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #5: Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Policy Board regarding participation in the Iowa DOT pavement data collection program The Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University developed the Iowa Pavement Management Program (IPMP) to establish a comprehensive system for managing pavement conditions across all roads in the state. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) funds the collection of pavement condition data every two years for Interstates, National Highway System routes, and Iowa DOT routes, and every four years for local routes. However, local agencies, such as Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) or individual jurisdictions, have the option to purchase pavement condition data for local routes every four years, allowing them to maintain a two-year data collection cycle. Pavement condition data for all local routes in our metropolitan area was last collected in 2023 at the cost of $39,349. The next scheduled data collection, which will be funded by the Iowa DOT, is scheduled for 2025. Today, we’re asking the Committee to discuss whether to ‘opt-in’ for the collection of pavement condition data in 2027 as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), at an estimated cost of approximately $45,000-$60,000. If the Committee decides to ‘opt-in’ as an MPO, Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding will be utilized and data will be collected for non-county local roads in the urbanized area. Please be prepared to provide feedback on the pavement data collection cycle and whether the MPO should ‘opt-in’ for pavement condition data collection in 2027. I will be at your January 21st meeting to answer any questions you may have. Date: To: From: Re: January 14, 2025 Transportation Technical Advisory Committee Kent Ralston; Executive Director Agenda Item #6: Update on the MPOJC FY26 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY26-29 Transportation Improvement Program schedules FY26 Transportation Planning Work Program The Transportation Planning Work Program is a document developed each year to identify projects which will be addressed by MPOJC the following fiscal year. The Work Program is developed in a coordinated effort involving the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and Urbanized Area Policy Board. Annual Work Program items include all state and federally required planning processes and documentation, ongoing and routine projects, and special projects requested by member entities. We will begin soliciting for FY26 Work Program projects in February. If you have special projects in mind for the Work Program, please feel free to discuss them with any MPO staff person. The draft Work Program must be submitted to the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by March 31st. The Urbanized Area Policy Board will approve the final Work Program in May. FY26-29 Transportation Improvement Program The MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area. This document includes federally funded transportation projects for all modes of transportation including streets, highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. The importance of the TIP is that it formalizes the specific projects to receive federal funds, and the year in which the projects receive funding. The Urbanized Area Policy Board considers approval of the annual TIP after receiving a recommendation from the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC). This spring, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will allocate approximately $10 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, $2 million in Transportation Alternative Program funds and $3 million in Carbon Reduction Program funds which will be reflected in the FY26-FY29 TIP. In July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the final FY26-29 TIP for adoption. In preparation for public review of the draft TIP, staff will work with you to ensure projects are programmed in the appropriate fiscal year. I will be at your January 21st meeting to answer any questions you have. Date: January 14, 2025 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #7: Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant In July 2023, MPO staff submitted an application on behalf of the MPOJC urbanized area for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the MPO a $300,000 grant to create a Safety Action Plan in December 2023. By adopting such a plan, urbanized area communities become eligible for demonstration and implementation grants to correct issues that may contribute to serious and fatal collisions on our roadways. On January 10, the MPO published a Request for Proposals from consulting firms to assist with creating a Safety Action Plan. We will look to members of the TTAC from each community to provide input in selecting a firm to complete the plan as well as your expert feedback as we work through the elements of the plan. We have also be in contact with city managers regarding the matching funds required for the grant.