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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.23.24 TTAC Agenda PacketMEETING NOTICE MPOJC Transportation Technical Advisory Committee Tuesday, January 23, 2024 – 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 FY2023 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 5.Update on the MPOJC FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program & FY25-28 Transportation Improvement Program schedules 6.Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant 7.Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data 8.Update on Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis 9.Update on Pavement Management Data Availability 10.Verbal update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from the MPOJC Director 11.Other Business 12.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, pl ease 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 7, 2023 - 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: Ryan Rusnak University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Tiffin: Doug Boldt STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Hannah Neel OTHER: Cady Gerlach, Austin Korns 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 Boldt moved to approve, Knoche seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2.PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA Ralston reminded the Committee that the City of North Liberty now has two members serving on the committee as a result of their 2020 population numbers. 3.CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SAFETY TARGETS 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) for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to set targets for five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Ralston stated that there are two options for these targets: to support and adopt the State’s targets or to create individualized, quantifiable targets for each measure as a metropolitan area. Ralston recommended the adoption of the State’s targets and mentioned that there is the opportunity to create local targets each year if it is felt that they would provide additional benefit. Ralston then detailed the targets from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and the data behind their methodology and current trends. Ralston asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board to adopt the State’s safety targets and performance measures. Habel moved to approve the recommendation; Boldt seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4.CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE FY24-27 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for all surface transportation projects that receive state or federal funds, including street and highway, transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. Neel stated that in order to utilize state and federal funding sources, projects and their funding sources must be included in the TIP with accurate information. To maintain this accuracy, four amendments were requested as follows: a.Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) – add the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) funding for the Burlington Street / Highway 1 bridge improvements project. Neel stated that this project has been awarded $300,000 in earmarked Bridge Investment Program (BIP) funds through the Iowa DOT. These funds will be used for a study of alternates, stakeholder involvement and outreach, and environmental review. Neel mentioned that Iowa City will provide a $300,000 local match for these funds. b.Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) – Adjust funding amounts for the Interstate 380 project from north of Forevergreen Road to north of Swan Lake Road. Neel stated that the Iowa DOT is requesting this amendment due to project costs increasing by over 50% in FY2024. Total funding amounts for FY2024 increased from $8,523,000 to $13,000,000. Costs for FY2025-2027 remain unchanged. c.City of Coralville and University of Iowa – Add Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) shortfall funding for two light-duty transit buses. Neel explained that this funding has been made available through the Iowa DOT to make up for the increase in costs for vehicle replacements. d.University of Iowa – Adjust funding amounts and project description for a maintenance facility expansion project. Neel explained the change in project description and associated changes in federal and local amounts. Neel asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board for approval of the proposed amendments. McClatchey moved to approve the recommendation; Nagle-Gamm seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC BUS RAPID TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY Ralston stated that with direction from the Urbanized Area Policy Board, a Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility study for the CRANDIC Railroad corridor between Iowa City and North Liberty has been started. The goal of the study is to allow local stakeholders the opportunity to compare elements of the Passenger Rail Studies completed in July 2020 with elements of a Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility study. Ralston noted that the contract for this study has been awarded to Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig (FHU) with Nelson Nygaard Associates and should be completed by June 2024. 6. UPDATE ON THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT Walz explained that in July staff submitted an application for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SSFA) grant established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Walz noted that unfortunately the MPOJC application was not included in the first round of awards announced on October 27, 2023, but that another round of funding will be announced in December. Ralston explained that the funding would be used to hire a consultant to analyze all collision data for the metro, helping communities to prioritize projects and resources. 7. UPDATE ON 380 EXPRESS FUNDING FROM ECICOG – PRESS RELEASE Ralston shared the press release from East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) regarding the continuation of the Interstate 380 Express bus service until at least June 2026. The Iowa Department of Transportation will continue to fund the service due to the success of the program with approximately 350 riders per day. 8. UPDATE ON THE FINAL ‘SEVERSON CHARITY CHALLENGE’ FROM STAFF Walz reminded the Committee of the past 11 years of the Linda Severson Charity Challenge and the approximate $90,000 in donations that have been collected benefitting local charities. Walz explained that a memorial bench was installed at Wetherby Park in Linda’s honor. Walz thanked all who had contributed for their generosity. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Bothell noted that Tiffin is applying for Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program funding for the construction of a double-lane roundabout on North Park Road. Bothell explained that the application requires a resolution stating that the project is in compliance with the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan. Because the project is in compliance with the plan, Staff will be asking the Urbanized Area Policy Board to approve that resolution at their next meeting. Bothell reminded the Committee of the application cycle and to reach out early for assistance, if needed. Larson provided an update on the 1st Avenue and I-80 interchange project. The pedestrian path on the east side of 1st Avenue is now open and the existing west side pedestrian path is closed. Larson also explained that the northbound movement coming off I-80 eastbound will be detoured to Dubuque Street while construction is being completed on the interchange. Knoche noted that the public works facility is near completion with the recent installation of a solar array on the roof and that they will now apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Sovers noted that both the American Legion Road and Benton Street projects are wrapping up. Sovers also mentioned that the bid for the replacement of the Gilbert Street bridge over Ralston Creek was awarded to Boomerang with a predicted start date of late March. Havel noted that Iowa City is beginning the bidding process for the Dubuque Street project from Washington Street to Iowa Avenue. McClatchey gave an update on the construction of the Health Sciences building at Melrose Avenue and Grand Avenue and the new parking garage near the West Campus Transportation Center (WCTC). McClatchey also mentioned an automated passenger counting system that they hope to install on a few CAMBUS buses soon. The purchase of two minibuses was also noted. Nagle-Gamm gave an update on Iowa City Transit ridership after the implementation of the fare-free service and stated that there has been a significant increase in monthly ridership after two months of the program. Nagle-Gamm also mentioned the grant Iowa City Transit has received for the construction of a new transit facility and that the design process will begin soon. Rusnak noted the upcoming completion of the new North Liberty City Hall. Boldt mentioned two upcoming projects, a new traffic signal along Highway 6 and the widening of Highway 6 between Roberts Ferry Road and North Park Road. From noted that University Heights will have traffic cameras installed for speed enforcement by the end of the year. 10.ADJOURNMENT Havel moved to adjourn the meeting; McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:07 AM. Date: January 16, 2024 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 FY2023 Iowa DOT has indicated that MPOJC has a total of $4,672,402 available in FY2023 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 tables show the FY2023 transit statistics and proposed funding apportionment amounts as well as the FY2022 allocation for reference. 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 FY2023 FTA Section 5307 operating funds. If you have any questions or comments regarding this information, please contact me at 319-356- 5235 or Hannah-Neel@iowa-city.org. 2 Proposed FY2023 Section 5307 Operating Apportionment System Total Operating Cost Locally Determined Income* Revenue Miles Fare Revenue Multiplier ** FY2023 Apportionment Coralville $1,724,476 $531,009 196,428 $292,621 .1610 $752,257 Iowa City $6,167,528 $1,108,751 700,683 $1,036,757 .6050 $2,826,803 CAMBUS $4,442,515 $2,092,585 573,816 $0.00 .2340 $1,093,342 TOTAL $12,335,519 $3,732,345 1,470,927 $1,329,378 1.0000 $4,672,402 *Locally Determined Income is Total Operating Cost minus FTA and STA funding **Multiplier is a fixed percentage based on a historic average of the percentages of total operating costs, locally determined income, revenue miles, and fare revenue. Approved FY2022 Section 5307 Operating Apportionment System Multiplier Total Apportionment Coralville 0.1583 $722,663 Iowa City 0.6133 $2,799,804 CAMBUS 0.2284 $1,042,679 TOTAL 1.0000 $4,565,146 Date: January 16, 2024 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director Re: Agenda Item #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 Every other year MPOJC is asked to appoint an MPOJC representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. SUDAS is a non-profit organization which maintains Iowa manuals for public improvement design standards and specifications, including sanitary sewer, water mains, streets and sidewalks, utility locations, drainage and erosion control, and others. SUDAS is managed by Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation. Scott Larson, City Engineer for the City of Coralville, is our current MPO representative and has served on the SUDAS Board since 2005. Mr. Larson currently serves as the SUDAS Board President and has indicated his willingness and desire to continue to represent the MPO for another two-year term. Please be prepared to consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding a two-year appointment to the SUDAS Board of Directors. The only requirement for this appointment is that the representative be a professional engineer working for one of the MPOJC entities. I will be available at the January 23rd meeting to answer any questions you may have. Date: January 16, 2024 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director Re: Agenda Item #5: Update on the FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY25-28 Transportation Improvement Program schedules FY25 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 FY25 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. FY25-28 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). In 2023, the Urbanized Area Policy Board awarded $9.3 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant funds reflected in the FY25-28 TIP. In 2025, the Policy Board will allocate more than $13 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation Alternative Program, and Carbon Reduction Program funds to be programmed in FY29-30. In July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the FY25-28 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 23rd meeting to answer any questions you have. Date: January 16, 2024 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #6: 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. SS4A program grants go directly to regional, local, and Tribal communities for implementation, planning, and demonstration projects driven at the local level to improve safety and help prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. On December 13, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its second round of grant awards. The MPO’s application was awarded a $300,000 grant to create a Safety Action Plan focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. The adoption of such a plan will in turn make urbanized area communities eligible for demonstration and implementation grants through the same program to correct issues identified in the Safety Action Plan. There are several steps we must go through before publishing a Request for Proposal to hire a consultant. We will be in touch with communities soon regarding matching funds and other details. Date: January 16, 2024 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #7: Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data One of the guiding principles in the MPO’s adopted 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan is the safety of all modes of transportation. The Plan identifies the number of pedestrian and bicycle collisions and resulting injuries and fatalities in its safety performance measures. The following shows the changes in reported bicycle and pedestrian collisions since 2012 and the severity of those collisions. The data were obtained from the Iowa DOT’s Crash Analysis Tool on 01/11/2024. These data do not include collisions that occur on private property. Also excluded are any collisions on I-80/380 and U.S. Highway 218. Figure 1. Annual Metro Area Pedestrian and Bicycle Collision Trends, 2012-2023 The number of reported collisions involving bicycles and pedestrians began trending downward around 2016, with bicycle collisions reduced by more than 60% between 2015 and 2021. The record lows for both bicycle and pedestrian collisions in 2020/21 may be related to the COVID- 19 pandemic, when vehicle miles travel declined. Both bicycle and pedestrian collisions then increased in 2022 as COVID restrictions ended and travel normalized. In 2023, collisions appear to be returning to the previous downward trend, with pedestrian collisions at their second lowest and bike collisions at their third lowest in a decade. 2 Figure 2. Annual Reported Metro Pedestrian Collisions and Injury Severity, 2012-2023 The trendline of collisions recorded each year tells only part of the story. To get a complete picture of safety of our roadways, we also consider the number and percentage of serious injuries and fatalities that result from these collisions. Figure 2 (above) shows the number of pedestrian collisions for each year with the percentage of collisions that resulted in serious injury or fatality. While the total number of pedestrian collisions dropped by more than a third from 2022 to 2023, the percentage of pedestrian collisions resulting in serious injury or fatality increased by nearly a quarter. Figure 3. Safety Performance Measures for Pedestrian Collisions, 5-year trends Pedestrian Collisions Total number of collisions 146 106 Serious-injuries/fatalities Total number of serious injuries & fatalities 21 19 Severity rate Severe injuries & fatalities / collisions 14%18% Performance Measure Definitions 2014-2018 2019-2023 As shown above in Figure 3, the five-year trends for pedestrian collisions and resulting severe injuries and fatalities show that despite a decrease in the number of collisions and resulting severe injuries, the likelihood that a collision will result in severe injury or fatality is increasing. 3 Figure 4. Annual Reported Metro Bicycle Collisions and Injury Severity, 2012-2023 Figure 4 presents bicycle collision numbers in comparison to severe injuries and fatalities. Similar to the pattern with reported Metro Area pedestrian collisions, the number of bicycle collisions has been trending downward since 2016, reaching its lowest numbers in 2020 and 2021. Again, changes in travel due to the COVID 19 pandemic likely contributed to this significant drop in collisions. As travel normalized in 2022, bicycle collisions increased by more than 50% though serious injury/fatality numbers remained low. In 2023, bicycle collisions dropped by 18%, returning to a downward trend. The trend of serious injuries and fatalities for bicycle collisions is more favorable than the pedestrian trend. Though the rate of serious injuries and fatalities increased in 2020 and 2021, the rate dropped significantly in 2022 and again in 2023. Last year, the Metro Area recorded no serious injury or fatal bicycle crashes. This was the first year that no fatal or serious-injury bicycle collisions were recorded in more than a decade. Figure 5. Safety Performance Measures for Pedestrian Collisions, 5-year trends Bicycle collisions Total collisions 200 122 Severe Injuries/fatalities Total number of serious injuries & fatalities 17 7 Severity rate Severe injuries & fatalities / total collisons 9%6% Definitions 2014-2018 2019-2023 Performance Measure As shown above in Figure 5, the five-year trends for bicycle collisions and resulting severe injuries and fatalities show a decrease in all measures. 4 The safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, our most vulnerable road users, is a top priority for the MPO. Complete streets policies and the investments each community has made in sidewalks, trails, and intersection treatments play an essential role in reducing pedestrian and bicycle collisions and making active modes of transportation and recreation accessible. As the recently awarded Safe Streets and Roads for All grant allows us to move forward in developing a Safety Action Plan, we will identify those locations and conditions where bicycles and pedestrians may be most at risk and propose countermeasures to improve safety and eliminate serious injuries and fatalities. Date: January 16, 2024 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Emily Bothell; Senior Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #8: Update on Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis MPO staff has completed an update to 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 and 2022. The analysis then ranks these locations based on a formula using number of collisions, crash rates, and severity of collisions. The document is particularly helpful in determining which locations, by jurisdiction, could benefit from increased enforcement, infrastructure improvements, or other potential countermeasures that could reduce the number and severity of collisions. The analysis in its entirety will be available later this month. I attached a portion of the analysis identifying the top ten highest- ranking intersection collision locations (Figure 1) and the top five highest-ranking midblock collision locations (Figure 2) in the urbanized area. We will be available at your January 23rd meeting to answer any questions. . Figure 1: Top Ten Intersection Collision Locations in the Urbanized Area North Liberty Coralville Iowa City Figure 2: Top Five Mid-Block Collision Locations in the Urbanized Area Iowa City Coralville Date: January 16, 2024 To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee From: Emily Bothell; Senior Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #9: Update on Pavement Management Data Availability The Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University developed the Iowa Pavement Management Program (IPMP), in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). 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 condition data on Interstates, National Highway System routes, Iowa DOT routes, and local public agency routes every four years on a recurring basis. 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 our local routes. Staff at the Institute for Transportation has informed us that pavement condition data has been collected for all roadways in the Johnson County Urbanized Area. The data will be available to local jurisdictions in June or July of this year. In the meantime, historical pavement condition data can be viewed at the following link: https://ipmp.ctre.iastate.edu/gisdata/. I will be at your January 23rd meeting to answer any questions you may have.