Surface Transportation Committee (STC) Meeting

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

Lake Michigan Room Annotated Agenda

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

1. Call to Order by Chairman and Pledge of Allegiance

   
   

2. Public Comment on Agenda Items

   This is an opportunity for comments from members of the audience. The amount of time available to speak will be limited to 3 minutes. Commenters must indicate their wish to comment in advance with the Chair or NIRPC staff.

   
   

3. Minutes of August 23, 2022 (pp. 1-2)

   Action Requested: Approval

   
   

4. Resolution 22-22: Setting Updated Performance Measure Targets (pp. 3 – 8)

   Resolution 22-22 seeks to adopt updated safety, bridge and pavement condition, travel time reliability, freight, and on-road mobile source emissions performance measure targets.

   Action Requested: Vote to Recommend to the Technical Planning Committee.

   
   

5. Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Discussion: Roadway Improvements and New Roadways (pp. 9 - 16)

   This is an opportunity for the committee to discuss the proposed applications and scoring criteria for the Roadway Improvements and New Roadways programs in the upcoming Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

   
   

6. Staff Updates

   This is an opportunity for NIRPC staff to provide relevant updates.

   1. 2022 Third Quarter Safety and Travel Time Reliability and Congestion Update

   2. Travel Demand Model Improvement Update

      
      

7. Adjournment

The next STC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the NIRPC building.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.

Surface Transportation Committee Dune Room

August 23, 2022 Minutes

Jim Pressel and Jeff Huet called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions.

In attendance were Jim Pressel, Jeff Huet (Schererville), Gerald Swets (St. John), Mark O’Dell (Chesterton), George Topoll (Union Township), Toney Kesikecich, and Dean Button (Hammond).

NIRPC staff present were Scott Weber, Kevin Polette, Peter Kimball, and Flor Baum.

On motion by Mark O’Dell and second by George Topoll, the committee voted to approve the May 24, 2022 minutes as presented.

There were no public comments.

Scott Weber presented on Resolution 22-17: Establishing Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Traffic Congestion Performance Measure Targets. The NWI 2050 Plan and FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program must be amended to reflect the establishment of 2-year and 4-year Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Traffic Congestion performance measure targets. Changes to the NWI 2050 Plan are as follows:

• The Performance Measure for Percent of non-single occupancy vehicle travel in the Chicago, IL-IN urbanized area has been amended to reflect, “31.4% by 2019, 31.9% by 2021, 32.4% by 2023, and 32.6% by 2025 (unified targets for the entire Chicago, IL-IN Urbanized Area).”

• The Performance Measure for Peak hours of excessive delay per capita in the Chicago, IL-IN Urbanized Area has been amended to reflect, “No more than 15.4 by 2021, 15.6 by 2023, and 15.9 by 2025 (unified targets for the entire Chicago, IL-IN Urbanized Area).”

  Changes to the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program are as follows:

• The Performance Measure for the Percent of nonsingle occupancy vehicle travel in the Chicago, IL-IN urbanized area has been amended to reflect, “at least 31.4% in 2019, 31.9% in 2021, 32.4% in 2023, and 32.6% in 2025.”

• The Performance Measure for Peak hours of excessive delay per capita in the Chicago, IL-IN Urbanized Area has been amended to reflect, “no more than 15.4 in 2021, 15.6 in 2023, and 15.9 in 2025.”

On motion by Dean Button and second by Mark O’Dell, the STC voted to recommend Res. 22-17 to the Technical Planning Committee.

Peter Kimball and Scott Weber presented on the Safety Update for 2nd Quarter 2022 Crashes 4/1 – 6/30), and Travel Time Reliability, Truck Travel Time Reliability, and Congestion Performance Measures Update for 2nd Quarter 2022. The data collected for Lake, LaPorte, and Porter County totaled 6343 reported collisions can be found on the NIRPC website: https://nirpc.org/2040- plan/mobility/safety/

Peter spoke on the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Opportunity Update. Applications are due October 4. It is encouraged to use NIRPC as a resource for mapping components, eligible projects, and overall questions.

Scott also spoke on the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for New Projects Update. The NOFA will be release in the fall of 2022. The STC will have a focus on intersection safety improvements, pavement rehabilitation reconstruction, railway highway grade separation crossings, intersection congestion improvements, and bridge replacement rehabilitations or reconstructions.

For more information, please contact Scott at Sweber@nirpc.org.

Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m. The next STC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the NIRPC building.

RESOLUTION 22-22

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA

REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION SETTING UPDATED PERFORMANCE MEASURE TARGETS

December 8, 2022

WHEREAS, Northwest Indiana’s citizens require a safe, efficient, effective, resource-conserving regional transportation system that maintains and enhances regional mobility and contributes to improving the quality of life in Northwest Indiana; and

WHEREAS, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, hereafter referred to as “the Commission”, being designated the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County area, has established a regional, comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing (3-C) transportation planning process to develop the unified planning work program, a transportation plan, and a transportation improvement program to facilitate federal funding for communities, counties, and transit operators, and to provide technical assistance and expertise to regional transportation interests; and

WHEREAS, the Commission performs the above activities to satisfy requirements of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (PL 117-58, applicable portions of all prior federal transportation program authorizing legislation, as well as other federal, state, and local laws mandating or authorizing transportation planning activities; and

WHEREAS, the NWI 2050 Plan and FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program are products of a multi-modal, 3-C transportation planning process, compatible with regional goals and objectives and socio-economic and demographic factors; and

WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 requires the Commission to set 2-year and 4-year performance measure targets for safety, pavement and bridge condition, travel time reliability, freight, and on-road mobile source emissions within 180 days of the Indiana Department of Transportation setting performance measure targets for the same measures; and

WHEREAS, staff of the Indiana Department of Transportation set 2-year and 4-year performance measure targets through a collaborative process with the Commission and sent letters informing the Commission of these targets between August and September 2023; and

WHEREAS, the NWI 2050 Plan and FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program must be amended to reflect the establishment of 2-year and 4-year performance measure targets; and

WHEREAS, the changes to the NWI 2050 Plan and FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program brought about by this amendment fit the criteria of a technical amendment according to the Engage NWI plan; and

WHEREAS, the Technical Policy Committee (TPC) has recommended that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission make these changes to the NWI 2050 Plan and FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby sets updated 2-year and 4-year performance measure targets for safety, pavement and bridge condition, travel time reliability, freight, and on road mobile source emissions by making the following changes to the NWI 2050 Plan and FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program in a manner consistent with the definitions of a technical amendment as defined in Engage NWI and as shown on the attachment to this resolution.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this eighth day of December, 2022.

Justin Kiel Chairperson

ATTEST:

Changes to the NWI 2050 Plan:

Changes to the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program:

Environmental Justice

Major Employment Centers

Transit Access / Rail

Residential Density / Municipal Boundries

Click Here

Function Classification

Financial information about project:

Total in $

Max. fed share Min. fed share Your match

Below are the project types for this program

Description: funds to promote or educate roadway safety (usually a state level initiative) Description: funding required to be spent to improve the safety and security of transit New truck parking facilities

Construction of minor collectors in same corridor as NHS route

Step

1

How much do you propose contributing to the construction costs? ▲

Does this amount include CE? (y/n)

According to your match entry you are over/under matched by ►

Step

2

How much do you propose requesting in PE/ROW? ▲

Add'l overmatch ▲

If you elect to pay for PE/ROW with local funds that amount will be considered overmatch for scoring purposes ▲

-

$

-

$

Tier

Complete streets program application (see program + project types tab for more info)

#REF!

County

#REF!

Name of municipality or transit operator:

Name of applicant on behalf of municipality or transit operator:

Do you want funds for PE/ROW? If so which one?

For PE/ROW you may use federal aid up to ►

Total estimated construction cost

(Please use CY 2021 dollars; we will

inflate the cost.)

Maps

Choose a project type for this application ▼

What will be the functional classification of the new route? Please consult the functional classification map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 8

pt given.

Q1

Principal arterial – 8 pts

Minor arterial – 6 pts Major collector – 4 pts

Minor collector – 2 pts

Local road – 0 pts

What is the expected ADT for this road / bridge for the given design year? Maximum 5 pts given.

Q2

≤ 8,000 - 0 pts

8,000 < > 12,000 - 3 pts

≤ 12,000 - 5 pts

What is the residential density within one mile of the new roadway? Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given.

Q3

5 or more/acre – 5 pts

2-4.99 – 3 pts

1-1.99 – 1 pts

Less than 1 – 0 pts

Q4

What is the transit access within ½ mile of the project area, including bus stops, commuter rail or Amtrak stations? Maximum 2 pts given.

More than 1 - 2 pts

1 stop - 1 point

Please contact jwinters@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question.

Q5

How will the project enhance network connectivity? Please consult the functional classification map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given.

Connects to other principal arterials or higher classification roadways on both sides of the new road – 5 pts Connects to another principal arterial or higher classification roadway on one side – 3 pts

Connects to a minor arterial – 1 point

Connects roads classified as collectors or lower – 0 pts

Self NIRPC FINAL

Access & Connections

Self NIRPC FINAL

Asset Management

Economic Generation Self NIRPC FINAL

How does the project assist with access for job commuters? Please reference Major Employment Center map. Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question.

Partnerships / Collaborations

Do the project limits cross municipal/county boundries? If yes please list all LPAs. Maximum 5 pts given.

Self NIRPC FINAL

Q18

No interaction with any railroads are necessary – 5 points Only a flagging agreement is necessary – 2 points

Is the project location in an Environmental Justice area? Please consult the Environmental Justice map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org for further information on the map. Maximum 4 pts given

Q19 50% or more of a project is within EJ area – 4 pts

Less than 50% of a project is in EJ area – 2 pts Project is not in an EJ area – 0 pts

Does the project advance progress on the municipalities ADA transition plan? Please describe. Maximum 5 pts given.

Yes - 5 points

Q20

No - 0 points

11

Local's Preference (for information only)

Social Equity Self NIRPC FINAL

Project involves construction of a crossing or crossing equiment within the railroad(s)' Right of Way – 0 points

12

13

If Yes, Types of Parcels

Does this project touch Right of Way belonging to INDOT? If yes please provide concurrance documentation. (y/n) ►

If yes, what percentage ► %

If Yes, Location of Utilities

If Yes, Relocations required?

Railroad Impacted?

If Yes, are Improvements being made?

Asset Management (weighted 25%) Self NIRPC FINAL

How does the project contribute to roadway asset management? Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 6 pts given.

Q1 Roadway’s pavement PASER rating is less than 5 – 6 pts Roadway’s pavement PASER rating is 5 or greater – 0 pts

What is the functional classification of the route? Please consult the functional classification map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 8 pts given.

Q2 Principal arterial – 5 pts Minor collector – 0 pts

Minor arterial – 3 pts Major collector – 3 pts

Local road – 0 pts

Q3

If this is a bridge project, give the appropiate score from the Bridges! tab. Maximum 6 pts given. 0-3 - 0 pts

4-7 - 3 pts

8-10 - 6 pts

What is the ADT for this road / bridge? Maximum 5 pts given.

Q4 ≤ 8,000 - 0 pts ≤ 12,000 - 5 pts

8,000 < > 12,000 - 3 pts

Safety

What is the mororized and non-mororized crash rate in the project area? Please reference crash severity map. Please contact pkimball@nirpc.org for further information on the map. In

Self

NIRPC

FINAL

Q5

case of different rates, use the higher rate. Maximum 5 pts given. High location - 5 pts Lower location - 1 pts

Medium location - 3 pts Other location - 0 pts

Motorized Non-Motorized

Access & Connections (Weighted 15%) Self NIRPC FINAL

What is the residential density within one mile of the new roadway? Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 3 pts given.

Q6 5 or more/acre – 3 pts 2-4.99 – 2 pts

1-1.99 – 1 pts

Less than 1 – 0 pts

Q7

What is the average of the walk score and the bike score for the project location? Please visit www.walkscore.com and input an address nearby the location. If the project is linear in scope, please take the average score of three pts along the project which would include the endpoints and middle. If the project is a single location, enter the same walk and bike scores three times. Please contact mbarloga@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given.

Q8

What is the transit access within ½ mile of the project area, including bus stops, commuter rail stations? Please contact cbradsky@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 2 pts given.

More than 1 - 2 pts

1 stop - 1 pt

How will the project enhance network connectivity? Please consult the functional classification map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 4 pts given.

Q9

Connects to other principal arterials or higher classification roadways on both sides of the new road– 4 pts Connects to another principal arterial or higher classification roadway on one side – 2 pts

Connects to a minor arterial – 1 pt

Connects roads classified as collectors or lower – 0 pts

How does the project assist with access for job commuters? Please reference Major Employment Center map. Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this

Q10 question. Maximum 5 pts given. 15

Major area (Dark Green)– 5 pts Minor Area (Yellow) - 2 pts

Moderate (Light Green) - 3 pts Not in area (Blank) - 0 pts Environmental Benefits (Weighted 10%)

Does the project reduce emissions? Please use FHWA CMAQ calculator located here: Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Max 5

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/cmaq/toolkit/index.cfm

Q11 Cost per ton is less than $1,000,000 – 5 pts

Cost per ton is between $1,000,001 and $2,000,000 – 3 pts Cost per ton is greater than $2,000,000 – 0 pts

Does the project include green infrastructure elements? Elements may include: Living or Complete Streets; stormwater management or rain garden; biodiversity; land conservation; bio- swales; native vegetation in the road rights-of-way; permeable pavement in rights-of-ways; bio-retention curb extension; infiltration trench; or wildlife crossing. Maximum 3 pts given.

Self

NIRPC

FINAL

Q12

1 or 2 - 1 point

3 or more - 3 pts

Economic Generation (Weighted 0%) Self NIRPC FINAL

Q13 Not applicable

Local/Regional Plans + Policy Support (Weighted 20%) Self NIRPC FINAL

Is this currently a legacy project? A legacy project is defined to be a stand alone project or a phase of a project that has an approved NEPA document, or the project or phase has already

Q14 received federal funding through NIRPC. If so, give the INDOT des number. Maximum 5 pts given.

Yes - 5 pts

No - 0 pts

Des #

How does the project advance local plans or policies? Project may be cited in local comprehensive plan, thoroughfare plan, capital improvements program, traffic impact fee plan, or other local plan/study. Please describe plans and policies. Maximum 5 pts given.

Q15

2 or more policy/plans - 5 pts 1 policy/plans - 2 pts

No policy/plans - 0 pts

How does the project advance region plans or policies? Please describe how the project achieves objectives in regional plans or policies and cite those plans and policies. Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given.

Q16

Project is cited in current long-range plan (NWI 2050), located in a Creating Livable Communities “Main Center” (see Main Center map), Living Streets, or other published plan for the region that includes at least all of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties – 5 pts

Project is one of the 22 segments identified in the Regional Corridors Study (please reference the Regional Corridors Study) – 5 pts Project is not cited in any of the above – 0 pts

How does the project adhere to the MPO’s Congestion Management Process? Please reference Congested Corridors Map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given.

The project location is within 0.5 mile of a section of road or intersection with a Level of Service (LOS) E or F – 5 pts

Q17 The project location is within 0.5 mile of a section of road or intersection with a Level of Service D – 3 pts

The project location is within 0.5 mile of a section of road or intersection with Level of Service C or better – 0 pts

Partnerships / Collaborations (Weighted 15%) Self NIRPC FINAL

Do the project limits cross and/or benefit municipal/county boundries? If yes please list all LPAs. Maximum 5 pts given.

Partnerships involving 3 or more LPAs- 5 pts

Q18 Partnership with two LPAs - 3 pts No partnerships - 0 pts

List partners here:

Are there any funding agreements committed to with other partners? Please describe the partnerships. Please contact mbarloga@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Partners may include: a. Indiana DOT; b. Another municipality or County; c. Advocacy groups; d. Foundations; e. Private sector; f. School districts; g. other regional entities. Maximum 6 pts given.

Q19 Partnerships with 3 or more LPA - 6 pts Partnership with two LPAs - 3 pts

No partnerships - 0 pts

List partners here:

List amount here:

Project Readiness (weighted 10%) Self NIRPC FINAL

What is the overmatch associated with this project application? Please reference "Step 3" under the "Financial information about this project" above. Maximum 5 pts given.

Q20 Greater than 30% - 5 pts 20.1% - 24.9% - 1 point

25-29.9% - 3 pts Minimum match - 0 pts

At the present time; what is the status of the Right of Way for the proposed project? Please contact cbradsky@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts

Q21 Right of Ways are secured or owned completely by the LPA – 3 pts Right of Ways need to be secured – 0 pts

What is the status of the design/engineering for the proposed project? Please contact mbarloga@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 2 pts given.

Q22 Design/engineering has started with an LPA contract and NEPA document completed. – 2 pts Design/engineering has not been started – 0 pts

Q23

Does the project impact any railroads? (If yes, please explain.) No interaction with any railroads are necessary – 5 pts

Only a flagging agreement is necessary – 2 pts

Project involves construction of a crossing or crossing equiment within the railroad(s)' Right of Way – 0 pts

Social Equity (Weighted 5%) Self NIRPC FINAL

Is the project location in an Environmental Justice area? Please consult the Environmental Justice map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org for further information on the map. Maximum

Q24 3 pts given.

50% or more of a project is within EJ area – 3 pts

Less than 50% of a project is in EJ area – 2 pts

Project is not in an EJ area – 0 pts

Does the project advance progress on the municipality's ADA transition plan? Please describe. Maximum 3 pts given.

Q25

Yes - 3 pts No - 0 pts

Local's Preference (for information only)

Q26

If the LPA is submitting more than one project; please rank this project (to the other projects submitted) in the order of importance by the LPA (1 - Highest priority; 2 - 2nd highest; 3 - 3rd highest; ect.) Please contact Charles Bradsky for clarification.

Would a smaller federal funding amount than requested be acceptable while maintaining the original intent of the project? If yes, please define smaller meaningful limits, size, service level, phases, or scopes along with the cost for each. ▼ Please continue on a seperate document if you need more space

(y/n)

Q27

SUM 0 0