Part II:TIP Development and Project Selection Processes Implementation of Performance-Based Planning

The current transportation policy, Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act {FAST) Act, was signed into law on December 4, 2015. The FAST Act, a long with its predecessor, Moving Ahea d for Progress in the 21st Century Act { MAP-21), established new requirements for performa nce management to ensure the most efficient investment of Federal tra nsportation funds. States will invest resources in projects to achieve individual targets that collectively will make progress toward the national goals.

Nationa l performance goals for Federal Highway progra ms:


Freight movement and economic vitality - To improve the national freight network, strengthen the ability of rural communities to access nationa l and international trade markets, a nd support regional economic development.

Environmental sustainability - To enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting a nd enha ncing the natural environment.

Reduced project delivery delays - To reduce project costs, promote jobs and the economy, and expedite the movement of people and goods by accelerating project completion through eliminating delays in the project development a nd delivery

process, including reducing regulatory burdens and improving agencies' work practices.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA} and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued new transportation planning rules on the statewide and metropolitan transportation planning processes to reflect the use of a performance based a pproach to decision-making in support of the nationa l goals. These processes must document in writing how the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs}, Indiana Department of Tra nsportation (INDOT} a nd providers of public tra nsportation shall jointly agree to cooperatively develop and share information related to transportation performa nce data, the selection of performance targets, the reporting of performa nce to be used in tracking progress toward attainment of critical outcomes for the region of the MPO (see 23 CFR 450.306(d)) and the collection of data for the INDOT asset management plan for the National Highway System specified in in 23 CFR 450.314(h).

FTA has performance measures for Tra nsit Asset Management, and final regulations are published and in effect. FHWA has performance measures and final regulations published for Safety, Bridge and Pavement Conditions, Congestion Reduction a nd System Reliability, but only the Safety Performance Measure regulation is in effect at this time.

INDOT along with the MPOs and FHWA will continue to collaborate to identify Performance Targets for each Performance Measure. Once Performance Targets are esta blished, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP} and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP} will be modified to reflect this information.

For FHWA and FTA to approve any TIP amendments after May 27, 2018, the INDOT, MPOs and Public Transit Operators must reflect this information and describe how projects in the TIP/STIP, to the maximum extent practicable, achieve the Federally required performance targets identified in the Statewide and Metropolita n Tra nsportation Plans, linking investment priorities to these performance ta rgets.

Safety


The INDOT, the MPOs, FHWA, and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI} are actively discussing and colla borating on the Safety Performance Measures a nd Safety Performance Targets. INDOT will submit their Safety Performance Measures by August 31, 2017, and the MPOs will have until February 27, 2018 to follow INDOT's submission to either support the INDOT Safety Targets or set independent targets. The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP} is a primary source of federa l funds for qualifying safety improvement projects. HSIP along with other funding sources are used to implement safety improvements with the purpose to reduce roadway crashes, and a corresponding reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The five specific safety performance measures are:

1} Number of fatalities; 2} Rate of fatalities;

3} Number of serious injuries; 4} Rate of serious injuries; and

5} Number of non-motorized fatalities and non-motorized serious injuries

If FHWA makes effective the rules they have published for assessing pavement and bridge condition for the National Highway Performance Program a nd performance of the National Highway System (NHS}, freight movement on the Interstate System and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ} improvement program, INDOT and the MPOs will have to esta blish performance targets for these measures, too.

Pavement and Bridge


The pavement and bridge condition performance measures a re applicr:i ble to the Interstate and non-Interstate Highways that comprise the National Highway System (NHS}. The NHS includes the Interstate Highway System as well as other roads important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility. The measures are focused on the condition of pavement and bridges, including ramps utilized to access the system. There a re four

measures to assess pavement condition a nd two measures for assessing bridge condition.

Pavement Performance Measures

1) Percentage of pavements of the Interstate System in Good condition

  1. Percentage of pavements of the Interstate System in Poor condition

  2. Percentage of pavements of the non-Interstate NHS In Good condition

4) Percentage of pavements of the non-interstate NHS in Poor condition

Bridge Performance Measures

  1. Percentage of NHS bridges classified as in Good condition

  2. Percentage of NHS bridges classified as in Poor condition


The INDOT, the MPO and FHWA will collectively develop targets for the pavement and bridge performance measures. The National Highway Performance Program is a core Federal-aid highway program that provides fina ncial support to improve the condition and performa nce of the NHS, and the construction of new NHS facilities. INDOT utilizes these funds for maintena nce activities on the NHS.

System Performance


The system performance measures a re a lso applicable to the Interstate and non-Interstate NHS. These performance measures assess system reliability and freight movement, and establish several measures for on-road mobile source emissions consistent with the Congestion Mitigation and Air Qua lity (CMAQ) Program. There are two measures for assessing reliability, one measure to assess freight movement, and three measures for the CMAQ progra m.

Relia bility Performance Measures

  1. Percent of the Person-Miles Traveled on the Interstate System That Are Reliable

  2. Percent of Person-Miles Traveled on the Non-Interstate NHS That Are Relia ble

Freight Movement Performa nce Measure

1) Truck Travel Time Reliability {TTTR) Index CMAQ Measures

  1. Annual Hours of Peak-Hour Excessive Delay Per Capita Percent of

    Non-SOV Travel

  2. Percent Change in Tailpipe C02 Emissions on the NHS Compared to the Calendar Yea r 2017 Level

  3. Total Emissions Reductions


MPO Planning Process


.

The NIRPC Board of Commissioners is the final decision-making body of the MPO. Transportation-related decisions made at the Board level almost always originate at a lower level in NIRPC's committee structure 1


NIRPC 2016 Committee Structure Revisions.


A revised committee structure was adopted by the NIRPC Board in May 2015. These cha nges were implemented beginning in.the fa ll of 2016. A full decr iµliur1 ur each committee, together with its purpose, function, membership, a nd meeting frequency is found later in this Part II.


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1 However, the Commission may, under Indiana law, act on any matter brought before it for consideration.

Committees that perform a duty or function relative to the transportation planning process are either described or summa rized following.


Technical Planning Committee (TechPC}. This committee wa s formed by combining the former Transportation Policy Committee (TPC} with the 2040 Implementation Committee. It's primary purpose is to ensure the technical consistency of plans and policies related to transportation, environment, a nd public participation with Federal Planning Requirements a nd NIRPC's own Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP). It advises the NIRPC Board on policies a nd programs related to tra nsportation planning and federa l tra nsportation funding. This is primarily done through TechPC actions on a regional transportation plan, transportation improvement program, studies, analyses, Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) a nd other specia l programs. The TechPC receives input from transportation stakeholder subcommittees (now referred to as "Topical" Committees) and Transportation Resource Oversight Committee (T-ROC}, then makes recommendations to the NIRPC Board.


A significant portion of the Tech PC's duties is financial. It is cha rged with :



Duties vary by committee, but each is cha rged with advising NIRPC on matters that are pertinent to the specific topical committee. Each are a lso responsible for developing federal-aid project selection criteria and recommending transportation projects for transportation funding.


Transportation Resource Oversight Committee (T-ROC). This committee reports directly to TechPC. It oversees financial aspects of the transportation planning process, including the development of the TIP and changes thereto following adoption, tracking the expenditure of all federal funds allocated to NIRPC, implementing a quarterly construction project tracking process, and ensuring that federa l funds are expended in a timely manner.


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Commission and TechPC Membership. Membership on the Commission is established by state statute (1. C. 36-7.7.6). Membership on the TechPC is limited to 20 persons, as specified in the December 2016 Committee Description document (presented at the end of this Part II). Membership on the Topical Committees a nd T-ROC is largely unrestricted- committees at this level are open to all local units of government, transit operators, organizations which represent various interests (persons with disabilities, environmentalists, senior citizens, etc .), federal and state agencies, and other persons representing a group or groups of people. The contact list for the NIRPC Commissioners and TechPC is contained in Appendix F.


MPO Planning Area. The MPO planning area covers all of Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties, Indiana. This means that any surface transportation construction project funded through the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) must be listed in our TIP as well as the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).


Urbanized Areas and Federal Funds. The Chicago IL/IN Urbanized Area extends into Lake a nd Porter Counties. In Lake County it includes all incorporated areas (except Lowell). In Porter County, most of the area from Va lparaiso to Lake Michigan is also part of the Chicago Urbanized Area. Most of northwest La Porte County (and a small portion of extreme northeast Porter County) lie within the Indiana portion of the Michigan City/La Porte IN/Ml Urbanized Area.


Congress appropriates several types of Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation annually to both states (primarily highway­ oriented funds) and urbanized areas (primarily transit funds). MPO's have the responsibility of allocating these funds to specific transportation projects. NIRPC oversees a number of locally adopted project selection processes, as described below, that involve stakeholder participation in the development of the selection system a nd in the selection of local projects recommended for inclusion in the TIP. INDOT maintains a parallel system of project selection for improvements to its own roadways.


MPO Project Selection. The TIP development process for MPG-selected projects originates in the Transportation Resource Oversight Committee (T­ ROC). T-R OC informs the TechPC of the availability of federa l funds for allocation to projects. TechPC authorizes that a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) be issued and specifies the categorical funding ta rgets and priorities for the solicitation. TechPC informs the topica l committees of these targets and priorities.


The Topical (stakeholder) committees develop criteria based upon the categorical funding ta rgets and priorities established by TechPC. All meeting notices a re posted on the NIRPC Website and also mailed to all transportation sta keholders of record. The T-ROC then publishes the NOFA, receives project funding requests, and then tra nsmits same to the Topical Committees. These committees transmit their list of projects recommended for funding to TechPC (which, following approval, is forwarded to the NIRPC Board for officia l project selection).

A solicitation for projects may or may not be conducted as a part of the development of a new TIP.


Types of Federal Funds. Federal surface transportation funds come from two operating administrations of the U.S. DOT: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federa l Tra nsit Administration (FTA). FHWA funds are allocated to the state and suba llocated to NIRPC. FTA funds are usually allocated to urbanized a reas. The specific federa l funding programs from FHWA and FTA are as follows:


Surfa c e Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG } . Each year the Indiana Department of Transportation {INDOT) makes apportionments of FHWA Surface Transportation Block Grant {STBG) contract authority to each Urbanized Area for highway improvement projects. The area within the Chicago Urbanized Area is apportioned STBG Group I (large Urbanized Area) funds; the area within the Michigan City/LaPorte Urbanized Area is apportioned STBG Group II (small Urbanized Area) funds. '


FTA Section 5307/5340 . Each year the FTA apportions Urban Area Formula Grant (Section 5307/5340) funds to each Urbanized Area for public transit projects. These funds are used for public transit operating and capital projects involving both bus and commuter rail transit services. Separate apportionments of Section 5307/5340 funds are received by each of the two Urbanized Areas.


Section 5307/5340 funds apportioned to the Chicago Urbanized Area are for the entire Urbanized Area, including both Illinois and Indiana portions. NIRPC maintains a Letter of Understanding with the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) that specifies how these funds are to be split among the two states.


Congestion Mitigatio n/Air Quality (CMAQ) . The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) apportions FHWA CMAQ funds to NIRPC based upon each county's air quality status {i.e., in an air quality non-attainment or maintenance area, if attainment has been achieved). Funds are received on the basis of population and the severity of the air quality problem. CMAQ projects are transportation projects which, if implemented, will result in lower emissions from internal combustion engines. For 2018-2021, CMAQ funds are made to the combined Lake/Porter County non-attainment area and to the La Porte County Maintenance Area.


FTA Sections 5310 {Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program) . Section 5310 funds are intended to improve mobility for seniors and

individuals with disabilities. Like the Section 5307/5340 funds, some Section 5310 funds are apportioned to the Chicago Urbanized Area are for the entire urbanized area, including both northeastern Illinois and Lake and Porter Counties in northwestern Indiana. NIRPC maintains a Letter of Understanding with the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) that specifies how these funds are to be split. LaPorte County applicants have access to Section 5310 funds by submitting applications to INDOT.


FTA Section 5337 State of Good Repair Program (Existing Commuter Rail). These are FTA formula funds that are used by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) for improvements to the commuter rail facilities all along NICTD's rail corridor. Chicago Urbanized Area SGR funds are divided between Illinois and Indiana under an agreement with the RTA. NIRPC's TIP also displays SGR funds allocated to the South Bend Urbanized Area. Listed SGR projects may be undertaken in any of five counties, including Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and St Joseph Counties, Indiana, and Cook County, Illinois.


FTA Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program. These are FTA formula funds that are used by public transit operators to replace, rehabilitate, or purchase buses, bus-related equipment, and bus-related facilities. Chicago Urbanized Area Bus funds are divided between Illinois and Indiana under an agreement with the RTA. LaPorte County public transit operators have access to Section 5339 funds by submitting applications directly to INDOT.


Highway Safet y Improve me nt ( HS IP). These FHWA funds must address critical safety needs on local roadways which have a history of crashes . Separate allocations are made to each Urbanized Area but funds may be used for projects anywhere within the county served by the MPO.


Transp o rtat i on A lternat i ves Program (TAP). These FHWA funds may be used for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; and safe routes to school projects. TAP funds may be used for projects anywhere within the county served by the MPO.


High Priority or Demo nstration Project Funds. The TIP also includes other transportation projects which are selected by Congress (i.e., Demonstration or "High Priority" Projects).


The TIP also includes Regionally Significant transportation projects that involve no federal funds, and INDOT-selected loca l projects that are usua lly

located outside of the urbanized area but within the three-county metropolitan planning a rea. These projects are not selected by NIRPC.


INDOT System Improvements. The TIP also includes projects that are undertaken by the state of Indiana. The Indiana Department of Tra nsportation (INDOT} selects projects that will occur on state-owned roadways, which include Interstates and US-ma rked a nd State routes.


INDOT conducts its own project selection processes for those funds that it controls a nd provides NIRPC with a list of projects to include in the TIP.


INDOT a lso assists other state agencies such as the Indiana State Prison, Westville Correctional Center, Indiana Dunes State Park, Ports of Indiana at Burns Harbor, Purdue and Indiana Universities, a nd others by listing road and parking lot construction projects in the TIP a nd bidding them out through INDOT's letting system.


Road Improvements on Federal Lands. The FHWA Eastern Federal Lands Division (EFLD} maintains . its own TIP process and document for tra nsportation projects within or affecting federal lands in the region (e.g., Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore}. There are two EFLD-funded projects in this TIP.


Major Projects Implemented from the Prior TIP.


0900071

1173426

1297288

1500221

1173706

1297541

6l't Ave Added Travel Lanes (Arizona to SR 53 in Hobart)

93rd Ave Intersection Improvements @ Chase St (Crown Point)

6l't Ave Bridge over Deep River (Hobart)

RW - Chicago Ave Added Travel Lanes (Hammond) C&O Bike/Ped Trail (Merrillville)

Smoke Rd Intersection Improvement @ Division Rd (Porter Co.)


TIP Development Process


Introduction. Development of the new 2018-2021 TIP bega n in late 2016. An announcement was made at the October 2016 TechPC meeting. A series of meetings with the Northern Indiana Commuter Tra nsportation District (NICTD} regarding some extraordinary plan a mendment needs was held at

about the same time. A NOFA for FTA Section 5307/5340 projects in Lake and Porter Counties was issued in November 2016. No additional federal aid highway projects were solicited because all expected 2018-2021 INDOT/FHWA revenues have alrea dy been allocated to projects. The new TIP will be accompanied by a Long Range Transportation Plan Amendment and updated Conformity Determination. An adoption deadline of May 2017 was set-this was consistent with INDOT's previously stated intent to develop a new 2018-2021 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).


NIRPC issued one NOFA for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects in October 2015. We issued a NOFA for FTA Section 5307 projects in Lake and Porter Counties in November 2016. Projects were selected under the HSIP NOFA but were not under FTA Section 5307. The selection processes are described or included following.


There are three documents shown on the following pages. These are:


NOFA 2015-1: Call for Projects under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP}. (Five pages)


NOFA 2016-1: Transit TIP Projects and Selection Criteria (Three pages)


NIRPC Committee Descriptions. (10 pages)

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) 2015-1 Solicitation/Call for Federal-Aid Transportation Projects Lake and Porter Counties, Indiana


NorthwesternIndiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is soliciting proposals within Lake and Porter Counties, ndiana under the following Federal-Aid Program in the amount indicated:


Highway SafetyImprovement Program (HSIP) Year 2016 Highway SafetyImprovement Program (HSIP) Years 2017-2021

$ 0.7 Million

$ 4.1 Million


Of the funds to be made available under this Solicitation, about $700,000 is available now (State Fiscal Year 2016). We expect all remaining funds ($4.1 Million) to be fully obligated on or prior to June 30, 2021.


Submission Deadline: Letter of Intent: Friday, December 4, 2015

Full Application: Wednesday, December 1 6, 2015


Background


In our previous NOFA (2014-2) we made $9.9 million in HSIP funds available for programming. Projects were selected by the NIRPC Board at their July 2015 meeting. Afterward, they were submitted toINDOT for a determination of eligibility for HSIP funding. NDOT found five of the seven new projects eligible. We anticipate that issues with one ineligible project ($531K) will be resolved. However, the issues associated with the second ineligible project ($4.0M) are likely insurmountable. We are seeking a substitute project or projects to use the $4.0M.


Secondly, we have reconciled each of our four federal-aid accounts (STP, CMAQ, HSIP, and TAP) to avoid overspending in each account by year. This was done in response to anINDOT directive received in July 2015. We are able to transfer up to 50% of the annual allocation of funds in each account to other accounts. This reconciliation has left us with approximately $700,000 in 2016 HSIP spending authority that we are unable to allocate to projects. Of this amount, $620,292 is available for expenditure with a 100% federal share.


Eligible Activities


A highway safety improvement project is any strategy, activity or project on a public road that is consistent with the data-driven State Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and corrects or improves a hazardous road location or feature or addresses a highway safety problem. SpecificINDOT Guidance is downloadable from our website (www .nirpc.org).


There are two types of projects, 1) Low Cost/HighImpact Projects, and 2) High Crash Location projects. These are summarized on Attachment 1to this NOFA.


Applicants with prior road construction awards under the STP or CMAQ programs may submit an HSIP application that will result in the exchange or "trade out" of a portion of their prior STP or CMAQ award for HSIP funds. Such applications are subject to all HISP program requirements (specifically Cost/Benefit calculations).


Applicants may request funds to perform a Road Safety Audit (RSA) at a given location or for an entire corridor. RSA projects that use 2016 HSIP funds will be funded at 100% federal.


Applicants may request supplemental funding for existing HSIP-funded projects.

Please note that Cost/Benefit calculations are to be performed using HAT 2.0 software, which is downloadable from ERMS at no cost.


Geographic Restrictions by Fund Type


HSIP funds may be used anywhere in the county.


Eligible Applicants


  1. County Governments. Applications may only be submitted by the Board of Commissioners. Boards and/or Commissions created by the county may not submit applications directly to NIRPC.

  1. Cities and Towns. Applications may only be submitted by the Chief Elected Official. Boards and/or Commissions created by a city or town may not submit applications directly to NIRPC.

  2. NorthernIndiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD).

  3. State Agencies, including state-assisted public colleges and universities (IU, Purdue, vy Tech, etc.).

  4. NIRPC, on behalf of itself or other multiple units of government.


Submission of Letters of Intent/ Applications/Deadline


Letters of I ntent are due on Friday, December 4, 2015. The letter should indicate the applicant's intent to file a full application on or before the deadline. Notwithstanding, applicants may submit their full application instead of a Letter of ntent.


Full applications must be transmitted to NIRPC on or prior to Wednesday, December 1 6, 2015.

Application packages may be e-mailed, mailed (via USPS) or delivered in person to:

Amanda Pollard aperegrine@nirpc. org or at NIRPC, 6100 Southport Rd, Portage, N 46368-6409.


Application Form Preparation


A project application form may be downloaded from NIRPC's website (www.nirpc.org). The application form is in Microsoft Excel. Applicants should fill in the form, print it, attach required documentation, and then either 1) scan the documents into pdf format and submit the materials via e-mail or 2) physically submit the original application, with required documentation, to NIRPC in person or by mail. (Alternatively, applicants may use a paper copy of the application and complete it either by hand or typewriter for submission.) A dated transmittal letter, executed by the CEO (Chief Elected Official or Chief Executive Officer), must also accompany the application.


An area of emphasis this year is the preparation of Purpose and Need Statements. The purpose of the project should be stated clearly and concisely. The need for the project should be quantified whenever possible. Documentation that supports the need for the project should be attached.


Project Selection Process


A list of projects submitted in response to this Solicitation/Call will be presented to the NIRPC Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) at their December 8, 2015 meeting. The list will identify the project, its funding needs by year, projected Cost/Benefit information, and indicate if the project is believed to be eligible for HSIP funding.


NIRPC's 2013 HSIP Project selection system will be utilized. For the $4.lM available in 2017-2021: Following takedowns for supplemental funding, of the total amount of federal funding available, the first 75% of

funds will be reserved for Low Cost/HighImpact projects and the 25% balance reserved for High Crash Location projects.


For the $700K in 2016 funds, all reasonable funding requests will be considered.


The TPC will recommend funding for two lists of projects-those using the 2016 funds and those using the 2017-2021 funds. These lists should be considered tentative until the full applications have been received and the NIRPC Board adopts two final lists at their meeting on Thursday, December 17, 2015.


NIRPC Contacts


For HSIP Process & Project Eligibility: Stephen Sostaric ssostaric@nirpc.org For Funding Questions: Gary Evers gevers@nirpc.org

For general questions regarding the solicitation, deadlines, document formats, etc: Amanda Pollard apereqrine@ri irpc.org


Telephone 219.763.6060


NorthwesternIndiana Regional Planning Commission

6100 Southport Rd, PortageIN 46368-6409

November 10, 2014

Attachment #1 to NOFA 2015-1

November 11, 2015


The main source of information on the projects and information required is the Indiana Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Improvement Program Local Project Selection Guidance document, which can be found here: http://w ww.in.gov/indot/files/ LocalHSIPProjectSelectionGuidance.pdf


There are two types of eligible projects:


  1. Low Cost/High Impact Projects. These projects fall into seven categories designated by INDOT in their

    Local Project Selection Guidance document. The types are as follows:


Any submissions lacking these elements will not be considered during this process.


  1. High Crash Location Projects. These projects are the more traditional, higher cost safety projects. More information on these projects can also be found in the Local Project Selection Guidance document.


    For the Lake/Porter Urbanized Area, please note that these projects will receive 75% of the total HSIP funds being allocated to this urbanized area. PE will be capped at $100,000 , or 10% of the total project cost, whichever is less, and there will be a strict cap of $50,000 in federal funds per project for right-of­ way expenses.


    A benefit/cost (B/C) analysis is required to be performed, as is a road safety audit (RSA). During the selection process, the B/C ratio will be used to rank projects. Bonus points to be added to the project's base B/C ratio may also be rewarded for the following:

The top crash locations will be included in the solicitation packet. Please note that any projects using a top 10 crash location by type must demonstrate that they are addressing that specific crash type.


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RESOLUTION 1 5-29


A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION TO SELECT NEW FEDERAL AID PROJECTS FOR STATE FISCAL YEARS 2016-2021


WHEREAS, the citizens of Northwest Indiana require a safe, efficient and effective, resource-conserving regional transportation system to attain and maintain socially, economically and environmentally sound living conditions towards an improved quality of life;


WHEREAS, the NorthwesternIndiana Regional Planning Commission, hereafter referred to as "The Commission", being designated the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County Region, has established a regional, cooperative and comprehensive planning program to develop the unified planning work program, long-range transportation plan · and transportation improvement program;


WHEREAS, theIndiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) allocates federal funds each year from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to Indiana's Metropolitan Planning Organizations for use in undertaking Federal Aid projects under the Surface Transportation Program (STP), Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ), Highway Safety Improvement (HS P), and Transportation Alternative Program (TAP), all of which were authorized und.er the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century law (P.L. 112-141), adopted in 2012;


WHEREAS, Project funding requests were solicited and received from eligible applicants within theIndiana portion of the ChicagoIL/IN Urbanized Area for funds available under the Highway SafetyImprovement Program (HSIP); and


WHEREAS, The Transportation Policy and Committee reached consensus on a list of projects to receive funding.


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission endorses and adopts the attached list of new Federal Aid projects to be implemented in 2016-2021.


Duly adopted by the NorthwesternIndiana Regional Planning Commission on this seventeenth day of December, two thousand and fifteen.


:MttO

Chairperson


ATTEST:


' ' .

--:-1. '. image' , "·'. image. image. • 9 .-;

Robert J. Scfl. f

Secretary

NOFA 2015-1 Limited Solicitation for HSIP Projects

Transpor tation Policy Committee: Recommendations for Funding

December 8, 2015


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image

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Total Available (201 7-2021)


$ 4,100,000

Balance

$ 3,482,500


Praposed Use of Unallocated 2016 HSIP Funds

Proposed Use of Unallocated 2017-2021 HSIP Funds


Valparaiso


Kouts

Citywide Traffic Signal Upgrades Regulatory Signs & Pavement Markings

109th & Randolph Area Pedestrian Crossing

Improvements

$ 81.000

$ 58,500


$ 70,000


Winfield

Hobart


Hammond

HAWK Signal al SR51 & Oak Savannah Trail


Pedestrain Refuge Island. l73rd & Purdue Cal

$ 81.000

$ 100.000


Hammond


HAWK Signal at l50th & Grand Marquette Trail, Douglas &

Erie-Lackawanna Trail. l651h & Erie-Lackawanna


I $

100,000

Cedar Lake

Safety lmp_r:ovemenls at 133rd Ave al US41

$ 27,000

Gary

Replace Regulatory & Warning Signs

$ 100,000

Total Requested: $8,772,200 Federal $ 617.500

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LPA

-

Project Name

Federal Eunds


lake County


RSA on 101st Ave

Stat


& Calumet. 101st & Sheffiel e Line. 109th & Calumet


d, 101st &

-


$ 100,000


Valparaiso

Corridor RSAs on Silhavy, CR500N, Calumet, Campbell, Lincolnway, CR400N, SR2. US30, Roosevelt Rd, LaPorte Ave. Harrison Blvd


$ 67,500

Gary

RSA on Ridge Rd, Grant to Broadway

-

$ 100,000

Gory

l

RSA on Grant St, 4th Ave to 1-80/94

$ 100,000

Goty

RSA on Lake St, US12/20 lo Lakefront

$ 100,000

NIRPC

I 65 & US30 UPWP Safety Planning Project

$ 250,000

Total Requested

$

717,500

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Total Available (2016) $ 719,681


Balance

$ 2,181


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Transit TIP Projects and Selection Criteria


The Transit Operators Roundtable (TOR) is the Topical Stakeholder Committee responsible for overseeing NIRPC's transit planning process and program. The TOR meets monthly to problem-solve ongoing transit issues in the region, coordinate transit services, and problem-solve funding issues. Most importantly, the TOR is also responsible for the development of the project selection process for various FTA funding programs .

Currently, Northwestern Indiana encompasses portions of two Urbanized Areas (UZA): Chicago, IL/IN and Michigan City-LaPorte. These geographies require TOR to operate as two distinct groups, each with their own project selection processes. Both groups determine funding priorities based on consensus.


Chicago, IL/IN UZA Gary Public Transit Corporation North Township Dial-A-Ride

Northwestern Indiana Commuter Transit District Porter County Aging and Community Services South Lake Community Services

Valparaiso V-Line and Valpo Dash

Michigan City-LaPorte UZA Michigan City Transit Transporte


Michigan City-LaPorte UZA. The providers in the Michigan City-LaPorte UZA do not utilize a competitive process to determine their funding priorities. For 2018 and 2019 the estimated apportionments

$951,024 and $970,044 were distributed based upon their estimated operating expenses for those years. Both providers were able to reach consensus on this distribution mechanism.

Chicago UZA. Within the Chicago UZA a detailed project selection process was developed. Consensus was reached among the six operators on the selection process and a NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) was released in November 2016. Following receipt of projects, numerous errors were discovered within the NOFA and selection system. Consequently, we have decided to nullify the results of the project solicitation. We will convene the TOR to correct the errors in the project selection system and reissue the NOFA. This process will occur after the publication of the FY2018-2021 TIP, but before the end of calendar 2017. Projects selected as part of the Michigan City-LaPorte UZA, and projects that were not part of 5307, 5339, or 5310 were added to the TIP. This primarily includes all NICTD projects using State of Good Repair (SOGR), Core Capacity, New Start, and local funds as funding sources.

Accordingly, 5307 projects included in the new 2018-2021 TIP are those previously included in the 2016- 2019 TIP. We intend to amend-in the new projects following a redo of the solicitation for 2018-2021 Section 5307-funded projects in the Indiana portion of the Chicago UZA.

The following section will outline a typical project selection process and illustrate how the 2018 projects were or will be selected for inclusion in the FY2016-2019 TIP. The typical process is as follows:


Project Selection Process for FTA 5307, 5310, and 5339 Funding Programs for Lake and Porter County



image

apportionment estimate


Currently, transit operators in Northwestern Indiana can utilize the following FTA funding sources:



Even though each program has a distinct separation of eligible activities, TOR implements the same system for scoring these projects. The 5339 funding is used fund eligible vehicle replacements before the more versatile 5307 funding needs to be expended. 5310 projects are also usually selected through this process, in accordance with NIRPC's Coordinated Services Plan. Similarly to 5339 operations and capital project that can be funded with 5310 are funded first,so the bulk of 5307 can be shared across all other program areas.


Regionally Significant Transit Projects


NICTD included two projects in the FY2018-2021 TIP that would meet NIRPC's definition of being "regionally significant." These projects are the West Lake Corridor Expansion and Double Tracking the South Shore Line.


The West Lake Corridor Project


The West Lake Corridor Project would be an approximate 9-mile southern extension of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's (NICTD) existing South Shore Line (SSL) between Dyer and Hammond, Indiana. Trains on the new branch line would connect with the existing SSL and ultimately Metra Electric District's (MED) line to the north. The proposed project would provide new transit service

between Dyer, Indiana and Metra's Millennium Station in Downtown Chicago, Illinois, a total distance of approximately 29 miles.

An expansion of the South Shore Line has long been recognized as a value to the Northwest Indiana regional community. As early as 1989, the NIRPC released a study that identified an extension to the SSL as a potentially viable means to expand mass transit in the region. Since that time, multiple evaluations have occurred. In 2011, NICTD's West Lake Corridor Study concluded that a rail-based service between the Munster/Dyer area and Metra's Millennium Station in Downtown Chicago would best meet the public transportation needs of the study area. In June 2014, NICTD and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) released the 20-Year Strategic Business Plan,which highlighted the importance of a West Lake Corridor Project. In May 2014, NICTD initiated the environmental review process for the West Lake Corridor Project, a required next step to advance overall project development and secure federal funding.

The purpose of the West Lake Corridor Project is to provide a vital transportation link that connects Northwest Indiana to Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. NICTD is proposing the West Lake Corridor Project as a southern branch extension of the SSL route to reach high-growth areas in Lake County, Indiana. The project would expand NICTD's service coverage, improve mobility and accessibility, and stimulate local job creation and economic development opportunities for Lake County.

The benefits to be achieved from the Project are to:



Double Tracking the South Shore Line


The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) proposes to double-track its South Shore commuter rail line in northern Indiana to allow for expanded peak-hour service that will relieve current crowding. The project includes double-tracking along a 24 mile-segment of the line between Gary and Michigan City, and platform upgrades at five stations.Two miles of the project corridor are in Michigan City, where the project includes construction of an exclusive two-mile right-of-way to replace the current street-running segment. These upgrades will allow NICTD to increase peak-hour capacity without procuring additional rolling stock .


image



NOTICE OF SOLICITATION


FOR THE FFY 2018-2021 TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM


FOR FTA SECTION 5307 URBANIZED AREA FUNDS, SECTION 5339

BUS AND BUS FACILITIES FUNDS, AND SECTION 5337 STATE OF GOOD REPAIR FOR LAKE AND PORTER COUNTIES


November 14, 2016


The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is conducting a solicitation for public transit projects to receive federal funds under the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307, Section 5339 and Section 5337. This solicitation is targeted to existing public transit operators in Lake and Porter Counties. The Section 5337 solicitation is targeted to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the only commuter rail operator eligible in the Lake - Porter urbanized area. The solicitation is limited to new projects for Federal Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.


NOTE: New providers, or potential new providers, must contact NIRPC to determine eligibility, financial feasibility and sustainability. Approving new providers is a long-term process. Early contact with NIRPC is required.


Applications are due at NIRPC by Thursday, December 30, 2016.


An application form (Attachment 1) must be completed for each proposed new project and/or ongoing operating, capital, planning, and maintenance needs.


Contact: Please submit your project application(s) to James Winters at [winters @ nirpc.org or mail to NIRPC,

6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN. 46368.


l:.l1g1ble act1v1t1es include operating, capital and planning projects designed to support, maintain, and improve the Lake and Porter Counties' public transit systems, including fixed route bus, complementary paratransit, demand response transit, commuter bus, and commuter rail.


Project Selection

Transit projects will be selected using the Project Selection Criteria developed in conjunction with the adopted 2040 Comprehensive Regional F'lan for Northw est Ind i ana (CRP) . The Plan's Goals and Objectives are included as Attachment 2.


Applicants will self-score projects using the methodologies identified in the Project Selection Criteria, Attachment 3. Support documentation as noted on the Project Application must be submitted with the application(s). Staff will review and confirm scores. Discrepancies will be resolved by the Transit Operators' Round Table.


Federal Financial Projections

For TIP financial constraint purposes, the following projections will be used:


Base amount - FY 2017 $11,500,000 Projected Annual Increase of 2%


FFY 2018 - $11,730,000

FFY 2019 - $11,964,600 FFY 2020 - $12,203,892 FFY 2021- $12,447,970


TRANSIT PROJECT SELECTION CALENDAR FOR THE FFY 2018-2021 TIP


Release of Solicitation Application: Project Submission Deadline: Transit Operators Review

TPC Approves for Public Comment Public Review Period

NIRPC Board Approves TIP

November 9, 2016


December 30, 2016


Jan.-Feb, 2017


March, 2017


March-April, 2017


May, 2017

ATTACH M ENT 1


NORTHWEST INDIANA SECTION 5307/5339 TIP APPLICATION

Federal Fiscal Year 2018-2021 TIP


PART I. APPLICANT INFORMATION


Public Transit Operator: Contact Name:

Contact A ddress: Email:

Phone Number:


PART II. PROJECT INFORMATION


Federal Fiscal Year:


Project Description: (Attach separate sheet as needed.)


For vehicle replacements, include schedule of replacements

For all others, include sufficient detail to inform "general public reader".


List Criteria Proj ect Add resses and Score:


PART Ill. PROJECT BUDGET


FEDERAL image image


$ $ $ $


Source ot Local Match:


NOTE: FOR EACH PROJECT PLEASE IDENTIFY BY YEAR THE AMOUNT AND SOURCE OF ALL NON-FEDERAL SUPPORT.


Project Start a nd End Dates:

ATTACHMENT 2


2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan

2040 CRP Vision Statement I Goals & Objectives Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission


2040 CRP Vision Statement

Stretching from the treasured shores of Lake M ichigan to the historic banks of the Kankakee River and committed to an ethic of sustainability:


A vibrant region - Our economy is thriving, our peo ple are well educated, growth is planned and natural and rural areas are valued and protected;


A revitalized region - Urban areas are renewed and our environment is clean;


An accessible region - Our peo ple are connected to each other and to equal op portunities for working, pla ying, living, and learning;


A united region - Celebrating our diversity, we work together as a community across racial, ethnic, political, and cultural lines for the good of the region.


2040 CRP Goals and Objectives:

( * Indicates transit-supportive policy)


Vision Theme: Vibrant Region - thriving economy

AlTACHEMENT 3


Northwest Indiana

FFY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program


PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA


Federal Transit Administration Urban Area Formula Grant Program

(FTA Section 5307, Section 5337, Section 5339) Chicago Urbanized Area


Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission 6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368-6409

(219) 763-6060

e-mail: nirpc@nirpc.org website: www.nirpc.org


NOVEMBER 9,2016

Northwest Indiana FTA Section 5307 Project Selection Criteria (Chicago UZA) Federal Fiscal Year 2018 - 2021 Transportation Improvement Program FEDERAL PROGRAM PRIORITIES

FEDERAL PRIORITY #1: Transportation Security Expenses 1% of Section 5307 Apportionment

The FAST Act requires that at least 1% of an urbanized area apportionment must be used on "transportation security expenses" unless the Designated Recipient can certify that this expense is not necessary. Eligible federal priorities are defined as camera surveillance systems, lighting, and perimeter control (fences) .


Locally Determined Priorities

1. Camera surveillance systems

2. Lighting 3 . Fences

  1. Security Training for Drivers

  2. Contracted Security Services (monitoring)


Scoring/Selection of Projects

Funds for transportation secur ity projects shall be sub-allocated to the three direct recipients who shall submit a prioritized list, in the amount of the sub-allocation, of eligible projects in response to the TIP solicitation. In the case of the 7 sub-grantees under the NIRPC designation, NIRPC shall facilitate the development of a prioritized list with the affected transit operators.


For planning purposes, the direct recipients should expect to receive the following percentages of each year's projected Associated Transportation Improvement funds:


GPTC: 37%

NICTD: 40%

NIRPC: 23%


The Transit Operators Roundtable may be flexible and consider other sharing arrangements as project needs evolve. The consensus of thP RrnmrltrihlP wrnilrl hP required to make changes.

LOCAL PRIORITY #1: Operating/PM Subsidy Projects


  1. Preservation and Maintenance of Existing Services and Facilities 86% of Section 5307 Apportionment

    Priority A


    Definition: These projects provide subsidies to transit operators to sustain existing operations. Eligible projects include operating assistance as provided in the FAST Act, capital cost of contracting, preventive maintenance, and NIRPC Section 5307 sub-grantee management and transit planning.


    Scoring and Project Selection

    All eligible projects will be scored by the Applicant and receive a value of "1".


    Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are the existing public transportation operators and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. Other potential applicants must contact NIRPC to determine eligibility, federal, state and local funding availability, and long-term sustainability.


    Priority 1B


    Definition: These projects provide subsidies to sustain the complementary paratransit services, leases of revenue vehicles and transit equipment, and associated capital maintenance (spare parts).


    Scoring and Project Selection

    All eligible projects will be scored by the Applicant and receive a value of "2".


    Operating/PM Subsidy Floor/Increases & Decreases in Apportionment

    Each recipient's or sub-recipient's proportionate share of the projected total amount of FFY 2015 Section 5307 financial assistance programmed for Operating Subsidies is construed as their "Operating Subsidy Floor." Each operator's "Operating Subsidy Floor" amount for FFY 2016 is shown on the following chart.


    image

    FFY 2016 Operating/PM Subsidy Floor; Apportionment: $11,502,467

    Operator

    $ Amount

    Percent


    Gary Public Transportation Corporation


    $4,552,110


    39.57%

    Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

    3,963,060

    34.45%

    City of East Chicago

    566,726

    4.93%

    NIRPC Transit Planning

    120,000

    1.04%

    North Township Trustee

    43,200

    .3756%

    Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

    100,194

    .8711%

    Porter County Community Services

    100,000

    .8694%

    South Lake County Community Services

    100,000

    .8694%

    Valparaiso V-Line

    108,800

    .9459%

    DASH

    159,200

    1.3841

    TOTAL

    $9,813,290

    85.31%

    Total FY 2016 Section 5307 Apportionment

    $11,502,567

    Bal. $1,689,277




    Decrea ses in Sub-Ap portionme nt. If the final FTA Section 5307 sub-apport ionment for any subsequent year is less than the amount projected, each eligib l e entity's "Operating /PM Subsidy Floor" will be reduced proportionately by an amount equal to the overall percentage decrease in the total sub­ apportionment.


    Increases in Sub-Apportionment. If the final FTA Section 5307 sub-apportionment for any subsequent year is greater than the amount projected, each eligib le entity's "Operating/PM Subsidy Floor" will be increased proportionately by an amount equal to the overall percentage increase in the total sub­ apportionment .

    Regardless of any increase or decrease in their respective "Operating Subsidy/PM Floor," applicants must demonstrate a need for the level of funding sought in a TIP application. If a recipient or sub-recipient is allocated more Operating Subsidy/PM funds than the recipient or sub-recipient demonstrates is needed, the matter may be brought before the Transportation Policy Committee.

    Local Priority #2 - All Other Preservation and Maintenance Projects Including Vehicle Replacements


    10% of Section 5307 Apportionment

    These are capital projects involving the preservation and maintenance of the existing (physical) public transit network. Eligible projects include the replacement, rehabilitation, rebuilding or overhaul of revenue vehicles, support vehicles and facilities; ADA compliance retrofitting, minor additions to existing support vehicles and facilities; improvements to existing communications/coordination/control systems; and improvements to the commuter rail infrastructure-or any other project meeting the definition of Preservation and Maintenance described in Attachment #1.


    Priority 2A - Vehicle Replacements


    Prioritization of Revenue Vehicle Replacement Projects

    The term "vehicle replacement project" is defined as the replacement of one existing vehicle with another vehicle.


    Vehicle Replacement Schedules

    Revenue vehicle replacements, rebuilding, and/or rehabilitation projects must be consistent with the applicant's vehicle replacement schedule. Revenue vehicle replacements will be prioritized by remaining useful life. Applicants shall submit a fleet roster that includes years in service, mileage and expected date vehicle will meet useful life.


    Priority 2B. All Other Preservation and Maintenance Replacements


    Prioritization of All Other Replacements

    A project's score is the priority number (1 through 20) assigned by the criteria to the particular project type (see following).


    If there is sufficient funding in any year to select preservation and maintenance projects (other than vehicle replacement) and there are multiple projects submitted for a particular project type priority, the matter will be brought before the Transit Operators Roundtable for discussion and resolution of the situation. The matter will be referred to the Transportation Policy Committee if there is no consensus reached among operators.


    Locally Determined Priorities (Listed in Descending Order)

    Priorities 1through 6: Existing Transit Facility Retrofit Projects Related To ADA Implementation.

    1. Aural/Visual Communications Systems at Stations, Stops & Terminols

    2. Terminal/Station/Stop Overhaul Projects

    3. Accessible Passenger Shelters

    4. Signage at Stations, Stops & Terminals

    5. Aural/Visual Communications Systems on Revenue Vehicles

    6. Physical Accessibility Retrofit Projects at Transit Offices

Priorities 7 through 20: All Other Preservation and Maintenance Projects.


  1. Maintenance Equipment Replacement or Minor Expansion

  2. Maintenance Building Replacement or Minor Expansion

  3. Service Vehicle Replacement

  4. Radio Communications Equipment Replacement or Minor Expansion

  5. Passenger Terminal Replacement or Minor Expansion 12. Office/Other Equipment Replacement

13. Other Communications Equipment Replacement or Minor Expansion 14. Administrative Vehicle Replacement

  1. Staff Vehicle Replacement

  2. Commuter Rail Bridge Replacement

  3. Commuter Rail Track Replacement

  4. Commuter Rail Signals and Control System Replacement 19. Commuter Rail Electric Propulsion System Replacement 20.. Expansion Non-Revenue Vehicles


All projects selected under this priority must be clearly related to the preservation and maintenance of existing transit operations (See attached definition of Preservation and Maintenance).

LOCAL PRIORITY #3: Other Non-Operating Projects 3% of Section 5307 Apportionment

Priority Projects

Priorities for funding under this category shall be:

3A. System Planning, Rider Education and Marketing

3B. Service Enhancements for Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Connectivity 3C. Service Expansions

  1. Associated Transit Improvements


    Priority 3A.

    Under 3A, eligible projects are planning projects and studies, including rider surveys, studies related to management, operations, capital requirements, route analysis, marketing and economic feasibility, preparation of engineering and architectural surveys, plans and specifications, evaluation of previously funded projects, and other similar or related activities preliminary to and in preparation for the construction, acquisition, or improved operation of transit systems, and technical studies of special interest to the operators.


    The 3A priorities shall be as follows:


    1. mandated passenger surveys

    2. systems planning, with multi-jurisdictional planning first, and all others second

    3. marketing

    4. rider education and travel training


Project Scoring

Applicants will self-score their projects. A project's score is the priority number (1through 4) assigned by the criteria to the particular project type.


In the event that there are multiple applications of the same score are received, the following will be utilized to differentiate among projects:


1. Projects which impact a congested link (i.e., plan implementation would relieve congestion) identified in the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan will be ranked higher than another project of the same score.

I . PrnjPr:tc; imririrtine ri livrihlP rPntPr will he ranked higher than a project of the same score.


Unified Planning Work Program Inclusion

Once a planning project has been selected for funding it must also appear in the NIRPC Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Applicants for planning funds shall work with MPO staff to assure a project's inclusion in the UPWP for the appropriate fiscal year.


4 8

Priority 38

Eligible projects here are the acquisition of capital items for improvements to information, communications and control systems. (Any related planning or engineering costs required prior to acquisition and/or construction are planning projects eligible under Priority 3A.)


The priorities for 38 shall be as follows:

Efficiency - Project implementation results in more service with no increase in vehicles. Improvements in efficiency will be measured by projecting increases in the number of passenger boardings per revenue mile.


Effectiveness - Project implementation will result in the availability of more service. Improvements in effectiveness will be measured by projecting the change in the number of passenger boardings.


Reliability - Project implementation will improve service delivery at the existing level of service. Improvements in reliability will be measured by projected reduction in revenue service interruptions.


Connectivity - Project implementation will improve connectivity between two or ore transit providers or modes of transportation. Improvements in coordination will be measured by the actual changes in the number of interconnections with other public providers and/or transportation modes.


Prioritized List of Project Types:

  1. Electronic Fare Card System (including component parts)

  1. Computer Equipment

  2. AVL Equipment (GPS transponders and related computer hardware/software)

  3. Computerized Route Scheduling (hardware/software)

  4. Bus/Train-to-B ase Telecommunications Equipment

  5. Passenger Telecommunications Equipment (telephones, TDD/TOY/facsimile)

  6. Traffic Signal Pre-emption Projects

  7. Equipment and Installation of Wi-Fi on revenue vehicles


Applicants will self-score their projects. A project's score is the priority number (1through 8) assigned to the particular project type (see above list).


Priority 3C

Eligible types of projects here include operating subsidy, preventative maintenance, capital equipment, and planning assistance for the undertaking of a specific new or expanded transit service. New or expansion projects may address increasing service areas, vehicle capacities, hours/days of operation, improved frequency, expansions of existing services, and new routes.


Long Range Planning Support

Eligible transit services and activities must be identified and/or supported in the goals and objectives in the Connections 2040 Regional Transportation Plan.

Priority Projects

  1. New/Expanded Services in Urban Core Community

  2. New/Expanded Services Improving Capacity for Elderly and/or Persons with Disabilities

  3. New/Expanded Services Improving connectivity between people and jobs .

  4. New/Expanded Services not in Urban Core.


    Scoring Projects

    The score shall be the priority number listed above with No. 1being the highest . In the event there are multiple projects, the following priorities shall be applied :

    Project targets area of high concentrations of transit dependent people shall be prioritized over projects serving medium concentrations, which shall be prioritized over projects serving low concentrations.

    Service Improvement (Demand Response or Fixed Route) Demand Response

    1. Increased capacity

    2. Expanded Hours/Days of Service


OR


Fixed Route

  1. Improved frequencies

  2. Increased Hours of service

  3. Route Extensions

  4. Increase days of service


Projects with the highest overall priority ranking will be selected for funding, until all funds are exhausted .


Applicants for projects under Priority 3C will submit a brief narrative that identifies how the project addresses each priority area. The project narrative must contain sufficient project detail to support the ranking. The narrative must also address other sources of funding to demonstrate sufficient resources to successfully implement, maintain and sustain the project for the long term.


If the proposed project requires the participJtion of either JdditionJI public or private trunsit providers or other entities such as local governments, evidence of the partnership must be included in the application .


Duration of Funding Eligibility

Projects selected for funding under this priority are eligible for funding hereunder for a maximum of three years.

Relationship of Projects to Transportation Plan.

As already noted, all projects submitted for funding under this Priority 3C will have as their basis a project (or project type listing) contained within the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. In the event that this basis is not evidenced in the application(s) or there are significant deviations in the services proposed by an applicant from those identified within the Plan, the question regarding eligibility will be referred to the Transit Operators Roundtable and/or Transportation Policy Committee for resolution.


Priority 30

Eligible projects in priority order are as follows : 1. Bus shelters

  1. Green Infrastructure

  2. Street Scape Projects

  3. Historic Preservation

  4. Signage

  5. Enhanced ADA

  6. Bike Pedal Improvements


    Multiple Projects with Same Score

    In the event that there are multiple projects with the same score the Transit Operator's Roundtable will recommend a resolution. In the event that the Roundtable cannot reach a consensus recommendation, the issue will be taken to the Technical Planning Committee (TPC) for resolution.


    image


    New NIRPC Committee Assignments

    & Descriptions

    May 2016


    COMMITIEE CONTEXT & ORGANI ZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

    NI RPC is both a Metropoli ta n Pla n ni ng Orga nization and a Council of Govern ments: Metropolita n Planning Organization (MPO )

    Regional Transportation Plan ni ng, req ui red for federal transportation subsidies.

    Maintai n planning documents and processes req uired under federal transportation progra ms

    Programming the federal transportation dollars to local projects


    Council of Govern m ents ( COG )

    Plan ning, Program mi ng, Policy for: Transportation

    Economic Development Envi ron ment

    Coord inative Management Process wi th all mem ber u nits Assist in planni ng programs of mem ber u nits


    To help give context for Com mittee Functions, the com mittees below have been grou ped as COG Function, MPO function, or General NIRPC Ooerations.



    image


    COG Functions


    Legislative Committee

    What does it do?

    Determines NI RPC positions on priority state and federal legislation across all NI RPC pla n ni ng domains and topics of local interest

    Who is on it?

    Com missioners (voluntary and no limit); Quorum m ade u p of majority of attendees but no less than 3 in attend ance (includ ing Chair)

    When does it meet?

    As called by the Chai r. Typically d u ri n g session .

    Con:_t m issioner Mem bership for 2016:


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments, Page 3


MPO Functions


Technical Planning Committee **NEWLY FORMU LATED**

Will be a new com bination of the Transportatfon Planning Committee (TPC) and the

2040 Implementation Commntee


What does it do?


La ke Porter La Porte La Porte Porter Lake LaPorte LaPorte La ke

La ke Porter Porter


Environmental Management and Policy Committee


What does it do?

Explore topics, policies, programs, and regulations releva n t to NWI such as

Ai r Quality

Water Quality and Watershed Planning Biodiversity and Conservation

Ecosystem Services and Green I nfrastructu re Brownfields

Energy

Provide regional conveni ng body for complex environ menta l issues impacti ng NWI

Recom mend environ menta l policies and oversee development of f u nded environ mental plans and progra ms

Advise N I RPC on MPO req ui red Environ menta l Mitigation prog ra m

Esta blish selection criteria and recom m end tra nsportation projects for special environ mental categories eligi ble for transportation f u nd ing

includ ing:

CMAQ Public Ed ucation, Diesel Retrofit, and misc. air emission red uction projects


Ped, Pedal, and Paddle Committee ("3PC")


What does it do?

Explore topics, policies, progra ms, and regulations releva nt to Trails, Com plete Streets, and non-motorized transportation .

Ad vise N I RPC on policies and progra ms related to non-motorized tra nsportation development

Provide trai ning on best practices to local govern ments relati ng to trails, complete streets, and non-motorized transportation .

Oversees developm ent of the regional Ped and Ped al Tra nsportation Pla n, Trail Priori ty Map, and Blueways (Water Trail) projects

Who is on it?

Com missioners (volu nta ry and no limit); Quoru m m ad e u p of majority of attend ees but no less tha n 3 in attendance (includi ng Chair)

Local pla n ners

Local Pa rk and Rec. staff

Pa rk and Trail Ad vocacy G rou ps

I nd i ana Du nes N ationa l La keshore National Pa rks Service

NI RPC non-motorized staff


New NIRPC Committee Assignments, Page 6


When does it m eet?

Month ly, 4th Thu rsd ays at 1:30pm .


Com missioner Mem bershi p for 201 6:


Neyv NIRPC Committee Assig nments, Page 7


Rail Vision Workgrou p/Freight


What does it do?

Explore topics, policies, programs, and regulations relevant to freight transportation pla n ning, rail, freight related economic development, high speed rail, and rail crossing safety.

Advise N I RPC on freight tra nsportation needs and freight related economic development and policies to im plement freight elements of the regional transportation plan .

Act as convener for local com m u nities and stakeholders pertai ning to rail and highway interactions and issues.

Who is on it?

Com missioners (voluntary and no limit); Quorum made up of majority of attendees but no less tha n 3 in attendance (includi ng Chai r)

Regional I nd ust ries Railroads

Port of I ndiana

Economic Development? Local pla n ners


When does it meet?

Historically, every other 3rd Wed nesd ay at 10am.

Com missioner Mem bershi p for 2016:


New NIRPC Committee Assignments, Page 8


Transit Operators Rou ndtable

Note: The Transit Operators Round tabl e is composed of operators of public transit (see below) and has not previousl y had Commissioner representation. Neverthel ess, it was

incl uded in the Commi ttee Preference survey in order to gauge Commissioner interest and solicit greater involvement in transit issues.

What does it do?

N I RPC Tra nsit Plan ner and Transit oversight staff


When does it meet?

Often followi ng the Tech nical Pla n ni n g Com mittee (TPC) meeti ng every 2nd Tuesd ay m orning, but essentially as need ed .


Com missioner Representation for 201 6:


New NIRPC Committee Assignmen ts, Page 9


Surface Transportation Committee **NEW**


What does it do?

Explore topics, policies, programs, and regulations relevant to street and highway transportation.

Oversees development of Regional Transportati on Plan elements relating to requirements including:

o Congestion Management

o Performance Based Planning

Advise NIRPC on policies to implement the plan elements listed above . Establish selection criteria and recommend transportation projects for STP and HSIP funding.

Who is on it?

Commissioners (voluntary and no limit); Quorum of majority of attendees with no less than 3 in attendance (if needed)

Municipal Planners and I or Engineers INDOT

NIRPC Transportati on Planners


When does it meet?

This is a newly formed committee, with meeting frequency to be determined.

Commissioner Membership for 2016:


New N IRPC Committee Assig nmen ts, Page 10


Transportati on Resource & Oversight Committees (Group I & Group II)

Newly Forma lized : This new entity is open to all City / Town/ County Commissioners at any time, and therefore was not surveyed for a speci fic committee pre ference.

What does it do?

When does it meet?

This is a newly-formalized entity, with meeti ng freq uency to be d etermined , but essentially as-need ed .


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments, Pag e 11


Combi ned MPO & COG Committee Function:


Outreach Committee

New ly Proposed! Advises and receives di rection from TPC


What will it do?

Oversees the Public Partici pati on Plan


New NIRPC Committee Assignments, Page 12


General NIRPC Operati ons:


Finance and Personnel Committee


What does it do?

Oversees routine NIRPC operations such as budget preparation, claims, HR functions, contracts, etc.

Who is on it?

NIRPC Treasurer (Chair)

9 Commissioners - Voluntary membership; Quorum made up of majority of attendees, but no less than 3 in attendance (including Chair)

NIRPC Executive Director, Finance and Administration Staff NIRPC Attorney

When does it meet?

Monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 9am, prior to Executive Board/ Full Commission meeting.

Commissioner Membership for 2016:


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments, Page 13


image


NIRPC Committee Assignments by Commissioner

May 2016


Kyle All en. Jr. Transit Operators


Patty Arn ett

Technical Planning Committee Surface Transportation


Jeannette Bapst

Environmental Management and Policy Committee


John Bay l er

Local Government Assistance Committee (Vice-Chair) Technical Planning Committee


Geof Benson (Executive Board)

NIRPC Secretary

Technical Planning Committee

Environmental Management and Policy Committee (Chair)


Toni Biancardi

Local Government Assistance Committee Outreach Committee (Chair)


Kevin Breitzke (Executive Board)

Technical Planning Committee (Vice Chair)

Environmental Management and Policy Committee


Bob Carnahan Legislative Committee

Finance and Personnel Committee


Christine Cid

Surface Transportation

Finance and Personnel Committee


A nthony Cope l and (Executive Board) Finance and Personnel Committee Outreach Committee


Jon Costas

Legislative Committee

Local Government Assistance Committee


Dave Decker (Executive Board)

Rail Vision I Freight (Chair)

Finance and Personnel Committee


Jeff Dekker

Legislative Committee

Land Use Committee (Vice-Chair)


Bill Emerson. Jr.

Technical Planning Committee

Environmental Management and Policy Committee (Vice-Chair)


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments by Commissioner, Pag e 2


Will Farrell begg

Envi ron mental Management and Policy Com mittee Outreach Com mittee (Vice-Chair)


Thomas Fath

Rail Vision / Freight


Michael Forbes

Rail Vision /Freight


Ka ren Freema n -Wilson Legislative Com mittee


Jack Geralds

Ped , Ped al, and Padd le La nd Use Com mittee


Jeff Good

Ped, Ped al, and Padd le


Sylvia G raham

Environmenta l Mana gem ent and Policy Com mittee


Michael G riffi n (Executive Board)

NIRPC Vice-Chair

Legislative Com mittee

Tech nical Pla n ni n g Com mittee (Chair)


Richa rd Ha rd away

Local Govern men t Assista nce Com mittee (Chair)

Fi na nce and Person nel Com mittee


Anthony Hend ricks

Surf ace Transportation


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments by Commissioner, Page 3


Cary Kirkham

Surface Transportati on (Vice Chair)


Justi n Kiel

Land Use Committee


Kathy Kniola Legislative Committee

Ped, Pedal, and Paddle (Vice-Chair)


Nicole Markovich

Local Government Assistance Committee


Ron Meer

Land Use Committee

Finance and Personnel Committee


Nick Meyer

Technical Planning Committee


Blair Mil o (Executive Board) Legislative Committee (Chair) Technical Planning Committee


Tom McDermott (Executive Board) Legislative Committee (Vice-Chair) Transit Operators


Roger Mille r

Local Government Assistance Committee Ped, Pedal, and Paddle


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments by Commissione1 Pag e 4


Ed Morales

Legislative Committee


Diane Noll (Executive Board)

NIRPC Treasurer

Finance and Personnel Committee (Chair)


Jean Poulard Outreach Committee


Lori Reno

Technical Planning Committee


Mark Ritte r

Outreach Committee


Rick Ryfa

Rail Vision/Freight (Vice Chair)


Tom Schmitt

Local Government Assistance Committee Surface Transportation (Chair)


Dave Shafer

Technical Planning Committee

Finance and Personnel Committee (Vice-Chai r)


Fred Siminski Outreach Committee


Brian Snedecor Legislative Committee


New NIRPC Committee Assignments by Commissioner, Page 5


James Snyder

Rail Vision I Freight


Ed Soliday (Executive Board)

Legislative Committee


Joe Stahur a

Legislative Committee

Ped, Pedal, and Paddle (Chair)


Greg Stinson (Executive Board)

Land Use Committee (Chair)

Finance and Personnel Committee


Jim Ton (Executive Board)

NIRPC Chair

Technical Planning Committee


George Topoll

Technical Planning Committee

Environmental Management and Policy Committee


Dave Uran

Legislative Committee


New NIRPC Committee Assig nments by Commissioner, Page 6


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0= Committee makes decisions on

Federal Funding Transportation Projects


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Regional Planning Comrrrission

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