2019

2020

Amendment #2

Unified Planning Work Program

The NWI 2050 Plan guides NIRPC’s planning activities and identified four planning focus areas to implement the four visions for NWI: a connected, renewed, united, and vibrant NWI. These include, the environment, economy + place, people + leaders and mobility. Throughout this UPWP each task will be identified by the icons below for which planning focus area the task contributes to. Additionally, below, are the sixteen identified critical paths to achieve the visions of the NWI 2050 Plan.

2019-2020 Unified Planning Work Program amendment #2

Table of Contents

UPWP budget 6‌

2019 estimated task budgets after amendment #1B 7

2020 estimated task budgets – after amendment #2 9‌

About NIRPC 10

Background + purpose 10‌

State authority 10

NIRPC Commission – 2019 appointments 12‌

NIRPC committees 13

NIRPC staff organization and functions 14‌

About the UPWP 15

Required elements 15

FHWA + FTA planning emphasis areas 15‌

Metropolitan planning activities and tasks 16

1. | Administration + public participation 16

   1. | Planning management + administration 17‌

   2. | Public participation + communication tools 18

   3. | Title VI program management 19

   4. | Environmental Justice program management 20

   5. | Americans with Disabilities Act program management 21

   6. | UPWP development and management 22

1. | Data collection + analysis 23‌

   1. | Planning data collection 24

   2. | Planning data analysis + forecasts 25‌

   3. | GIS support services 26

   4. | Performance-based planning activities 27‌

   5. | Congestion management 28

   6. | Travel demand modeling 29‌

   7. | Air quality conformity 30

1. | Short-range planning 31

   1. | Transportation Improvement Program development 32‌

   2. | Transportation Improvement Program management 33

   3. | Environmental red flag investigations 34‌

1. | Long-range planning 35

   1. | 2050 comprehensive regional plan development – 2019 task only 36‌

   2. | NWI 2050 Plan implementation 37

   3. | Regional land use planning 41‌

   4. | Surface transportation planning 42

   5. | Environmental linkages planning 43‌

500 | Multi-modal planning 45

1. | Active transportation planning 46‌

2. | Transit planning – 2020 tasks 51

600 | Special planning activities 52

700 | FTA activities and tasks 53

1. | Sub-grantees oversight 54

2. | Transit planning – 2019 tasks 55

800 | NIRPC programs 56‌

800.1 | Air quality + education 57

800.2 | e-TIP 62‌

900 | NIRPC administration 63

Other significant regional planning activities 66

Appendices 67

UPWP submittal letters and resolution of adoption 67‌

INDOT approval letter 71

USDOT approval letter 72‌

Cost allocation plan approvals 74

Planning agreements 77‌

NIRPC / INDOT / transit operators 77

CMAP / NIRPC / IDOT / INDOT 89‌

FHWA planning emphasis area letter 91

UPWP budget‌

Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration KRC ED

Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration KRC ED

Trey Wadsworth

Trey Wadsworth

Mitch Barloga

Mitch Barloga

Gabrielle Biciunas

Gabrielle Biciunas

Charles Bradsky

Charles Bradsky

Eman Ibrahim

Eman Ibrahim

Terrell Waddell

Terrell Waddell

Scott Weber

Scott Weber

James Winters

James Winters

Reg. Planner

Reg. Planner

GIS Planner

GIS Planner

Graduate intern

Graduate intern

Undergrad intern

Undergrad intern

Kathy Luther

Kathy Luther

Joe Exl

Joe Exl

Rachel Veronesi

Rachel Veronesi

John Smith

John Smith

Dominique Edwards

Dominique Edwards

Daria Sztaba

Daria Sztaba

Connie Boos

Connie Boos

Allen Hammond

Allen Hammond

Talaya Jones

Talaya Jones

Lisa Todd

Lisa Todd

Meredith Stilwell

Meredith Stilwell

Mary Thorne

Mary Thorne

Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown

Admin Asst

Admin Asst

Jody Melton

Jody Melton

Ty Warner

Ty Warner

2019

UPWP

Staff cost Consultant / Equipment / Total

Federal

NIRPC

Non-NIRPC

Administration and public participation

section

partner / intern cost

license / other cost

task cost

share

share

share / in- kind value

Planning management + administration 100.1 222,280 - - 262,280 209,824 52,456 - 918 - - - - - - - - - - - 574 - - - - 164 - - - - 164 328 - - - -

Public participation + communication tools 100.2 157,585 - - 157,585 126,068 31,517 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 738 1,394 - - - - - 164 82 - - - - Title VI program management 100.3 5,185 - - 5,185 4,148 1,037 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 82 - - - - - - - - - - -

Environmental Justice program management 100.4 5,185 - - 5,185 4,148 1,037 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 82 - - - - - - - - - - -

ADA program management 100.5 13,371 - - 13,371 10,697 2,674 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 82 - - 82 - - - - - - - -

UPWP development and management 100.6 45,468 - - 45,468 36,374 9,094 - 164 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 164 - - - - - 164 - - - -

Total costs for task group 449,073 - - 489,073 391,259 97,815 - Data collection + analysis

Transportation data collection 200.1 125,851 - - 125,851 100,681 25,170 - - - - - - 1,640 82 - 164 164 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Planning data analysis + forecasts 200.2 80,346 - - 80,346 64,277 16,069 - - - - - - - 82 - 984 164 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

GIS support services 200.3 92,003 - - 92,003 73,602 18,401 - - - - - - - - - 82 1,312 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Performance-based planning activities 200.4 39,475 - - 39,475 31,580 7,895 - - - - - - - 328 - 164 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Congestion management 200.5 21,829 - - 21,829 17,463 4,366 - - - - - - - 246 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PL + 5303 activities

PL + 5303 activities

Travel demand modeling 200.6 21,829 - - 21,829 17,463 4,366 - - - - - - - 246 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Air quality conformity 200.7 21,829 - - 21,829 17,463 4,366 - - - - - - - 246 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Total costs for task group 403,162 - - 403,162 322,530 80,632 - Short-range planning

TIP development 300.1 80,775 - - 80,775 64,620 16,155 - - - - 820 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TIP management 300.2 93,434 - - 93,434 74,747 18,687 - - - - 820 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 246 - -

Environmental red flag investigations 300.3 17,519 - - 17,519 14,015 3,504 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 164 - - - - - - - - - - - 82 - - Total costs for task group 191,728 - - 191,728 153,382 38,346 -

Long-range planning

2050 CRP development 400.1 268,315 - - 268,315 214,652 53,663 - 410 - 984 - 820 - - - - - 1,640 1,640 328 164 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CRP implementation 400.2 49,432 - - 49,432 39,546 9,886 - - - 492 - 164 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Environmental linkages planning 400.3 25,958 - - 25,958 20,767 5,192 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 164 - - - - - - - - - - - 246 - -

Regional land use planning 400.4 69,574 - - 69,574 55,659 13,915 - - - 164 - 492 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 164 - - - -

Surface transportation planning 400.5 53,692 - - 53,692 42,953 10,738 - - - - - - - 246 - 246 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 328 - - - -

Total costs for task group 466,971 - - 466,971 373,577 93,394 - Multi-modal planning

Active transportation planning 500.1 179,943 - - 179,943 143,955 35,989 - - 1,640 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 246 - - - -

Transit planning 500.2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Total costs for task group 179,943 - - 179,943 143,955 35,989 -

Total budget for PL / 5303 + match 1,690,877 - - 1,730,877 1,384,702 346,175 - 1,492 1,640 1,640 1,640 1,476 1,640 1,476 - 1,640 1,640 1,640 1,640 902 492 - 738 1,640 328 - 82 - - 328 1,312 - 574 - -

^ hours of staff time billed to PL + 5303 across all metropolitan planning activities / 1,640 = 100% ^

2019

Trey Wadsworth

Trey Wadsworth

Mitch Barloga

Mitch Barloga

Gabrielle Biciunas

Gabrielle Biciunas

Charles Bradsky

Charles Bradsky

Eman Ibrahim

Eman Ibrahim

Terrell Waddell

Terrell Waddell

Scott Weber

Scott Weber

James Winters

James Winters

Reg. Planner

Reg. Planner

GIS Planner

GIS Planner

Graduate intern

Graduate intern

Undergrad intern

Undergrad intern

Kathy Luther

Kathy Luther

Rachel Veronesi

Rachel Veronesi

John Smith

John Smith

Dominique Edwards

Dominique Edwards

Daria Sztaba

Daria Sztaba

Connie Boos

Connie Boos

Allen Hammond

Allen Hammond

Talaya Jones

Talaya Jones

Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown

Transportation Environment Communication Finance

Lisa Todd

Lisa Todd

Meredith Stilwell

Meredith Stilwell

Mary Thorne

Mary Thorne

Administration

Admin Asst

Admin Asst

Jody Melton

Jody Melton

Ty Warner

Ty Warner

KRC ED

Joe Exl

Joe Exl

UPWP

Staff cost Consultant / Equipment / Total

Federal

NIRPC

Non-NIRPC

section

partner / intern cost

license / other cost

task cost

share

share

share / in- kind value

Special

Special

No activities identified in this UPWP period 600.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Total budget for 5307 + match - - - - - - -

5307

5307

Sub-grantees oversight 700.1 315,105 - - 315,105 252,084 63,021 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,558 541 1,394 - - - 164 - -

Transit planning 700.2 186,410 - - 186,410 149,128 37,282 - 148 - - - 164 - 164 1,640 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 246 - -

Total budget for 5307 + match 501,515 - - 501,515 401,212 100,303 -

TIP funded activitie

TIP funded activitie

Staff cost Consultant / partner cost

Educational + promotional materials

Air quality + eduction (FY2018 CMAQ) 800.1 110,213 - - 450,000 360,000 1,300 90,000 - - - - - - - - - - - - 66 - 1,640 82 - - - - - - - - - 82 - -

Household Travel Survey (FY2017 STBG) 800.2 - 127,024 - 127,024 101,619 - 25,405 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - E-TIP (FY 2017 STBG) 800.3 - 45,000 - 45,000 36,000 9,000 -

Total budget for CMAQ or STP + match 110,213 172,024 - 622,024 497,619 10,300 115,405

2019 estimated task budgets after amendment #1B‌

Funding for CMAQ air quality public education will finish out the CMAQ Group 1 2018 funds already obligated. Amendment #1 is forthcoming, and will seek to secure funding previously obligated, and since de-obligated by INDOT to finish the Household Travel Survey already included in the 2019 work element, and previously approved in a 2017 amendment.

Trey Wadsworth

Trey Wadsworth

Gabrielle Biciunas

Gabrielle Biciunas

Charles Bradsky

Charles Bradsky

Mitch Barloga

Mitch Barloga

Eman Ibrahim

Eman Ibrahim

Peter Kimball

Peter Kimball

Vacant

Vacant

Scott Weber

Scott Weber

James Winters

James Winters

Interns

Interns

Interns

Interns

Interns

Interns

Kathy Luther

Kathy Luther

Joe Exl

Joe Exl

Env. Educator/ Coordinator

Env. Educator/ Coordinator

John Smith

John Smith

Dominique Edwards

Dominique Edwards

Daria Sztaba

Daria Sztaba

Connie Boos

Connie Boos

Allen Hammond

Allen Hammond

Talaya Jones

Talaya Jones

Lisa Todd

Lisa Todd

Meredith Stilwell

Meredith Stilwell

Mary Thorne

Mary Thorne

Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown

Candice Eklund

Candice Eklund

Ty Warner

Ty Warner

2019-2020 Unified Planning Work Program amendment #2

PL + 5303 activities

PL + 5303 activities

^ # of staff time billed to PL + 5303 across all metropolitan planning activities ^

Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED

Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED

Trey Wadsworth

Trey Wadsworth

Gabrielle Biciunas

Gabrielle Biciunas

Charles Bradsky

Charles Bradsky

Mitch Barloga

Mitch Barloga

Eman Ibrahim

Eman Ibrahim

Peter Kimball

Peter Kimball

Vacant

Vacant

Scott Weber

Scott Weber

James Winters

James Winters

Interns

Interns

Interns

Interns

Interns

Interns

Kathy Luther

Kathy Luther

Joe Exl

Joe Exl

Env. Educator/ Coordinator

Env. Educator/ Coordinator

John Smith

John Smith

Dominique Edwards

Dominique Edwards

Daria Sztaba

Daria Sztaba

Connie Boos

Connie Boos

Allen Hammond

Allen Hammond

Talaya Jones

Talaya Jones

Lisa Todd

Lisa Todd

Meredith Stilwell

Meredith Stilwell

Mary Thorne

Mary Thorne

Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown

Candice Eklund

Candice Eklund

Ty Warner

Ty Warner

2020

UPWP

Staff cost Consultant Direct cost Total

Federal

NIRPC

Non-NIRPC

Special

Special

Special planning activities

section

/ partner cost

task cost

share

share

share

No activities 20-600.1 - - - - - - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 82 0 820 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total budget + match - - - - - - -

5307

5307

FTA activities + tasks

Sub-grantees oversight 20-700.1 351,279 - 74,000 425,279 340,223 85,056 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1476 984 1312 0 0 0 82 0

Total budget for 5307 + match 351,279 - 74,000 425,279 340,223 85,056 -

TIP funded activities Staff cost Cntrct Direct Other direct

Air quality + eduction (FY2019 CMAQ) 20-800.1 - 360,000 - 450,000 360,000 7,060 82,940 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

E-TIP (FY 2019 STBG) 20-800.2 - 45,000 - 45,000 36,000 9,000 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NWI transit plan (5307 pending award/match) 20-800.3 - 625,000 - 625,000 500,000 - 125,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total budget for CMAQ or STP + match - 1,030,000 - 1,120,000 896,000 16,060 207,940

NIRPC local cost Staff cost

NIRPC local cost 37,083 - 43,500 80,583 - 80,583 - 16 164 0 16 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 82

Kabelin Drain 13,905 - - 13,905 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 164 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Calument Land Conservation Partnership 54,002 - - 54,002 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 148 410 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chicago Area Waterway System 64,573 - - 64,573 0 0 0 0 0 66 0 0 0 0 0 0 148 189 0 190 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 246 0

EPA Urban Waters 2,781 - - 2,781 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

USDA Forest Service Grant

20-900

10,429 - - 10,429 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 123 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

LaPorte Revolving Loan Fund 2,497 - - 2,497

Kankakee River Basin Commission 16,370 - - 16,370 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 164 0 0 0 0 0 0

Shared Ethics Advisory Commission 1,016 - - 1,016

Northwest Indiana Brownfields Coalition 33,142 - - 33,142 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 197 0 0 49 0 0 0 49 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total budget for local funding 235,797 - 43,500 279,297 - 80,583 -

Total budget for all tasks 2,317,787 1,071,475 177,500 3,656,762 2,701,972 539,841 207,940

2020 estimated task budgets – after amendment #2‌

In-Kind requests sent for pre-approval on April 2, 2019

match

NIRPC requests funding for CMAQ air quality public education be obligated from our 2019 Group 1 CMAQ allocation. These funds have already been approved for CMAQ eligibility in the June 2018 determination. In-kind match pre-approval has been submitted to INDOT and FHWA. In addition, to continue funding the e-TIP, NIRPC requested funding from our 2019 Group 2 STBG allocation. Funds for a regional transit study are pending approval of a FTA 5307 or Flex to FTA from Group 1 funds from the Commission.

Originally outlined in the 1962 Federal-Aid Highway Act, the “3C” transportation planning process requires cooperation among all levels of government, comprehensively consideration of many planning factors, and be a continuously evaluated planning process.

A Transportation Management Area is an urbanized area with greater than 200,000 people. Northwestern Indiana is such a region and this designation enhances NIRPC’s responsibilities under federal law. This includes the requirement that our planning process include a Congestion Management System and that USDOT certify that NIRPC conducts a 3C planning process.

About NIRPC‌

Background + purpose‌

NIRPC, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Northwestern Indiana, has the responsibility to conduct the federally required “3C" transportation planning process for Lake, LaPorte, and Porter Counties. This Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a core planning document required by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). The UPWP is the approved work plan for the MPO staff, identifying planning tasks and activities to be conducted over the next two years.

This UPWP is also a financial planning document linking resources and staff where they will be the most effective in responding to significant local and regional issues and resolving area-wide problems. This includes describing other planning, administrative and program offerings of NIRPC as a council of governments. It includes all environmental and economic development planning, as well as transit administration, which includes sub-grantee oversight to transit providers in our region, grant administration, and procurement.

The UPWP continues to balance within the available resources, long and short- range planning and programming; special studies; data gathering, analysis, and dissemination; travel demand modeling; public involvement; and program administration. The UPWP attempts to address the major surface transportation issues facing our region and supports the necessary work required of an MPO in a Transportation Management Area. The UPWP is designed to maintain a certified, 3C transportation planning process in the context of a connected planning process with land use, social justice, economic development, and the environment.

State authority‌

Regional planning and coordination came to Northwestern Indiana in 1965 when enabling legislation was passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. The first state law called for a transportation planning commission, which was inspired by the 1962 Federal Highway Act. The state law has since been amended to create what is known today as the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, a three-county council of governments. In the 2007 enabling legislation, NIRPC’s Executive Board membership was expanded and weighted voting was enabled.

NIRPC region showing county and municipal boundaries

Northwestern Indiana is 1,520 square miles comprising a wide mixture of land uses, from the environmentally unique Indiana Dunes to one of the nation's largest concentration of heavy industry, and from urban and suburban communities to productive farmland. The communities along Lake Michigan and the places to the south have a diversity of residents, housing values and incomes.

Northwestern Indiana is a very important part of the sixteen county 9.7 million-person Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area (CSA).

Northwestern Indiana’s population is 769,294 (2015) and has a labor force of 370,465 (2013) representing a significant portion of the CSA.

NIRPC’s governing body is the Commission composed of county and municipal elected officials and one Gubernatorial appointment. The Commissions membership is established in Indiana state statute and is required to meet in full at least four times per year. A smaller Executive Board is elected by and from the full Commission membership and takes on the routine business of NIRPC, except for the adoption of bylaws, election of officers, and annual budget appropriations.

Please check NIRPC.org for updates to Commission membership.

NIRPC Commission – 2019 appointments‌

NIRPC committees MPO functions:‌

• Technical Planning Committee

  

  • Receives funding requests from the Transportation Resource and Oversight Committees. Provides funding recommendations to the Commission regarding amendments to the TIP. Ensures that project requests are aligned with the long-range plan. Sets funding targets for transportation programs and sets evaluation criteria and priorities for projects.

  • Twelve Commissioners with a quorum of at least three, in addition to three transit operators, and one representative from: NWI Forum, INDOT, NICTD, GPTC, and Michigan City Transit.

• Topical Committees

  • Explore issues, trends, policies, programs, and regulations relevant to their assigned topics including the environment; bicycle, pedestrian, and paddling; land use; rail and freight; transit; and surface transportation.

• Transportation Resource Oversight Committee

  • Makes funding change recommendations to the TPC for transportation investments.

    COG functions:

• Legislative Committee

  • Determines positions on priority state and federal legislation across planning domains and topics of local interest.

  • Composed of Commissioners with a quorum of at least three Commissioners

• Local Government Assistance Committee

  • Provides a forum for sharing or learning best practices and issues related to local governments, provides training opportunity, explores funding opportunities, and local problem solving. Connects urban core communities and small towns for areas of common concern.

  • Composed of volunteer Commissioners with a quorum of at least three Commissioners, in addition to municipal officials.

Executive Director:

• Maintains Commission relationships

• Oversees all program functions

• Establishes internal policy

  NIRPC staff organization and functions‌

  
  

  

  

  Ty

  
  

  Administration team:

• Human resources

• Office management

• Administrative support

Warner

Executive Director

- Allen Hammond

DBE Officer (collateral duty)

Communication team:

• Public participation

• Graphics and documents

  Environment team:

  
  

  Kathy Luther

  Chief of Staff +

  Director of Environment

  
  

  Trey Joseph Wadsworth

  Director of Transportation

  
  

  Daria Sztaba

  Chief Financial Officer

  
  

  Meredith Stilwell

  Office Manager + Website Coordinator

• Air quality

  • Public education / outreach

    Environment Transportation Finance Administration

  • Permitting evaluation

  • Alternative fuels

• Watershed quality

  • Regional watershed planning

  • Water usage

  • Storm water public education

  • Great Lake Watershed Academy

• Natural resources

• Joe Exl

  

  Sr. Water Resource Planner

  
  

  Communication

  
  

• Dominique Edwards

  Public Participation Planner

• Mitch Barloga Transportation Planning Manager / Active Transportation Planner

  
  

• Gabrielle Biciunas

  Long-Range Planner

  
  

• Charles Bradsky

• Connie Boos

  Accounts Payable Manager

  
  

• Allen Hammond

  Compliance Manager

  
  

• Talaya Jones

  Chief Accountant

• Carolyn Brown

  

  Receptionist

• Mary Thorne

  Administrative Assistant

• Candi Eklund

  Administrative Assistant

  • Chicago Wilderness

  • Purdue Planning with Power

• Environmental management planning

  - Transportation linkages

  Finance team:

• Finance and accounting

• Transit sub-grantee oversight

  Transportation team:

• Long-range planning

• Unified Planning Work Program

• Transportation Improvement Program

• Outreach and public involvement

• Transit planning

• Land use planning

• Bicycle and pedestrian planning

• Travel demand forecast modeling

• Air quality conformity

• Data collection and analysis

• Demographics and population forecasts

• Congestion management

• Intelligent Transportation System planning

• Safety and security planning

• Geographic Information Systems planning

• Freight planning

• John Smith

  Production Manager

  Transportation Projects Manager

  
  

• Eman Ibrahim

  Planning Manager

• Peter Kimball Regional Planner / Spatial Analyst

  
  

• Scott Weber Transportation Planner / Analyst

  
  

• James Winters

  Transit Planner

• Vacant

  Technical Assistant

  
  

• Nathan Pasyk

  Intern

• Vacant

  Intern

• Vacant

  Intern

• Lisa Todd

Procurement Coordinator

About the UPWP‌

Required elements‌

A driving influence in the development of this UPWP is the federal transportation authorization act, The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST), and the Clean Air Act. The FAST Act was signed into law on December 5, 2015. The FAST Act is a five-year authorization and intends to improve surface transportation infrastructure, including our roads, bridges, transit systems, bicycle and pedestrian networks. The act contains ten

national planning factors, provides more flexibility for states and local governments, streamlines project approval processes and maintains a strong commitment to safety.

Transportation planning activities are accomplished by NIRPC in an open, transparent and inclusive process that complies with federal metropolitan planning regulations in order to maintain this region’s federal planning certification. According to the planning rule, NIRPC develops the three major required products of a metropolitan area transportation planning process, which are a UPWP, a metropolitan transportation plan with at least a 20-year horizon, and a shorter-range Transportation Improvement Program. The UPWP is organized by major activity and task, in addition to the following details: who will perform the work, the schedule for completing the work, the resulting products, the proposed funding, and a summary of the total amounts and sources of federal and matching funds. The UPWP and other products of the planning process are reviewed by INDOT, FHWA, and FTA for compliance.

FHWA + FTA planning emphasis areas‌

NIRPC also focuses on National Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs) put forth periodically by USDOT. The PEAs help with the implementation of the FAST Act. On February 8, 2018, PEAs were issued for FY 2019 and again on January 29, 2019 for 2020. The following is a summary:

 2019

• Continue efforts on implementing the FAST Act and Title VI program; coordinate and document how INDOT and MPOs develop and share information related to transportation performance data; selection of targets; the reporting and progress of targets; and collection of data for asset management systems; ensure public participation plan includes public ports and providers of transportation; ensure Coordinated Human Service Public Transportation Plans are updated; and Transit Asset Management Plans are due October 1, 2018.

  o 2020

• Development of a transit bus stop inventory in support of the statewide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) program, and the development of a Mobility Management Network in partnership with INDOT and other state agencies

Ten national transportation planning factors:

1. Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;

   
   

2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;

   
   

3. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;

   
   

4. Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight;

   
   

5. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

   
   

6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;

   
   

7. Promote efficient system management and operation;

   
   

8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system;

   
   

9. Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation; and

10. Enhance travel and tourism.

Metropolitan planning activities and tasks‌

100 | Administration + public participation‌

Program #: 19-100

2019 budget (as originally programmed):

Federal $391,259 Local match $97,815 Total $489,073

Program #: 20-100

2020 budget:

Federal (PL) $409,578 Local match $102,395 Total $511,973

Tasks (major deliverables italicized):

• Planning management and administration

• Public participation and communication tools

  • 2019 Public Participation Plan

• Title VI program management

• Environmental Justice program management

• ADA program management

  • ADA bus stop inventories

• Unified Planning Work Program development and management

  • 2021-2022 Unified Planning Work Program

1. | Planning management + administration‌

   Task objective:

   Effective management of NIRPC team and resources to achieve high-quality and impactful outcomes from MPO

   functions. Efficient administration of NIRPC grants and contracts, and support of all Commission and topical committees. Ensure that environmental concerns and protections are fully integrated into transportation planning as early as possible to improve both project delivery and environmental quality in the region. Ensure that overall agency outreach and communication is integrated with the public participation requirements of the MPO.

   Task description:

   Elements:

   • Management of NIRPC team including the coordination of internal team meetings, delegation of work and committee assignments. Staff training, mentorship, professional development, time and attendance review, and execution of a new performance management processes.

   • Administration of financial resources

   • Administration of topical planning committees: production of agendas, minutes, and communication functions by Administrative Assistants for timely distribution of meeting materials.

   Activities:

   Transportation and Environmental Directors participate in meetings with partners on transportation topics, and subjects with linkages to NWI’s transportation network, throughout the year. Examples include the MPO Council in Indianapolis, Department of Natural Resources, Lake Michigan Coastal Program Coastal Advisory Board, Chicago Wilderness, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Transportation Committee, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Illinois-Indiana Sea-Grant Advisory, Indiana Climate Change Impact Assessment Advisory Group, Urban Waters Federal Partnership, Calumet Collaborative, Port of Indiana, South Shore Clean Cities, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, etc.

   Public outreach:

   Coordinated implementation of MPO functions with the public, partners, stakeholders, state, federal, regional, and local agencies. Provide leadership level oversight of the NIRPC Outreach Committee.

   Data collection/analysis: not applicable.

   Task deliverables:

   On-budget and on-schedule delivery of planning program including all grant deliverables and federally required 3C documents identified herein. Quarterly billing, performance evaluations, monthly committee and Commission meetings, and quarterly training activities.

   
   

   • Task lead

     Trey Wadsworth

   • Task contributors

     Kathy Luther, Mary Thorne, Meredith Stilwell, and Candi Eklund

   • Topical committee

     All committees and Commission

   • Task status

     Ongoing and permanent

   • Prior task accomplishments

     • Management of staff performing UPWP tasks and projects

     • Management of planning processes.

     • Response to MPO recertification review, development of 60-day Action Plan, and implementation thereof.

     • Quarterly PL and CMAQ Program Reports and Billings

     • Annual PL and CMAQ Completion Reports.

     • Commission and Committee meetings staffed

     • Participation in meetings of coordinating partners

       
       

       

       
       

       • Task lead

         Dominique Edwards

       • Task contributors

         Mary Thorne, John Smith, Candi Eklund, and Meredith Stilwell

       • Topical committee

         Outreach Committee

       • Task status

         Ongoing and permanent

         
         

       • Prior task accomplishments Attended National Transit Institute training “Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-making.” Continued public participation and adherence to the Public Participation Plan:

         • Website updates

         • New page creation

         • Posting of meeting dates

         • Posting of comment periods

         • Share NIRPC content w/ social media followers

         • Activation of the Outreach Committee

         • 60-Day Action Plan for better public participation

           
           

           
           

           

2. | Public participation + communication tools‌

   Task objective:

   Implement the NIRPC Public Participation Plan, which includes the public participation requirements for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) found in the federal metropolitan planning regulations. This means the development and execution of a transparent planning process with ample opportunity for input from the public, partners, and stakeholders. Manage and update/upgrade the NIRPC website to be an informative and up to date source for NIRPC planning efforts, meetings, and resources to not only assist constituents who are familiar with and utilize NIRPC services, but to also increase awareness and inclusion of the general public in NIRPC efforts.

   Task description:

   Elements:

   Implement the updated Public Participation Plan, which is anticipated to be approved at the August 2019 Commission meeting. Execute communication strategies associated with all planning activities, including the coordination of public participation programs with state and federal entities. Ensure that contact lists are up to date and a list of accessible meeting locations is maintained. Ensure that the provision of alternative formats is made available when requested.

   Activities:

   Plan for, secure, and document public input pertaining to transportation, environmental, and economic development plans and programs, including comment periods and public meetings. Post content regarding planning activities and public comment periods on NIRPC's social media pages and website. Publish a quarterly newsletter for distribution to stakeholders and interested parties. NIRPC Website Coordinator will keep the website current.

   Public outreach:

   Identify and attempt to engage diverse participation from all communities with our region on NIRPC's plans and programs, particularly groups who have traditionally not been involved in transportation planning. Address PEA to ensure freight, ports, and providers of transportation are included in the PPP.

   Data collection/analysis:

   Utilize web, email and social media analytics to gauge outreach activities are successful. Track meeting participation and comments received to understand if participation reflects regional demographics.

   Task deliverables:

   Updated Public Participation Plan and consistent implementation thereof.

   
   

3. | Title VI program management‌

   Task objective:

   Continue to ensure that NIRPC and partner Local Public Agencies (LPA) in our region comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This will have the effect of better ensuring that programs and projects adhere to the principles of non-discrimination, as well as make the MPO’s nondiscrimination self-certifications accurate.

   Task description:

   Elements:

   Assist and survey LPAs on compliance, including monitoring if LPAs have Title VI implementation plans and that they meet Title VI requirements. If such a plan is not in place with the project sponsor LPA, then INDOT may limit funding to those entities that are not meeting the requirements. Elements of an implementation plan include 1) identification of a person responsible for Title VI; 2) ensure utilization of “Notification of Nondiscrimination” statements; 3) a documented complaint process, and 4) steps used to collect and evaluate data on impacts from the LPA’s programs and projects.

   Activities:

   NIRPC will continue to offer technical assistance to those LPAs that need assistance in completing this requirement for the development and implementation of a Title VI Plan.

   Public outreach:

   Engage stakeholders via workshops, webinars, website and social media content in regard to NIRPC’s Title VI program. Provide assistance and support to regional Title VI Coordinators. Provide additional training and support to NIRPC Title VI Coordinator to better understand duties and responsibilities for Title VI.

   Data collection/analysis:

   Continue to monitor that all LPAs have Title VI implementation plans in effect. Monitor NIRPC’s outreach activities in Title VI protected communities.

   Task deliverables:

   Technical assistance to LPAs and robust public outreach.

    Task lead

   Dominique Edwards

   • Task contributors

     Not applicable

   • Topical committee

     Not applicable.

   • Task status

     Ongoing and permanent

   • Prior task accomplishments

LPA compliance with Title VI.

• Task lead

  Dominique Edwards

• Task contributors

  None

• Topical committee

  Not applicable

• Task status

  New specifically highlight task, but activities have occurred in the past, and now intended to be ongoing and permanent.

  
  

  

  

• Prior task accomplishments Attended National Transit Institute training “Introduction to Environmental Justice.” Completed analysis for NWI 2050 Plan and 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program.

  100.4 | Environmental Justice program management‌

  Task objective:

  NIRPC, as the MPO for Northwestern Indiana, is charged with evaluating our plans and programs for environmental justice sensitivity and to continuously expand outreach efforts to low-income, minority, and other potentially disadvantaged populations.

  Task description:

  Elements:

  Continue to identify environmental justice communities through analysis and expand outreach efforts to disadvantaged populations. Activities:

  Public outreach:

  Engage stakeholders via workshops, webinars, website, and social media content in regard to NIRPC’s Environmental Justice program. Provide support to regional stakeholders and engage disadvantaged groups that are traditionally removed from the transportation planning process. Data collection/analysis:

  Task deliverables:

  Increased inclusion of Environmental Justice communities in the transportation planning process in Northwestern Indiana.

  
  

  1. | Americans with Disabilities Act program management‌

     Task objective:

     Ensure all Local Public Agencies (LPA) in our region that are required to have transition plans are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Collect an inventory of all bus stops indicating whether or not they are accessible.

     Task description:

     Elements:

     ADA transition plans:

     • Assist LPAs with compliance, including monitoring if LPAs have ADA transition plans and that they meet ADA requirements. If such a plan is not in place with the project sponsor LPA, then INDOT may limit funding to those entities that are not meeting the requirements. Elements of an implementation plan include: 1) identification of an ADA Coordinator; 2) providing notice to the public about ADA requirements; 3) a documented grievance procedure; 4) developing internal design standards, specifications, and details; 5) assigning personnel for the development of a Transition Plan and completing it; 6) approving a schedule and budget for the Transition Plan; and 7) monitoring the progress on the implementation of the Transition Plan.

       Bus stop accessibility inventory:

     • Phase 1 - Create, verify and/or improve bus stop inventories by December 2019.

     • Phase 2 will include to complete prioritization schedules by December 2020.

       Activities: These steps were all performed by the local public agencies required to have a transition plan, ensuring that they are in compliance with the ADA. Over the course of 2019, NIRPC will assist LPAs and transit operators identify bus stop locations throughout the region where fixed route service exists to determine if those bus stops are ADA compliant.

       Public outreach: Work with partners and stakeholders to understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. Will incorporate feedback in NIRPC planning, programming and technical assistance to LPAs.

       Data collection/analysis:

       Bus stop locations and description of the nature of barriers to be included in LPA's updated ADA Transition Plan's on their website.

       Task deliverables:

       Updated LPA Transition Plans as required by new information collected through the bus stop inventories. Information will be shared with INDOT.

        Task lead

       Allen Hammond

       • Task contributors

         Interns

       • Topical committee

         Transit Operators Roundtable for Bus Stop Inventory task

       • Task status

         Ongoing and permanent

       • Prior task accomplishments

         NIRPC technical assistance to LPAs to achieve compliance with ADA transition planning requirements.

         
         

         

         
         

• Task lead

  Trey Wadsworth

  
  

• Task contributors Mary Thorne and Daria Sztaba

• Topical committee

  Technical Planning Committee and Commission

• Task status

  Ongoing and permanent

  
  

• Prior task accomplishments Production, management and amendments of the 2019-2020 UPWP. UPWP continued to respond to the recommendations of the federal certification review. Amendment #1 to 2019-2020 UPWP submitted to INDOT/USDOT for approval.

  
  

  

  1. | UPWP development and management‌

  Task objective:

  Develop and manage the UPWP and its amendments. The UPWP includes planning activities to implement the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan and NWI 2050 Plan (anticipated to be adopted by the

  Commission in May 2019), applicable laws, and regulations to support the federally required 3C transportation process for MPOs as outlined in metropolitan planning regulations.

  Task description:

  Elements: A planning work program that addresses the needs of NIRPC, requirements of the federal regulation, and is responsive to the public, partners, and stakeholders.

  Activities: Identification of planning tasks and activities that assist in the implementation of the NWI 2050 Plan.

  Public outreach: The UPWP is developed according to NIRPC’s Public Participation Plan. The draft UPWP is presented to each of the topical committees, the Technical Planning Committee, and the Commission. The draft UPWP is subject to a thirty-day public comment period before adoption by the Commission. UPWP amendments are subject to a seven-day public comment period before adoption by the Commission.

  Data collection/analysis: Financial information to support the budgets contained herein.

  Task deliverables:

  Final 2021-2022 UPWP approved by federal partners before the start of FY 2019 and an annual completion report due to federal partners 90 days after the close of each program year. Amendments to UPWP as necessary.

  
  

  200 | Data collection + analysis‌

  Program #: 19-200

  2019 budget (as originally programmed):

  Federal (PL) $322,530 Local match $80,632 Total $403,162

  
  

  Program #: 20-200

  2020 budget:

  Federal (PL) $230,423 Local match $57,606 Total $288,029

  
  

  Tasks (major deliverables italicized):

  • Transportation data collection

  • Planning data analysis + forecasts

  • GIS support services

  • Performance-based planning activities

    • Annual performance dashboard

  • Congestion management

    • 2019 Congestion Management Plan

  • Travel demand modeling

  • Air quality conformity

  
  

• Task lead

  Terrell Waddell

• Task contributors

  None

• Topical committee

  Ped, Pedal, and Paddle Committee, Surface Transportation Committee, and Transit Operators Roundtable

• Task status

  Ongoing and permanent

• Prior task accomplishments

  • Crash data collection

  • Traffic count data collection

  • Travel time data collection

  • Transit data collection

  • Bicycle and pedestrian count data collection

  • Household Travel Survey

1. | Planning data collection‌

   Task objective:

   Collect, update and manage data relating to all aspects of metropolitan planning. Includes data to support congestion management, economic and land use development, safety planning, vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian counts, and transit data.

   Task description:

   Elements:

   • Crash data collection

   • Traffic count data collection

   • Travel time data collection

   • Transit data collection

     o Asset inventory and condition data

   • Bicycle and pedestrian count data collection

   • Household Travel Survey in partnership with CMAP

     Activities: Emphasis will be placed on identifying all the data needed for collection by NIRPC in order to support transportation planning processes and decision making, especially in light of requirements to fulfill the performance- based planning requirements of USDOT.

     Public outreach: As needed, but not anticipated to be a considerable effort.

     Data collection/analysis: All data identified above; no analysis is conducted under this task.

     Task deliverables:

     Data sets are collected in time for use by planners responsible for analysis. Completion of traffic counts requested by INDOT on a spring and fall cycle.

     
     

2. | Planning data analysis + forecasts ‌

Task objective:

The objective of this work element is to manage, analyze, and disseminate data to support NIPRC planning activities, which requires data for transportation, regional land use, environmental and economic development elements. The management of data is essential in analyses and downstream decision

making for the regional planning and initiatives, and for integration in GIS.

Task description:

Elements: Management of all data that supports the planning activities by NIRPC. Data analysis as needed to inform recommendations contained within NIRPC plans, to support the performance-based planning system, and for decision-makers to consider in NIRPC committees or externally. Compile, edit, and update 5 years of crash data from ARIES based upon a severity index (as used with 2020-2024 NOFA application map). Geocodes will be checked with written address and map will be published online. Provide access to basic regional maps in a user-friendly interface through ArcOnline (Transit Map, Municipality Boundary Map, UZA Map, Eligible Roadway Map). Update the regional snapshot data along with the municipality data available on the website with the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau numbers.

Activities: Identify data analysis and forecast cycles that best assist NIRPC planning activities, routine or unique tasks. Provide for dissemination of data analysis results to appropriate parties within NIRPC or to external parties.

Downloading ARIES crash data. Checking address to geolocation and correcting police report location errors. Formatting crash data to the severity index utilized in the NOFA maps applications. Uploading heatmap to website through ESRI interface. Convert the most commonly requested maps to ArcOnline to provide those requesting data an easily accessible map collection. Download any ACS Census Data; calculating regional numbers, compiling new data within the regional snapshot data sheets.

Public outreach: coordination with LPAs and INDOT.

Data collection/analysis: not applicable.