- -
NORTHWESTERN-
REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 20-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA
REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT #3 FOR THE 2021-2022 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR
LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA
November 19, 2020
WHEREAS, the Northwestern Indiana Planning Commission, hereafter referred to as "the Commission," being designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County area, has established a comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transpo rtation planning process to develop the FY 2021
- 2022 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP); and
WHEREAS, the preparation of a UPWP is a necessary and required part of the metropolitan area transportation planning process as specified in 23 CFR 450.308; and by its State statutory authority, the Commission is charged with regional planning responsibility for the environment, economic development, and transportation; and
WHEREAS, the work tasks and budgets described within the Commission's UPWP are in conjunction with the programs and planning emphasis areas of the Federal Highway and Transit Administrations, and significant planning projects in the region by other agencies; and
WHEREAS, federal transportation fund expenses contracted to NIRPC must be adopted into the current UPWP in order to be reimbursed; and
WHEREAS, a balance of $648,549.24 in Congestion Management and Air Quality, PL/5307 and Surface Transportation Block Grant funds remain in NIRPC's open Indiana Department of Transportation Purchase Orders; and
WHEREAS, the Technical Planning Committee has recommended that the Commission approve the content of UPWP 2021 -2022 Amendment #3;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby adopts the FY 2021 - 2022 UPWP Amendment #3 and the Commission is authorized to enter into such agreements and contracts as may be required with the funding and administrative agencies for the execution of this UPWP.
Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on this nineteenth day of November, 2020.
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Secretary
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Michael Griffin Chairperson
Planning Management and Administration
TO BE INSERTED ON PAGE 16
Purchase of software to facilitate more efficient meeting minute production.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match-NIRPC |
$ 2,000 | $ 1,600 | $ 400 |
Transportation Data Collection
The objective of NIRPC's Data Bike project is to develop a bike-based data-collection vehicle, using an electric-assist bicycle, an iPhone, and an iPhone app designed to detect pavement conditions, and then to collect pavement-condition data for all paved trails within the NW Indiana Greenways & Blueways (G&B) network for NIRPC's use and its and member cities and counties, as well as partner organizations. This data will help inform a long-term maintenance strategy for the G&B network.
In addition to collecting pavement-condition data, the Data Bike will be used for other valuable purposes to benefit the users of the trail system, as well as the government and nonprofit entities that maintain them. These include collecting Google Street View images for all of the trails in the region using a Samsung Gear 360, as well as collecting geocoded imagery of trail conditions using a GoPro camera.
Total Cost Federal Cost Local Match-NIRPC
$5,500 $ 4,400 $ 1,100
Advanced Trail Counters
Distribution of advanced trail counters throughout the entire NIRPC region to gauge the number of users accessing trail facilities. Counters will be placed along both paved and natural surfaces, providing data on both pedestrian and bicycle usage NIRPC will collect the data and provide results to participating communities.
Counters include solid state boxes which are mobile, as well as post and loop systems which involve installing sensors into the trail surface, which delineate between both pedestrians and bicyclists.
Information gleaned from the counter data will provide municipal decision-makers with the tools to target investments in the right projects and making certain that these investments are equitable. Emergency services will also be benefited by providing them data on high-use trail segments.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match - LPAs |
$ 75,000 | $ 60,000 | $ 15,000 |
Up to $ 375,000 | $ 300,000 | $ 75,000 |
Data Analysis and GIS Support Services
Purchase additional ESRI credits to increase capacity for geographic data display and storymaps.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match - NIRPC |
$ 500 | $ 400 | $ 100 |
Performance-based Planning Activities
TO BE INSERTED ON PAGE 29 OR 31
Purchase Tableau software to better manage "big" datasets and build a performance-based planning dashboard with visualization capabilities. Numerous other Indiana MPOs and INDOT use Tableau (i.e. MACOG and INDOT).
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match - NIRPC |
$ 948 | $ 754 | $ 128 |
Travel Demand Model Update
Update the Travel Demand Model based on 2018-2019 Household Travel Survey.
Total Cost Federal Cost Local Match - NIRPC
$70,000 $56,000 $14,000
NIRPC will work with Indianapolis MPO to develop an on-line TIP that will coordinate with the system INDOT is developing.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match - NIRPC |
$ 50,000 | $ 40,000 | $ 10,000 |
400.5 Transportation and Environmental Linkages
Transportation Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment
Transportation Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment NIRPC will procure a contractor to initiate vulnerability assessment study.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match - NIRPC |
$75,000 | $ 60,000 | $ 15,000 |
Active Transportation Planning
Purchasing of placards marking the United States Bicycle Routes (USBR) 35, 36 and 37 in the NIRPC region. These will include north, south, east and west, plus arrow placards as well. The signs will be fabricated to MUTCD roadway standards for color and reflectivity.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match - NIRPC |
$8,000 | $ 6,400 | $ 1,400 |
E-Commerce study driven Sub-Area Redevelopment Plan for Merrillville at 61st. Total Cost Federal Cost Local Match - LPA
$75,000 $60,000 $ 15,000
Old Plank Road Trail Study
This project will assess the feasibility of extending the Old Plank Road Trail from its current terminus in Chicago Heights, east through the Villages of Ford Heights, Sauk Village, and Lynwood and Towns of Dyer and Schererville, to connect to the Pennsy Greenway in Indiana. The purpose of the study is to evaluate and identify preferred trail alignments, including the land adjacent to the Canadian National rail corridor, and develop a scope of work that can be carried forward for further development. The recommendations will be based on engineering analysis, as well as stakeholder and community input and preferences, and will lay the basic groundwork for a finance strategy, railroad agreements, cost of preliminary engineering, design and engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and phased construction of the trail extension.
In September of 2020, the Village of Sauk Village received an Invest in Cook County grant for
$300,000 to complete work on the study in Illinois. As part of their application, letters of support were submitted by NIRPC, and both Schererville and Dyer. This request aims to provide up to
$50,000 for work to include the Indiana portion of this project scope.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match – NIRPC |
$ 50,000 | $ 40,000 | $ 10,000 |
Ongoing Contract for Software as a Service from Eco-Interactive for rTIP in SFY 2021.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match – NIRPC |
$ 3,750 | $ 3,000 | $ 750.00 |
Complete contractual payments for South Shore Clean Cities and Radio Campaign Contracts initiated in SFY 2020 but running through summer and into fall of SFY 2021.
Complete Bike Map App, Bike Map Update, and Bike Map paper printing budgeted for in FY2020.
Total Cost | Federal Cost | Local Match NIRPC | 2020 approved in-kind | Other |
$ 107,804.08 | $ 86,243.26 | $ 2,204 | $ 3,362 | $15,995 |
2021
2022
Plan NWI
Amended November 19, 2020
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s
Unified Planning Work Program
2021 - 2022
Contents
2021‐2022 UPWP Budgets 4
State Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Summary 4
State Fiscal Year 2021 Task Budget Detail 5
State Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Estimate Summary 7
State Fiscal Year 2022 Task Budget Detail 8
About NIRPC 10
Background + Purpose 11
State Authority 11
About the UPWP 12
Required Elements 12
FHWA + FTA Planning Emphasis Areas 12
NWI 2050 Strategies 13
Public Participation 14
Metropolitan Planning Activities and Tasks 15
| Administration and Public Participation 16
| Planning Management + Administration 17
| Public Participation + Communication Tools 19
| Title VI and Environmental Justice Program Management 21
| Americans with Disabilities Act Program Management 23
| UPWP Development + Management 25
| Data Collection and Analysis 28
| Planning Data Collection 29
| Planning Data Analysis + GIS Support Services 31
| Performance‐based Planning Activities 34
| Congestion Management 36
| Travel Demand Modeling 39
| Air Quality Conformity 41
| Short Range Planning 44
| Transportation Improvement Program Development 45
| TIP Development + Management 47
| Environmental Red Flag Investigations 49
| Long Range Planning 50
| Comprehensive Regional Plan Development 51
| NWI 2050 Implementation 53
| Regional Land Use Planning 58
| Surface Transportation Planning 61
| Environmental Linkages Planning 64
| Multi‐modal Planning 66
| Active Transportation Planning 67
| Transit Planning 70
| Special Planning Activities 74
| Old Plank Road Trail Study 75
| Local E‐Commerce Sub Area Redevelopment Plan 77
| Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds 79
| Sub‐grantee Oversight 80
| Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality 82
| E‐TIP and TIP Assistant 83
| Air Quality Public Education 84
900.1 | General management of NIRPC, office + staff 86
Attachment I: Cost Allocation Plan Approval Letter 88
Attachment II: CMAQ Eligibility Finding 90
2021‐2022 UPWP Budgets
State Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Summary
2121 NIRPC UPWP Budget Summary-Amended with 2020 Balances 11/19/2020 | ||||||||||
UPWP Section | Task Group | Name | Funding Source | FY 2021 Total Cost | Total Cost (2021+2020) | 2021 Federal Share | 2020 Federal Balance | Total Federal Funds | Non-Federal share | |
21-100 Administration and public participation 21-200 Data collection + analysis 21-300 Short-range planning 21-400 Long-range planning 21-500 Multi-modal planning 21-600 Special Planning Activities | PL/5303 (INDOT) | $ 498,244 | $ 511,378 | $ 398,595 | $ 10,508 | $ 409,103 | $ 102,276 | * | ||
$ 332,802 | $ 737,050 | $ 266,241 | $ 323,398 | $ 589,640 | $ 147,410 | ** | ||||
$ 203,619 | $ 281,369 | $ 162,895 | $ 62,200 | $ 225,095 | $ 56,274 | |||||
$ 557,016 | $ 634,016 | $ 445,613 | $ 61,600 | $ 507,213 | $ 126,803 | |||||
$ 306,518 | $ 306,518 | $ 245,214 | $ - | $ 245,214 | $ 61,304 | |||||
$ - | $ 127,000 | $ - | $ 101,600 | $ 101,600 | $ 25,400 | ** | ||||
PL / 5303 Total | 1,898,199 | 2,597,331 | 1,518,559 | 559,306 | 2,077,865 | 519,466 | ||||
Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds | ||||||||||
21-700.1 FTA Subrecipient Oversight | 5307 (FTA) | $ - | $ - | $ - | ||||||
21-700.2 CARES Act Subrecipient Oversight | 5307 (FTA) | $ 429,020 | $ 429,020 | $ - | ||||||
STBG and CMAQ | ||||||||||
22-800.1 TIP Programming Asst/E-TIP | STBG (INDOT) | $ 64,375 | $ 68,125 | $ 51,500 | $ 3,000 | $ 54,500 | $ 13,625 | |||
22-800.2 Air Quality Public Education | CMAQ (INDOT) | $ 450,000 | $ 557,804 | $ 360,000 | $ 86,243 | $ 446,243 | $ 111,561 | *** | ||
* PL/5303 Non-salary direct expenses such as travel, copies and printing, for all task groups are budgeted under 21-100 - Administration and Public Participation. ** Non-Federal Cash Match to be funded by NIRPC and participating LPAs. *** Non-Federal Cash match contributed by South Shore Clean Cities, Partners for Clean Air, Porter and LaPorte County Solid Waste Management Districts, and Private Bike-Map Sponsors. Match also includes includes in-kind match from Adams Radio Group pre-approved in 2019 for FY2020 CMAQ. |
State Fiscal Year 2021 Task Budget Detail
2021 | Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation Director | Mitch Barloga | Gabrielle Biciunas | Charles Bradsky | Eman Ibrahim | Kevin Polette | Scott Weber | Vacant | New TIP/Grant Asst | Peter Kimball | New Planner | Graduate intern | Undergrad intern | Kathy Luther | Joe Exl | John Smith | Vacant | Talaya Jones | Accounts Payable | Allen Hammond | Stephanie Kuziela | Lisa Todd | Meredith Stilwell | Candice Eklund | Flor Baum | Ty Warner | ||||||||||
UPWP section | Staff cost | Contract/ Sub- Grant | Total task cost | Federal share | Non-Federal Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PL + 5303 activities | Administration and public participation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Planning management + administration | 100.1 | 271,099 | - | 271,099 | 216,879 | 54,220 | 1,476 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 410 | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 820 | - | |||
Public participation + communication tools | 100.2 | 92,146 | 94,146 | 75,317 | 18,829 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | 1,230 | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | ||||
Title VI program management & Environmental Justice | 100.3 | 22,529 | - | 22,529 | 18,023 | 4,506 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
ADA program management | 100.4 | 21,272 | - | 21,272 | 17,018 | 4,254 | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 33 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
UPWP development and management | 100.5 | 38,397 | - | 38,397 | 30,718 | 7,679 | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Total costs for task group | 445,444 | - | 509,967 | 357,955 | 89,489 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data collection + analysis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation data collection | 200.1 | 109,366 | - | 442,166 | 353,733 | 88,433 | * | - | - | - | - | - | 1,558 | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Data Analysis and GIS Support Services | 200.2 | 118,723 | 119,223 | 95,378 | 23,845 | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | - | 1,082 | - | 1,640 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Performance-based planning activities | 200.3 | 32,219 | - | 33,167 | 26,534 | 6,633 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Congestion management | 200.4 | 24,164 | - | 24,164 | 19,332 | 4,833 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 246 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Travel demand modeling | 200.5 | 32,219 | 70,000 | 102,219 | 81,775 | 20,444 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Air quality conformity | 200.6 | 16,110 | - | 16,110 | 12,888 | 3,222 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Total costs for task group | 332,802 | 70,000 | 737,050 | 589,640 | 147,410 * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-range planning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TIP development | 300.1 | 53,015 | - | 53,015 | 42,412 | 10,603 | - | - | - | 492 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
TIP management | 300.2 | 132,051 | 77,750 | 209,801 | 167,841 | 41,960 | - | - | - | 1,148 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | |||
Environmental red flag investigations | 300.3 | 18,553 | 18,553 | 14,842 | 3,711 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | ||||
Total costs for task group | 203,619 | 77,750 | 281,369 | 225,095 | 56,274 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-range planning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CRP Implementation Development | 400.1 | 108,821 | 44,789 | 153,610 | 122,888 | 30,722 | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | 1,312 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
NWI 2050 Implemetation | 400.2 | 133,506 | 133,506 | 106,805 | 26,701 | - | - | - | - | 984 | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Regional land use planning | 400.3 | 74,271 | - | 74,271 | 59,417 | 14,854 | - | - | - | - | 656 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Surface transportation planning | 400.4 | 81,890 | - | 81,890 | 65,512 | 16,378 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 574 | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Environmental linkages planning | 400.5 | 113,740 | 77,000 | 190,740 | 152,592 | 38,148 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 246 | 820 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 246 | - | |||
Total costs for task group | 512,227 | 121,789 | 634,016 | 507,213 | 126,803 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Multi-modal planning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Active transportation planning | 500.1 | 172,638 | - | 172,638 | 138,110 | 34,528 | - | 1,476 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 820 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Transit planning (programmed in 5307) | 500.2 | 133,880 | - | 133,880 | 107,104 | 26,776 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,394 | - | - | - | - | 820 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Total costs for task group | 306,518 | - | 306,518 | 245,214 | 61,304 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special Planning Activities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old Plank Road Trail Study | 600.1 | 50,000 | - | 50,000 | 40,000 | * | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
E Commerce Redevelopment Sub Area Plan | 600.2 | 75,000 | 75,000 | 60,000 | * | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Total Costs for task group | 125,000 | 125,000 | 100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total budget for PL / 5303 + match | 1,800,610 | 269,539 | 2,468,920 | 1,975,136 | 493,784 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 164 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | - | 1,574 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 656 | 984 | 82 | 1,558 | 164 | - | 33 | - | - | 164 | - | 1,312 | - |
State Fiscal Year 2021 Task Budget Detail
2021 | Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation Director | Mitch Barloga | Gabrielle Biciunas | Charles Bradsky | Eman Ibrahim | Kevin Polette | Scott Weber | Vacant Transit Planner | New TIP/Grant Asst | Peter Kimball | New Planner | Graduate intern | Undergrad intern | Kathy Luther | Joe Exl | John Smith | Vacant Public Participation | Talaya Jones | Accounts Payable | Allen Hammond | Stephanie Kuziela | Lisa Todd | Meredith Stilwell | Candice Eklund | Flor Baum | Ty Warner | ||||||||||
UPWP section | Staff cost | Contract/ Sub- Grant | Total task cost | Federal share | Non-Federal Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5307 FTA | Sub-Recipient Oversight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-Recipient oversight | 700.1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
CARES Act Sub-Recipient Oversight | 700.2 | 400,020 | 12,000 | 429,020 | 429,020 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 656 | - | - | - | - | 98 | - | - | - | 164 | - | 1,591 | 656 | 1,394 | - | 98 | - | - | |||
Total budget for 5307 + match | 400,020 | SFY 2020 Bal - A | 429,020 | 429,020 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CMAQ and STBG | STBG and CMAQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
E-TIP Contract (FY 2021 STBG) 800.1 DES#:NIRPC1600397 | 61,142 | $3,000 | 67,375 | 53,900 13,475 | 984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air quality public eduction ( FY2021 CMAQ) DES# NIRPC1600453 | 800.2 | - | 557,804 | 557,804 | 446,243 111,561 * | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
State Fiscal Year 2022 UPWP Budget Estimate
2121 NIRPC UPWP Simple Budget Summary | ||||||
UPWP Section | Task Group Name | Funding Source | Total Task Cost | Federal Share | Non-Federal Share | |
22-100 Administration and Public Participation 22-200 Data Collection & Analysis 22-300 Short-range Planning 22-400 Long-range Planning 22-500 Multi-modal Planning 22-600 Special Planning Activities | PL/5303 (INDOT) | $ 498,244 | $ 398,595 | $ 99,649 | * | |
$ 332,802 | $ 266,241 | $ 66,560 | ||||
$ 203,619 | $ 162,895 | $ 40,724 | ||||
$ 557,016 | $ 445,613 | $111,403 | ||||
$ 306,518 | $ 245,214 | $ 61,304 | ||||
$ - | $ - | $ - | ||||
PL/ 5303 Total | 1,898,199 | 1,518,559 | 379,640 | |||
Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds | ||||||
22-700 | FTA Subrecipient Oversight | 5307 (FTA) | $ 252,968 | $ 202,374 | $ 50,594 | |
STBG and CMAQ | ||||||
22-800.1 | TIP Programming Asst | STBG (INDOT) | $ 66,306 | $ 53,045 | $ 13,261 | |
22-800.2 | Air Quality Public Education | CMAQ (INDOT) | $ 450,000 | $ 360,000 | $ 90,000 | ** |
* Non-salary direct expenses such as travel and supplies for all task groups are budgeted under 21-100 – Administration and Public Participation. ** Non-Federal Cash match to be the responsibility of partners South Shore Clean Cities, Partners for Clean Air, and Private Bike-Map Sponsors. |
State Fiscal Year 2022 Task Budget Detail
2022 | Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation Director | Mitch Barloga | Gabrielle Biciunas | Charles Bradsky | Eman Ibrahim | Kevin Polette | Scott Weber | James Winters | New TIP/Grant Asst | Peter Kimball | New Planner | Graduate intern | Undergrad intern | Kathy Luther | Joe Exl | John Smith | Dominique Edwards | Talaya Jones | Accounts Payable | Allen Hammond | Stephanie Kuziela | Lisa Todd | Meredith Stilwell | Candice Eklund | Flor Baum | Ty Warner | |||||||
UPWP section | Total task cost | Federal share | Non-Federal Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administration and public participation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PL + 5303 activities | Planning management + administration | 100.1 | 325,012 | 260,010 | 65,002 | 1,476 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 410 | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 820 | - | |
Public participation + communication tools | 100.2 | 92,146 | 73,717 | 18,429 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | 1,230 | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | ||
Title VI program management & Environmental Justice | 100.3 | 22,529 | 18,023 | 4,506 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
ADA program management | 100.4 | 21,272 | 17,018 | 4,254 | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 33 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
UPWP development and management | 100.5 | 37,284 | 29,827 | 7,457 | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Total costs for task group | 498,244 | 398,595 | 99,649 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data collection + analysis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation data collection | 200.1 | 109,366 | 87,493 | 21,873 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,558 | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Planning data analysis + GIS services | 200.2 | 118,723 | 94,978 | 23,745 | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | - | 1,082 | - | 1,640 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Performance-based planning activities | 200.3 | 32,219 | 25,775 | 6,444 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Congestion management | 200.4 | 24,164 | 19,332 | 4,833 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 246 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Travel demand modeling | 200.5 | 32,219 | 25,775 | 6,444 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Air quality conformity | 200.6 | 16,110 | 12,888 | 3,222 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Total costs for task group | 332,802 | 266,241 | 66,560 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-range planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TIP development | 300.1 | 53,015 | 42,412 | 10,603 | - | - | - | 492 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
TIP management | 300.2 | 132,051 | 105,641 | 26,410 | - | - | - | 1,148 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | ||
Environmental red flag investigations | 300.3 | 18,553 | 14,842 | 3,711 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | ||
Total costs for task group | 203,619 | 162,895 | 40,724 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-range planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CRP implementation Development | 400.1 | 152,763 | 122,210 | 30,553 | - | - | 164 | - | - | - | - | 82 | - | - | 1,312 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
NWI 2050 Implemetation | 400.2 | 133,506 | 106,805 | 26,701 | - | - | - | - | 984 | - | - | - | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Regional land use planning | 400.3 | 74,271 | 59,417 | 14,854 | - | - | - | - | 656 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Surface transportation planning | 400.4 | 81,890 | 65,512 | 16,378 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 574 | - | - | 328 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Environmental linkages planning | 400.5 | 114,587 | 91,670 | 22,917 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 246 | 820 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 246 | - | ||
Total costs for task group | 557,016 | 445,613 | 111,403 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Multi-modal planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Active transportation planning | 500.1 | 172,638 | 138,110 | 34,528 | - | 1,476 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 820 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Transit planning (programmed in 5307) | 500.2 | 133,880 | 107,104 | 26,776 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,394 | - | - | - | - | 820 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Total costs for task group | 306,518 | 245,214 | 61,304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special Planning Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No activities identified in this UPWP period | 600.1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
Total budget for PL / 5303 + match | 1,898,199 | 1,518,559 | 379,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 164 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | - | 1,574 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 1,640 | 656 | 984 | 82 | 1,558 | 164 | - | 33 | - | - | 164 | - | 1,312 | - |
TA
State Fiscal Year 2022 Task Budget Detail
2022 | Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation Director | Mitch Barloga | Gabrielle Biciunas | Charles Bradsky | Eman Ibrahim | Kevin Polette | Scott Weber | James Winters | New TIP/Grant Asst | Peter Kimball | New Planner | Graduate intern | Undergrad intern | Kathy Luther | Joe Exl | John Smith | Dominique Edwards | Talaya Jones | Accounts Payable | Allen Hammond | Stephanie Kuziela | Lisa Todd | Meredith Stilwell | Candice Eklund | Flor Baum | Ty Warner | |||||||
UPWP section | Total task cost | Federal share | Non-Federal Share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-Recipient Oversight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5307 F | Sub-Recipient oversight | 700.1 | 252,968 | 202,374 | 50,594 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 656 | - | - | - | 66 | - | - | - | 82 | - | 1,066 | 164 | 820 | - | 82 | - | - | ||
Total budget for 5307 + match | 252,968 | 202,374 | 50,594 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CMAQ and STBG | STBG and CMAQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NIRPC TIP Program Asst (FY 2021 STBG) 800.1 DES#:NIRPC1600397 | 66,306 | 53,045 13,261 | 984 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air quality public eduction ( FY2021 CMAQ) DES# NIRPC1600453 | 800.2 | 450,000 | 360,000 90,000 * | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
About NIRPC
NIRPC is a regional council of local governments serving the citizens of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties in Northwest Indiana. The Northwest Indiana region is part of the U.S. Census Bureau's Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). NIRPC provides a forum that enables the citizens of Northwest Indiana to address regional issues relating to transportation, the environment and community, and economic development. NIRPC, as a recipient of federal funds, is subject to the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed and national origin. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is a multi-purpose, sub-state, area- wide planning agency. NIRPC was originally established as the Lake-Porter County Regional Transportation and Planning Commission in 1965, pursuant to State-enabling legislation. An amendment to this legislation in 1973 provided the Commission with its current name and allowed for the addition of new member counties. Under this provision, La Porte County joined NIRPC in 1979.
In 1996 the legislation was again amended to provide a seat on the Commission for all of the mayors in the three-county region. The legislation was again amended in 2003 to provide for representation of all 41 cities and towns in the Tri-County area, and to specify that representatives must be elected officials. The legislation under which the Commission operates is contained within Indiana Code Title 36, Article VII, Chapter 7.
NIRPC operates as a cooperative of local governments within the Tri-County area. It is currently comprised of fifty-three members. In addition to the municipal appointments, the County Councils, Boards of Commissioners, and County Surveyors appoint one member each, as does the Governor. The Commission or the Executive Board meets monthly. NIRPC's meetings are open to the public and there is a place on every agenda for public comment.
The Commission's planning area is strategically located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan and represents an integral part of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The Commission's planning area is comprised of the three participating counties of Lake, Porter and La Porte, located in the northwestern corner of the State of Indiana. It consists of 741,468 people (2000 Census) and covers 1,520 square miles. There are forty-one cities and towns and forty-four townships within the NIRPC planning area.
One of the most important designations NIRPC has received is that of Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for northwestern Indiana. MPOs are responsible, together with state departments of transportation and public transit operators, for carrying out the transportation planning process for urbanized areas.
Northwest Indiana is a diverse and dynamic region whose complexities are reflected in the regional transportation system. The NIRPC planning area includes arguably some of the most strategic and critical links in the national transportation system. These factors combine to make the role of MPO for northwestern Indiana extraordinarily challenging.
In addition to planning responsibilities in the environmental and community development areas NIRPC provides staff services for several "partner agencies". Also housed in the NIRPC offices is the Kankakee River Basin Commission.
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.
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.
Required elements such as Title VI and Environmental Justice Planning can be found in section 100.3.
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 January 23, 2020, PEAs were issued for FY 2020, but not yet released for 2021. The list below includes the PEAs for 2020, and the corresponding section where the PEA has been included into NIRPC’s ongoing planning work. A PEA may be addressed in other UPWP sections; but the following sections will indicate the primary focus areas for meeting the requirements of the PEA:
Updating Planning Roles and Responsibilities 100.1 Planning Management + Administration Cooperating Operating Manual (PRRCOM)
Planning Emphasis Area NIRPC Planning Area
Local Road Safety Plans (LRSPs) 400.4 Surface Transportation Planning
Traffic Incident Management (TIM) 400.4 Surface Transportation Planning Participation Plans (PPs) 100.2 Public Participation + Communication Tools
NWI 2050 Strategies
In addition to the federally-required elements of the UPWP, this document also carefully weaves the initiatives and strategies identified in NIRPC’s long-range transportation plan, NWI 2050, throughout the document. Plan NWI requires all NIRPC planning activities to be tied back to one of NWI 2050’s 16 Strategic Initiatives and at least one of the many strategies also identified in the plan. This way NIRPC can ensure that every plan, every program, every policy is in step with the vision identified by the public. The 16 Plan initiatives are:
1) Plan for smart land uses and quality of place
400.2: NWI 2050 Implementation 400.3: Regional Land Use Planning
2) Plan for an E-commerce landscape 400.2: NWI 2050 Implementation (repeated)
3) Plan for Regional transit 500.2: Transit Planning
700.1 Sub-grantee Oversight
4) Plan for Complete Streets and active transportation 500.1: Active Transportation Planning
5) Plan for continually improved investment prioritization 100.4: Americans with Disabilities Act Program
Management
: Transportation Improvement Program Development
: TIP Development + Management 400.4: Surface Transportation Planning
6) Plan for Main Centers and transit-oriented development 400.2: NWI 2050 Implementation (repeated)
7) Plan for asset vulnerability and climate change This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed
8) Plan for green infrastructure and open spaces
This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
9) Plan for brownfield redevelopment / remediation This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed
10) Plan for transformative investments
100.1: Planning Management + Administration 100.5: UPWP Development and Management 400.1: Comprehensive Regional Plan Development
with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
11) Plan for a regional data and analysis 200.1: Planning Data Collection
framework 200.2: Planning Data Analysis + GIS Support Services 200.3: Performance-based Planning Activities
200.4: Congestion Management 200.5: Travel Demand Modeling
12) Plan for an engaged public and share best practices
100.2: Public Participation + Communication Tools 100.3: Title VI and Environmental Justice Program Management
300.3: Environmental Red Flag Investigations 400.5: Environmental Linkages Planning
13) Plan for more council of government activities This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed
14) Plan for cleaner air and energy
200.6: Air Quality Conformity 800.1: Air Quality Education
with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
15) Plan for watersheds and water quality This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed
16) Plan for economic development
This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
Public Participation
NIRPC’s planning activities are guided by its 2019 Public Participation Plan (PPP), Engage NWI. Engage NWI is the federally required PPP that enables NIRPC staff to ensure that it is meeting all federal requirements for public participation. However, more importantly Engage NWI serves as a guide that enables the public to engage with regional planning. Engage NWI promotes a meaningful exchange of ideas, identification of regional issues and solutions, as well as advancing initiatives to achieve the vision for Northwestern Indiana. In addition to detailing the technical aspects of public participation it provides details on they type of engagement that is expected when working with the public. This means that every planning activity has a corresponding engagement goal defined by the following chart. This document uses the terms “Inform,” “Consult,” “Involve,” and “Collaborate” to define how NIRPC staff and the public interact to complete NIRPC’s ongoing planning work. NIRPC has an ongoing commitment to ensure that 50% or more of all planning tasks fall into the “Involve” or “Collaborate” categories of participation.
Adapted from the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Public Participation Spectrum
Does the task
Active participation methods
require? Inform Consult Involve Collaborate
Engage NWI goal: Provide public with
objective information and assist their understanding of regional
challenges, options, opportunities, or solutions.
Obtain feedback on regional planning tasks, analyses, or prior to policy making.
Work directly with public and stakeholders throughout planning process to ensure concerns and ideas are consistently understood and considered.
Partner with the public and stakeholders in every aspect of the planning process from project scoping through adoption of plans or policies.
Engage NWI
promise
Involvement methods / tools may include:
When goal will be selected:
Keep the general public and stakeholders informed.
Website, social media, newsletters, multi‐language publications, press releases, mailings, live streaming, white papers, or fact sheets.
The “Inform” level of participation will be used for technical documents, but the methods will be used frequently to communicate regularly with the public
Keep public the informed. Listen and acknowledge concerns and ideas, and provide public with report on how input shaped outcomes.
Activities listed in “Inform” plus surveys, comment forms, webinars, or formal meetings
The “Consult” level of participation will be used less frequently, but the methods will be used when needed.
Work with public and stakeholders to ensure goals and ideas are directly reflected in planning work as much as possible and report on how input shaped outcomes.
Activities listed in “Consult” plus focus groups, targeted outreach to meet people where they are such as “Out and Abouts,” or “Pop‐up Events”.
The “Involve” method will be used frequently and the methods as well.
Work with public and stakeholders to inform planning work from start at project scoping to understand issues, generate solutions, and incorporate feedback to shape outcomes.
Activities listed in “Involve” plus task forces, charrettes, keypad polling, and working groups
The “Collaborate” method will be used frequently with major planning processes.
Metropolitan Planning Activities and Tasks
| Administration and Public Participation
100: Administration and Public Participation | |||
Funding Source | FY 2020 Amended Funds | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Federal PL/5307 Non-Federal | $ 10,508 $ 2,627 | $ 397,466 $ 99,366 | $ 397,466 $ 99,366 |
TOTAL $ 13,134 Tasks: Planning management + administration Public participation + communication tools Title VI program management & Environmental Justice ADA program management UPWP development and management | $ 496,832 $ 496,832 Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds Voice to Text/ Close Captioning system |
| Planning Management + Administration
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Director of Transportation
Task Contributors:
Kathy Luther, Transportation Director, Meredith Stillwell, Flor Baum, and Candice Eklund
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 overall agency outreach and communication is integrated with the public participation requirements of the MPO. Coordinate strategic communication and coordination with neighboring MPOs, federal and state partners, permitting agencies, and NIRPC Commissioners and stakeholders.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Management of staff performing UPWP tasks and projects
Management of planning processes including, but not limited to:
Long Range Transportation Plan: NWI 2050
2022-2026 TIP: Invest NWI
2021-2022 UPWP: Plan NWI
2019 Public Participation Plan: Engage NWI
Quarterly PL, STBG, and CMAQ Program Reports and Billings
Annual PL, STBG, and CMAQ Completion Reports.
Commission and Committee meetings staffed
Participation in meetings of coordinating partners
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, 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:
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, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Transportation Committee, Port of Indiana, etc.
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.
This task also includes funds budgeted for staff travel, training, software licenses and supplies.
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. Additionally, this task will assist with collaborating with state and federal partners on updating the Planning Roles and Responsibilities Cooperating Operating Manual (PRRCOM).
Public Engagement Goal:
Collaborate
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Transformative Investments
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
The nature of this task impacts all plan strategies addressed by all other tasks in this document.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by all other tasks in this document.
| Public Participation + Communication Tools
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Dominique Edwards
Task Contributors:
Gabrielle Biciunas, Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Joe Exl, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, John Smith, Scott Weber, and James Winters, Lucas Ecklund-Baker
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.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Completion and adoption of Engage NWI: NIRPC’s public participation plan
NIRPC Social Media Content
NIRPC Weekly Newsletter Content
Website updates concerning public outreach activities
Outreach to over 400 individuals through the development of NWI 2050 across 54 traditional and non0traditional outreach events
Over 3,000 social media and email contacts
Over 9,000 “reads” of Weekly Newsletter Content
Task Description:
Elements:
Implement the newly updated Public Participation Plan. 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 weekly newsletter for distribution to stakeholders and
interested parties. NIRPC Website Coordinator will keep the website current. Use virtual public involvement methods to modernize NIRPC outreach methods and continue to expand NIRPC’s ongoing conversation with the public. Acquire software or tools for voice to text conversion for close captioning and/or meeting recordings.
Task Deliverables:
Implementation of Engage NWI
New Social Media Content
New Weekly Newsletter Content
Website updates concerning public outreach activities
Digital public meetings about NIRPC’s ongoing planning work
Public Engagement Goal:
Collaborate
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for an Engaged Public and Share Best-Practices
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
While most planning tasks will use NWI 2050 strategies, planning tasks related to outreach utilize strategies found in Engage NWI to track the effectiveness of engagement.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
While most planning tasks will use NWI 2050 performance measures, planning tasks related to outreach utilize metrics found in Engage NWI to track the effectiveness of engagement. These measures are:
Social media analytics
Newsletter analytics
Events held annually
Event participation
| Title VI and Environmental Justice Program Management
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Dominique Edwards
Task Contributors:
Gabrielle Biciunas, Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Joe Exl, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, Scott Weber, and James Winters
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 planning activity will ensure that programs and projects adhere to the principles of non-discrimination, as well as ensure the MPO’s nondiscrimination self-certifications remain accurate. Additionally, this planning task will also include the evaluation of NIRPC plans and programs for environmental justice (EJ) sensitivity and work to continuously expand outreach efforts to low-income, minority, and other potentially disadvantaged populations.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
LPA compliance with Title VI
NIRPC’s 2020 Title VI Update
EJ Population identification and prioritization in NWI 2050 and the 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and NOFA
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 LPAs 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. Foster communications, cooperation and coordination of Title VI and EJ populations to regional decision making.
Task Deliverables:
Technical assistance to LPAs and robust public outreach
Coordination of NIRPC projects in relation to Title VI and EJ community needs and outreach
Increased inclusion of EJ communities in the transportation planning process in Northwestern Indiana.
Public Engagement Goal:
Collaborate
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for an Engaged Public and Share Best-Practices
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
While most planning tasks will use NWI 2050 strategies, planning tasks related to outreach utilize strategies found in Engage NWI to track the effectiveness of engagement.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
While most planning tasks will use NWI 2050 performance measures, planning tasks related to outreach utilize metrics found in Engage NWI to track the effectiveness of engagement. These measures are:
Social media analytics related to engagement of Title VI and EJ populations
Newsletter analytics related to engagement of Title VI and EJ populations
Annual events held throughout the year within Title VI and EJ communities
Event participation of Title VI and EJ populations
| Americans with Disabilities Act Program Management
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Mitch Barloga
Task Contributors:
Allen Hammond
Task Objective:
Ensure all LPAs in our region that are required to have transition plans are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
NIRPC technical assistance to LPAs to achieve compliance with ADA transition planning requirements. Assistance with the ADA Bus Inventory project.
Task Description:
Elements:
Assist LPAs with compliance and technical assistance of ADA transition plans. Assist in the continuous improvement required to help LPAs maintain ADA transition plans as a “living document.” INDOT may limit funding to those entities that are not meeting the requirements. While NIRPC has provided the ADA Bus Stop Inventory and Assessment to LPAs, priority in the TIP project selection process, ultimately submissions to the TIP and the replacement schedule for bus stops will reside with the LPA.
Activities:
Direct communication with LPAs regarding ADA compliance, transition plan development maintenance, and management.
Task Deliverables:
Ongoing technical assistance as needed.
Public Engagement Goal:
Inform
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Continually Improved Investment Prioritization
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Prioritize transit investments that better connect the Environmental Justice populations to job centers, medical facilities, recreations centers, shopping districts, and educational institutions
Prioritize transit investments that connect communities in environmental justice areas, people who are elderly, low-income, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Improve the accessibility of regional pedestrian and transit infrastructure by allocating funding for the implementation of locally-developed ADA transition plans, and incorporating Universal Design standards so all public infrastructure meets or exceeds ADA standards.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
All Purpose Average Trip Time
Work Purpose Average Trip Time
School Purpose Average Trip Time
Percent of Population within ¼-mile Network Distance to a Trail or Bicycle Facility
Percent of Population within ¼-mile Network Distance to a Trail or Bicycle Facility Crossing Municipal/County Jurisdictions
Number of Non-Motorized Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Total Number of Reportable Injuries and Rate per Total Vehicle Revenue Miles by Mode
Average Walk Score in “Main Centers”
Percent of Environmental Justice (EJ) Area Population within ¼-mile of a Trail or Multi-Use Path
Percent Adults Reporting Physical Inactivity
| UPWP Development + Management
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
James Winters
Task Contributors:
Director of Transportation, Talaya Jones
Task Objective:
Develop and manage the UPWP and its amendments. The UPWP includes planning activities to implement NWI 2050, applicable laws, and regulations to support the federally required 3C transportation process for MPOs as outlined in metropolitan planning regulations.
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 and Amendment #2 to 2019-2020 UPWP submitted to INDOT/USDOT for approval. Annual quarterly UPWP reporting.
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 NWI 2050. All members of NIRPC’s planning team contribute to this task through their program areas through annual and quarterly reporting as well as annual UPWP development.
Task Deliverables:
Final 2022-2023 UPWP approved by federal partners before the start of FY 2021 and an annual completion report due to federal partners 90 days after the close of each program year.
Amendments to UPWP as necessary
Quarterly reporting on UPWP activities
Public Engagement Goal:
Inform
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Transformative Investments
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Transformative Investments
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
The nature of this task impacts all plan strategies addressed by all other tasks in this document.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by all other tasks in this document.
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| Data Collection and Analysis
200: Data Collection and Analysis | |||
Funding Source | FY 2020 Amended Funds | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Federal PL/5307 | $ 323,398 | $ 266,241 | $ 266,241 |
Non-Federal | $ 80,850 | $ 66,560 | $ 66,560 |
TOTAL | $ 404,248 $ 332,802 $ 332,802 Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds 88 Trail counters, 1 Data bike, 2 MioVision Traffic Counters ESRI Credits Data Visualization Software Update Travel Demand Model | ||
Tasks: | |||
Transportation data collection | |||
Planning data analysis + GIS | |||
services | |||
Performance-based planning | |||
activities | |||
Congestion management | |||
Travel demand modeling | |||
Air quality conformity |
| Planning Data Collection
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Kevin Pollete
Task Contributors:
Peter Kimball
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.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Updated database of regional demographic and other useful data
ADA Bus Stop Inventory
Updated NOFA Application Maps
Crash data collection
Traffic count data collection
Travel time data collection
Transit data collection
Bicycle and pedestrian count data collection
Household Travel Survey
Task Description:
Elements:
Crash data collection
Traffic count data collection
Travel time data collection
Transit data collection
Asset inventory and condition data
Bicycle and pedestrian count data collection
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. Particular focus will be given to starting an inventory of all regional ADA transition plan initiatives and completed projects; and updating regional databases with 2020 Census information. This program area will also be used to develop Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data. No HPMS-data was logged by NIRPC in the last few years; however, the program is expected to be fully re-deployed
in this workplan. Acquire modern technology to increase NIRPC capacity to collect traffic data. Acquire and share with LPAs equipment and supplies for collecting data on trail use and condition including mobile and fixed trail counters and a data bike.
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.
Public Engagement Goal:
Inform: As needed, but not anticipated to be a considerable effort
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for a regional data and analysis framework
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Update the various maps related to the local food system as it relates to Food Deserts, transit, transportation investments, land use, Environmental Justice areas, trails, and high- density population areas.
Coordinate spatial data acquisition, sharing and standardization in support of environmental planning across jurisdiction.
Collect transportation stream crossing inventory data to support stream habitat connectivity planning
Support the collection and sharing of data for watershed and stormwater management planning.
Maintain and update parcel level septic system mapping in support of environmental planning
Continue to maintain and update the "Regional Priority Trails & Corridors Map" as identified in the Greenways + Blueways 2020 Plan.
Share data on traffic volumes and other transportation attributes that NIRPC collects throughout the region
Improve transportation network reliability by compiling, analyzing and mapping reliability data for roadways in order to prioritize funding.
Reduce congestion increase transit efficiency by compiling, analyzing and mapping roadway bottleneck data in order to prioritize funding.
Use asset management data from pavement and bridge conditions to pursue projects that address needs.
Increase transparency and awareness of the transportation network performance by publishing a Performance-based Planning dashboard.
Inventory and digitize in GIS sidewalk and bicycle lanes noting gaps infrastructure, and pedestrian and bicyclist comfort
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
Every performance measure that requires new data or analysis.
| Planning Data Analysis + GIS Support Services
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
(Merged 200.2 Planning Data Analysis and 200.3 GIS Support Services from 2019–2020 UPWP)
Task Lead:
Peter Kimball
Task Contributors:
Kevin Pollete, and an intern
Task Objective:
Manage, coordinate, expand, and continue to upgrade NIRPC GIS to meet the increasingly diverse spatial data requirements of transportation, environmental, and land use planning, economic development, and regional initiatives.
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. Increase capability to share geographic data on-line.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Maps for NOFA scoring and analysis
TIP data analysis
ADA Bus Stop Inventory
2050 Plan GIS and Data Support
Community Data Profiles
As-needed technical assistance to external partners and community members
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, 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:
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. Maintaining and organizing GIS databases and data reports. Producing spatial and non-spatial data sets. Creating, maintaining, and publishing online-maps and datasets. Participation in regional GIS user groups. Conducting analyses to support planning tasks.
Task Deliverables:
High-quality GIS spatial analysis conducted throughout the year to support NIRPC planning activities.
High quality maps
Updated datasets published to NIRPC’s website
(number of completed external data requests?)
Public Engagement Goal:
Primarily Inform, Collaborate, as needed
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Regional Data and Analysis Framework
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Support goal 2.2 of Ignite the Region Plan in mapping current and future commercial land types to support new business start up
Update various maps related to the local food system as it relates to Food Deserts, transit, transportation investments, land use, Environmental Justice areas, trails, and high-density population areas
Map and identify prime agricultural land within urbanized areas in close proximity to high density, transit, and Environmental Justice areas, taking into consideration transportation, and economic development
Identify land access opportunities and land value map for farmers (beginning), urban and agriculture
Update historic register and the designated historic district maps;
Develop GIS maps for open space and water resource protection (Update, Expand, Maintain LMCP Eppley Project).
Include high solar and wind energy potential areas as natural resource in GIS layers in NWI (Department of Energy has national data);
Continue to maintain and update the “Regional Priority Trails & Corridors Map” as identified in the Greenways + Blueways 2020 Plan
Compile and map roadway crash data to prioritize high crash corridors in the HSIP funding grants
Inventory and digitize in GIS sidewalk and bicycle lanes noting gaps in infrastructure, and pedestrian and bicyclist comfort;
Create a parcel-based map of current and potential business locations along major NWI corridors to help identify economic centers and prioritize future transportation improvements
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
Every performance measure has a specific data requirement- reference submitted projects for accurate list of specific performance measures
| Performance‐based Planning Activities
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Scott Weber
Task Contributors:
Gabrielle Biciunas, Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Dominique Edwards, Joe Exl, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, and James Winters
Task Objective:
Implement the performance-based planning framework from NWI 2050,
Comply with the USDOT Performance Based Planning and Programming requirements,
Publish an annual dashboard of the region’s performance.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Establishment of performance measures and targets in NWI 2050.
Periodic monitoring of the measures as data becomes available.
Development of a draft of the dashboard’s design and where it will live on the newly updated website.
Task Description:
Elements:
Publication, monitoring, and analysis of regional data metrics. Acquire tools to help present and share technical performance data in understandable formats.
Activities:
Publication of a regional data dashboard in December 2020 in accordance with NWI 2050. Continued monitoring of data feeding into annual update of the dashboard.
Task Deliverables:
Publication of the Annual Performance Dashboard on NIRPC’s website
Public Engagement Goal:
Collaborate
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Regional Data and Analysis Framework
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Increase transparency and awareness of the transportation network performance by publishing a Performance-based Planning dashboard
Collect periodically IDEM Air Quality Monitoring Data.
Analyze NWI energy and fuel use and carbon footprint trends.
Obtain LIDAR tree canopy, land use and land cover data and keep the data up to date.
Track NWI Water Use and Sources.
Continue working with local university partners on collecting and analyzing data.
Utilize the data that Purdue’s Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) has been collecting about regional asset management to better inform, and where appropriate coordinate, project decision-making.
Use asset management data from pavement and bridge conditions to pursue projects that address needs.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
All performance measures are related to this task.
| Congestion Management
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Scott Weber
Task Contributors:
None
Task Objective:
Fulfill the requirements for a Transportation Management Area (TMA) by ensuring that planning and projects carried out by NIRPC and its local partners consider congestion reduction where possible. Administer and update, as necessary, the Congestion Management Process for NW Indiana.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Updated Congestion Management Process (pending completion in May 2020).
Continuous monitoring of congestion data from NPMRDS, Google Maps API, and in-house collected travel time data.
Task Description:
Elements:
Objective and quantitative evaluation of congestion within the NIRPC region. An operation- oriented approach to the congestion management process will continue to be pursued.
Activities:
Ongoing monitoring of congestion-related data and inclusion of congestion-related performance measures on the Annual Performance Dashboard.
Task Deliverables:
NOFA project applications and periodic NWI 2050/TIP Amendment projects will be evaluated with CMP.
Staff will conduct ongoing maintenance to the CMP, including populating it with the latest available data.
Public Engagement Goal:
Consult
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Regional Data and Analysis Framework
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Promote future development to occur where utilities and infrastructures, including transit, exist by establishing growth management strategies to ensure that population and employment growth occurs in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Concentrate new growth around infrastructure to allow preservation of environmental assets.
Work with local entities to develop local ordinances that require new trails and connections in new developments where feasible.
Encourage municipalities to update land use regulations to include pedestrian connectivity between land uses.
Update Sensible Tools Kit to provide resource to municipalities for better land use planning.
Routinely conduct Planning Commission workshops on the Sensible Tools Handbook to continually reinforce best practices in land use planning.
Create plans and programs to address the impact of the growth of e-commerce in NWI on travel behavior, logistic systems and land use planning in partnership with regional and local agencies.
Local entities that have passenger rail stations should establish a TOD zoning and policies to support growth around the South Shore and Westlake corridor stations areas.
Prioritize transit expansions to job centers.
Improve regional connectivity by assisting in the identification of key coordinated stops where transit operators can rendezvous to switch passengers from one service to another.
Identify corridors for fixed route transit service and Bus Rapid Transit. Metrics such as population density, congestion, and concentrations of employment may be used in developing priority corridors.
Improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to high density population areas, employment and retail centers, transit stations, parks, and schools.
Prioritize non-motorized facilities that maximize connectivity across counties and municipal boundaries, and Main centers.
NIRPC to continue pursuing regional corridor studies within the region to identify improvements and help prioritize future funds.
Identify and prioritize high-crash areas that could be improved quickly with cost effective solutions.
Improve the regional transportation network by pursuing funding opportunities to address bottlenecks in key regional corridors.
Plan to improve campus areas and turn them to great places by creating and incentivizing local student-centered gatherings and nightlife offerings, good mixture of modern cuisine, bars, bike paths, trails, parks, cultural offerings, and outstanding public transit system.
Improve the efficiency of transit and curb the costly growth of sprawl, by increasing the overall density of urban areas.
Improve resiliency and reduce congestion by sharing data and plans with local Emergency Planning Committees to help them with decision-making and improving evacuation plans.
Support the Transit Development District (TDD) of the regional South Shore Corridor TOD areas to develop context-appropriate strategies for creating a network of transit-oriented places and sites that integrate different functions and activities within easy access of transit.
Reduce congestion by developing a regional railroad crossing improvement plan with a focus on highway-rail grade separations.
Continue working with local university partners on collecting and analyzing data.
Share data on traffic volumes and other transportation attributes that NIRPC collects throughout the region.
Improve transportation network reliability by compiling, analyzing and mapping reliability data for roadways in order to prioritize funding.
Reduce congestion and increase transit efficiency by compiling, analyzing and mapping roadway bottleneck data for in order to prioritize funding.
Improve safety, efficiency, and regional interoperability of the transportation system by developing, maintaining and communicating the Intelligent Transportation Systems Regional Architecture.
Improve connectivity for all users by bringing communities to work together on projects affecting shared corridors.
Encourage legislators and transportation agencies to explore standardizations in the roadway environment to best accommodate Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs).
Establish policies to increase affordable and accessible housing near job centers and transit stations/stops.
Continue to support transit and complete streets to ensure that all residents have access to schools, grocery stores, community centers, medical facilities, reliable transportation and job opportunities.
Continue Air Quality Public Education It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air NWI including emphasis on modal shift.
Work with NWI Forum and local governments to meet local and regional needs by strategically investing in targeted transportation connectivity projects that support economic growth.
Work with intermodal facilities and freight carriers to identify locations with high levels of freight movement and to plan strategies for alleviating freight-related congestion."
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
All-purpose average trip time
Work purpose average trip time
Retail/Service purpose average trip time
School purpose average trip time
Medical care purpose average trip time
Other purpose average trip time
Percent of non-single occupancy vehicle travel in the Chicago, IL-IN urbanized area
Percent of person miles traveled on the Interstate that are reliable
Percent of person miles traveled on the non-Interstate NHS that are reliable
Truck Travel Time Reliability Index (TTTRI)
Peak hours of excessive delay per capita in the Chicago, IL-IN Urbanized Area
| Travel Demand Modeling
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Scott Weber
Task Contributors:
None
Task Objective:
Model region travel demand in Northwestern Indiana and in neighboring areas. The computationally rigorous travel demand model allows NIRPC to support planning and programming activities by identifying the need for, and impact of, plans and projects. Results of modeling help meet federal requirements of air quality conformity and assist NIRPC stakeholders in evaluating some localized travel impacts of projects.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Ongoing modeling support for various requests from INDOT, Local Public Agencies, transit operators, and other planning partners as needed.
Analysis of results from 2018 Household Travel Survey data that will be used to calibrate, validate, and update the NIRPC Travel Demand Model.
Task Description:
Elements:
Model validation, socio-economic forecasts, land-use assumptions, VMT estimates, air quality impacts and customized reports for planning partners. Procure contractor support to update NIRPC Travel Demand Model with Household Travel Survey Data.
Activities:
Calibration of NIRPC Travel Demand Model using the 2018 Household Travel Survey Data (updated trip generation from rates in the survey, updated trip distribution patterns, and updated mode choice). Memorandum of findings from the calibration and validation about whether a wholesale Travel Demand Model Update is warranted, and if so, an identification of funding for the update.
Task Deliverables:
Travel Demand Model calibration and validation report with 2018 Household Travel Survey Data delivered to Surface Transportation Committee and/or TPC and posted on NIRPC website.
Annual report of how many which modeling requests have been answered on NIRPC website.
Public Engagement Goal:
Inform
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Regional Data and Analysis Framework
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Forecast demand for future land development and the requirements of logistics use to accommodate e-commerce future needs.
NIRPC to continue pursuing regional corridor studies within the region to identify improvements and help prioritize future funds.
Improve the regional transportation network by pursuing funding opportunities to address bottlenecks in key regional corridors.
Develop method to prioritize transformative investments that cost over $10 million in recognition that FHWA/FTA allocated funds are insufficient to program such projects.
Reduce congestion increase transit efficiency by compiling, analyzing and mapping roadway bottleneck data for in order to prioritize funding.
Work with NWI Forum and local governments to meet local and regional needs by strategically investing in targeted transportation connectivity projects that support economic growth.
Work with intermodal facilities and freight carriers to identify locations with high levels of freight movement and to plan strategies for alleviating freight-related congestion.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
None from NWI 2050 since they deal with actual data, not modeled data. However, in terms of local technical assistance and public involvement, the number of modeling requests received and responded to can be used to measure performance.
| Air Quality Conformity
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Scott Weber
Task Contributors:
None
Task Objective:
Meet the federal requirements for Air Quality Conformity as they apply to MPO planning and programming for an air quality non-attainment or maintenance area. The task will show that NIRPC fulfills these requirements by only planning and programming projects that fall within motor vehicle emissions budgets and other required parameters.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Formal Air Quality Conformity Determination analysis reports for all planning and programming actions that the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG) on Air Quality finds necessary.
Periodic discussion with ICG members about whether or not Plan/TIP amendments require a formal conformity determination, consultation, or no conformity action.
Ongoing monitoring of the latest EPA designations for non-attainment or maintenance status.
Ongoing monitoring of the latest USDOT requirements for conformity and trainings/resources that are offered.
Task Description:
Elements:
Participate with state and federal partners, specifically the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG), to evaluate air quality impacts of transportation investments. Prepare draft air quality conformity determination analysis documents showing that regionally significant non-exempt planned and programmed projects, regardless of funding source, will demonstrate air quality conformity. Communicate modeling results to partners and inform investment decisions.
Activities:
Ongoing discussion with ICG members about Plan/TIP amendments that may require official conformity actions. Preparation of Air Quality Conformity analysis reports for actions that the ICG finds necessary. Ongoing monitoring of the latest EPA designations for non-attainment or maintenance status. Ongoing monitoring of the latest USDOT requirements for conformity and trainings/resources that are offered.
Task Deliverables:
Periodic publication of Air Quality Conformity Determination Analysis
Report documents on NIRPC website
Public Engagement Goal:
Involve
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Cleaner Air and Energy
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Help local governments to adopt model anti-idling ordinances and incentives.
Encourage the incorporation of pollution prevention and environmental impact avoidance in regional and local land use, transportation, flood and stormwater management and mitigation planning to enhance future environmental quality.
Collect periodically IDEM Air Quality Monitoring Data.
Promote knowledge and use of Clean Cities NWI Energy and Fuel Use and sources database.
Promote public understanding and use of IDEM Regional air quality monitoring data.
Integrate SSCC and U.S. Department of Energy fuel and emission data into NIRPC programs.
Promote best practices to reduce transportation emissions.
Create a regional awards program for ""Air and Energy Friendly Employers"" to promote air emission reduction through voluntary efforts.
Seek funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in NWI.
Create a funding program for those financially impacted by vehicle emission testing.
Support the continuation of Vehicle Emission Testing Program.
Support the continuation of CMAQ funding for diesel emission reduction projects.
Promote shared alternative energy and fuel infrastructure agreements between communities.
Develop a regional energy and fuel plan for NWI to increase regional energy sustainability.
Continue Air Quality Public Education It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air NWI including emphasis on modal shift.
Promote statewide public private partnership to implement alternative fuel infrastructure on Interstates that will reduce diesel emissions on through freight traffic.
Assist regional transit providers to adopt clean energy fleet policies clean energy and fuel by 2030.
Develop model ordinances on electric vehicle and alternative fuel infrastructure and incentives to promote a diverse and sustainable regional energy economy.
Help local governments understand how to engage with regional SSCC and FHWA Plans for alternative fuel corridors to support fuel and energy diversification.
Promote local governments to incentivize best practices for sustainable energy/transportation fuel/EV infrastructure on brown and grey fields.
Maintain existing alternative fuel and energy infrastructure planning efforts to increase future energy resilience.
Support alternative energy and fuel friendly state and federal legislation.
Improve air quality and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels by convening stakeholders to regionally collaborate on, seek grants for, and apply for funding for alternative fuel and electric vehicle and infrastructure projects."
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
Number of annual ozone emission critical value exceedances
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) reduction from Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)- funded projects (kg/day)
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) reduction from Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)-funded projects (kg/day)
Carbon Monoxide (CO) reduction from Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)-funded projects (kg/day)
Particulate Matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) reduction from Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)-funded projects (kg/day)
Number of alternatively fueled/powered vehicles registered
| Short Range Planning
300: Short Range Planning | ||
Funding Source FY 2020 Amended Funds | FY 2021 | FY 2022 |
Federal PL/5307 $ 62,200 | $ 162,895 | $ 162,895 |
Non-Federal $ 15,550 | $ 40,724 | $ 40,724 |
TOTAL $ 77,750 | $ 203,619 $ 203,619 Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds Develop or modify -ETIP system to be compatible with E-STIP under development. Maintain current RTIP | |
Tasks: | ||
TIP development | ||
TIP management | ||
Environmental red flag investigations |
| Transportation Improvement Program Development
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Charles Bradsky
Task Contributors:
James Winters, and TIP Assistant
Task Objective:
Develop a NOFA to support the development of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), continuously learning and adapting from the previous NOFA and stakeholder feedback.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
2019 NOFA
The 2020-2024 TIP was developed in alignment with NWI 2050.
Online/digital publication of the 2020-2024 TIP
Positive working relationship with LPAs, transit operators, INDOT, FHWA & FTA.
Technical assistance to transit operators and LPAs during the 2019 NOFA
Task Description:
Elements:
Solicit feedback on the 2020 NOFA.
Develop a set of improvements for the 2022-2028 TIP NOFA.
Maintain a good working relationship with LPAs, transit operators, INDOT, FHWA, and FTA.
Activities:
Maintain online/digital TIP
Solicit and implement feedback for NOFA development
Implement feedback on transformative investments
Task Deliverables:
Living online/digital TIP document
Living spreadsheet showing current status of TIP
Annual List of Obligated Projects for Federal and state officials, and a similar document developed for public use
Public Engagement Goal:
Consult
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Continually Improved Investment Prioritization
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Prioritize funding for transit-oriented development.
Prioritize investment of roads, public transit, and other infrastructure to improve the market of the identified Tax Increment Finance zones, opportunity zones and disinvested areas.
Prioritize transit investments that better connect the Environmental Justice populations to job centers, medical facilities, recreations centers, shopping districts, and educational institutions.
Prioritize transit investments that connect communities in environmental justice areas, people who are elderly, low-income, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Purchase clean energy and fuel transit vehicles.
Identify and prioritize high-crash areas that could be improved quickly with cost effective solutions.
Improve the regional transportation network by pursuing funding opportunities to address bottlenecks in key regional corridors.
Improve the accessibility of regional pedestrian and transit infrastructure by allocating funding for the implementation of locally-developed ADA transition plans, and incorporating Universal Design standards so all public infrastructure meets or exceeds ADA standards.
Continue to prioritize transportation funding in older communities and livable centers to improve public infrastructure and redevelopment.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by projects submitted into the TIP.
| TIP Development + Management
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Charles Bradsky
Task Contributors:
James Winters, and TIP Assistant
Task Objective:
Through periodic amendments and modifications, maintain a fiscally constrained five-year multi-modal investment program reflecting the vision and goals of NWI 2050, implementing the performance-based planning framework, adhering to air quality conformity rules, and utilizing a robust and transparent public participation process.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Local Quarterly Tracking meetings/reports,
As-needed TIP amendments & modifications
Annual List of Obligated Projects (ALOP)
Continue to use stakeholder input to improve digital TIP functions and processes.
Continue to work with INDOT to ensure compatibility between NIRPC’s digital TIP and the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)
Task Description:
Elements:
Coordinate transportation projects within the established committee structure. 2) Maintain the 2020-2024 TIP by introducing amendments and administrative modifications with the intent on delivering a full portfolio of projects with the resources available to the NIRPC region.
3) Maintain a fiscally constrained five-year spending plan of federal funds allocated to NWI. 4) Maintain a current list of Employee in Responsible Charge (ERC) for each LPA. 5) Organize and conduct quarterly tracking meetings to assess the viability of project letting; recommend amendments as needed. 6) Employ project selection criteria, as applicable, to inform decision- makers on the merit of each proposed project. 7) Maintain a good working relationship with LPAs, transit operators, INDOT, FHWA, and FTA. 8) Publish a list of obligated projects, known as the Annual List of Obligated Projects (ALOP), within the allocated timeline from DOT and INDOT. Maintain e-TIP. Contract for development/improvements to R-TIP to enhance compatibility with the new system under development by INDOT.
Task Deliverables:
Local Quarterly Tracking meetings/reports
As-needed amendments and modifications
Documentation of the number and percentage of projects let for construction per program year as originally published in the TIP.
An improved, functionable, serviceable e-TIP that NIRPC team members can use to perform a variety of essential functions, and also shares and invites collaboration from the public.
Public Engagement Goal:
Consult
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Continually Improved Investment Prioritization
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Prioritize funding for transit-oriented development.
Prioritize investment of roads, public transit, and other infrastructure to improve the market of the identified Tax Increment Finance zones, opportunity zones and disinvested areas.
Prioritize transit investments that better connect the Environmental Justice populations to job centers, medical facilities, recreations centers, shopping districts, and educational institutions.
Prioritize transit investments that connect communities in environmental justice areas, people who are elderly, low-income, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Purchase clean energy and fuel transit vehicles.
Identify and prioritize high-crash areas that could be improved quickly with cost effective solutions.
Improve the regional transportation network by pursuing funding opportunities to address bottlenecks in key regional corridors.
Improve the accessibility of regional pedestrian and transit infrastructure by allocating funding for the implementation of locally-developed ADA transition plans, and incorporating Universal Design standards so all public infrastructure meets or exceeds ADA standards.
Continue to prioritize transportation funding in older communities and livable centers to improve public infrastructure and redevelopment.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by projects submitted into the TIP.
| Environmental Red Flag Investigations
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Joe Exl
Task Contributors:
Flor Baum
Task Objective:
To enhance the performance of the transportation system and transportation projects while protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
Conducted red flag investigations as needed.
Task Description:
Activities:
Early coordination with LPAs for local projects. NIRPC will send letters to LPAs informing them that a Red Flag Investigation will need to completed following NOFA. This can either be done by NIRPC or consultant. Trigger will be DES number being assigned to a project. NIRPC will continue to review and complete Red Flag Investigations, as needed, in response to early coordination letters.
Task Deliverables:
Preliminary RFI review with LPAs as part of project scoping prior to NOFA submission
Project tracking spreadsheet
Early coordination letter reviews
Red Flag Investigations and comments as needed
RFI data available through ArcGIS online service
Public Engagement Goal:
Inform
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Regional Data and Analysis Framework
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Update the historic register and the designated historic districts map.
Coordinate spatial data acquisition, sharing and standardization in support of environmental planning across jurisdiction.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by projects submitted into the TIP, that have requested a red-flag investigation.
| Long Range Planning
400: Long Range Planning | ||
Funding Source | FY 2020 Amended Funds | FY 2021 FY 2022 |
Federal PL/5307 Non-Federal | $ 61,600 $ 15,400 | $ 444,936 $ 444,936 $ 111,234 $ 111,234 |
TOTAL Tasks: CRP implementation Development Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Sensible Tools Handbook Update Public Health and Transportation Regional land use planning Surface transportation planning Environmental linkages planning | $ 77,000 | $ 556,169 $ 556,169 Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds Living Streets Design Guidelines Vulnerability Assessment Consultant |
| Comprehensive Regional Plan Development
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
James Winters
Task Contributors:
Gabrielle Biciunas, Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Joe Exl, Dominique Edwards, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, and Scott Weber
Task Objective:
Using NWI 2050 as the cornerstone, provide needed updates to NIRPC’s long-range planning efforts as determined through public outreach and stakeholder input.
Prior Task Accomplishments NWI 2050, adopted May 2019
Task Description:
Elements:
A multi-step process reflecting on the successes and work to be completed from NWI 2050, the updated plan will continue to articulate regional vision and needs, identify influences on our future, anticipate impacts of different possible futures. Additionally, the plan will also continue to refine the performance-based planning system created in NWI 2050, redefine defensible and clear evaluation criteria, and revise strategies and investments to improve our region, and identify partners to help us move towards the future. Planning updates to NWI 2050 will include robust public input, especially from Title VI and Environmental justice communities, and a continued commitment to data collection and analysis. No update is required for NWI 2050 until 2023, but rather this task will focus on evaluation, correction, and as-needed updates, however infrequent.
Task deliverables:
Planning updates to NWI 2050.
Public Engagement Goal:
Collaborate
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Transformative Investments
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
The nature of this task impacts all plan strategies addressed by all other tasks in this document.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by all other tasks in this document.
| NWI 2050 Implementation
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Eman Ibrahim
Task Contributors:
Gabrielle Biciunas
Task Objective:
Study, research, plan, and implement the vision and strategies of NWI 2050, the long-range plan for the MPO. This task focuses on making connections between transportation planning and programming, for both highway and transit, and other demonstrated needs in the region from NWI 2050, chiefly tasks that assist in making impacts on the sixteen critical paths to achieve the four plan visions statements for NWI: Connected NWI, Renewed NWI, United NWI, and a Vibrant NWI.
Prior Task Accomplishments:
TOD investment guidelines, project eligibility, evaluation criteria, and recommended funding allocations
Identified land use trends in relation to transportation and transit
Mapped potential TOD areas that include land uses, economic development, and land development within the potential area
Developed a public health and transportation “brochure” as a conversation starter of topic
Evaluated and modified the existing Sensible Tools Handbook and identify new tools
Developed and modified checklists, and decision and guidelines.
Task Description:
Elements:
Transit-oriented Development (TOD):
To bring vitality and livability to transit station areas and transit corridors. The activities of this task will support the implementation of NWI 2050 and its strategies and economic development of the Region. It supports linking transportation investments with land use decisions within the region.
Public Health and Transportation:
Task aims to better understand the linkage between public health and transportation and implement transportation projects that will improve health outcomes in the region. An assessment of existing conditions will be conducted by analyzing existing data and gathering missing data. Mapping the data and analyzing impacts to socioeconomic and geographic equity. Develop a set of recommendations for the next long-range plan and TIP programming.
Sensible Tools Handbook Update:
Update the 2007 Sensible Tools Handbook to be compatible with the most-recent edition of the Indiana Planning and Zoning Law and the 2050 strategies, best practices smart land use, and contemporary trends in transportation and land use.
The Handbook is a best practice guide for municipal partners on land use zoning and transportation supportive policies.
Activities:
Transit-oriented Development (TOD):
Continue to establish an on-going TOD planning effort with municipal and transit partners. Finetune program criteria to meet potential FTA and FHWA findings. Coordinate TOD areas with the TDD areas published by the Regional Development Authority (RDA)
Public Health and Transportation:
Continue ongoing work from the previous UPWP. Continue to complete the assessment of existing conditions. Continue to research and incorporate FHWA and DOT resources, objectives and recommendations. Analyze impacts to socioeconomic and geographic equity, with performance measures including vehicle miles traveled, travel time, and housing-transportation affordability. Explore health impact assessments as a tool for potential use in NWI. Identify health indicators related to transportation. Continue to work and coordinate with the NWI Food Council. Finally, develop solutions and strategies for consideration by the Commission and regional stakeholders.
Sensible Tools Handbook Update:
Assemble all new materials that were collected in 2020
Draft the final report
Plan training workshops for planning commissioners and/or elected officials
Engage in outreach & communications for report and training opportunities
Task Deliverables:
TOD:
Finetune program criteria to meet potential FTA and FHWA findings-
Coordinate TOD areas with the TDD areas published by the Regional Development Authority (RDA)
A new TOD funding program included into TIP selection criteria.
Public Health and Transportation:
Continued data collection and analysis including update databases and regional maps
Social media content
Recommendations to stakeholders and to NIRPC’s NOFA process if applicable, folding public health into long-range planning and TIP programming
Sensible Tools Handbook:
Final updated handbook/report
Workshops for planning commissioners and/or elected officials
Public Engagement Goal:
Collaborate
Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Main Centers and Transit Oriented Development
Plan for Smart Land Uses and Quality of Place
Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to high density population areas, employment and retail centers, transit stations, parks, and schools.
Prioritize funding for transit-oriented development.
Prioritize transit investments that better connect the Environmental Justice populations to job centers, medical facilities, recreations centers, shopping districts, and educational institutions.
Prioritize transit investments that connect communities in environmental justice areas, people who are elderly, low income, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Improve the accessibility of regional pedestrian and transit infrastructure by allocating funding for the implementation of locally-developed ADA transition plans, and incorporating Universal Design standards so all public infrastructure meets or exceeds ADA standards.
Plan to improve campus areas and turn them to great places by creating and incentivizing local student-centered gatherings and nightlife offerings, good mixture of modern cuisine, bars, bike paths, trails, parks, cultural offerings, and outstanding public transit system.
Improve the efficiency of transit and curb the costly growth of sprawl, by increasing the overall density of urban areas.
Provide technical assistance for TOD planning.
Support the Transit Development District (TDD) of the regional South Shore Corridor TOD areas to develop context-appropriate strategies for creating a network of transit-oriented places and sites that integrate different functions and activities within easy access of transit.
Continue to support transit and complete streets to ensure that all residents have access to schools, grocery stores, community centers, medical facilities, reliable transportation and job opportunities.
Improve downtowns and Main Centers to anchor businesses and enhance the local economy.
Prioritize investment of roads, public transit, and other infrastructure to improve the market of the identified opportunity zones and disinvested areas.
Prioritize transit to include priority destinations of senior and veteran centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, retail, recreation, health-related locations, and other places transit riders prioritize as destinations.
Improve economic opportunity for prosperity particularly for EJ residents & people with disabilities to ensure that NWI is a destination for business & diverse human capital.
Improve accessibility to the transportation system for all users by expanding shared mobility awareness and opportunities regionally.
Improve customer experience by linking individuals that live in environmental justice communities to fresh food resources by developing partnerships between food distributors and transit operators to bring food access to transit facilities.
Increase the use of transit by prioritizing transit expansions that close the gap between environmental justice populations and fresh food resources, to increase the health and well-being of those populations.
Continue conservation and urban forestry planning to help connect fragmented natural areas, increase resiliency and health outcomes.
Encourage the incorporation of pollution prevention and environmental impact avoidance in regional and local land use, transportation, flood and stormwater management and mitigation planning to enhance future environmental quality.
Encourage communities to adopt tree protection ordinances to increase resiliency, health outcomes and habitat connectivity in the urban environment.
Increase park space and green infrastructure to promote an inclusive and healthy environment especially in Environmental Justice communities.
Encourage communities to adopt tree protection ordinances to reduce exposure to urban air pollution and reduce urban stormwater pollution runoff.
Create long term regional urban forestry plan and program to reduce human exposure to urban air pollution and stormwater pollution runoff.
Continue CommuniTree Program to reduce exposure to urban air pollution and reduce urban stormwater runoff.
Promote best practices to reduce transportation emissions.
Seek funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in NWI.
Support the continuation of Vehicle Emission Testing Program.
Demonstrate the positive impact of transit and other transportation choices on economic development, workforce partic