2021-2022 UPWP Amendment 4, FY 2022 Final Adopted 04.15.2021

WHEREAS, the Northwestern Indiana Regional 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 transportation 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, the PL/5307 federal funding allocation for the Commission for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022 was revised to total one million, four hundred and twenty eight thousand, eight hundred and ten dollars ($1,428,810); and

WHEREAS, the Technical Planning Committee has recommended that the Commission approve the content of UPWP 2021-2022 Amendment #4, 2022 Update;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby adopts the FY 2021 - 2022 UPWP Amendment #4, 2022 Update 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 fifteenth day of April, 2021. 4

George H.Topoll Chairperson

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2021 UPWP Budgets ‌‌‌

State Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Tables

2021 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 in-kind match from Adams Radio Group pre-approved in 2019 for FY2020 CMAQ.

Page 5 of 94

NIRPC 2021-2022 Unified Planning Work Program

Amendment #4, 2022 Update

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

2021

UPWP

section

Staff cost

Contract/ Sub- Grant

Total task cost

Federal share

Non-Federal Share

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

PL + 5303 activities

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

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 Implementation

400.2

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

60,000

* - - -

- - -

- - - - - - -

- - -

- - - - - - -

Total Costs for task group 125,000

Total budget for PL / 5303 + match 1,800,610 269,539

125,000

2,468,920

100,000

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 -

2021									Transportation Environment Communication Finance Administration ED
2021									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) DES#:NIRPC1600397	800.1	61,142	$3,000	67,375	53,900	13,475										984
	Air quality public education ( FY2021 CMAQ) DES# NIRPC1600453	800.2	-	557,804	557,804	446,243	111,561	*	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

2022 UPWP Budget ‌

State Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Tables ‌

2022 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	PL/5303 (INDOT)	$ 600,121	$ 480,097	$ 120,024
22-200	Data collection + analysis		$ 291,736	$ 233,389	$ 58,347
22-300	Short-range planning		$ 187,582	$ 150,065	$ 37,516
22-400	Long-range planning		$ 428,598	$ 342,879	$ 85,720
22-500	Multi-modal planning		$ 259,616	$ 207,692	$ 51,923
22-600	Special Planning Activities		$ 18,360	$ 14,688	$ -
PL / 5303 Total			1,786,012	1,428,810	353,531

Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds
22-700.1 FTA Subrecipient Oversight		5307 (FTA)	$ 192,812	$ 154,250	$ 38,562
21-700.2	CARES Act Subrecipient Oversight	5307 (FTA)	$ 314,914	$ 314,914	$ -
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 22-100 - 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.

Transportation Environment Econ Dev Finance Administration ED

Transportation Director

Mitch Barloga

Charles Bradsky

Eman Ibrahim

Peter Kimball

Kevin Polette

Scott Weber

Open Entry Level Planner

Intern

Kathy Luther

Joe Exl

John Smith

EDD Coordinator

Denarie Kane

Lucas-Ecklund Baker

Talaya Jones

Marisol Manley

New TIP/Grant Asst

Allen Hammond

Stephanie Kuziela

Lisa Todd

Meredith Stilwell

Flor Baum

Candice Eklund

Ty Warner

2022

Administration and public participation

UPWP section

Staff cost

Contract/ Sub- Grant

Supplies, printing, software licenses, travel, & training

Total task cost

Federal share

Non-Federal Share

Non-NIRPC

Total number of hours

Planning management + administration

100.1

331,479

- 61,491

392,970

314,376

78,594

- 1,476 - - -

- - - -

- - -

385 -

- - -

- - 1,492

250 -

3,604

Public participation + communication tools

100.2

135,016 -

135,016

108,013

27,003

- - -

- - 656

820 - - -

- - -

- 596 - -

- - -

- 164 - - -

2,236

Title VI program management & Environmental Justice

100.3

11,265 -

11,265

9,012

2,253

- - -

- - - -

- 164

- - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

164

ADA program management

100.4

8,990 -

8,990

7,192

1,798

- - 82 - -

- - - - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - - 82

UPWP development and management

100.5

51,880 -

51,880

41,504

10,376

- 164 -

- - - -

- 167 -

- - -

- 82 -

- - - - -

- - -

413

Total costs for task group 538,630 -

600,121

480,097 120,024 -

Data collection + analysis

Transportation data collection

200.1

103,863 -

103,863

83,090

20,773

- - -

- - 164

1,558 - - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

1,722

Planning data analysis + GIS services

200.2

83,724 -

83,724

66,979

16,745

- - -

- - 1,050

82 - - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

1,132

Performance-based planning activities

200.3

32,046 -

32,046

25,637

6,409

- - -

- 328 - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

328

Congestion management

200.4

24,035 -

24,035

19,228

4,807

- - -

- 246 - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

246

Travel demand modeling

200.5

32,046 -

32,046

25,637

6,409

- - -

- 328 - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

328

Air quality conformity

200.6

16,023 -

16,023

12,818

3,205

- - -

- 164 -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

164

Total costs for task group 291,736 -

291,736

233,389 58,347 -

PL + 5303 activities

Short-range planning

TIP development

300.1

51,236 -

51,236

40,988

10,247

- - -

492 -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

492

TIP management

300.2

119,550 -

119,550

95,640

23,910

- - -

1,148 -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

1,148

Environmental red flag investigations

300.3

16,797 -

16,797

13,437

3,359

- - -

- - - - - - - - - -

164 - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- 49 -

213

Total costs for task group 187,582 -

187,582

150,065 37,516 -

Long-range planning

LRP Implementation Development

400.1

56,326 -

56,326

45,060

11,265

- - -

- - - -

- 820 - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

820

NWI 2050 Implementation

400.2

114,321

91,457

22,864

- - -

902 - -

- - - - -

82 -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

984

Regional land use planning

400.3

74,953 -

74,953

59,963

14,991

- - -

- 656 - - - - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

656

Surface transportation planning

400.4

80,739 -

80,739

64,591

16,148

- - -

- - 328 -

574 - - - - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

902

Environmental linkages planning

400.5

102,259 -

102,259

81,807

20,452

- - -

- - - - - -

- - -

82 1,033 - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

1,115

Total costs for task group 428,598 -

428,598

342,879 85,720 -

Multi-modal planning

Active transportation planning

500.1

161,827 -

161,827

129,461

32,365

- - 1,476 - -

- - - -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

1,476

Transit planning (programmed in 5307)

500.2

97,789 -

97,789

78,231

19,558

- - -

820 - -

83 -

- - -

- - - - -

- - -

903

Total costs for task group 259,616 -

259,616

207,692 51,923 -

Special Planning Activities

Project management of Contractor lead projects	600.1	18,360	-		18,360	14,688	3,672		- -	82	-	82	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	- 164
Total costs for task group	18,360		-		18,360	14,688	3,672	-
Total budget for PL / 5303 + match	1,786,012		-	61,491	1,786,012	1,428,810	357,202	-		1,640 1,640	1,640 1,640 1,542 1,640 1,640 1,640 1,640							- -		800 1,197		-	596			82	- - - - -					164 1,492		299	-	19,292

2022											Transpo	tation										Environment		Commu	Econ	Dev			Finance							Administration			ED
2022											Transportation Director	Mitch Barloga	Charles Bradsky	Eman Ibrahim	Peter Kimball	Kevin Polette	Scott Weber	New Entry Level Planner	New Entry Level Planner	Intern	Intern	Kathy Luther	Joe Exl	John Smith	EDD Coordinator		Denarie Kane	Lucas-Ecklund Baker	Talaya Jones	Marisol Manley	New TIP/Grant Asst	Allen Hammond	Stephanie Kuziela	Lisa Todd	Meredith Stilwell	Flor Baum	Candice Eklund	Ty Warner
UPWP section			Staff cost	Contract/ Sub- Grant	Supplies, printing, software licenses, travel, & training	Total task cost	Federal share	Non-Federal Share		Non-NIRPC share																													Total number of hours
5307 FTA	Sub-Recipient Oversight
	Sub-Recipient oversight	700.1	180,652	5,700	6,460	192,812	154,250	38,562		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	62	-	-	-		-	-	125	-	280	623	156	592	-	93	-	-	1,932
	CARES Act Sub-Recipient Oversight	700.2	294,748	9,300	10,865	314,914	314,914	-			-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	102	-	-	-		-	-	203	-	458	1,017	254	966	-	153	-		3,152
	Total budget for 5307 + match		475,401	15,000	17,000	507,726	469,164	38,562		-												164		1					328		738	1,640	410	1,558		246			28,244

CMAQ and STBG	STBG and CMAQ
	NIRPC TIP Program Asst (FY 2022 STBG) DES#:NIRPC1600398	800.1	64,065	$ -		66,306	53,045	13,261			-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-	-	-	902	-	-	-	-	-	-		902
	Air quality public education ( FY2022 CMAQ) DES# NIRPC1600453	800.2	-	445,000	3,000	450,000	360,000	90,000	*	3rd party match	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

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 7, Chapter 7.6.

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 economic development areas, NIRPC provides certain staff services for the Kankakee River Basin – Yellow River Basin Development Commission as well as the Shared Ethics Advisory 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 continuous comprehensive, and cooperative (“3C”) transportation planning process in the context of connected planning processes for 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, and in December 16, 2020 for FY 2021. The table below includes the PEAs from both years, hyperlinked to the corresponding section where the PEA has been included into NIRPC’s 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. UPWP page Number are also provided.

2021 Planning Emphasis Areas ‌

Planning Emphasis Area	NIRPC Planning Element
Updating Planning Roles and Responsibilities Cooperating Operating Manual (PRRCOM)	100.1 Planning Management + Administration p19
Traffic Incident Management (TIM)	400.4 Surface Transportation Planning p71
Local Road Safety Plans (LRSPs)	400.4 Surface Transportation Planning p71
Participation Plans (PPs)	100.2 Public Participation + Communication Tools p2

2022 Planning Emphasis Areas ‌

Planning Emphasis Area

NIRPC Planning Element

Pedestrian Safety 200.1 Planning Data Collection p28

500.1 Active Transportation Planning p78

Resiliency 400.2 NWI 2050 Implementation p60

400.5 Planning and Environmental Linkages p74

Metropolitan Planning Area and Urbanized Area Boundaries

200.2 Planning Data Analysis & GIS p34

Human Service Coordinated Transportation Plan 500.2 Transit Planning (Updated in 2018) p80 Micromobility 200.1 Planning Data Collection p28

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
		300.1: Transportation Improvement Program Development
		300.2: 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	400.5: Planning and Environmental Linkages
8)	Plan for green infrastructure and open spaces	400.5: Includes planning for prevention or mitigation of transportation impacts on natural
9)	Plan for brownfield redevelopment / remediation	This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
10)	Plan for transformative investments	100.1: Planning Management + Administration
		100.5: UPWP Development and Management
		400.1: Comprehensive Regional Plan Development
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
		300.3: Environmental Red Flag Investigations

		400.5: Environmental Linkages Planning
12)	Plan for an engaged public and share best	100.2: Public Participation + Communication Tools
	practices	100.3: Title VI and Environmental Justice Program Management
13)	Plan for more council of government activities	This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.
14)	Plan for cleaner air and energy	200.6: Air Quality Conformity
		800.1: Air Quality Education
15)	Plan for watersheds and water quality	400.5: Includes planning for prevention or mitigation of transportation system impacts on water quality.
16)	Plan for economic development	This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed 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 the 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.

Active participation methods

Adapted from the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Public Participation Spectrum

Does the task

require?

Engage NWI goal:

Inform

Consult Involve Collaborate

Provide public with objective information and assist their understanding

of regional challenges, options, opportunities, or solutions.

Engage NWI

promise

Keep the general public and stakeholders informed.

When goal will be selected:

Involvement methods / tools may include:

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

Obtain feedback on regional planning tasks, analyses, or prior to policy making.

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 directly with public and stakeholders throughout planning process to ensure concerns and ideas are consistently understood and considered.

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.

Partner with the public and stakeholders in every aspect of the planning process from project scoping through adoption of plans or policies.

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

480,097

120,024

TOTAL $ 13,134

Tasks:

Planning management + administration

Public participation + communication tools

Title VI program management & Environmental Justice

ADA program management

UPWP development and management

$ 496,832 600,121

Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds

Voice to Text / Close Captioning system

| Planning Management + Administration ‌

Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:
Open Director of Transportation Position

Task Contributors:
Kathy Luther, Transportation Director, Meredith Stilwell, 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 Advisory Committee meetings prepared for and 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.

Compliance oversight for both staff and STBG and CMAQ funded contractors and sub-grantees.

Quarterly billing, performance evaluations, monthly committee and Commission meetings, and quarterly training activities.

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.

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: Open Planner Position

Task Contributors:
Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Joe Exl, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kathy Luther, Kevin Polette, Meredith Stilwell, Scott Weber, and 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.
Use traditional and social media tools to communicate regional transportation planning and programming activities to region residents and decision makers.

Prior Task Accomplishments:
- Completion and adoption of Engage NWI : NIRPC’s public participation plan
- NIRPC Social Media Content
- NIRPC Newsletter
- Website updates concerning public outreach and planning activities
- Outreach to over 400 individuals through the development of NWI 2050 across 54 traditional and non-traditional 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: Open Planner Position

Task Contributors:
Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Joe Exl, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, Scott Weber, Transit Planner

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:
- Title VI Compliance Workshops for Local Public Agencies
- NIRPC’s 2020 Title VI Update
- EJ Population identification and prioritization in NWI 2050 and the 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and Notice of Funding Availability
  
  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 and 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 Local public agencies (LPA) 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:

Kathy Luther

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 2023-2024 UPWP approved by federal partners before the start of FY 2023 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.

| 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	$ 233,389
Non-Federal	$ 80,850	$ 66,560	$ 58,347
TOTAL	$ 404,248	$ 332,802	291,736
Tasks:		Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds
Transportation data collection		88 Trail counters, 1 Data bike, 2 MioVision Traffic Counters
Planning data analysis + GIS services		ESRI Credits
Performance-based planning activities		Data Visualization Software
Congestion management
Travel demand modeling		Update Travel Demand Model
Air quality conformity

| Planning Data Collection ‌

Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:
Kevin Polette

Task Contributors:
Peter Kimball, Joe Exl

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, micro-mobility 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
- Micromobility counts (in person site visits)
- Pedestrian Safety Data
- Create mechanism to collect safety concerns from the general public (pedestrian, roadway, and transit)
  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. 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. There will be an emphasis on data collection for motorized and non-motorized safety. 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 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 Polette 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:
- Work with NIRPC team members to identify spatial analysis and maps needed to support all planning activities.
- Maintain and update spatial data in the NIRPC database.
- Work with external partners providing appropriate spatial analysis and maps as needed.
- Analyze Metropolitan Planning Areas and Urbanized Boundaries in context of 2020 Census Data and update as needed.
  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. Download ARIES crash data. Check addresses for geolocation and correct police report location errors. Format crash data to align with the severity index utilized in the NOFA maps applications. Upload heatmap to website through ESRI interface. Convert the maps most often requested to ArcOnline to provide those an easily accessible map collection for stakeholders. Download ACS Census Data, calculate regional numbers and compile new data for the regional snapshot data sheets. Maintain and organize GIS databases and data reports.
  Produce spatial and non-spatial data sets. Creating, maintaining, and publishing online-maps and datasets. Participation in regional GIS user groups. Conduct analyses to support planning tasks. Use 2020 Census Data, as available, to review and analyze Metropolitan Planning areas and urbanized boundaries.
  
  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
- 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:
- 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 near 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:
Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky,, Joe Exl, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, and ??

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 Northwest Indiana.

Prior Task Accomplishments:
- Adopted Updated Congestion Management Process with MOVE NWI , 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:
- New TIP 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 to prioritize projects for funding.
- Reduce congestion and increase transit efficiency by compiling, analyzing, and mapping roadway bottleneck data for to prioritize projects for 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." Missing second “ mark.
  
  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 and which modeling requests have been answered on NIRPC website.
- Oversee procured Travel Demand Model Update contractor.
  
  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. Missing second “ punctuation.
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

$ 15,550

$ 162,895

$ 150,065

Non-Federal

$ 40,724

$ 37,516

TOTAL

$ 77,750

$ 203,619

$ 187,582

Tasks:

Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds

TIP development

Develop or modify -ETIP system to be compatible with E-STIP under development. Maintain current RTIP

TIP management

Environmental red flag investigations

| Transportation Improvement Program Development ‌

Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:
Charles Bradsky

Task Contributors:
Transit Planner, Grant/TIP Assistant

Task Objective:
Develop a Notice of Funding Availability (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 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
- The 2020-2024 TIP was developed in alignment with NWI 2050 .
- Online/digital publication of the 2020-2024 TIP in interactive, searchable format.
- 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 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:
Transit Planner and Grant/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:
  1. 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:

Candice Eklund

Task Objective:

To enhance the performance of the transportation system and transportation projects while protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

Conduct 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 be needed 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	$ 61,600	$ 444,936	$ 342,879
Non-Federal	$ 15,400	$ 111,234	$ 85,720
TOTAL	$ 77,000	$ 556,169	$ 428,598
Tasks:		Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds
CRP implementation Development
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Sensible Tools Handbook Update
Public Health and Transportation
Regional land use planning
		Living Streets Design Guidelines
Surface transportation planning
Environmental linkages planning		Vulnerability Assessment Consultant

| Comprehensive Regional Plan Development ‌

Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead: Open Planner Position
Task Contributors: Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Joe Exl, 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.

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:

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:
- Completed E-Commerce in NWI report .
- Finalized TOD investment guidelines, project eligibility, evaluation criteria, and recommended funding allocations.
- Finalized TOD in NWI Program Funding report.
- 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 the topic.
- Completed the Sensible Tools Handbook Update and identified new tools.
  
  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:
  - Conduct Planning Commission workshops on the Sensible Tools Handbook in 2021.
  - Develop a press release for the workshop.
- Implementation of E-Commerce in NWI project:
  - Establish further plans, capacity building, and funding to optimize e-commerce opportunities within the region.
  - Improve regional transportation network connectivity to mitigate congestion on major arterials and interstates.
    
    Activities:
- Transit-oriented Development (TOD):
  - Continue to establish an on-going TOD planning effort with municipal and transit partners. Publish funding program and identify funding sources. Keep a page of the website up to date with project updates, facts, figures, presentations, etc.
  - 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:
  - Introduce and present the Handbook Update to the local government’s planners and elected officials.
  - Plan for a training workshop for planning commissioners and/or elected officials.
  - Engage in outreach & communications for report and training opportunities.
- Resiliency
  - Planning transportation team members will support the Regional Economic Resiliency Planning project and consultants funded by the Economic Development Administration. This will ensure factors such as freight, e-commerce, transit and information gleaned from the Transportation System Vulnerability assessment are incorporated.
- Implementation of recommendations from 2020 E-Commerce in NWI project:
  - Develop sub-area plans that address transportation improvements and accessibility.
    
    Identify a funding mechanism and strategies for the sub-area plans.
    Task Deliverables:
    - TOD:
      - A TOD funding program approach.
      - Coordinated Regional TOD work with the Regional Development Authority (RDA), Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District (NICTD), and public bus agencies.
      - A new TOD funding program included into TIP.
    - 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
    - Resiliency Planning:
      - Transportation elements incorporated into the Regional Economic Development District Resiliency Plan.
    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 participation, public health, and personal/household income
- Improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to high density population areas, employment and retail centers, transit stations, parks, and schools.
- 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.
- 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.
- Continue to offer workshops on the Sensible Tools Handbook to provide guidance to local government on best practices of sustainable growth and vibrant communities and to understand how land use choices affect local revenues.
- 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.
- Develop form-based code rezoning to allow higher densities and mixed-uses to create more livable communities and maintain more human scale environment and spaces that create an inclusive, accessible, and pedestrian focused community character.
- Help local governments adopt and keep up to date open space plans and public access standards to increase accessibility to open space and parks.
- 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.
- Forecast demand for future land development and the requirements of logistics use to accommodate e-commerce future needs.
- 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.
- To accommodate trending technologies, adapt local land use. For example, the impacts from online shopping that decreases the need for commercial and retail land use but increases the demand for logistics centers.
- Explore new tax structures to address anticipated issues with the decrease in property tax revenue with the closure of brick-and-mortar retail from the growth in online shopping to continue to sustain local public services.
- Establish partnerships between educational institutions, e-commerce leaders, and workforce development, to explore job training to meet the future skill demands that includes IT expertise, call centers, distribution centers, warehouses, packaging, online web content writers, photographers, designers, telecommuting, home-based business, freight drivers, etc.
- Coordinate in advance with private sector development of e-commerce facilities that will heavily utilize public infrastructure and seek information regarding their transportation needs to improve the overall efficiency.
- Develop and expand warehouse floor space and distribution centers fore-commerce growth.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Percent of population within ¼-mile network distance to a trail or bicycle facility
- Number of people within fixed-route transit service areas (¼ mile for bus, ½ mile for commuter bus and commuter rail)
- Population in “Main Centers”
- Employment in “Main Centers”
- Average Walk Score in “Main Centers”
- Population in Environmental Justice areas within transit service areas
- Jobs within transit service areas of fixed-route transit
- Public Health and Transportation:
- Medical care purpose average trip time
- 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)
- Percent of Environmental Justice (EJ) area population within ¼-mile of a trail or multi-use path
- Population in Environmental Justice areas within transit service areas
- Jobs within transit service areas of fixed-route transit
- Life Expectancy
- Premature deaths per 100k
- Percent adults reporting physical inactivity
- Number of poor mental health days per month
- Number of alternatively fueled/powered vehicles registered
- Acres in managed lands-NWI residents, employees, and visitors should be able to access natural areas and green spaces that are maintained and protected from future development.
- Acres in core habitat (40 + acres)
| Regional Land Use Planning ‌
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent
Task Lead:
Eman Ibrahim

Task Contributors:
None

Task Objective:
Support community-based transportation and land use projects that bring vitality to downtown areas, neighborhoods, transit station areas, commercial cores, and transit corridors. Studies and planning activities will seek development and redevelopment projects that achieve connected development patterns linking between transportation, housing, jobs and services, and maximizing the development potential of existing infrastructure and regional facilities.

Prior Task Accomplishments:
- Reviewed and updated NOFA planning projects and TDD plans; supported the implementation of NIRPC 2050 Plan projects and its strategies; recommendations and directions and reviewed by the Land Use Committee.
- Partially updated the inventory of comprehensive plans, zoning maps, and land use, and other documents.
- A coordinated and updated regional land use and transportation GIS data
- Presentation, maps, and graphics for the Land Use Committee- Local governments technical assistance.
- Up to date regional land use-related website materials.
  Task Description:
  Elements:
  Implement strategies that link transportation and land use planning and economic development considerations. Develop a framework that provides regional consistency on issues of common importance and functional compatibility, while allowing individual entities to retain their individual and autonomous authority. Provide support to the Land Use Committee. Identify regionally significant transportation projects in local land use plans to include in the air quality travel- demand model. Participate in and contribute to local governments planning activities, including technical assistance as needed by designation of Transit Development District (TDD) committee established by the Regional Development Authority (RDA).
  
  Activities:
- Continue to staff and support the land use committee
- Continue to support linking transportation investments with land use decisions in NWI
- Update the regional existing and future land use maps as well as the zoning map
- Continue to provide local governments technical assistance.
  Task Deliverables:
- An updated regional land use and zoning maps
- Four meeting of the land use committees
- Recommendations for the NOFA planning and construction projects
- Local governments assistance activities.
  
  Public Engagement Goal:
  Collaborate
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
  Plan for Smart Land Uses and Quality of Place
  
  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.
- Develop form-based code rezoning to allow higher densities and mixed-uses to create more livable communities and maintain more human scale environment and spaces that create an inclusive, accessible, and pedestrian focused community character.
- Establish special zoning for historic districts and national and register buildings.
- Work to adjust zoning regulations to allow non-retail and adaptive uses in closed big box retail.
- Establish inclusionary housing policies to preserve the affordability of the Region’s housing stock before market conditions change (i.e., interest rates increase) and as the Region is revitalized.
- Concentrate new growth around infrastructure to allow preservation of environmental assets.
- Provide incentives to developers to include affordable, accessible, integrated and inclusive housing as part of the development of market-rate housing.
- Incorporate policies and strategies in transportation funding to support main centers, revitalization, areas and emphasize infill.
- Plan to repurpose big box retail, large commercial areas, and other uses as well as the large surface parking to turn into distribution centers, logistics hubs, supply spaces where the supported infrastructure is available or become public spaces.
- Help local governments adopt and keep up to date open space plans and public access standards to increase accessibility to open space and parks.
- Promote importance of natural area protection, connectivity and accessibility with local governments and agencies to encourage local implementation.
- Encourage municipalities to update land use regulations to include pedestrian connectivity between land uses.
- Work with local entities to develop local ordinances that require new trails and connections in new developments where feasible.
- Provide incentives for downtown investment to increase density of population and employment.
- Promote adaptive reuse of existing buildings in downtown and main centers area for shared office space and infill to accommodate entrepreneurs, startups, and remote workers.
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
- Acres in managed lands-NWI residents, employees, and visitors should be able to access natural areas and green spaces that are maintained and protected from future development.
- Acres in core habitat (40 + acres).
- Percent of population within ¼-mile network distance to a trail or bicycle facility
- Number of people within fixed-route transit service areas (¼ mile for bus, ½ mile for commuter bus and commuter rail).
- Population in “Main Centers”- Maximize growth in existing centers to enhance civic and economic life and to protect natural areas and farmland.
- Employment in “Main Centers”.
| Surface Transportation Planning ‌
Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:
Scott Weber

Task Contributors:
Peter Kimball

Task Objective:
Study, research, plan, and implement the improvement of the surface transportation network within the region, for roadway corridors, freight, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and safety and security.

Prior Task Accomplishments:
- Production of Surface Transportation Committee Meetings: overseeing planning and programming related to surface transportation, formation of Rail Crossing Task Force, and formation of a Freight and Congestion Working Group.
- NIRPC input related to the production of the INDOT Statewide Corridor Planning Study.
- Resolution 19-23, adopted by the NIRPC Executive Board, recommending the designation of Willowcreek Rd/Crisman Rd. as a Critical Urban Freight Corridor.
- Plan support for the Freight and Congestion Working Group Plan to designate the remainder of Indiana's 94 centerline miles a Critical Urban Freight Corridors.
- Ongoing work continues on overseeing the Intelligent Transportation Systems Regional Architecture
- Ongoing work on NIRPC's safety planning activities, including the adoption of new annual safety performance measures.
  
  Task Description:
  Elements and activities:
- Corridor Planning
  - Convene stakeholders impacted by INDOT's Statewide Corridor Planning Study and its associated projects in order to educate Local Public Agencies and other stakeholders about opportunities to incorporate their expectations into the INDOT projects. Goal is to hold targeted meetings with all stakeholders impacted in FY 2021. Corridor-based strategies from NWI 2050 and NIRPC's Regional Corridors Study will continue to be discussed at Surface Transportation Committee meetings.
- Freight Planning:
  - Participate in the Indiana MPO Council Committee on Designating Critical Urban and Rural Freight Corridors, which NIRPC Staff will chair. Track issues and trends in freight transportation and coordinate freight planning with local, regional, and state agencies. Implement NWI 2050 freight-related strategies.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems:
  - Meet the federal requirements for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as they pertain to a Transportation Management Area (TMA) and fulfill the requirements for a Regional ITS Architecture and the monitoring, updating, and implementing that Regional ITS Architecture. Keep the Regional ITS Architecture current. Educate project sponsors of ITS projects about their requirements to have a system engineering analysis.
- Safety and security planning:
  - Begin offering local technical assistance by conducting Road Safety Audits (RSAs). Make stakeholders aware that NIRPC offers RSAs at Quarterly Tracking meetings and the Surface Transportation Committee Meetings, convening a working group if necessary. Serve as a point of contact for regional safety information for both internal and external partners. Assist with the monitoring of the safety performance measures to comply with the FAST Act.
- Research, data collection, and development related to Traffic Incident Management (TIM)
- Research, data collection, and development related to Local Road Safety Plans (LRSPs)
- Asset Management Planning:
  - Collect NIRPC municipalities' and counties' asset management plans and any asset management data they may have to support those plans. Begin an asset management planning working group about how NIRPC can best combine Local Public Agencies' asset management planning efforts (or at least those willing to opt in) in order to better prepare Local Public Agencies to more strategically apply for future Notice of Funding Availability and other funding opportunities in such a way as for them to be most successful and appropriately staggered.
    Task Deliverables:
- Social media and newsletter blurbs about meetings held with stakeholders impacted by INDOT's Statewide Corridor Planning Study and how their desires are being incorporated into future project scopes.
- Designation of Critical Urban and Rural Freight Corridors in Indiana, including in the NIRPC region.
- Updated Regional ITS Architecture.
- Inclusion of how many Road Safety Audits NIRPC staff conducted on the Annual Performance Dashboard.
- Adoption of new Safety Performance Measure Targets.
- Formation of an asset management planning working group.
- Inclusion of asset management data on the Annual Performance Dashboard. Public Engagement Goal:
  Involve
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
  Plan for Continually Improved Investment Prioritization
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
- NIRPC to continue pursuing regional corridor studies within the region to identify improvements and help prioritize future funds.
- Encourage legislators to look at asset management needs statewide and match those to future funding opportunities such as the Community Crossings Grant Program.
- Improve connectivity for all users by bringing communities to work together on projects affecting shared corridors.
- 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.
- Improve access to freight funding by establishing and updating critical urban and rural freight corridors and utilizing National Freight Program funding for projects in NWI.
- Improve the regional transportation network by pursuing funding opportunities to address bottlenecks in key regional corridors.
- Reduce congestion by developing a regional railroad crossing improvement plan with a focus on highway-rail grade separations.
- Improve safety through street design standards and traffic calming treatments to accommodate the movement of pedestrian, bicyclists, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
- Identify and prioritize high-crash areas that could be improved quickly with cost effective solutions.
- 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.
- Improve emergency response times and reduce congestion by convening a regional stakeholder group to plan signal preemption and signal coordination projects.
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
- Number of fatalities
- Rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
- Number of serious injuries
- Rate of serious injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
- Number of non-motorized serious injuries and fatalities
- Total number of reportable fatalities and rate per total vehicle revenue miles by mode
- Total number of reportable injuries and rate per total vehicle revenue miles by mode
- Total number of reportable events and rate per total vehicle revenue miles by mode
- Percent of Interstate pavements in good condition
- Percent of Interstate pavements in poor condition
- Percent of non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) pavements in good condition
- Percent of non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) pavements in poor condition
- Percent of National Highway System (NHS) bridge area in good condition
- Percent of National Highway System (NHS) bridge area in poor condition
- Truck Travel Time Reliability Index (TTTRI)
| Environmental Linkages Planning ‌

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Joe Exl

Task Contributors:

Kathy Luther

Task Objective:

Identify areas in which transportation planning and the environment intersect in the region. Plan for enhancement and mitigation opportunities. Evaluate the resiliency of our transportation network as it relates to environmental and other disruptive influences. Facilitate transportation planning coordination with environmental and natural resource planning partners. Ensure that NIRPC long-range transportation plans are consistent with environmental resource agency plans. General environmental mitigation planning and coordination with regulatory agencies will be included in this task. Identify transportation infrastructure vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

Robust mapping and analysis of natural resources that underlay the transportation infrastructure of the region.
Discussions with resource agencies led to realization that permitting and mitigation processes at the agencies are handled on a short-term project specific basis.
NIRPC's subsequent work to support LPA Red Flag Investigations continues to address this need.
Contributions to NIRPC’s Living Streets Policy
Task Description:

Elements and activities:
Continue to coordinate between the intersections of the environment and transportation planning. This coordination includes a new study to understand the safety concerns between existing habitats and human and wildlife mortality.
Linking Habitats + Reducing Wildlife Mortality
- Form working group of natural resource and transportation professionals;
- research on most vulnerable wildlife populations,
- Identify habitat needs and pertinent life history information
- Develop supporting GIS data collection and analysis.
- Explore crowdsourcing as a means of gathering field data and involving public
- Publication of a project report and story map
Acquire contractor support for Living Streets green infrastructure design guidance.
Acquire contractor support to utilize FHWA Vulnerability Assessment Guidance.

Task Deliverables:
Linking Habitats + Reducing Wildlife Mortality
- Project report with findings and recommendations.
- ESRI Story Map for project
  
  Public Engagement Goal:
  Involve
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
  Plan for Regional Data and Analysis Framework
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
Promote importance of natural area protection, connectivity, and accessibility with local governments and agencies to encourage local implementation.
Coordinate spatial data acquisition, sharing, and standardization in support of environmental planning across jurisdiction.
Raise awareness of NIRPC planning activities to get more input through more robust public outreach and engagement across the region.

Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
Rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
Number of serious injuries
Rate of serious injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
Number of non-motorized serious injuries and fatalities

| Multi-modal Planning ‌

500: Multi-modal Planning

FY 2020

Funding Source Amended Funds

FY 2021

FY 2022

Federal PL/5307 $ -

Non-Federal $ -

$ 245,214

$ 61,304

$ 207,692

$ 51,923

TOTAL $ -

Tasks:

Active transportation planning

Transit planning (programmed in 5307)

$ 306,518

$ 259,616

| Active Transportation Planning ‌

Task Status:
Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:
Mitch Barloga

Task Contributors:
Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, and an intern

Task Objective:
- Active Transportation Technical Assistance:
  - Assist municipalities and advocates with active transportation project and policy development.
- Active Transportation Data Collection and Analysis
  - Collecting baseline active transportation data for performance measures and to aid with municipal planning and policy development.
- Active Transportation Public Engagement:
  - Public promotion and outreach for active transportation projects and policies
    Prior Task Accomplishments:
- Active Transportation Technical Assistance:
  - Ongoing dialogue with municipal and advocate representatives, including updates at Ped, Pedal and Paddle Committee meetings.
- Active Transportation Data Collection
  - Maintenance of trail counters and reporting of counts.
  - Updated bicycle data layer in GIS.
- Active Transportation Public Engagement:
  - Active Transportation-related updates on social media and public presentations.
    Task Description:
    Elements:
    This ongoing task is related to the continuing effort to improve the walkable and bikeable modal functions of Northwestern Indiana. Through technical assistance, data collection and analysis, and public engagement; this task aims to make the region a safer place to walk and bike.
    
    Activities:
    Activities for this task include ongoing direct collaboration with LPAs regarding funding, strategy, design, and implementation of active transportation projects and policies.
    
    Task Deliverables:
- Active Transportation Technical Assistance:
  - Ongoing collaboration with regional stakeholders including municipalities, advocates, non-profits and other partners including Title VI, EJ and ADA protected communities.
  - Maintenance of trail counters and reporting of counts.
  - Maps highlighting future routes.
  - Workshops, seminars, and webinars on important topics.
  - Ongoing reports to INDOT regarding NIRPC, LPA, and transit operator recommendations on proposed project scope.
  - Creation of bicycle tourism strategies/plans that are tailored to specific stakeholders.
- Active Transportation Data Collection and Analysis:
  - Establishment of performance measure baselines for non-motorized transportation policy and projects as identified in the G+B 2020 Plan and NWI 2050
- Mapping bicycle and pedestrian crash data in NWI
  - Elevated trail feasibility study: examine potential multi-use trail conversions of abandoned rail corridors that tie into regional systems. Conduct public outreach with LPAs on neighborhood feedback regarding project. Produce planning document outlining strategies to develop trail along with neighborhood revitalization policies. Proceed with implementation if a project is viable.
  - Walk access study: Planners will use GIS to prioritize the development of a sidewalk inventory. Interns will use web-based tools such as Google Maps to assess the access of key connectivity areas.
  - Promote Vision Zero policies for improved pedestrian safety: Set specific regional traffic safety goals, and measure and report out progress. Measure causes of serious crashes and focus on equitable investments. Share safety resources with all regional jurisdictions. Recommend countermeasures and speed management strategies and offer training for local staff.
- Active Transportation Public Engagement:
  - Regular social media posts; podcasts; NIRPC and public presentations; online educational materials. Acquire placards to help communities mark United States Bicycle Trail routes.
    Public Engagement Goal:
    Collaborate
    
    Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
    Plan for Complete Streets and Active Transportation
    
    Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
- Improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to high density population areas, employment and retail centers, transit stations, parks, and schools.
- Establish a process to link shorter and local trails to the regional trail network through local planning efforts.
- Prioritize non-motorized facilities that maximize connectivity across counties and municipal boundaries, and Main centers.
- Collaborate with entities and local landowners on high priority new trail corridors opportunities.
- Incorporate when feasible Universal Designs standards for non-motorized access that comply with ADA standards.
- Work with local entities on the development of a sidewalk maintenance plan which inventories facilities in need of repair or missing segments sidewalks and curb cuts/ramps and functional auditory signaling.
- Promote placemaking themes and create a unique identity along trail corridors and at significant bus and rail transit stops to attract a wide range of users by using public art and provide amenities.
- Make pedestrian and biking areas safe and more desirable for users by providing amenities like lighting benches, drinking fountains, restrooms, etc.
- Continue to support the policy of progressive maintenance / asset management plan per all newly funded federal-aid trail projects.
- Prioritize bicycle and pedestrian safety and comfort by reviewing and adjusting traffic speeds.
- Promote a region-wide bicycle tourism market with the adoption of "Trail Towns" and similar designations. www.trailtowns.org
- Implement the Complete Streets Policy through programming and project scoping assistance. Assist municipalities and counties in adopting Complete Streets Policies/Ordinances.
  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
| Transit Planning ‌

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Open Mid-Level Planner Position

Task Contributors:

Transportation Director, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, and an intern

Task Objective:

Plan and coordinate regional transit, provide a forum for transit investment decisions in the region, assist transit operators with technical assistance, and oversee administrative processes to guarantee an ongoing commitment to funding transit.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

2018 Coordinated Transit Plan (Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan)
2018 Transit Asset Management Plan (TAMP)
Application of FY 2019 Transit Grants
Drafting of FY 2019 Split Letters
Drafting of 2019 Meeting materials and minutes for the Transit Operators Roundtable
NTD Reporter Analysis
New programmatic approach for transit and project evaluation criteria linked to CHSPTP (Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan)
NWI 2050
2020 – 2024 Transportation Improvement Program
Task Description:
Element and activities:
Execute the processes required by FTA to secure funding for transit investments in NWI. Participate in the annual apportionment split with Chicago urbanized area transit providers, principally the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Facilitate funding processes/decisions in an open participatory manner. Ensure timely and accurate completion of federal transit grants. Continue the implementation of regional transit planning initiatives. Encourage local investment into existing transit services. Provide comprehensive technical assistance to transit operators, both as-needed and in technical areas as identified in the previously completed Coordinated Transit Plan.

Task Deliverables:
FY 2021 and FY 2022 Split letters
Annual TAMP Update
Technical Assistance / Enhanced Data products:
- South Shore wait time analysis
- Bus stop coordination analysis
- Enhanced route analysis
- Recommendations on bus stop additions / removal
- Bus route / stop ridership tracking
- Identification of Microtransit implementation strategies
- Identification of possible Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors
- Ongoing 5310 program / Mobility Management strategy/partnership development
- General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) Implementation
- Identification of coordinated demand response pick-up and drop-off locations
- Strategies leading to the development of consolidated dispatch between demand- response operators
  Public Engagement Goal:
  Involve - A description of the Involve public participation level from the NIRPC Public Participation Plan Engage NWI is provided on page 15.
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative: Plan for Regional Transit
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
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.
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.
Increase funding and prioritization of service expansions by partnering with human service agencies, medical centers, businesses, and other major destinations to secure more local funding for expanding or enhancing local services or incorporating universal fare programs.
Increase funding for the transit network by partnering with educational institutions served by transit to offer universal access passes and potentially replace schools’ private transportation services. The fee for universal access paid by schools for their students, faculty, and staff to use transit with universal access passes allows mutual benefits for transit providers to earn more local match, and the new riders with broader use of a larger transit network.
Increase efficiency by partnering transit operators with each other to share facilities and maintenance responsibilities. Shared services and the savings can be transformed into service improvements.
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.
Conduct analysis to determine the number of workers that cannot reach shift jobs with transit due to limited span of service.
Attract more transit users by making General Transit Specification Feed data public to invite app developers to instantly communicate transit information, in accessible and bilingual formats, to riders to better plan travel.
Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
All-purpose average trip time by transit
Work purpose average trip time by transit
Retail/Service purpose average trip time by transit
Medical Care purpose average trip time by transit
Other purpose average trip time by transit
Number of major destinations directly served by transit
Number of people within transit service areas
Number of people within transit service areas for service that crosses a municipal or county boundary
Number of people aged 65 and older not residing in transit service areas
Number of people with disabilities not residing in transit service areas

| Special Planning Activities ‌

600: Special Planning Activities
Funding Source	FY 2020 Amended Funds	FY 2021	FY 2022
Federal PL/5307	$ 101,600	$ -	$ 14,688
Non-Federal	$ 25,400	$ -	$ 3,672
TOTAL	$ 127,000	$ -	$ 18,360
Tasks: 2022 New Tasks Oversee consultant study projects.	Tasks or expenses added with 2020 Funds
	Old Plank Road Trail Study
	Subarea Redevelopment Plan

| Old Plank Road Trail Study ‌

Task Status:
New Pilot Project to coordinate planning for a future bi-state asset shared among multiple LPAs.

Task Lead:
Mitch Barloga

Task Contributors:
Eman Ibrahim, Joe Exl

Task Objective:
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. This project is the Indiana section of a bi-state study on extending the Old Plank Road Trail from its current terminus in Chicago Heights, east through the Villages of Ford Heights, Sauk Village, and Lynwood in Illinois, through the Towns of Dyer and Schererville, to connect to the Pennsy Greenway in Indiana.

Prior Task Accomplishments:
- Active Transportation Technical Assistance
- Marquette Greenway
  
  Task Description:
  
  With the support and participation of the two LPAs, NIRPC will procure a consultant to perform the feasibility study for the Indiana section of the Old Plank Road Trail Study concurrently with the Illinois study.
  
  Task Deliverables:
  - Engineering analysis
  - Stakeholder and community input and preferences
  - Preferred trail alignments,
  - Develop a scope of work that can be carried forward for further development.
  - 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.
    
    Public Engagement Goal:
    Collaborate
    
    Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
    Plan for Complete Streets and Active Transportation
    
    Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
- Improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to high density population areas, employment and retail centers, transit stations, parks, and schools.
- Establish a process to link shorter and local trails to the regional trail network through local planning efforts.
- Prioritize non-motorized facilities that maximize connectivity across counties and municipal boundaries, and Main centers.
- Collaborate with entities and local landowners on high priority new trail corridors opportunities.
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
- 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
| Local E-Commerce Sub Area Redevelopment Plan ‌

Task Status:

New Pilot Project

Task Lead:

Eman Ibrahim

Task Contributors:

Mitch Barloga, Joe Exl, Peter Kimball, and Scott Weber

Task Objective:

To support an LPA sub-area plan focused on implementing recommendations of the recently completed E-Commerce study.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

2020 E-Commerce Study
2017 I-65/U.S. 30 Safety Plan
2019 Hobart Green Neighborhood and Deep River Commercial Conservation Development Sub-Area Plan

Task Description:
NIRPC will procure a contractor with the support and partnership of a local community to develop an E-commerce Redevelopment Sub-Area Plan. Proposed project area under consideration is the I- 65/ 61st St. interchange area of Merrillville.

Task Deliverables:
- Stakeholder and community input and preferences
- Conceptual Sub-Area Redevelopment Plan
- A scope of work that can be carried forward for further development.
- Basic groundwork for a future redevelopment financing strategy
  
  Public Engagement Goal:
  Collaborate
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
  Plan for smart land uses and quality of place Plan for an E-commerce landscape
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:
- Promote future development to occur where utilities and infrastructures exist by establishing growth management strategies to ensure that population and employment growth occurs in a sustainable and responsible manner.
- Forecast demand for future land development and the requirements of logistics use to accommodate e-commerce future needs.
- Develop and expand warehouses floor space and distribution centers as they correlate to economic growth.
- Plan to repurpose big box retail, large commercial areas, and other uses as well as the large surface parking to turn into distribution centers, logistics hubs, supply spaces where the supported infrastructure is available or become public spaces.
- Support goal 2.2 of the NWIF Ignite the Region Plan in mapping current and future commercial land types to support new business startup.
- Conduct plans/ programs to address the impacts of growing e-commerce in Northwest Indiana on travel behavior, logistic systems and land use planning in partnership with regional and local agencies.
- Coordinate with private sector development of E-commerce facilities that will heavily utilize public infrastructure and seek information regarding their transportation needs to improve the overall efficiency.
  
  Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
All-purpose average trip time
Work purpose average trip time
Retail/Service purpose average trip time by car

| Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds ‌

700: Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds
Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022
FTA 5307 Grants	$ -	$ 154,250
CARES Act 5307	$ 429,020	$ 314,914
Non-Federal	$ -	$ 38,562
TOTAL	$ 429,020	$ 507,726
Tasks:
Sub-Recipient oversight

| Sub-grantee Oversight ‌

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Allen Hammond

Task Contributors:

Candi Eklund, Talaya Jones, Lisa Todd, and TIP Assistant

Task Objective:

Carry out administrative responsibilities associated with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, including monitoring and oversight of FTA-assisted transit services and procurement of FTA- funded capital equipment. NIRPC currently conveys Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 financial and capital assistance to the following seven (7) sub-grantees: East Chicago Transit, North Township, Opportunity Enterprises, Porter County Community Services, Southlake County Community Services, City of Valparaiso, and City of LaPorte.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

Oversight of, and procurement for, the seven sub-grantees in the region.

Task Description:

Elements and activities:

Oversee requests and manages federal drawdowns using FTA’s Electronic Clearinghouse Operation (ECHO) System. Oversee preparation and processing of payments to vendors and sub-grantees, and maintains grant-related records. Analyze federal and state regulations to identify compliance requirements. Develop and communicate plans, goals, strategies, and recommendations pertaining to external compliance requirements. Serve as a compliance manager for all 5307 sub- grantee functions, excluding financial management. Perform specific duties and responsibilities related to transit vehicle, services, and equipment procurement. Develop and communicate recommendations pertaining to procurement. Identify information needs and refers sub-grantees and other parties to appropriate authorities and sources of information.

Task Deliverables:

Successful oversight and procurement activities according to FTA regulations so that each Triennial Review results in no findings or corrective actions in the areas in which NIRPC is reviewed.

Public Engagement Goal:

Not applicable

Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:

Plan for Regional Transit

Corresponding NWI 2050 Strategies:

This planning task allows for the potential implementation of all 2050 Plan Strategies related to Regional Transit.

Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:

Number of vehicles submitted for replacement more than one year from the end of their useful life
Number of revenue vehicles in operation that have met or exceeded the end of their useful life
Number of revenue vehicles exceeding their useful life not pending replacement in a grant
Number of non-revenue vehicles in operation that have met or exceeded the end of their useful life
Annual cost of total vehicle replacements
Number of vehicles submitted for replacement that have a designated "inoperable" system
Number of vehicles that have been funded that have not yet met the end of their useful life
Number of vehicles that have been funded while not on the Indiana QPA or other state cooperative agreement

| Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality ‌

800: STBG and CMAQ
Funding Source	FY 2020 Amended Funds	FY 2021	FY 2022
800.1: STBG	$ 3,000	$ 51,500	$ 53,045
800.2: CMAQ	$ 86,243	$ 360,000	$ 360,000
Non-Federal***	$ 22,311	$ 102,875	$ 103,261
TOTAL	$ 111,554	$ 514,375	$ 516,306
Tasks:		Tasks or expenses carryover from 2020
E TIP and Grant Program Asst.		Additional quarter RTIP contract
Air Quality Public Education		Complete CY 2020 contracts impacted by COVID19
*** Non-Federal Match for 2020 CMAQ includes pre-approved in-kind match for Adams Radio Group Contracts.

| E-TIP and TIP Assistant ‌

Task Status:
New and permanent

Task Lead:
TIP Program Assistant

Task Contributors:
Charles Bradsky and Transit Planner

Task Objective:
- Replace “Software as a Service” contract for on-line TIP program with staff capable of maintaining the project database without losing process and transparency improvements and supporting improvement of other tasks, functions, and product delivery for the Transportation Investment Planning Group.
  
  Task Description:
- Support the development and management of the TIP program of projects, ensuring project data accuracy, fiscal constraint, understandable format, and timely amendment/modification administration.
- Collaboratively work with municipal and transit partners to review project funding applications, amendments, and modifications.
- Prepare monthly reports on financial position of the TIP including funds available, programmed, and obligated.
- Support Quarterly Tracking and Transportation Resources and Oversight Committee meetings and newsletter production.
  
  Task Deliverables:
- Local Quarterly Tracking meetings/reports
- Maintain accurate digital TIP project database in house.
- Improved delivery of TIP programming and spending plan processes.
Public Engagement Goal:
Consult

Corresponding NWI 2050 Initiative:
Plan for Continually Improved Investment Prioritization

Corresponding NWI 2050 Performance Measures:
The nature of this task impacts all performance measures addressed by projects submitted into the TIP.
| Air Quality Public Education ‌

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Kathy Luther

Sub-Grantee:

South Shore Clean Cities, 501(c)(3)

Task Objective:

This multi-year air quality public education program continues to target two primary audiences for air quality education. First, media purchases and materials are developed to promote a highly visible, on-going effort to educate the residents of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties concerning their personal transportation choices and the relationship of those choices to air quality, health and quality of life in the Region. Second, diesel fleet operators are provided education, outreach, and technical support to reduce emissions through vehicle replacement, upgrade, repowers, retrofits, idle management, maintenance, and driver training. Partner organization South Shore Clean Cities will receive a sub-grant from NIRPC to perform the majority of these tasks. NIRPC will retain procurement and purchasing of promotional materials and event costs for Partners for Clean Air. NIRPC will also complete all tasks described except for the following: NIRPC will continue to procure lunch totes, lanyards, and event sponsorships for NWI Partners for Clean Air, and continue to promote active transportation as an emission friendly alternative to driving through our continuously updated Greenways and Blueways Bike Maps and new phone application. NIRPC will provide oversight of South Shore Clean Cities sub-grant with MPO Planning Administration funds.

The program will continue to work with public officials, public and private diesel fleet owners and operators, private sector decision makers, universities, educators, students, the media and the general public on the air quality issues in the Region. In addition to educating for driving behavior changes, the program will promote environmental stewardship, foster intergenerational leadership and improve air quality and community health by encouraging use of public transit and active transportation. The public education campaign is necessary to obtain public support, consensus, and participation to achieve and maintain national air quality standards as designated in the Clean Air Act.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

Education materials in print, radio, digital, and other multi-media formats.
Programming efforts include: gas can exchange, car-pooling, anti-idling, and modal shift to active and public transportation.
Public and private diesel fleet conversions to green energy.

Task Description:
Media, Marketing, and Website - SSCC
One major change to the program will be returning to the It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air NWI messaging used in the past. The new It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air NWI program will focus its education and outreach effort on coordination/leverage of area resources and efforts to raise awareness of the importance of air quality forecasts, provide education on the effects of pollutants including ozone and particulate matter and encourage voluntary actions to reduce air pollution from transportation sources and promote moving toward cleaner air. A new website will be created to reflect this new brand and message.

Active Transportation Adds up to Cleaner Air NWI -NIRPC
NIRPC will continue to update, reprint, and promote active transportation as a healthy alternative to emission generating vehicles through our popular Greenways and Blueways Map and new complimentary mobile application. This effort includes a biannual map update and reprint, and minor maintenance on the intervening years.

NWI Green Fleets, Ports, Hospitals, and Schools -SSCC
SSCC will continue to provide hand-on technical support, fleet inventories, training workshops, funding recommendations, and education to public and private fleet operators throughout NWI to help them find ways to reduce fuel use, emissions, and VMT through technology, vehicle replacements and repowers, alternative fuels, idle reduction, and more. Increased emphasis on hospitals to reduce exposure of vulnerable populations to ambulance idling emissions will be new this year.

NWI Partners for Clean Air – SSCC and NIRPC
SSCC will provide hands on participation and marketing support, handling Partners for Clean Air social media and assisting with event planning. NIRPC will continue to purchase promotional items and sponsor events on the behalf of this collaboration of business, industry, and public sector agencies striving to increase volunteer emission reducing actions on Air Quality Action Days.

Task Deliverables:
Increased knowledge and perception change of air quality among Northwest Indiana residents, leaders, decision makers and businesses.
75,000 Updated Bike maps printed and distributed.
50 diesel fleet emission and vehicle inventories.
Annual report of reduced emissions from participating fleet vehicles in the region.
2,000 Partners for Clean Air lunch totes promoting clean air messaging.
Purchase of promotional tire gauges, oil funnels, or other vehicle related items for distribution at events.
New It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air NWI Website.
4 Targeted Audience Workshops.
Presence at a minimum of 10 regional events.
Increased social media metrics for It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air NWI and Partners for Clean Air.

900.1 | General management of NIRPC, office + staff ‌

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Ty Warner

Task Contributors:

NIRPC Commission

The Commission receives funding from each of three counties that make up the region. A portion of these local funds is utilized as matching funds for federal, state, and other funding sources received to perform work related to specific program objectives. This task provides the administrative support required to manage and coordinate all NIRPC planning and activities. The activities include agency-wide office management, personnel activities, clerical support, administrative documents, record keeping, printing, graphics, procurement, and coordination of activities. NIRPC’s Cost Allocation Plan explains the indirect costs associated with this task.

General accounting system:

The Commission is audited annually by the Indiana State Board of Accounts in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and OMB Circular A-133 and budgets on a calendar year basis as is required by the State of Indiana. The Commission’s accounting system has been designed to accommodate mandated requirements established by the State of Indiana, to deal with multiple funded cost objectives, and to satisfy the requirements of various federal funding agencies. The Commission utilizes several methods of reimbursement including cost reimbursement and electronic funds transfers. The Commission strives to maintain a high level of consistency in its accounting procedures.

Cost allocation policies

The costs of goods and services, which are identifiable with specific projects, are charged directly to those projects at the time such costs are incurred. Costs that are not specifically identifiable with a single cost objective are allocated to all projects on a uniform basis, as provided for within the cost allocation plan which is prepared annually.

There are three categories of costs which are allocated. The first is leave costs which includes NIRPC’s cost of providing vacation, sick, personal, holiday, and other leave (jury duty, military, and funeral). The second is fringe benefits which include the employer’s cost of providing various types of insurance, retirement benefits, and social security taxes. The third is other indirect costs, which includes those costs related to general management, finance and accounting, office operation and maintenance, general clerical, and printing functions. It also includes an aggregate amount of depreciation representing the expiration in the service life of fixed assets of the general fund consisting primarily of office machines and furniture which is attributable to and charged as an expense during the reporting period.

Components of the cost allocation plan

Data is collected relative to allocated costs through the accounting system. Allocation rates are determined for the fiscal year and entered into the accounting system which then calculates out allocation costs for each program.

Fringe Benefits

Fringe benefit rate is determined by adding the cost of leave salaries and fringe benefit expense and dividing the total by the number of direct salaries and wages. The cost of leave salaries consists of the following:

Vacation leave
Personal/sick leave
Holiday leave
Jury, other, military, and funeral leave
Non-leave fringe includes various types of employee insurance, retirement, and tax costs and is the aggregate of all charges for the following purposes:
Public Employee Retirement Fund - employer contributions
Group Health Insurance - employer contributions
Term life and disability insurance
Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) - employer contributions
Workers’ Compensation insurance
Unemployment insurance

Indirect costs
The other indirect cost rate is determined by taking the total projected other indirect costs times the total direct personnel base. The total direct personnel base is the total direct salary base plus the direct fringe benefits. Other indirect costs consist of the following:
Allocated salaries for management, administrative, & support salaries
- The salary costs of those employees where activities provide for the reception, clerical, accounting, administration, bookkeeping, printing, graphics, maintenance, and personnel support functions of the Commission, which are necessary to the carrying out of grant programs, but not directly attributable to grant execution.
Operational, occupancy, and maintenance costs
- Office lease
- Property insurance
- Building maintenance
- Utilities
- Copier & press maintenance
- Computer maintenance
- Telephone service
- Other equipment maintenance
Other management, administrative, and support costs
- General use office supplies
- Travel, mileage, & postage
- Legal services
- Audit and accounting services
- Human resources
- Other contractual

Other Significant Regional Planning Activities ‌

The planning activities listed below highlight transportation planning initiatives throughout the region.

Gary Public Transportation Corporation ‌

Short and long-range transit planning activities designed to enhance and expand service delivery of transit for GPTC patrons. Items being explored are Broadway transit expansion, Lakeshore service expansion, regional transit expansion, outreach and marketing, transit- oriented facilities and development, planning for a relief facility, ITS, and civil rights planning.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District ‌

NICTD in conjunction with the Regional Development Authority are carrying forward the ongoing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) work. Initial work was completed oriented strictly around the planned West Lake Extension stations. This planning activity will finance the continuation of that planning work and expand upon the transit associated benefits adding in the existing South Shore Line stations and the benefits from the Double Track NWI project. This activity will fund the study of the potential for residential and commercial development surrounding NICTD's Indiana stations. The products of this study will aid regional and municipal planners in guiding development in on-line cities and towns in ways that will enhance the quality of life and well as encourage use of the commuter rail service. The focus will be within the TDD areas identified through the RDA's work with each community.

The funding for this project is $1,300,000 FTA funds, and $200,000 local match provided by NICTD and the RDA.

Attachment I: Cost Allocation Plan Approval Letters ‌

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INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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100 North Senate Avenue Room N955

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

PHONE: (317) 232-5485

FAX: (317) 232-1499

Eric Holcomb, Governor

Joe McGuinness, Commissioner

February 4, 2020

Ty Warner, Executive Director

N01ihwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission 6100 Southport Road,

Portage, Indiana 46368 Dear Mr. Warner,

INDOT has reviewed the CY 2021 Cost Allocation Plan presented by NIRPC MPO for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

In accordance 2 CFR 200.331, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), acting as the pass-through entity for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the following indirect and fringe rates which will be monitored with respect to your Unified Planning Work Program Grant. Please include a copy of this letter in your UPWP for future reference. Should the indirect rates change during the CY 2021 grant period, please provide the revised infonnation for re-approval and inclusion of the new rate letter as modification/inclusion in your UPWP Appendix. The approved rates are as follows:

Fringe 88%

Indirect 88%

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding these rates.

Sin

l:=

Emmanuel I. Nsonwu Transpo1iation Planner

Technical Planning & Programming Division Indiana Department of Transportation

CC: J. Newland

R. Nunnally

J. Mitchell File

www .in .gov/dotl

An Equal Opportunity Employer

r.-..n NextLevel

INDIANA

100 North Senate Avenue Room N758

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

PHONE: (317) 232-5485

FAX: (317) 232-1499

Eric Holcomb, Governor

Joe McGuinness, Commissioner

March 4, 2021

Ty Warner, Executive Director

Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission 6100 Southport Road,

Portage, Indiana 46368 Dear Mr. Warner,

INDOT has reviewed the CY 2022 Cost Allocation Plan presented by NIRPC MPO for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

In accordance 2 CFR 200.331, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), acting as the pass-through entity for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the following indirect and fringe rates which will be monitored with respect to your Unified Planning Work Program Grant. Please include a copy of this letter in your UPWP for future reference. Should the indirect rates change during the CY 2022 grant period, please provide the revised information for re-approval and inclusion of the new rate letter as modification/inclusion in your UPWP Appendix. The approved rates are as follows:

Fringe 66%

Indirect 77%

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding these rates.

Sincerely,

Emmanuel I. Nsonwu Transportation Planner

Technical Planning & Programming Division Indiana Department of Transportation

CC: R. Dirks

R. Nunnally

J. Mitchell File

www.in.gov/dot/

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Attachment II: CMAQ Eligibility Finding ‌

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Transit Administration Federal Highway Administration

Region V · Indiana Division

200 West Adams St., Suite 320 575 N. Pennsylvania St., Rm 254

Chicago, IL 60606-5253 Indianapolis, IN 46204-1576

January 17, 2019

Mr. Michael Cales, INDOT CMAQ Coordinator LPA & Grant Administration

Indiana Department of Transportation 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N955 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Dear Mr. Cales:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received and reviewed the application listed below from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding. The application was submitted pursuant to the established CMAQ project selection process and the winter call for projects.

MPO

SPONSOR

PROJECT