NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

May 19, 2022 at 9:00 A.M.

NIRPC Lake Michigan Room, 6100 Southport Road, Portage

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance – Justin Kiel

2.0 New Appointments to the Commission - Attorney Dave Hollenbeck

3.0 Roll Call and Approval of the Minutes of the April 21, 2022, Full Commission Meeting (pp. 1-3)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

4.0 Public Comment on Current Agenda Items

Members of the audience who have signed up to comment on agenda items will be recognized by the Chair. Time is limited to 3 minutes per commenter.

5.0 Report of the Chair – Justin Kiel

6.0 Report of the Executive Director - Ty Warner

1. Finance and Personnel Committee (F&P) – Tom Dermody (pp. 4-6)

2. Resolution #22-14: A Resolution of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for Year-End Reporting for Indiana State Board of Accounts. (p. 6)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

1. Technical Planning Committee (TPC) - Kevin Breitzke (pp. 7-93)

2. Resolution #22-13: 2023-2024 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) (pp. 9-93)

ACTION REQUESTED: Adoption

9.0 NIRPC Economic Development District Report - Denarie Kane

1. INDOT, Matt Deitchley, La Porte District Deputy Commissioner

2. Presentation on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Scott Manning

11.0 Other Business

12.0 Announcements

1. Adjournment

   NIRPC Full Commission Meeting

   6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN April 21, 2022 Minutes

   Call to Order

   Chairman, Justin Kiel, called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.

   New Appointments to the Commission

   Dave Hollenbeck announced there were no new appointments to the Commission. Roll call taken by Candice Eklund.

   Present

   A total of 27 Commissioners present at the meeting included Kyle Allen (Lake County Commissioner), Jeannette Bapst (Dune Acres), Janet Beck (Pottawattomie Park), Jim Biggs (Porter County Commissioner), Kevin Breitzke (Porter County Surveyor), Bob Carnahan (Cedar Lake), Bill Carroll (Laker Station), Joshleen Denham (Trail Creek), Tom Dermody (La Porte), Daina Dumbrys (Michiana Shores), Denise Ebert (Wanatah), Bill Emerson (Lake County Surveyor), Robert Forster (Kouts), Richard Hardaway (Merrillville), Justin Kiel (La Crosse), Sue Lynch (Portage), Sheila Matias (LaPorte County Commissioner), Lori Mercer (Westville), Wendy Mis (Munster), Edward Morales (Porter Township), Tom Schmitt (Schererville), Brian Snedecor (Hobart), Greg Stinson (Porter), Sharon Szwedo (New Chicago), Mary Tanis (Dyer), Jim Ton (Chesterton), and George Topoll (Union Township). Also present was Matt Deitchley representing INDOT.

   The 23 Commissioners absent at the meeting included Duane Arndt (Kingsford Heights), Geof Benson (Beverly Shores), Charlie Brown (Lake County Council), Anthony Copeland (East Chicago), Jon Derwinski (Winfield), Tony Hendricks (LaPorte County Surveyor), Jack Jeralds (Schneider), Mike Jessen (Porter County Council), Scott Kingan (Ogden Dunes), Andrew Kyres (Crown Point), Robert LeMay (Long Beach), Tom McDermott (Hammond), Mike Mollenhauer (LaPorte County Council), Matt Murphy (Valparaiso), Duane Parry (Michigan City), David Peeler (Hebron), Jim Pressel (Governor Appointee), Jerome Prince (Gary), Rick Ryfa (Griffith), Angie Scott (Burns Harbor), Steve Spebar (Whiting), Gerald Swets (St. John), and John Yelkich (Lowell).

   Highland, Kingsbury, and The Pines have appointed no representatives to NIRPC.

   Staff present included Ty Warner, Thomas Dow, Kathy Luther, Meredith Stilwell, Kevin Polette, Candice Eklund, and attorney Dave Hollenbeck.

   Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the March 17, 2022 Executive Board meeting were approved on motion by Sue Lynch and seconded by Richard Hardaway.

   
   

   Report of the Chair – Justin Kiel

   Justin Kiel informed the Commissioners that the updated committee assignments report was available in the lobby. The assignments are the same as 2021, with the exception of the newly appointed commissioners, who will absorb the assignments of their predecessor.

   
   

   Report of the Executive Director– Ty Warner

   Ty Warner stated that with the Economic Development District (EDD) designation prior to the pandemic, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds are being used to create the Economic Development and Resiliency Plan for the region.

   
   

   Jeff Marcell, Senior Partner and Luke Sheffield, Associate Consultant, with TIP Strategies, provided a status update on the progress that has been made on the plan and thanked NIRPC for being an exceptional partner. Actionable strategies are being developed to serve as a path for Northwestern Indiana’s recovery and a guide to prepare for and sustain future high impact events. The number one opportunity facing NWI is attracting work. The next steps are to draft the plan, provide a final presentation, and hold an implementation workshop before completing the plan by July 2022. Ty thanked TIP Strategies for the updates and said not only will the plan offer

   implementable steps to make the region more resilient but will offer a lot of collected data that can be used in everyone’s own community.

   
   

   Mr. Warner presented perfect attendance awards for the commissioners who attended all the Executive Board and Full Commission meetings in 2020 and 2021 and thanked them for their perseverance though the difficult years of the pandemic.

   
   

   Environmental Management Policy Committee (EMPC) – Bill Emerson

   At the March meeting, Bill Emerson reported that IDEM was updating the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) program throughout Indiana and added the official letters are now being received and need to be filed by July 5, 2022. Bill introduced Reggie Korthals, the Executive Director for the Indiana MS4 Partnership, to provide an overview of the new MS4 permit requirements. Reggie reported that permits now allow for regulatory agencies to go back and change the permits more often to meet their needs. To help aid in this process, a new permitter’s workshop has been added to the MS4 Annual Meeting being held on May 10 in Indianapolis. The Northwest Indiana Stormwater Group (NISWAG) is also holding monthly meetings to discuss MS4 related topics. For additional information, contact Bill Emerson, Reggie Korthals, or Kathy Luther.

   
   

   Kathy Luther presented Resolution #22-07, Regional Inventory of Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions. There were 13 cities and towns that participated in this initiative and the data collected will be used as a baseline against future climate emissions planning and reduction. A task force is being formed for climate action planning and the first meeting will be held virtually on May 5, 2022, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. On motion by Jim Ton and seconded by Tom Dermody, the Full Commission approved Resolution #22-07.

   
   

   Finance & Personnel Committee (F&P) – Tom Dermody

   Tom Dermody reported the F&P Committee met this morning to review the financial reports, bank reconciliations, and claims registers for February and March 2022. The F&P committee favorably recommended to amend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the NWI Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. Ty Warner reported this MOU was previously approved with the Porter County Redevelopment Commission (PCRC) for the region wide RLF program. The PCRC recognized a potential barrier to applicants with the application fee and agreed to allocate $10,000 to assist with fees and amend the original agreement to expand the opportunity throughout unincorporated Porter County. On motion by Bob Carnahan and seconded by Richard Hardaway, the Full Commission approved the MOU Amendment with the Porter County Redevelopment Commission.

   
   

   Technical Planning Committee (TPC) - Kevin Breitzke

   Kevin Breitzke reported the TPC met on April 5, 2022. An update was given on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) where the areas of active transportation, land use, freight, and transit are being reviewed. The plan is scheduled to be approved May 2023. Kevin noted the Community Crossings grant was received by 17 communities in our area totaling over $11 million. The TPC is bringing the two actions below to the Full Commission for consideration and approval. The next TPC meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

   
   

   1. Resolution #22-11: FY 2020-2024 & FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) #20-22.45. Thomas Dow stated there were no public comments received during the 21-day public comment period or from the Interagency Consultation Group. This resolution is for an INDOT project for the construction phase of eight railroad crossings throughout the region, totaling $4.9 million. On motion by Sheila Matias and seconded by Jim Ton, the Full Commission approved Resolution #22-11.

   2. Resolution #22-12: 2021-2022 UPWP Amendment #5B – Thomas Dow stated the funds that remain on this Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) are from FY 2020 and need to be spent by June 30 this year. The funds will be spent on staff salaries and contracts. On motion by George Topoll and seconded By Bill Emerson, the Full Commission approved Resolution #22-12.

INDOT – Matt Deitchley

Matt Deitchley echoed the great news that INDOT awarded $107.8 million in Community Crossings grants to a total of 224 communities across Indiana. The next Community Crossings call is July 2022. Matt shared there will be significant construction on I-94 and I-65 this year. There will be concrete patching from the Illinois state line to Cline Ave thru November, and concrete pavement restoration projects on U.S. 30 to just north of I-94.

Other Business

There were no other business discussions.

Announcements

Bob Carnahan reported the Lake County Solid Waste Management District is no longer accepting the larger tires for recycling. It was also reported that LaPorte County does accept the larger tires, but on an irregular schedule, and Porter County occasionally accepts them.

The three projects Mary Tanis discussed for Dyer were to extend St. John Road to the North by Elzinga Farm, Extend Calumet Avenue to the South into Dyer, and widen 77th Avenue due to new home construction.

Sheila Matias reported LaPorte County received $7 million in funding from the Next Level Connection grant for rural broadband fiber installation.

In addition to the MS4 presentation, Bill Emerson noted that non-compliance to the MS4 clean water permits could jeopardize federal funding to those communities.

Justin Kiel welcomed Blair Milo to the Full Commission meeting and thanked her for attending. Blair Milo is running for Congress and is the former mayor of LaPorte and former Indiana Secretary of Career Connection and Talent.

Adjournment

Hearing no other business, Justin Kiel adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m. The next meeting on May 19 will be an Executive Board meeting.

The livestream video recording for this meeting is available on NIRPC’s YouTube Channel at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWIaoMw7hVo

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

March 17, 2022 / NIRPC Dune Room – 8:00 a.m.

Members present in-person

Bob Carnahan, Richard Hardaway, Justin Kiel, Greg Stinson, George Topoll

Staff and others present in-person

Talaya Jones, Meredith Stilwell, Ty Warner, Thomas Dow, Denarie Kane, David Hollenbeck

Call to Order

Vice Chair Hardaway called the meeting to order.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the January 20, 2022 meeting were presented. On motion by Justin Kiel, second by Bob Carnahan, and no opposition the minutes were approve.

December 2021 Bank Statement Reconciliations

Talaya Jones presented the December 2021 bank reconciliations for the NIRPC general account, the CARES Revolving Loan Fund account, and the Revolving Loan Fund Account.

Review of Financial Status – January 2022 Budget vs Actual

Talaya Jones presented the January 2022 bank reconciliations for the NIRPC general account, the CARES Revolving Loan Fund account, and the Revolving Loan Fund Account.

Talaya Jones presented the January 2022 general fund financial reports. Total expenditures for the period ending January 31, 2022, were $305,952 of the $9,201,349 budgeted. Total general fund revenue for the period was $1,837 of the $4,311,106 budgeted.

Talaya presented the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities (CARES) Act financial reports, year to date January 2022. Total NIRPC CARES fund expenditures for the period ending January 31, 2022, was

$35,445 of the $1,153,515 budgeted. Total CARES revenue collected for the period was $63,882 of the

$1,352,229 budgeted.

Approval of Claims Registers – January 2022

Talaya presented the January 2021 General Fund claims register totaling $296,673.30 to the Committee for approval. On motion by Bob Carnahan, second by George Topoll, and no opposition the General Fund claims in the amount of $296,673.30 were approved. The CARES Act register of claims totaling

$32,325.74 was presented for approval. On motion by Bob Carnahan, second by Justin Kiel, and no opposition the CARES Act register of claims in the amount of $32,3253.74 were approved.

RDG Planning & Design Contract for 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan – Land Use Element Thomas Dow presented the RDG Planning & Design contract to the Committee for approval. NIRPC’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan must be updated every four years and the next update is due by May 2023. Two firms submitted proposals and RDG was selected as the contractor to help with the land use element of the Plan update by the review committee. The contract is not to exceed $99,170.00, with all services completed on or before May 1, 2023. On motion by Justin Kiel, second by George Topoll, and no opposition the Committee favorably recommended the contract to be forwarded to the NIRPC Executive Board for approval.

CPCS Team Contract for the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan – Freight Element

Thomas Dow presented the CPCS Team contract to the Committee for approval. CPCS will be working on the freight element of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan with the contract not to exceed $99,962.00, with all services completed on or before May 1, 2023. On motion by Greg Stinson, second by Bob Carnahan, and no opposition the Committee favorably recommended the contract to be forwarded to the

NIRPC Executive Board for approval.

TranSystems Contract for the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan – Public Transit Element

Thomas Dow presented the TranSystems contract to the Committee for approval. TranSystems will be working on the public transit element of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan with the contract not to exceed $99,320.00, with all services completed on or before May 1, 2023. On motion by Greg Stinson, second by George Topoll, and no opposition the Committee favorably recommended the contract to be forwarded to the NIRPC Executive Board for approval.

MOU – NWI Revolving Loan Program Grant with Porter Co. RDC

Denarie Kane presented the grant MOU which is designed to aid business who possibly could qualify for a RLF loan but see the loan application and closing fees as a speed bump to applying. Each loan applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000 to cover these costs from the Porter County Redevelopment Commission grant, which has been designed to support the recovery of small business in unincorporated Porter County, specifically the commercial and industrial areas in South Haven or in an unincorporated area along US 6 from McCool Road to State Road 49. The total amount granted will not exceed $10,000 and Denarie noted that if there are no takers in 30 days, the grant will be expanded to a greater area. On motion by George Topoll, second by Justin Kiel, and no opposition the Committee favorable recommended the MOU to the NIRPC Executive Board for approval.

Personnel updates

Meredith Stilwell reported on the three positions that are currently posted for NIRPC employment. The Programming & Grant Assistant position has been changed and is now posted as an Accountant position to better fulfill the needs of what is needed for that position. The Economic Development Specialist position is still posted, but the funds for that position are running out. In the interim, NIRPC has rehired the former Economic Development Specialist, Matthew Paskash, who is working part time from his new location in Idaho. The Transit & Engagement Planner position is still open, but there have been interviews held for the position and a decision has not yet been made. Ty Warner reported that NIRPC has hired Jennifer Birchfield to fill the Natural Resources Planner position posted upon the resignation of Joe Exl, NIRPC’s former Senior Water Resources Planner.

Other Business

It was noted that Blair Milo is running for U.S. Congress and has attended events in the region and says hello to NIRPC.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

RESOLUTION 22-14

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FOR YEAR- END FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS

WHEREAS, year-end financial reporting is required by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA); and

WHEREAS, in the past the Commission has been reporting to the State Board of Accounts using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial statements reporting; and

WHEREAS, GAAP reporting is typically used to provide financial information to investors to ensure that the financial information presented to them maintains the trust in the financial markets and to help them invest accordingly, which does not apply to the activities of the Commission; and

WHEREAS, GAAP financial reporting requires additional non-regulatory financial data which causes extensive research for that financial data; and

WHEREAS, it is not required of the Commission to report GAAP financial statements to SBOA; rather, regulatory reporting is required by SBOA which requires financial information of statements of receipts, disbursements and cash and investments balances;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission will report 2021 year-end financial statements as regulatory reporting per SBOA requirements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission will continue to report the required year-end financial statements as regulatory reporting required by SBOA.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this 19th day of May 2022.

Justin Kiel Chairperson‌

ATTEST:

Greg Stinson Secretary

Technical Planning Committee NIRPC Lake Michigan Room April 5, 2022

Minutes

Kevin Breitzke called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. The recorded meeting can be viewed at https://youtu.be/NbAkfCKvqu4.

In attendance were Kevin Breitzke, David Wright (GPTC), George Topoll (Union Township), Jessica Miller (INDOT), Lauri Keagle (DCI), Tom Schmitt (Schererville), Jeff Huet (Schererville), Kay Nelson (Forum), and Deb Backhus.

NIRPC staff present were Charles Bradsky, Thomas Dow, Kevin Polette, Scott Weber, Kathy Luther, and Flor Baum.

The meeting minutes of March 1, 2022 were approved on motion by David Wright, second by Kay Nelson, and the committee voted unanimously to approve.

There were no public comments. Planning

Thomas Dow presented on Resolution 22-12, updating the 2022 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for the counties of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte. NIRPC has $552,748 in PL and 5303 funds available from FY-20 that need to be programmed in the UPWP so they can be expended prior to June 30, 2022. On motion by Kay Nelson and second by David Wright, with an update to the amendment to include full descriptions of acronyms used within the amendment, the TPC approved to recommend Res. 22-12 to The Commission for approval.

Thomas Dow gave an update on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Update NWI 2050. NIRPC is federally required to update the MTP every four years. The last update was adopted on May 5, 2019. Key requirements to an MTP for NIRPC is to plan 20 years ahead, address all modes of surface transportation, land use, environmental, environmental justice, and economic impacts of transportation decisions.

Programming

Charles Bradsky presented on Resolution 22-11, Amendment 20-22.45. Amendment #20-22.45 of the FY 20-24 and FY 22-26 TIP was released for a 21-day public comment period that started on March 11 and ended on April 1. No comments were received. The project is to install safety upgrades at railroad crossings in multiple locations within Lake, Porter, and La Porte County. On motion by Kay Nelson and second by George Topoll, with an update to the amendment to include full descriptions of acronyms used within the amendment and A clerical update will be made to the Public Comment Report, the TPC approved to recommend Res. 22-11 to The Commission for approval.

Topical Committee Reports

Kathy Luther reported on the Environmental Management Policy Committee (EMPC). A Climate Action Planning Task Force is being formed to provide input and assist in development of the plan. TPC member are encouraged to join the task force. Please contact Kathy at kluther@nirpc.org for more information.

Reports from Planning Partners

Lauri Keagle (DCI) reported on events and programs. Please visit https://files.constantcontact.com/b4f049b7201/421310dd-29e4-4201-a6ed- 576c59c5233c.pdf?rdr=true to view the complete details of the Drive Clean Indiana report. Please contact Lauri at lkeagle@drivecleanindiana.org or visit www.drivecleanindiana.org for more information.

Adjournment

Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

The next TPC meeting will be on May 3, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the NIRPC building.

RESOLUTION 22-13

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION TO ADOPT 2023-2024 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

FOR LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA May 19, 2022

WHEREAS, the Northwestern Indiana Planning Commission, hereafter referred to as “the Commission,” being designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County area, has established a comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transportation planning process to develop the FY 2023 – 2024 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 included in a UPWP in order to be reimbursed; and

WHEREAS, the Technical Planning Committee has recommended that the Commission approve the content of UPWP 2023-2024;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission hereby adopts the FY 2023 – 2024 UPWP 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 amendment, including any additional modifications, additions, deletions, or changes to the UPWP document as required by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on this 19th day of May, 2022.

Justin Kiel Chairperson

ATTEST:

Greg Stinson Secretary

Plan NWI

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

Unified Planning Work Program

2023 - 2024

Fiscal Year 2023

Adopted May 19, 2022

Contents

2023-2024 UPWP Budget Summaries 2

About NIRPC 4

About the UPWP 6

Metropolitan Planning Activities and Tasks 11

100 | Administration and Public Participation 11

1. | Data Collection and Analysis 22

2. | Short Range Planning 38

400 | Long Range Planning 43

500 | Multi-modal Planning 59

600 | Special Planning Activities 66

700 | Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds 72

800 | Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality 75

900.1 | General management of NIRPC, office + staff 78

Other Significant Regional Planning Activities 80

Attachment I: Cost Allocation Plan Approval Letter 81

Attachment II: CMAQ Eligibility Finding 83

03/02/2021

2023‐2024 UPWP Budgets

State Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Summary

State Fiscal Year 2023 Simple Budget Summary

State Fiscal Year 2023 – Salary + Benefits Table

State Fiscal Year 2023 – Contracts & Other Expenses Table

About NIRPC

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is a regional council of local governments serving the citizens of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties in Northwest Indiana. The Northwest Indiana (NWI) region is part of the U.S. Census Bureau's Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). NIRPC provides a forum that enables the citizens of NWI to address regional issues relating to transportation, the environment 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.

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 NIRPC with its current name and allowed for the addition of new member counties. Under this provision, LaPorte 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, County Boards of Commissioners, and County Surveyors appoint one member each, as does the Governor. The Commission or the Executive Board meets eight times annually. NIRPC's meetings are open to the public and there is a place on every agenda for public comment.

The metropolitan planning area (MPA) for NWI is strategically located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan and represents an integral part of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The MPA is comprised of the three participating Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties, located in the northwestern corner of the State of Indiana. It consists of 784,332 people (2020 Census) and covers 1,520 square miles. There are forty-one cities and towns MPA.

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 Continuing, Cooperative and Comprehensive (3-C) transportationplanning process for urbanized areas exceeding 50,000 population.

NWI is a diverse and dynamic region whose complexities are reflected in the regional transportation system. The MPA 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 NWI extraordinarily challenging.

Background + Purpose

NIRPC, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for NWI, has the responsibility to conduct the federally required “3-C" 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 overthe 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 (“3-C”) 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 authorizing legislation for surface transportation. The most recent legislation is called interchangeably the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This legislation has continued the previous legislation called The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST)

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 (MTP) with at least a 20-year horizon, and a shorter-range Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 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

The Indiana Division Office of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration Region V (FTA) issue planning emphasis areas (PEAs) annually for incorporation into the FY 2022 Unified Planning Work Programs. They are:

• Pedestrian Safety

• Resiliency

• Metropolitan Planning Area & Urbanized Area Boundaries

• Human Service Coordinated Transportation Plan

• Micro-mobility

NIRPC also focuses on National Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs) put forth periodically by USDOT. The PEAs help with the implementation of the FAST Act. The table below includes the PEAs, 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 numbers are also provided.

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

1. : NWI 2050 Implementation

2. : 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

4) Plan for Complete Streets and active transportation

500.1: Active Transportation Planning

700.1 Sub-grantee Oversight

5) Plan for continually improved investment prioritization

100.4: Americans with Disabilities Act Program Management

1. : Transportation Improvement Program Development

   

   6) Plan for Main Centers and transit-oriented development

   400.2: NWI 2050 Implementation (repeated)

2. : TIP Development + Management 400.4: Surface Transportation Planning

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

practices

1. : Public Participation + Communication Tools

2. : Title VI and Environmental Justice Program Management

13) Plan for more council of government activities This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed

14) Plan for cleaner air and energy

200.6: Air Quality Conformity

800.1: Air Quality Education

with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.

15) Plan for watersheds and water quality 400.5: Includes planning for prevention or mitigation

16) Plan for economic development

This NWI 2050 Strategic Initiative will be addressed with planning activities not currently contained in the UPWP.

of transportation system impacts on water quality.

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

1. | Administration and Public Participation

   
   

   100: Administration and Public Participation
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal PL/5307	$ -	$ 161,500	$ 273,500	$ 320,000	$ 755,000
   Non-Federal	$ -	$ 40,375	$ 68,375	$ 80,000	$ 188,750
   Total	$ -	$ 201,875	$ 341,875	$ 400,000	$ 943,750
   TASKS:
   Planning Management + Administration
   Website Development
   Training & Professional Development
   UPWP Development and Management

   
   

   1. | Planning Management + Administration

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Thomas Dow, Director of Transportation

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Ty Warner, Talaya Jones, Stephanie Kuziela, Marisol Manley, Eman Ibrahim, Meredith Stilwell, Flor Baum & Candice Eklund, Open Planner Position

      
      

      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

      • DOT Planning Certification Review & FTA Triennial Review

      • 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.

      • Professional Development & Training

      • 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, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Ports of Indiana, etc.

      
      

      Coordinated implementation of MPO functions with the public, partners, stakeholders, state, federal, regional, and local agencies. Negotiation of FTA Funding split between NWI and Northeastern Illinois.

      
      

      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, hiring and supervision of staff.

      
      

      This task also includes funds budgeted for staff travel, training, and supplies.

      
      

      Task Deliverables:

      On-budget and on-schedule delivery of planning program including all grant deliverables and federally required 3-C 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.

   2. | Public Participation + Communication Tools

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead: Open Planner Position

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Thomas Dow, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kathy Luther, Kevin Polette, Meredith Stilwell, Scott Weber

      
      

      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

        
        

        Task Description:

        Elements:

        Execute communication strategies associated with all planning activities, including the coordination of public participation programswith 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

   3. | Title VI and Environmental Justice Program Management

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead: Open Planner Positions

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, Scott Weber, Open planner positions

      
      

      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 and Presidential Executive Order 12898. 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 andwork to continuously expand outreach efforts to low-income, minority, and other potentially disadvantaged populations.

      
      

      Prior Task Accomplishments:

      
      

      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

   4. | Americans with Disabilities Act Program Management

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Kevin Polette

      
      

      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. Digitizing of ADA transition plans.

      
      

      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

   5. | UPWP Development + Management

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Thomas Dow

Task Contributors:

Eman Ibrahim, Talaya Jones, Kathy Luther, Flor Baum

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 2021-2022 UPWP. Five amendments were prepared and submitted to INDOT for review.

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.

1. | Data Collection and Analysis

   
   

   
   

   Data Collection & Analysis
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal PL/5307	$ 52,500	$ 200,000	$ 520,000	$ 490,000	$ 1,262,500
   Non-Federal	$ 13,125	$ 50,000	$ 130,000	$ 122,500	$ 315,625
   Total	$ 65,625	$ 250,000	$ 650,000	$ 612,500	$ 1,578,125
   TASKS:
   Travel Demand Model Updates & Model Runs
   Environmental Impacts / Resiliency / Air Quality
   Road Safety Audits
   Trail Traffic Counters
   UPWP Development and Management
   Regional Traffic Signal Study
   Licenses & Equipment

   1. | Planning Data Collection

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Kevin Polette

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Peter Kimball, Mitch Barloga, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Scott Weber, Jennifer Birchfield

      
      

      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

      • Crash data collection

      • Traffic count data collection

      • Travel time data collection

      • Transit data collection

      • Bicycle and pedestrian count data collection

      • Air Quality Inventory

      • 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

      • Micro-mobility 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 to update 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.

   2. | 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:

      Mitch Barloga, Jennifer Birchfield, Charles Bradsky, Kevin Polette, Scott Weber

      
      

      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.

      • Develop Performance Measures Dashboard.

      • Develop Road Safety Audit (RSA) Program in partnership with LPAs to identify intersections and road segments and other transportation facilities that would benefit from safety treatments. Conduct RSAs with LPAs.

      • Collect and analyze environmental data as need to support the transportation planning and programming process in NWI.

        
        

        Prior Task Accomplishments:

      • Maps for NOFA scoring and analysis

      • TIP data analysis

      • ADA Bus Stop Inventory, including digitizing

      • 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. Conduct RSAs in a variety of locations throughout NWI. Collect and analyze environmental data needed to support transportation planning and programming in NWI. Develop performance measures dashboard.

        
        

        Task Deliverables:

      • Performance Measures Dashboard

      • 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

   3. | Performance-based Planning Activities

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Scott Weber

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Mitch Barloga, Jennifer Birchfield, Charles Bradsky, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette

      
      

      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.

        
        

        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.

   4. | Congestion Management

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Scott Weber

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Peter Kimball

      
      

      Task Objective:

      Fulfill the requirements for a Transportation Management Area (TMA) by ensuring that planning and programming activities carried out by NIRPC and its local partners consider congestion reduction where possible. Administer and update, as necessary, the Congestion Management Process for NWI.

      
      

      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

   5. | Travel Demand Modeling

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Scott Weber

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Peter Kimball

      
      

      Task Objective:

      Update regional Travel Demand Model. 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 stakeholdersin 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. Keep updated model current and relevant.

        
        

        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.

   6. | Air Quality Conformity

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Scott Weber

Task Contributors:

Kathy Luther, Jennifer Birchfield

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

1. | Short Range Planning

   
   

   Short-Range Planning
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal PL/5307	$ -	$ 30,000	$ 100,000	$ 130,000	$ 260,000
   Non-Federal	$ -	$ 7,500	$ 25,000	$ 32,500	$ 65,000
   Total	$ -	$ 37,500	$ 125,000	$ 162,500	$ 325,000
   TASKS:
   Develop & Update TIP as appropriate

   
   

   1. | Transportation Improvement Program Development

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Charles Bradsky

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Vacant Transit Planner, Vacant Grant/TIP Assistant, Kevin Polette

      
      

      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.

      • Assisted INDOT with Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) development

        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 with LPAs. Cooperate with INDOT and public transit operators.

        
        

        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.

      
      

   2. | TIP Development + Management

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Charles Bradsky

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Vacant Transit Planner, Vacant Grant/TIP Assistant and Kevin Polette

      
      

      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.

   3. | Environmental Red Flag Investigations

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Kathy Luther

Task Contributors:

Jennifer Birchfield, 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.

1. | Long Range Planning

   
   

   Long-Range Planning
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal PL/5307	$ 320,000	$ 220,000	$ 300,000	$ 50,000	$ 890,000
   Non-Federal	$ 80,000	$ 55,000	$ 75,000	$ 12,500	$ 222,500
   Total	$ 400,000	$ 275,000	$ 375,000	$ 62,500	$ 1,112,500
   TASKS:
   Performance Measures Dashboard
   MTP Update
   Regional Transportation Resiliency Study
   Regional Environmental Justice Study
   Regional Economic Impact Study

   1. | Metropolitan Transportation Plan Development

      
      

      Task Status:

      Ongoing and permanent

      
      

      Task Lead: Thomas Dow

      Task Contributors: Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, KevinPolette, Scott Weber and other NIRPC Staff as needed

      Task Objective:

      To update the federally required Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) by May 31, 2023.

      
      

      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:

      Updated NWI 2050.

      
      

      Public Engagement Goal:

      Cooperate and 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.

      
      

      Consultants will be hired to assist NIRPC staff with specific tasks.

   2. | 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)

   3. | 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”.

   4. | 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)

   5. | Environmental Linkages Planning

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Kathy Luther

Task Contributors:

Jennifer Birchfield

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

1. | Multi-modal Planning

   
   

   Multi-Modal Planning
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal PL/5307	$ -	$ 30,000	$ 270,000	$ 500,000	$ 800,000
   Non-Federal	$ -	$ 7,500	$ 67,500	$ 125,000	$ 200,000
   Total	$ -	$ 37,500	$ 337,500	$ 625,000	$ 1,000,000
   TASKS:
   Complete Streets Plans & Legacy Streets Plans
   Public Transit New Routes Study

   1. | 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.

      • Won a Raise Grant for the Marquette Greenway.

        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

   2. | Transit Planning

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Open Mid-Level Planner Position

Task Contributors:

Thomas Dow, Charles Bradsky, 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 2023 and FY 2024 Split letters for FTA Funding

• 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

1. | Special Planning Activities

   
   

   Special Planning Activities
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal PL/5307	$ -	$ 195,000	$ 335,000	$ 67,500	$ 597,500
   Non-Federal	$ -	$ 48,750	$ 83,750	$ 16,875	$ 149,375
   Total	$ -	$ 243,750	$ 418,750	$ 84,375	$ 746,875
   TASKS:
   E-Commerce Area Plans
   LPA Planning Assistance

   1. | Complete Streets & Legacy Streets Plans

      
      

      Task Status:

      New Initiative to assist LPAs with planning on key corridors within their municipal boundaries.

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Thomas Dow

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Mitch Barloga, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Scott Weber

      
      

      Task Objective:

      To provide professional planning assistance to LPAs in NWI to develop complete streets plans or Legacy Streets Plans for key corridors within their municipal boundaries.

      Complete Streets are streets for everyone! Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enables safe access for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and motorists of all ages and abilities. Each mode of transportation is given appropriate space to safely operate. No mode of transportation is ignored.

      Legacy Streets are streets of great character that were integral to the growth and development of a city and NWI. Most Legacy Streets were built prior to World War II. Typically, they are walkable corridors and have mixed land uses along the street itself or in the surrounding district or neighborhood. Some corridors may have experienced significant decline and decay and are positioned well for redevelopment or revitalization activities.

      Prior Task Accomplishments:

      • Active Transportation Technical Assistance.

      • Secured a Raise Grant for the Marquette Greenway.

        
        

        Task Description:

        
        

        Task Deliverables:

        
        

        • Completed Plans for Complete Street Corridors and Legacy Street Corridors.

          
          

          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

      
      

   2. | Local E-Commerce Sub Area Redevelopment Plan

      
      

      Task Status:

      New Pilot Project

      
      

      Task Lead:

      Scott Weber

      
      

      Task Contributors:

      Mitch Barloga, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball

      
      

      Task Objective:

      To support four LPA sub-area plans 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

      • Hired a consultant to assist with the development of the Gary E-Commerce Area Plan

        
        

        Task Description:

        NIRPC will procure a consultant with the support and partnership of four LPAs to develop an E- commerce Redevelopment Sub-Area Plan.

        
        

        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

   3. | LPA Transportation Planning Assistance / Special Plans

Task Status:

New Initiative to assist LPAs with transportation planning.

Task Lead:

Thomas Dow

Task Contributors:

Mitch Barloga, Eman Ibrahim, Peter Kimball, Scott Weber, Kevin Polette, Jennifer Birchfield

Task Objective:

To provide professional planning assistance to LPAs in NWI to develop plans that are consistent with existing regional plans, including NWI 2050. Improve quality of local government planning especially in terms of coordinating transportation with climate resiliency, economic development, environment, housing, land use, environmental justice, and other important factors.

Prior Task Accomplishments:

• N/A.

  
  

  Task Description:

  Consultants will be hired to assist with this task. NIRPC will oversee the procurement process and provide project management services. NIRPC staff will select the specific plans to be developed in consultation with LPAs.

  
  

  Task Deliverables:

  
  

  • Completed Plans.

    
    

    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

700 | Federal Transit Administration 5307 Funds 701

701.1 | 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

1. | Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality

   
   

   FTA Sub-Recipient Oversight
   Funding Source	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	TOTAL
   Federal CMAQ	$ 18,633	$ 192,577	$ 360,000	$ 360,000	$ 931,210
   Non-Federal	$ 4,658	$ 48,144	$ 90,000	$ 90,000	$ 232,802
   Total	$ 23,292	$ 240,721	$ 450,000	$ 450,000	$ 1,164,012
   TASKS:
   Air Quality Public Education

   
   

   1. | Air Quality Public Education

Task Status:

Ongoing and permanent

Task Lead:

Kathy Luther & Jennifer Birchfield

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 Letter

INOIIANA DE ARTMENT OF I ANS'PORTATION

1Oil North Senate lwenue RoomN758PL

PHONE; {317) 232-5465

FAX: (317) 232-1499

Eric Holcomb, Governor

Joe McGuinness, Commissioner

111anapo/l$, ndian.:146204

February l. 2022

Ty Warner, Executive Director

orthwest Indiana R gional Planning Commission

6100 Southport Road,

Portage, fndiana 46368

Dear.r. Warne.-,

OT has reviewed the CY 2023 Cost Allocation Plan presented by NIRPC MPO for the period of January 1,

2023 through December 31 2023.

In accordance 2 ·R 200.331, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). acting a. the pass-through entity for the Federal Highway Administration (F -IWA) approved the following indirect and fringe rates which will be monitored wit11 re pect to your Unified Planning Work Program Grant. Please inc]ude a copy of this letter in your UPWP for future reference. Should the "ndirect rates change during the CY 2023 grant pe iod, please provide the revi ed information for re-appro al and inclusion of the new rate letter as modification/inclusion in your UPWP Appendix. he approved rates ar as follows:

Fringe

Jndir ct