Draft Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting
August 2, 2012 Meeting
10:00 AM – 11:45 AM, State Transportation Building, Conference Rooms 2&3, 10 Park Plaza, Boston
David Mohler, Chair, representing Richard Davey, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization agreed to the following:
á approve Amendment Two of the federal fiscal
years (FFYs) 2012-15 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as amended at
this meeting
á approve the minutes of the meetings of June
21 and June 28
á approve the following work programs:
o
MassDOT Road Inventory Supplemental Grant
o
MBTA Transit Contribution to the Reduction of
Greenhouse Gases
o
Federal Transit Administration Formula Grant
Funding Review
There were none.
The state
transportation bond bill has passed.
There will be an
announcement on August 3rd about a proposed amendment to the State
Implementation Plan (SIP). The amendment would remove the project for the Design of the Red-Blue Line Connector
from the SIP. Under the SIP, MassDOT is required only
to design the project, not construct it. MassDOT
petitioned the Department of Environmental Protection to remove the project
from the SIP. MassDOT sees that no air quality
offsets are needed as a result of its removal because simply designing the
project would not produce any air quality benefit.
The public review
period for MassDOTÕs GreenDOT
Implementation Plan closes today.
There were none.
State Senator
Thomas McGee was the featured speaker at the July meeting of the Advisory
Council.
The CouncilÕs
Membership Committee met recently to discuss changes to the CouncilÕs bylaws.
The Council will not meet in August. The next meeting will be in September.
Christine Bettin was introduced to the MPO as the new Bicycle and
Pedestrian Coordinator at Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS). CTPS is
also recruiting for a modeler, transit analyst, and general planner.
Members were
provided with a memorandum from Bill Kuttner, MPO
staff, titled, ÒRecent Trends at Toll Plazas: Additional Data.Ó This memorandum
follows a previous one in which staff provided an analysis of traffic trends in
the Boston area based on toll data. This memorandum adds to the first with an
analysis of data from Turnpike toll plazas west of Route 128. These analyses
were conducted at the request of MPO members.
S. Pfalzer gave a
summary of the public comments received on draft Amendment Two of the FFYs
2012-15 TIP during the public review period, which closed on July 24. He also
provided an overview of the changes included in the amendment.
Public Comments
The Friends of
the Community Path expressed support for additional funding for the Community Path (Cedar Street to Lowell
Street) project and for funding the Green
Line Extension project. The Friends also urged the MPO to identify future
funding for the Community Path Extension to
Lechmere/North Point to correspond with the phasing of the Green Line Extension project.
There were 153
comments (from residents of Somerville, Cambridge, Boston, Arlington, Medford,
Lexington, Acton, Belmont, and Brookline) supporting the Community Path Extension as a mitigation project for the delay of
the Green Line Extension project.
These commenters urged MassDOT to fully-fund the
design and construction of the Community
Path Extension to Lechmere/North Point, not just to the Inner Belt area.
They stated that this link over the Fitchburg line tracks is essential for
connectivity with Cambridge, Boston, and the Charles River Path network. They
also noted that the project is consistent with MassDOTÕs
goals and policies, and has environmental justice and economic benefits.
Some of the 153
commenters also noted that the Community
Path Extension would serve as a vital link to the network by providing safe
access to Boston, jobs, transit, and other destinations. Some noted that it
would enhance quality of life by improving opportunities for physical activity
and improving air quality. And some stated that it would help maintain
financial stability by reducing car ownership and usage.
Amendment Two
Amendment Two
includes the following changes to the FFY 2012 element of the TIP:
á cost increases for the Belmont/Watertown –Trapelo Road project
(the cost increase was accommodated with funds from the Concord/Lincoln – Route 2 and 2A (CrosbyÕs Corner) project
and with target funds)
á cost increase to the Somerville Community Path, Cedar to Lowell Street project
á cost increase to the Danvers – Route 35 (Water Street) bridge project
á change in programming of funds for the Boston – Chelsea Street bridge (to
reflect that the project will be complete in FFY 2012 rather than FFY 2013)
á change in year of programming for two
earmarks:
o
Acton/Maynard – Assabet
River Rail Trail (Construction) moved to the FFY 2014 element
o
Boston – Improvements to Gainsborough
and St. Botolph Streets moved to the FFY 2013 element
á adjustments to Grant Anticipation Note (GANs)
payments for the Central Artery/Tunnel
project
á cost adjustments for two Accelerated Bridge
Program projects
o
Boston/Cambridge – Longfellow Bridge
o
Quincy/Weymouth – Route 3A over the
Fore River
á change in year of programming for the Boston – Morton Street over the MBTA
and CSX Railroad project (moved to FFY 2013)
á change in year of programming for transit
programs funded under Sections 5307 and 5309 (moved to FFY 2013 due to the
Federal Transit AdministrationÕs schedule for awarding grants)
á programming of grants awarded through the Job
Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Programs
Approval of Amendment
A motion to
approve Amendment Two of the FFYs 2012-15 TIP was made by the Inner Core
Committee (City of Somerville) (Tom Bent), and was seconded by the Metropolitan
Area Planning Council (MAPC) (Eric Bourassa).
A motion to amend
the previous motion to shift $7.6 million from the Station Accessibility line item in the FFY 2012 element to the Track Right of Way line item, in order
to fully-fund the Haverhill Double Track
Program, was made by the MBTA (Joe Cosgrove), and seconded by the MBTA
Advisory Board (Paul Regan).
During a
discussion of the motion, J. Cosgrove explained that the Haverhill Double Track Program has increased in cost from $17.4
million to $26.9 million due to the need for additional drainage work and the
reconstruction of the bridge over Route 133. The additional $7.6 million would
allow the project to proceed without a suspension.
D. Mohler asked if the MBTA plans to fund the Station Accessibility projects (which
include upgrades to elevators and escalators) that would be defunded in FFY
2012 in a future year. J. Cosgrove replied that the MBTA expects, based on the
federal reauthorization (MAP-21), to fully-fund those projects in FFY 2013 and
FFY 2014.
Members discussed
the implications of accepting the MBTAÕs amendment to the motion. D. Mohler noted that the MPO will need to decide whether the
proposed change is substantial enough to require Amendment Two to be released
for another public review period. David Anderson, MassDOT
Highway Division, noted that another 30-day public review period would not have
a substantial impact on the advertising of highway projects in the TIP. (Those
to be advertised in FFY 2012 must be advertised by September 30.)
Dennis Crowley, South
West Advisory Planning Committee (Town of Medway), expressed concern about the
significant increase in the project cost and asked whether the additional work
would have an impact on the publicÕs use of the roadways in the project area.
J. Cosgrove explained that the issues concerning the drainage and bridge work
came up during the permitting process and were not part of the original project
scope. There was a public process during the permitting process.
Jim Gillooly, City of Boston (Boston Transportation
Department), noted that resolving the matter in a third amendment of the TIP is
an option, if the body did not want to incorporate the changes into Amendment
Two. If refocusing this funding does not jeopardize projects that would
otherwise be moving forward, he said that he would be comfortable addressing
this as a comment on Amendment Two and voting on the amendment at this meeting.
T. Bent asked if
the reduction of funds in the Station
Accessibility line item would affect scheduled improvements to any specific
transit station this year. J. Cosgrove replied that the schedule for those
improvements has not yet been finalized.
D. Mohler asked if the MBTA is certain that the federal
reauthorization is certain to fill the gap in funding that will be created in
the Station Accessibility line item.
J. Cosgrove indicated yes.
Members voted on
the motion to amend TIP Amendment Two by shifting $7.6 million from the Station Accessibility line item in the
FFY 2012 element to the Track Right of
Way line item, in order to fully-fund the Haverhill Double Track Program. The motion carried.
Members agreed
that this change would not require the TIP amendment to be released for another
public review period.
Members then voted on the motion to approve TIP Amendment Two as amended. The motion carried.
A motion to
approve the minutes of the meeting of June 21 was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and
seconded by the MetroWest Regional Collaborative
(Town of Framingham) (Dennis Giombetti). The motion
carried.
A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 28 was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) (T. Bent). The motion carried.
Members were
presented with the work program for the MassDOT Road Inventory
Supplemental Grant. This work program would enrich the data in MassDOTÕs Road Inventory database, so that the database
contains proper street names and other new information, and thereby improve the
MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles DivisionÕs (RMV)
Crash Data System. This work will allow for more accurate reporting of the
locations of motor vehicle crashes.
CTPS will hire
two interns for this project. This project is in the Unified Planning Work
Program (UPWP) and will be funded with a special grant from MassDOT.
A motion to
approve the work program for the MassDOT Road Inventory
Supplemental Grant was made by the Inner Core Committee (City of
Somerville) (T. Bent), and seconded by MAPC (E. Bourassa). The motion carried.
During a
discussion of the motion D. Crowley asked why MassDOT
chose CTPS to do this work rather than to release a Request for Proposals. D. Mohler replied that CTPS was chosen in the interest of time
and cost and because of the quality of CTPSÕs data work.
Laura Wiener, At-Large
Town (Town of Arlington), asked if the results of this work would be transferable
to the municipal level to benefit their crash reporting. K. Quackenbush and D. Mohler replied yes; the project would enrich the existing
crash reporting system to which municipal police report crashes.
J. Gillooly asked if staff would be working with police on
this project. K. Quackenbush replied that staff would be interacting only with
databases. D. Mohler added that it is the RMV that
interacts with the police to ensure that crash data is reported correctly.
Members were
presented with the work program for the MBTA
Transit Contribution to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases. This study would
be conducted for the MBTA, which participates in the American Public
Transportation Association (APTA) Sustainability Commitment.
CTPS would
conduct an analysis to illustrate the value of transit in terms of greenhouse
gas (GHG) emission savings. Staff would conduct six model runs. The first would
model the existing MBTA system, to establish a baseline. Four other runs would
model the system minus each mode in turn (bus, commuter rail, etc.) to show the
impact on GHG emissions if that mode were not available to transit users. The
last run would model the transportation system if the entirety of the MBTA
services were not operating. The model runs would produce a set of travel
measures and GHG metrics. The study would focus on the pollutants carbon
dioxide and methane.
A great deal of
analystsÕ judgment will be applied to the model results to ensure that they are
sensible. Rather extreme scenarios are going to be modeled, and it will be more
important than ever before to make sure that the results presented are
credible. Also, it will be
important to stress that the travel behavior modeled would be that which would
be most likely to occur in the immediate aftermath of shutting down one part of
the MBTA. Longer term, travelers could adjust where they work, shop, or live,
as well as their auto ownership, if the transit system were to be drastically
altered for a long time.
The work program
would be funded by the MBTA. It is not included in the UPWP, but due to delays
in the startup of one other project, there is a window now during which the
work could be performed without delaying any pre-existing projects
Members discussed
the work program.
Paul Regan, MBTA
Advisory Board, asked if APTA provided any guidelines for such studies, so that
comparisons could be made nationwide. K. Quackenbush explained that staff would
use transit metrics that APTA has agreed to, so the study results should be
consistent with other studies.
David Koses, At-Large City (City of Newton), asked if this study
would help prepare the regional travel model for potential future model runs
that would test MBTA service cuts. K. Quackenbush replied that the model is
well equipped to run such tests now. He added that staff will be able to learn
from this study and be better prepared for future work involving the study of
GHG emissions and the transportation system.
David Kucharsky, At-Large Town (Town of Lexington), asked if this
study involves analyses similar to those done for the MBTA fare hikes. K.
Quackenbush replied that the fare hike scenarios tested significant cuts in
MBTA bus service, but not to the extent that this study would model the total
elimination of each mode in turn.
D. Mohler asked if the study would involve testing the removal
of services provided by other Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), or only
those of the MBTA. K. Quackenbush replied that the model includes the RTA
services, but the study would only test the removal of MBTA services.
D. Mohler asked if the study would result in changes to the regional
model. K. Quackenbush replied that some future such changes could occur, but
that the study would definitely enhance staffÕs understanding of travel
phenomenon under extreme assumptions.
E. Bourassa asked
if the model can estimate bicycle trips. K. Quackenbush replied that bicycle
trips are captured under the Ònon-motorized modeÓ category, which includes
bicycling and walking trips. Currently, extra steps must be taken to separate
the bicycle trips from the walking trips. The next generation of models will
separate the two modes. Attention was given to this matter when the Statewide
Household Travel Survey was designed. Data gathered during the survey is being
incorporated into the model now and will be active in the model next year.
A motion to approve the work program for MBTA Transit Contribution to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa), and seconded by the Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) (T. Bent). The motion carried.
Members were
presented with the work program for the Federal Transit Administration Formula Grant
Funding Review. This work program would be conducted for the MBTA, which is
interested in better understanding how the Federal Transit AdministrationÕs
(FTA) formula funding program works. FTA releases formula funds annually to
Urbanized Areas (UZA). Those funds are allocated based on data from the
National Transit Database (NTD) and the census. The RTAs in the Boston UZA have
an agreement about how those funds are split.
CTPS would
prepare a memorandum about the formula funding programs and build a spreadsheet
tool. This tool would allow the MBTA to test scenarios to determine the
following: the impact on the MBTA budget if the formulas were altered; level of
service changes that might alter the NTD data and result in changes to the
MBTAÕs allocation; or the impact to the MBTA of changes in the overall amount
of formula funds.
This study would
be funded by the MBTA. It is not in the UPWP, but the MBTA client is very
flexible as to when it is fit into the staffÕs work program, and that will be
accomplished without causing delay to any pre-existing project.
During a
discussion of this work program, J. Cosgrove noted that the RTAs in this region
have not revisited the split agreement for formula funds since the 2000 census.
This work program would inform any discussion about the split.
D. Mohler asked about how many transit agenciesÕ data would be
included in the spreadsheet and about plans for the maintenance of the
spreadsheet. K. Quackenbush replied that the spreadsheet would be set up with
contemporary data from all the transit agencies in the country that report to
the NTD. There are no plans for CTPS to maintain this spreadsheet in the coming
years. The spreadsheet would be turned over to the MBTA, and it would be their
responsibility to refresh the data in it for use in future years.
A motion to
approve the work program for the Federal Transit Administration Formula Grant
Funding Review was made by the MassDOT Highway
Division (J. Romano), and seconded by the Inner Core Committee (City of
Somerville) (T. Bent). The motion carried. MassDOT
(Secretary) (D. Mohler) abstained.
The annual MPO
election will be held on October 24 at the MAPC Fall Council meeting. MAPC and
the MBTA Advisory Board will oversee the election.
The seats of the
Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination
(MAGIC) and the South Shore Coalition are open for election this year. Any
municipality in those two subregions can run. A
candidate municipality must be nominated by any of five municipalities in the
MPO region (101 municipalities). Nominations are due by September 28. Ballots
will be mailed thereafter. A CandidatesÕ Forum will be held on October 10.
In response to
membersÕ requests, a schedule of membersÕ terms will be distributed.
According to its
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the MPO must review its MOU annually.
Members were asked to review the document and inform staff if they have any
suggested amendments to the document. The MPO will address this issue next
month.
G. Bresnahan gave a preliminary briefing on the federal
reauthorization of the transportation legislation. Moving Ahead for Progress in
the 21st Century (MAP-21) was signed into law on July 6, 2012. Key
points from his presentation are summarized below.
MAP-21 provides
$118 billion for highway, transit, and transit safety programs through
September 30, 2014. It maintains highway and
transit funding at current levels adjusted for inflation in 2014, and it
maintains the 80/20 highway/transit funding split. It contains no federal earmarks. Highway funds
apportioned to Massachusetts are $588 million in FFY 2013 and $593 million in
FFY 2014.
Highway programs have been consolidated into four core programs: the
National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), Surface Transportation Program
(STP), Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and Congestion Mitigation and
Air Quality Program (CMAQ). MAP-21 expands the TIFIA credit assistance program
significantly. It includes provisions for project streamlining and promotes
performance-based investment decisions.
The NHPP
consolidates the Interstate Maintenance (IM) and National Highway System (NHS)
programs and the on-system portion of the Highway Bridge Program. States are
required to set performance goals to improve the condition and performance of
the NHS consistent with national goals and performance management measures.
The STP is expanded to include off-system bridges as well as certain
consolidated programs authorized under the new Transportation Alternatives
Program including enhancements, recreational trails, ferry boats and terminal
facilities and, Safe Routes to School. A new category has been added to address
Òboulevards and other roadways largely in the right of way of former Interstate
routes and divided highways.Ó Fifty
percent of the Transportation Alternatives Program funds are sub allocated to
MPOs with populations over 200,000 to operate competitive grant programs.
The CMAQ and HSIP programs remain intact. The current prohibition on the
use of CMAQ funds for the construction of single-occupancy vehicle lanes has
been removed.
States are
guaranteed a 95% rate of return on their Highway Trust Fund contributions. When
a state receives its distribution of highway funds, the CMAQ and Metropolitan
Planning set-asides are taken Òoff the topÓ and the balance distributed to the
remaining programs, with 63.7% for NHPP, 29.3% for STP, and 7% for HSIP.
Within 18
months of the enactment of MAP-21, the U.S. DOT will establish performance
measures in consultation with states, MPOs, and other stakeholders. States will
be required to establish performance targets within one year of final
rulemaking. MPOs will be required to establish regional performance targets in
coordination with the state within 180 days after the adoption of state
performance targets.
Other highway
provisions include: the establishment of the National Bridge and Tunnel
Inventory and Standards Program; the establishment of a National Freight
Policy; an increase in federal share for freight mobility projects; the
categorization of the Ferry Boat and Terminal Facilities Program as a formula
program; and the redefining of the Metropolitan and Statewide Planning Process
as a performance-based process.
There are seven
national goals set for the highway system: safety (reducing fatalities and
injuries); infrastructure condition (maintaining the system in a state of good
repair); congestion reduction; system reliability (improving efficiency of the
system); freight movement and economic vitality; environmental sustainability;
and reduced project delivery delays.
On the transit side, MAP-21 recalibrates distribution formulas for
several core transit programs and requires recipients of funds to develop
Transit Asset Management Plans. MAP-21 expands the use of performance measures
and targets to evaluate transit system condition and performance. Apportionments
for Massachusetts are not available at this time.
Changes to the transit program include: the categorization of the Bus
and Bus Facilities and State of Good Repair programs as formula programs; the
incorporation of the JARC program as part of the Section 5307 formula program;
the incorporation of the Elderly and Disabled and New Freedom programs into a
single Section 5310 program; the replacement of the Fixed Guideway
Modernization Program with a new State of Good Repair program; the
establishment of the High Intensity Motorbus State of Good Repair Program; and
a streamlining of the New Starts process.
The next steps
are for Congress to approve final funding authorizations through the annual
budget appropriations process. It does not appear as though Congress will act
before September 30, 2012, however, and a continuing resolution may be
required. FHWA and FTA will also need to develop implementing regulations for
MAP-21.
Members
discussed this information.
L. Wiener
raised the issue of how the MAP-21 changes would impact the MPOÕs programming
of the FFY 2013 TIP and whether projects would be delayed. G. Bresnahan noted that the MPO should not expect that funding
for projects programmed in the FFY 2013 TIP would be affected, and that the MPO
should expect similar funding levels in FFY 2013 as it had it FFY 2012. He
emphasized that MPOs will want to be cognizant of the national goals set out in
MAP-21 and be aware that states will be held accountable for their investment
decisions.
J. Gillooly asked if MAP-21 addresses the issue of
pre-existing earmarks. G. Bresnahan explained that
there is no language in the bill regarding rescissions to existing earmarks.
Existing earmarks would be preserved as long as proponents are actively
implementing them.
D. Mohler addressed a question about bridges. He explained
that on-system bridges are those that were part of the NHS (which has been
absorbed into the NHPP program) and are federal-aid eligible. Off-system
bridges are those on local roads that are not federal-aid eligible. Off-system
bridges are now federal-aid eligible under the STP program.
T. Bent asked if the
streamlining of the New Starts process would affect the application of the Green Line Extension project. D. Mohler stated that MassDOT does
not expect that the project will be affected.
E. Bourassa
announced that the Hubway bike share system is
expanding to Cambridge, Brookline, and Somerville. New stations have been
installed in CambridgeÕs Central Square and Harvard Square. A bicycling event
will be held on August 8. T. Bent added that new stations are being installed
in Somerville as well.
A motion to adjourn was made by the MassDOT Highway Division (J. Romano) and seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (P. Regan). The motion carried.
|
Members |
Representatives
and
Alternates |
|
At-Large City (City of Everett) |
James Errickson |
|
At-Large City (City of Newton) At-Large Town (Town of Arlington) |
David Koses Laura Wiener |
|
At-Large Town (Town of Lexington) |
David Kucharsky |
|
City of Boston (Boston Redevelopment Authority) |
Lara MŽrida |
|
City of Boston (Boston Transportation Department) |
Jim Gillooly Tom Kadzis |
|
Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) |
Tom Bent |
|
Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
David Mohler David Anderson |
|
MassDOT Highway Division |
John Romano |
|
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
Joe Cosgrove |
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
Paul Regan |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa Eric Halvorsen |
|
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (Town of
Framingham) |
Dennis Giombetti |
|
North Shore Task Force (City of Beverly)
|
Denise Deschamps |
|
North Suburban Planning Council (City of Woburn) |
Ed Tarallo |
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Steve Olanoff |
|
South Shore Coalition (Town of Braintree) |
Christine Stickney |
|
South West Advisory Planning Committee (Town of Medway) |
Dennis Crowley |
|
|
|
|
Other
Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
Benjamin Bloomenthal |
MBTA |
|
Pat Brown |
|
|
Rep. Will Brownsberger |
State Representative |
|
Idva Calno |
Boston Transportation Department |
|
Callida Cenizal |
MassDOT Office of
Transportation Planning |
|
Paul D. Guertin Joe Onorato Chris Reilly Kevin Sheehan |
Coler and Colantonio
Engineers MassDOT Highway Division Town of Lincoln Town of Holbrook |
|
MPO
Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Karl Quackenbush, Executive Director |
|
Daniel Amstutz |
|
Maureen Kelly |
|
Robin Mannion Anne McGahan |
|
Elizabeth Moore |
|
Sean Pfalzer |
|
Mary Ellen Sullivan |
|
Pam Wolfe |