Sept. 2nd Board of Transportation Meeting

*Thanks to Jim Humphrey with the City of Charlotte for sharing these notes he took at the meeting.

Draft Project Prioritization Process for Urban Loops-Don Voelker gave a presentation emphasizing the draft nature. He listed 6 principles guiding development including support statewide growth, data driven and transparent, consistent with overall strategic prioritization process (i.e. for non loop projects), include benefit/cost, subject to public review and allow Secretary of DOT to have ability to change ranking (but he will have to explain basis). Project will be scored utilizing need and benefit factors. Need factors and their potential scoring emphasis included congestion (high), safety (low) and pavement condition (low). Benefit factors included travel time saving (high), environmental readiness (low to medium), air quality (medium to high), economic development potential (high), freight movement (medium), multimodal (medium) and land use (medium). The rating for economic development is determined based upon Dept of Commerce info. Ultimately projects across the state will be compared based upon their “Priority Ratio” which is their Need Factors score plus Benefit Factors score divided by the project cost. It was stated other factors that will be considered in scheduling projects include build useable segments (is it a segment that begins and ends in a logical place), avoid lapse in planning documents, paying for cash flow for projects started in previous years, apply funds based upon favorable construction conditions (low construction cost due to contractor availability) and the amount of non-loop (non-DOT funds) funding provided (such as thru public/private, TIFIA, Tolls, etc.). The implementation schedule includes production of a pilot report outlining the methodology, BOT input, MPO input from loop areas, a 30 day comment period via the web site and finalization in the spring of 2010 (presumably so the new method could be used in prioritization of new loop projects, not current loop projects, for the new 5 Year Work Program). Don’s presentation should be on the NCDOT web site.

Sustainability-Lacy Love updated the Environment and Planning Committee regarding a “Sustainability in Transportation” peer exchange he and others from NCDOT attended sponsored by USDOT and others. He spoke of the “triple bottom line” approach to sustainability by evaluating performance on the basis of economic, social and environmental impacts and allocating equal consideration to these driving forces in project and operational decisions. He stated next steps for NCDOT included clarifying what sustainability means to NCDOT and their role, inventorying what they already do since some actions already consider sustainable criteria (example, LED signals) and continuing dialog with AASHTO, local communities and other resource agencies regarding their efforts. The presentation was for information only at this point, but it seems clear NCDOT is very interested in pursuing the concept. If you want to see an example, the state of Washington produces a sustainability report each year which is probably on their web site. Lacy’s presentation should be on the DOT website.

New Federal Rules on Mitigation-Bill Gilmore updated the Safety and Emerging Issues Committee on new rules which the NCDOT must comply with by June 2010. A copy of Bill’s presentation should be on the NCDOT web site.

Legislative Update-Johanna Reese updated the group on a number of bills and other legislation. Some of the info that I highlight include (pardon me if the bill numbers are incorrect) HB 881 which among other things authorizes the DOT to sell salt and stone to municipalities and counties, SB 648 which allows the NCDOT to pay developers directly for road improvements, HB 12 which clarifies how GARVEE funds will be accounted for in Equity Formula calculations, HB 148 (Intermodal Bill) that authorizes sales tax and other revenue options for transit, HB 1617 that places the Turnpike Authority in NCDOT, SB 200 which puts a floor on the gas tax and SB 750 which clarifies gap funds which the legislature authorized for the NCTA will not be subject to the equity formula. It was mentioned that a statewide bill was approved that allows golf carts on public roads under certain conditions and authorizes local fees for licensing (no bill number was given). Johanna indicated a number of studies were authorized (but not mandated) on subjects such as the Equity Formula, reducing costs via various paving methods, and tolling at state lines.

Complete Streets-Tom Norman indicated a process will be presented to senior DOT leadership for approval soon which suggests a DOT and Stakeholder group (including municipalities and MPOs) be formed to develop a complete streets workbook that could be given to stakeholders. Timetable for production of the workbook is 12 months. He also mentioned a goal to change DOT geometric and design standards so they better align with the complete street philosophy. Quarterly updates will be given to the Multimodal Committee regarding DOT efforts to pursue the complete streets philosophy and measures will be developed.

Bide and Ped Applications-Tom Norman indicated that this Friday the NCDOT will call for applications for Bike and Ped planning grants. 90 communities now have Bike and Ped Plans. In the future, cities that have Bike and Ped plans will be more likely to receive bike and ped funding.

I-85 Corridor Study/Yadkin River Bridge-Jim Trogden mentioned the NCDOT had begun soliciting contractors for the design/build project submitted for Stimulus discressionary money. I believe the NCDOT wants to have a contractor chosen and ready to begin work in the event project funding is authorized by the feds. Jim indicated he expects the state to “fare well” on it’s application (a similar indication was stated in his remarks at the recent Metro Mayors luncheon in Concord).

5 Year Work Plan-Board was given an update of work to develop a 5 year work plan. An interim 5 year work plan was handed to Board members which essentially takes current projects and initiatives and places them in a new format. Major sections of the plan/format include a timetable for developing 20, 10 and 5 year programs, a summary of program areas and where all transportation funds go, a summary of expenditures (by mode, tier and region), a detailed project listing (by division, mode and TIP number), project support costs, operations and maintenance summary, administrative funding, listing of where other DOT funds are going and targets for measuring successful administration of the budget. The interim work plan is intended to be in place until the Board approves a new work plan next May. Jim Trogden indicated it merely contained what they are currently doing and working on and that it did not have a strategic focus. MPOs and localities will be invited to comment on the new format and will be involved in development of the new work plan. I do not know if the interim work plan is on the DOT web site.

I was unable to attend the Rail and Transit Committees meetings. The TIP Committee did not meet.