Surface Transportation Committee (STC) Meeting
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
Annotated Agenda
6100 Southport Road
Portage, Indiana 46368
(219) 763-6060
www.nirpc.org
Call to Order by Chairman and Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment on Agenda Items
This is an opportunity for comments from members of the audience. The amount of time available to speak will be limited to 3 minutes. Commenters must indicate their wish to comment in advance with the Chair or NIRPC staff.
Minutes of November 14, 2023 (p. 1)
Action Requested: Approval
Notice of Funding Availability Scoring Discussion (pp. 2 - 5)
Action Requested: Informational. Staff will lead a discussion on proposed changes to the Notice of Funding Availability for Roadway Modifications and gather input.
Transformational and Discretionary Projects Update
Action Requested: Informational. This is an opportunity for communities to discuss progress on their transformational and discretionary grant-funded projects.
Staff Updates
This is an opportunity for NIRPC staff to provide relevant updates.
2024 1st Quarter Safety, Travel Time Reliability, Freight, and Congestion Update
Traffic Count Program Update
Road Safety Audits Program Update
Adjournment. The next STC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the NIRPC building.
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.
Surface Transportation Committee Lake Michigan Room YouTube Recording:
Surface Transportation Committee Meeting 11-14-23 (youtube.com)
November 14, 2023 Minutes
George Topoll called the Surface Transportation Committee (STC) meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions.
In attendance were Mark O’Dell (Chesterton), Jeff Huet (Schererville), George Topoll (Union Township), Edward Vasquez, and Max Rehlander (Valparaiso).
NIRPC staff present were Scott Weber, Tom Vander Woude, Jen Birchfield, Kevin Polette, and Flor Baum.
On motion by Jeff Huet, second by Mark O’Dell, the STC voted to approve the August 29, 2023 minutes as presented.
There were no public comments.
Transformational Projects and Federal Discretionary Grant Awards Updates
Communities spoke on the updates of their transformational projects and federal discretionary grant awards. The Town of Schererville’s Kennedy Av project has had the NEPA reopened due to the Federal Railroad Administration. Letting is slated for the fall of 2024. Union Township’s Willowcreek project is slated to start Ph I in the late fall of 2024. Ph II is slated for 2029.
2023 3rd Quarter Safety, Travel Time Reliability (TTR), Freight, and Congestion Update
Scott spoke on the 2023 Safety and Travel Time Reliability (TTR), Truck Travel Time Reliability (TTTR) and Congestion updates for the 3rd quarter. There were 6,297 total collisions for the 3rd quarter, of which 1,662 resulted in injuries, and 25 resulted in fatalities. Cumulative collision data for Lake, Porter, and La Porte County were displayed. The TTR has lowered to 84.3% YTD, which is 8.7% below the 93% TTR 2023 target. Traffic congestion is due to I-80/94 Westbound. The Non- Interstate TTR is at 96.2% YTD, which is 3.2% above the 93% 2023 target. TTTR was at 1.38, which was .06 below the 2023 1.32 target. For more information, please contact Scott Weber at sweber@nirpc.org.
Traffic Count Program Update
Scott spoke on the traffic count update. NIRPC is planning to sign a contract with INDOT in 2024 to perform traffic counts on a three-year rolling basis for over 1K stations throughout NWI. Only non- state-owned facilities will be counted in Porter and Lake County; state routes will not be counted. La Porte County will count both types of facilities. For more information, contact Scott.
Staff Updates
Jen Birchfield spoke on the Coastal Resiliency Project. NIRPC has been contracted by the Department of Natural Resources to help develop the Watershed Hazards Resiliency Needs Assessment. The assessment focuses on preparedness for potential flooding and erosion. Watershed communities are encouraged to fill out the assessment. For more information, contact Jen at jbirchfield@nirpc.org.
Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:24 a.m. The next STC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the NIRPC building.
1
ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS | ||||||
Name of municipality or transit operator: Name of applicant on behalf of municipality or transit operator: | County | |||||
Roadway Modifications application (see program + project types tab for more info) | Financial information about project: Total in $ Max. fed share Min. local share Your match | |||||
Below are the project types for this program | Tier | Total estimated construction | $ - | $ - | ||
Intersection safety modifications | 1 | |||||
Intelligent Transportation Systems | 2 | |||||
Pavement rehabilitation or reconstruction | 2 | |||||
Railway-highway grade crossings | 2 | |||||
Intersection congestion modifications | 2 | |||||
Traffic monitoring / management / control | 2 | |||||
Bridge replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction | 2 | |||||
Emergency communications equipment / priority control systems | 2 | |||||
Travel demand management strategies / programs | 2 | |||||
Construction and operational modifications on high-risk rural roads | 2 | |||||
Safety devices/control, rumbles, skid resist., or remove obstacles at crash loc. | 3 | |||||
Congestion pricing development / implementation | 3 | |||||
Highway signs for retroreflectivity | 3 | |||||
Pavement and shoulder widening to remedy unsafe conditions | 3 | |||||
Fringe and corridor parking facilities / programs | 3 | |||||
Protection for bridges including inspections | 3 | |||||
Conduct model traffic enforcement activity at rail/highway crossing | 3 | |||||
Promote/educate highway safety matters + project to enforce law | 3 | |||||
Choose a project type for this application ▼ | ||||||
Maps | ||||||
Function Classification | Click Here | |||||
Motorized & Non-Motorized Crashes | ||||||
Transit Access | ||||||
Residential Density / Dwelling Units | ||||||
Major Employment Centers | ||||||
Environmental Justice | ||||||
Step
$ - | ||||
Do you want funds for PE/ROW? If so which one? For PE/ROW you may use federal aid up to ► | ||||
$ - | $ - | |||
1
Step
How much do you propose contributing to the construction costs? ▲
cost (Please use CY 2023
dollars)
Does this amount include CE? (y/n)
According to your match entry you are over/under matched by ►
(Percentage of total est CN cost)
2 How much do you propose requesting in PE/ROW? ▲ Add'l overmatch ▲
If you elect to pay for PE/ROW with local funds that amount will be considered overmatch for scoring purposes.
Step 3 | You have elected to match your construction costs at the rate of ► | #DIV/0! |
You have elected to request PE/ROW funds at the rate of ► | #DIV/0! | |
Your total match for scoring purposes is ► | #DIV/0! |
Project Need and Purpose |
What is the problem/issue that this project will address? (Project Need) ▼ |
Please describe what your project seeks to accomplish, be descriptive (Project Purpose)▼ |
General Project Information | ||||||||
Please give the total estimated PE cost for all phases. | Are you seeking HSIP funding?(y/n) | |||||||
Please give the total estimated ROW cost for all phases. | Is this project eligible for CMAQ funding?(y/n) | |||||||
Please give the total estimated CN cost for all phases. | Road/trail name/other identifier ▼ | |||||||
Please give the total estimated CE cost for all phases. | ||||||||
How many phases are expected in this project? | Limits | Begin | ||||||
Will this project add roadway capacity? (y/n) ► | End | |||||||
Will this project seek to flex funds from FHWA to FTA? (y/n) ► | If PE is requested, what is the desired year? (CY/na) | |||||||
Environmental Document & Permits | If ROW is requested, what is the desired year? (CY/n | |||||||
Environmental Investigation Completed? | What is the desired year for CN? (CY/na) | |||||||
Anticipated NEPA Document Required | Does this project address a gap in existing service? (y/n) | |||||||
NEPA Document Status | Is this project Regionally Significant? (y/n) | |||||||
Anticipated Permits | Bridge Projects | |||||||
Right of Way Needs | What is the NBI # | |||||||
New ROW Required (temporary or permanent) | What is the scope? | |||||||
If Yes, Number of Parcels (1-99) | Is this a Select or Non-select bridge? | |||||||
If Yes, Types of Parcels | What is the current posted weight limit? | |||||||
Does this project touch Right of Way belonging to INDOT? If yes | Railroad and/or Utilities Needs | |||||||
please provide concurrance documentation. (y/n) ► | Utilities Impacted? | |||||||
If yes, what percentage ► | % | If Yes, Location of Utilities | ||||||
If Yes, Relocations required? | ||||||||
Railroad Impacted? | ||||||||
If Yes, are Improvements being made? | ||||||||
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(400yds = 0.227 mi)
changed from: Does the project reduce emissions? Please use FHWA CMAQ calculator located here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/cmaq/toolkit/index.cfm Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question
Changed from: Does the project include Living Streets elements? Elements may include: stormwater management or rain garden; biodiversity; land conservation; bio-swales; native vegetation in the road rights-of-way; permeable
3
pavement in rights-of-ways; bio-retention curb
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Asset Management (weighted 25%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | |||||||
How does the project contribute to roadway asset management? Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q1 Roadway’s current pavement PASER rating is less than 5 – 5 pts Roadway’s current pavement PASER rating is 5 or greater – 0 pts | ||||||||||
What is the functional classification of the route? Please consult the functional classification map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Local roads are not eligible for federal funds. Maximum 5 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q2 Principal arterial – 5 pts Minor collector – 0 pts Minor arterial – 3 pts Major collector – 3 pts | ||||||||||
If this is a bridge project, give the appropiate score from the Bridges! tab. Maximum 6 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q3 0-3 - 0 pts 4-7 - 3 pts 8-10 - 6 pts | ||||||||||
What is the ADT for this road / bridge? Maximum 5 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q4 ≥ 18,000 - 8 pts 12,000 < > 8,000 - 4 pts 18,000 < > 12,000 - 6 pts 8,000 < > 12,000 - 2 pts ≤ 8,000 - 0 pts | ||||||||||
Safety | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | |||||||
Is the proposed project requesting HSIP funds? Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Max 5 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q5 Yes – 5 pts No – 0 pts | ||||||||||
What is the mororized and non-mororized crash rate directly in the project area? Please reference crash severity map. Please contact cbradsky@nirpc.org for further information on the map. In case of different rates, use the higher rate. Maximum 5 pts given. Q6 | ||||||||||
High location - 5 pts Lower location - 1 pts Medium location - 3 pts Other location - 0 pts | Motorized | |||||||||
Non-Motorized | ||||||||||
Access & Connections (Weighted 15%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | |||||||
What is the residential density within four hundred yards of the proposed project? Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 3 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q7 5 or more/acre – 3 pts 1-1.99 – 1 pts 2-4.99 – 2 pts Less than 1 – 0 pts | moved from 1/2 mile to 400 yds | |||||||||
What is the average of the walk score and the bike score for the project location? Please visit www.walkscore.com and input an address nearby the location. If the project is linear in scope, please take the average score of three pts along the project which would include the endpoints and middle. If the project is a single location, enter the same walk and bike scores three times. Please contact mbarloga@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given. Q8 | ||||||||||
Below 50 – 5 pts 50-74 – 3 pts 75-100 – 0 pts | Walk score location 1 | Walk score location 2 | Walk score location 3 | Final Average | ||||||
Bike score location 1 | Bike score location 2 | Bike score location 3 | #DIV/0! | |||||||
Average | #DIV/0! | Average | #DIV/0! | Average | #DIV/0! | |||||
What is the transit access of the location of the project area, including bus stops, commuter rail stations? Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this Q9 question. Maximum 6 pts given. The location is within 800 yds of a rapid bus stop or commuter rail staton - 6 pts The location is within 400 yrds of a bus stop - 2 pts | ||||||||||
How will the project enhance network connectivity (immediate, directly connected to) ? Please consult the functional classification map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 4 pts given. | ||||||||||
Q10 Connects to other principal arterials or higher classification roadways on both sides of the new road – 4 pts Connects to another principal arterial or higher classification roadway on one side – 2 pts Connects to a minor arterial – 1 pt Connects roads classified as collectors or lower – 0 pts | ||||||||||
How does the project assist with access for job commuters? Major employment centers must be within 400 yards of the proposed project. Please reference Major Employment Center Q11 map. Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given. | ||||||||||
Major area (Dark Green)– 5 pts Minor Area (Yellow) - 2 pts Moderate (Light Green) - 3 pts Not in area (Blank) - 0 pts | ||||||||||
Environmental Benefits (Weighted 10%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | |||||||
Is the proposed project requesting CMAQ funds? Please use FHWA CMAQ calculator located here: Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this Q12 question. Max 5 pts given. | ||||||||||
Yes – 5 pts No – 0 pts | added | |||||||||
Does the project include Living Streets elements? Elements may include: stormwater management or rain garden; biodiversity; land conservation; bio-swales; native Q13 vegetation in the road rights-of-way; permeable pavement in rights-of-ways; bio-retention curb extension; infiltration trench; wildlife crossing or other elements of Green Infrastucture, Complete Streets or Univeral Design. The proposed project is allowed one point for every 1,000 sft. Rounding up is not allowed Maximum 3 pts given. | ||||||||||
DISCUSS
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DISCUSS; maybe reduce point given?
4
Economic Generation (Weighted 0%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | ||||
Q14 Not applicable | |||||||
Local/Regional Plans + Policy Support (Weighted 20%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | ||||
Is this currently a legacy project? A legacy project is defined to be a stand alone project or a phase of a project that has an approved NEPA document, or the project or phase has Q15 already received federal funding through NIRPC. If so, give the INDOT des number. Maximum 5 pts given. | |||||||
Yes - 5 pts No - 0 pts Des # | |||||||
How does the project advance local plans or policies? Project may be cited in local comprehensive plan, thoroughfare plan, capital improvements program, traffic impact fee plan, Complete Streets or other local plan/study. Please describe plans and policies. Maximum 5 pts given. | |||||||
Q16 3 or more policy/plans - 5 pts 2 policy/plans - 1 pts No policy/plans - 0 pts | Changed from 2 to 3, and from 1 to 2 | ||||||
How does the project advance region plans or policies? Please describe how the project achieves objectives in regional plans or policies and cite those plans and policies. Please contact eibrahim@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given. Project is cited in current long-range plan (NWI 2050, NWI 2050+), located in a Creating Livable Communities “Main Center” (see Main Center map), Living Streets, or other published plan for the region that includes at least all of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties – 5 pts Q17 Project is one of the 22 segments identified in the Regional Corridors Study (please reference the Regional Corridors Study) – 5 pts Project is not cited in any of the above – 0 pts | |||||||
How does the project adhere to the MPO’s Congestion Management Process? Please reference Congested Corridors Map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts given. The project location is directly connected to a section of road or intersection with a current Level of Service (LOS) E or F – 5 pts Q18 The project location is directly connected to a section of road or intersection with a current Level of Service D – 3 pts The project location is directly connected to a section of road or intersection with current Level of Service C or better – 0 pts Changed 'within 0.5 mi' to 'directly connected'; added 'current' | |||||||
Partnerships / Collaborations (Weighted 15%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | ||||
Do the project limits cross and/or benefit municipal/county boundries? If yes please list all LPAs. Maximum 5 pts given. | |||||||
Partnerships involving 3 or more LPAs- 5 pts Q19 Partnership with two LPAs - 3 pts No partnerships - 0 pts | List partners here: | ||||||
Are there any funding agreements committed to with other partners? Please describe the partnerships including entity, funding amount, and phase for funds to be directed towards. Please contact mbarloga@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Partners may include: a. Indiana DOT; b. Another municipality or County; c. Advocacy groups; d. Foundations; e. Private sector; f. School districts; g. other regional entities. Maximum 6 pts given. | |||||||
Q20 Partnerships with 3 or more LPA - 6 pts Partnership with two LPAs - 3 pts No partnerships - 0 pts | List partners here: | % of total cost | Phase | List amount here: | |||
Project Readiness (weighted 10%) | Self | NIRPC | FINAL | ||||
What is the overmatch associated with this project application? Please reference "Step 3" under the "Financial information about this project" above. Maximum 5 pts given. | |||||||
Q21 Greater than 30% - 6 pts 20.1% - 24.9% - 1 point 25-29.9% - 3 pts Minimum match - 0 pts | |||||||
At the present time; what is the status of the Right of Way for the proposed project? Please contact cbradsky@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Maximum 5 pts Q22 given. | |||||||
Right of Ways are secured or owned completely by the LPA – 3 pts Right of Ways need to be secured – 0 pts | |||||||
If this is a legacy project, what is the status of the design/engineering for the proposed project? Please contact mbarloga@nirpc.org if you need assistance with this question. Q23 Maximum 2 pts given. | |||||||
Design/engineering has started with an LPA contract and NEPA document completed. – 2 pts Design/engineering has not been started – 0 pts | |||||||
Does the project impact any railroads? (If yes, please explain.) Q24 No interaction with any railroads are necessary – 2 pts Only a flagging agreement is necessary – 1 pts Project involves construction of a crossing or crossing equiment within the railroad(s)' Right of Way – 0 pts | |||||||
Social Equity (Weighted 5%) Self NIRPC FINAL | ||||
Is the project location in an Environmental Justice area? Please consult the Environmental Justice map. Please contact sweber@nirpc.org for further information on the map. Maximum Q25 3 pts given. | ||||
50% or more of a project is within EJ area – 3 pts Less than 50% of a project is in EJ area – 2 pts Project is not in an EJ area – 0 pts | ||||
Local's Preference (for information only) | ||||
Q26 If the LPA is submitting more than one project; please rank this project (to the other projects submitted) in the order of importance by the LPA (1 - Highest priority; 2 - 2nd highest; 3 - 3rd highest; ect.) Please contact Charles Bradsky for clarification. | ||||
Would a smaller federal funding amount than requested be acceptable while maintaining the original intent of the project? If yes, please define smaller meaningful limits, (y/n) size, service level, phases, or scopes along with the cost for each. ▼ Please continue on a seperate document if you need more space | ||||
Q27 | ||||
SUM #REF! #REF! | ||||
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