Title
SPOT P4.0 Division Needs Tier Project Priorities and Local Input Points (15 minutes)
Dale McKeel, LPA Staff
Narrative
Background:
The DCHC MPO Technical Subcommittee met on May 3, 2016, August 5, 2016, and August 10, 2016 to review highway and non-highway projects that will be eligible to receive Local Input Points from the DCHC MPO for the Division Needs tier. At each of the meetings, the DCHC MPO Technical Subcommittee followed the guidance set forth in the DCHC MPO's adopted Methodology for Identifying and Ranking New TIP Project Requests to discuss and prepare the preliminary assignment of Local Input Points. The Methodology is available on the MPO's website: http://www.dchcmpo.org/programs/improvement/tip2027/default.asp#tabs3.
The Methodology presents two guiding principles for the assignment of Local Input Points. The first is that the DCHC MPO’s Local Input Points will be assigned to projects that aim to achieve the goals of the adopted Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and align with the priorities of the DCHC MPO area. The second is that the NCDOT SPOT P4.0 raw quantitative score will serve as the quantitative basis for the MPO’s prioritization of projects. The Methodology goes on to outline six criteria for first determining project eligibility. The precursory review of project eligibility will consider factors, including:
• Is the project in the adopted MTP?
• Is the project in an adopted regional or local plan?
• Has a feasibility study been started or completed for the project?
• Has any preliminary engineering been started or completed for the project?
• Is the cost justified by the project benefits?
• Does the total cost to NCDOT exceed the amount of funding available for the respective funding tier?
The Methodology sets targets for the assignment of Local Input Points for each mode of transportation. The targets are set to achieve the goals of the adopted MTP and align with the priorities of the DCHC MPO area. The targets are to be considered and in conjunction with the six criteria for determining project eligibility described above and the six factors for assigning Local Input Points described below.
The final guidance outlined in the Methodology includes the consideration of six factors for assigning Local Input Points. Local Input Points will be assigned in priority order based on the goals below with the first goal being the highest priority and the last goal being a lower priority.
1. The likelihood of receiving funding through STI considering the amount of funding available within each Division or Region, historical funding levels for the mode, and the normalization limitations that NCDOT has adopted.
2. The priorities of the current MTP including the adopted distribution of funding between modes and the planning horizon year of projects.
3. The effect that receiving funding for a project may have on the likelihood of other projects being funded in the Division or Region considering the limitations set by the STI legislation.
4. If the project is located within an area of overlapping Environmental Justice Communities of Concern identified in the MPO’s 2014 Environmental Justice Report.
5. Public input received during public input sessions.
6. Geographic and jurisdictional balance or equity.
The attachments to this agenda item present the recommendation from the DCHC MPO Technical Subcommittee of the priorities for the preliminary assignment of Local Input Points for the Division Needs tier. The timeframe for determining specific Point assignments for the Division Needs tier is August - October 2016.
Recommendation
TC Action: Recommended that the DCHC MPO Technical Committee support the recommended priorities for the preliminary assignment of Local Input Points for the Division Needs tier. Recommend that the DCHC MPO Board approve the Division Needs tier project priorities as shown in the attachments and release the assignment of Local Input Points for the public review and comment period. Recommended that the DCHC MPO Technical Committee and MPO Board grant DCHC MPO LPA staff the flexibility to coordinate with other MPOs, RPOs, and Divisions on the assignment of Local Input Points for the Division Needs tier and make modifications if necessary, to the preliminary assignment of DCHC MPO's Local Input Points to maximize the potential number of projects in the DCHC MPO area to receive funding through the NCDOT SPOT P4.0 process.
Board Action
Board Action: Support the recommended priorities for the preliminary assignment of Local Input Points for the Division Needs tier. Recommend that the DCHC MPO Board approve the Division Needs tier project priorities as shown in the attachments and release the assignment of Local Input Points for the public review and comment period. Recommend that the DCHC MPO Board grant DCHC MPO LPA staff the flexibility to coordinate with other MPOs, RPOs, and Divisions on the assignment of Local Input Points for the Division Needs tier and make modifications, if necessary, to the preliminary assignment of DCHC MPO's Local Input Points to maximize the potential number of projects in the DCHC MPO area to receive funding through the NCDOT SPOT P4.0 process.