ABILENE MPO TRANSPORTATION POLICY BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019 AT 1:30 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ABILENE CITY HALL 555 WALNUT STREET, ABILENE, TEXAS
1. Call to Order. Public comment may be taken on any agenda item during the discussion of that item.
2. Consideration and action on the minutes of the April 17, 2019 meeting and May 3, 2019 special called meeting.
3. Discussion and any action on the National Highway System (NHS) Assessment and Review. BACKGROUND The National Highway System (NHS) is a designated network of both rural and urban roadways deemed to be of strategic importance for the nation’s economy, defense and mobility . The NHS is focused on highways and arterial thoroughfares which serve major populations centers, national defense facilities, significant intermodal and transportation facilities, international border crossings and interstate and interregional travel. The NHS is composed of: 1) the Interstate Highway System 2) all non-Interstate thoroughfares designated by the Department of Defense as being a part of the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) 3) Congressionally designated High Priority Corridors 4) Other Principal Arterials (Federal Functional Classification FUNCL) and 5) Intermodal Connectors linking major facilities such as ports, airports, railyards truck terminals, pipeline facilities and rail stations to the other four subsystems. Originally the NHS consisted of approximately 160,000 centerline miles of road In 2012, as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) legislation, the NHS was expanded to automatically include all Urban and Rural Principal Arterials not currently on the system. This expanded the system adding about another 60,000 miles. Approximately 18,206 miles of this is within Texas with 103 miles in the Abilene MPO Planning Area. The NHS constitutes only about 6% of the road mileage in Texas but carries approximately 60% of all vehicle miles traveled and upwards of 75% of all truck travel.
National Highway System (NHS) (continued) Current Situation TxDOT has engaged in its first attempt since the NHS was originally created to review these roadways throughout the State and evaluate what (if any), adjustments may be appropriate. Adding or removing sections of road from the NHS requires approval from the US Secretary of Transportation. Statements of coordination and consultation with affected entities, including adjacent states and MPOs is necessary for any such changes. TXDOT has provided a copy of their preliminary analysis with findings on roadways within the Abilene MPO Planning Area which they believe appear to potentially merit additional consideration for possible NHS adjustments based on FHWA guidelines. Representatives of the Abilene MPO, City of Abilene and TxDOT Abilene District met with the consultants and TxDOT State officials to learn more about the State’s project and provide them with some observations and insights. Further discussion was held on 05/21/19 to discuss a local response. Results of this effort might ultimately include modifications to the functional classification of roadways or portions of roadways which could either be added to the NHS or removed from the NHS.
National Highway System (NHS) (continued) Considerations – (Pros and Cons of the NHS) • Funding Roads on the NHS are potentially eligible for federal funding under the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) NHPP funding however is apportioned to the State of Texas (CAT 4). Projects using these funds “compete” against all other such projects from around the State. State directives currently limit expenditures to on-system facilities. Local Match funding is typically required. • Design Except for certain minor activities (such as preventative maintenance) NHS facilities are required to meet federally- approved design standards whenever significant construction activity is proposed. If a roadway does not meet the criteria, it must be brought up to Federal standards regardless of the funding source. • Highway Beautification Act Roadways on the NHS are subject to the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. This affects Billboard and Junkyards. • Performance Measures FAST Act requires data collection of performance measures for NHS roads. Pavement – Bridges – Travel Time Reliability TTR) – Truck Travel Time Reliability (TTTR)
National Highway System (NHS) (continued) NHS Roads TxDOT Report
National Highway System (NHS) (continued) Recommendation from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) At their May 28, 2019 meeting the TAC recommended approval of the recommended changes contingent upon no objection from the City of Tye on the suggested deletion of Air Base Road. Recommendation from the City of Tye This information pertaining specifically to Air Base Road will be presented at the June 17, 2019 Tye City Council meeting. More information will be provided at the PB meeting. Update – At the June 17, 2019 Tye City Council meeting – they voted for the removal of Air Base Road from the NHS.
National Highway System (NHS) (continued) Action Requested 1. Review the documents. 2. Suggest agreement/disagreement and/or identify any additions, deletions, or changes (if any) deemed appropriate. 3. Provide staff direction on any initial recommendation to forward to TxDOT.
4. Discussion and action regarding an amendment to the MPO’s Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan. Background Transit asset management (TAM) is a business model that prioritizes funding based on the condition of transit assets, in order to achieve or maintain transit networks in a state of good repair. In July 2016, FTA issued a Final Rule requiring transit agencies to maintain — and document — minimum TAM standards. The new standards will help transit agencies keep their systems operating smoothly and efficiently. Transit providers are required to set performance targets for the state of good repair of their rolling stock, facilities and equipment. The Planning Rule requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations to establish transit targets not later than 180 days after a State DOT or provider of public transportation establishes targets. Performance targets and similar matters are one aspect of the coordinated and cooperative planning processes established in relevant inter- agency agreements, MOU’s and/or related processes . Current Situation On June 20, 2017 the Policy Board adopted transit targets that were believed to match those established by CityLink. The MPO document was based on the first iteration of an Excel Spreadsheet created by the Federal Transit Authority (FTA). This spreadsheet was intended to allow transit providers to collect and report FAST Act required information in a standardized fashion. Some deficiencies however were later found with this spreadsheet. It was also discovered that some misunderstandings existed regarding reporting and reading the data. A more detailed review started by MPO Staff at the end of 2018 revealed that a number of inconsistencies exist between the FTA spreadsheet and the adopted MPO TAM Plan. On 05/20/19 MPO Staff met with CityLink Staff to discuss the TAM and any changes which may be needed. An update to the MPO TAM Plan has been created as a result of these actions. The updated document will ensure targets established by the MPO match CityLink reporting. Although MPO’s are not required to update TAM Plans annually, in consultation with State DOTs and transit providers we may revise them incorporating them into TIP and MTP updates as needed.
Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan (continued)
Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan (continued)
Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan (continued) Recommendation from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) At their May 28, 2019 meeting the TAC recommended approval of the proposed amendment to the MPO TAM Plan as presented. Action Requested 1. Approval of the MPO TAM Plan via Resolution R-2019-03.
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