FY17 Rural Transportation Program AGENDA Rural Transportation Advisory Committee Tuesday, September 20 th, 2016 1:00 p.m. Water Street Center, 401 East Water Street, Charlottesville Item Time Description 1 1:00-1:05 Matters from the Public and Committee Response: Members of the public are welcome to provide comment on any public interest, transportationrelated topic, including the items listed on this agenda. Limit 3 minutes per speaker. 2 1:05-1:08 Election of Officers: The Committee will nominate and elect officers. TJPDC staff will run nomination of chair, who will then run nomination of vice-chair. Currently, Bart Svoboda serves as Chair and Tim Padalino sits as vice-chair. 3 1:08-1:10 Approval of the Minutes (*): The Committee will review and approve minutes from the May 17, 2016 meeting. Click here for the May 17 th Minutes 4 1:10-1:30 Updates and Discussion: Attendees are invited to share briefly about current planning and transportation related activities in their locality or agency. 5 1:30-1:50 Smart Scale Update: The TJPDC and localities are working with VDOT to prepare their Smart Scale applications for the end of September. Committee members will review their projects and have the opportunity to ask additional questions of the PDC and VDOT. Click here for the TJPDC resolution on Smart Scale 6 1:50-2:10 Update on the RLRP Process: Staff will provide the committee with a brief update on the ongoing work being conducted on the RLRP. Staff will give: updates on presentations to the local Planning Commissions; review the latest project list; and, review the FY17. Click here for the updated RLRP Scope for FY17 7 2:10-2:20 Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan: Staff will begin work on the Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan in October. There will be a brief overview of the FY17 for this project, which will be completed in FY18. Click here for the Draft 8 2:20-2:25 Planning and Zoning Committee: Staff is asking for topics for future discussions. These are non-transportation related issues that would be of interest to the region s localities. 9 2:25-2:30 Action Items & Other Business: The Committee will discuss items requiring follow-up action and any other business. 10 2:30- Additional Matters from the Public: Members of the Public are welcome to provide comment on any public interest, transportationrelated topic, including the items listed on this agenda. Limit 3 minutes per speaker. Next Meeting: November 15 th (*) Items requiring Committee action
Rural Technical Advisory Committee Minutes: May 17th, 2016 FY16 Rural Transportation Program Committee Voting Members J.T. Newberry, Albemarle County Chuck Proctor, VDOT Culpeper District Allyson Finchum, Louisa County Bart Svoboda, Greene County Jason Stewart, Fluvanna County Rick Youngblood, VDOT Lynchburg District Sara Pennington, Rideshare David Cook, VDOT Lynchburg District Tim Padalino, Nelson County TJPDC Staff Chip Boyles Will Cockrell Wood Hudson Nick Morrison Call to Order: Mr. Svoboda called the meeting to order at 1:15 Matters from the Public: There were no matters from the public. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Svoboda asked if there were any comments on the draft meeting minutes. There were no comments. Mr. Stewart made a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Finchum provided a second, and Mr. Padalino abstained from the vote. The Committee approved the minutes. Updates and Discussions: Ms. Pennington gave the committee an update on Rideshare. Rideshare recently participated in clean commute day, but weather conditions affected turnout to the event and pledges were down from the previous year. Mr. Newberry asked if the radio advertisements were effective marketing tools. Ms. Pennington said that she believed that they were. Ms. Finchum provided an update on Louisa County. The proposed Lake Anna resort was denied so a new plan will have to be developed. A proposed 400-unit apartment complex was not progressing as expected, work was beginning a Lake Anna small area plan, there were a number of special use permit requests, and work is continuing on the comprehensive plan update, as well as flood plain ordinances that need to be adopted to comply with FEMA regulations. Mr. Stewart said that Fluvanna was beginning to update its zoning ordinance and will be issuing an RFP for a consultant. He also said that once dormant projects were coming back to life. Mr. Padalino gave a brief update on Nelson County. They are currently in the process of reviewing ordinance amendments, temporary events ordinances, as well as rewriting the flood plain ordinances.
Mr. Newberry stated that Albemarle County was experiencing some staff turnover and that the County was working on filling the vacated positions. They are also in the process of amending the farm winery ordinances and helping stakeholders understand the impacts on the transportation network that wineries and breweries would have. Mr. Svoboda updated the committee on Greene County. He stated that they have seen an uptick in old projects becoming active again. They are also working to clarify to the public the exact meaning of agritourism and transient lodging. Work is also continuing on the update of the comprehensive plan. Mr. Newberry asked about Nelson County s tourist lodging policy. Mr. Padalino responded that Nelson County was not cutting off current Bed & Breakfasts but was creating a clearer definition of tourist lodging. Mr. Proctor gave an update on VDOT. He stated that a VTRANS meeting had been held the previous day, HB2 work was also continuing, meetings with localities for traffic forecasting and modeling updates were also ongoing. He also stated that Madison County would now be housed in the Charlottesville residency. Mr. Youngblood provided an update on the Lynchburg VDOT district. They had received a study on the Lock-in Festival and infrastructure improvements associated with increased traffic generated from the festival. The study was presented to the Secretary of Agriculture in order to receive greater buy-in. The study will look at the event plan that has already been developed. There is also a regional connectivity study in the Lynchburg area that will analyze lost economic development potential and its relation to statewide corridors. This study will hopefully be able to act as a template to help feed into VTRANS. Mr. Proctor added that they will be looking at corridors for access management and signalization to facilitate more efficient through-traffic movements. RLRP Update: Mr. Morrison briefed the committee on the ongoing RLRP presentations to the local planning commissions and the next steps for the plan. Mr. Youngblood added that statistics and data can be updated annually for projects in the RLRP. FY 17 Projects: Mr. Cockrell provided the committee with an update on what projects the PDC would be working on for FY 17. He said that the focus would shift from several smaller projects to one major and one minor project per year, and that each locality would get its turn with a larger project. Ms. Finchum asked if the streetscape project in the town of Mineral would be considered a major or a minor project. Mr. Cockrell answered that it would be considered a minor project. The major project to be undertaken in the coming fiscal year is a corridor study in Greene County. Zoning & Planning Committee: The committee discussed possible topics for the Zoning & Planning Committee. Topics to be considered were further defining agritourism, floodplain and lodging ordinances, and limited residential lodging.
Action Items & Other Business: There were no action items or other business Additional Matters from the Public: There were no additional matters from the public. Mr. Padalino motioned to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Stewart provided a second, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:00.
Serving local governments by providing regional vision, collaborative leadership and professional service to develop effective solutions. RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE SUBMISSION OF SMARTSCALE APPLICATIONS REQUESTING TRANSPORTATION FUNDING WHEREAS, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (the Commission) in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation, completed a comprehensive Rural Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) in 2010; and WHEREAS, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission has identified transportation projects which are critical to improve safe and efficient movement of people and goods along public roadways in the rural areas of the district; and WHEREAS, during its 2014 session, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation in the form of House Bill 2 (Smartscale) which established new criteria for the allocation of transportation funding for projects within the state; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) during its board meeting of June 17, 2015 approved the Policy and Guidelines for Implementation of a Project Prioritization Process in accordance with Smartscale; and WHEREAS, many of the aforesaid transportation projects identified by the Commission meet the eligibility criteria for funding under Smartscale; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, Albemarle County, Greene County, Louisa County, Nelson County and Fluvanna County to submit Smartscale applications requesting state funding for eligible transportation projects. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission fully endorses the submission of Smartscale applications requesting funding for the following transportation projects in no priority order: Fluvanna County Palmyra Route 15 Streetscape Greene County Route 670 Connector Road Improvements Louisa County Route 15 Traffic Circle Construction Louisa County Route 208 Louisa County Route 522 Nelson County Intersection improvements at Route 6 (River Rd) and Route 151 (RV Hwy) at Martin s Store substation area Nelson County Access management and intersection improvements for Route 29 corridor in Colleen Nelson County - Intersection improvements at Route 6 (River Rd) and Route 29 (TN Hwy) at Woods Mill area Albemarle County Route 250 and Route 151 Intersection Improvements
ADOPTED this 1 st day of September, 2016 by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission being duly assembled. ATTESTED: Charles P. Boyles, II Executive Director Andrea Wilkinson Commission Chair Date TJPDC Staff Meeting Agenda and Notes Page 2
Fiscal Year 2017 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan Update Rural Long Range Transportation Plan The following is scope of work for the 2045 RLRP update. While this effort will span into FY18, this scope only covers tasks that will occur in FY17. This process will: Be structured around completed Needs Assessments that are based on factors outlined in the State s funding methodologies; Include a broad array of outreach with the public and local officials; and, Overlap with other planning efforts, such as: o The Jefferson Area Regional Bike and Pedestrian Plan, o The MPO Long Range Transportation Plan, and o Various smaller transportation plans. Purpose The original intent of the RLRP was to: Identify transportation deficiencies and recommend improvements; Assist localities with comprehensive plan updates and traffic impact studies (Chapter 527); Evaluate the effects of land use and development; Establish programming of transportation improvements; and, Provide content and guidance for statewide transportation plans. In addition to the original intent, the 2045 plan has a more detailed purpose, in order to: Provide a regional vision for the rural transportation system; Create greater continuity and coordination with the MPO area; Provide detailed guidance and data for Smart Scale applications; Assist localities with implementing projects, with step-by-step guidance; Establish recommendations for future studies and reports, tied to the region s Rural Transportation Program; and, Create local and regional priorities, to maximize available funding. Content The original intent of the RLRP was to be a multi-modal plan, but the 2010 version focuses almost entirely on road projects. The 2045 plan will include assessments, recommendations and guidance on all modes, including: roads, transit (JAUNT and Greene County Transit), TDM Services (Carpooling, vanpooling, etc.), bike and pedestrian, rail and the Louisa Airport. This scope of content will meet the original intent of the RLRP. Areas for Improvement The existing RLRP contains several opportunities for improvement. These will be points of emphasis for the 2040 plan. The existing format is not user-friendly nor easily updated; The function of the plan is unclear; Projects are not prioritized and there are too many projects listed; The plan does not clearly implement the stated goals; Page 1 of 3
Fiscal Year 2017 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan Update The recommendations only include road projects; There are no clear recommendations for studies; There is no coordination with the MPO; and, The existing plan does not address recent changes in State policies (HB2). Planning Process In FY16, staff laid the groundwork for the RLRP update. This started with development of five needs assessments (safety, congestion, accessibility, economic development and environmental quality), which lead to development of hot stops. Staff overlaid those hot spots with the 2010 project list. Projects that overlapped with identified hot spots were elevated into a priority list. Any projects that did not appear to be a concern, according to the data, were dropped into a visioning list. If hot spots did not overlap with a previously identified project, staff still elevated those areas into the priority list. Throughout this initial phase of the process, staff worked closely with the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) and made two rounds of presentations to the local planning commissions. Staff also collected any existing transportation documents that could feed into the updated plan. In FY17, staff will conduct the following tasks: 1. Roadway project list: staff will break this task into four sub-tasks. a. The first step will be assessing the 2010 project list with VDOT staff, to determine what projects are still valid. b. Staff will collect engineering reports and studies on all hot spots, to tweak or draft an updated project list. c. The RTAC will review the draft project list, making additions, deletions, or amendments. d. Staff will work with VDOT to finalize projects and cost estimates. 2. Prioritization: staff will enter high priority projects into the prioritization spreadsheet, developed by VDOT. Each locality will have its own prioritized list of projects, which will be vetted with the RTAC and local planning commissions. 3. Recommendation list: staff will develop a list of other planning efforts and initiatives (like needed corridor, intersection or speed studies) that will be included in the project list. 4. Online tools: staff will develop a permanent webpage for the RLRP, with an online version of the plan that will give officials instant access to data and recommendations. 5. Multi-modal considerations: staff will conduct additional transportation efforts that will be rolled into the RLRP document and included into the recommendations/project lists. Those parallel efforts include: a. Coordination with RideShare and JAUNT, b. Development of the Jefferson Area: c. Bike and Pedestrian Plan, d. Rail and Freight Plan, e. Bridge Plan, and f. Airport assessment. 6. Process: Staff will work closely with different groups to develop the road project list. Venues will include: a. RTAC meetings b. Planning commission meetings c. Public meetings Page 2 of 3
Project Schedule Fiscal Year 2017 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan Update JULY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 AUGUST 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JANUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Rural Work Program APRIL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NOVEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Start PC Meetings FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Public Meetings MAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DECEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MARCH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JUNE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Roadway Project list Assess 2010 project list Collect engineering reports Vet project list Finalize project recommendations Prioritization Recommendation list Online tools Multi-modal considerations RTAC Meetings Page 3 of 3
Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan FY 2017 Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), which also staffs the Charlottesville- Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (CA-MPO), will develop an update to the 2004 Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan. The updated plan will be integrated into the TJPDC s Rural Long Range Plan (RLRP) and the MPO s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The new Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan will better prepare and equip the region and its localities, to select and implement bike/ pedestrian improvements. While this planning effort will span into FY18, the existing scope establishes tasks and deadlines for FY17. The total project budget (across FY17 and FY18) is $53,000, funded from the Rural Transportation and MPO Program. Purpose: In 2004, the TJPDC developed the Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan. The document spanned the MPO and rural portions of the region, establishing a vision for bike and pedestrian projects for all six member localities and incorporated towns. The TJPDC s member localities adopted their portions of the plan into their local comprehensive plans. Other local, regional and State plans used plan recommendations, as well. In 2016, Virginia has a new process for selecting and funding transportation projects. The new procedures, called Smart Scale, requires that applicants collect detailed information for project applications. As opposed to previous process, a locality or region will need more technical data and detailed project descriptions, in order to qualify for funding. Additionally, there are several other Federal and state funding sources that require a higher scrutiny of project costs, versus benefits. Given the new funding requirements, the TJPDC will develop a new regional bike and pedestrian plan, to establish a better way to prioritize and implement bike/pedestrian improvements. The plan will serve as a practical guide for local, regional and state decision-makers. With a targeted audience of officials, the plan will provide detailed guidance to decision-makers and establish a strategic approach to implementing recommendations. The Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan will not serve as an educational piece or as an advocacy document. Tasks and Deliverables: TJPDC staff will work with its partners (state agencies, localities and other stakeholders) to undertake the following tasks: Define Public Involvement Process Early in the planning process, staff will identify a detailed public involvement process. While outreach will focus on the MPO area, there will need to be engagement in the rural towns and counties, as well. Advisory Committee: An early task will be establishing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee that will serve as an essential piece to the planning process. The Committee will include bike and pedestrian expertise, to advise on technical issues, as well as public officials, to advise on policy matters. It will provide Page 1 of 4
Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan FY 2017 guidance and input for: goals and objectives, local government planning, outreach processes, engineering, and implementation of the final plan. Public Workshops: In coordination with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, staff will develop a set of outreach strategies and meetings throughout the region. Public engagement will help to: Establish objectives and action items; Identify community needs; and, Identify and examine project priorities. Set Goals and Objectives Staff will work with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to develop goals and objectives, which will help guide outcomes and recommendations. In this discussion, staff will vet goals and objectives with the: Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC), and MPO Technical Committee. Throughout the process, staff will integrate the goals and objectives into the planning document, ensuring that all action items are assigned to guiding concepts. Establish Performance Measures Staff will work with the Advisory Committee to establish performance measures, for scoring and prioritizing bike and pedestrian projects. The measures must be designed to integrate with State and Federal funding processes. The bike and pedestrian performance measures will be based on the goals and objectives, established by the Advisory Committee. With a performance measurement system set, staff will develop a spreadsheet tool that will apply those measurements to project recommendations. Develop Local and Regional Networks Development of local and regional networks will be the heart of this planning effort. This task will result in development of target corridors, project lists and evaluation of those options. Several bike and pedestrian planning efforts are on record, as several projects and needs are already vetted in local, regional and state plans. As a starting point for this task, staff will inventory all existing bike and pedestrian recommendations in the region, reviewing the: Virginia Outdoors Plan, VTrans, TJPDC Bike Route 76 Corridor Study, CA- MPO North Town Trail, CA-MPO 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, Charlottesville s 2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Local comprehensive plans, local area plans, and existing corridor studies. Inventory of Existing Conditions: One of the most time intensive and critical tasks will be examination of existing conditions, including assessments of transportation systems, bike and pedestrian facilities, and origin/destination points. These tasks will require analysis of mapping data, in close partnership with local officials and VDOT. Staff will also collect detailed information on conditions of existing bike and pedestrian facilities, using smart apps and mapping software. Identify and Select Potential Corridors: By evaluating origin/destination assessments for bicyclists and pedestrians, staff and the Advisory Committee will identify priority corridors for potential improvements. Page 2 of 4
Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan FY 2017 Development of Project Lists and Recommendations After evaluating existing conditions and plans, staff will begin to develop an updated project list that meets the needs of localities and the region. Recommendations will include existing projects, as well as newly identified bike and pedestrian improvements. Identify Opportunities and Constraints: Once there are draft project lists and assessments, staff will identify opportunities and constraints for bike and pedestrian improvements. Potential factors to project implementation could include: right-of-way, environmental impacts, public support or political will. Tasks for FY18 In Fiscal Year 2018, staff will continue work on the Bike and Pedestrian Plan, conducting the following steps: Identifying Potential Support Programs: To ensure implementation of successful bicycle and pedestrian recommendations, additional partners and support groups are needed. These partners will play a critical component with maintain the Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan, by taking responsibility for education, encouragement and enforcement efforts. Developing Implementation Strategies To avoid the plan on a shelf effect, staff and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will develop detailed implementation strategies for projects and other recommendations in the plan. The process will identify responsibility for implementing recommendations, costs and funding sources. Creating and Adopt Final Plan The planning document will be the main deliverable of this process, although data and other online tools may serve as added deliverable. Staff will develop a concise document that will address bike and pedestrian needs across the entire six-locality region. Page 3 of 4
Jefferson Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan FY 2017 JULY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Project Schedule AUGUST 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JANUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 APRIL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NOVEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DECEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MARCH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JUNE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 MPO/Rural Technical Committee Meetings Establish Advisory Committee Draft Goals and Objectives Establish Performance Measures Establish Prioritization Tool Develop Regional Networks Assess Existing Conditions Develop Draft Project Lists (into FY18) Page 4 of 4