HERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT OVER A MILLION MORE PEOPLE? HOW CAN WE IMPROV UR EXISTING TRANSIT SYSTEM? WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? WHAT ABOUT EGIONAL APPROACH? WHO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS? WHERE WILL FUNDIN OME FROM? HOW DO WE IMPROVE CONGESTION? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PU VER A MILLION MORE PEOPLE? HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR EXISTING TRANS YSTEM? WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? WHAT ABOUT A REGIONAL APPROACH HO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS? WHERE WILL FUNDING COME FROM? HOW DO E IMPROVE CONGESTION? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT OVER A MILLION MOR EOPLE? HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR EXISTING TRANSIT SYSTEM? WHO IS GOIN O PAY FOR THIS? WHAT ABOUT A REGIONAL APPROACH? WHO IS MAKING THES ECISIONS? WHERE WILL FUNDING COME FROM? WE WHERE ARE WE GOING TO UT OVER A MILLION MORE PEOPLE? HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR EXISTING TRANS YSTEM? WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? WHAT ABOUT A REGIONAL APPROACH HO IS MAKING THESE WHAT DECISIONS? WHERE IS OUR WILL FUNDING PLAN? COME FROM? HOW DO E IMPROVE CONGESTION? IMPROVE CONGESTION? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO UT OVER A MILLION MORE PEOPLE? HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR EXISTING TRANS YSTEM? WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? WHAT ABOUT A REGIONAL APPROACH HO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS? WHERE WILL FUNDING COME FROM? HOW DO E IMPROVE CONGESTION? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT OVER A MILLION MOR
WHY ALL THE QUESTIONS? Middle Tennessee is growing, fast. Across the region, people are talking about the changes unfolding right before their eyes mostly for the better. Inevitably, those conversations turn to curiosity about what is being done to alleviate the traffic congestion that has come along with that growth. As interest in transportation issues rise, so do the number of questions about how the region plans to address concerns about traffic, public transit services, roadway safety, and funding. This book offers short answers to some of the most often asked questions about regional transportation, and makes an attempt to help simplify the complexities of the planning process. After reviewing these answers, additional information can be found online at NashvilleMPO.org.
Frequently Asked Questions 1 Do we have a Regional Transportation Plan? 3 Is this plan important, or does it sit on the shelf? 5 Who puts the plan together? 7 Who is the Nashville Area MPO? 9 So, is this the MPO s plan or the region s plan? 11 It seems like there are a to of plans, why? 13 Why are there so many organizations? 15 Who is in charge of making decisions about transportation? 17 What is in the RTP? 19 How much growth are we expecting? 21 Is traffic going to get worse? 23 Do we have a regional vision for transit? 25 What are we doing to improve safety for pedestrians? 27 Can we use technology to address our traffic problems? 29 Why does it take so long to implement projects? 31 How do we pay for transportation projects? 33 How are we currently spending our dollars? 35 Is there currently enough money to cover our needs? 37 What are our options to increase funding? 39 What are other people saying about transportation? 41 What if I have ideas to improve the plan? 43 What if I have more questions?
DO WE HAVE A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN? Yes, there is a regional transportation plan (RTP) in place for Middle Tennessee. The current plan was adopted in December 2010 and allocates over $6 billion to area roadway and transit projects through 2035. 1 In fact, there has been a regional transportation plan in place since the 1960s. The plan is required by federal law and updated every four or five years to ensure that our investments align with community needs and preferences. The RTP covers transportation investments in seven counties - Davidson, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson. The plan is currently being updated to span the years 2016-2040 and will be adopted in December 2015.
A bold, new vision for mass transit Support for active transportation and walkable communities Preservation and enhancement of strategic roadways corridors 2
IS THIS PLAN IMPORTANT OR DOES IT JUST SIT ON A SHELF? Yes, the plan is extremely important! The RTP is the official blueprint for how the region will invest in our transportation system over the coming years. To receive federal funding, roadway and transit projects must first be included in the adopted RTP. The plan includes both short and long-range projects and strategies that come together to build an integrated multi-modal transportation network that serves all Middle Tennesseans.. 3
$6 BILLION The current regional transportation plan contains more than $6 billion for transportation investments across the Nashville area between 2010 and 2035. Recently reconstructed State Route 109 in Sumner County 4
WHO PUTS THE PLAN TOGETHER? The Nashville Area MPO is responsible for the development of the plan. However, the projects within the plan are developed by TDOT, transit agencies, and cities and counties in the MPO s planning area and are based on their needs and priorities. In other words, the plan is a compilation of our region s top priorities to receive federal and state funding over the next 5, 10 and 25 years. 5
The MPO works with each community in the area to ensure transportation investments are directed to top priorities. 6
WHO IS THE NASHVILLE AREA MPO? The MPO is a transportation policy-making body made up of representatives from local and state government and transportation-related agencies across the seven-county area. Think of the MPO as the sandbox: a collaboration among city and county governments, TDOT, public transit agencies, and other organizations that play a role in making transportation improvements across the greater Nashville area. The MPO is governed by city and county mayors and the Tennessee Governor, and includes representatives from local transit agencies, the Greater Nashville Regional Council, and the United States Department of Transportation. 7
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IS THE RTP THE MPO'S PLAN OR THE REGION'S PLAN? Because the RTP is a compilation of regionally-significant projects from local comprehensive plans and transit master plans it is the region s unified plan. The plan outlines priorities for federal and state transportation funding, along with a schedule and budget for those projects. The MPO itself does not implement projects; it sets policies, coordinates plans, and programs grants for projects implemented by its members jurisdictions or TDOT. 9
The map depicts the locations of cost-feasible improvements to the transportation network and includes new roads, roadway widening and reconstruction projects, upgrades to intersections and traffic operation technologies, sidewalks, bicycle ways, and public transit. For more information about the 2035 RTPvisit 2035.NashvilleMPO.org. 10
IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE A LOT OF PLANS, WHY? There are a lot of plans, but that makes sense once you realize why. Nearly every municipality and county government within our area has its own comprehensive plan to help manage local resources and to prepare for future growth. Those plans set land use policies and identify strategies to address needs for schools, parks, water and sewer, and transportation. Every public transit agency has an individual plan too since each serves a different market or governing body. Similarly, TDOT has a statewide plan to generally inform residents and the legislature on how it will use the funding appropriated by lawmakers to maintain the state route system. The MPO s plan unifies the most important regional transportation priorities from each of those into a single document. 11
Federal Agencies Public and Stakeholder Groups Nashville Area MPO State Agencies Local Agencies 12
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS? There are numerous organizations, both public and private, that play an important role when it comes to transportation and mobility in Middle Tennessee, and they all seem to have an acronym: CRT, GNRC, MPO, MTA, RTA, TDOT, FHWA, FTA, etc. Each organization within this alphabet soup is uniquely qualified as a result of the types of services it provides or the geography it covers. The MPO unifies these efforts by establishing a collective approach to regional transportation planning. The process is complex, but not as complicated as it appears from the outside; each organization is responsible for a specific piece of the puzzle while the MPO serves as the collaborative space to pull it all together to address the big picture. 13
What does that mean? Visit Acronyms.NashvilleMPO.org. 14
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION? The MPO, which serves as a partnership among local and state officials, has the authority to select roadway and transit projects for federal funding. The MPO evaluates projects submitted for the RTP based on criteria which assess each project s impact on the performance of our transportation system, and for its ability to address other community goals and objectives related to economic development, sustainability, and social equity. 15 Working with stakeholders and the public, the MPO develops a draft plan which includes regional policies and funding recommendations. The draft plan is reviewed by state and federal partners prior to its adoption by the MPO s executive board.
Mayors, county executives and public officials serve on the MPO's executive board. City of Brentwood City of Columbia City of Fairview City of Franklin City of Gallatin City of Goodlettsville City of Greenbrier City of Hendersonville City of La Vergne City of Lebanon City of Mt. Juliet City of Murfreesboro Metro Nashville Town of Nolensville Town of Smyrna City of Spring Hill City of Springfield City of White House Maury County Robertson County Rutherford County Sumner County Williamson County Wilson County Greater Nashville Regional Council Public Transit Representative State of Tennessee Federal Highway Authority Federal Transit Authority 16
WHAT IS IN THE PLAN? The RTP contains statistical information about the region, projections for population and traffic growth, an evaluation of current infrastructure, and a list of projects to improve the transportation system over the next 25 years. The plan also documents the project evaluation process and describes how projects will work together to address broader community concerns related to quality of life. On average, the RTP contains between 300-500 projects to improve area roadways and transit service. The plan also lays out the timeline for each project and provides cost estimates and anticipated funding sources. 17
The plan provides an inventory of transportation assets, and predicts how these systems will perform in the future based on investments in our infrastructure. Inventory of bike and pedestrian facilities. Inventory of greenway facilities. 18
HOW MUCH GROWTH ARE WE EXPECTING? Currently, more than 1.7 million people call the 10-county area home. The MPO predicts there will be two million people by 2020 and over three million by 2040 larger than present-day Denver. More than half of the state s growth between now and 2040 is expected to occur in the ten-county area around Nashville. While Davidson County is expected to remain the most populous in the region, Williamson and Rutherford counties are on track to leapfrog Chattanooga-Hamilton County in size by 2040, adding nearly 300,000 people each. 19
Land Development Trends, 1970-2040 1970 2010 2040 Population in the MPO planning area is expected to increase by 76 percent between 2010 and 2040. Understanding where those people will live, work, and shop within our region is critical to determining how to improve the transportation system. 20
IS TRAFFIC GOING TO GET WORSE? Yes, traffic is a sign of prosperity and as long as Middle Tennessee is attracting people and businesses we will see an increase in traffic. Improving traffic conditions is one of the key aims of transportation planning, but we are running out of options to widen roadways. The RTP recognizes this limitation and has recently began focusing on using technology to make our roadways more efficient, and on improving transit to give people another option around that traffic. The plan also seeks to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as more people opt to get out of their cars for short trips. 21
The MPO traffic models show that the amount of time we spend in our cars will double by the year 2040 based on land use trends, regional travel behaviors, and the limited reach of current revenue levels. Roadway Congestion Trend, 2010-2040 2010 2040 22
DO WE HAVE A REGIONAL VISION FOR TRANSIT? Yes, there is a regional vision for transit which was adopted in 2010 as part of the RTP. This vision was developed based on years of public input through studies which evaluated the needs of the region, population growth, and projected land development patterns. The vision will help guide the expansion and modernization of the region s mass transit system. The MPO works closely with transit agencies throughout Middle Tennessee to ensure this vision is updated to align with each organization s planning process. 23
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HOW ARE WE IMPROVING SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS? Throughout Middle Tennessee, cities and counties have adopted Complete Streets policies to guide improvements toward safer walking and bicycling options. Complete Streets is the emerging trend to integrate people and places into the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our transportation networks. More simply, these policies ensure that our transportation system is safe for all users. The MPO works with local and state agencies to ensure walking and bicycling facilities are prioritized for funding accordingly. 25
70% Seven out of 10 proposed roadway projects in the 2035 RTP include improvements to walking and bicycling facilities. The MPO reserves fifteen percent of its 15% FHWA urbanized area funds for additional active transportation projects. Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville is a Complete Street 26
CAN TECHNOLOGY BE USED TO ADDRESS OUR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS? Yes, it can and already is being used. Several cities within the region already have intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to assist with traffic management. These include smarter traffic signalization technologies, real-time traffic information for the traveling public, and sophisticated traffic operations centers where professionals monitor incidents and traffic flow on area roadways. As our region continues to grow, additional investment will be needed to upgrade and expand our ITS technology. The MPO also closely follows improvements to in-vehicle technology, as the self-driving car may be just around the corner. 27
Traffic Operations Centers exist at TDOT and in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and Murfreesboro. TDOT Region 3 Traffic Operations Center in West Nashville 28
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS? Projects can often take between 10-15 years to complete due to funding shortages or issues arising during project design or right-of-way acquisition. In many respects, the RTP is just the beginning for most transportation projects. Once adopted into the plan, projects must take several steps toward implementation, including more public involvement, environmental study, preliminary engineering, final project design, right of way acquisition, and then construction. 29
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HOW DO WE PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? Funding for projects can come from a variety of sources including the federal government, state government, special authorities, local assessment districts, local general fund contributions and impact fees. For the most part, the federal and state share of the money used for building physical infrastructure like roadways and dedicated-lane transit projects comes from the tax you pay when you fill your gas tank. On average, Tennessee drivers spend about $300 per year in federal and state gas taxes a bargain when you consider the average family spends about $10,000 per year to own and operate a car. 31
Tennessee State Gasoline Tax 21.4 cents per gallon Federal Gasoline Tax 18.4 cents per gallon 32
HOW ARE WE SPENDING OUR DOLLARS? Funds are spent across the region on a variety of roadway projects ranging from general maintenance to safety improvements to capacity expansion. The region s transportation improvement program (TIP) identifies the transportation projects and strategies from the RTP that will be implemented over the next four to five years. The current TIP contains just over $1 billion through 2017. Of that, approximately $154 million federal funds were obligated to projects in fiscal year 2014. 33
Nearly $154 million in grants were obligated in 2014. Location of Investment HOW FUNDING FLOWS Regional Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program Federal Obligation Contractor Bids Construction Contract Expenditure Reimbursement
IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER OUR NEEDS? No, Middle Tennessee s need for transportation dollars far outpaces available revenue by a margin of 4 to 1. Transportation revenue as it relates to costs has been in significant decline since 1993, the last time Congress adjusted the per gallon gasoline tax. Since then, inflation has reduced its purchasing power, and increased vehicle fuel economy means you are buying less gas to go the same distance. Recently, Congress has been transferring money from the nation s general fund to cover the gap between the gas tax revenue and the ongoing cost of the transportation program. Tennessee s state gas tax has not been adjusted since 1989. The bottom line: while revenue has been on the decline, growth and development pressures have increased our need for investment to expand the transportation system to keep people and freight moving efficiently. 35
The purchasing power of our federal gas tax has declined more than 40 percent since 1993. 36
WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS TO INCREASE FUNDING? Identifying how to fill the gap between declining revenue and increasing costs will require citizen engagement focused on all levels of government. While federal and state leaders grapple with how to fix the outdated gasoline tax, we cannot afford to ignore our responsibility at the local level, particularly related to funding transit. Our region is one of the largest in the nation without a dedicated source of revenue for public transit instead, opting for year after year contributions from local government general funds. A dedicated source of local revenue would create a reliable stream of funding to 1) leverage additional federal grants for large capital projects, 2) secure the annual operations of existing and future services, and 3) provide the region the financial capacity to implement its long-range vision for mass transit. 37
Communities across the country have pursued a variety of options including the sales tax, wheel tax, property tax, sin tax, among others. Residents of Denver, which has served as a futuristic peer for the Nashville area, have approved a one percent sales tax to aid in the construction of their regional transit system.
WHAT ARE OTHER PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION? You are not alone, others think traffic is getting much worse too. The MPO conducts regular attitudinal research to gauge opinions about transportation, and at the top of the list for most Middle Tennesseans is a desire to see more investment in walking, bicycling, and transit infrastructure. Residents and businesses alike tell us that we need to do more to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and to expand rapid transit options across the region. We hear this from the thousands of people we meet with every year and from our scientific polls. 39
MOST IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS TO SOLVE Lack of transit options Lack of sidewalks Poorly maintained roadways Too much truck traffic Poorly planned development Too many accidents Too much road construction Poor timing of traffic lights Not enough roads Lack of bicycle lanes First choice Second choice Third choice 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% PAYING FOR REGIONAL TRANSIT { 61% Source: would be willing to pay more in some type of tax or fee if it meant that the region could significantly expand mass transit choices. 2013 Regionwide Telephone Survey. Margin of error +/- 3%.
WHAT IF I HAVE IDEAS TO IMPROVE THE PLAN? The MPO offers a variety of ways for you to get involved in the planning process. Public involvement is integral to good transportation planning, and without meaningful participation there is a risk of making decision which may have unintended consequences. The MPO maintains regular communication with stakeholders through monthly executive board meetings and technical coordinating committee meetings, as well as through public meetings as part of ongoing studies in the region. The MPO makes all plans and programs available for public review on the web and in local libraries, and keeps an open dialog with the community through our social media platforms and email communication. 41
Follow @NashvilleMPO Facebook.com/NashvilleMPO Survey.NashvilleMPO.org FixIt.NashvilleMPO.org NashvilleMPO.org 42
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? As you can see, the transportation planning that shapes our state, region and our local communities has many facets and involves many different organizations. To help you learn more about the planning process in Middle Tennessee, the MPO offers the list of publications on the following pages. 43
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45 Learn more about transportation planning in Middle Tennessee by exploring these other publications. Transportation Improvement Program nashvillempo.org/plans_programs/tip The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a four or five-year work program that lists all regionallysignificant and federally funded transportation projects and services in the MPO planning area. This includes highway and street projects, public transit projects, as well as bicycle and pedestrian projects that are implemented by TDOT or local governments, or transit agencies. The TIP identifies the location and scope of work for transportation improvements and authorizes federal grant amounts and phases of work (e.g., engineering, construction, etc.) by program year. An interactive map of projects in the TIP is available at TIP.NashvilleMPO.org. Unified Planning Work Program nashvillempo.org/plans_programs/upwp The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a one or two-year program of planning activities and regional studies that will be carried out by MPO staff and consultants or regional partners using federal transportation planning funds. Prospectus & Organizational Bylaws nashvillempo.org/publications_docs The Prospectus provides an overview of federal planning requirements, the MPO s organizational structure and decision-making process, and other regional partners who share a role in carrying out those requirements. The organizational bylaws specify the governance structure and responsibilities of the MPO Executive Board.
Public Participation Plan nashvillempo.org/publications_docs The Public Participation Plan (PPP) provides the residents and interested parties with an overview of the MPO s public involvement process. This includes information about the strategies deployed to engage the public and stakeholders, and the specific timelines and requirements for public comment during the development and adoption of the MPO s plans and programs. State of Transportation in Middle Tennessee nashvillempo.org/publications_docs Each November, the MPO releases its annual report that includes general information about the MPO s organizational structure and operating budget, a list of major accomplishments for the year, an overview of emerging trends and issues, highlights from the adopted regional transportation plan, a summary of ongoing planning activities, and summary of how federal dollars were distributed in the preceding fiscal year. Nashville Region s Vital Signs nashvillechamber.com/vitalsigns Each October, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and MPO publish a major report to the region that tracks data points related to key issues affecting Middle Tennessee's economic well-being and quality of life in order to facilitate conversation about community-driven solutions to reinforce our strengths and address our weaknesses. Other Reports, Publications, Digital Media nashvillempo.org/media_center The MPO publishes several reports and presentations each year to the website at nashvillempo.org/publications_docs. The MPO also produces or shares videos, photos, and presentations in the Multi-Media Center section of the website. 46
Funding for this report was provided by grants from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, and contributions from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and local government members. The Nashville Area MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline or any other employment practices because of nonmerit factors shall be prohibited. For ADA or Title VI inquiries contact Michelle Lacewell, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at (615) 880-2452 or e-mail her at lacewell@nashvillempo.org.
About the MPO The Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) facilitates strategic planning for the region s multi-modal transportation system by serving as a forum for collaboration among local communities and state leaders. The vision of the MPO is to develop policies and programs that direct public funds to transportation projects that increase access to opportunity and prosperity, while promoting the health and wellness of Middle Tennesseans and the environment. The MPO is the federally-designated transportation planning agency for 3,000-plus square miles and more than 1.5 million people throughout Davidson, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties. Serving as a regional partnership among the United States Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, transit agencies, local elected leadership, local planning and public works directors, the business community, and citizens across the seven-county planning area, the MPO leads in the development of the region s long-range transportation plan and short-range Transportation Improvement Program and contributes to ongoing conversations about issues such as land use, economic development, climate change and the environment, safety and security, and public health. The MPO has the authority to plan, prioritize, and select transportation projects for federal funding appropriated by the United States Congress through the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration; and is responsible for ensuring the region is in compliance with federal planning requirements and national ambient air quality standards.
800 Second Avenue South P.O. Box 196300 Nashville TN 37219 NashvilleMPO.org