Federal Requirements Monitoring

Federal Transportation Requirements Monitoring

President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act into law in 2015.

It continues the establishment of a performance and outcome based program, originally started in the previous legislation, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP‐21) Act. The FAST Act requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to consider and implement projects, strategies, and services that will address ten Planning Factors in their planning process. The ten planning factors are:

(1) support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;

(2) increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;

(3) increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;

(4) increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;

(5) protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

(6) enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;

(7) promote efficient system management and operation;

(8) emphasize the preservation of the existing

transportation system;

(9) improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation; and

(10) enhance travel and tourism.

Each of these planning factors is incorporated into one or more of the data reports contained in the appendix of the “Genesee: Our County, Our Future” plan. The data reports describe how Genesee County is moving the transportation system forward within the guidelines of the planning factors. There is a summary of the planning factors and the reports that address them on the last page of this report.

Planning Factor 1 The “economic vitality” planning factor is addressed by the following reports: Intermodal Freight, Socio‐Economic Projections, Non‐ Motorized Trails, ITS, Environmental Assets, Land Use, Barriers to Affordable Living, Economic Development, Community Downtown Profiles, Community Housing Profiles, Infrastructure Coordination, Pavement Conditions, Bridge, Safety

and Security, Access to Core Services, Tourism, and Aviation. Genesee County’s location along major routes means commercial traffic is passing

through, and also means we are ideally situated for businesses that rely on freight shipments. This gives Genesee County an economic advantage over other areas that are not near major commercial routes. The Intermodal Freight report, for example, shows that the City of Flint is at the intersection of I‐75, I‐69 and US‐23, all of which are used for freight shipments across state lines and into Canada. Pavement in good condition is a prime ingredient for economic development and vitality.

An example of economic vitality is the Dort Highway Extension which is being built to accommodate multiple new businesses near Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township. The reports that address economic vitality help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward the economic vitality of the region.

These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Planning Factor 2 The “safety of the transportation system” planning factor is addressed by the following reports: Safety and Security, Roundabouts, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Bridges, and Non‐ Motorized Trails. For example, the Safety and Security report discusses Genesee County strategies that address intersection safety. These strategies include developing a region‐wide intersection inventory, creating a ranked and prioritized list of high‐risk intersections, conducting road safety audits of high‐risk intersections, and applying roundabouts at certain locations. Genesee County is ranked 7th in Michigan for controlled intersection crashes with 97 fatal or serious injury crashes over the past five years. An MDOT research study indicated that roundabouts have reduced fatal and serious injury crashes by more than 60 percent when they replace a signal, and more than 75 percent when

they replace a two‐way stop. Because of their safety and operational benefits, GCMPC will work with a consultant in 2019 to conduct a more detailed roundabout study for Genesee County intersections. The reports that address safety help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward the safety of the region. These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Planning Factor 3 The “security of the transportation system” planning factor is addressed by the following reports: ITS, Transit, Congestion Management Process, Bridges, and Safety and Security. The ITS report shows that intelligent connected technologies enhance safety and security in the event of a major natural disaster or local emergency. For example, the Mass Transportation Authority’s (MTA) transit vehicles have a direct connection to 911 and enhanced ability to relay information to dispatch since communications equipment is already in place. If an evacuation is needed, message boards and wireless alerts to cell phones through Reverse 911 will be able to notify residents of an evacuation route. Applications such as Google Maps and other GPS devices can provide re‐routing to avoid the area of an emergency.

Reduced congestion due to automated vehicle technologies will also help with organized evacuation of residents. These technologies will help Genesee County with enhancing early warning systems, improving response and recovery during disasters, and preventing the loss of life. The reports that address security help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward the security of the region.

These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

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Planning Factor 4 The “increase the accessibility” planning factor is addressed by the following reports: Intermodal Freight, Congestion Management Process, Transit, Access to Core Services, Barriers to Affordable Living, Safety and Security, Bridges, Non‐Motorized Trails, Economic Development, and Aviation reports. The Access to Core Services report indicates that in 2016, the MTA began the Rides to Wellness program as part of their para‐transit system to service households with same day, non‐ emergency medical transportation. This includes services for residents not within a reasonable walking or cycling distance to a transit stop. The Hurley Children’s Center moved into the Flint Farmer’s Market (adjacent to the MTA’s Downtown Flint Transfer Center) to increase access for families to community‐based health programs.

In 2016, the MTA included a Rides to Groceries service as part of their fixed‐route system that now averages over 290,000 trips annually. Transit users may even choose to commute to employment opportunities outside of Genesee County through the MTA’s regional routes. Employers not just in Genesee County but in neighboring counties have approached the MTA with financial support to provide reliable transportation for their workforce.

In 2018 alone, over 333,000 trips were taken using the regional route transit service. The reports that address accessibility help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward accessibility in the region.

These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Planning Factor 5 The “protect and enhance” planning factor is addressed by the Non‐Motorized Trails, Roundabouts, Transit, Environmental Assets,

Landfill, Land Use, and Access to Core Services Reports. The Environmental Assets report indicates that for transportation projects, design guidelines and mitigation activities are initiated through the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) program. The CSS principles assure that proper protocols are in place to uphold preservation of historic, economic, and environmental features within the local community. This is carried out primarily by consultations with various agencies

which help to identify and mitigate issues such as conserving existing vegetation, minimizing noise, managing waste disposal, and protecting water quality. For example, the Genesee County Road Commission’s Dort Highway Extension project required in‐depth environmental impact studies.

This was to make sure the project could move forward without harming threatened and endangered species in Genesee County, such as the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake or the Indiana Bat. Proposed Community Development projects go through a similar environmental review process. This process considers the extent of the proposed activities in relation to the area’s natural assets. Elements of this review process include air quality, floodplain management, historic preservation, endangered species, and wetlands protection. The reports that address this multi‐ faceted planning factor help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports

show how the integration of various planning aspects can work towards enhancing and protecting the region. These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Planning Factor 6 The “enhance the integration” planning factor is addressed by the Intermodal Freight, Congestion Management Process, Transit, Access to Core Services, Aviation, ITS, Infrastructure Coordination, Barriers to Affordable Living, Safety and Security, and Non‐Motorized Trails reports. Staff looks at all aspects of a project, such as pavement, transit, safety, and non‐motorized, and tries to integrate these elements to enhance the transportation system. An example of this is when a transit rider gets off the bus and takes his bike to ride “the last mile” of his journey. The MTA has bike racks on busses so that the last mile of a bus rider’s commute can be done by bicycling. There are also sidewalks to bus shelters and bus pull‐outs. These are elements of our Complete Streets policy which is reflected in our TIP project applications; applicants must identify the Complete Streets components they are using to improve the safety of the street. The MTA also uses intelligent technologies. It operates communications towers which can also be used by other local agencies such as GCRC and local public works departments. This sharing of equipment benefits the entire county when it comes to communications and security.

The reports that address integration help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them.

The reports show how various planning aspects can work together towards integration in the region. These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Through our project selection process, staff works to achieve a multi‐modal transportation system.

Planning Factor 7 The “promote efficient system management” planning factor is addressed by the Transit, Safety and Security, Congestion Management Process, Non‐Motorized Trails, Pavement Conditions, Bridge, Access to Core Services, ITS, Roundabouts, Intermodal Freight, Infrastructure Coordination, and Aviation reports. In the Intermodal Freight

report, there is an example of reducing congestion and improving the reliability of our transportation network. In 2016, MDOT constructed roundabouts at the I‐75/Bristol Road interchange to relieve congestion and reduce crashes. This project helped improve commercial traffic flow at the interchange, which is situated between Bishop International Airport and the GM Flint Assembly facilities. ITS projects have also helped with freight movement, so that a truck heading north on I‐75 can be easily notified of a traffic incident ahead and utilize I‐475 as a detour. Other examples of recent projects that address a congestion‐related issue include a new loop ramp to NB I‐75 from Holly Road, a roundabout at the intersection of Hill Road and Belsay Road, and a Traffic Adaptive signal system along Hill Road. The reports that address efficiency help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward the efficiency of the region. These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

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Planning Factor 8 The “emphasize the preservation” planning factor is addressed by the Pavement Conditions, Non‐ Motorized Trails, Bridges, Transit, Congestion Management Process, ITS, and Safety and Security reports. The Pavement Conditions report indicates that we will continue to focus on a mix of fixes rather than the “worst first” approach, and we will use a range of preventative maintenance treatments on roads already in good condition, as this will help preserve our existing transportation system. Genesee County allocates an average of $9.6 million in federal funds per year to improve the local federal aid network. This is in addition to the funds spent by local road agencies through their state Act‐51 allocation. These funds are

simply not enough to address the needs of all roads in the county, which are deteriorating faster than we can repair them. Staff uses the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) System to rate pavement conditions. PASER is a “windshield” road rating system that uses a 1 to 10 rating scale, with a value of 10 representing a new road and a value of 1 representing a failed road. Condition ratings are assigned by monitoring the type and amount of visual defects along a road segment while driving the segment. The road conditions are recorded, and reports are provided to local agencies and the public. These PASER ratings are used in our TIP Call for Projects applications as part

of our project scoring system. For the FY 2020‐ 2023 TIP Call for Projects, staff and the Transportation System Management Subcommittee worked to create a 15% funding set‐aside to repave roads with a PASER score of 5, (the largest PASER category) encouraging a better mix of fixes.

Road agencies are challenged to come up with innovative fixes to extend the life of our roads.

Efforts to preserve the existing transportation system (besides pavement projects) include chip seals, crack seals and thin overlays. More expensive reconstruction will eventually be needed. The reports that address preservation help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward the preservation of the region. These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Planning Factor 9 The “improve the resiliency” planning factor is addressed by the Infrastructure Coordination, Natural Disaster Threats, Congestion Management Process, Safety and Security, Intermodal Freight, Aviation, Transit, Roundabouts, and ITS. For example, in the ITS report, there are many ITS technologies described that work together as a coordinated, connected system to improve travel reliability, security, and safety. Some of these are electronic message boards, crash prevention features, and remote management of transit, freeways, congestion, traffic incidents, and emergencies. There is an electronic message board on I‐69 in Genesee County that alerts motorists to how long it will take to reach I‐475 and I‐75. When incidents or construction cause delays, the sign suggests alternate routes. The State of Michigan has developed the 2018 MDOT Strategic Plan for Intelligent Transportation Systems, outlining a strategy to deploy new technology. MDOT’s plan

incorporates Genesee County and therefore it serves as our local ITS plan. Software applications such as Google Maps and Michigan’s MiDrive allow for easy re‐routing to avoid traffic congestion. A new method of adapting to congestion is Lane Control Signs, used along the US‐23 Flex Route north of Ann Arbor. Lane Control Signs can allow for additional flexibility by opening or closing lanes to traffic depending on congestion at that time.

This is just one example of multiple technologies all working together to improve real‐life conditions for drivers. The reports that address resiliency help staff to identify issues and work towards mitigating them. The reports show how the integration of various planning aspects can work toward the resiliency of the region. These planning aspects are incorporated into TIP and LRTP project selection criteria.

Planning Factor 10 The “enhance travel and tourism” planning factor is addressed by the Tourism, Water Trails, Aviation, and Non‐Motorized Trails reports. For example, the Water Trails report indicates that water trails are powerful economic drivers for local communities, generating new business and an

increase in outdoor recreational tourism. Genesee County is home to two major waterways that provide economical, recreational, and

environmental benefits. These are the Flint River, located in the northern half of the county, and the Shiawassee River, located in the southern third of the county. Each summer since 2015, participants have enjoyed the Flint River Flotilla held here in Genesee County. The Flotilla provides an opportunity for people to enjoy the Flint River, and see its positive aspects and resources. According to the Outdoor Industry Association 2018 Economy Report, residents of Michigan’s 5th Congressional District (which includes Genesee County) spend approximately $1.4 billion on outdoor recreation each year, thanks in part to our abundance of lakes, streams and shoreline. They foster interactive and educational experiences by providing information on the community’s past via historical markers and informative signs. As water trails attract more users of local waterways, they also increase awareness of the natural beauty and importance of conservation efforts and water quality. Important factors that create a great environment for tourism are pavement in good condition, a multi‐modal system, and a thriving economic community. Our TIP applications have a section called “Area‐Wide Impact” which looks at other significant criteria which do not fit into the pavement, safety, access management, or complete streets categories. However, these criteria need to be included when establishing priorities. These criteria look at how the project impacts Environmental Justice Zones, how the project improves things like travel time or freight movement, and if there are any other transportation‐related improvements in the project area. Travel and tourism can be included in these criteria. For example, a road project by the Cultural Center in the City of Flint would get additional points for aiding tourism. The tourism report encourages staff to be mindful of the importance of tourism in Genesee County as we plan for transportation, housing, and solid waste improvements.

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Planning Factor

Reports Addressing the Identified Planning Factors

Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;

Intermodal Freight, Socio‐Economic Projections, Non‐Motorized Trails, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Environmental Assets, Land Use, Barriers to Affordable Living, Economic Development, Community Downtown Profiles, Community Housing Profiles, Infrastructure Coordination, Pavement Conditions, Bridge, Safety and Security, Access to Core Services, Tourism, Water Trails, and Aviation

Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non‐motorized users; Safety and Security, Roundabouts, ITS, Bridges, Intermodal Freight, Aviation, and Non‐Motorized Trails.

Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non‐motorized users;

ITS, Transit, Congestion Management Process, Bridges, Intermodal Freight, Aviation, and Safety and Security

Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;

Intermodal Freight, Congestion Management Process, Transit, Access to Core Services, Barriers to Affordable Living, Safety and Security, Bridges, Non‐Motorized Trails, Economic Development, and Aviation

Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and state and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

Non‐Motorized Trails, Roundabouts, Transit, Environmental Assets, Landfill, Land Use, Pavement Conditions, Bridges, Aviation, Safety and Security, and Access to Core Services

Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;

Intermodal Freight, Congestion Management Process, Transit, Access to Core Services, Aviation, ITS, Infrastructure Coordination, Barriers to Affordable Living, Safety and Security, Bridges, and Non‐Motorized Trails

Promote efficient system management and operation;

Transit, Safety and Security, Congestion Management Process, Non‐Motorized Trails, Pavement Conditions, Bridge, Access to Core Services, ITS, Roundabouts, Intermodal Freight, Infrastructure Coordination, and Aviation

Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system;

Pavement Conditions, Non‐Motorized Trails, Bridges, Transit, Congestion Management Process, ITS, Safety and Security, Intermodal Freight, and Aviation

Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation;

Infrastructure Coordination, Natural Disaster Threats, Congestion Management Process, Safety and Security, Intermodal Freight, Aviation, Transit, Roundabouts, and ITS

Enhance travel and tourism

Tourism, Water Trails, Aviation, and Non‐Motorized Trails

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