HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.23.24 TTAC Agenda PacketMEETING NOTICE
MPOJC Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 – 10:30 AM Emma Harvat Hall
Iowa City City Hall
AGENDA
1.Call to order; recognize alternates; consider approval of meeting minutes
2.Public discussion of any item not on the agenda*
3.Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding Federal
Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula funding apportionment for
FY2023
4.Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding
appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications
(SUDAS) Board of Directors
5.Update on the MPOJC FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program & FY25-28
Transportation Improvement Program schedules
6.Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant
7.Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data
8.Update on Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis
9.Update on Pavement Management Data Availability
10.Verbal update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from the MPOJC Director
11.Other Business
12.Adjournment
*Public input is permitted on any agenda item. Please indicate to the Chair if you wish to comment on an agenda
item. To request any disability-related accommodations or language interpretation, pl ease contact MPOJC staff at
319-356-5230 or Kent-Ralston@Iowa-City.org 48 hours prior to the meeting.
MINUTES DRAFT
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023 - 10:30 AM
CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Vicky Robrock, Scott Larson, Ellen Habel
Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel,
Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel
North Liberty: Ryan Rusnak
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
Tiffin: Doug Boldt
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Hannah Neel
OTHER: Cady Gerlach, Austin Korns
1.CALL TO ORDER
Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.
a.Recognize alternates
Ralston recognized Ellen Habel as an alternate for Kelly Hayworth.
b.Consider approval of meeting minutes
Boldt moved to approve, Knoche seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
2.PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
Ralston reminded the Committee that the City of North Liberty now has two members
serving on the committee as a result of their 2020 population numbers.
3.CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING SAFETY TARGETS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THE MPO
AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Ralston reminded the Committee of the requirement set by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to set targets for
five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Ralston stated that there are two options for these targets: to support and adopt the State’s
targets or to create individualized, quantifiable targets for each measure as a metropolitan
area. Ralston recommended the adoption of the State’s targets and mentioned that there
is the opportunity to create local targets each year if it is felt that they would provide
additional benefit. Ralston then detailed the targets from the Iowa Department of
Transportation (DOT) and the data behind their methodology and current trends. Ralston
asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board to adopt the State’s
safety targets and performance measures.
Habel moved to approve the recommendation; Boldt seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
4.CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE FY24-27 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)
Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming
document for all surface transportation projects that receive state or federal funds,
including street and highway, transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. Neel stated that
in order to utilize state and federal funding sources, projects and their funding sources
must be included in the TIP with accurate information. To maintain this accuracy, four
amendments were requested as follows:
a.Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) – add the Bridge Investment
Program (BIP) funding for the Burlington Street / Highway 1 bridge
improvements project.
Neel stated that this project has been awarded $300,000 in earmarked Bridge
Investment Program (BIP) funds through the Iowa DOT. These funds will be
used for a study of alternates, stakeholder involvement and outreach, and
environmental review. Neel mentioned that Iowa City will provide a $300,000
local match for these funds.
b.Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) – Adjust funding amounts for the
Interstate 380 project from north of Forevergreen Road to north of Swan Lake
Road.
Neel stated that the Iowa DOT is requesting this amendment due to project
costs increasing by over 50% in FY2024. Total funding amounts for FY2024
increased from $8,523,000 to $13,000,000. Costs for FY2025-2027 remain
unchanged.
c.City of Coralville and University of Iowa – Add Iowa Department of
Transportation (DOT) shortfall funding for two light-duty transit buses.
Neel explained that this funding has been made available through the Iowa
DOT to make up for the increase in costs for vehicle replacements.
d.University of Iowa – Adjust funding amounts and project description for a
maintenance facility expansion project.
Neel explained the change in project description and associated changes in
federal and local amounts.
Neel asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board for approval of the
proposed amendments.
McClatchey moved to approve the recommendation; Nagle-Gamm seconded. The
motion carried unanimously.
5. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC BUS RAPID TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY
Ralston stated that with direction from the Urbanized Area Policy Board, a Bus Rapid
Transit Feasibility study for the CRANDIC Railroad corridor between Iowa City and North
Liberty has been started. The goal of the study is to allow local stakeholders the
opportunity to compare elements of the Passenger Rail Studies completed in July 2020
with elements of a Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility study. Ralston noted that the contract for
this study has been awarded to Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig (FHU) with Nelson Nygaard
Associates and should be completed by June 2024.
6. UPDATE ON THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT
Walz explained that in July staff submitted an application for a Safe Streets and Roads for
All (SSFA) grant established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Walz noted that
unfortunately the MPOJC application was not included in the first round of awards
announced on October 27, 2023, but that another round of funding will be announced in
December.
Ralston explained that the funding would be used to hire a consultant to analyze all
collision data for the metro, helping communities to prioritize projects and resources.
7. UPDATE ON 380 EXPRESS FUNDING FROM ECICOG – PRESS RELEASE
Ralston shared the press release from East Central Iowa Council of Governments
(ECICOG) regarding the continuation of the Interstate 380 Express bus service until at
least June 2026. The Iowa Department of Transportation will continue to fund the service
due to the success of the program with approximately 350 riders per day.
8. UPDATE ON THE FINAL ‘SEVERSON CHARITY CHALLENGE’ FROM STAFF
Walz reminded the Committee of the past 11 years of the Linda Severson Charity
Challenge and the approximate $90,000 in donations that have been collected benefitting
local charities. Walz explained that a memorial bench was installed at Wetherby Park in
Linda’s honor. Walz thanked all who had contributed for their generosity.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
Bothell noted that Tiffin is applying for Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program funding for the
construction of a double-lane roundabout on North Park Road. Bothell explained that the
application requires a resolution stating that the project is in compliance with the MPOJC
Long Range Transportation Plan. Because the project is in compliance with the plan, Staff
will be asking the Urbanized Area Policy Board to approve that resolution at their next
meeting. Bothell reminded the Committee of the application cycle and to reach out early
for assistance, if needed.
Larson provided an update on the 1st Avenue and I-80 interchange project. The pedestrian
path on the east side of 1st Avenue is now open and the existing west side pedestrian path
is closed. Larson also explained that the northbound movement coming off I-80 eastbound
will be detoured to Dubuque Street while construction is being completed on the
interchange.
Knoche noted that the public works facility is near completion with the recent installation
of a solar array on the roof and that they will now apply for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Sovers noted that both the American Legion Road and Benton Street projects are
wrapping up. Sovers also mentioned that the bid for the replacement of the Gilbert Street
bridge over Ralston Creek was awarded to Boomerang with a predicted start date of late
March.
Havel noted that Iowa City is beginning the bidding process for the Dubuque Street project
from Washington Street to Iowa Avenue.
McClatchey gave an update on the construction of the Health Sciences building at Melrose
Avenue and Grand Avenue and the new parking garage near the West Campus
Transportation Center (WCTC). McClatchey also mentioned an automated passenger
counting system that they hope to install on a few CAMBUS buses soon. The purchase of
two minibuses was also noted.
Nagle-Gamm gave an update on Iowa City Transit ridership after the implementation of
the fare-free service and stated that there has been a significant increase in monthly
ridership after two months of the program. Nagle-Gamm also mentioned the grant Iowa
City Transit has received for the construction of a new transit facility and that the design
process will begin soon.
Rusnak noted the upcoming completion of the new North Liberty City Hall.
Boldt mentioned two upcoming projects, a new traffic signal along Highway 6 and the
widening of Highway 6 between Roberts Ferry Road and North Park Road.
From noted that University Heights will have traffic cameras installed for speed
enforcement by the end of the year.
10.ADJOURNMENT
Havel moved to adjourn the meeting; McClatchey seconded. The motion carried
unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:07 AM.
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Hannah Neel, Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #3: Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy
Board regarding Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating
Formula funding apportionment for FY2023
Iowa DOT has indicated that MPOJC has a total of $4,672,402 available in FY2023 FTA Section
5307 operating assistance. This amount includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC)
funding. Section 5307 funds can be used for transit operating and capital expenses.
For more than 10 years, the MPO used the same local formula to distribute these funds based on
prior year transit statistics from each of the three systems; 25% operating/maintenance costs,
25% locally determined income (LDI), 25% revenue miles, and 25% fare revenue. Iowa City
Transit requested a review of the formula prior to their agency offering a zero-fare system
beginning on August 1, 2023. In addition, the University of Iowa Cambus system does not charge
a fare and had never received credit for the fare revenue portion of the formula.
Although the percentage/allocation to each of the transit systems has fluctuated over time, a
review of past allocations showed that year-over-year changes were small. After discussions with
the transit managers, the consensus was to simply adopt a fixed percentage-based allocation
(starting with FY 2023 allocations and extending through FY 2027), based on a historic average,
and to review those percentages if/when there are major changes to any of the systems (e.g.
routes or operations costs). At their July 11, 2023 meeting, the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy
Board approved the following fixed percentages to apportion FTA 5307 funds (Coralville 16.10%,
Iowa City 60.50%, and University of Iowa Cambus 23.40%).
The following tables show the FY2023 transit statistics and proposed funding apportionment
amounts as well as the FY2022 allocation for reference. Once approved, the MPO will complete
and submit the required annual FTA Section 5307 applications on behalf of each transit system.
Please be prepared to make a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding
the apportionment of the FY2023 FTA Section 5307 operating funds.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this information, please contact me at 319-356-
5235 or Hannah-Neel@iowa-city.org.
2
Proposed FY2023 Section 5307 Operating Apportionment
System Total Operating
Cost
Locally
Determined
Income*
Revenue
Miles
Fare
Revenue
Multiplier
**
FY2023
Apportionment
Coralville $1,724,476 $531,009 196,428 $292,621 .1610 $752,257
Iowa City $6,167,528 $1,108,751 700,683 $1,036,757 .6050 $2,826,803
CAMBUS $4,442,515 $2,092,585 573,816 $0.00 .2340 $1,093,342
TOTAL $12,335,519 $3,732,345 1,470,927 $1,329,378 1.0000 $4,672,402
*Locally Determined Income is Total Operating Cost minus FTA and STA funding
**Multiplier is a fixed percentage based on a historic average of the percentages of total operating
costs, locally determined income, revenue miles, and fare revenue.
Approved FY2022 Section 5307 Operating Apportionment
System Multiplier
Total
Apportionment
Coralville 0.1583 $722,663
Iowa City 0.6133 $2,799,804
CAMBUS 0.2284 $1,042,679
TOTAL 1.0000 $4,565,146
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #4: Consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy
Board regarding appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban Design
and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors
Every other year MPOJC is asked to appoint an MPOJC representative to the Statewide Urban
Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. SUDAS is a non-profit organization
which maintains Iowa manuals for public improvement design standards and specifications,
including sanitary sewer, water mains, streets and sidewalks, utility locations, drainage and
erosion control, and others. SUDAS is managed by Iowa State University’s Institute for
Transportation.
Scott Larson, City Engineer for the City of Coralville, is our current MPO representative and has
served on the SUDAS Board since 2005. Mr. Larson currently serves as the SUDAS Board
President and has indicated his willingness and desire to continue to represent the MPO for
another two-year term.
Please be prepared to consider a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
regarding a two-year appointment to the SUDAS Board of Directors. The only requirement for
this appointment is that the representative be a professional engineer working for one of the
MPOJC entities.
I will be available at the January 23rd meeting to answer any questions you may have.
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #5: Update on the FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program and
FY25-28 Transportation Improvement Program schedules
FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program
The Transportation Planning Work Program is a document developed each year to identify
projects which will be addressed by MPOJC the following fiscal year. The Work Program is
developed in a coordinated effort involving the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee,
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and Urbanized Area Policy Board. Annual Work
Program items include all state and federally required planning processes and documentation,
ongoing and routine projects, and special projects requested by member entities.
We will begin soliciting for FY25 Work Program projects in February. If you have special
projects in mind for the Work Program, please feel free to discuss them with any MPO staff
person. The draft Work Program must be submitted to the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by March 31st. The
Urbanized Area Policy Board will approve the final Work Program in May.
FY25-28 Transportation Improvement Program
The MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for
federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area. This
document includes federally funded transportation projects for all modes of transportation
including streets, highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects.
The importance of the TIP is that it formalizes the specific projects to receive federal funds, and
the year in which the projects receive funding. The Urbanized Area Policy Board considers
approval of the annual TIP after receiving a recommendation from the Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC). In 2023, the Urbanized Area Policy Board awarded $9.3 million in
Surface Transportation Block Grant funds reflected in the FY25-28 TIP. In 2025, the Policy
Board will allocate more than $13 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation
Alternative Program, and Carbon Reduction Program funds to be programmed in FY29-30.
In July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the FY25-28 TIP for adoption. In
preparation for public review of the draft TIP, staff will work with you to ensure projects are
programmed in the appropriate fiscal year.
I will be at your January 23rd meeting to answer any questions you have.
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #6: Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant
In July 2023, MPO staff submitted an application on behalf of the MPOJC urbanized area for a
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years,
2022-2026. SS4A program grants go directly to regional, local, and Tribal communities for
implementation, planning, and demonstration projects driven at the local level to improve safety
and help prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways.
On December 13, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its second round of grant
awards. The MPO’s application was awarded a $300,000 grant to create a Safety Action Plan
focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. The adoption of such a plan will in
turn make urbanized area communities eligible for demonstration and implementation grants
through the same program to correct issues identified in the Safety Action Plan.
There are several steps we must go through before publishing a Request for Proposal to hire a
consultant. We will be in touch with communities soon regarding matching funds and other
details.
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #7: Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data
One of the guiding principles in the MPO’s adopted 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan is the
safety of all modes of transportation. The Plan identifies the number of pedestrian and bicycle
collisions and resulting injuries and fatalities in its safety performance measures.
The following shows the changes in reported bicycle and pedestrian collisions since 2012 and
the severity of those collisions. The data were obtained from the Iowa DOT’s Crash Analysis
Tool on 01/11/2024. These data do not include collisions that occur on private property. Also
excluded are any collisions on I-80/380 and U.S. Highway 218.
Figure 1. Annual Metro Area Pedestrian and Bicycle Collision Trends, 2012-2023
The number of reported collisions involving bicycles and pedestrians began trending downward
around 2016, with bicycle collisions reduced by more than 60% between 2015 and 2021. The
record lows for both bicycle and pedestrian collisions in 2020/21 may be related to the COVID-
19 pandemic, when vehicle miles travel declined. Both bicycle and pedestrian collisions then
increased in 2022 as COVID restrictions ended and travel normalized. In 2023, collisions
appear to be returning to the previous downward trend, with pedestrian collisions at their second
lowest and bike collisions at their third lowest in a decade.
2
Figure 2. Annual Reported Metro Pedestrian Collisions and Injury Severity, 2012-2023
The trendline of collisions recorded each year tells only part of the story. To get a complete
picture of safety of our roadways, we also consider the number and percentage of serious
injuries and fatalities that result from these collisions.
Figure 2 (above) shows the number of pedestrian collisions for each year with the percentage of
collisions that resulted in serious injury or fatality. While the total number of pedestrian collisions
dropped by more than a third from 2022 to 2023, the percentage of pedestrian collisions
resulting in serious injury or fatality increased by nearly a quarter.
Figure 3. Safety Performance Measures for Pedestrian Collisions, 5-year trends
Pedestrian Collisions Total number of collisions 146 106
Serious-injuries/fatalities Total number of serious injuries & fatalities 21 19
Severity rate Severe injuries & fatalities / collisions 14%18%
Performance Measure Definitions 2014-2018 2019-2023
As shown above in Figure 3, the five-year trends for pedestrian collisions and resulting severe
injuries and fatalities show that despite a decrease in the number of collisions and resulting
severe injuries, the likelihood that a collision will result in severe injury or fatality is increasing.
3
Figure 4. Annual Reported Metro Bicycle Collisions and Injury Severity, 2012-2023
Figure 4 presents bicycle collision numbers in comparison to severe injuries and fatalities.
Similar to the pattern with reported Metro Area pedestrian collisions, the number of bicycle
collisions has been trending downward since 2016, reaching its lowest numbers in 2020 and
2021. Again, changes in travel due to the COVID 19 pandemic likely contributed to this
significant drop in collisions. As travel normalized in 2022, bicycle collisions increased by more
than 50% though serious injury/fatality numbers remained low. In 2023, bicycle collisions
dropped by 18%, returning to a downward trend.
The trend of serious injuries and fatalities for bicycle collisions is more favorable than the
pedestrian trend. Though the rate of serious injuries and fatalities increased in 2020 and 2021,
the rate dropped significantly in 2022 and again in 2023. Last year, the Metro Area recorded no
serious injury or fatal bicycle crashes. This was the first year that no fatal or serious-injury
bicycle collisions were recorded in more than a decade.
Figure 5. Safety Performance Measures for Pedestrian Collisions, 5-year trends
Bicycle collisions Total collisions 200 122
Severe Injuries/fatalities Total number of serious injuries & fatalities 17 7
Severity rate Severe injuries & fatalities / total collisons 9%6%
Definitions 2014-2018 2019-2023 Performance Measure
As shown above in Figure 5, the five-year trends for bicycle collisions and resulting severe
injuries and fatalities show a decrease in all measures.
4
The safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, our most vulnerable road users, is a top priority for the
MPO. Complete streets policies and the investments each community has made in sidewalks,
trails, and intersection treatments play an essential role in reducing pedestrian and bicycle
collisions and making active modes of transportation and recreation accessible.
As the recently awarded Safe Streets and Roads for All grant allows us to move forward in
developing a Safety Action Plan, we will identify those locations and conditions where bicycles
and pedestrians may be most at risk and propose countermeasures to improve safety and
eliminate serious injuries and fatalities.
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Emily Bothell; Senior Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #8: Update on Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis
MPO staff has completed an update to the Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis. The updated
analysis identifies any intersection or mid-block location that experienced three or more
collisions in the urbanized area between 2020 and 2022. The analysis then ranks these
locations based on a formula using number of collisions, crash rates, and severity of collisions.
The document is particularly helpful in determining which locations, by jurisdiction, could benefit
from increased enforcement, infrastructure improvements, or other potential countermeasures
that could reduce the number and severity of collisions. The analysis in its entirety will be
available later this month. I attached a portion of the analysis identifying the top ten highest-
ranking intersection collision locations (Figure 1) and the top five highest-ranking midblock
collision locations (Figure 2) in the urbanized area.
We will be available at your January 23rd meeting to answer any questions.
.
Figure 1: Top Ten Intersection Collision Locations in the Urbanized Area
North Liberty
Coralville
Iowa City
Figure 2: Top Five Mid-Block Collision Locations in the Urbanized Area
Iowa City
Coralville
Date: January 16, 2024
To: Transportation Technical Advisory Committee
From: Emily Bothell; Senior Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #9: Update on Pavement Management Data Availability
The Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University developed the Iowa Pavement
Management Program (IPMP), in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation
(DOT). This program provides local agencies with access to pavement condition data, tools, and
training for both project and network-level activities.
As part of the Program, the Institute for Transportation hires a vendor to provide pavement
condition data on Interstates, National Highway System routes, Iowa DOT routes, and local
public agency routes every four years on a recurring basis. In 2022 the Urbanized Area Policy
Board approved $60,000 in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funding to continue the
two-year pavement data collection cycle for our local routes.
Staff at the Institute for Transportation has informed us that pavement condition data has been
collected for all roadways in the Johnson County Urbanized Area. The data will be available to
local jurisdictions in June or July of this year. In the meantime, historical pavement condition
data can be viewed at the following link: https://ipmp.ctre.iastate.edu/gisdata/.
I will be at your January 23rd meeting to answer any questions you may have.