N.C.
CAPITAL AREA
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
October 15,
2008
4:00 pm –
6:00 pm
One Exchange Plaza
Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC
AGENDA
1. Preliminaries
2. Adjustments to the Agenda
3. Public Comments
This is an opportunity for
comments by those in attendance on items not on the agenda. Please limit
comments to three minutes for each speaker.
4. Approval of Minutes of
the August 20, 2008 TAC Meeting.
The
minutes of the August 20, 2008 Joint TAC meeting are enclosed as Attachment 4A.
TAC
Action: Approval of the minutes of the August 20,
2008 TAC meeting.
5. 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan
MPO staff has been working with representatives of the Durham-Chapel
Hill-Carrboro MPO, Triangle Transit, Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG)
and the Triangle Regional Model Service Bureau in preparing the 2035 Long Range
Transportation Plan (LRTP). The 2035
LRTP Draft Report was presented at August 20, 2008 TAC meeting and included:
§
Goals and Objectives
adopted by the TAC on May 21, 2008,
§
A schedule of events and
deadlines that apply to the 2035 LRTP,
§
A map and list of all
roadway projects to be included in the 2035 LRTP,
§
Preliminary cost
estimates and revenue projections
§
Local options revenue
estimates, and
§
Maps showing three
transit scenarios that reflected the Special Transit
§
Advisory Commission
(STAC) network.
At that time, the “preferred alternative” tables for both highway and
transit projects were not complete.
Since the August 20 TAC and TCC meetings, staff members have been
working to create a highway “preferred alternative” and four transit “preferred
alternatives” that will be modeled and analyzed using two land use
alternatives. Attachment 5A
includes maps and tables that identify the
highway network and outline the four preliminary preferred transit alternatives
as well as additional information currently ready for public review and
comment.
The four transit alternatives are identified as:
(1) R0
A bus
only Scenario
(2) R1
A commuter rail system – work trip oriented with 30 min peak/60 min off
peak headways. Routes include:
A.
Hillsborough 
Durham
Cary
Raleigh Clayton
B. Apex
Wake Forest via Cary,
Downtown Raleigh
and US-1 Corridor
C. Durham Carrboro via Carolina North and University Rail Spur
(3) R2
Light
Rail from UNC Hospital
to Downtown Durham Multimodal
Center
Diesel
Multiple Unit (DMU) trains from Duke
Medical Center
RTP
Cary Raleigh
to Durant Road
(4) R3
Continuous
light rail line from UNC
Hospital Duke
Medical Center
NCCU RTP Cary Raleigh Durant Road
The R3 alternative is particularly unique due to its routing through
downtown Raleigh, as compared to the other alternatives that use the existing
railroad lines. Currently, the staffs of the MPOs, TJCOG, and the Triangle
Model Services Bureau are working to finalize the highway networks and transit
routes that will be modeled as a part of the “Preferred Alternative”
analysis.
At this time, it is staff’s recommendation that the Preferred Highway
Alternative and the four preliminary transit alternatives be released for
public review and comment. Currently,
model runs are being made that will provide additional information for public
review. That information will be
disseminated as it comes available.
TAC Action: (1) Receive
Preliminary Preferred Alternative materials and authorize
release of the 2035 LRTP
for public review and comment, with the comment period to close 45-days after
dissemination of the remaining model related information.
(2) Schedule a public hearing to receive comment
on the 2035 LRTP at the November 19, 2008 TAC meeting.
6. 2011-2017 Metropolitan Transportation
Improvement Program (MTIP)–
Project Priority List
At the August 20, 2008 TAC meeting, information relating
to the 2011-2017 MTIP project priority list development schedule and proposed
process were presented to the TAC. The
process, as presented was endorsed by the TAC. Based on that endorsement, staff
of the MPO and member jurisdictions developed the project priority list using
projects previously requested by member jurisdictions during the FY 2009-2015
MTIP cycle. Attachment 6A
is a table reflecting the current list and includes modifications based on
local input received during the last month.
The
MPO staff and TCC subcommittee members will receive technical data from the
Triangle Regional Model during October.
This technical data, along with efforts to achieve reasonable geographic
equity among member jurisdictions, will result in a prioritized list of
roadway, bicycle-pedestrian, advanced planning, and enhancement projects for
submittal to the TCC and TAC. A
prioritized list of projects will be submitted to the TAC in November, at which
time a request to open the public review and comment period will be made.
TAC
Action: Receive the Draft 2011-2017 MTIP project priority
list for informational purposes.
7. Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
Project Selection Process
Policy Changes
The Congestion
Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program provides funding to areas designated
“Maintenance” for air quality. These
funds are used to support projects that reduce transportation related emissions
in these areas.
Recently, NCDOT
has identified areas of program administration and project delivery where
improvement can be made. A proposal
developed by NCDOT staff, entitled “New Direction for CMAQ in North Carolina”
is currently being considered by the NC Board of Transportation for action at
their November meeting.
Attachment
7A is
a copy of the presentation made to the Board by NCDOT staff and outlines the
changes recommended.
Attachment
7B
is a copy of the letter and resolution submitted by the NC Association of
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NCAMPO) regarding this proposal.
Attachment 7C is a copy of the
letter submitted on behalf of the High Point Urban Area MPO (representing
comments from the Cabarrus-Rowan MPO, Greensboro MPO, High Point MPO,
Winston-Salem MPO, and the Piedmont Triad RPO).
Attachment
7D
Is a copy of the final presentation made which outlines comments received and
recommendations made after receipt of comments.
TAC
Action:
Receive information on proposed CMAQ
changes for discussion and action as appropriate.
8. NC 98 Functional Classification Change
Functional
Classification is the manner by which roadways are grouped based on the type of
service they are intended to provide.
This classification is mainly used as a planning tool and to determine
appropriation of funding. The partial
completion of the Wake Forest Bypass (R-2809) created a need to re-align NC 98
in the Functional Class system.
The proposed
change is shown on Attachment
8A, and includes:
• NC 98 Business, NC 98 to the existing NC 98 Business
add as an Urban Collector. (0.11 Mile)
• Old NC 98, NC 98 east of SR 2053 to NC 98 Business west
of SR 5166
delete as an Urban Collector. (0.33 Mile)
• SR 5166, NC 98 Business to end of new road at water
treatment plant
add as an Urban Local. (0.11 Mile)
This
proposed change must be approved by the MPO prior to any revision can be made.
TAC Action: Approve
request for functional classification change for NC 98 as outlined in
Attachment 8A.
9. I-540 Roadway Official Designation Request
As “the 540” is
constructed, designation as an interstate roadway is required. The first segment (I-40 to US-70) was
designated I-540, the second (Falls of the Neuse to US-1) was also requested
and designated I-540. The third segment
(US-1 to US-64/264) is now complete and the request is being made to designate
it I-540 as well. Attachment
9A is a copy of the letter sent to FHWA Division Administrator,
John Sullivan requesting the I-540 designation for this portion of the roadway.
TAC Action: Receive
for informational purposes only.
10. Report from the TCC Chair
Chip Russell, TCC Chair
11. MPO Staff Reports
Ed Johnson, MPO Director
12. NCDOT Reports
Scott Walston/Rupal Desai –
Transportation Planning Branch
Richard Greene - Division 4
Wally
Bowman/Joey Hopkins - Division 5
Terry Gibson
- Division 6
13. Other
Business and Pending Items
14. Informational Items
Bill Barlow, NCDOT, PTD has provided us with copies of the transit
newsletter he produces to assist MPO members and others in staying abreast of
transit happenings in our area. Attachment 14A
is a copy of the July/August and September newsletters.
Adjourn
UPCOMING MEETINGS
TAC Joint Meeting with DCHC MPO: October 29, 2008
Research
Triangle Foundation Offices - 4:00 PM–6:00PM
TCC Meeting: November 6, 2008
One
Exchange Plaza, Room 809 – 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
TAC Meeting: November 19, 2008
Wake
County Commons, Conference Room 101 - 4:00 PM–6:00PM
