RPO America Peer Exchange: Rural Transportation Planning Programs

On May 16, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and its program affiliate RPO America held a virtual peer exchange focused on rural transportation planning programs. Speakers included Krishna Kunapareddy (NADO), Chris Whitaker (Region XII Council of Governments), and Jennifer O'Connor (Northern Arizona Council of Governments). Learning objectives included:
* Understanding how RPOs work across the country, including common planning and program responsibilities and unique tasks customized for local conditions
* Identify common regional planning organization roles to support local transportation planning and implementation needs.
* Identify common regional organization roles conducted in support of statewide transportation planning, such as long-range plans, short-range capital programs, and modal plans.

1. RPO America Virtual peer exchange Transportation Programs in RTPO/RPO world May 16, 2024

2. Agenda Welcome Introductions- Please type your name, title and organization name in the chat! NADO & RPO America Presentations Breakout sessions Q & A

3. About NADO National association for 540 regional development organizations, including emerging network of Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs or RPOs); Promote public policies that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. 3

4. NADO Board of Directors formed RPO America in 2006 as the national professional network for regional rural/small metro transportation professionals Member services program within NADO All NADO members are automatically also members of RPO America RPO America has a leadership group called the RPO Council

5. Emergence of Regional Transportation Planning ISTEA (1991) Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act TEA-21 (1998) Transportation Equity Act for the 21 st Century SAFETEA-LU (2005) Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 2003 FHWA/FTA planning regulations were adopted implementing language on rural planning and state-local consultation. https://ruraltransportation.org/about-rtpos/rtpo-states/

6. Recent history: RTPOs in MAP-21 (2012), FAST Act (2015), IIJA (2021) Structure: policy committee, fiscal agent Basic regional planning, TA duties outlined State outreach to local officials separate from public outreach State roles: “Cooperate” with RTPOs on LRTP “Consult” with RTPOs on Interstate, Bridge, NHS, 5310, 5311 projects in STIP “Cooperate” with RTPOs on other projects in STIP for areas with a population under 50,000 “Consult” with RTPOs on Strategic Highway Safety Plan 6

7. * * * * * * * https://RuralTransportation.org/about-rtpos/rtpo-states/ Regional Transportation Planning Models

8. RTPO Structures and Functions Usually found within an existing organization Fiscal agent, administrative support Professional planning support Policy board makeup Existing regional organization’s board Majority local governments Transportation mode operators, owners, or key stakeholders Major stakeholder reps: health, business, other State DOT (voting or non-voting) 8

9. What do RTPOs do? Assist the state with public outreach and outreach specifically to local government officials Support locals with the technical transportation issues in their communities Prioritize local needs at the regional level = larger voice

10. Speakers Chris Whitaker, Local assistance director from Region 12 COG in Iowa Jennifer O’Connor, Planning Director from Northern Arizona Council of Governments

11. RPO America Virtual Peer Exchange May 16, 2024 Region XII Planning Affiliation Carroll, Iowa 11

12. RPAs in Iowa 12

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14. Region XII COG Profile Organized 1973 6 Counties 56 Cities 72,167 People Two Divisions Local Assistance Western Iowa Transit –1977

15. Structure Region XII Policy Council Approves TPWP, TIP, Passenger Transportation Plan and Transportation Plans Region XII Executive Board Amendments and Revisions of Document and Programs 15

16. Advisory Committees Technical Advisory Committee 6 County Engineers, 2 Large City Engineers, Public Transit Rep and Ex-Officio Members Provides Technical Assistance and Guidance for the Planning Process Recommends TPWP, TIP and Plans for Approval 16

17. Transit Roundtable XII Committee Region XII Staff, New Hope Village, Empowerment Agencies, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Community Opportunities, Howard Center, RSVP, Private Charter, and Ex-Officio Members Input Regarding Public Transit and Passenger Transportation Coordination Recommends Passenger Transportation Plan and Updates 17

18. Bike-Ped Roundtable 18 Members and Ex-Officio Members 6 Conservation Directors 2 Trail Advocates from each county Input on Trail Development, Maintenance and Promotion Assists with Trail Counts Roundtable for Bike-Ped Facilities 18

19. County Transportation Stakeholders Grass Roots Citizen Input Groups Vary Greatly from County to County TAC Members, IDOT, Conservation, Economic Development, Cities, Supervisor, 2-4 Business Interests Annual Meeting in Each County Virtual Online Input on STBG and Transportation Alternatives Application Surveys 19

20. RPA XII TASKS TPWP Public Participation Process (PPP) Technical Assistance, Grants, Advocacy Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) STBG, Transportation Alternatives, HSIP, Bridge and Transit Funding 20

21. Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP) WIT Capital Improvement Plan and Operations Plan Transportation Data Collection (TDC) Long Range Transportation Special Projects 21

22. RPA XII Special Projects Transit Facility Feasibility Studies Traffic Counters and Counts Retroreflectometers Sign Inventories Recreational Trail Counters Solar Speed Detection Signs Corridor and Traffic Studies 22

23. Transit Feasibility Studies Carroll Main Facility Expansion Satellite Transit Storage 7 to 10 Units Light Maintenance Centralized Operations and Office 23

24. Traffic Counters and Counts Need for Good Local Data IDOT Counts every 4 year (plus another 1 year to get the counts) Collective Purchase 8 Tube Counters & a Turn Count Movement Board AADT, Trucks, Speed, and Peak Traffic Data 24

25. Retroreflectometers and Sign Inventories Retroreflectometers Cooperative Purchase Meet MUTCD 2A.09 Minimum Retroreflectivity Compliance 80% STP Funds 20% County/City Match Sign Inventories Interns for 2 summers 25

26. Recreational Trail Counters Need for Data on Usage (or lack of) Limited IDOT Data and not Well Shared 27 Trafx Counters 80% STP and 20% County Conservation Board and Cities and Trail Groups 12 Eco Counters 80% STP 26

27. RPA XII Special Projects All Driven Locally TAC Members Local Governments Transportation Stakeholders Call for Projects Annually 27

28. TPWP Budget 28

29. 29 Region XII Council of Governments Chris Whitaker, Local Assistance Director Carroll, Iowa www.region12cog.org [email protected]

30. Northern Arizona Council of Governments Planning Activities in No. Arizona Jenn O’Connor NACOG Planning Director

31. Northern Arizona Council of Govts . Geography : 47,967 square miles Approx. 42% of Arizona About the size of New York 2 Small MPO’s – Flagstaff and Prescott areas

32. Northern Arizona Council of Govt.s Geography : 22 Cities and Towns Ex. Sedona, Page, Show Low 4 Counties 7 Tribes Nat’l Forests and Parks 32 In Sum : Combination of highly rural areas made up of counties, cities, small towns, unincorporated communities, tourist destinations and tribes

33. Northern Arizona Council of Govt.s Population : - 334,400 people - 18.6% of the state pop. - Diverse make-up 33 Race and Hispanic Origin Yavapai Coconino Apache Navajo White, not Hispanic 79.3% 53.5% 18.1% 42% American Indian 2.2% 27.5% 74.5% 44.6% Hispanic/Latino 15.3% 14.9% 7.1% 12.1%

34. Tribal Partners 34 NACOG Region : 7 Tribes, including: Navajo Nation Hopi Tribe Yavapai-Apache Nation 3 Additional Tribes share boundaries with other COGs

35. NACOG Vision Root ed in its rich diversity and history, Northern Arizona is a vibrant region to live, work, grow, and connect. NACOG Mission Our mission is to respond to relevant and emerging issues through creative and collaborative services, planning, education, and advocacy.

36. Regional Planning Team Jennifer O'Connor , Planning Director Strategic Planning, Project Management, Studies, Safety Investments, Funding Vacant , Transportation Planner Data and GIS, Project Management, Roads, Infrastructure, Safety Tod Morris, Sr. Mobility Management Planner Passenger Transportation, 5310, 5311 36

37. The Organization Head Start Childhood Education Economic & Workforce Development Human & Community Services 37 Regional Planning Chris Fetzer – NACOG Executive Director, NADO Immediate Past President

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39. Level of Participation in TAC and Activities Turnover and staffing shortages at local jurisdictions Local participation is voluntary Extremely large region with high needs means NACOG has to prioritize where to spend time/energy Elected Officials Need to be Educated on Complex Topic Increase communication with elected officials at the local and state level to support funding and projects Challenges/Barriers

40. Available funding too small to meet the needs STBG funding has not increased in years and inflation has meant that jurisdiction struggle to find projects Smaller jurisdictions have limited capacity Even once projects are awarded, they can struggle with implementation However, Local First Arizona provides free grant-writing services Challenges/Barriers

41. NACOG’s Work in the Region On behalf of ADOT and USDOT Overview of Regional Planning Activities Funding Sources and Associated Activities NACOG-Initiated Activities Crash Data Analysis Tribal Partnerships Rural School Bus Route Study BIL Supports

42. Rural Consultation and Technical Assistance Project Programming in the Transportation Investment Plan (TIP) Grant Program Coordination Functional Classification & Urban Boundaries Liaison between local agencies & ADOT for project funding Data Acquisition and Maintenance Transportation Planning

43. Funding Sources for Local Jurisdictions - Exchange federal for state funds to remove expensive and time-consuming federal regulatory requirements - Subject to fund sweeps by legislature to pay for DPS STBG HURF Exchange - $1.8 million annually for NACOG - 94.3%/5.7% match rate Surface Transportation Block Grant – Federal Funds Highway User Revenue Fund - State Discretionary Grants - Federal: BIL - State: Off-System Bridge Program, HSIP, Transp. Alternatives

44. State Match Advantage for Rural Transportation (SMART) Fund Reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible costs associated with grant development and submission of an application for a federal discretionary grant Reimbursement of 100% of design and other engineering services expenditures Reimbursement of non-federal match for a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant New Funding Source in 2022

45. AZ SMART Fund – Funding Availability Total funding of $62.5 million: $12.5 million in each of the five categories New 2024 Legislation makes COGs and MPOs eligible to apply

46. Annual regional allocation ~$1.8M Sub-regional allocations derived from census STBG Funding – Roadway Infrastructure

47. Transportation Investment Plan (TIP) Fiscal Year Sub-Region Agency Allocation FY 24 Apache Springerville $410,647 Coconino Williams $289,413 Navajo Navajo Co. $617,000 ($555,300 HX) Yavapai Clarkdale $738,664 ($664,780 HX) FY 25 Apache Apache Co. $996,294 ($896,665 HX) Coconino Williams* $289,413 Navajo Show Low $617,000 Yavapai Camp Verde $369,322 FY 26 Apache Springerville $410,647 Coconino Coconino Co. $289,413 Navajo Holbrook $617,000 Yavapai Camp Verde $369,322 FY 27 Apache St. Johns $410,647 Coconino Coconino Co. $289,413 Navajo Snowflake $617,000 Yavapai Yavapai County $369,322

48. Traffic Count Program Consultant-contracted 1,115 count locations $162,070 in ADOT SPR Not to duplicate local collection efforts State Planning and Research (SPR) Funds

49. Opportunities: Regional Transp. Safety Plan Tribal Partnerships Rural School Bus Route Study BIL Supports NACOG-Initiated Activities Navajo Code Talkers played a major role in winning the war in the South Pacific during WWII by providing an efficient code that the Japanese never cracked. 

50. Addresses safety from a regional perspective to reduce risk of death and serious injury to transportation users Is data driven and engages stakeholders Will establish a framework identifying objectives, strategies, and performance measures for transportation safety Will create or lead to federal BIL grant eligibility opportunities for NACOG, CYMPO, and MetroPlan and respective member agencies NACOG Safety Plan

51. Regional Transportation Safety Plan NACOG region roadway fatalities per capita triple statewide rate High number of crashes in all Counties (Apache, Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai) High crashes in Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Navajo Nation, Sedona, and Show Low Extremely high number of fatal crashes in Navajo Nation and Yavapai County Key Findings from Crash Data Given the crashes in the Verde Valley (Yavapai County, Camp Verde, Cottonwood and Sedona), NACOG applied for and received SS4A funding for a VV Transportation Safety Plan

52. RTSP – Interactive StoryMaps

53. RTSP – Interactive StoryMaps

54. 2020 Vision in Action Hopi Tribe for 5-Year Transit Study (Completed in 2023) Highway Safety Improvement Program application (2022) Participation in Regional Priority Projects List process (‘22, ‘24) Partnership project with ADOT and three Navajo Chapters on Safety Corridor Study (2024 SS4A Planning Grant application) Rural School Bus Route Study Tribal Partnerships

55. Brought forward by State Transportation Board Chair Long travel times for students with potential for long weather delays or cancellation Need for rural school bus route roadway improvements Make connection to student performance outcomes Project Scope Roadway infrastructure and maintenance, bus pull-outs Potential partners: Az Dept. of Education, ADOT Tribal Liaisons, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Counties, Transit, School Districts, private sector Rural School Bus Route Study

56. Rural School Bus Route Study

57. Application Support Maintain database of potential projects based on site visits and conversations with jurisdictions AZ SMART Fund marketing Future collaboration with NAU Economic Policy Institute for Economic Impact Analyses (free of charge) Quick and easy BIL program Fact Sheets BIL Supports

58. Collaboration Among COGs Rural Transportation Summit Rural Transportation Advocacy Council Regional Priority Project List

59. Power of Networks Across the State State : 4 COGs 6 Small MPO’s 2 Large MPO’s (TMA’s) Region : 30 members governments

60. First conducted in 1999 Statewide rural response to urban areas Forum for education, dialogue, and policy development Strong participation from state legislators

61. Statewide rural transportation coalition Formed as an outcome of 2001 Rural Summit Full-time legislative liaison to monitor legislature and ADOT re policy issues Funded collectively by rural COG’s and small MPO’s Greater visibility for rural interests

62. 2021 State Budget $213 million in one-time general fund spending for specified highway projects Less Than $1 million in NACOG Region Projects in 2021 (0.5%) 2022 State Budget $1 billion in one-time general fund spending for infrastructure Only $41.3 million in NACOG Region Projects in 2022 (4.1%)

63. Potential funding opportunity Surplus state funding (state legislature) RTAC’s Advisory Committee allocation for NACOG region: $75.3 million (2023/24) NACOG designed an open and competitive process NACOG coordinates outreach to state legislators and education of local elected officials Example of NACOG’s “Legislative Advocacy”

64. FY 24 Regionally Significant Project List Map

65. City of Cottonwood – Main Street Pavement Preservation and Roundabout

66. Scoring Criteria High (20 points) Demand/Project Need (20) Connectivity (20) Economic & Social Benefits (20) Low (5 points) Past Maintenance Expense (5) Project Readiness (5) [Support for Planning Project (10)] Medium (10 points) Safety (10) Local Leveraging (10) Alternate Modes (10) Goal for the High Priority Project List: Projects that have been vetted at the regional level (this process) and have some level of readiness (applicant can take action if selected).

67. Scoring Criteria

68. Looking Down the Road – FY25

69. 2024 Regional Priority Projects List - $100M Verde Valley Transportation Safety Plan, expanding into Master Transportation Plan Continue site visits and expanding list of potential grant projects Ultimate goal: development of long range transportation plan and support successful BIL applications Pursue NACOG applications for BIL funding (SS4A, PROTECT) Looking Down the Road – FY25

70. Jenn O’Connor NACOG Planning Director [email protected] [phone] Contact Information