|
|
|
NORTHWEST
ARKANSAS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION STUDY UNIFIED
PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FISCAL
YEAR 2002
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
Ozark
Transit Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission IN COOPERATION
WITH:
U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration
TEA 21 FACTORS
CONSIDERED BY PROGRAM ELEMENT
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA21) requires, under Section 1203 (f), that plans and programs address the
seven factors listed below. The
Factors which apply to each element of the Unified Planning Work Program are
listed in the table below.
(1)
In general.—The metropolitan transportation planning
process for a metropolitan area under this section shall provide for
consideration of projects and strategies that will—
1.
Support the economic vitality of the United States, the
States and metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness,
productivity, and efficiency;
2.
Increase the safety and security of the transportation system
for motorized and non-motorized users;
3.
Increase the accessibility and mobility options available to
people and for freight;
4.
Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy
conservation, and improve quality of life;
5.
Enhance the integration and connectivity of the
transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;
6.
Promote efficient system management and operation; and
7.
Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation
system.
TEA 21 FACTORS
1 2
3 4
5 6
7
100: Data Collection/Analysis
X
X X
X
X 200: Technical Support
X
X X
X X
X 300: Long Range Planning
X X
X X
X X
X 400: Transportation Improvement
X X
X X
X X
X 500: Administration
X
PROGRAM FUNDING NOTESThis Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
outlines the planning activities of the Northwest Arkansas Regional
Transportation Study (NARTS) from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.
On June 9, 1998 Congress signed into law PL 105-178, the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century which is referred to as TEA21.
100:
DATA COLLECTION/ANALYSIS WORK TASKS
A.
NWARPC staff will maintain files that indicate demographic
changes within the NARTS Area. Census
2000 information will be utilized and incorporated into reports, thematic
maps, and TAZ boundaries. Examples
of data to be maintained includes: changes
in population, population shifts within the region, new building permit and
construction activity, new industrial development and new or expanding
employers. Data collected
may also include socio-economic characteristics, land use developments and
changes in political and economic structures. Collection of regional
development data from units of government will continue.
B.
NWARPC staff will maintain files for traffic data at
locations determined by the AHTD. Traffic
counts will be supplied by AHTD.
C.
TAXI SUBSIDY PROGRAMS FOR BENTONVILLE, ROGERS, FAYETTEVILLE,
SPRINGDALE: The NWARPC will continue to collect data to monitor and evaluate
these taxi subsidy programs. The
evaluation will address pertinent data needed by the cities and funding
agencies including: (1) client data; (2) purpose of travel; (3) travel trends;
(4) cost data; and (5) administrative data.
Computerization of these records will continue based upon taxi driver
log sheets. This information will
be reported in the studies discussed in Element 300.
END PRODUCTS
COMPLETION DATES
PERFORMING AGENCIES
NWARPC, AHTD, Arkansas State Data Center, Local Governments, and taxi
companies COST DATA
Federal
$23,000
Local (MPO)
$ 5,750
Total
$28,750
Element Percent
14.5%
200:
TECHNICAL SUPPORT WORK TASKS
A.
NWARPC staff will continue coordination with the University
of Arkansas Mack-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Study Center on
transportation issues.
B.
NWARPC staff will update, as necessary, the brochure
outlining transportation planning procedures for the NARTS Technical Advisory
and Policy Committees, and the general public.
This brochure will detail how regional plans are implemented and who to
contact for questions and answers. It
will contain text, flow charts, and job titles with phone numbers and
addresses.
C.
PARATRANSIT: Provide
liaison and technical assistance to the Cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville,
Rogers, Springdale, Cardinal Taxi, Tony C’s Taxi, C & C Taxi Company and
the AAA of Northwest Arkansas in the operation and maintenance of the
low-income, elderly and handicapped taxi subsidy programs.
The staff will continue to assist Life Styles, Inc. with their taxi
subsidy program for
developmentally disabled clients.
D.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS AREA AGENCY ON AGING: The staff will
continue to work closely with the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas
in order to stay informed of elderly transit issues and coordinate and develop
services as needed. A staff
person will continue to serve on the AAA’s Advisory Committee.
E.
A-95 Review Process: Review
area FTA
funding applications.
F.
OZARK TRANSIT ASSISTANCE: Assist Ozark Regional Transit as
requested.
G.
RAZORBACK TRANSIT: The
staff will continue to monitor and respond to the needs of Razorback Transit
and support their activities.
H.
AHTD/ARKANSAS TRANSIT ASSOCIATION/SOUTHWEST TRANSIT
ASSOCIATION: Continue to support AHTD, ATA, and SWTA by assisting their
efforts in providing local, state, and federal public transportation services,
assistance and information. Pertinent
meetings and training seminars will be attended.
I.
MAPPING: Provide mapping and GIS assistance to participating
units and maintain county and regional maps.
J.
Staff will assist counties and cities in accessing resources
by disseminating information regarding transportation programs. END PRODUCTS COMPLETION DATES
PERFORMING AGENCIES: NWARPC, AHTD, FTA, ATA, Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center, Ozark Transit, Razorback Transit, Life Styles, Inc., City of Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale, Cardinal Taxi, Tony C’s, C & C Taxi Company, Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas, area human service agencies and local Governments, RLS Associates. COST DATA
Federal
$30,000
Local (MPO)
$ 7,500
Total
$37,500
Element Percent
19%
300:
LONG RANGE PLANNING WORK TASKS
A.
IMPLEMENT DIRECTIVES OF THE 2025 PLAN:
1.
Work with the governments to update master street plans as
needed.
2.
Work with the governments to develop the Regional Bike and
Pedestrian System.
3.
Work with the governments to further define project
priorities and explore funding options.
B.
Develop a digital database of the NARTS transportation
network in a GIS format. (ArcView)
C.
TRANSPORTATION MODELING:
1.
Investigate available modeling software.
2.
Update the model developed by U. of A. through an AHTD
research project if a system is selected and purchased.
D.
Begin evaluation of updated NARTS area based on Census 2000.
E.
Review and Revise if needed:
1.
NARTS Bylaws.
2.
NARTS Procedures for Public Involvement (considering
Environmental Justice Regulations)
3.
NARTS Agreement of Understanding.
F.
TAXI SUBSIDY PROGRAMS FOR BENTONVILLE, ROGERS, FAYETTEVILLE,
SPRINGDALE
1.
The 2001 Annual Evaluation Reports will be prepared for each
participating City. The report will include year-end
data including client data, coupon data, travel
2.
NWARPC staff will assist the cities in the annual
questionnaire process. This
survey is an important measure to insure program quality and to solicit the
direct input from the riders. The
comments and suggestions provided by the riders will be addressed jointly by
the NWARPC, AAA of NW Arkansas, the Cities, and taxi companies. Appropriate action will be taken to preserve the efficiency
and success of the programs. 3.
The staff will provide each of the taxi programs with an “Individual
Ridership 4.
Updated Participant Master Lists will be maintained for each taxi
program.
G.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TRANSIT STUDY: The NWARPC contracted with RLS and Associates consulting firm
to conduct a transit study for Northwest Arkansas. The Study began January, 2001 and is to be completed during
July, 2001. The goals of the
study are two-fold: (1) to
identify practical operating, management and organizational improvements to
increase the efficiency, and accountability of public transportation; and (2)
develop long-term strategies for the delivery of responsive, economically
viable transit services to the people of Northwest Arkansas. The NWARPC will support the participating governmental
entities through the subsequent implementation process thereby insuring that
the best possible system is put into action.
END PRODUCTS COMPLETION DATES
NWARPC, AHTD, AAA of Northwest
Arkansas, Razorback
Transit, Regional Transit, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
Authority, participating taxi companies, and local governments. COST DATA
Federal
$68,500
Local (MPO)
$17,125
Total
$85,625
Element Percent
43%
400:
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT WORK TASKS
A.
Update and amend the 2001-2003 TIP as needed.
B.
Establish a consistent procedure for future TIP development. END PRODUCTS COMPLETION DATES
NWARPC, AHTD, FHWA, FTA, Razorback
Transit, Ozark Transit, and Local Governments. COST DATA
Federal
$8,000
Local (MPO)
$2,000
Total
$10,000
Element Percent
5%
500:
ADMINISTRATION WORK TASKS
A.
This
element covers the daily administration of the transportation program for the
Northwest Arkansas Regional Transportation Study.
B.
NWARPC
will continue public involvement procedures for all aspects of transportation
planning as specified in the current NARTS Procedures for Public Involvement.
C.
Improve
office equipment, computer systems, and software as needed to keep pace with
state-of-the-art technology currently in use for improved communications,
mapping, planning analysis and report production. Train staff on software packages. (The cost of equipment and
software will be shared equally by all elements).
D.
Attend
planning and transit meetings and conferences to maintain coordination with
other agencies, staff proficiency and professional improvement.
Keep informed of AHTD and FTA programs and trends, as well as local
issues and trends in order to provide proper assistance to local governments
and agencies. Information
bulletins and correspondence will be reviewed. Necessary
AHTD, ATA, TRB and SWTA meetings and conferences will be attended.
E.
Provide those administrative, budgeting,
bookkeeping, and clerical duties required in order to perform work tasks and
comply with AHTD and FTA requirements. Progress
reports, and related documentation will be prepared in conjunction with P.L.
activities, as well as the FY 2003 Unified Planning Work Program. END PRODUCTS (All COMPLETION DATES ARE ON-GOING)
A. 1) Record keeping
and daily correspondence
2)
Audit report 3) Committee meetings and
coordination of the transportation planning process. 4) Community involvement/public
participating activities. B. An ongoing public involvement activity to ensure the public’s
knowledge of proposed
C.
Upgrade of computer and software for more efficiency and
productivity in the areas of communications, mapping, transportation planning,
GIS operations and report production. Staff
training on software packages.
D.
Attendance at AHTD AAMPO, APA, ATA, SWTA , TRB and other
transportation related meetings and conferences.
E.
Audit-approved Records, and the FY 2003 Unified Planning Work
Program.
PERFORMING AGENCIES – NWARPC, AHTD, and FTA. COST DATA
Federal
$29,500
Local (MPO)
$ 7,375
Total
$36,875
Element Percent
18.5%
|
