UNIFIED
PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
FISCAL
YEAR 2006
Adopted
by the NARTS Policy Committee on
May , 2005
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
Bentonville
Cave
Springs
Centerton
Elm
Springs
Highfill
Johnson
Little
Flock
Pea
Ridge
Prairie
Grove
Siloam
Springs
Springtown
Tontitown
West
Fork
Ozark
Regional Transit Inc.
Razorback
Transit
IN
COOPERATION WITH:
and
FEDERAL
TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION
TEA
21 FACTORS CONSIDERED BY PROGRAM ELEMENT
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. This law 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
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.
100: Data Collection/Analysis X X X X X
200: Technical Support X X X X X X
300:
400: Transportation Improvement X X X X X X X
500: Administration X X
This Fiscal
Year (FY) 2006 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines the planning
activities of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Transportation Study (NARTS) from
July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
100: DATA
COLLECTION/ANALYSIS
A.
NWARPC staff will maintain files that indicate
demographic and infrastructure elements
within the NARTS Area. Census
data and other 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, changes in political and
economic structures, master street plans, and capital improvement projects.
Collection of regional development data from units of government will continue.
B.
NWARPC staff will maintain files for traffic count
data at locations determined by the AHTD and local jurisdictions. Traffic counts will be supplied by AHTD and
local jurisdictions.
C.
TAXI SUBSIDY PROGRAMS FOR BENTONVILLE,
END PRODUCTS COMPLETION
DATES
|
A. Demographic and Development Data for the
NARTS Area will be published in NWARPC’s publications “Regional Housing” and
“Regional Development Data”. Products
will also include thematic maps by Census boundaries and data outputs by TAZ
boundaries for transportation planning and analysis. |
Regional Housing Reports: August 2005, November 2005 March 2006 (Annual Report) May 2006 |
|
B. Traffic data
files showing most recent traffic
counts and changes relative to previous counts will be maintained in
cooperation with AHTD and local jurisdictions. |
On-going |
|
C. Computerized
statistical data for taxi subsidy programs. |
On-going |
Federal $55,000
Local (MPO)
$13,750
Total $68,750
Element
Percent 16.02%
200:
TECHNICAL SUPPORT and SHORT TERM PLANNING
A.
Staff will assist counties, cities, citizens, and the
media in understanding the process of MPO transportation planning and the
impact of transportation projects both short term and long term. NWARPC staff will update, as necessary, a
brochure and web page outlining transportation planning procedures for the
NARTS Technical Advisory and Policy Committees, and the general public. This brochure and web page will detail how
regional plans are implemented and who to contact for questions and
answers.
B.
PARATRANSIT:
Provide liaison and technical assistance to the Cities of Bentonville,
1.
The 2005 Annual Evaluation Reports will be prepared
for each participating City. The
report will include year-end data
including client data, coupon data, travel trends,
purpose of travel, administrative
functions, and questionnaire results.
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, Ozark Regional Transit Inc., 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 Report”
showing the number of coupons used per
client for the calendar year. This
information is very helpful for city and
agency planning and budgeting purposes.
It is
also a mechanism where abuses are
detected.
4. Updated Participant Master Lists will be
maintained for each taxi program.
C.
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.
D.
Inter-governmental Review Process: Review area FTA and FHWA funding
applications.
E.
OZARK REGIONAL TRANSIT INC. ASSISTANCE: NWARPC will continue to work with Ozark
Regional Transit’s management providing transit assistance as they seek to
improve and provide additional transit services for Northwest Arkansas.
F.
RAZORBACK TRANSIT:
The staff will continue to monitor and respond to the needs of Razorback
Transit and support their activities.
G.
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.
H.
MAPPING/GIS: Provide mapping and GIS assistance to
participating units and maintain county and regional maps. Coordinate Regional GIS efforts in three
primary areas: (1) Centerline files (2)
Aerial imagery (3) File sharing
and workflow strategies
I.
PLANNING ASSISTANCE:
Staff will assist counties and cities in utilizing transportation
resources by disseminating information regarding transportation programs. Staff will also assist counties and cities
regarding transportation planning.
|
A. Shared Database Information: NWARPC Quarterly and Annual Regional Housing Reports, NWARPC website, and other pertinent data, newsletter, news releases, relevant technology transfer information and informational brochure. |
On-going |
|
B1. 2004
Questionnaire analysis and report (Bentonville,
Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale) |
January 2006 |
|
B2. 2004 Taxi
Evaluation Report (Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale) |
February 2006 |
|
B3. 2004 Individual
Ridership Report (Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers,
Springdale) |
February 2006 |
|
B4. Participant
Master List maintained for each taxi program |
February 2006 |
|
C. NARTS
participation |
On-going |
|
D. Application
Reviews |
On-going |
|
E. NARTS
participation |
On-going |
|
F. NARTS participation |
On-going |
|
G. NARTS participation |
On-going |
|
H. Maps and digital data sets |
On-going |
|
I. Informational memos and assistance |
Ongoing |
COOPERATING AGENCIES: NWARPC, AHTD, FTA, ATA, Ozark Transit, Razorback Transit, Life Styles, Inc., Cities of Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, and Springdale, Cardinal Taxi, Tony C’s, C & C Taxi Company, Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas, area human service agencies and local jurisdictions.
Federal $70,000
Local (MPO) $17,500
Total $87,500
Element
Percent 20.38%
300: LONG RANGE PLANNING
A.
ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS:
1.
Work with the jurisdictions to update master street
plans as needed.
2.
Work with the jurisdictions to further define project
priorities and explore funding options.
B.
TRANSPORTATION MODELING:
1.
Assist AHTD in developing a travel demand model
through a consultant.
2.
Train staff on maintenance and use of the model.
3.
Utilize the model to refine the Long Range Plan.
4.
PL funds not to exceed $18,000 will be made available for a contract between
the University of Arkansas and the AHTD for GIS services regarding development
of the Travel Demand Model and other GIS activities. When matched with local funds, said contract
will not exceed $22,500.
C.
INCORPORATE THE FULL TWO COUNTY AREA INTO THE
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS:
1.
Work with the new cities to create an understanding
of the work and role of the MPO.
2.
Revise the NARTS
Bylaws to better accommodate all participants.
3.
Review and
adjust functional classification of roads.
D.
REVIEW AND REVISE THE NARTS AGREEMENT OF
UNDERSTANDING:
1.
A new Agreement of Understanding will be developed as
part of the process of expanding the Study Area.
E.
REGIONAL BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITY SYSTEM:
The NWA
Heritage Trail Plan is the adopted bicycle and pedestrian facility plan for
Northwest
Arkansas.
1. Staff will offer assistance to participating
jurisdictions in development of their respective
master trails plans.
2.
Staff will offer informational assistance to citizen
groups that form to promote the Heritage Trail.
3.
Street cross sections that accommodate bicycles and
pedestrians will be evaluated for possible inclusion in the Long Range Plan.
4.
Efforts will be made to promote proper signage for
the Heritage Trail.
F.
2030 LONG RANGE PLAN UPDATE:
The Long Range Transportation Plan
for Northwest Arkansas is due to be updated before February of 2006. Some specific steps:
1.
Public Input sessions will be conducted to gather
community opinions
2.
Elected official and community leaders will be
contacted for specific input.
3.
Transportation Surveys will be evaluated.
4.
A draft Long Range Plan should be produced by
October, 2005 for State, Ferderal, and community comment.
5.
The Long Range Plan should be completed and approved
by the NARTS policy Committee by the end of December, 2005
G.
CONTINUE THE TAC WORK GROUPS AND FOCUS TEAMS:
Topics
including but not limited to:
1.
ITS Regional Architecture
2.
Heritage Trail
3.
Travel Demand Modeling
4.
Long Range Plan Update
5.
Community Involvement
H.
ITS REGIONAL ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT:
The MPO desires to participate in
an AHTD cooperative effort to utilize a consultant to assist in Regional
Architecture Development. Funding
sources are being identified including Federal, State, and local funds. The UPWP will be amended to reflect the
actual funding agreement. The local ITS
Focus Team will continue to meet and will be a resource for the Architecture
development effort.
I.
I-540 FREEWAY STUDY:
The results of the I-540 Study
will be evaluated and incorporated into the 2030 Plan Update.
J. Evaluate Light Rail and other transit
alternatives for NW. Arkansas.
|
A1. Update of
Master Street Plans as needed |
On-going |
|
A2. NARTS
participation |
On-going |
|
B. Transportation
Model |
February 2006 |
|
C. 1. Incorporate
New Cities |
On-going |
|
C. 2. Revise NARTS
Bylaws |
December, 2005 |
|
C. 3. New Functional Classification of Roads |
July, 2005 |
|
D. Revised
Agreement of Understanding |
December,2005 |
|
E. Revisions of
the Heritage Trail Plan |
On-going |
|
F. Long Range
Plan |
December, 2005 |
|
G. TAC Study Group
and Focus Team Memos, Reports and
Recommendations |
On-going |
|
H. ITS Architecture
Development |
April 2006 |
|
I. I-540 Freeway
Study |
December 2005 |
|
J. Evaluate Light
Rail and Transit Alternatives |
On-going |
COOPERATING AGENCIES:
NWARPC, AHTD, AAA of Northwest Arkansas, Razorback Transit, Ozark
Regional Transit, Inc.,Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority, and local
governments.
Federal $172,396
Local (MPO) $ 43,099
Total $215,495
Element Percent 50.20%
400:
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
A.
Amend the 2005-2007 TIP as needed.
|
A. TIP Amendments |
As needed |
COOPERATING AGENCIES: NWARPC, AHTD, FHWA, FTA,
Razorback Transit, Ozark Transit, and Local Governments.
Federal $ 8,000
Local (MPO) $ 2,000
Total $10,000
Element
Percent 2.33%
500:
ADMINISTRATION