UPWP

UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

Fiscal Years 2011-2012 (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2012)

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA

(219) 763-6060REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Fax Messages (219) 762-1653

Together We Make The Difference

On the Internet www.nirpc.org 6100 Southport Road Portage, Indiana 46368 E-mail Messages nirpc@nirpc.org

June 16, 2010

Jerry Halperin, Long Range Planner/ Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator Urban and MPO Section, Office of Urban and Corridor Planning Indiana Department of Transportation 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N808 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2219

Dear Mr. Halperin:

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is pleased to submit the final report of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for regional planning and transit administration for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years, July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012. It is a two-year UPWP that NIRPC has prepared. These planning tasks are to be funded through Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resources, plus foundation grants and our own local matching funds. As was recommended for the UPWP in the 2009 certification review, the cost for each project was identified along with who is performing the work in each task description.

This fiscally constrained program includes the tasks and resources required to carry out the basic regional transportation planning priorities and Metropolitan Planning Organization administrative functions. It also includes NIRPC’s planning activities in its other statutory domains as a Council of Governments, which are economic development planning and environmental planning. In addition, this UPWP contains NIRPC’s transit sub-grantee administration functions, plus major planning tasks of other agencies in this region.

This UPWP will conduct the activities required by The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), INDOT Emphases Areas, and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, as amended. It also continues to respond to the recommendations of the 2009 federal Planning Certification Review. In addition, it helps to implement the principles and goals of NIRPC’s Vision and Strategic Directions for 2010-2013, which will be updated in CY2013.

We look forward to working with you and others in implementing this program. Please call if you have any questions.

Very truly yours,

Executive Director

C.c. Pam Polston, INDOT Joyce Newland, FHWA David Werner, FTA

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II. TABLE OF CONTENTS ISUBMITTAL LETTER ....................................................................................................2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION II. TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................3 II. TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................5 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................8 Background & Purpose ......................................................................................................8 Map of NIRPC Region.....................................................................................................10 NIRPC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.................................................................11 NIRPC BOARD ...............................................................................................................12 NIRPC STAFF ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS ................................................14 NIRPC STAFF ORGANIZATION .................................................................................17 NIRPC OPERATING PRINCIPALS ..............................................................................18 Description of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) ..............................................19 Required Elements ...........................................................................................................19 Planning Issues.................................................................................................................20 NIRPC Planning Priorities ...............................................................................................20 UPWP Tasks .........................................................................................................................24 Matrix of the UPWP Tasks in Relationship to NIRPC Vision .............................................26 Planning Administration ................................................................................................... 27 1- Planning Management, Job # 2000 (FY11), 2270 (FY12) ...............................................28 2- Committee Support, Job #2001 (FY11), 2271 (FY12) .....................................................30 3- Vehicle Oversight Program, Job # 2024 (FY11), 2294 (FY12) .......................................33 Data Management & Analysis .......................................................................................... 34 1- Transportation Data Collection, Job # 2002 (FY11), 2272 (FY12) .................................35 2- Demographic Analysis & Forecasts, Job # 2003, 2273 ....................................................40 3- GIS Management & Analysis, Job # 2204 (FY11), 2274 (FY12) ....................................43 4- Planning Data Collection, Research, & Analysis, Job # 2005 (FY11), 2275(FY12) .......45 Short Range Planning ........................................................................................................ 47
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1- UPWP Development and Management, Job # 2006 (FY11), 2276 (FY12) ....................48 2- Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Job # 2007 (FY11), 2277 (FY12) .............49 3- Safe Routes to School & Safety Planning, Job # 2008 (FY11), 2278 (FY12) .................56 4- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan, Job # 2009 (FT11), 2279 (FY12) 58 Long Range Planning ........................................................................................................ 59 1- Comprehensive Regional Plan / Transportion Regional Plan & Implementation, Job # 2010 (FY11), 2280 (FY12) .............................................................................................60 2- Regional Land Use Planning, Job # 2011 (FY11), 2281 (FY12) .....................................62 3- Congestion Management, Job # 2012 (FY11), 2282 (FY12) ...........................................65 4- Environmental Mitigation, Job # 2013 (FY11), 2283 (FY12) .........................................68 5- Non-Motorized Transportation, Job # 2014 (FY11), 2284 (FY12) ..................................70 6- Safety & Security Planning, Job # 2015 (FY11), 2285 (FY12) .......................................74 7- Economic Development Planning, Job # 2016 (FY11), 2286 (FY12) .............................76 8- Freight Planning, Job # 2017 (FY11), 2287 (FY12) ........................................................78 9- Travel Network Modeling, Job # 2018 (FY11), 2288 (FY12) .........................................81 10- Corridor Planning, Job # 2019 (FY11), 2289 .................................................................84 11- Air Quality Conformity, Job # 2020 (FY11), 2290 (FY12) ...........................................85 Outreach and Public Involvement .................................................................................... 87 1- Public Meetings & Communication Tools, Job # 2021 (FY11), 2291 (FY12) ................88 2- Website Management, Job # 2022 (FY11), 2292 (FY12) ................................................90 3- Environmental Justice, Job # 2023 (FY11), 2293 (FY12) ...............................................92 Transit Administration & Operational Planning .................................................................. 94 1- Transit Planning and Coordination, Job # 2109 (FY11), 2110 (FY12) ............................95 2- Transit Administration and Operational Planning, Job # 2529 (FY11), 2530 (FY12) .....99 NIRPC Programs ............................................................................................................. 100 1- Air Quality Education & Outreach, Job # 2507 (FY11), 2508 (FY12) ..........................101 2- MS4 Stormwater Management, Job # 1128 ...................................................................104 3- Greenways & Blueways Implementation Program, Job # 2517 .....................................108 4- Local Government Assitance Program, Job # 9600 .......................................................111
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5- Lake Michigan Watershed Academy Program, Job # 1143 ...........................................114 6- Water Quality Planning, Job # 1095 ...............................................................................116 NIRPC Administration .................................................................................................... 119 NIRPC ADMINSTRATION ..............................................................................................120 COST ALLOCATION PLAN .......................................................................................120 Non-NIRPC Planning Program ...................................................................................... 124 1- Valparaiso Transit Service Marketing ............................................................................125 2- Porter County Airport Comprehensive Plan ...................................................................126 3- Winfield Study - 109th Avenue Improvements ..............................................................128 4- Town of Schererville Oak Street Extension ...................................................................129 NIRPC BUDGET ..............................................................................................................130 FY 2011 PL Funding Breakdown by Category Table I: FY 2011 UPWP Summary List of Projects & Budgets Table II: FY 2011 Estimated Time Charges per ActivityFY 2012 PL Funding Breakdown by Category ...........................................................................131 Table I: FY 2011 UPWP Summary List of Projects & Budgets Table II: FY 2011 Estimated Time Charges per ActivityFY 2012 PL Funding Breakdown by Category ..................132 Table II: FY 2011 Estimated Time Charges per ActivityFY 2012 PL Funding Breakdown by Category ...................................................................................................................133 FY 2012 PL Funding Breakdown by Category ..................................................................134 Table I: FY 2012 UPWP Summary List of Projects & BudgetsTable II: FY 2012 Estimated Time Charges per Activity ............................................................................................135 Table II: FY 2012 Estimated Time Charges per Activity ...................................................136 APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................137 Requests for alternate formats please contact Eman Ibrahim at (219) 763-6060 extension 135 or eibrahim@nirpc.org. Individuals with hearing impairments may contact us through the Indiana Relay 711 service by calling 711 or (800) 743-3333. The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
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INTRODUCTION Background & Purpose NIRPC, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), has the responsibility to conduct a transportation planning process for the Lake, La Porte, and Porter County region. This Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is an attempt to focus financial planning resources and staff where they will be the most effective in responding to significant local and regional issues, and resolving area-wide problems. The UPWP continues to balance within the available resources, long and short-range planning and programming; special studies; data gathering, analysis and dissemination; computer modeling; public involvement; and program administration. The UPWP attempts to address the major surface transportation issues facing this three-county region and supports the necessary work required of an MPO in a Transportation Management Area. The UPWP is designed to maintain a certified, comprehensive, cooperative, and continuous transportation planning process in the context of a connected planning process with land use, social justice, economic development, and the environment. Beyond fulfilling the requirements of an MPO, this UPWP describes other planning, administrative and program offerings of NIRPC as a council of governments. It includes all environmental and economic development planning, as well as transit administration, which includes sub-grantee oversight, grant administration and procurement. It is an overall agency, detailed description of what NIRPC will do, who will do it, and how much is budgeted for the activities. In addition, it includes additional significant planning projects by other agencies, especially any studies and plans supported with federal funds. Schedule This UPWP covers the period beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2012. It was developed through a cooperative process involving NIRPC member agencies, NIRPC staff, and various entities throughout the Northwest Indiana Region. The staff and the partner agencies identified, prioritized, coordinated, and scoped proposed planning and programming projects relative to need, requirements, existing or proposed projects, and funding constraints. The UPWP was reviewed and recommended to the NIRPC Board by the Transportation Policy Committee 9TPC) on (?), 2010. The NIRPC Board adopted the UPWP on (?), 2010. NIRPC Vision & Strategic Directions NIRPC is currently revising its 2005 – 2008 Vision and Strategic Directions, revising them for 2010 – 2013. Adoption by the NIRPC board is expected in early 2010, with the expectation of significant actions toward implementation in the next four years. This UPWP takes the Vision and Strategic Directions into account by adhering to NIRPC’s purpose and including elements of the vision. NIRPC’s purpose is to create the conditions within which policy makers and the public can create a sustainable, vibrant regional community and quality of life for Northwest Indiana. The Vision is:
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 Attaining regionally recognized effectiveness and standing;  Contributing to diversified economic opportunities for current and future generations;  Clearly communicating Northwest Indiana’s positive image – the true reflection of its character.  Recognized as a leading knowledge contributor to regional land use, governance, economic development, environmental, transportation planning and implementation; and  Clearly recognized for bold planning initiatives, accomplished in a comprehensive planning framework, that positively impacts the region’s future. State Authority Multi-county planning and coordination came to Indiana in 1965 when enabling legislation was passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. The first state law called for a transportation planning commission, which was inspired by the 1962 Federal Highway Act. This federal act required that there be an area-wide transportation planning process for each metropolitan area of the country, and the urbanized area of Lake and Porter Counties qualified. The state law has since been amended numerous times to create what is now the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, a three-county council of governments. In the 2003 enabling legislation, NIRPC’s membership was expanded and three planning domains were established, which are economic development, environment and transportation. All three are prominent in this UPWP, with transportation the primary area, due to federal transportation requirements and availability of federal funding for transportation planning.
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Map of NIRPC Region Northwestern Indiana is a three-county region of 1,520 square miles encompassing Lake, La Porte and Porter Counties, comprising a wide mixture of land uses, from the environmentally unique Indiana Dunes to the nation's largest concentration of heavy industry, and from urban and suburban communities to productive farmland. The communities along Lake Michigan and the places to the south have a diversity of residents, housing values and incomes. Northwest Indiana has exhibited this diversity throughout much of its history. Industry, recreation, and a full range of housing opportunities coexisted throughout the last century as the region became a national manufacturing center, providing excellent job opportunities and high pay for many residents of Northwestern Indiana. Northwestern Indiana is now a very important part of the sixteen county 9.7 million-person Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area (CSA). The three county region's population of 766,869 (2008 estimate) and labor force of 363,150 (2007) represent a significant portion of the CSA.
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NIRPC BOARD 03/15/10 2010 NIRPC APPOINTMENTS APPOINTING AUTHORITY MEMBER Lake County: Lake County Commissioners Roosevelt Allen, Jr., Executive Board Lake County Council Christine Cid Lake County Surveyor George Van Til Mayor of Gary Mary Brown Mayor of Hammond Thomas M. McDermott, Jr., Vice-Chairman Merrillville Town Council Shawn M. Pettit Munster Town Council David F. Shafer Mayor of Hobart Brian Snedecor, Executive Board Mayor of East Chicago Myrna Maldonado Griffith Town Council Stanley Dobosz Highland Town Council Michael Griffin Schererville Town Council Tom Schmitt Mayor of Crown Point David Uran, Secretary Mayor of Lake Station Keith Soderquist Mayor of Whiting Joseph M. Stahura Dyer Town Council Robert Rybicki Cedar Lake Town Council Robert Carnahan Lowell Town Council Judith Walters Winfield Town Council Michael De Normandie New Chicago Town Council Ken Collmar St. John Town Council Michael Forbes Schneider Town Council Richard Ludlow Porter County: Porter County Commissioners Robert Harper Porter County Council Marylyn Johns Porter County Surveyor Kevin Breitzke Mayor of Portage Olga Velazquez. Executive Board Mayor of Valparaiso H. Jonathan Costas, Immediate Past Chair Chesterton Town Council David Cincoski Hebron Town Council Don Ensign Porter Town Council Micheal Genger, Executive Board Kouts Town Council David Brooks Ogden Dunes Town Council Eric Kurtz Burns Harbor Town Council Toni Biancardi Beverly Shores Town Council Geof Benson, Treasurer Dune Acres Town Council John Sullivan Pines Town Council Cathi Murray Porter Township Trustee Edward Morales Union Township Trustee Anthony Pampalone La Porte County: La Porte County Commissioners Ken Layton, Executive Board
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La Porte County Council Rich Mrozinski La Porte County Surveyor Anthony Hendricks Mayor of Michigan City Charles Oberlie, Executive Board Mayor of LaPorte Kathleen Chroback, Chairman Trail Creek Town Council Ron Lombard Long Beach Town Council Bob Schaefer Kingsford Heights Town Council Rosalie Jacobs Kingsbury Town Council vacant Michiana Shores Town Council Steve Millick Wanatah Town Council Stephen Mockler LaCrosse Town Council vacant Pottawattomie Park Town Coun. Susan Tochell Westville Town Council Jeff Mayes Governor of Indiana Chester Dobis, Executive Board
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NIRPC STAFF ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS Updated March, 2010 OVERALL AGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AREAS:  MAINTAIN COMMISSION RELATIONS  OVERSEE ALL PROGRAM FUNCTIONS  ESTABLISH INTERNAL POLICY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JOHN SWANSON Reports to Commission STAFF REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: ALLEN HAMMOND DBE Officer (Collateral Duty) ANGIE HAYES Director of Finance & Administration CAROLYN BROWN Receptionist KATHY DUBIE Administrative Assistant KATHY LUTHER Environmental Director JODY MELTON Director of Kankakee River Basin Commission STEVE STRAINS Deputy Director /Director of Planning REGIONAL PLANNING PLANNING AREAS:  LONG-RANGE PLANNING  UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION  PROGRAMMING & PROJECT MONITORING  PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT  TRANSIT PLANNING  LAND USE PLANNING  NON-MOTORIZED PLANNING  TRAVEL DEMAND FORECAST MODELING  AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY  DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS  DEMOGRAPHICS & POPULATION FORCASTS  CONGESTION MANAGEMENT
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 ITS SYSTEMS  SAFETY & SECURITY  GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS  CORRIDOR PLANNING  FREIGHT PLANNING  ENVIRNOMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANNING DEPARTMENT HEAD: STEVE STRAINS Deputy Director / Director of Planning STAFF REPORTING TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR /DIRECTOR OF PLANNING: BELINDA PETROSKEY Transit Coordinator EMAN IBRAHIM Planning Manager GABRIELLE BICIUNAS Long-Range Planner GARY EVERS Transportation Projects Manager MARY THORNE Planning Secretary MATHEW HAY GIS Technician / Web Coordinator MITCH BARLOGA Non-Motorized Transportation &Greenways Planner KEVIN GARCIA Data Resources Planner RYAN HICKS Transportation System Planner TERRELL WADDELL Transportation Data Specialist TOM VANDER WOUDE Regional Planner STEPHEN SOSTARIC Part Time Planner WILLIAM BROWN Transportation Planning Manager ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS PROGRAM AREAS: AIR QUALITY  Public Education/Outreach  Permitting Evaluation  Alternative Fuels, Diesel Fuels WATERSHED QUALITY  Regional Watershed Planning  Water Usage  Storm Water Public Education  Great Lake Watershed Academy NATURAL RESOURCES:  Chicago Wilderness  Purdue Planning with Power DEPARTMENT HEAD:
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KATHY LUTHER: Director of Environmental Management STAFF REPORTING TO DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: AMANDA PEREGRINE Environmental Educator FRANCYNE MIXON Environmental Secretary JOE EXL Water Resources Senior Planner SARAH NERENBERG Water Resources Engineer REGIONAL PROGRAMS PROGRAM AREAS:  PARTNER AGENCY SUPPORT  LOCAL PLANNING SUPPORT  REGIONAL COORDINATION DAN REPAY Director of Little Calumet River Basin Dev. Commission (LCRBDC) JODY MELTON Director of Kankakee River Basin Commission SANDY MORDUS LCRBDC Operations Coordinator FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM AREAS:  FINANCE & ACCOUNTING  SUBGRANTEE OVERSIGHT  GRAPHICS & DOCUMENTS DEPARTMENT HEAD: ANGIE HAYES: Director of Finance and Administration STAFF REPORTING TO DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: ALLEN HAMMOND Transit Program Compliance Officer VACANT Chief Accountant CONNIE BOOS Accounts Payable Manager DAVID GUTOWSKY Procurement Coordinator GAIL PARKS Payroll Manager JOHN SMITH Production Manager JUDY PENN Partner Agency Accountant
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NIRPC OPERATING PRINCIPALS

NIRPC Board developed and adopted a Vision and Strategic Directions for 2003-2008 in mid-2005. Though a lot has already been accomplished to implement the vision and its strategies, more needs to be done, and this UPWP will continue toward that quest. This second, overall agency UPWP will continue to put the vision and its strategies into action. For example, partnerships, regional cooperation and teamwork are guiding principles that this UPWP embraces. The list of guiding principles is as follows:

N - New Leadership / New Direction
I - Initiative
R - Respectful Relationships
P - Partnerships
C - Cooperation Regionally
‘
S - Success
Q - Quality
U - Understanding
E -Ethics / Integrity
S - Service
T -Teamwork

Vision 1: NIRPC is attaining regionally recognized effectiveness and standing.

Vision 2: NIRPC is contributing to diversified economic opportunities for current and future generations.

Vision 3: NIRPC is clearly communicating Northwest Indiana's positive image - the true reflection of its character

Vision 4: NIRPC is recognized as a leading knowledge contributor to regional land use, governance, economic development, environmental, and transportation planning and implementation.

Vision 5: NIRPC is clearly recognized for bold planning initiatives, accomplished in a cooperative collaborative comprehensive planning framework that positively impacts the region's future.

Included in the UPWP tasks is a matrix showing the Vision and Strategic Directions in relationship to the UPWP programs.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

Description of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Required Elements 1. Transportation Law and Regulations A most significant influence in the development of this UPWP is the surface transportation program authorization act, and the clean air act, as amended. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was signed into law on August 10, 2005, authorizing funding and programs for highway, public transportation and other modes for federal fiscal years 2005-2009. It remains in place through continuing resolutions until a new act replaces it. As an MPO, NIRPC is required to adhere to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rule for state and metropolitan planning. The planning rule, based on SAFETEA-LU was issued on February 14, 2007. In addition, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 greatly impact the relationship between transportation and air quality, particularly transportation planning in non-attainment areas like Northwest Indiana. The Connections 2030 Plan was amended on June 21, 2007, including changes and additions that made it compliant with SAFETEA-LU. Essential transportation planning activities are accomplished by NIRPC in an open, transparent and inclusive that comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation planning regulations in order to maintain this region’s federal planning certification. According to the planning rule the three major required products of a metropolitan area transportation planning process are a unified planning work program, a metropolitan transportation plan with at least a 20-year horizon, and a short-range transportation improvement program. The regulation says, “…each MPO, in cooperation with the State(s) and public transportation operator(s), shall develop a UPWP that includes a discussion of the planning priorities facing the MPA.” (MPA is the metropolitan planning area.) “The UPWP shall identify work proposed for the next one- or two-year period by major activity and task… in sufficient detail to indicate who (e.g., MPO, State, public transportation operator, local government, or consultant) will perform the work, the schedule for completing the work, the resulting products, the proposed funding by activity/ task, and a summary of the total amounts and sources of Federal and matching funds. The UPWP and other products of the planning process are reviewed by a federal team for compliance. 2. SAFETEA-LU Planning Factors With the passage of SAFETEA-LU, planning factors were established for metropolitan area transportation planning. They include support for economic vitality; increased safety and security; more transportation accessibility, mobility, integration and connectivity; protection of the environment; efficient system management and operation; and preservation of the existing transportation system. These factors are common in current transportation planning practice and are woven into the activities of this UPWP. 3. Planning Emphasis Areas NIRPC has historically responded to and focused on most of the recommended National Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs) put forth periodically by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Addressing them makes good planning sense, though there are not enough
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resources to thoroughly consider each one. The most recent PEAs help influence where some of the NIRPC planning resources are focused. On February 24, 2010 the Indiana Division Office of FHWA issued three PEAs for implementing SAFETEA-LU in FY 2011. They are: 1) Quarterly transportation project tracking reports; 2) Annual listing of obligated transportation projects; and 3) Assuring that cities, towns and counties with 50 or more employees have American Disabilities Act Transition Plans otherwise federal transportation funds for the local jurisdiction will be denied. FHWA-IN requested that all Indiana MPOs address these three PEAs in their Unified Planning Work Programs or Statements of Work. This UPWP includes activities to address each one. Conclusion A UPWP has to satisfy a variety of significant factors. Given limited resources for planning, the decision of what to include in a UPWP weighs the importance and urgency of the potential activities. What drives the UPWP ranges from what is required and prescriptive to what is advisory or just appropriate planning practice. This UPWP attempts to balance planning needs with available resources. Planning Issues 1. Planning Certification Review On May 11-13, 2009 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) conducted a certification review of the transportation planning process of NIRPC. This is one in a series of Reviews that have been accomplished by a federal team every three to four years since the mid-1990’s. In a report issued on November 1, 2009, the planning process was conditionally approved subject to the completion of two corrective actions by November 1, 2010. They are implementation of a congestion management process; and environmental justice. In addition, the federal report noted several recommendations along with a couple of commendations. The corrective action areas are receiving specific attention in this UPWP, as are the recommendations. See Appendices for a summary of Certification Review recommendations. NIRPC Planning Priorities 1. SAFETEA-LU Planning Factors: The 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies the following goals and associated objectives that incorporate the eight planning factors identified in SAFETEA-LU: 1. Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency; Goal: A globally competitive, diversified economy that protects and enhances our natural environment Objectives:
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-Maximize technology, productivity and efficiency of existing core industries -Create diverse, emerging and sustainable industries -Strengthen public/private partnerships resulting in increased regional investment -Redevelop urban core areas -Utilization/expansion of transportation and other infrastructure advantages -Promote growth that protects and enhances the environmental assets of Northwest

Indiana -Improve the workforce of the Region to accommodate growth in emerging industries -Improve overall quality of life to attract businesses and residents

2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;

Goal: A safe and secure transportation system

Objectives: -Reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle collisions -Improve the safety of non-motorized transportation through education, enforcement,

engineering, design and construction -Reduce flooding of roadways -Reduce emergency response times. -Improve the safety of transit facilities including stations, stops and vehicles

3. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users

-Support the development of regional preparedness and evacuation planning -Improve the security of transit facilities including stations, stops and vehicles

4. Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;

Objectives: -Integrate local, regional and national transportation systems to facilitate movement of

people and freight between modes -Improve freight facilities connecting the region to national and global markets -Enhance connectivity between housing, jobs, services, and educational facilities -Improve system accessibility for people with special transportation needs including

persons with disabilities, the elderly, the young and low-income populations -Enhance navigability through improved wayfinding and signage. -Encourage land use policy that supports access for disabled persons, efficient mass

transit, and non-motorized travel.

5. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns; Objectives: -Improve the integration of environmental planning activities into transportation planning. -Reduce the levels and impacts of pollution (including air, noise, and vibration) caused by transportation, particularly freight, especially in environmental justice communities. -Improve the non-motorized transportation network by building Complete Streets that accommodate bicycles, pedestrians and transit users. -Expand environmental mitigation efforts -Conduct outreach to determine the negative impacts of transportation investments and to ensure environmental justice -Promote energy efficiency and alternative energy 6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight; -Reduce congestion on major freight and passenger routes -Improve the internal connectivity of the transportation network -Increase access to and improve the reliability of public mass transit 7. Promote efficient system management and operation; and -Utilize technology, including Intelligent Transportation Systems and other strategies, to improve transportation management. 8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system. Included in the narrative description of transportation and some other program sub-elements is a list of the planning factors being implemented by that task. In addition, the following priority areas of the 2040 Plan were considered in the development of the FY 2011-2012 UPWP: 2. Sustainable Communities Partnership The Obama Administration charged three agencies whose programs impact the physical form of communities—HUD, DOT, and EPA—to lead the way in reshaping the role of the Federal government in helping communities obtain the capacity to embrace a more sustainable future. As a result, HUD, DOT, and EPA have formed the Partnership for Sustainable Communities (the Partnership) with HUD is the lead agency for funding. The Partnership is a commitment by these three Federal agencies to work together to coordinate policies and programs in support of six Livability Principles:
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Six Livability Principles 1. Provide more transportation choices 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing 3. Enhance economic competitiveness 4. Support existing communities 5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment 6. Value communities and neighborhoods
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UPWP Tasks UPWP Tasks 1) Planning Administration i. Planning Management ii. Committee Support iii. Vehicles Oversite Program 2) Data Management & Analysis i. Transportation Data Collection ii. Demographic Analysis & Forecasts iii. GIS Management & Analysis iv. Planning Data Collection, Research, & Analysis 3) Short Range Planning i. UPWP Development and Management ii. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Management iii. Safe Routes to School & Safety Planning iv. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Requirements 4) Long Range Planning i. Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) Development ii. Transit Planning & Coordination iii. Regional Land Use Planning iv. Congestion Management v. Environmental Mitigation vi. Non-Motorized Planning vii. Safety & Security Planning viii. Economic Development Planning ix. Freight Planning x. Travel Demand Forecast Modeling xi. Corridor Planning xii. Air Quality Conformity 5) Outreach & Public Involvement i. Public Meetings & Communication Tools ii. Website Update
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iii. Environmental Justice 6) Transit Planning & Administration i. Transit Planning ii. Transit Oversite 7) NIRPC Programs i. Air Quality Education and Outreach ii. MS4 Stormwater Management iii. Greenways and Blueways Implementation Program iv. Local Government Assistance Program v. Lake Michigan Watershed Academy vi. Water Quality Planning vii. Vehicle Oversight viii. Small Cities & Towns Program 8) NIRPC Administration UPWP Tasks
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Matrix of the UPWP Tasks in Relationship to NIRPC Vision and Strategic Directions

VISION/ STRATGIES Planning Administration Data Management and Analysis Short Range Planning Long Range Planning Outreach & Public Involvement Transit Administration and Operational NIRPC Programs
PlanningManagementCommitteeSupportVehicle OversightTransportation Data CollectionDemographicAnalysis &ForecastsGISManagement &AnalysisPlanning DataCollection, Research, & AnalysisUPWPDevelopment & ManagementTIP ManagementSafe Routes toSchool & SafetyADA Transition PlanCRPRegional LandUseCongestion ManagementEnvironmental MitigationNon-MotorizedSafety & SecurityEconomicDevelopmentFreightTransportation NetworkModelingCorridor PlanningAir QualityConformityPublic MeetingsandCommunication ToolsWebsite UpdateEnvironmental JusticeTransit PlanningTransit OversightAir QualityEducation & OutreachMS4 StormwaterManagementGreenways & BluewaysImplementationLocal Government AssistanceLake Michigan Watershed AcademyWater QualityPlanning
Vision 1: NIRPC is attaining regionally recognized effectiveness and standing. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
1. Exhibit a standard of trust and effectiveness in NIRPC’s convening, partnering and collaborating, demonstrating extraordinary leadership and commitment to regional planning. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
2. Promote unification of a state and national Northwest Indiana Legislative voice.
3. Demonstrate value to the region and the State resulting in sufficient, sustainable agency funding. X X X
Vision 2: NIRPC is contributing to diversified economic opportunities for current and future generations. X X X X X X X X X X X X X
1. Maintain strategic partnerships with counties, local governments, the Northwest Indiana Forum, local economic development agencies, the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, the Regional Development Authority and the Northwest Indiana Economic Development District to create and implement a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. X X X X X X X X X
2. Promote the assets of our regional competitive advantage, our transportation network (aviation, pipelines, ports, public transportation, roads), our natural resources, and the education and workforce skills of our residents. X X X X X X X X
3. Promote educational quality and opportunity, and cultural amenities.
Vision 3: NIRPC is clearly communicating Northwest Indiana's positive image - the true reflection of its character X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
1. Contribute to the strengthening and growth of Northwest Indiana’s self image by creating opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to meet, dialogue, and work together on issues of regional significance while continuing to widen the circle of involvement of regional stakeholder interest groups. X X X X X X X
2. Set and practice a standard of respect and ethical values in all activities. X X X X X X
3. Contribute to a strong, safe and clean region in which to live, work, and play. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
4. Participate in marketing plans to promote the internal and external regional image. X X
Vision 4: NIRPC is recognized as a leading knowledge contributor to regional land use, governance, economic development, environmental, and transportation planning and implementation.. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
1. Recruit and retain high-quality professional expertise and capability necessary for exceptional performance in economic development, environmental, and transportation domains, and identify and develop the synergy between them. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
2. Demonstrate, illustrate and publicize NIRPC expertise and capability. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
3. Educate the community about the values of regional collaboration and cooperation. X X X X X X X X X X X
4. Meet the demand for guidance / service to member governments and strategic partners, including a towns and small cities program. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
5. Develop capacity to serve as a full-service Council of Governments to assist communities with funding opportunities and implementation of shared services programs X X
Vision 5: NIRPC is clearly recognized for bold planning initiatives, accomplished in a cooperative collaborative comprehensive planning framework, that positively impacts the region's future. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
1. Foster a climate of support and readiness by cultivating and attracting resources and legislative support for the region. X X X X
2. Support with others an effective multi modal transportation network including use of the Gary / Chicago International Airport. X X X X X X X X X X X X
3. Champion with others implementation of the Marquette Plan, expanded to include all of Indiana's shoreline, and provide planning and technical assistance to the shoreline X X
4. Partner with others implementation of new regional public mass transportation. X X X

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Section 1: Planning Administration 1) Planning Management 2) Committee Support 3) Vehicle Oversight Program UPWP Tasks
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 27

Staff: Steve Strains- Kathy Luther

FUNDING SOURCES

2011 2012

Federal (PL) $171,221 $180,953

Local $42,805 $45,238

Total $214,026 $226,191

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $168,334 $180,043

Department Expenses $45,692 $46,148 Total $214,026 $226,191

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose is to oversee and coordinate the regional planning activities of NIRPC. It contributes to the maintenance of a certified transportation planning process, in keeping with applicable laws and regulations. It provides for management of the staff in the Planning and Environmental Departments, and coordinates with other agencies and organizations.

Past Work/Basis:

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the final rule for Statewide and Metropolitan Transportation Planning on February 14, 2007, which implements The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Beyond transportation planning, NIRPC decided to prepare a Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP)

NIRPC will continue the coordination with Northeastern Illinois, INDOT, IDEM and other State agencies, the other Indiana MPOs, the Federal transportation, environmental and other agencies. Continuing education will continue to keep current on planning and management issues.

Work Elements/Methodology:

1) Oversee the conduct of a regional planning process in economic development, environment, and transportation for the Lake, La Porte and Porter County area.

2) Conduct the regional planning process with a transportation element that is in accordance with 2-14-07 federal planning regulations; the State/MPO/transit operator agreement; the conformity memorandum of understanding; the agreement with the Chicago Area Transportation Study; the cooperative accord with the Southwestern Michigan Commission; and NIRPC’s Vision and Strategic Directions, as updated.

3) Participate on the staff team that develops the UPWP. Oversee preparation of UPWP quarterly progress reports, which accompany the quarterly billings to INDOT.

4) Continue to be responsive to the 2009 Federal Certification Review, documenting how NIRPC is responding to the corrective actions and recommendations.

5) Supervise staff, including annual performance evaluations.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 6) As it relates to the multi-state area, participate in actions with northeast Illinois, to provide a coordinated planning process for the entire metropolitan area as required by SAFETEA-LU, implementing the provisions of the 1997 bi-state planning agreement with northeast Illinois, and the 2006 cooperative accord with southwest Michigan. 7) Coordinate with INDOT via the District and Central offices, participating in the State’s Program Development Process. 8) Continue to participate in the Indiana MPO Council and its coordination with INDOT and FHWA-IN. 9) Assist in describing what NIRPC needs to accomplish as a Council of Governments and MPO as a case is made for increased funding. 10) Continuing training/ education in planning and management. End Products: 1) Quarterly progress reports. 2) Distribution of UPWP products. 3) Planning Certification Review implementation documentation. 4) Functional and productive staff. 5) Annual staff performance evaluations. Use of End Products/Future Direction: This task is to supervise staff, and facilitate committee and other public input to the planning process. It refines the transportation planning process, periodically reports progress, and documents what is necessary to keep the process certified. This is a task that helps make the planning process compliant with SAFETEA-LU. It will also help make the case for increased funding for NIRPC so it can better fulfill its responsibilities as a Council of Governments and MPO and pursue appropriate planning in other domains.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 29

Staff:

Bill Brown-Kathy Luther-

Mary Thorne- Francyne

Mixon

2011 2012

Federal (PL) $96,430 $98,299

Local $24,107 $24,575 Total $120,537 $122,874

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $120,537 $122,874

Total $120,537 $122,874

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose is to oversee and coordinate the regional transportation and environmental planning activities of NIRPC and to maintain a certified transportation planning process, in keeping with applicable laws and regulations. It also provides for maintaining the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) as the primary stake-holder committee for recommending transportation-related actions and the Environmental Management Policy Committee (EMPC) as the primary stake-holder committee for recommending environment-related actions to the Full Commission and Executive Board and reviewing environmental impacts of transportation policy.

Past Work/Basis:

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has served the region as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) since the 1970s. In addition to the development of the regional transportation plans, transportation improvement programs, unified planning work programs, congestion management and other required documents, NIRPC provides a forum for transportation coordination among state and local public agencies and transit operators.

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the final rule for Statewide and Metropolitan Transportation Planning on February 14, 2007, which implements The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). NIRPC has maintained the regional planning process as required in the current federal regulations.

Regional planning also supports staff participating in meetings around the region, coordinating with Northeastern Illinois, Southwestern Michigan, INDOT, IDEM and other State agencies, other Indiana MPOs, the Federal transportation, environmental and other agencies, and attending workshops and conferences as necessary.

On October 2, 2009, NIRPC received a conditional certification of the Metropolitan Planning Process. There were two corrective actions, including the implementation of the Congestion Management Process and compliance with Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898.

NIRPC also serves as the regional forum for environmental management and coordination. The Environmental Management Policy Committee includes membership form state and local government and other agencies responsible for management of environmental resources.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

1) Oversee the conduct of a regional planning process in economic development, environment, and transportation for the Lake, La Porte and Porter County area.

2) Conduct the regional planning process with a transportation element that is in accordance with 2-14-07 federal planning regulations; the State/MPO/transit operator agreement; the conformity memorandum of understanding; the agreement with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning; the cooperative accord with the Southwestern Michigan Commission; and NIRPC’s Vision and Strategic Directions, as updated.

3) Provide staff support to the TPC and EMPC, including meeting materials and indicators information.

4) Update mailing lists for committee meetings and for other public involvement.

5) Provide technical oversight of all UPWP work elements.

6) Continue to be responsive to the October 2009 Planning Certification Review, documenting how NIRPC is responding to the corrective actions and recommendations.

7) Prepare annual self-certification review documentation.

8) As it relates to the multi-state area, participate in actions with northeast Illinois and southwest Michigan, to provide a coordinated planning process for the entire metropolitan area as required by SAFETEA-LU, implementing the provisions of the 1997 bi-state planning agreement with northeast Illinois, and the 2006 cooperative accord with southwest Michigan.

9) Make any necessary adjustments to the planning process, implementing the provisions of SAFETEA-LU, in keeping with the planning regulations.

10) Coordinate with INDOT via the District and Central offices, participating in the State’s Program Development Process.

11) Coordinate with IDEM and IDNR on environmental policies relevant to NIRPC planning.

12) Continue to participate in the Indiana MPO Council and its coordination with INDOT and FHWA-IN.

13) Assist in describing what NIRPC needs to accomplish as a MPO as a case is made for increased funding

FY 2011-2012 End Products:

1) Update and submit annual self-certification.

2) TPC and EMPC meeting materials.

3) Planning Certification Review implementation documentation.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction:

This task is to facilitate committee and other public input to the planning process. It refines the transportation and environmental planning processes, periodically reports progress, and documents what is necessary to keep the process certified. Among others, this is a task that helps make the planning process compliant with SAFETEA-LU. It will also help make the case for increased funding for NIRPC so it can better fulfill its responsibilities as MPO and pursue appropriate planning in other domains.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staffs for this project are Bill Brown, Mary Thorne, Kathy Luther and Francyne Mixon. This project provides strategic guidance and secretarial support for all other UPWP program subcategories. Bill will manage the transportation activities in the Planning Department. In addition, Bill is responsible for the transportation network modeling, emissions analysis and certification documentation. Mary will provide secretarial support for the TPC and some subcommittees. Kathy Luther will provide strategic guidance and integrate the EMPC into overall NIRPC planning and policy development. Francyne will provide secretarial support for the EMPC and some subcommittees.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 3- Vehicle Oversight Program, Job # 2024 (FY11), 2294 (FY12) The purpose of this task is to provide compliance, monitoring, and oversight with basic statutory and regulatory requirements for the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Local Public Agency (LPA) Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program. This is a twelve month project.  NIRPC will review and approve the procurement processes used by the LPA to purchase CMAQ funded vehicles to assure compliance with federal and state requirements.  Asset management involves those oversight activities which are related to the utilization and maintenance of project vehicles. NIRPC staff will review insurance, policies, endorsements and binders upon receipt.  Each vehicle will be inspected on at least an annual basis. The purpose of these inspections is to verify the operational and physical status of each vehicle.  Project vehicles shall be maintained in good operating condition. Technical assistance will be provided by NIRPC staff in developing acceptable maintenance plans and/or procedures.  Each LPA shall submit annual monitoring reports to NIRPC during the useful life of any vehicle purchased through the CMAQ vehicle program.  LPA shall notify NIRPC before any CMAQ funded vehicle is removed from service as noted in Section 4 paragraph h of the “CMAQ Grant Agreement for LPA Equipment Procurement”. FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012 Federal (PL) $50,000 $22,400 Other Sources $12,500 $5,600 Total $62,500 $28,000 Use of funds: NIRPC Staff $62,000 $28,000 Contract: $0 $0 Total $62,000 $28,000 Staff: To be determined
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 33
Section 2: Data Management & Analysis 1) Transportation Data Collection, Job # 2002, 2272 2) Demographic Analysis & Forecasts, Job # 2003, 2273 3) GIS Management & Analysis, Job # 2004, 2274 4) Planning Data Collection, Research, & Analysis, Job # 2005, 2275 UPWP Tasks
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 34

UPWP Tasks

Travel Time Data Collection

1) Compile and evaluate list of corridors to collect travel time. 2) Order Dataloggers to collect travel time data during runs. 3) Solicit potential volunteers for conducting runs. 4) If volunteers are not available, then interns should be used for travel time collection. 5) Train data collectors to do runs using the floating car technique and dataloggers. 6) Once trained, the data collectors will make 5-10 runs for each corridor selected at

four times of the day (AM Peak, PM Peak, Off Peak, Lunch hour). Run will need to be conducted in both travel directions. Total amount of runs per corridor would be 40-80 runs.

7) Data will be put into KML format (Google Earth) and GIS formats for analysis. 8) Travel Time Data will be used for planning purposes and for evaluation of projects for the TIP by the use of performance measures. 9) Travel Time Collection will be a region wide ongoing process. Other analysis will be

needed annually. FY 2011-2012 end products Crash Data

 Collect crash data for the years 2005-2009 of the statewide database  Separate the crash data by modes of transportation  Rank the top locations for crashes  Construct GIS maps for analysis of crash locations  Implement analytical criteria from Indiana’s statewide 5 Percent Report and Strategic

Highway Safety Plan.  Staff will provide a safety section for the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan  Conduct other analysis as needed

Travel Time Data Collection  Compile and evaluate list of corridors to collect travel time  Use dataloggers to collect travel time data during runs  Solicit potential volunteers and employ interns for conducting runs  Train data collectors to do runs using the floating car technique and dataloggers.  Once trained, the data collectors will make 5-10 runs for each corridor selected at four

times of the day (AM Peak, PM Peak, Off Peak, and Lunch hour). Run will need to be conducted in both travel directions. Total amount of runs per corridor would be 40-80 runs.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks Data will be put into KML format (Google Earth) and GIS formats for analysis.  Travel Time Data will be used for planning purposes and for evaluation of projects for the TIP by the use of performance measures.  Travel Time Collection will be a region wide ongoing process. Other analysis will be needed annually. Use of FY 2012 End Products/Future Direction: Safety NIRPC will have finished a full safety analysis for the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. This analysis will have the Indiana 5 Percent Report and Strategic Highway Safety Plan standards incorporated as well. Travel Time Collection New performance measures will be used to evaluate projects for the TIP and the Congestion Management Process. This data collection will enable NIRPC to have a full scale Congestion Management Process for the region Staffing and Program Linkages: Ryan Hicks has been assigned the duties of Travel Time Collection and Crash Data collection, which assistance from interns. Traffic Data Collection & Analysis Objective: The objective of the traffic data collection and analysis is to collect and manage highway traffic data to support transportation planning and programming activities and the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). The management of traffic data is to be integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS). Past Work/Basis: NIRPC has collected traffic and transit data for three basic purposes: a) to support transportation planning and programming activities, including travel demand forecast modeling; b) reporting HPMS data to INDOT for its inclusion in the federal system; and c) data dissemination to the public. Data collected has included highway traffic counts, and vehicle classifications, plus occasionally, turning movements, physical features, signal timing, and vehicle speeds. GIS will play an important role as geography can now be linked to the traffic database tables. A significant effort is also required to provide count data to INDOT for use in the federal HPMS. Traffic counts and physical features are obtained at one-third of the HPMS locations, annually. INDOT factors the balance of the locations. In addition, HPMS data is received from INDOT and added to the database. The database provides the means to apply consistent axle adjustment and seasonal adjustment factors to the data. NIRPC uses axle factors derived
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 37
UPWP Tasks from INDOT vehicle classification counts taken in the NIRPC region. NIRPC also uses INDOT’s seasonal adjustment factors. The database contains counts taken by NIRPC that are adjusted by INDOT growth factors and axle adjustment factors to get the annual average daily traffic (AADT) count. FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology for both years: 1) Review data collection locations and select sites for data collection for the balance of CY 2009 and for the 2010 data collection seasons. This will include 1/3 of the 202 HPMS locations. 2) Collect hourly and average daily traffic counts for: screen-lines, cordon-line and HPMS locations, plus update the physical features. HPMS is the priority. 3) Continue to identify and obtain data for locations where counts and other information is being collected by other entities, such as INDOT, local agencies, and consultants for studies. These include permanent, continuous count sites, and temporary, manually collected locations. Collect this secondary information from others on a regular schedule. Incorporate relevant local and state generated information into the access traffic database. 4) Analyze the NIRPC and State highway traffic data for completeness and organization. The information should include location, day, month and year, for the raw counts. Counts will be adjusted to AADT (Annual Average Daily Traffic) with INDOT provided axel and seasonal factors. Place information on NIRPC Website, and eventually add traffic locations and data to NIRPC GIS system. 5) Collaborating with staff assigned to job tasks Data Resources and Modeling, Conformity and Technical Development to improve the data collection and analysis program. Continue to upgrade skills by studying any new material that applies to the traffic/database program. 6) Implementation of HPMS database management based on INDOT’s framework. Fulfill the FHWA-IN recommendation of maintaining a separate HPMS database. FY 2011-2012 End Products, for both years: 1) Collection of approximately 75 highway traffic counts annually and other data for HPMS and secondary count locations. 2) Updated traffic count database for NIRPC and INDOT use, specifically with the ability to extract HPMS data. 3) Updated data for GIS data analysis. 4) Refinements to the data collection program. 5) Log of data requests from regional businesses and public. Use of End Products/Future Direction: The traffic data will be used for: (a) model calibration, (b) conformity determination, (c)congestion monitoring, (d) capacity analysis, (e) programming local highway projects; (f) specialized studies, (g) disseminating information to public and private agencies upon request,
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 38
UPWP Tasks (h) and (i) reporting HPMS data information to INDOT. After the regional model is improved and refined, consideration will be given to collecting data so that accurate county, sub area and corridor studies can be performed. Develop HPMS analytical skills by preparing to evaluate at least 10% of the HPMS data. Staffing and Program Linkages: The staff assigned to this activity is Terrell Waddell. This function is integral to the activities of Data Resources, Forecasts & Analysis, Freight and Intermodal, Transportation Planning Coordination, Modeling, Conformity and Technical Support, and Graphics and Mapping.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 39

Staff: Kevin Garcia

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$40,455 $41,387
Local Total $10,114 $50,569 $10,347 $51,734
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff Total $50,570 $50,569 $51,734 $51,734

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements, Methodology and End Products (underlined)

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this work element is to collect, manage and analyze data to support the comprehensive regional planning process which incorporates transportation, regional land use, environmental and economic development. The maintenance of data is integral in analyses and decision making for the regional planning process and regional initiatives and for integration in Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

Past Work/Basis:

Maintain Data Resources:

On a continuing basis, NIRPC maintains regional data that affects the transportation system and is required in the comprehensive planning process. Essential to the planning process is the maintenance of demographic files of population, employment, and household data for transportation and programming activities, incorporation in GIS and informing and involving the public in decision making. NIRPC prepares and presents reports and analyses of regional data and regularly responds to requests for statistical information on transportation, demographics and economic regional indicators. NIRPC data and links to additional sources of data and information on the website are regularly updated and expanded.

Maintenance and expansion of data resources for the regional planning process and for the support of regional initiatives:

1) On continuing basis, update data files and data bases for demographic, economic and transportation data from Federal, State, and local governmental units; NIRPC projects; and public and private entities for use in the planning process. Extensive updates and analyses with the release of Census 2010 and American Community Survey. Monitor population estimates, residential building permits, existing and potential public revenues and expenditures, school statistics, social and economic changes, land use and development trends, vital statistics, utility service, employment data and municipal and county comprehensive plans.

2) Coordinate with NIRPC GIS system management on the incorporation, documentation and project application of data layers in the NIRPC GIS system.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

3) Data files and data bases of demographic forecasts of population, households and employment are a requirement of the regional transportation plan development and travel demand forecast modeling processes. Forecasts are integral data in the comprehensive regional planning process encompassing the transportation, economic and environmental domains and coordination with significant regional initiatives. The development of forecasts of population, households and employment include:

 Utilization of input from the Cluster workshops for the Comprehensive Regional Plan, the NIRPC Land Use committee, local meetings, and expanding public involvement technology in assessing development directions and priorities of the region

 Coordination and input from state, regional, and local agencies on update of the regional demographic and economic projections for the regional planning process with emphasis on regional growth, development patterns, comprehensive plans, local and regional land use, environmental issues and sensible growth planning tools.

 Utilization of high resolution orthophotography, Census demographic datasets, land use development patterns, transportation system analyses, economic, and environmental data in the development of regional forecasts working collaboratively to incorporate the forecasts in GIS.

Development of alternative projection scenarios developed around regional and local development strategies.

4) Documentation of responses to requests for regional data, analysis and information resources from governmental units, business and industry, media, academic institutions, community organizations and individuals in all areas of the public and private sectors. Encourage coordination and data sharing particularly as it affects the regional transportation system and local planning and development efforts. Continue participation in the Northwest Indiana GIS Forum to facilitate the exchange of data and information and access to training and consolidation of technical resources.

5) Documentation of NIRPC-facilitated workshops on data access, products and application tools as Census 2010 and the American Community Survey data are released.

6) Continue to document updates to the NIRPC website regional data.

7) Documentation of regional cooperation and coordination: Continue as an active regional affiliate in the Bureau of the Census State Data Center Program in the receipt and dissemination of data. Coordinate with the Census Bureau as a lead agency for local involvement in geographic programs.

8) Update and document the geographic delineation of the existing Traffic Analysis

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

Zones (TAZ’s) used in NIRPC’s transportation planning and travel demand forecast modeling processes for the release of American Community Survey 2006-2010 data for the Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) program.

Use of Data Collection, Management and Analysis, and Future Direction:

The development and maintenance of data for planning and analysis is an ongoing element of the Unified Planning Work Program. Files of demographic, transportation, socio-economic data and forecasts are fundamental inputs to the transportation and comprehensive planning process and in the analysis of regional development initiatives. This information also serves as a means to inform the public and involve them in planning activities.

These activities support project analysis in travel demand forecast modeling, demographic forecasting, and management systems used during the transportation planning process. Activities additionally support the expansion to incorporate regional land use and the economic development and environmental planning domains with transportation in the Comprehensive Regional Plan.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staff for this project is Kevin Garcia. This project provides data directly to all other UPWP program activities, coordination with other projects and technical applications, particularly GIS management, is essential.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this work element is the management, coordination, expansion, and continued upgrade of the NIRPC GIS system to meet the increasingly diverse spatial data requirements of comprehensive transportation, environmental, economic development, planning, and regional initiatives.

Past Work/Basis:

NIRPC has utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) technology in the analysis and display of data required for transportation planning efforts for over a decade and in targeted environmental programs.

NIRPC continues to collect and create various GIS datasets required in the planning process. GIS data management and organization ensures the

integrity of data flowing throughout NIRPC and outside the organization. GIS continues to provide information and visualization to the public and

FUNDING SOURCES

2011 2012

aid in their participation and understanding in the planning process. Federal (PL) FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology: $55,079 $56,322 1) Manage, coordinate, and update the NIRPC GIS system to address the spatial data needs of NIRPC’s core functions.

Local $13,770 $14,080

2) Maintain, improve, and expand the GIS data utilized in the transportation, environmental, and planning domains.

Total $68,849 $70,402 3) Utilize and upgrade the GIS software for analysis and visualization purposes, as required.

4) Identify GIS needs and priorities in new and improved applications for implementation.

5) Participate in the NW Indiana GIS Forum and other local, regional, and statewide GIS coordination efforts.

6) As new and improved GIS applications become available,

Use of funds: participate in GIS training workshops, on-line modules, user

groups, conferences, and other opportunities as available.

NIRPC

7) Comply with adopted state standards and policies concerning GIS.

Staff $68,849 $70,402 8) Data and statewide framework data.

Total $68,849 $70,402 9) Ongoing creation of metadata documentation for GIS projects and programs.

10) Develop and update various map layers, particularly land use, traffic volume counts, environmental, and safety data.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 11) Update and incorporate GIS data into the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan for counties, cities, and towns. 12) Use and incorporate digital orthophotography, infrared photography, and digital elevation models in GIS projects. 13) Initiate work towards building a regional GIS mapping component on the NIRPC website using an open-source GIS web server and other tools. 14) Initiate work towards the development of NIRPC’s data sharing policy in collaboration with communities and the NW Indiana GIS Forum. 15) Develop basic regional maps and other NIRPC GIS products into a final format to be published to the web in a static format. 16) Collaborate with staff on the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan to incorporate GIS for analysis and enhanced visualization. 17) Assist and develop GIS projects as needed, and perform other duties as may be required. Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction: 1) A managed, updated, and integrated GIS system that addresses spatial data needs and analysis required for comprehensive planning initiatives of the core functions. 2) Expanded agency use of GIS, wider access to GIS technology, and continued enhancement of the GIS capabilities of the system. First Year: 1) Updated GIS databases, metadata, and map layers. 2) Upgraded GIS software. 3) Documentation of participation in local, regional, state, and federal GIS training and coordination programs, workshops, and meetings. 4) Publications of basic regional maps and other NIRPC GIS products on the NIRPC website in a static format. 5) Printed maps to facilitate further public involvement in the CRP and the plan’s documentation. Staffing and Program Linkages: The assigned staff for this project is Matt Hay. GIS directly impacts the programs of the NIRPC planning domains of transportation, environment, and economic development.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 44

FUNDING SOURCES

Federal (PL)

$26,970 Local $6,743 Total $33,713

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $33,713 Total $33,713

$27,591 $6,898

$34,489

$34,489

$34,489

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this work element is to collect and manage land use, data, building permits, utilities, issued by type in the region to support the comprehensive regional planning process. This supports transportation, regional land use, environmental and economic development. The maintenance of data is integral in analyses and decision making for the regional planning process and regional initiatives and for integration in Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

Past Work/Basis:

Maintain Data Resources:

NIRPC maintains regional data that affects the land use and transportation system and is required in the comprehensive planning process. Essential to the planning process is the maintenance of land use data, infrastructure, sidewalks, transit routes, and transportation and programming activities, incorporation in GIS and informing and involving the public in decision making. NIRPC prepares and presents reports and analyses of regional data and regularly responds to requests for information on land use, transportation, utilities, and water. NIRPC data and links to additional sources of data and information on the website are regularly updated and expanded.

Work Elements, Methodology and End Products (underlined)

Maintenance and expansion of data resources for the regional planning process and for the support of regional initiatives:

1) On continuing basis, collect and update data files and data bases for building permits land use, infrastructure and transportation data, water from Federal, State, and local governmental units; NIRPC projects; and public and private entities for use in the planning process.

2) Maintaining the collection of updated comprehensive plans, zoning maps, economic development plans, utility plans, thoroughfare plans and other documents from county, municipal, state, and federal agencies.

3) Coordinating with NIRPC GIS system management and land use planning on the incorporation, documentation and project application of data layers in the NIRPC GIS system.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 UPWP Tasks

4) Coordinating and seeking input from state, regional, and local agencies on update of the regional planning process with emphasis on regional growth, development patterns, comprehensive plans, local and regional land use, environmental issues and sensible growth planning tools.

5) Utilization of high resolution orthophotography, land use development patterns, transportation system analyses, and environmental data in the development of regional forecasts working collaboratively to incorporate the forecasts in GIS.

6) Documentation of responses to requests for regional data, analysis and information resources from governmental units, business and industry, media, academic institutions, community organizations and individuals in all areas of the public and private sectors. Encourage coordination and data sharing particularly as it affects the regional transportation system and local planning and development efforts.

7) Continue to document updates to the NIRPC website regional data.

Use of FY 2011-2012 Data Collection, Management and Analysis, and Future Direction:

The development and maintenance of data for planning and analysis is an ongoing element of the Unified Planning Work Program. Files of land use, transportation, socio-economic data, utilities, and forecasts are fundamental inputs to the transportation and comprehensive planning process and in the analysis of regional development initiatives. This information also serves as a means to inform the public and involve them in planning activities.

These activities support project analysis in travel demand forecast modeling, demographic forecasting, and management systems used during the transportation planning process. Activities additionally support the expansion to incorporate regional land use and the economic development and environmental planning domains with transportation in the Comprehensive Regional Plan.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staff for this project is Kevin Garcia and as this project provides data directly to all other UPWP program activities, coordination with other projects and technical applications, particularly land use and GIS management, is essential.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks Section 3: Short Range Planning 1) UPWP Development and Management, Job # 2006, 2276 2) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Management, Job # 2007, 2277 3) Safe Routes to School & Safety Planning, Job # 2008, 2278 4) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Requirements, Job # 2009, 2279
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 47

Staff:

Eman Ibrahim-Steve Strains

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

Local Total $32,975 $8,244 $41,219 $33,561 $8,390 $41,951
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff Total $41,219 $41,219 $41,951 $41,951

UPWP Tasks

Objective: The purpose is to develop and manage the UPWP and its amendments. Included is to develop planning projects to implement and advance the Comprehensive Regional Plan and Long Range Transportation Plan in line with applicable laws and regulations and the MPO planning process.

Past Work/Basis:

This UPWP will continue to respond to the recommendations of the most recent Federal Planning Certification Review (PCR). NIRPC is developing the Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) to which the UPWP planning programs will contribute. In addition, NIRPC is implementing its 2010 Vision and Strategic Directions for the agency that will be utilized as operating principals of the UPWP programs. The UPWP basis will be constructed to meet the requirements of SAFETEA-LU since it is extended through the end of March of 2011.

Work Elements/Methodology

  1. Prepare FY 2013 and 2014 UPWP.

  2. Develop detailed scopes of work for planning projects in the adopted UPWP.

  3. Provide technical oversight of all UPWP work elements.

  4. Prepare planning revenue estimates.

  5. Prepare UPWP amendments of planning projects, regulations, and budget.

  6. Adopt final UPWP through the NIRPC Board process.

  7. Annual Completion Report

Products

First Year

  1. Amendments to FY 2011-2012 UPWP.

  2. Distribution of UPWP products.

3. FY 2010 Annual Completion Report Second Year

  1. Amendments to FY 2012 UPWP.

  2. Draft 2013-2014 UPWP.

  3. Distribution of UPWP products.

  4. FY 2011 Annual Completion Report.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose of this task is to provide the forum for making transportation investment decisions through a coordinated, participatory process, implementing the Regional Transportation Plan through development or update of a Transportation Improvement Program. Another objective is to monitor transportation projects and available funding so that Northwest Indiana maximizes its opportunities to implement the Plan.

Past Work/Basis:

The current TIP (2009-2013) is scheduled to be replaced by the FY 20112015 TIP in early CY 2011, based on the adopted CRP. This task will permit us to maintain the current TIP (via amendment and modification) as-needed, until the new TIP is approved for use by FTA and FHWA. All projects in the TIP are consistent with the Connections 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. The Connections 2030 Plan established policies which the TIP implements.

It has been a longstanding practice at NIRPC to develop a new TIP at the same time that INDOT was developing a new STIP. INDOT has deviated from this schedule in recent years but has indicated that it will return to an annual STIP update cycle in 2011. NIRPC typically conducts a solicitation for projects and develops a new TIP in even-numbered year (e.g., 2008, 2010, 2012, etc.).

NIRPC’s TIP staff assists INDOT in updating their highway projects through the TIP development and amendment process. INDOT has moved toward a greater level of accuracy with regard to the movement of state-funded projects toward letting. Additionally, they implemented a new process in 2009 governing the implementation of LPA federal aid projects. NIRPC needs to catch up by developing a formal reporting and oversight program that monitors the status of each of its locally-funded projects (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP). A committee will be convened in 2010 to develop this local oversight process.

A significant amount of technical assistance is provided to highway project sponsors in moving their projects toward implementation. NIRPC’s TIP staff assists project implementers by troubleshooting projects that have gotten “stuck” somewhere in the pipeline, by lining up federal funds ahead of the lettings, and making post-letting funding changes (if needed) that will ensure full utilization of allocated funds. Financial constraint, within the TIP and federal authorizing legislation, is maintained at all times. For years 2010 and beyond, FHWA and INDOT have prioritized improvements to project oversight and financial management systems, as well as a restructuring of the STIP development and state tracking process.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

Work Elements/Methodology:

TIP Development and Maintenance

Prepare and maintain the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the three-county area. Maintain project selection systems for all MPO-controlled funds and provide an opportunity for their modification prior to each TIP Update. Conduct solicitations for new projects as a part of the TIP Update process. Select projects in consultation with the State and transit operators and in conformance with the SIP and Conformity Consultation Protocol. Conduct the programming/amendment process in an open, participatory manner, consistent with the FHWA/FTA Planning Regulation and NIRPC’s own Public Involvement Process. Coordinate the timing of TIP updates with INDOT preparation of the INSTIP. Prepare a TIP that complies with current federal requirements.

FY 2011

1) Coordinate and undertake a review of the transportation component(s) of the new 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) to ensure that the applicable portions of the CRP are appropriately reflected in the several project selection systems. Coordinate an update of all project selection systems and conduct project solicitations under each of the various federal funding categories.

2) Complete the FFY 2011-2015 TIP update (adoption scheduled for early CY 2011), coordinated with the INDOT STIP process, and working with stakeholders to implement the Connections 2030 Plan.

3) Conduct a solicitation for CMAQ projects in both air quality non-attainment areas. Assist sponsors in calculating their emissions reductions. Prepare/submit applications for FHWA eligibility determination. Program CMAQ-eligible projects in the TIP.

4) Prepare and process TIP amendments, as requested or needed, for submission to the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG). Consult with NIRPC’s transportation modeler prior to submission to ensure consistency with the Air Quality Conformity Determination. Present amendments to the Policy Committee and NIRPC Board. Adjust the TIP project list following each amendment, post it on the NIRPC web-site, and transmit it to both INDOT headquarters and LaPorte District office.

5) Organize a group of stakeholders to assess the oversight needs (project management and financial management) of FHWA-funded projects, develop and secure Commission approval of a written oversight program (including transition procedures), and conduct a test of the program. Conduct an initial assessment of the program and make changes where needed.

6) Maintain financial records on an ongoing basis that document funding changes by project and demonstrate overall and fund-level fiscal constraint. Update closeout plans for MPO-controlled SAFETEA-LU funds. (Both years)

FY 2012

1) Prepare the FFY 2013-2017 TIP update in a manner that is coordinated with the INDOT STIP process, Air Quality Conformity Protocol, and Federal District Court Consent Decree.

2) Prepare and process TIP amendments, as requested or needed, for submission to the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG). Consult with NIRPC’s transportation modeler prior to

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 UPWP Tasks

submission to ensure consistency with the Air Quality Conformity Determination. Present amendments to the Policy Committee and NIRPC Board. Adjust the TIP project list following each amendment, post it on the NIRPC web-site, and transmit it to both INDOT headquarters and LaPorte District office.

Project Development and Monitoring

For FHWA-Funded Projects: Develop and implement a formal reporting and oversight program for each of its FHWA-funded programs (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP). Establish an ad hoc committee to identify INDOT and FHWA funding program requirements, funding, develop periodic project reporting and review procedures (pre-letting and post-letting) including a Board reporting mechanism, and financial tracking and fund transfer procedures. Involve INDOT, FHWA, project sponsors, engineers, and other interested persons in this process. Present the recommended process to management, the NIRPC Transportation Policy Committee, and Board for approval or changes. Implement the procedures on a trial basis during the final quarter of Program Year 2011.

Monitor the implementation of projects, generally, by tracking lettings of FHWA-funded construction projects and the obligation of both FHWA and FTA funds as required by FHWA-IN division in the three Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs). Ensure that all funds allocated to the three-county area are obligated and do not lapse. Work with the NE Illinois RTA in the division of FTA formula funds allocated to the Chicago Urbanized Area. Maintain a local highway project progress reporting system that is in sync with INDOT’s enhanced project tracking system. Maintain good communication with INDOT’s LaPorte District office to ensure that problems associated with project implementation are swiftly resolved. Better inform the public of upcoming and already implemented projects. Provide technical assistance to project sponsors, regardless of mode.

2011

1) Implement a formal reporting and oversight program for each of its FHWA-funded programs (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP) on a trial basis during the final quarter of Program Year 2011. Monitor the utilization of MPO-controlled funds by updating fund balances following each applicable change in the TIP. Provide periodic reports on fund utilization to the Policy Committee.

2) Following publication of FTA’s annual apportionment notice, verify Northwest Indiana’s share of the annual FTA Section 5307, 5316, and 5317 apportionments to the Chicago Urbanized Area. Prepare the annual attachments to the NIRPC/RTA Letters of Understanding for these three funding programs. Meet with transit operators to discuss adjustments to already-programmed funds affected by the notice and, via amendment, adjust the TIP accordingly. Communicate with transit operators in the Michigan City Urbanized Area to sub-allocate the funds between the two public operators there.

3) Develop and implement SAFETEA-LU closeout plans which show how all SAFETEA-LU apportioned FHWA STP Group I, Group II, HSIP, Local Earmark, and CMAQ funds will be utilized. Coordinate with the INDOT Finance Department to ensure that all apportioned funds are obligated.

4) Continue to meet with the INDOT LaPorte District office staff on an ongoing basis as a means of sharing project-level information, informing each other of new policies and

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks procedures, and to discuss other topics of interest and relevance. 5) Enhance public awareness of upcoming highway construction projects with more visual information displays in the TIP and on NIRPC’s web-site. 6) Provide assistance, upon request or as needed, to project implementers, regardless of mode. Assist in the identification of new projects, or in the resolution of problems with existing projects. 2012 1) Make final changes, if needed, to the reporting and oversight program for each of the FHWA funding programs (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP). Implement the modified program during the first half of Program Year 2012. 2) Monitor the utilization of MPO-controlled funds by updating fund balances following each applicable change in the TIP. Provide periodic reports on fund utilization to the Policy Committee. 3) Following publication of FTA’s annual apportionment notice, verify Northwest Indiana’s share of the annual FTA Section 5307, 5316, and 5317 apportionments to the Chicago Urbanized Area. Prepare the annual attachments to the NIRPC/RTA Letters of Understanding for these three funding programs. Meet with transit operators to discuss adjustments to already-programmed funds affected by the notice and, via amendment, adjust the TIP accordingly. Communicate with transit operators in the Michigan City Urbanized Area to sub-allocate the funds between the two public operators there. 4) Prepare either new Letters of Understanding with the northeast Illinois RTA (Section 5307, 5316, 5317, and Rail Modernization) or extend the existing Letters. 5) Monitor project progress for FHWA STP Group I, Group II, HSIP, Local Earmark, and CMAQ-funded projects. Provide INDOT with updated information on an ongoing basis. 6) Continue to meet with the INDOT LaPorte District office staff on an ongoing basis as a means of sharing project-level information, informing each other of new policies and procedures, and to discuss other topics of interest and relevance. 7) Enhance public awareness of upcoming highway construction projects with more visual information displays in the TIP and on NIRPC’s web-site. 8) Provide assistance, upon request or as needed, to project implementers, regardless of mode. Assist in the identification of new projects, or in the resolution of problems with existing projects. End Products: TIP & TIP Maintenance—2011 1) Updated 2011-2015 TIP. 2) Updated project database (Ongoing). 3) Updated project selection system documents (including selection criteria), applications for assistance, and eligibility determination requests and responses. 4) TIP Amendments processed, documented and distributed. 5) Committee/stakeholder meeting materials.
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UPWP Tasks TIP & TIP Maintenance—2012 1) Draft 2013-2017 TIP update. 2) Updated project database (Ongoing). 3) Updated project selection system documents (including selection criteria), applications for assistance, and eligibility determination requests and responses. 4) TIP Amendments processed, documented and distributed. 5) Committee/stakeholder meeting materials. Development & Monitoring: 2011 1) Written Oversight Program document, results of trial implementation, and proposed program modifications. 2) Financial Status Reports (two to four per year). Reports detailing the list and status of projects and funding for STP I, STP II, HSIP, and CMAQ. 3) FFY 2012 Annual Attachments to Letters of Understanding with NE Illinois RTA. 4) SAFETEA-LU closeout plan for STP Group I, Group II, HSIP, Lake-Porter County CMAQ, and LaPorte County CMAQ. 5) Project technical assistance file. 6) Transit fund generation statistical reports for FTA Section 5307 and 5340. Development & Monitoring: 2012 1) Revised Oversight Program document and full set of review reports for the full year. 2) Financial Status Reports (two to four per year). Reports detailing the list and status of projects and funding for STP I, STP II, HSIP, and CMAQ. 3) New Letters of Understanding with NE Illinois RTA or Extensions of the 20062010 Letters. 4) Project technical assistance file. 5) Transit fund generation statistical reports for FTA Section 5307 and 5340. Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction: These products consist of the basic process documents used in allocating federal surface transportation funds, maintaining a (current) fiscally constrained list of projects, oversight of the process through which local highway projects are advanced toward letting, and the post-letting oversight of projects. These products and tasks will also increase public awareness of the status of projects through regular reports. A cooperative process with INDOT will facilitate both better communication with the MPO but also ensure a more accurate depiction of state projects in the TIP. It will keep the TIP in compliance with both the FHWA/FTA Joint Planning Regulation and the federal authorizing legislation.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 53
UPWP Tasks Staffing and Program Linkages: The assigned staff for this project is Gary Evers and Intern. In the conduct of this program subcategory, it is anticipated that they will contribute to the objectives and work tasks of program subcategory Framework and coordinate with the work in Transportation System Management, Transit Planning Coordination, and Non-motorized Transportation. FY2011 & FY2012 Annual Listing of Obligated Projects Objective: To cooperative with the State and public transportation operators in the development of a listing of projects for which federal funds under 23 USC or 49 USC Chapter 53 have been obligated in the previous program year. The Annual Listing of Obligated Projects is one of the three Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs) for implementing SAFETEA-LU in FY 2011 issued by the Indiana Division Office of FHWA. FHW A has been working with INDOT and the MPOs to establish a standard process to enable MPOs to comply with 23 CFR 450.322. This federal regulation requires a list of projects to be published no later than 90 calendar days following the end of a program year, and is required to be available in accordance with each MPO's public participation criteria for their TIPs. FHWA also recommends the list be posted on the MPO's website. Past Work/Basis: 23 CFR 450.332 (the Federal Metropolitan Area Planning Regulation) requires that the State, MPO and public transit operators to prepare an annual list of federally funded, implemented transportation projects. Since 2001, NIRPC has published this list in a report titled “Whatever Happened to That Project?”. It is a product and process that the FHWA and FTA cited in February, 2006 as a “best practice”, as a proactive approach to sharing information with the public. In preliminary federal guidelines the NIRPC report is listed as a recommended way to prepare and display the information. Work Elements/Methodology: 2011 Within 90 days of the end of the program year, coordinate with the State and public transportation providers to prepare and publish the annual list of projects for which Federal funds were obligated in the previous year and make such a list available to the public. The report will include: the amount of funds requested in the TIP, federal funding obligated during the preceding year, federal funding remaining and available for subsequent years, sufficient description to identify the project or phase and identification of the agencies responsible for carrying out the project or phase. Specific tasks include: identifying the projects and sorting them, mapping the projects, taking photographs of selected projects in the field, updating description text and designing a report. Additional tasks include analysis of the distribution of project investments by geographic area, by mode, particularly on minority and low-income population and the identification of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities. Coordination activities will include incorporating language that describes an arrangement for receiving project information from INDOT into the next MPO-State-Transit Operator Planning Agreement. 2012
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 54

UPWP Tasks

Same as 2011. End Products: 2011 A published list of TIP projects will show for which Federal funds were obligated in the past

federal fiscal year, including investment distribution. This annual listing is known as “Whatever Happened to That Project?” 2012 Same as 2011.

Use of FY 2010-2011 End Products/Future Direction: These products will serve as a record of the projects for which federal funds were obligated that fulfills the requirements of 23 CFR 450.332 and is accessible to and understandable by the general public.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staff for this project is Thomas Vander Woude.

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Staff: Mitch Barloga

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$5,662 $7,830
Local $1,416 $1,957
Total $7,078 $9,787

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objectives of the enhancement portion of this subcategory are to advocate and develop a far-reaching program towards increasing the number of children safely walking or bicycling to school; and develop a regional safety initiative focused on accessing federal highway safety funds.

Past Work/Basis:

In FY 2006, NIRPC developed a pilot Safe Routes to School program in conjunction with the City of Valparaiso. NIRPC also developed at “Safe Routes to School Toolkit” to aid those who desire to implement these strategies. NIRPC aided with the submissions of FY 2007 SRTS INDOT applications in the last quarter of FY 2006. Efforts included a regional workshop on the topic, and individual aid to sponsoring entities.

In CY 2006 INDOT prepared a Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which is a framework to make the state’s highways safer to drive, walk and bike. SAFETEA-LU authorized a new core Federal aid funding program in FY 2006 to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) emphasizes a data-driven, strategic approach to improving highway safety that focuses on results. NIRPC will use the crash data and maps produced in FY 2007 to identify locations where safety improvements can be made and assist local governments to access the HSIP funds.

1) Assist local school districts, police departments, municipalities and non-profit organizations in the advancement of SRTS strategies region-wide.

2) Provide individual assistance, in cooperation with INDOT, Bicycle Indiana, the Calumet Citizens for Connecting Communities (C4), and the Active Transportation Alliance (Chicago), in the development of SRTS program planning in the target areas of education, enforcement & engineering.

3) If resources permit, establish a regional SRTS Task Force, or similar oversight committee to advance SRTS objectives, and prepare sponsors for INDOT SRTS funding.

4) Update Safe Routes to School Toolkit based on new SAFETEA-LU guidelines and INDOT SRTS application policies.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 5) Research funding sources to produce a PSA on the SRTS program to be aired region wide on local television and radio stations. 6) Develop and maintain an SRTS project and program database of all region-wide projects to gauge their progress and effectiveness. 7) Develop a safety initiative to educate local jurisdictions, and use crash data to identify locations where projects can access HSIP funds. 8) Conduct annual Safe Routes to School Workshop ahead of INDOT’s SRTS call for projects. FY 2011-2012 End Products: First Year: 1. Updated Safe Routes to School Toolkit 2. Establishment of SRTS Task Force/committee if resources permit. 3. Development of project-tracking database of regional SRTS initiatives. 4. Production of PSA’s for radio and television broadcast. Second Year: 1. – 4 continue from the First Year. Staffing and Program Linkages: Mitch Barloga is the assigned staff for this project. Critical coordination will be required from nearly all UPWP program activities, especially Data Resources, Forecasting & Analysis, Modeling, Conformity & Technical Development, Project Programming & Monitoring, and Graphics & Mapping. An involved dialogue will also be required with program activities under Air Quality Public Education, specifically environmental mapping and related data.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 57

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

Local Total $14,672 $3,668 $18,340 $10,863 $2,716 $13,579
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff Contract$13,340 ual: $5,000 $13,579 $0

Total $18,340 $13,579

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose of this project is to make certain Local Public Agencies (LPA) in northwest comply with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA) requirements. When considering federal funding for local projects, the MPO needs to be able to tell FHWA that the local public entity, also known as the local public agency (LPA) (the project sponsor) has an adopted ADA Transition Plan and is in compliance with the ADA requirements.

Background:

Assisting the federal government to ensure ADA compliance by LPAs is one of the FHWA-IN’s current Planning Emphasis Areas for Indiana’s MPOs. FHWA-IN is now requiring all MPOs to work with their LPAs to fulfill ADA requirements. Compliance means that the LPA has an approved ADA Transition Plan. If such a plan is not in place with the project sponsor LPA, then FHWA may not be able to authorize the project for development or construction.

Work Elements and Products:

  1. NIRPC will survey LPAs in Lake, La Porte and Porter Counties of 50 or more employees and determine if they have an ADA transition plan, and when it was approved. NIRPC will also obtain copies of all approved ADA Transition Plans.

  2. NIRPC will report its findings to FHWA-IN.

  3. NIRPC envisions this project to be completed no later than November 30, 2010, and pertain to all federally funded local projects included in the TIP after that date.

  4. Conduct an ADA Transition Plan workshop for LPAs.

  5. In FY 2012 NIRPC will provide continuing technical assistance for LPAs needing it to prepare compliant transition plans.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

Section 4:

Long Range Planning 1) Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) Development, Job # 2010, 2280 2) Regional Land Use Planning, Job # 2011, 2281 3) Congestion Management, Job # 2012, 2282 4) Environmental Mitigation, Job # 2013, 2283 5) Non-Motorized Planning, Job # 2014, 2284 6) Safety & Security Planning, Job # 2015, 2285 7) Economic Development Planning, Job # 2016, 2286 8) Freight Planning, Job # 2017, 2287 9) Travel Network Modeling, Job # 2018, 2288 10) Corridor Planning, Job # 2019, 2289 11) Air Quality Conformity, Job # 2020, 2290

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

Staff:

Steve Strains, Bill Brown,

Gabrielle Biciunas, Tom

Vander Woude, Eman

Ibrahim, Kathy Luther, New

Planner

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$370,589 $251,442

Local $92,847 $42,516

Total $463,236 $314,303

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $363,236 $314,303 Contractual: $0 $0 Regional Assembly: $100,000 $0

Total $463,236 $314,303

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this project is to coordinate the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Regional Plan that will include economic development, environment, land use, social equity, and transportation. The plan is targeted for adoption by late 2010.

Past Work/Basis:

The Connections 2030 Plan was approved on May 19, 2005. In June, 2007 NIRPC adopted a major amendment to the Connections 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, known as the “Compliance Amendment.” The 2030 Plan was revised to reflect changes in and become compliant with the federal transportation act known as Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). According to federal transportation requirements, the next regional transportation plan is due by June, 2011. NIRPC’s desire is to complete the next plan by late 2010.

NIRPC’s plan is a Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) that includes each of NIRPC’s planning domains, with a horizon year of 2040. The development of this long-range plan for the region is a more comprehensive effort to address opportunities and challenges across the spectrum of five areas, which are: 1) economic development, 2) environment, 3) land use, 4) social justice, and 5) transportation. A draft vision statement and goals and objectives were adopted.

FY 2011 – 2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

1) Refine the detailed multi-year budget and schedule of activities for the CRP.

2) Incorporate the results of the Forum on the Future of Northwest Indiana, the Goal Setting Workshops and the Sub-Regional Cluster Workshops into strategies that address economic development, the environment, land use, social justice and transportation.

3) Continue to document progress with a 2040 CRP newsletter.

4) Develop process for technical and policy evaluation.

5) Coordinate consideration and input of all elements of the CRP development with the NIRPC policy committees and other staff. Some of these include demographic forecasts, land use framework, natural resource management, transportation management systems, and economic development, security, safety, freight.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 6) Develop an approach to conduct a basic benefits and burdens analysis as Part of the Environmental Justice work on the updated Plan. Using the travel demand model as the primary tool, staff will begin researching the necessary work activities to quantify the impact that implementation of the projects in the Plan might exert on EJ-populations of concern. 7) Identify and consider plan options. 8) Identify some maintenance/ preservation and expansion infrastructure projects. 9) Work with a consultant team who will provide some continuing assistance throughout the plan development relative to relationships of the planning domains, making some presentations, finalizing the documentation. 10) Develop alternative future scenarios. 11) Conduct Regional Assembly. 12) Identify and consider a preferred scenario. 13) Adopt a CRP and finalize documentation. 14) Implement plan. FY 2011 - 2012 End Products: First year: 1) Multi-year work program budget and schedule 2) 2040 CRP newsletters 3) Alternative scenarios 4) Regional Assembly 5) Preferred scenario 6) Project identification 7) Policies and strategies 8) Evaluation process 9) Consultant management 10) Plan adoption Second year: 1) Final plan documentation and distribution 2) Plan implementation Staffing and Program Linkages: Ensure that environmental concerns relating to the Regions Visions, Goals and Objectives are fully integrated into 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Implementation Strategies.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 61

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL

Local Total $70,315 $17,579 $87,894 $60,055 $15,014 $75,069
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff Total $87,894 $87,894 $75,069 $75,069

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this Regional Land Use Planning program is to support the development of the Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) and its implementation strategies, environmental policy making, and economic development considerations.

Past Work/ Basis

Comprehensive plans, zoning, existing land use, ordinances and economic development trends are examined periodically to initiate efforts to better coordinate regional development. A land Use Committee was established through the program to provide advisory input to the NIRPC Board and other committees on existing and proposed regional plans, land use related projects and policies. The committee facilitates planning processes and partnerships that build links between jurisdictional boundaries.

The land use program is developed to educate and assist local planners and interested parties on the importance of the transportation and land use connection.

Work Elements/ Methodology

  • Document land use and development trends in the Northwest Indiana Region for use by NIRPC and member agencies, as well as others.

  • Understand and analyze the long-term development trends, which will allow decision makers to assess the implications of past development patterns and evaluate whether those trends should be encouraged or policies should be changed to current developments.

  • Evaluate and help developing a dynamic, computer-based decision support system or scenario modeling using CommunityViz (GIS extension) that will allow local community leaders to strengthen the functional links between land use and transportation planning, and to consider alternative growth scenarios and their impacts on the environment, economy, transportation, rural infrastructure, water supply and urban infrastructure.

  • Develop a framework that provides regional consistency on issues of common importance and functional compatibility, while allowing individual entities to retain their individual and autonomous authority.

  • Promote development of a sustainable regional community that works together to help individual counties and municipalities achieve local goals.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

  • Integrate the regional planning activities into structures that provide more value to local, state and federal governmental leadership, local and national business, and the public at large.

  • Support the identification and integration of existing regional environmental data in long range land use plan activities, for the purpose of fostering resource preservation and regional education.

  • Support the integration of the 2040 Plan into regional land use framework and outcomes.

  • Identify and address potential land use and jurisdictional conflicts that may develop out of the collaborative and comprehensive planning process.

  • Provide staff support to the Advisory Committee. Land use discussions will originate with this Committee.

  • Participate in or serve as an advisory committee member in various land use studied that are conducted by local or regional agencies.

  • Identify regionally significant transportation projects in local land use plans to include in the air quality travel demand model.

  • Facilitate communications and coordination of land use plans for Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties as well as its municipalities.

  • Provide planning support and technical assistance in the area of land development and policies to local communities.

  • Provide planning support to cities and towns that are updating their comprehensive plan, zoning and subdivision ordinances, design guidelines and other planning.

  • Provide assistance in the GIS regional data coordination.

  • Continue to prepare maps and other forms of GIS support for the Regional Land Use Planning, and other NIRPC purposes.

 Continue research of innovative and efficient development concepts and introduce these to local communities.

FY 2009-2010 End Products:

First Year:

1) A unified regional Land Use Inventory map. The inventory will serve as a major input to the long-range population, household and employment forecasts that are required for the Comprehensive Regional Plan.

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UPWP Tasks

2) Formulate a set of evaluation criteria to be utilized for reviewing local Comprehensive Plans. 3) Four alternatives growth scenarios and their impacts on the environment, economy, transportation, rural infrastructure, water supply and urban infrastructure. 4) Recommendations and directions developed by the land Use Committee. 5) Up-to-date collection of local land-use plans and policies. 6) Land use chapter in the 2040 report that include findings, analysis, maps and graphics. Second Year: 1) List of Land use and corridors projects that will be turned into proposals and plans. 2) Recommendations and directions developed by the land Use Committee.

3) Updated comprehensive plans, zoning maps, land use, economic development plans, utility plans, thoroughfare plans and other documents from county, municipal, state, and federal agencies.

4) A new coordinated regional land use GIS data. 5) Maps and graphics for the Land Use Committee.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

Staff: Ryan Hicks

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$56,218 $57,461
Local $14,055 $14,365
Total $70,273 $71,826

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this project is to continue to develop and maintain an operations-oriented planning and programming process that remains SAFETEA-LU compliant and embedded in the transportation planning process. The staff will focus on maintaining the Congestion Management Process and the regional Intelligent Transportation System Architecture.

Past Work/Basis:

In past efforts, NIRPC prepared the regional Congestion Management System, using the prototype CMS template developed by the Indiana Department of transportation. The 2009 Federal Planning Certification Review issued a corrective action to NIRPC for the lack of an ongoing congestion management process. NIRPC established a Congestion Management Subcommittee, identified performance measures and thresholds of congestion and identified horizon year traffic congestion problem areas. The staff evaluated transportation system management, travel demand management, public transportation and intelligent transportation system solutions to the identified problem locations and made recommendations for projects to mitigate the potential congestion problems.

During FY 2008, NIRPC began the update of the Congestion Management Process. IN FY 2010 the congestion management subcommittee was formed. Since then, the committee has met and adopted both transit and highway performance measures for the region. This process currently has a timeline for completion with in FY 2011.

NIRPC adopted a Regional Intelligent Transportation System Architecture in FY 2007, based on earlier work with a stakeholder committee and the development of a Turbo Architecture database.

Congestion Management

1) In conjunction with the data management efforts of the planning department, continue the development of a database of past and current traffic count information, using appropriate adjustment factors and GIS resources to depict existing traffic congestion problem areas.

2) Display future year travel information in a compatible GIS format to compare present and future traffic congestion problem areas.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 UPWP Tasks

3) Establish the appropriate set of transportation system management and travel demand management strategies and develop methods to evaluate them. 4) Analyze currently programmed TIP projects for their expected impact on these performance measures. 5) Establish objective criteria for future TIP project selection based upon the established performance measures. 6) Analyze proposed TIP projects and rank them based on their impact on the established performance measures. 7) Prepare annual status report with a summary of the TIP analysis, in addition to the baseline existing system report. 8) Identify traffic congestion problem areas that can not be resolved using transit, ITS TSM and TDM strategies, as potential candidates for capacity expansion. 9) Prepare a status report on present and future traffic congestion issues with appropriate recommendations for solutions. 10) Collect and analyze travel time data from arterials in order to incorporate new performance measures. 11) Finalize and detail congestion management specific goals and objectives. 12) Develop congestion management growth scenarios that will be in line with the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. 13) Institute a firm congestion management monitoring system. 14) Identify strategies for the Congestion Management Process. 15) Compose an Congestion Management Plan for Northwest Indiana Intelligent Transportation Systems

1) Re-establish a stakeholder committee or increase the span of the Congestion Management Subcommittee to represent all agencies that will reasonably be expected to have or develop ITS assets in a ten year planning horizon.

2) Update the Turbo Architecture database using input from the stakeholders and regional policy-makers. 3) Define project sequencing. 4) Identify the applicable ITS standards using the National ITS Architecture. 5) Develop and maintain a list of agency agreements, including those in place and those that require development. 6) Update the ITS plan for Northwest Indiana FY 2011-2012 End Products: First Year: 1) All TIP activities, as listed in work elements 4-7

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UPWP Tasks

2) Continue to collect and map out data using GIS

3) Finalize and detail congestion management specific goals and objectives

4) Develop congestion management growth scenarios that will be in line with the

2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. 5) Identify traffic congestion problem areas that cannot be resolved using TSM and

TDM strategies. 6) Institute a firm congestion management monitoring system. 7) Identify strategies for the congestion management process 8) Status report on present and future traffic congestion issues with appropriate

recommendations for solutions.

9) Collect and analyze travel time data from arterials.

10) Updated Turbo Architecture Database

11) Agency agreements for ITS. Second Year:

1) Complete Congestion Management Plan (as part of, or in conjunction with, the

2040 CRP)

2) Update ITS plan

3) ITS standards.

4) Other products as a continuation from First Year. Use of FY 2012 End Products/Future Direction: By the end of FY 2011, NIRPC will have a full Congestion Management Process in place and therefore be in compliance with the federal requirement. Once completed, the Congestion Management System will need to continually be monitored and updated. The congestion management recommendations will be part of the project evaluation and recommendations of the update of the comprehensive regional plan. The updated Turbo Architecture database and agency agreements will lead to an improved, integrated system of intelligent transportation assets in the northwestern Indiana region and surrounding areas.

Staffing and Program Linkages: Ryan Hicks has been assigned to these duties; Bill Brown will be a resource.

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UPWP Tasks 6) Initiate Transportation Enhancement criteria specific to funding Environmental Mitigation projects 7) Develop a framework for future Environmental Mitigation Planning Activities. FY 2011 End Products 1) GIS Map layers of priority environmental mitigation areas with greatest potential to restore and maintain environmental functions 2) Environmental Mitigation future planning and implementation strategy 3) Transportation Enhancement Criteria and process for funding environmental mitigation projects. FY 2012 End Products 1) Environmental Mitigation element in 2040 Long Range Plan 2) List of transportation project types likely to result in environmental impacts requiring mitigation. 3) List of potential Environmental Mitigation Activities 4) Consultation Process Staffing and Program Linkages: Joe Exl, Senior Water Resources Planner, is the staff for this work. Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Environmental Stewardship  Environmental Streamlining
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 69

UPWP Tasks

the growing non-motorized network in NW Indiana. The 3PC also serves as the premier education outlet for those seeking to implement progressive, non-motorized “best-practices” in their communities.

NIRPC is working to coordinate the efforts of the 3PC, local officials and C4 towards a comprehensive implementation of the Ped & Pedal Plan goals and related objectives.

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

1) Implementation of the 2010 Ped and Pedal Plan with assistance from the 3PC and C4 membership. The five overall goals targeted are as follows:

 Encourage & promote regional coordination, partnership & planning.

 Improve connections between sub-regional networks.

 Encourage & increase bicycle and pedestrian access to and from all transit and intermodal facilities.

 Increase the promotion of benefits of bicycle and pedestrian systems.

 Develop a set of funding priorities which encourages local monies to be leveraged by non-local funds to allow for greater progress and development.

2) Organize Regional Trails Summit for 2011 or 2012 as a follow up to the successful 2002 Sand Ridge Country Club event

3) Review qualifying TE, TCSP, CMAQ, Safe Routes to School, STP-1, and other related programs funding pedestrian and bicycle projects in the NIRPC TIP. Continue to maintain bi-annual “Milestone” list tracking system for these projects.

4) Enforce NIRPC’s Complete Streets Guidelines, and aid in the dissemination of education materials to local communities and county highway departments on the importance of these policies.

5) Coordinate with INDOT and the DNR on the development of goals from the Indiana Trails Plan.

6) Provide continued facilitation to C4 and the National Parks Service to disseminate information to those groups, local and county jurisdictions, or individuals in the region who desire further knowledge on bike and pedestrian connections.

7) Establish a regular contact with INDOT’s LaPorte District regarding their conformity to bicycle and pedestrian accommodations within the design scope of their proposed projects.

8) Actively work with regional jurisdictions on implementing bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including routes for trails and bike lanes, crosswalks safety measures and trailhead design in conjunction with NIRPC’s Complete Street Guidelines.

9) Provide facilitation to aid in the remediation of issues that are delaying the development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the NIRPC region, and those projects proposed to link into NW Indiana.

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UPWP Tasks

10) Initiate dialogue with non-traditional partners who are essential to the goal of establishing a non-motorized culture in NW Indiana. These partners would include the health community (hospitals and YMCA’s) and municipal public works departments.

11) Revise the 2008 Northwest Indiana Bike Map for 2011. 12) Serve on the organizing committee for the 2011 Mid-American Trails & Greenways Conference (MATAG). This has been tentatively scheduled for Madison, WI. 13) Serve on the Board of Directors for the American Planning Association’s Indiana Chapter as Northern Region Representative. 14) Serve on the Board of Directors for the Greenways Foundation, a state not-for-profit advocating new trail projects throughout the State of Indiana. Staff will assist the GF on developing strategies to raise private funds to help develop network of trails

involving various NIRPC members.

FY 2011-2012 End Products:

First Year: 1) Revised NIRPC TE application solicitation for Pedestrian & Bicycle applications. 2) Maintain milestone schedule for federally and/or state-funded pedestrian & bicycle

projects. 3) Regional Trails Summit. 4) Assistance to local communities in their efforts to incorporate Complete Streets policies

into their design standards and/or ordinances. 5) TE applications from NIRPC region, reviewed, ranked, and submitted to INDOT by the TE Committee for final approval for FY 2011 and FY 2012. 6) Documentation of efforts to solicit funds for printing and distribution of a revised Regional Bike Map. 7) Documentation on the 3PC’s review, comments and recommendations regarding local DNR trails grant applications. 8) Attendance at C4, APA-IN, and Greenways Foundation meetings as NIRPC representative. 9) Continued assistance to NIRPC membership on aiding with the development of existing

and proposed non-motorized facilities.

Second Year:

1) – 10) continue from the First Year, including completing the bike map if it is unfinished from

FY 2011.

Staffing and Program Linkages: Mitch Barloga, New Planner, and intern are the assigned staff for this project.

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UPWP Tasks Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;  Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;  Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;  Promote efficient system management and operation.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 73

Staff:

New Planner

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$9,812 $13,580
Local $2,453 $3,395
Total $12,265 $16,975

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objectives of the enhancement portion of this program are to advocate and develop a regional safety initiative focused on accessing federal highway safety funds and increase public awareness of the highway safety needs and challenges around the northwest Indiana region.

Past Work/Basis:

The Indiana State Department of Transportation (INDOT) with coordination and support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has outlined a statewide goal to reduce traffic related crashes and fatalities.

In FY 2006 INDOT prepared a Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which is a framework SAFETEA-LU authorized a new core Federal aid funding program in FY 2006 to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) emphasizes a data-driven, strategic approach to improving highway safety that focuses on results. NIRPC will use the crash data and maps produced in FY 2007 to identify locations where safety improvements can be made and assist local governments to access the HSIP funds.

FY 2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

NIRPC’s safety planning work includes data gathering and analysis, development of goals and objectives, and a safety initiative leading to an overall safety planning process.

1) Gather data, develop, and analyze crash data for the five year period 2005-2009 to serve as a guide for long-range improvement and to help community leaders better understand safety issues and trends occurring within the region.
2) Assess the number and type of crashes by region, county, and municipal level.
3) Create GIS-based maps to visually identify crash locations.
4) Create graphs, spreadsheets, and charts.
5) Develop crash location ranking system to identify high spot crash location.
6) Identify crashes by types of transportation modes (trucks, non-motorized, railroad, buses, etc.),
7) Define areas where public education and outreach may be necessary and identifying specific demographics level to collisions.
8) Develop safety goals and objectives.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 9) Develop a safety initiative to educate local jurisdictions, and use crash data to identify locations where projects can access HSIP funds. 10) Maintain regional safety information and analysis. 11) Assist in providing recommendations and guidance to Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. FY 2012 End Products: 1) A set of goals and objectives. 2) A set of GIS maps, charts, tables that include all crashes in northwest Indiana public roads and intersections and their ranking. 3) A safety planning report will be included in the Comprehensive Regional Plan final report. 4) Prioritizing high spot crash locations to be used for funding. 5) Brochure for public education and outreach. 6) Establish performance measures based on the crash data status of the region. Staffing and Program Linkages: A New Planner will be the assigned staff for this project. Critical coordination will be required from nearly some of UPWP program activities, especially Transportation Data Collection, Forecasting & Analysis, and Modeling, Conformity & Technical Development. Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;  Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;  Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;  Promote efficient system management and operation.
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UPWP Tasks

Comprehensive Economic Development Planning (IEDCS) Objective:

NIRPC was charged in the revised 2003 State legislative changes with regional economic development planning, in addition to transportation and environmental planning. The principal objective is to provide a collaborative, regionally scaled blueprint for the public sector in the realm of public investment and infrastructure to support economic development in northwest Indiana.

Staff:

Past Work/Basis: Gabrielle Biciunas

NIRPC has previously prepared an overall Economic Development Program with local resources in the 1980s to qualify the region for U.S. Economic Development Administration funds. Several grants were obtained for projects at the Port of Indiana. More recently, NIRPC has pursued E.D.A.

FUNDING SOURCES

funding to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). To date these efforts, as well as EDA District designation, have

2011 2012 not been successful. In 2007 NIRPC dedicated local funding to prepare a targeted Regional Economic Development Strategy. Policy Analytics was

Federal (PL)

selected competitively to perform the study. The strategy was submitted in

$7,209 $7,364 late 2006, and adopted by the NIRPC board. It provides a regional outline of key opportunities and regionally significant developments. The plan also

Local $1,802 $1,841

identifies roles appropriate for NIRPC to plan with respect to public units of Total $9,011 $9,205 government and private economic development partners.

NIRPC formed an economic development committee comprised of public elected officials, private sector economic development agencies, area universities, the IEDC, the Ports of Indiana, the RDA area workforce development agencies, unions and minority business interests. The committee examined regionally scaled economic development opportunities and passed six resolutions of support that has been accepted by the NIRPC Policy Board. Included is the support resolution for: Chicago/Gary Regional Airport Development; Intermodal Freight Development in northwest Indiana; joint NIRPC/ Forum intermodal freight task force; sales tax increment financing in areas eligible; and preservation of eminent domain in instances where justified.

NIRPC partnered with the Northwest Indiana Forum to prepare a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Northwest Indiana and provided staff support for the creation of the Northwest Indiana Economic Development District. The NWIEDD is comprised of 8 members from the private sector and 9 public officials. The District incorporated and is seeking recognition as an Economic Development District from the Economic Development Administration. A draft CEDS has been submitted to EDA for their review.

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UPWP Tasks

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements:

1) Provide staff work toward the development and maintenance of the CEDS and the Northwest Indiana Economic Development District.

2) Partner with the Northwest Indiana Forum, RDA, Center for Workforce Innovations and IEDC to seek IEDC matching funding (50/50 match) to support full time professional staff positions to aid local officials in economic development effects.

FY 2012 End Products:

1) EDA approved CEDS

2) Functioning Northwest Indiana Economic Development District

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The economic development efforts will be closely coordinated with NIRPC’s transportation and environmental programs in the area of data, infrastructure policy and resource protection, TDL facilities, airport development, brownfields, reclamation and smart growth strategies.

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Staff: Tom Vander Woude

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL) $28,024 $29,145

Local $7,006 $7,286 Total $35,030 $36,431

Use of funds:
NIRPC
Contractual Staff Total $12,746 $22,284 $35,030 $0 $36,431 $36,431

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

Develop strategies to manage and improve the safety and efficiency of multimodal freight flows through and within Northwest Indiana. Integrate freight priorities into the ongoing comprehensive regional planning process. Minimize the congestion and hazards associated with freight traffic and promote the regional economic benefits of freight traffic and logistics industries. Identify the relationships between land use, environmental, social equity and economic development and freight mobility issues/freight traffic patterns.

Past Work/Basis:

1) 2005 Regional Transportation Forum
2) 2005-2006 Freight Infrastructure Inventory.
3) 2006 NIRPC Economic Development Planning Project, Policy Analytics, LLC.
4) 2006-2007 Joint NIRPC/Forum Intermodal Task Force meetings.
5) 2006-2007 Gary/Chicago International Airport Marketing Committee meetings.
6) 2007 data base of intermodal companies in northwest Indiana.
7) 2007 Proposed Freight Study Work Scope.
8) 2007 Northwest Indiana Forum’s survey of intermodal stakeholders and logistics companies to identify short-range infrastructure improvement needs.
9) Cooperative effort with communities to monitor and comment on the proposed CN railway’s acquisition of the EJE railway and the required 2008 EIS to be conducted by the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

1) Manage the development of a regional freight study. Staff will continue to work with a consultant towards the development of a regional freight study with an expected completion date in FY2011. Specific activities include:

a.
Gather data.
b.
Periodically convene freight stakeholders to review results and technical reports.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks c. Develop and present materials to NIRPC committees and stakeholder groups. d. Develop a freight element for inclusion in the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. e. Identify strategies, policies and projects for implementation. f. Identify freight performance measures. g. Develop a framework for future NIRPC freight planning activities. 2) Implement recommendations of the completed Freight Study. h. Incorporate freight priorities into the transportation project selection process. i. Identify sources of funding for freight projects. j. Identify and recommend short-term priorities and projects for short-range infrastructure improvements. k. Maintain an ongoing relationship with freight stakeholders. 3) Monitor freight performance measures and implementation of freight projects. 4) Coordinate with relevant NIRPC committees. 5) Update the databases and maps of freight assets and infrastructure. 6) Participate in joint NIRPC/Forum freight and broadband activities. 7) Coordinate freight planning and economic development strategies with other regional planning agencies and studies. 8) Research the regional broadband and other technology networks and infrastructure; identify opportunities and projects to improve regional links to the national and global technology networks. FY 2011-2012 End Products: 1) Update databases and maps of freight infrastructure and assets. 2) Updated list of freight stakeholders. 3) Discussions with regional freight stakeholders to produce reports and summaries that identify and/or address stakeholder needs, issues and concerns. 4) Completed Freight Study with updated databases, maps of freight infrastructure and assets, freight performance measures and a freight planning framework. 5) Freight element integrated into the 2040 CRP. Use of End Products/Future Direction: 1) Implementation of short-range transportation improvement projects, funding, and implementation strategies as identified in the freight element of the 2040 CRP, and additional studies.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 79
UPWP Tasks 2) Development of a joint public/private regional consensus on how freight mobility and intermodal issues influence economic development, land use and transportation planning. 3) Evaluate the success of implementation strategies through the monitoring of performance measures. 4) This activity is intended to be an ongoing element of the NIRPC work program. Staffing, Training and Program Linkages: 1) The assigned staff for this project is Thomas Vander Woude. 2) Staff will need additional training in freight mobility, economic development, land use and information technologies planning. 3) Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;  Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 80

Staff: Bill Brown

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL) $56,488 $57,465

Local $14,122 $14,367 Total $70,610 $71,832

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $70,610 $71,832 Total $70,610 $71,832

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

This project is a continuation of on-going work on the maintenance, enhancement and utilization of the regional transportation network modeling process. This project will continue to provide the modeling support for air quality conformity, transportation project studies and regional planning activities.

This project is also a departure from past modeling practice which included two separate and overlapping models for the Illinois and Indiana parts of the metropolitan region. The integration of the two models will a achieve more consistent and, in the case of NIRPC, a more advanced model.

Past Work/Basis:

Building on the prior model development activities, in FY 2008 the modeling process was enhanced to facilitate the extraction of trip matrices for all three time periods. The model was used for input to the technical studies by consultants for the proposed Illiana Expressway and the proposed commuter rail extensions.

The Household Travel Survey project was completed in FY 2008 in conjunction with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).

Discussions began in 2009 and continued in 2010 about the potential integration of the travel models used by NIRPC and CMAP.

2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan Analysis

Perform the full set of modeling activities for the initial four scenarios and for the preferred scenario. This work will be completed in conjunction with the geographic information system and CommunityViz analysis tools.

Regional Emissions Analysis

Run the trip generation procedures for each appropriate analysis year using the latest socioeconomic data. Code the updated transportation system expansion projects in a plan amendment into the networks for the appropriate analysis years. Run the transportation network model for each analysis year. Transfer link data for each analysis year to databases, post-process link speeds and split VMT out to the Mobile6 vehicle categories. Prepare revised Mobile6 input files to represent the changes in VMT and speed. Run the Mobile6 model and process the output as required to calculate emissions. Sum the ozone precursor emissions for

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks the Lake and Porter County Ozone maintenance area and for the LaPorte County Ozone maintenance area. Sum the annual particulate matter (PM2.5) direct emissions and annual nitrogen oxide precursor emissions for the Lake and Porter County PM2.5 nonattainment area. Technical Support for Air Quality Planning Transportation staff would continue to participate on the Air Quality Subcommittee of the Environmental Management Policy Committee, providing technical input. At the request of the Air Quality Subcommittee, the air quality benefits of potential transportation control measures may be analyzed as well as PM2.5 hot spot analysis. Transportation staff will support implementers on meeting this requirement. Internal Data Development Support Staff will provide high-level technical support in design of data collection and analysis systems within NIRPC, including assistance in the set-up of databases in areas such as GIS, traffic counting and accident reporting. Congestion Mitigation Strategy Evaluation Using the regional transportation network model, in conjunction with the Travel Demand Management analysis model and the Intelligent Transportation System Deployment Analysis System (IDAS), identify the congestion mitigation benefits of TDM and ITS strategies, as proposed by the Congestion Management System Committee. FY 2011-2012 End Products: 1) Congestion mitigation benefits of proposed TDM and ITS strategies (if requested by the CMS Committee). 2) Sum of Lake and Porter County VOC and NOx Emissions for 2020, 2030 and 2040. 3) Sum of LaPorte County VOC and NOx Emissions for 2002, 2020, 2030 and 2040. 4) Sum of PM2.5 direct and NOx precursor emissions for 2002, 2020, 2030 and 2040 for the Lake and Porter County PM2.5 nonattainment area. Use of End Products/Future Direction: This work will continue to provide necessary modeling support for a variety of planning activities (see objective). Staffing and Program Linkages: Bill Brown is the assigned staff for this project. This task will provide the technical support and analysis for air quality planning, conformity determinations, comprehensive plan and congestion management system. Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 82
UPWP Tasks Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;  Promote efficient system management and operation.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 83
UPWP Tasks FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012 Federal (PL) $17,928 $32,805 Local $4,482 $8,201 Total $22,410 $41,006 Use of funds: NIRPC Staff $22,410 $41,006 Total $22,410 $41,006 10- Corridor Planning, Job # 2019 (FY11), 2289 Objective: This project is to provide participation of the NIRPC staff in corridor planning activities. Past Work/Basis: NIRPC has been involved in corridor studies in several locations in the three-county region. The Porter County US-12/US-20 Corridor Study and the Cline Avenue Coalition are two examples of corridor studies that required NIRPC staff participation. During the work of the CRP, several issues and needs were identified by the public and staff in relation to corridor planning and connectivity. Based on that need, NIRPC staff will take the initiative and work to develop a list of corridor studies/plans, and RFQs. This effort will be coordinated with INDOT, local agencies, and interested parties. Staffing and Program Linkages: Eman Ibrahim and Bill Brown are the assigned staff for this project. Staff: Bill Brown, Eman Ibrahim
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 84

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

This project will continue the facilitation of the air quality conformity process, including the interagency consultation process and documentation. The regional emissions analysis will continue to be completed under the Transportation Network Modeling project.

Past Work/Basis:

The air quality conformity process has been used in the Lake and Porter

FUNDING SOURCES

County region since the development of the original USEPA conformity rule in 1993 in conjunction with the 1990 amendment of the Clean Air Act.

2011 2012

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

Federal (PL)

Manage and Document Conformity Determinations

$12,418 $12,634

Prepare supporting materials, including results of the regional emissions analyses, for use by the conformity consultation participating agencies.

Local $3,105 $3,158

Prepare draft and final conformity determination documents. Prepare agendas and schedule meetings (in person and by phone or internet

Total $15,523 $15,792teleconference) for conformity consultation.

Technical Support for the Transportation Improvement Program

Monitor the list of projects proposed for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program. Where non-exempt projects are proposed that are not already included in the regional emissions analysis performed for the Connections 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, perform a new regional emissions analysis as described above to support a conformity determination for the proposed TIP.

Use of funds:

FY 2011-2012 End Products:

NIRPC

Staff $15,523 $15,792 This project will produce the air quality conformity determinations for the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan and for the FY 2011 to 2015

Total $15,523 $15,792

Transportation Improvement Program and their amendments.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction: The conformity determinations that will be produced will enable the region to adopt and amend the regional transportation plan and the transportation improvement program when capacity expansion projects are added, deleted or modified. Staffing and Program Linkages: Bill Brown is the staff member assigned to this task. This task is a prerequisite for the adoption or amendment of the regional transportation plan and transportation improvement program where capacity expansion projects are added, deleted or modified.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 86

UPWP Tasks

Section 5:

Outreach and Public Involvement

1) Public Meetings & Communication Tools, Job # 2021, 2291

2) Website Update, Job # 2022, 2292

3) Environmental Justice, Job # 2023, 2293

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$92,345 $75,365
Local $23,086 Total $115,431 $19,841 $94,207
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff $93,431 Printing: $22,000 $94,207 $0

Total $115,431 $94,207

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

There are three objectives of this program subcategory: 1) to implement the spirit and letter of the public participation requirements for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) found in the federal planning regulations; 2) provide support for integrating public participation across NIRPC’s three planning domains, making the planning process transparent, informative, inclusive, and meaningful; and 3) improve accessibility of all NIRPC documents and communications network.

Past Work/Basis:

Since its designation as an MPO NIRPC has maintained an ongoing transportation planning process involving a variety of publics, including elected officials, citizens, advocates, technical experts, and community leaders. Providing opportunities for citizen participation, education, feedback and outreach to all stakeholders form the core of NIRPC’s public involvement program. NIRPC’s continuing aim is to have an open process, provide complete information, solicit, receive and consider public input, and provide access to decision-making, including increasing participation by traditionally underrepresented people, human services transit providers, and clients of human services agencies.

Work Elements/Methodology:

1) Conduct public participation process in tandem with transportation planning that meets or exceeds applicable MPO planning rules and regulations;

2) Staff a Task Force that will continue to evaluate NIRPC’s public involvement process and make recommendations for improvements /changes.

3) Monitor and evaluate agency publications, announcements, meetings, hearings, open houses, media releases and web postings for accessibility features, such as, availability of signers or alternate formats upon request, or use of the Relay Indiana telephone number, or web postings in accessible formats.

4) Coordinate/conduct public involvement activities needed for on-going implementation of the consent decree.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

5) Provide support to consultant(s) in conducting public outreach activities for the first phase

of the regional visioning process. 6) Oversee the implementation and integration of an electronic master stakeholder database, which will accommodate different mediums, to enhance communications with identified stakeholders and the public.

7) Maintain/update website, Directory of Elected Officials, NIRPC and “NIRPC & ME” brochure, Public Involvement Plan and other public involvement documents as needed. End Products:

1) Documentation of activities conducted to fulfill MPO public participation program requirements including media releases, meeting notices and summaries, and comments received and responses given.

2) Documentation of Task Force meetings and actions. 3) Draft and final revised Public Involvement Plan. 4) Documentation of compliance activities related to the Consent Decree. 5) Documentation of public involvement activities related to the regional planning

process. 6) Documentation of web site and key communications infrastructure updates. End Products/Future Direction: Improved accessibility, communications and outreach should be evident as a result of the activities proposed. NIRPC will also be better able to document, track and evaluate its programs relative to accessibility/participation by the disability community. The ongoing public involvement efforts will continue to provide opportunities for the general public to be informed and engaged in the regional decision making-process, resulting in increased public support for new initiatives and planning and programming decisions. The public involvement process will remain SAFETEA-LU and become Consent Decree compliant.

Staffing and Program Linkages: Hubert Morgan is the assigned staff for this project. There is a strong linkage with the development of the 2040 Plan where staff has a lead

role in public involvement activities.

Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;  Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the

quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;  Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight.

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www.nirpc.org

Staff: Matt Hay

FUNDING SOURCES 2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$13,770 $14,080
Local Total $3,442 $17,212 $3,520 $17,600
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff Total $17,212 $17,212 $17,600 $17,600

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objective of this work element is the management, coordination, expansion, and continued upgrade of the NIRPC website to meet the increasing demand for public awareness of comprehensive transportation, environmental, economic development, planning, and regional initiatives.

Past Work/Basis:

NIRPC utilizes a website for public awareness of transportation planning efforts, public outreach, environmental awareness, regional political involvement, data sharing, and economic development.

NIRPC continues to update and expand its website in ADA-compliance, as required in the planning process. A website ensures broad availability of information flowing throughout NIRPC and outside the organization. The website continues to provide information transparency and visualization to the public and aid in their participation and understanding in the planning process.

1) Manage, coordinate, and update the NIRPC website to address the needs of NIRPC’s core functions.
2) Maintain, improve, and expand the website functions utilized in the transportation, environmental, and planning domains.
3) Utilize the website for public outreach.
4) Identify website needs and priorities for new and improved applications.
5) Participate in website management training and other opportunities, as available.
6) Comply with adopted state and federal standards and policies concerning website ADA-compliance.
7) Develop and update various web pages within the website, particularly transportation, land use, environmental, political, and economic development.
8) Update and incorporate the website for use with the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks 9) Initiate work towards building a regional GIS mapping component on the NIRPC website using an open-source GIS web server and other tools. 10) Continue work towards the development of NIRPC’s website data sharing policy. 11) Publish static maps and visual aids on the website. 12) Collaborate with staff on the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan to incorporate enhanced visualization to the website. 13) Assist staff with website requests, as needed, and perform other duties as may be required. Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction: 1) A managed, updated, and integrated website that addresses website needs required of comprehensive planning initiatives. 2) Expanded utilization of the website for public outreach, broader access to NIRPC data, and continued enhancement of system capabilities. First Year: 1) Perform daily updates to web pages. 2) Work toward increasing public involvement by utilizing website for public outreach and awareness. 3) Continue implementing web-based GIS mapping system. 4) Publish regional maps and other NIRPC products on the website. 5) Continue to act as a source of information for the NW Indiana region, and provide a voice for citizens in the regional planning process. Second Year: 1) Continue from First Year. 2) Increase awareness of the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan through website updates and meeting announcements. Staffing and Program Linkages: The assigned staff for this project is Matt Hay. The website directly enhances the programs of the NIRPC planning domains of transportation, environment, land use, and economic development.
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Staff:

Hubert Morgan

FUNDING SOURCES

2011 2012

Federal (PL)

$34,268 $45,445 Local $8,567 $11,361 Total $42,835 $56,806

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $42,835 $56,806 Total $42,835 $56,806

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose of this project is to enhance NIRPC’s outreach into the community for input in the development of the Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP), and beyond.

Background:

NIRPC continues to involve the public in the planning process. However, NIRPC’s work with the environmental justice (EJ) communities will expand. Unrepresented groups in the planning process are minorities and low-income in urban and rural areas. An outcome of the 2009 Federal Planning Certification Review is that NIRPC received a corrective action from the FHWA-IN and FTA Region 5 relative to EJ. NIRPC’s efforts will be expanded to reach out more and engage the EJ community.

The NIRPC planning process is responding to the corrective action of the 2009 Planning Certification Review. As a part of the response, a two-day EJ workshop was held in the City of Gary, which involved a variety of people that ranged from some traditional planning stakeholders to NIRPC staff to citizens that were new to NIRPC. The Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations conducted the workshop to educate participants on the EJ Executive Order and what it means for regional transportation planning. The workshop briefed the attendees about the EJ benefits and burdens analysis. NIRPC staff along with an environmental justice task force (a suggested outcome of the workshop) will need to follow up with the federal agencies to learn more and to reach an understanding of how to perform the analysis for the plan and the TIP. Another outcome of the workshop was a list of outreach activities suggested by the participants. In the next few weeks NIRPC will develop a more comprehensive UPWP task that will begin to implement want was learned. This task will work in conjunction with another activity for which foundation funding is being sought. Should that funding materialize, that task will be included in the final UPWP or amended in after the start of fiscal year 2011.

It is important and necessary for NIRPC to establish more relationships and build trust with the goal of creating long-term participation. The goal is to engage residents in local issues and connect these to the overall regional planning process in an on-going way.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks Work Elements: 1) Support the establishment and management of an EJ Task Force to oversee meaningful outreach into the minority and low income communities. 2) Conduct a benefits and burdens analysis for transportation projects in the CRP and TIP. 3) Conduct a series of targeted meetings with community organizations and others, called “NIRPC Community IN discussions.” NIRPC’s mission and current planning process will be shared and NIRPC will listen to local issues and aspirations. 4) Review and integrate Environmental Justice-related activities into the overall regional planning process. 5) Coordinate public participation activities with EJ objectives. 6) Provide information and outreach to the growing population with Limited English Proficiency. Outcomes: Expected outcomes are:  A measured increase in low income, minority, and rural community participation  Increases in the quality of engagement by underrepresented groups  An increased awareness of community and regional planning  A better understanding of the mission of NIRPC and its Planning Partners  A stronger group of participants for other planning efforts (Transportation Improvement Program, food system planning, the Marquette Plan update, etc.)
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UPWP Tasks

Section 6:

Transit Administration & Operational Planning

1) Transit Planning, Job # 2109, 2110

2) Transit Administration and Operational Planning, Job # 2529, 2530

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Staff:

Belinda Petroskey, Gabrielle Biciunas

FUNDING SOURCES

Federal2011 (PL) 2012
$0 FTA (5307)$0
Local $80,000 $20,000 $80,000 $20,000

Total $100,000 $100,000

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $100,000 $100,000

Contract: $0 $0

Total $100,000 $100,000

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose of this task is to continue regional transit planning activities which advance an expanded and effective system of public transit in cooperation and coordination with the Regional Bus Authority, and maintain open communications with local public and human services transit providers and other stakeholders.

Past Work/Basis:

NIRPC’s transit planning function continues to fulfill the requirements of a metropolitan planning organization by 1) providing long range planning for the new comprehensive regional plan; 2) short range planning by developing a biennial transportation improvement program, and 3) technical assistance to public and human services transit operators by convening the Transit Operators Roundtable for Lake and Porter Counties, the La Porte Coordinating Committee for Michigan City and La Porte UZA, and the regional Coordinated Human Services Public Transit Operators for Lake, Porter and La Porte Counties.

In its role as coordinator and facilitator among the human services providers, NIRPC staff also provides assistance and support to the Indiana Department of Transportation Public Transit division for the implementation of the Section 5310 grant process. The Regional Coordinating Committee fulfills the grant requirement of local coordination and is the source for the planning for the Consolidated Human Services and Public Transit Plan under the JARC and New Freedom programs. Since the formation of the Coordinating Committee public operators and human services agencies have collaborated on two new services funded with JARC and New Freedom grants.

NIRPC has coordinated regional transit planning with the Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority (RBA) since the RBA’s creation. The RBA has as its directive from its funding source, the Regional Development Authority, the consolidation of fixed route transit service in Lake County. To date the RBA has assumed responsibility for operating the former Hammond Transit Service and is funding three regional routes operated by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation (GPTC). NIRPC staff participates on the RBA service development subcommittee which plans new services and projects for Lake and Porter Counties. Coordination between NIRPC and the RBA ensures planning consistency with the current long range plan and TIP.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

UPWP Tasks

A major crisis is looming for public transit over the next 12-18 months. As of the start of FY 2011, northwest Indiana still lacks a regional dedicated source of local funding to match federal transit dollars. The RDA, which funded the start-up costs of the RBA staff and provided the local match for expanded regional services, has announced that it will no longer provide operating funds for the RBA after December 31, 2011. Without a replacement source of funding, the RBA will cease to exist by approximately July of 2012. At that time the transit they are currently operating in the City of Hammond will in all likelihood cease to exist.

With no funding, the RBA will also be unable to continue funding the three regional routes operated by GPTC. The City of Gary, like many other communities in Indiana, is faced with its own financial crisis as the consequences of the property tax changes continue to reduce the amount of funds raised for all taxing units. This impacts the amount of local funds that GPTC needs to match its federal funds. The loss of the RBA funds for the regional routes will also result in the loss of the services. Unless something changes drastically in the next twelve months it is anticipated that GPTC will be faced with reducing services to only the City of Gary, and most likely even fewer services will be available.

Should the worst happen and no local dedicated source of funding is created the MPO will have to redirect FTA funds to the remaining operators to the extent possible. It is anticipated that this will occur during the later part of the third quarter of FFY 2011.

With the completion of a new long range plan anticipated by June, 2011, the transit planning function will address the project selection process in view of the new plan. It is anticipated that new project selection criteria will be needed to reflect the new plan’s goals and objectives. The work on this element will take place mainly in FY 2012.

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

1) Participate in the activities of the Regional Bus Authority to ensure consistency with long and short range transportation plans of the MPO.

2) Continue to provide technical and planning support to La Porte TransPorte and PAF, Inc. to implement consolidated dispatching and ride-sharing for demand response services provided by the operators.

3) Facilitate the development of the transit component of the new long range plan by informing and involving human services, private and public transit operators.

4) Continue to convene periodic meetings of the public transit operators’ round table and the human services coordinating committees in order to maintain communications and facilitate a coordinated approach to regional transit planning.

5) Facilitate the Section 5310 grant process for human services providers by convening the coordinating committee and providing technical assistance in the completion of the grant application.

6) Continue to assist with identifying opportunities for consolidated and/or coordinated services between public fixed route and demand response providers and the human services providers.

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UPWP Tasks FY 2011-2012 End Products: First Year: 1) Meeting materials for transit operators’ roundtable. 2) Documentation of planning and technical assistance to the RBA and La Porte County. 3) Documentation of consolidated human services planning efforts. 4) Applications for Section 5310 grants from human services providers. 5) Financial analysis of re-allocation of Section 5307 funds should major services be lost in FY 2011 6) Transit component of the new long range plan Second Year: 1) Meeting materials for transit operators’ roundtable. 2) Documentation of planning and technical assistance to the RBA and La Porte County. 3) Documentation of consolidated human services planning efforts. 4) Applications for Section 5310 grants from human services providers. 5) Major revisions to use of Section 5307 funds based on loss of providers 6) New project selection criteria Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction: The future of public transit in northwest Indiana is in doubt. At this time the public demand response providers are in the better financial shape. The fixed route operators in Gary and East Chicago are experiencing the most difficulty. The fate of the RBA is questionable. The next 12 to 18 months are most critical in terms of how the loss of more fixed route services will impact mobility in the region, particularly for the urban communities in north Lake County. NIRPC’s continuing role in the MPO process puts it in a strong position to provide support for creating the public will to impose a tax that would be dedicated to public transportation. Failing that, NIRPC will continue to lead the process for allocating federal transit funding among the remaining eligible providers. Staffing and Program Linkages: The assigned staff for this project is Belinda Petroskey and Gabrielle Biciunas. Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 97
UPWP Tasks Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;  Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;  Promote efficient system management and operation; and  Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.
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UPWP Tasks

The purpose of this project is to carry out administrative responsibilities associated with FTA grants, including monitoring and oversight of FTA-assisted transit services and procurement of FTA-funded capital equipment. This is a twelve month project.

Staff: NIRPC currently conveys Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 financial and capital assistance to the following eight (8) sub-Allen Hammond, Belinda

grantees: East Chicago Transit, North Township, Opportunity Enterprises, Petroskey, Chief

Porter County Community Services, Regional Bus Authority, Southlake Accountant, David

County Community Services, City of Valparaiso, and City of LaPorte. Gutowsky, Gail Parks

NIRPC is reviewed by the FTA every three years. During this process

FUNDING SOURCES

NIRPC is reviewed on 23 topic areas. The topic areas are as follows: Legal, Financial, Technical, Satisfactory Continuing Control, Maintenance, Procurement, DBE, Buy America, Suspension/Debarment,

2011 2012

Lobbying, Planning/POP, Title VI, Public Comment for Fare and Service

Federal (PL)

Changes, Half Fare, ADA, Charter Bus, School Bus, NTD, Safety and Security, Drug-Free Workplace, Drug and Alcohol Program, EEO and

$0 $0

ITS Architecture. FTA (5307)

The Chief Accountant, Transit Program Compliance Officer, and

$310,000 $280,000

Procurement Coordinator all have significant responsibilities to ensure

Local $0 $70,000 federal regulations are fulfilled. The Chief Accountant requests and manages federal drawdowns using FTA’s Electronic Clearinghouse Operation (ECHO) System. Oversees preparation and processing of

Total $310,000 $350,000

payments to venders and subgrantees, and maintains grant-related records.

Use of funds: The Transit Program Compliance Officer analyzes federal and state regulations to identify compliance requirements. Develops and NIRPC communicates plans, goals, strategies and recommendations pertaining to external compliance requirements. Serves as compliance manager for all

Staff: $269,500 $309,500

5307 subgrantee functions, excluding financial management. Communication:The Procurement Coordinator performs major performance dimensions

$10,500 $10,500

with specific duties and responsibilities to determine appropriate Contractual: procurement methods. Develops and communicates recommendations pertaining to procurement. Identifies information needs and refers

$30,000 $0 subgrantees and other parties to appropriate authorities and sources of information. Total $310,000 $350,000

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UPWP Tasks

Section 7:

NIRPC Programs

1) Air Quality Education and Outreach, Job # 2507, 2508 2) MS4 Stormwater Management, Job # 1128 3) Greenways and Blueways Implementation Program,

Job # 2517 4) Local Government Assistance Program, Job # 9600 5) Lake Michigan Watershed Academy, Job # 1143 6) Water Quality Planning, Job # 1095

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Staff:

Amanda Peregrine, Francyne Mixon, Joe Exl, Kathy Luther

FUNDING SOURCES

2011 Federal (PL) 2012
$0 Federal (CMAQ)$0

$382,000 $250,000

Local $0 $62,500

Total $382,000 $312,500

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff: $81,500 $81,500 Communication: $500 $500 Contractual: $250,000 $180,500 Promotional: $50,000 $50,000

Total $382,000 $312,500

UPWP Tasks

Objective: The mission of the multi-year program is to continue to develop and promote a highly visible, on-going effort to educate the residents of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties concerning their personal choices and that relationship to air quality, health and quality of life in northwest Indiana. The goal of the campaign is to expand the successful efforts of the 8 year nationally recognized “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air” program to include public education on alternative fuel vehicles, driver's education, ride share opportunities anti-idling benefits, and health issues. NIRPC will continue to work with public officials, public diesel fleet owners and operators, private sector decision-makers, universities, educators, students, the media and the general public on the air quality issues in northwest Indiana. The public education campaign is necessary to obtain public support, consensus and participation to achieve and maintain national air quality standards as designated in the Clean Air Act.

Past Work/Basis:

NIRPC has a long history of working on regional air quality issues with local, state, and federal partners. The Agency maintains a leadership role in many of the ongoing air quality initiatives in Northwest Indiana and has received recognition for the It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air public outreach program from US EPA and FHWA.

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

NIRPC has built a solid foundation for regional air quality initiatives. The air quality staff will continue to build on that foundation by expanding the NIRPC role in the following areas:

1) IDEM Partners for Clean Air initiative,
2) South Shore Clean Cities alternative fuels and energy efforts,
3) PACE Suburban Bus Service of Greater Chicago to partner and
promote carpooling,
4) Area hospitals and health advocates to highlight the link between
air pollution and asthma,
5) Partner with Regional Bus Authority transit providers to
promote transportation alternatives.
6) Partner with NIRPC Non-Motorized Planning program to
promote bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation.
7) Explore opportunities and partnerships to begin planning for
carbon emissions educational programs.

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UPWP Tasks 1) Partners For Clean Air  Work with IDEM to increase Partners participants and membership  Develop new educational materials  Develop new media outlets, especially in on-line advertising  Work with Partners members to provide them with outreach materials  Continue to partner with the Lake Michigan Household Waste District to conduct the Gas Can Exchange Program  Continue to partner with Clean Car Check (Emissions Testing Facilities) to distribute air quality information to the public, increase distribution of materials  Strengthen partnerships with local hospitals and American Lung Association on asthma awareness, develop new initiatives 2) South Shore Clean Cities  Continue to support the development of alternative fuel and energy facilities along regional corridors  Support and promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles with emissions benefits  Support two regional workshops on alternative fuels and E85  Increase diesel emissions reductions outreach to schools and fleets  Provide support for development of new educational materials for a shared Anti-Idling campaign.  Help with distribution of materials and new member development.  Work with state and federal energy agencies on new initiatives.  Develop a regional Clean Fleet program.  Contract with School Districts and Local Public Agencies to purchase and install approximately 300 diesel oxidation catalysts to retrofit diesel school buses and/or on-road diesel equipment.  Contract with South Shore Clean Cities to provide education and training to School Districts and Local Public Agencies on implementation of the Diesel Retrofit Project. 3) Illinois Partnerships  Maintain and renew the ride share partnership agreement with PACE. Continue to market the PACE Rideshare program in Northwestern Indiana.  Continue to participate on Chicago Partners for Clean Air workgroup.  Participate in the Midwest Regional Air Directors workshops and activities.
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UPWP Tasks

Chicago Wilderness Climate Change Action Plan 4) Health and Air Quality Educational Programs

• Support and Promote Asthma Awareness Day activities to highlight the linkages between air quality, transportation related air emissions, asthma, and other health issues.

5) Alternative Transportation Choices

• Work with Regional Bus Authority transit providers to identify ways to promote transit on air quality action days.

FY 2011-2012 End Products and Measurable Goals: First Year:

Documentation of the notices, agendas, attendance, minutes and results of meetings of the following groups:

1) Partners for Clean Air

a.
Exchange 1500 Vapor Free Gas Cans.
b.
Increase Partners for Clean Air promotions by 20 %
c.
Sponsor Asthma and Air Quality Awareness Day at the Gary Southshore Railcats

2) South Shore Clean Cities.

a.
Anti-Idling Campaign.
b.
Oversee Diesel Retrofit Program

i. Approximately 300 oxidation catalysts retrofitted on diesel school buses or other municipal diesel equipment.

3) Illinois Partnerships, i.e.,

a. Increase Northwest Indiana participation in Pace Rideshare registrations.

b. Promote Chicago Wilderness Climate Change Action Plan. Second Year:

1) – 7) continue from First Year.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 UPWP Tasks

Goals and Objectives:

The Storm Water Public Education and Involvement Plan, derived from the requirements of the NPDES Phase II MS4 permit, focuses on improving urban storm water quality through public education and involvement and meeting the required Minimum Control Measures (MCMs).

Staff: 1) Increase public awareness and understanding of the harmful effects of storm water runoff and its current and potential

Amanda Peregrine, Francyne

effect on water quality.

Mixon, Joe Exl, Kathy Luther, John Smith, Sara 2) Assess constituent knowledge and practices as they relate to Nerenberg storm water quality.

3) Increase public involvement and participation in reducing the

FUNDING SOURCES

harmful effects of storm water runoff and its current and 2011 2012 potential effects on water quality

Federal (PL) 4) Identify, implement, and evaluate Public Education and Outreach and Public Involvement Best Management Practices $0 $0 (BMPs). Local $0 $0

Past Work/Basis: Other Sources:

Rule 13 requires that a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) $150,000 $150,000 operator develop a storm water quality management plan (SWQMP) that includes methods and measurable goals for six MCMs. The Northwestern

Total $150,000 $150,000

Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with twenty- MS4 communities in Lake and Porter Counties to develop and implement three a regional

Use of funds: public education and outreach MCM (327 IAC 15-13-12) and a regional public participation and involvement MCM (327 IAC 15-13-13).

NIRPC

The initial program period began in 2004 and ran through 2009. An Staff: $79,000 $79,000 Indiana Department of Environmental Management Audit in 2009 found the program to be substantially meeting the permit requirements of the

Communication:

communities for the public education and public involvement, although

$1,000 $1,000

areas for improvement were suggested. NIRPC and the partner Contractual: communities determined that it was desirable to continue this program, and so a new five year Scope of Work was developed and new

$40,000 $40,000

Agreements were signed between NIRPC and the participating Promotional:

communities. $30,000 $30,000

The program is conducted and implemented on a regional scale to provide Total $150,000 $150,000 a coordinated and consistent message for the region and to identify measurable goals that quantify the progress of program implementation

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UPWP Tasks

and performance. Public Education, Outreach, and Public Involvement Activities will be documented as one measure of performance and also to demonstrate compliance with permit requirements of the communities. Public surveys will also be conducted on a 3 year repeating cycle to document results of the public education program.

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

This program is funded and operated on the calendar year. NIRPC works closely with the MS4 communities and their consultants. It is expected that some communities will be more proactive than others in addressing the MCMs in Rule 13 and every attempt will be made to make the regional public education and involvement cooperative program a success in both Lake and Porter Counties.

Quarterly MS4 Community Partnership Advisory Committee Meetings are held to detail progress and projects accomplished and to solicit input from the communities on the program. Deliverables and priorities are often fluid based on the direction of this group.

FY 2010 – 2011 End Products and Measurable Goals:

I. Public Education & Outreach Plan (Minimum Control Measure 1)

(327 IAC 15-13-12)

Annual Goals:

Classroom and Youth Activities

Teacher Workshops  Classroom or student group presentations  County Level Water Camps  Compile activity reports of related educational activities

Print Materials

Develop Primary materials in Spanish  Print and Distribute the following Educational Material

  1. o Placemats

  2. o Rain Gauges

  3. o Pens

  4. o Bookmarks

  5. o Brochures

  6. o Calendars

  7. o Activity Books

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

Media Messaging  Annual Newspaper Clean Water Insert Tab  Newspaper Advertising  On-line Advertising  Movie Theatre Advertising  Editorial Writing Maintain MS4 Website Public Events  County Fairs  Educational Display Boards  Community Presentations  Training Workshops II. Public Participation & Involvement Plan (Minimum Control Measure 2) (327 IAC 15-13-13) Annual Goals: MS4 Community Partnership Involvement  Quarterly MS4 Public Advisory Work Group.  Annual Program Review meeting. Citizen Water Quality Involvement  Provide supplies for community storm drain stencils  Support and Promote Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events  Provide Spill Proof Gas Can exchange program.  Support and Promote Adopt a Beach & Stream Projects  Promote Hoosier River Watch Events  Promote Rain Garden Demonstrations  Promote Coast Week Events  Support International Coast Clean-up Day & Crew Leader Trainings  Public Awareness Survey UPWP Tasks
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UPWP Tasks

Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction:

The products produced and activities undertaken will be for the benefit of the participating communities. Following the 1st and 3rd year compliance reports will be submitted to IDEM on their behalf. This project will be directly linked and coordinated with the ARRA funded Watershed Planning Framework Expansion and 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan Integration.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

 Department Director Kathy Luther,

 Senior Water Resources Planner Joe Exl

 Environmental Educator Amanda Peregrine

 Environmental Secretary Francyne Mixon

 Summer Interns are assigned to the project.

Strategy 4: Educate the community about regional thinking.

Strategy 5: Meet the demand for guidance/service to member governments and strategic partners, including a towns and small cities program.

Planning factor from SAFETEA-LU that is addressed by this task is:

 Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

Budget:

The funding for this project is provided by the participating communities. The program began with 22 MS4 designated communities, which signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and contributed to the program in 2005. In 2006, 24 MS4 communities and one non-MS4 entity participated in the program. In 2007, 23 MS4 communities participated in the program. It is anticipated that 23 communities will participate in the future.

The communities buy into the program at a flat rate of $2,500 and then pay a per capita rate of .25 based on the 2000 census. The 2012 program budget may change as the 2010 census figures will be used to update the community per capita charges.

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Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012

Staff:

Mitch Barloga

FUNDING SOURCES

2011 Federal (PL) 2012
$0 Local $0 Other Sources: $0 $0

Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation

$23,000 $0

Total $23,000 $0

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The objectives of this subcategory are to advocate and develop strategies for open space conservation and creating new water trail opportunities in NW Indiana as prescribed in NIRPC’s Greenways & Blueways Plan. The overreaching goal will be to engage all of the eight major stakeholders identified in the planning document towards successful implementation of these proposed strategies.

Past Work/Basis:

In December of 2007, the NIRPC Executive Board adopted the Northwest Indiana Regional Greenways & Blueways Plan. This landmark document was prepared by staff of NIRPC and the Openlands Project from Chicago, who were the consultants for the Northeast Illinois Greenways and Water Trail Plans. The effort was funded by a generous grant from the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, and commenced in the summer of 2005.

In January of 2008, the Arcelor Mittal Foundation granted by NIRPC and Openlands another grant to begin work in earnest on strategies from the Greenways & Blueways Plan – specifically those recommendations outlining water trail opportunities in the NIRPC region. Work on this three-year grant will conclude by the end of calendar year 2010.

In June of 2009, NIRPC and Openlands Staff released the Lake Michigan Water Trail brochure, which represented the first product from the ArcelorMittal grant. Throughout the balance of the year, staff continued to collect data and research potential water trail routes in Dyer, Lowell, Munster, Crown Point, Hobart, Highland, Hammond, Portage and Michigan City.

A website dedicated to the Greenways & Blueways Plan was launched in November of 2009, and will serve as a clearinghouse of information.

1) Provide direct assistance to local jurisdictions, county, city or
town in origin, on developing strategies to incorporate
ordinances and policies friendly to open space creation – either
be it passive or active in nature.
2) Work with the Environmental Management Policy Committee
(EMPC) on maintaining their quarterly conservation-focused
meetings and providing updates on the progress of
greenways/open space developments throughout the NIRPC
region and beyond.

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UPWP Tasks

3) Schedule local workshops for the private property owners to espouse the benefits of conservation for their properties. Offer mechanisms for donating property by partnering with land trusts or local governments through development ordinances.

4) Identify funding sources to market the objectives of the Greenways & Blueways Plan to the public. This could involve hiring an outside consultant to strategize the most effecting outreach methods.

5) Collaborate with county and local governments, land trusts and park foundations to evaluate the feasibility of land-banking and other programs to incorporate vacant, under-used, tax-delinquent, and surplus government property for greenway purposes.

6) Maintaining a clearinghouse for all eight major stakeholders on the NIRPC Greenways & Blueways website including information on regional conservation efforts and highlighting resources for funding, education and training.

7) Continued partnership with the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (NWIPA) on the creation of water trail routes in the NIRPC region, including attendance at their monthly meetings.

8) Provide a forum for regular water trail updates by NIRPC staff and NWIPA members at monthly Ped, Ped & Paddle Committee meetings.

9) Seek new funding avenues towards the continued maintenance of the Greenways and Blueways website, and further assistance to municipalities on creative strategies, both financial and education, for opening new water trail routes in the NIRPC region.

FY 2011-2012 End Products:

First Year:

1) Maintenance of Greenways & Blueways Website

2) Development of several new water trails through clearing and the construction of new launch areas with the help of the NWIPA

3) New maps/brochures delineating new water trails with the aid of new outside funding sources

4) Workshops held for private landowners in all three NIRPC counties – aiding in spearheading local conservation initiatives

Second Year:

1) – 5) continue from the First Year.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

Mitch Barloga is the assigned staff for this project. Critical coordination will be required from Project Programming & Monitoring and Graphics & Mapping. An involved dialogue will also be required with program activities under Air Quality Public Education, specifically environmental mapping and related data.

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UPWP Tasks Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;  Promote efficient system management and operation.
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FUNDING SOURCES:

Seeking funding

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The purpose is for NIRPC to develop a local government assistance program for its member counties and municipalities, consisting of the provision of a variety of potential services. This would fulfill NIRPC’s legislative mandate to, “Provide any administrative, management, or technical services to a unit of local government that requests the services.”

Past Work/Basis:

On July 1, 2003 a major amendment to the enabling legislation of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) was enacted by the Indiana General Assembly. The legislation changed NIRPC’s governance structure to become a council of governments comprised of elected officials from northwest Indiana’s forty-one municipalities; a county commissioner, council person and the surveyor of each of the three counties; and an appointment by the governor. In 2005, two elected township officials were also added to the NIRPC board to create a total governing board membership of fifty-three.

NIRPC’s responsibilities were also expanded to include economic development and environmental planning in addition to its transportation planning and programming functions. The legislation further states that NIRPC will: “Provide any administrative, management, or technical services to a unit of local government that requests the services.” The enabling legislation further states that the local unit of government and NIRPC could enter into a contract for the provision of such services.

Unfortunately, the 2003 legislative changes which expanded the membership and responsibilities of the Commission did not make any changes to the key “local” funding mechanism for NIRPC: the annual county apportionment. Since 1992, the county allocation has been set at a limit not to exceed seventy cents ($.070) per capita. Moreover, the individual county requests are based upon the results of the most recent decennial Census. This means that the same county apportionments have been in effect since the most recent population counts became available for the 2002 requests – and will not be adjusted again until the 2010 Census figures become available for use in 2012.

The following are the county appropriation amounts for NIRPC currently in effect:

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UPWP Tasks

Lake $339,195 Porter 102,759 La Porte 77,074 Total $519,028

The county appropriations are primarily used by NIRPC as the required “local match” for various federal and state planning grants which are made available to the Commission. In the 2009 budget, for example, $460,175 (88.7%) of these monies were set aside for such matching purposes. The remaining funds were programmed to pay for commissioner and executive director expenses, furniture and equipment, organizational development and allocation overages, all of which are deemed ineligible uses of federal and state grant monies.

Work Elements/Methodology: With funding, NIRPC could provide a variety of potential services to its member local

governments. These might include, but not be limited to, the following: 1) Identify grant opportunities for local governments 2) Assist in preparing funding requests and managing grants 3) Identify regional solutions to common problems 4) Foster partnerships and shared services arrangements 5) Increase training opportunities for member communities 6) Provide “circuit rider” services (e.g., purchasing, planning, and grant management) 7) Organize joint purchasing services 8) Conduct research on issues of local government interest or concern 9) Expand outreach activities 10) Expand mapping and data services 11) Assist the newly-formed Northwest Indiana Economic Development District in

creating federal grant opportunities for local governments Additional staff capacity and/or consulting assistance would be needed to provide most of the

above-referenced services. The specific services which would be provided would in large part be determined by the level of funding available. End Products: It is the recommendation of staff that NIRPC develop such a local government assistance

program for its member counties and municipalities utilizing the following approach: 1) Create a Local Government Assistance Advisory Committee comprised of interested county and municipal NIRPC commissioners, as well as various city and town managers and planners, for purposes of developing and overseeing the local government assistance program.

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2) Develop staff capacity in the areas of local government assistance referenced above, with particular expertise in federal grants and city or town management especially desired.

3) Seek support for legislation to increase the NIRPC county apportionment from 70 cents to 90 cents per capita, with all proceeds of the increase ($166,990) allocated for the local government assistance program (see attached for the county allotments under the proposed formula).

4) In the interim, amend the 2010 NIRPC budget and work program to provide key staff with “discretionary” funds for grant work and match for the economic development planning grant being sought be the new economic development district. Federal grant support could become particularly important if additional “Stimulus-type” funding becomes available.

Use of End Products/Future Direction:

NIRPC’s implementation of a local government assistance program would help local units of government offer services, obtain grants, receive training, data and maps, etc., which they do not have currently the resources to pursue.

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Objectives

The goal of this project is to work one-on-one with local community leadership to identify barriers to implementing the Lake Michigan La MP through regional and local planning efforts in order to improve on current

Staff: and future comprehensive planning processes. In addition to the LaMP, we believe that these barriers also impact efforts to implement the Sarah Nerenberg, Joe Exl

environmental and natural resource elements of other regional planning efforts such as the NIRPC Greenways and Blueways Plan, the Northwest Indiana Regional Watershed Framework, regional watershed plans, and

FUNDING SOURCES

the NIRPC 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. This project would

2011 2012

identify the common barriers to implementation and identify strategies to Federal (PL) over come these barriers.

$0 $0 1) To facilitate discussions with community leaders on the barriers to implementing environmentally-sound transportation and land

Federal (non PL)

use practices.
$10,000 $0 2) To educate community leaders on the LaMP and how it relates to regional and local planning efforts
Total $10,000 $0 3) To inform current and future planning efforts

Past Work Basis

As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Northwest Indiana, NIRPC is responsible for completing a long-range transportation plan to guide the programming of federal funds. As a state designated council of governments for Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, NIRPC is also charged with environmental and economic development planning. The 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) marks the intersection of these

Use of funds:

two mandates. In it, NIRPC is for the first time creating a truly integrated regional plan, identifying recommendations across the areas of

NIRPC

transportation, economic development, environmental management, land Staff $9,500 $0 use and social equity.

Through most of the public involvement sessions Lake Michigan has

Communications:

emerged as a key regional resource and the environment has surfaced as a $500 $0

major goal setting theme. Despite this, the focus remains on the transportation elements of the plan. NIRPC hopes to increase the awareness of the impact of transportation and land use decision-making

Total $10,000 $0

on environmental quality and, specifically, the regions watersheds and Lake Michigan.

The CRP is just one of many ongoing planning efforts in the region that build off of the work of the LaMP including the Greenways and Blueways

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UPWP Tasks Plan and the Regional Watershed Plan. One common criticism of these plans is that they are often not implementable at the local level. Work Elements/Methodology NIRPC proposes to systematically meet with leaders in each of the 41 communities in the three-county northwestern Indiana region to discuss actual and perceived barriers towards implementing potential environmental projects within the CRP.  Review LaMP, draft regional Comprehensive Regional Plan, and other existing regional planning documents for action items related to the protection of environmental resources.  Develop list of questions for community leader roundtables.  Set up and facilitate six sub-regional roundtables of community leaders  Develop a white paper to inform planners on environmental implementation strategies for current and future planning efforts.  Develop a report summarizing NIRPC’s work including a copy of any material produced by the grant. 2011 End Products  Questionnaire for community planners and leaders  6 Roundtable Meetings  Summarized Feedback from community leaders  White Paper with strategies for improving implementation of environmental planning efforts.  4 Quarterly Reports 2012 End Products  Final Report Staffing Sarah Nerenberg: NIRPC’s Senior Water Resources Engineer: 60 hours Joe Exl: NIRPC Senior Water Resources Planner: 30 Hours
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Staff:

Joe Exl, Kathy Luther,

Intern

FUNDING SOURCES

2011 2012

Federal (PL) $0 $0 Federal (non PL) $75,330 $70,000 Local $0 $0

Total $75,330 $70,000

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $75,000 $69,800

Communication:

$330 $200 Total $75,330 $70,000

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The proposed project will increase the capacity of NIRPC’s Environmental Department to build upon and further implement the existing Framework Plan and to fully integrate watershed planning best practices into our 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP). The project proposes to hire a professional watershed planner for the duration of the project, as well as provide high quality internship experiences for both a graduate level and undergraduate level student.

Goal #1: Develop water quality protection as a significant element in NIRPC’s 2040 CRP

As a Metropolitan Planning Organization, NIRPC is required to engage in planning on a 30-year time horizon. This year, NIRPC began developing its 2040 CRP that will include planning for its transportation, land use, economic development, and environmental future. This plan has tremendous potential to reduce key stressors on the region’s watersheds such as sprawl development patterns, increasing imperviousness, and poor stormwater management practices. It also can help to protect and restore ecosystems critical to water quality. Current funding for the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan primarily is focused on the traditional and mandatory area of transportation planning. In this project, critical water quality needs identified in the Framework Plan, the IDNR Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, the Greenways and Blueways Plan, and approved local Watershed Management Plans will be fully integrated into the data gathering, analysis, scenario building, implementation planning, public involvement, and decision making steps of the CRP planning process.

Goal #2: Update municipal education resources to include water quality and green infrastructure practices

In 2007, NIRPC created an award winning planning tool for local officials entitled “Sensible Tools Handbook for Indiana.” This user-friendly document focuses on sustainable development practices. A supplement to this handbook will be developed to highlight tools targeted to water quality and green infrastructure practices.

Goal #3: Increase capacity to support local watershed planning and implementation efforts

NIRPC’s capacity will be increased to support their many partner organizations and encourage local watershed planning and implementation efforts. In the Lake Michigan Basin, the Little Calumet River Western Branch WMP identified the lack of a single

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UPWP Tasks

point of contact to coordinate resources across political boundaries in that watershed as a problem. This is a role that NIRPC will be well suited to fill with sufficient staff resources. In addition, to date, the watersheds of the Kankakee basin in NIRPC’s region have not had as many active planning efforts as those in the Lake Michigan basin. This project would provide NIRPC with the capacity to work with partner organization such as the Northwest Territory RC & D and the county SWCDs to prioritize and develop watershed planning projects. .

Past Work/Basis:

1) 2002: Advanced Identification of Wetlands Project

2) 2005: Watershed Management Framework Plan for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties

3) 2004-2009: MS4 Community Partnership: Supporting Stormwater Public Education and Public Involvement programs for 23 communities in Northwest Indiana.

4) 2007: Northwest Indiana Greenways and Blueways Plan.

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology and End Products:

Task A: Increase NIRPC Capacity for Watershed Planning

Deliverable: Three hires, including one experienced watershed planner and 2 interns.

Task B: Meet with 2040 CRP Team and Consultant to generate a detailed plan for integrating water quality into the larger project.

Deliverable: Detailed plan for incorporating water quality into CRP

Task C: Reconvene/Reassemble Watershed Advisory Committee to also act as a CRP working group. Collect data, review, and update the 2005 Watershed Framework with existing approved WMPs, TMDLs, and other new information.

Deliverable: Complete Watershed Framework Update

Task D: Conduct an analysis of priority preservation areas and critical restoration areas identified in existing WMPs and TMDLS and NIRPC Greenways and Blueways Plan. Overlapping areas should be highlighted for special protection in the 2040 CRP.

Deliverable: Section on preservation and restoration areas for incorporation into CRP

Task E: Collect data, develop impervious surface maps, and research best practices for incorporating impervious surface targets and LID practices into comprehensive planning.

Deliverable: Impervious surface maps and targets for incorporation into CRP

Task F: Update “Sensible Tools Handbook for Indiana” to include water quality and green infrastructure practices.

Deliverable: Handbook supplement

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UPWP Tasks Task G: Meet with Little Calumet River Western Branch WMP Steering Committee to strategize next steps for implementation requiring multijurisdictional approaches. Deliverable: Work plan for implementing Little Calumet WMP Task H: Develop work plan with Northwest Territory RC & D and county SWCDs to start watershed planning in Kankakee watershed within NIRPC’s region. Deliverable: Work plan for watershed planning in Kankakee watershed FY 2011 End Products 1). The CRP will include: 1. Critical restoration areas and priority preservation areas identified in local approved watershed plans 2. Impervious Surface maps 3. Targets, recommendations, and strategies for controlling and reducing imperviousness in urban and urbanizing watersheds 4. Targets, recommendations, and strategies for incorporating Low Impact Development (LID) in local watersheds 5. Ecosystems critical to water quality 6. Watershed Advisory Committee will be reconvened. FY 2012 End Products 1) Watershed Framework will be updated 2) Water Quality addition to the Sensible Tools Handbook will be created 3) 2 Watershed Plan Implementation Projects will be developed for the Little Calumet River West Branch 4) Watershed Planning approach for the Kankakee Watersheds will be developed. Staffing and Program Linkages: 1. Joe Exl, Senior Water Resources Planner 2. Kathy Luther, Director of Environmental Management 3. Interns
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Section 8: NIRPC Administration  General Management  Staff Support Services NIRPC Administration
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NIRPC Administration NIRPC Administration NIRPC Administration: the purpose of this program is to provide the administrative support required to manage and coordinate the overall MPO program. The activities include office management, personnel activities, clerical support, administrative documents, record keeping, printing, graphics, procurement, and coordination of activities. NIRPC Cost Allocation Plan is explaining the indirect cost. COST ALLOCATION PLAN FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2010 TO DECEMBER 31, 2010 BACKGROUND: The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission serves Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties in Indiana. Through the Commission, individual counties, cities and towns coordinate their efforts to maintain and improve the physical, economic and social well being of the area and address mutual problems. The Commission is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The Commission receives funding from each of the participating counties through annual tax levies. A portion of these local funds is utilized as matching funds for federal, state and other funding sources received to perform work related to specific program objectives. GENERAL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM: The Commission is a self-contained entity in that all functions of administration are conducted by personnel employed by the agency. All accounting, budgeting, personnel management and purchasing functions are the responsibility of the Commission. The Commission is audited annually by the Indiana State Board of Accounts in accordance with GAAS and OMB Circular A-133 and budgets on a calendar year basis as is required by the State of Indiana. The Commission’s accounting system has been designed to accommodate mandated requirements established by the State of Indiana, to deal with multiply funded cost objectives, and to satisfy the requirements of various federal funding agencies. The Commission utilizes several methods of reimbursement; including cost reimbursement, electronic funds transfer and cash advance. The Commission attempts to maintain a high level of consistency in its accounting procedures. COST ALLOCATION POLICIES: The costs of goods and services, which are identifiable with specific projects, are charged directly to those projects at the time such costs are incurred. Costs that are not specifically identifiable with a single cost objective are allocated to all projects on a uniform basis, as provided for within the cost allocation plan which is prepared annually. TOTAL DIRECT SALARY ALLOCATION BASE: The Total Direct Salary Allocation Base is defined as Direct Salaries (salaries charged to all specifically identifiable cost objectives) plus the percentage of leave costs equal to the
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 120

NIRPC Administration

percentage of direct salaries to total salaries. This is the allocation base for Direct Fringe Benefits. DIRECT PERSONNEL ALLOCATION BASE

The Direct Personnel Allocation Base is defined as Total Direct Salaries plus the percentage of fringe benefits equal to the percentage of direct salaries to total salaries. This is the allocation base for Other Indirect Costs.

DIRECT FRINGE BENEFITS:

Direct Fringe Benefits consist of the percentage of payroll taxes and other employee benefits equal to the percentage of direct salaries to total salaries.

OTHER INDIRECT COSTS:

Other indirect costs include:

 Management, administrative and support salaries,

 The percentage of payroll taxes, other employee benefits and leave costs equal to the

percentage of management, administrative and support salaries (allocated salaries) to

total salaries, and

 Non-salary costs necessary to agency operation which are not directly assignable to a

particular program objective.

COMPONENTS OF ALLOCATED COSTS:

Data is collected relative to allocated costs through the accounting system in the following manner and these costs include:

Leave Costs:

a) Vacation Leave

b) Personal Leave

c) Sick Leave

d) Holiday Leave

e) Jury, Military, and Funeral Leave

Employee Benefits:

This includes various types of employee insurance, retirement and tax

costs and is the aggregate of all charges for the following purposes:

a) Public Employee Retirement Fund – Employer Contributions

b) Group Health Insurance – Employer Contributions

c) Term Life and Disability Insurance

d) Social Security Taxes (FICA) – Employer Contributions

e) Worker’s Compensation Insurance

f) Unemployment Compensation Insurance

Management Administrative and Support Salaries:

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NIRPC Administration a) Approximately three-quarters of the cost of the salary of the Executive Director who is responsible for the overall administration of the agency: b) Approximately 15% of the salary of the Deputy Director/Director of Planning who assists the Executive Director in the overall administration of the agency; c) The salary of the Director of Finance and Administration; d) The salary costs of those employees who provide for the reception, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping, printing, graphics, maintenance, and personnel support functions of the Commission which are necessary to the carrying out of grant programs. This is the estimated equivalent of seven employees; Other Management, Administrative and Support Costs: a) Travel related expense b) Legal services c) Audit and accounting services d) General use office supplies e) Postage and communications f) Management studies g) Miscellaneous expense Operational, Occupancy and Maintenance Costs: a) Office lease b) Building maintenance c) Utilities d) Telephone service e) Computer maintenance f) Other equipment maintenance g) Property insurance h) Equipment rental/operating leases i) Depreciation expense CREDITS TO OTHER INDIRECT COSTS: Income received for goods and services provided where the cost of providing such goods and services has been treated predominantly as an indirect cost. PROVISIONAL COST ALLOCATION RATES FOR 2010: DIRECT VS. ALLOCATED SALARIES: For 2010, the Commission proposes to use an estimate of Direct Salaries to Total Salaries of 70% and an estimate of Management, Administrative and Support Salaries to Total Salaries of 30%. It is also estimated that 14% of Total Salaries are Leave Costs.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 122
NIRPC Administration DIRECT FRINGE BENEFITS: The Commission proposes to allocate fringe benefit costs during Calendar Year 2010 utilizing the provisional rate of 36% of the Total Direct Salary Allocation Base. OTHER INDIRECT COSTS: The Commission proposes to allocate these costs during Calendar Year 2010 utilizing the provisional rate of 67% of the Total Direct Personnel Allocation Base. CERTIFICATE OF INDIRECT COSTS This is to certify that I have reviewed the indirect cost rate proposal submitted herewith and to the best of my knowledge and belief: (1) All costs included in this proposal to establish billing or final indirect costs rates for the period January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 are allowable in accordance with the requirements of the federal award(s) to which they apply and OMB Circular A87, “Cost Principles for State and Local Governments.” Unallowable costs have been adjusted for in allocating costs as indicated in the cost allocation plan. (2) All costs included in this proposal are properly allocable to federal awards on the basis of a beneficial or casual relationship between the expenses incurred and the agreements to which they are allocated in accordance with applicable requirements. Further, the same costs that have been treated as indirect costs have not been claimed as direct costs. Similar types of costs have been accounted for consistently and the federal government will be notified of any accounting changes that would affect the predetermined rate. I declare that the foregoing is true and correct. Angie Hayes Date Director of Finance & Administration Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
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Non-NIRPC Planning Program Section 9: Non-NIRPC Planning Program 1) Valparaiso Transit Service Marketing 2) Comprehensive Transportation, Land Use, and Economic Development Plan for Porter County Airport Area 3) Winfield Study of Improvements of 109th Avenue 4) Oak Street Extension, Town of Schererville
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FUNDING SOURCES

2011 Federal (PL) 2012
$0 Federal (non PL) $0
FTA (5307)
Local $80,000 $20,000 $0 $0
Total $100,000 $0
Use of funds:
NIRPC
Staff $0 $0

Total $0 $0

Other Agency

Name of the agency: City of

Valparaiso
Staff: $0
Contract: $100,000 $0
In-Kind: $0

Total $100,000 $0

Non-NIRPC Planning Program

Objective:

Implement a marketing plan for two bus services now operated by the City of Valparaiso: V-Line Local Service and Chicago DASH (Commuter Bus Service). (This project will involve the procurement of professional services.)

Past Work/Basis:

The City of Valparaiso started a new local bus service in 2007 (V-Line) and a commuter bus service (Chicago DASH) in 2008. In 2008 the City requested (and were allocated) Section 5307 funds for the development of a marketing plan and the implementation of early marketing efforts for both services. The investment has resulted in a 20%-30% increase in ridership on the local service and 40%-45% on the commuter service. The City desires to continue to market and otherwise publicize the commuter bus service toward the end of making it self-sufficient by the end of 2011.

FY 2011 Work Elements/Methodology:

This project involves development of general purpose and targeted marketing campaigns, public relations campaigns, graphic design work, video and radio production, special events marketing, website design and maintenance, photography, customer contact, and periodic surveys to measure the effectiveness of the marketing strategies employed.

FY 2011 End Products:

  1. Request for Proposals and Contract

  2. Summaries of meetings held with the marketing firm selected.

  3. Updated electronic transit user materials, including rider guide/map, individual route maps, in both English and accessible formats.

  4. Campaign-specific marketing materials using tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and other customer contact interfaces.

  5. Updated website with improved search engine optimization customer feedback mechanism.

  6. Media-Ready video and other marketing materials.

  7. Written assessment of each campaign undertaken.

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FUNDING SOURCES

2011 Federal (PL) 2012
$0 Federal (non PL) $0
$123,857 $0

Local $ 125,000 $0 Total $ 248,857 $0

Use of funds:

NIRPC

Staff $0 $0

Total $0 $0

Other Agency

Name of the agency: City of Valparaiso Staff: $0 Contract: $ 248,857 $0 In-Kind: $0 Total $ 248,857 $0

Non-NIRPC Planning Program

Objective:

To develop and facilitate best land use and infrastructure initiatives that will maximize and promote the enhancement of intermodal transportation opportunities: airport, rail, and truck in proximity of the Porter County Municipal Airport.

Past Work/Basis:

The Airport Authority is participating in a joint venture with the Airport Zone Development Committee on this project. The AZDC was formed in early 2007 to promote and maximize the economic development opportunities in the proximity of the Airport. Members present a unique collaboration of agencies and organizations: Porter County Municipal Airport, Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation, City of Valparaiso, Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, East Porter County School Corporation, NIPSCO, and Washington Township Trustee. The Airport Authority is developing a new 20-year Master Plan.

FY 2011 Work Elements/Methodology:

The Comprehensive Plan will be conducted by using two major sources of funding with three components for each funding source as outlined below:

Exploratory Assessment

1) Existing Transportation and Planning documents review and assessment

2) Assessment of Intermodal (Airport, Rail, Truck) opportunities

3) Infrastructure Assessment

End Products

1) Transportation and Thoroughfare Plan text and background

2) Recommendation for policy and amendments concerning Transportation including Transportation and Thoroughfare Plans, Intermodal Plans, Bike and Pedestrian Plans

3) Environmental Initiatives and Impact Mitigation Strategies, Sustainability Measures and Best Management Practices

4) The Site Development Plan will provide design criteria guidelines for the development of an intermodal facility site in a prototype format based on a typical site in the study area. It would include information in written and graphic form such as standards for roadway and access point placement, layout, and design, rail spur location, layout and design, possible placement and design of airside access (if feasible), pedestrian and non-motorized transportation access and facility

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considerations, traffic flow considerations, environmental considerations, and the necessary considerations for interaction and interplay between all of the above. Safety considerations for all of the above, such as grade separation or crosswalks, ITS improvements, etc. will also be provided as necessary.

Local/LPA Funded Project Elements (Non STP-funded elements)

Exploratory Assessment

1. Existing Land use and Zoning Assessment and Comprehensive Long-Range Plan Review (non-Transportation Related)

End Products

1) Long-Range Utility Extension Plan.

2) Annexation Plan (including police and fire protection services) of parcels in proximity to the Porter County Airport.

3) Recommendation for policy and/or Ordinance amendment concerning County/City zoning maps, comprehensive land use plans (non-transportation related), and development codes.

4) Shovel-Ready Site Assessment that meets State Certification requirements.

5) Design guidelines to development within Business Parks/Industrial Areas of the plan.

6) Market Feasibility and Analysis

FY 2011 End Products:

The end product will be the Comprehensive Transportation, Land Use, and Economic Development Plan for the 15 square miles around and including the Porter County Municipal Airport.

Use of FY 2011 End Products/Future Directions

The City of Valparaiso, Porter County, Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation, Porter County Municipal Airport, Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, and other groups will use the Plan as a reference and guiding document for planning transportation and infrastructure improvements and other investments, and seeking grant funding for projects. The main purpose of the Plan is to serve as a tool to aid in the promotion of, and development of, economic development opportunities.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the AZDC Plan was posted on the INDOT website on May 8, 2009. The selected consultants will conduct the Comprehensive Plan under the direction of the Airport Zone Development Committee and NIRPC designated staff liaison to the project steering committee.

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FUNDING SOURCES

2011 2012
Federal Federal Local (PL) $0 (non PL) $250,000 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $250,000 $0
Use of funds: NIRPC Staff $0 Contract: $0 In-kind: $0 $0 $0 $0

Total $0 $0

Other Agency

Name of the agency: Town

of Winfield
Staff: $0
Contract: $250,000 $0
In-Kind: $0

Total $250,000 $0

Non-NIRPC Planning Program

Objective:

The objective of the Winfield study of improvements for the 109th Street Corridor is to develop a Scoping Report document that will evaluate various alternative strategies for implementation.

Past Work/Basis:

The 109th Avenue corridor through the Town of Winfield is the main east/west corridor and provides connectivity to a rapidly growing area within the town. Furthermore, due to the implementation of the new I-65 interchange at 109th Avenue, the Town of Winfield recognizes that improvements to this corridor will be required due to increased demand on this roadway. In 2008, the Town of Winfield obtained SAFETEA-LU High Priority funding ($250,000, 100% Federal share) for the purposes of developing a Scoping Document that will address the needs for this corridor. Since receipt of this funding, the Town of Winfield has secured support from Lake County and the City of Crown Point to extend the project limits outside of the Town extending from the east limits of the I65 interchange to the Lake/Porter County Line. Past work to date has been limited to dialogue with Lake County and Crown Point to develop concurrence in the project limits and goals.

FY 2011 Work Elements/Methodology

Work will proceed in FY 2010 in the development of the Scoping Report. The goal of the Scoping Report will:

1) Establish Purpose and Need of improvements
2) Develop preliminary alternative(s), including “Do Nothing”, to
address Purpose and Need
3) Develop budgetary costs for one or more alternatives

FY 2011 End Products

The end product will be a Scoping Report (Engineer’s Report) that documents Purpose and Need, alternatives and budgetary costs.

Use of FY 2011 End Products

The Scoping Report will guide any future upstream programming and development of improvements through the 109th Avenue corridor.

Staffing and Program Linkages

The Town of Winfield will select a consultant to perform the work required to develop the Scoping Report. Most, if not all, work will be consistent with those procedures used by the Indiana Department of Transportation in the development projects that utilize federal aid funding.

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FUNDING SOURCES

2011 2012 Federal (PL) $0 $0 Federal (non PL) $250,000 $0 Local $0 $0 Use of funds: NIRPC Staff $0 $0 Contract: $0 $0 In-kind: $0 $0 Total $250,000 $0

Total $0 $0

Other Agency

Name of the agency: Town

of Schererville
Staff: $0
Contract: $250,000 $0
In-Kind: $0

Total $250,000 $0

Non-NIRPC Planning Program

Objective:

The objective of the Oak Street Extension project is to develop a Scoping Report document that will evaluate various alternative strategies for implementation.

Past Work/Basis:

The Town of Schererville has performed previous analysis of providing an extension of Oak Street from US 41 to Kennedy Avenue. This also included preliminary analysis of underpass, overpass and at grade crossings of the Norfolk Southern railroad. It is believed that the Oak Street extension will relieve congestion of the surrounding roadway network and provide improved response time for emergency services.

FY 2011 Work Elements/Methodology

Work will proceed in FY 2010 in the development of the Scoping Report. The goal of the Scoping Report will:

1) Establish Purpose and Need of improvements 2) Develop preliminary alternative(s), including “Do Nothing”, to

address Purpose and Need 3) Develop budgetary costs for one or more alternatives

FY 2011 End Products

The end product will be a Scoping Report (Engineer’s Report) that documents Purpose and Need, alternatives and budgetary costs.

Use of FY 2011 End Products

The Scoping Report will guide any future upstream programming and development of improvements through the Oak Street corridor.

Staffing and Program Linkages

The Town of Schererville will select a consultant to perform the work required to develop the Scoping Report. Most, if not all, work will be consistent with those procedures used by the Indiana Department of Transportation in t

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NIRPC Budget

Section 10:

1) FY 2011 PL Funding Breakdown by Category 2) FY 2011 UPWP Summary List of Projects & Budgets 3) FY 2011 Estimated Time Charges per Activity 4) FY 2012 PL Funding Breakdown by Category 5) FY 2012 UPWP Summary List of Projects & Budgets 6) FY 2012 Estimated Time Charges per Activity

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FY 2011 PL Funding Breakdown by Category

TABLE I: FY 2011 UPWP SUMMARY LIST OF PROJECTS AND BUDGETS
PROGRAM CATEGORY 2011 TOTAL BUDGET PL / 5303 SHARE FTA 5307 SHARE CMAQ SHARE PENDING/ OTHER NIRPC SHARE NOTES
Planning Administration 397,063 317,650 ---79,413 Staff Charges + department exp. $45,692
2000 - Planning Management 214,026 171,221 ---42,805
2001 - Committee Support 120,537 96,430 ---24,107
2024 - Vehicle Oversight Program 62,500 50,000 --12,500 -
Data Management & Analysis 263,618 210,894 ---52,724 Staff charges+ $2,500 travel time equipment
2002-Transportation Data Collection 110,487 88,390 ---22,097
2003- Demographics Analysis & Forecasting 50,569 40,455 ---10,114
2004- GIS Support Services 68,849 55,079 ---13,770
2005- Planning Data Collection 33,713 26,970 ---6,743
Short Range Planning 223,449 178,759 ---44,690 Staff Charges+ $5,000 contract for ADA workshop
2006- Unified Planning Work Program 41,219 32,975 ---8,244
2007- Transportation Improvement Program 156,812 125,450 ---31,362
2008- Safe Route to School Program 7,078 5,662 ---1,416
2009- ADA Transition Plan 18,340 14,672 ---3,668
Long Range Planning 930,106 744,085 ---186,021 Staff Charges+ $100,000 for Regional Assembly and
2010- CRP/ TRP 463,236 370,589 ---92,647 final report production
2011- Regional Land Use Planning 87,894 70,315 ---17,579
2012- Congestion Management Planning 70,273 56,218 ---14,055
2013- Environmental Mitigation Planning 26,979 21,583 ---5,396
2014- Non-Motorized Planning 116,875 93,500 ---23,375
2015- Safety & Security Planning 12,265 9,812 ---2,453
2016- Economic Development Planning 9,011 7,209 ---1,802
2017- Freight Planning 35,030 28,024 ---7,006 Staff Charges + $12,746 Contractual
2018- Travel Demand Forecast Modeling 70,610 56,488 ---14,122
2019- Corridor Planning 22,410 17,928 ---4,482
2020- Air Quality Conformity 15,523 12,418 ---3,105
Outreach and Public Involvement 175,478 140,382 ---35,096 Staff chg.+ $22,000 contractual for the CRP final printing
2021- Public Meeting & Communication Tools 115,431 92,345 ---23,086
2022- Web Site Update 17,212 13,770 ---3,442
2023- Environmental Justice 42,835 34,268 ---8,567
Total PL Funding 1,989,714$ $ 1,591,771 -$ -$ 12,500$ $ 385,443
Transit - FTA
2109 -Transit Planning 100,000 -80,000 --20,000
2529- Transit Administration & ADA Review 310,326 -310,326 ---
Total Transit - FTA Funding 410,326$ -$ 390,326 --20,000$
NIRPC Programs Staff Chag.+$252,630 for all programs total communication
2507- Air Quality Education/ Outreach 382,000 --382,000 --except G&B and LGA+ $40,500 for total contractual for
1128- MS4 Stormwater Management 150,000 ---150,000 -MS4 & AQE + $80,000 for promotional for MS4 & AQE
2517- Greenways & Blueways Implementation Program 23,000 ---23,000 -
9600- Local Government Assistance ------
2518 - Donnelley Foundation Outreach Program 25,000 ---25,000 -Still in progress
9600- Small Cities & Towns ------
1095- Water Planning Program Total NIRPC Programs Funding 75,330 ---75,330 -
655,330$ $ --$ $ 382,000 273,330$ -$
NIRPC Administration - Indirect
9600- General Management ------
9600- Staff & Administration Support ------
Total NIRPC Administration - Indirect -$ $ --$ -$ -$ -$
Total 2011 NIRPC Budget 3,055,370$ $ 1,591,771 $ 390,326 $ 382,000 285,830$ $ 405,443

Table II: FY 2011 UPWP ESTIMATED TIME CHARGES PER ACTIVITY

Allen Hammond Staff MembersPL FUNDING FTA (5307) OTHER INDIRECT GRAND TOTAL
PLANNING ADMINISTRATIONDATA MANAGEMENT & ANALYSIS SHORT RANGE PLANNING LONG RANGE PLANNING OUTREACH & PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TRANSIT NIRPC PROGRAMS NIRPC ADMINISTRATION
2000 2001 2024 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2109 2529 2507 1128 -2517 9600 2518 9600 1095 9600 9600
--------164 ----1,476 -----1,640
Amanda Peregrine --------------820 820 ----1,640
Angie Hayes -----------------1,640 1,640
Belinda Petroskey ------------984 656 ------1,640
Bill Brown 328 ------320 --746 82 164 -------1,640
Carolyn Brown 1,640 1,640
Chief Accountant 740 900 1,640
Connie Boos 1,640 1,640
David Gutowsky -------------1,560 -----80 1,640
Eman Ibrahim -----246 --246 984 -164 -------1,640
Francyne Mixon 656 -------------328 328 ---328 1,640
Gabrielle Biciunas 1,476 164 1,640
Gail Parks -------------20 ----1,620 1,640
Gary Evers ------1,640 -----------1,640
Hubert Morgan 600 400 1,000
Interns/ Part Time -810 ----140 --756 --140 -----820 -200 --2,866
Joe Exl -----------410 ---164 --1,066 --1,640
John Smith ------------656 -82 82 ---820 1,640
John Swanson 1,640 1,640
Kathy Dubie 1,640 1,640
Kathy Luther 806 ---------260 ---328 164 --82 --1,640
Kevin Garcia --984 -656 ---------------1,640
Mary Thorne 1,540 -----------------100 1,640
Matt Hay 1,312 328 1,640
Mitch Barloga -------82 ---1,312 ----246 --1,640
New planner -------1,640 ------------1,640
Ryan Hicks 328 1,312 1,640
Sarah Nerenberg -------------50 -125 ---175
Steve Strains 820 ----164 ---328 ---82 -----246 -1,640
Terrell Waddell -1,640 -----------------1,640
Tom Vander Woude 82 1,148 410 1,640
Totals 1,626 2,524 810 1,968 984 1,312 656 410 1,862 82 164 6,174 984 1,312 410 1,452 -164 410 746 246 164 1,256 328 482 984 4,452 1,558 1,608 246 820 125 -1,348 3,526 8,768 49,961

Other NIRPC Employees Work for Partner Agencies: 1- Planning Administration

Dan Repay Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission Jody Melton Kankakee River Basin Commission 2- Data management & Analysis Judy Penn LCRBDC, KRBC, Lake Michigan Marina, and LaPorte Revolving Loan Fund Sandy Mourds Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission

3- Short Range Planning

4- Long Range Planning

2000 Planning Management 2001 Committee Support 2024 Vehicles Oversight Program 2002 Transportation Data Collection 2003 Demographics Analysis and Forecasting 2004 Geographic Information System (GIS) Support Services 2005 Planning Data Collection 2006 Unified Planning Work Program 2007 Transportation Improvement Program 2008 Safe Route to School Program 2009 ADA Transition Plan 2010 Comprehensive Regional Planning (CRP)/ Transportation Regional Plan 2011 Regional Land Use Planning 2012 Congestion Management Planning 2013 Environmental Mitigation Planning 2014 Non-Motorized Planning 2015 Safety & Security Planning 2016 Economic Development Planning 2017 Freight Planning 2018 Travel Demand Forecast Modeling 2019 Corridor Planning 2020 Air Quality Conformity

5- Outreach & Public Involvement

6- Transit 7- NIRPC PROGRAMS

8- NIRPC Administration

2021 Public Meeting & Communication Tools 2022 Web Site Update 2023 Environmental Justice 2109 Transit Planning 2529 Transit Administration and ADA Review 2507 Air Quality Education/ Outreach 1128 MS4 Stormwater Management 2517 Greenways & Blueways Implementation Program 9600 Local Government Assistance 2518 Lake Michigan Water Academy Program 9600 Small Cities & Towns 1095 Water Planning Program 9600 General Management of NIRPC, Office & Staff 9600 Staff & Administration Support

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FY 2012 PL Funding Breakdown by Category

TABLE I: FY 2012 UPWP SUMMARY LIST OF PROJECTS AND BUDGETS
PROGRAM CATEGORY 2012 TOTAL BUDGET PL / 5303 SHARE FTA 5307 SHARE CMAQ SHARE PENDING OTHER NIRPC SHARE NOTES
Planning Administration 377,065$ 301,652$ 75,413$ Staff Charges + department exp. $46,148
2270 - Planning Management 226,191 180,953 45,238
2271 - Committee Support 122,874 98,299 24,575
2294 - Vehicles Oversight Program 28,000 22,400 5,600 -
Data Management & Analysis 266,568$ 213,254$ 53,314$
2272-Transportation Data Collection 109,943 87,954 21,989
2273- Demographics Analysis & Forecasting 51,734 41,387 10,347
2274- GIS Support Services 70,402 56,322 14,080
2275- Planning Data Collection 34,489 27,591 6,898
Short Range Planning 231,952 185,562 46,390$
2276- Unified Planning Work Program 41,951 33,561 8,390
2277- Transportation Improvement Program 166,635 133,308 33,327
2278- Safe Route to School Program 9,787 7,830 1,957
2279- ADA Transition Plan 13,579 10,863 2,716
Long Range Planning 811,005 648,804 162,201$
2280- CRP/ TRP 314,303 251,442 42,516
2281- Regional Land Use Planning 75,069 60,055 15,071
2282- Congestion Management Planning 71,826 57,461 14,365
2283- Environmental Mitigation Planning 33,091 26,473 6,618
2284- Non-Motorized Planning 125,475 100,380 25,095
2285- Safety & Security Planning 16,975 13,580 3,395
2286- Economic Development Planning 9,205 7,364 1,841
2287- Freight Planning 36,431 29,145 7,286
2288- Travel Demand Forecast Modeling 71,832 57,465 14,366
2289- Corridor Planning 41,006 32,805 8,201
2290- Air Quality Conformity 15,792 12,634 3,158
Outreach and Public Involvement 168,613$ 134,890$ 33,723$
2291- Public Meeting & Communication Tools 94,207 75,365 19,841
2292- Web Site Update 17,600 14,080 3,520
2293- Environmental Justice 56,806 45,445 11,361
Total PL Funding 1,855,203$ 1,484,162$ --5,600 371,041$
Transit - FTA
2110 - Transit Planning 100,000 80,000 20,000
2530 - Transit Administration & ADA Review 350,000 280,000 70,000
Total Transit - FTA Funding 450,000$ -$ 360,000$ -$ -$ 90,000$
NIRPC Programs Staff Charges+$119,200 for total communication for all
2508 - Air Quality Education/ Outreach 312,500 --250,000 -62,500 the programs except G&B, SCT,VOS, and LGA+ $40,500 for
1128 - MS4 Stormwater Management 150,000 ---150,000 -total contractual for MS4 & AQE + $80,000 for promotional
9600 - Local Government Assistance ------
9600 - Small Cities & Towns ------
1095 - Water Planning Program 70,000 ---70,000 -
Total NIRPC Programs Funding 532,500$ -$ -$ 250,000$ 220,000$ 62,500$
NIRPC Administration - Indirect
9600 - General Management ------
9600 - Staff & Administration Support ------
Total NIRPC Administration - Indirect -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Total 2012 NIRPC Budget 2,837,703$ 1,484,162$ 360,000$ 250,000$ 225,600$ 523,541$

TABLEII: FY 2012 UPWP ESTIMATED TIME CHARGES

Allen Hammond Staff Members PL FUNDING FTA (5307) OTHER INDIRECT GRAND TOTAL
PLANNING ADMINISTRATIONDATA MANAGEMENT & ANALYSIS SHORT RANGE PLANNING LONG RANGE PLANNING OUTREACH & PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TRANSIT NIRPC PROGRAMS NIRPC ADMINISTRATION
2270 2271 2294 2272 2273 2274 2275 2276 2277 2278 2279 2280 2281 2282 2283 2284 2285 2286 2287 2288 2289 2290 2291 2292 2293 2110 2530 2508 1128 -9600 9600 1095 9600 9600
--------164 ----1,476 ----1,640
Amanda Peregrine --------------820 820 ---1,640
Angie Hayes ----------------1,640 1,640
Belinda Petroskey -----------984 656 -----1,640
Bill Brown 328 ------320 --746 82 164 ------1,640
Carolyn Brown 1,640 1,640
Chief Accountant 740 900 1,640
Connie Boos 1,640 1,640
David Gutowsky -------------1,560 ----80 1,640
Eman Ibrahim -----246 --246 784 -364 ------1,640
Francyne Mixon 656 -------------328 328 --328 1,640
Gabrielle Biciunas 820 164 246 410 1,640
Gail Parks -------------20 ---1,620 1,640
Gary Evers ------1,640 ----------1,640
Hubert Morgan 600 400 1,000
Interns/ Part Time -405 ----60 100 -525 145 -100 120 ---820 -200 --2,475
Joe Exl ---------272 -492 ---164 -712 --1,640
John Smith -----------656 -82 82 --820 1,640
John Swanson 1,640 1,640
Kathy Dubie 1,640 1,640
Kathy Luther 902 ---------164 ---328 164 -82 --1,640
Kevin Garcia --984 -656 --------------1,640
Mary Thorne 1,540 ----------------100 1,640
Matt Hay 1,312 328 1,640
Mitch Barloga -------82 ---1,400 158 ------1,640
New Planner 1,640 1,640
Ryan Hicks 328 1,312 1,640
Sarah Nerenberg -------------50 ---50
Steve Strains 820 ----164 ---328 ---82 ----246 -1,640
Terrell Waddell -1,640 ----------------1,640
Tom Vander Woude 246 738 656 1,640
Total Hours 1,722 2,524 405 1,968 984 1,312 656 410 1,946 182 164 5,053 929 1,312 492 1,500 278 164 656 746 446 164 1,256 328 728 1,394 4,452 1,558 1,608 820 -994 3,526 8,768 49,445
Other NIRPC Employees Work for Partner Agencies: 1- Planning Administration 2270 Planning Management 5- Outreach & Public Involvement 2291 Public Meeting & Communication Tools
Dan Repay Jody Melton Judy Penn Sandy Mourds Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission Kankakee River Basin Commission LCRBDC, KRBC, Lake Michigan Marina, and LaPorte Revolving Loan Fund Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission 2- Data management & Analysis 3- Short Range Planning 2271 2272 2273 2274 2275 2276 2277 2278 2279 Committee Support Transportation Data Collection Demographics Analysis and Forecasting Geographic Information System (GIS) Support Services Planning Data Collection Unified Planning Work Program Transportation Improvement Program Safe Route to School Program ADA Transition Plan 6- Transit 7- NIRPC PROGRAMS 2292 2293 2110 2530 2508 1128 1095 9600 9600 Web Site Update Environmental Justice Transit Planning Transit Administration and ADA Review Air Quality Education/ Outreach MS4 Stormwater Management Water Planning Program Small Cities & Towns Program General Management of NIRPC, Office & Staff
4- Long Range Planning 2280 2281 2282 2283 2284 2285 2286 2287 2288 2289 2290 Comprehensive Regional Planning / Transportation Regional Plan Regional Land Use Planning Congestion Management Planning Environmental Mitigation Planning Non-Motorized Planning Safety & Security Planning Economic Development Planning Freight Planning Travel Demand Forecast Modeling Corridor Planning Air Quality Conformity 8- NIRPC Administration 9600 Staff & Administration Support
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Section 11: APPENDICES 1) 2009 Certification Review Summary 2) Planning Agreements Appendices
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 137

Appendices

CONCLUSIONS OF THE FHWA AND FTA 2009 CERTIFICATION REVIEW TEAM

Subject to the completion of the corrective actions identified in this report, FHWA and FTA conditionally approved the NIRPC's transportation planning process in Northwestern Indiana until November I, 2010.

We offer the following summary of corrective actions, recommendations, and noteworthy practice to enhance the transportation planning process in this region:

Corrective Action: In order to meet the minimum requirements of23 CFR 450.320, the region must establish a congestion management process that contains the elements defined in the requirements portion of this section. Specifically, USDOT advises that the following steps be taken to meet these requirements:

  • Establish a congestion management subcommittee, consisting of representatives from at least the following entities:  State DOT (INDOT LaPorte District and Headquarters)  MPO (NIRPC)  County highway departments or equivalent agency (Lake, Porter, LaPorte)  City highway departments or equivalent agency (Gary, Hammond, others)  Transit operator (NICTD, Regional Bus Authority, others)  Private bus operators (Greyhound, etc.)  Regional freight operators, if available (truck and rail)  Emergency responders, if available (police, fire, ambulance)

    • Determine performance measures2  Highway performance measures (VIC, travel times, travel speeds, Level of Service, etc.)  Transit performance measures (on-time %, passenger boarding counts, etc.)  Mode-neutral performance measures (benefit/cost, person throughput, hours of delay, customer

    • satisfaction)  Non-recurring performance measures (crash statistics, incident response time, etc.)  Other regionally-specific performance measures - to be determined from available data
  • Identify data sources  Intelligent Transportation Systems (CCTV cameras, traffic loops, enhanced traffic signals)

Corrective Action: The FHWAIFTA federal review team finds the MPO's compliance with the EJ Executive Order to be a corrective action. This decision is warranted due to the need for additional EJ analysis to be conducted during the current 2040 Plan update cycle and based on verbal and written comments received at our meeting with the public.

Several serious concerns with the metropolitan planning process were identified by stakeholders. Two workshops on EJ and Transportation Planning should be scheduled; one with affected stakeholders and one with NIRPC staff and planning partners. FHW A and FTA can be instrumental in working with NIRPC to plan these opportunities for training and dialogue. Also, work activities underway to update the Long Range Transportation Plan should be amended to add several analytical tasks to identify and document a fair distribution of benefits and burdens to all segments of the regional community through implementation of the Plan. These tasks can be developed as action items from the workshops and will occur prior to November 1, 2010.

Recommendation: INDOT and the MPO Council update the Indiana MPO Handbook (http://indianampo.com/index.htm) to reflect INDOT's 2005 reorganization and to clarify the INDOT process for the coordination and review planning documents.

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Appendices

Recommendation: For future UPWP documents NIRPC should also include the costs for each work element along with who will perform the work with the work element description. This would make it much easier to recognize the amount of effort needed for the work element when projects are being reviewed and for the general public interested in knowing what the activities of NIRPC include. This recommendation is consistent with UPWP documents of MPOs across the country.

Recommendations: The federal review team offers the following items for action over the next few years: Data driven performance measures are needed for all program efforts. The MPO should cooperatively develop and adopt system-wide performance measures. The region-wide performance measure(s) should cover all modes (highway, transit, freight multimodal) of transportation within the region. The measures can then be used in development and future transportation plans, and prioritization of projects.

Recommendation: The use of an annual inflation rate of 2% to adjust the costs for projects in developing the LRTP needs to be re-examined to determine if this amount is appropriate.

Recommendation: The review team recommends the Financial Plan be simplified to make the sources of local, state and federal funding more clearly and easier to understand for the public. In addition, to be consistent with purposes of the State, the same fiscal year used by the State is recommended to help coordinate the evaluation of fiscal constraint by the FHW A, and DOT

Recommendation: An updated ITS Architecture is needed before the development of the next Long Range Transportation Plan so it can serve as input into the plan. The ITS architecture update should coincide with NIRPC's efforts to implement the CMP. ITS can be a critical component in data gathering, as well as congestion mitigation, and directly supports the purpose of the CMP.

Recommendation: As a region with one of the most significant truck corridors in the United States, it would be useful for the MPO to work closely with the State to identify and address freight in a more cooperative manner. For example, the MPO could collaborate with the State to identify freight priorities with local freight stakeholders using INDOT's Intermodal Freight & Mobility Plan as a starting point for both agencies, to identify and prioritize freight activities in the region.

Recommendation: It is recommended that the MPO further refine specific elements of their TIP prioritization process, specifically the environmental justice factor in the prioritization process for all project categories. For the expansion capacity projects, a congestion management process element in the scoring needs to be integrated into the TIP prioritization process.

Recommendation: For future program years, NIRPC must work with INDOT and the transit operators to ensure that the Listing of Obligated Projects is completed within 90 days from the end of the program year.

Recommendation: Internal controls should be strengthened to provide more detailed descriptions in supporting documentation for payments; payments should also be approved in all cases by more than one person. Finally, a payment should never be approved by the recipient. Payments should always be backed up with documentation, e.g., receipts, etc.

Recommendation: FHW A advises INDOT to collaborate with NIRPC and other MPOs to set procurement policy and procedures using federal funds. NIRPC's current procedures created for FTA procurements could be edited for use with FHW A funds.

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Appendices The CMAQ grant agreement can be refined and used as a model for purchase of goods. Once any procurement procedures are finalized, INDOT needs to finally approve that the procedures meet the federal requirements. Recommendation: NIRPC should review its members' LPA procurement processes and implement a monitoring program for the CMAQ funded vehicles and equipment. INDOT needs to establish how the INDOT will provide oversight of procurements by the MPOs and any other LPAs they assist which use FHW A funds.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 140
Appendices PLANNING ACTIVITIES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CHICAGO AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY AND THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION The Northeastern Illinois-Northwestern Indiana area is designated by the federal government as a non-attainment area for ozone. The area contains two metropolitan planning areas, one for which the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and one for which the Chicago Area Transportation Study is the MPO. As more than one MPO has authority within a non-attainment area, an agreement is called for by the federal Metropolitan Planning Rules, specifically 23 CFR §450.310(g). Such an agreement was entered into in June, 1997 among the two MPOs and the transportation and the environmental agencies in the two states. In accordance with the June, 1997 Agreement and in order to ensure cooperation among the MPOs, the Chicago Area Transportation Study and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission have agreed to the planning activities to be coordinated and carried out cooperatively so that principal metropolitan area planning products reflect consistency with best practices and with broader bi-state goals. Areas of coordination, cooperation and consultation between the Chicago Area Transportation Study and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission: General 1. Cooperate in efforts toward achieving general consistency of plans as they relate to projects that have bi-state impacts. 2. Cooperate in public participation efforts on plans and on projects of bi-state significance. 3. Each MPO will participate in the transportation planning process of the other through technical committee memberships, and involvement in regional corridor, sub-area, major investment studies, management system development and other studies and plans of bistate significance. Unified Planning Work Program 1. Consult in the development of Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWP). 2. Share UPWP products. Modeling
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 141
Appendices 1. Exchange modeling information at appropriate levels of geography, attempting where possible to relate the data to the MPO’s existing, respective Traffic Analysis Zone systems. 2. Share socio-economic, Census, forecast and survey data and results. 3. Share trip tables and travel demand model assumptions. 4. Consult in the development of enhanced travel demand models. 5. Share model validation data, including state line traffic volumes and traffic volumes at the external boundaries of the other agencies’ models. Transportation Plan 1. Consult in defining future scenarios, striving for general compatibility including overall strategies and major project assumptions (South Suburban Airport, South Suburban Tollway, Westlake Corridor, etc.). 2. Develop alternative networks which include appropriate bi-state strategic connectors. 3. Consider that the two agencies will not necessarily be at the same stage of plan development at the same time, and coordination will be tempered by the schedule of each agency’s planning process. Transportation Improvement Plan 1. Consult in the development of TIPs concerning bi-state issues. 2. Share information regarding proposed construction schedules of projects and their impact across the state line. Air Quality State Implementation Plan Conformity 1. Participate in the Lake Michigan Ozone Study by supplying information. 2. Identify the design concept and design scope of projects with bi-state significance that should be included in the regional emissions analysis. 3. Consult on the compatibility of assumptions used in the mobile emissions model in each state.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 142
Appendices As federal or local conditions change, the planning activities may be modified and updated by mutual agreement of the MPOs in writing. Notification of any revised agreement will be made to the transportation and the environmental agencies in the two states. Put scanned signatures here.
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -UPWP 2011-2012 143

Amendments

UPWP Tasks

Objective:

The mission of the multi-year program is to continue to develop and promote a highly visible, on-going effort to educate the residents of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties concerning their personal choices and that relationship to air quality, health and quality of life in northwest Indiana. The goal of the campaign is to

expand the successful efforts of the 8 year nationally recognized “It !ll !dds Up to Cleaner !ir” program to include public education on alternative fuel vehicles,

driver's education, ride share opportunities anti-idling benefits, and health issues. NIRPC will continue to work with public officials, public diesel fleet owners and operators, private sector decision-makers, universities, educators, students, the media and the general public on the air quality issues in northwest Indiana. The public education campaign is necessary to obtain public support, consensus and participation to achieve and maintain national air quality standards as designated in the Clean Air Act.

Past Work/Basis:

NIRPC has a long history of working on regional air quality issues with local, state, and federal partners. The Agency maintains a leadership role in many of the ongoing air quality initiatives in Northwest Indiana and has received recognition for the It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air public outreach program from US EPA and FHWA.

NIRPC has built a solid foundation for regional air quality initiatives. The air quality staff will continue to build on that foundation by expanding the NIRPC role in the following areas:

1) IDEM Partners for Clean Air initiative,
2) South Shore Clean Cities alternative fuels and energy efforts,
3) PACE Suburban Bus Service of Greater Chicago to partner and
promote carpooling,
4) Area hospitals and health advocates to highlight the link between
air pollution and asthma,
5) Partner with Regional Bus Authority transit providers to promote
transportation alternatives.
6) Partner with NIRPC Non-Motorized Planning program to promote
bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation.
7) Explore opportunities and partnerships to begin planning for
carbon emissions educational programs.
8) Contract with USX and Arcelor-Mittal to implement anti
idling/emission reduction retrofit projects that have already
received CMAQ eligibility and funding allocations in the TIP.

UPWP Tasks

1) Partners For Clean Air

  • Work with IDEM to increase Partners participants and membership

  • Develop new educational materials

  • Develop new media outlets, especially in on-line advertising

  • Work with Partners members to provide them with outreach materials

  • Continue to partner with the Lake Michigan Household Waste District to conduct the Gas Can Exchange Program

  • Continue to partner with Clean Car Check (Emissions Testing Facilities) to distribute air quality information to the public, increase distribution of materials

  • Strengthen partnerships with local hospitals and American Lung Association on asthma awareness, develop new initiatives

2) South Shore Clean Cities

  • Continue to support the development of alternative fuel and energy facilities along regional corridors

  • Support and promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles with emissions benefits

  • Support two regional workshops on alternative fuels and E85

  • Increase diesel emissions reductions outreach to schools and fleets

  • Provide support for development of new educational materials for a shared Anti-Idling campaign.

  • Help with distribution of materials and new member development.

  • Work with state and federal energy agencies on new initiatives.

  • Develop a regional Clean Fleet program.

  • Contract with School Districts and Local Public Agencies to purchase and install approximately 300 diesel oxidation catalysts to retrofit diesel school buses and/or on-road diesel equipment.

  • Contract with South Shore Clean Cities to provide education and training to School Districts and Local Public Agencies on implementation of the Diesel Retrofit Project.

3) Illinois Partnerships

  • Maintain and renew the ride share partnership agreement with PACE. Continue to market the PACE Rideshare program in Northwestern Indiana.

  • Continue to participate on Chicago Partners for Clean Air workgroup.

  • Participate in the Midwest Regional Air Directors workshops and activities.

• Chicago Wilderness Climate Change Action Plan 4) Health and Air Quality Educational Programs

• Support and Promote Asthma Awareness Day activities to highlight the linkages between air quality, transportation related air emissions, asthma, and other health issues.

5) Alternative Transportation Choices

• Work with Regional Bus Authority transit providers to identify ways to promote transit on

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UPWP Tasks

air quality action days.

6) Partner with NIPRC Non-Motorized Planning program to promote bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation as clean air friendly alternatives. Promoting Bicycling as Clean Air Friendly Alternative Transportation through Education, Promotional Materials, and Mapping

  • $25,000 in additional funding to update and reprint NIRPC Bike Map, this will go 100% Contractual

  • Increase focus on walking and biking in existing “It !ll !dds Up to Cleaner !ir” Campaign.

  • Promote biking through promotional items and events to include but not limited to: bike pins, bike to work days.

7) Incorporate Carbon emissions into educational programs

  • NIRPC has passed a resolution allowing energy conservation and carbon reduction to be included in our Air Quality Education program.

  • Energy Conservation messages related to transportation such as Anti-Idling, Car-Pooling, and Alternative Transportation promotion will begin to incorporate carbon and climate education.

FY 2011-2012 End Products and Measurable Goals:

First Year:

Documentation of the notices, agendas, attendance, minutes and results of meetings of the following groups: 1) Partners for Clean Air

a.
Exchange 1500 Vapor Free Gas Cans.
b.
Increase Partners for Clean Air promotions by 20 %
c.
Sponsor Asthma and Air Quality Awareness Day at the Gary Southshore Railcats

2) South Shore Clean Cities.

a.
Anti-Idling Campaign.
b.
Oversee Diesel Retrofit Program

i. Approximately 300 oxidation catalysts retrofitted on diesel school buses or other municipal diesel equipment.

3) Illinois Partnerships, i.e.,

a. Increase Northwest Indiana participation in Pace Rideshare registrations.

b. Promote Chicago Wilderness Climate Change Action Plan. 4) Partner with NIPRC Non-Motorized Planning program 5) Incorporate Carbon emissions into educational programs Second Year: 1) – 7) continue from First Year.

103

Program Subcategory: 2111 – Long-Range Planning Objective:

The objective of this project is to provide supplemental funding toward the completion of the development of a Comprehensive Regional Plan, which emphasizes urban core revitalization and livable, pedestrian and transit-friendly communities. The plan is targeted for adoption in 2011.

Past Work/Basis:

NIRPC’s is currently developing a Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) that includes each of NIRPC’s planning domains, with a horizon year of 2040. The development of this long-range plan for the region is a more comprehensive effort to address opportunities and challenges across the spectrum of five areas, which are: 1) economic development, 2) environment, 3) land use, 4) social justice, and 5) transportation. A draft vision statement and goals and objectives were adopted, followed by adoption of a preferred future scenario.

The preferred future scenario is “The 2040 Growth and Revitalization Vision”, which emphasizes renewal

of urban core areas by encouraging redevelopment of evolving communities, which are cities, and towns that have been losing population and experiencing higher poverty and vacancy rates. The Vision embraces sustainable development within existing communities whose population centers will be livable and vibrant. The Vision is about restoring and developing sustainable communities. The CRP is to help return a more robust transit system to more densely populated urban centers. The supplemental planning project is to shape implementable strategies with the public during the latter portion of the development of the CRP.

FY 2011 – 2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

  1. In keeping with the preferred future scenario, the CRP will develop regional land use policies that reinforce investment in transit-oriented development. Livable and vibrant centers are compact, mixed-use development near transit facilities and high-quality walking environments.

  2. Develop implementation strategies to emphasize fostering transit-oriented development (TOD) in livable centers, encouraging growing densities in urban communities and suburban areas to be able to support public transit.

  3. Expand the work with a consultant team that is providing continuing assistance throughout the plan development, identifying TOD and other transit-supporting strategies, best practices and implementation recommendations.

  4. Add to the budget for the conduct of a Regional Assembly.

  5. Expand public education and stakeholder engagement, making for more supportive and informed decisions. A stronger plan will encourage local public agencies to implement it. The expanded education and engagement is through additional outreach with additional staff and intern support. It is also through enhancing the NIRPC website that is more interactive and user-friendly. Obtain the advice of a communications/ marketing consultant.

  6. Add an electronic version of the CRP with links to the final CRP document.

  7. Poster plan version of the CRP.

  8. Increase visibility of the CRP “roll-out” at adoption, with emphasis on implementation

FY 2011 End Products:

  1. Transit-oriented regional land-use policies.

  2. Transit-oriented implementation strategies.

  3. Additional consultant contracts.

  4. Expanded stakeholder outreach and engagement.

  5. Communications/ marketing consultant management

  6. Poster Plan.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

Staffing is to be determined. This work is primarily linked to and reliant on and supported by: the Regional Land Use Planning; Comprehensive Regional Plan; and Public Meetings and Communication Tools.

A portion of the NIRPC Vision and Strategic Directions for 2010-2013 is implemented by this task:

Vision: Attaining regionally recognized effectiveness and standing.

Vision: Recognized as a leading knowledge contributor to regional land use, governance, economic development, environmental, and transportation planning and implementation.

Vision: Clearly recognized for bold planning initiatives, accomplished in a cooperative collaborative comprehensive planning framework, that positively impact the region’s future.

Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:

 Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;

 Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

 Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;  Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.

Budget note: FTA Section 5307 funds are used for this project to supplement available Section 5303 formula planning funds and FHWA planning funds.

Program Subcategory: NICTD Michigan City South Shore Re-Alignment Study

Objective:

The purpose of this work item is to undertake a transportation planning project in collaboration with the City of Michigan City. This study will systematically evaluate a set of options for realigning the South Shore commuter railroad through Michigan City and to arrive at consensus on a preferred alignment.

Past Work/Basis:

For over a century the South Shore/NICTD has operated along a 2-mile segment of

th th

single-track that is embedded in the middle of 10and 11Streets in Michigan City.

This “street running” adversely impacts train operations, constrains our ability to enhance

capacity, increases railroad and street maintenance costs, creates unnecessary conflicts with parallel vehicular and cross traffic, and affects the value of adjoining properties.

For the past 50-60 years, the various owners of the railroad have explored realignment proposals. Both the City of Michigan City and the NICTD have gone on record that continued embedded street operation is not in the long term interest of either the City or commuter service. Furthermore, the LaPorte County Land Development Plan identifies the South Shore realignment and future station location as one of its top four infrastructure issues.

Over the past 5 years NICTD has been working with the City of Michigan City exploring realignment options that make the most sense. We have examined the CSX route to the

th th

south, and several options within the 10and 11St. corridor. We have also been asked by the City to look more closely at an alignment that would involve merging with Amtrak to the north

FY 2011 Work Elements/Methodology:

 Establishment of a study team of stakeholders to guide the process of determining possible alternatives to study and the criteria to be studied

 Preparation of a Request for Proposals to solicit a third party contractor for objective analysis of the alternatives

 Determination of a locally preferred alternative (LPA), through analysis of the transportation, environmental, community and economic impacts of each feasible alternative

 Submittal of the LPA in a project package to FTA and other possible funding agencies for the purposes of engineering and construction.

FY 2011 End Products/Future Directions:

 An Alternatives Analysis Report including specification of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) along with supporting documentation.

 Preparation of an implementation and a corresponding financial plan. The consultant will also prepare public information to help the stakeholders “Make the Case” to state and federal funding agencies.

 Identification of the next steps including engineering and construction

Budget: Source: Total Federal Local DOT/TIGER II $ 1,121,500 $ 800,000 $321,500

Program Subcategory: South Shore Rider Survey

Objective:

The purpose of this study is for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) to conduct a comprehensive study of a number of factors that affect ridership, and ultimately revenues, on the South Shore Line commuter rail service. The main component of this study shall be a comprehensive survey of South Shore riders.

Past Work/Basis:

Historically, NICTD has conducted, at regular intervals, an on-off count and ridership survey as mandated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The last such work was completed about 2004, which was too long ago to reflect the demographic trends and the changes in the makeup of NICTD’s ridership in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The next on-off count of riders shall be undertaken in May 2011, and the ridership survey must be completed soon after in order to properly align with the results of the on-off count.

In order to complete this survey on time, the proper grant application and obligation, consultant selection and final contract signing must be completed by summer 2011. Until 2008, the South Shore had been experiencing increases in ridership at all times of the day and week; these increases have now been reversed, although in recent months ridership has stabilized. Thus, NICTD must monitor this situation to anticipate the need for additional services as well as to explore ways of encouraging additional ridership.

FY '11 Work Elements/Methodology:

  • Survey current riders, emphasizing socio-economic characteristics, income, trip purpose, city and station of origin, modal access to the train station, destination station, and other information that would help NICTD to better understand its market.

  • Compile findings into both a statistical memorandum and a narrative report.

FY '11 End Products/Future Directions:

  • A Technical Memorandum, reporting the results of the rider survey, for submittal to the Federal Transit Administration and interested local public agencies/private employers.

  • A Narrative Report, containing an analysis of the data, descriptions of the methodology used to estimate potential ridership, and discussions of possible service changes needed to serve such potential riders.

The end products of this project will aid NICTD in the development of recommended changes in service designed to increase ridership and net passenger revenue.

Budget (Federal FY 2011):

Source: Total Federal Local FTA/5307 $ 75,000 $60,000 $15,000

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RESOLUTION 11-12

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTING AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO THE UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

June 23, 2011

WHEREAS, the preparation of a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a necessary and required part of the metropolitan area transportation planning process as specified in 23 CFR 450.314; and

WHEREAS, the work tasks described within the FY 2011-2012 UPWP constitute the agency’s work program for the Northwest Indiana region in conjunction with the programs of the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and planning projects by other agencies, keeping this three-county metropolitan planning area compliant with federal planning requirements; and

WHEREAS, this program has been prepared for planning (PL), and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds through the Federal Highway Administration, Section 5303 technical study funds through the Federal Transit Administration, Sections 5307 and 5323 and planning funds through the Federal Transit Administration, private foundation, and NIRPC’s locally derived funds;

WHEREAS, the work elements contained in the program respond to the transportation and air quality planning needs of Northwest Indiana and are in keeping with federal requirements found in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act -A Legacy for Users and their regulations;

WHEREAS, all regional transportation and other significant planning projects in the three-county region should be included in the UPWP;

WHEREAS, the FHWA-IN is requiring all MPOs to update the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to include the 2012 planning emphasis areas (PEAs); and

WHEREAS, the planning emphasis areas for 2012 are: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Compliance, the Status of Quarterly Project Tracking Report, and the Planning and Environmental Linkages-FHWA Every Day Counts Innovative Initiative; and

WHEREAS, the ADA Transition Plan activities will include two workshops that will be hosted by FHWA to help MPO’s members to outline strategies to implement Transition Plan development. The goal of these workshops is to have an interim Transition Plan adopted by the local government’s policy boards by the end of Calendar Year 2011; and

WHEREAS, this will enable FHWA to address concerns with local governments over funding transportation projects without them having any transition plans; and

WHEREAS, the Quarterly Project Tracking Report activities require NIRPC to document the method for tracking projects quarterly including managing changes with INDOT or others to ensure project schedules are kept consistent and up to date, and

WHEREAS, the Planning & Environmental Linkages activities require NIRPC to program a work element in the UPWP to include this initiative. This work element will help NIRPC to consider environmental issues early in the transportation planning process and use information and analysis conducted in planning in the NEPA process.

WHEREAS, NIRPC prepared and updated the related work elements to amend the UPWP for FY 2012 without any changes to the budget;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission adopts an amendment to the fiscal Year 2011-2012 Unified Planning Work Program to update the 2012 portion of the program.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on the twenty third day of June, 2011.

Tom McDermott, Chairman

ATTEST:

Ken Layton, Secretary

Transportation Improvement Program and Monitoring (TIP) Job #2007 (FY2011) 2277 (FY2012)

Objective:

The purpose of this task is to provide the forum for making transportation investment decisions through a coordinated, participatory process, implementing the Regional Transportation Plan through development or update of a Transportation Improvement Program. Another objective is to monitor transportation projects and available funding so that Northwest Indiana maximizes its opportunities to implement the Plan.

Past Work/Basis:

The current TIP (2009-2013) is scheduled to be replaced by the FY 2011-2015 TIP in July 2010. This task will permit us to maintain the current TIP (via amendment and modification) as-needed, until the new TIP is approved for use by FTA and FHWA. All projects in the TIP are consistent with the Connections 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. The Connections 2030 Plan established policies which the TIP implements.

It has been a longstanding practice at NIRPC to develop a new TIP at the same time that INDOT was developing a new STIP. INDOT has deviated from this schedule in recent years but has indicated that it will return to an annual STIP update cycle in 2011. NIRPC typically conducts a solicitation for projects and develops a new TIP in even-numbered year (e.g., 2008, 2010, 2012, etc.).

NIRPC’s TIP staff assists INDOT in updating their highway projects through the TIP development and amendment process. INDOT has moved toward a greater level of accuracy with regard to the movement of state-funded projects toward letting. Additionally, they implemented a new process in 2009 governing the implementation of LPA federal aid projects. NIRPC needs to catch up by developing a formal reporting and oversight program that monitors the status of each of its locally-funded projects (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP). A committee will be convened in 2010 to develop this local oversight process.

A significant amount of technical assistance is provided to highway project sponsors in

moving their projects toward implementation. NIRPC’s TIP staff assists project implementers by troubleshooting projects that have gotten “stuck” somewhere in the

pipeline, by lining up federal funds ahead of the lettings, and making post-letting funding changes (if needed) that will ensure full utilization of allocated funds. Financial constraint, within the TIP and federal authorizing legislation, is maintained at all times. For years 2010 and beyond, FHWA and INDOT have prioritized improvements to project oversight and financial management systems, as well as a restructuring of the STIP development and state tracking process.

Work Elements/Methodology:

TIP Development and Maintenance

Prepare and maintain the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the three-county area. Maintain project selection systems for all MPO-controlled funds and provide an opportunity for their modification prior to each TIP Update. Conduct solicitations for new projects as a part of the TIP Update process. Select projects in consultation with the State and transit operators and in conformance with the SIP and Conformity Consultation Protocol. Conduct the programming/amendment process in an open, participatory manner, consistent with the FHWA/FTA Planning Regulation and NIRPC’s own Public Involvement Process. Coordinate the timing of TIP updates with INDOT preparation of the INSTIP. Prepare a TIP that complies with current federal requirements.

FY 2011

1) Complete the FFY 2011-2015 TIP update (adoption scheduled for July 2010), coordinated with the INDOT STIP process, and working with stakeholders to implement the Connections 2030 Plan.

2) Conduct a solicitation for CMAQ projects in both air quality non-attainment areas. Assist sponsors in calculating their emissions reductions. Prepare/submit applications for FHWA eligibility determination. Program CMAQ-eligible projects in the TIP.

3) Prepare and process TIP amendments, as requested or needed, for submission to the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG). Consult with NIRPC’s transportation modeler prior to submission to ensure consistency with the Air Quality Conformity Determination. Present amendments to the Policy Committee and NIRPC Board. Adjust the TIP project list following each amendment, post it on the NIRPC web-site, and transmit it to both INDOT headquarters and LaPorte District office.

4) Organize a group of stakeholders to assess the oversight needs (project management and financial management) of FHWA-funded projects, develop and secure Commission approval of a written oversight program (including transition procedures), and conduct a test of the program. Conduct an initial assessment of the program and make changes where needed.

5) Maintain financial records on an ongoing basis that document funding changes by project and demonstrate overall and fund-level fiscal constraint. Update closeout plans for MPO-controlled SAFETEA-LU funds.

FY 2012

1) Coordinate and undertake a review of the transportation component(s) of the new 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP) to ensure that the applicable portions of the CRP are appropriately reflected in the several project selection systems. Coordinate an update of all project selection systems and conduct project solicitations under each of the various federal funding categories.

2) Prepare the FFY 2013-2017 TIP update in a manner that is coordinated with the INDOT STIP process, Air Quality Conformity Protocol, and Federal District Court Consent Decree.

3) Prepare and process TIP amendments, as requested or needed, for submission to the

Interagency Consultation Group (ICG). Consult with NIRPC’s transportation

modeler prior to submission to ensure consistency with the Air Quality Conformity Determination. Present amendments to the Policy Committee and NIRPC Board. Adjust the TIP project list following each amendment, post it on the NIRPC web-site, and transmit it to both INDOT headquarters and LaPorte District office.

Project Development and Monitoring

For FHWA-Funded Projects: Develop and implement a formal reporting and oversight program for each of its FHWA-funded programs (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP). Establish an ad hoc committee to identify INDOT and FHWA funding program requirements, funding, develop periodic project reporting and review procedures (pre-letting and post-letting) including a Board reporting mechanism, and financial tracking and fund transfer procedures. Involve INDOT, FHWA, project sponsors, engineers, and other interested persons in this process. Present the recommended process to management, the NIRPC Transportation Policy Committee, and Board for approval or changes. Implement the procedures on a trial basis during the final quarter of Program Year 2011.

Monitor the implementation of projects, generally, by tracking lettings of FHWA-funded construction projects and the obligation of both FHWA and FTA funds. Ensure that all funds allocated to the three-county area are obligated and do not lapse. Work with the NE Illinois RTA in the division of FTA formula funds allocated to the Chicago Urbanized Area. Maintain a local highway project progress reporting system that is in sync with INDOT’s enhanced project tracking system. Maintain good communication with INDOT’s LaPorte

District office to ensure that problems associated with project implementation are swiftly resolved. Better inform the public of upcoming and already implemented projects. Provide technical assistance to project sponsors, regardless of mode.

1) Implement a formal reporting and oversight program for each of its FHWA-funded programs (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP) on a trial basis during the final quarter of Program Year 2011. Monitor the utilization of MPO-controlled funds by updating fund balances following each applicable change in the TIP. Provide periodic reports on fund utilization to the Policy Committee.

2) Following publication of FTA’s annual apportionment notice, verify Northwest Indiana’s share of the annual FTA Section 5307, 5316, and 5317 apportionments to

the Chicago Urbanized Area. Prepare the annual attachments to the NIRPC/RTA Letters of Understanding for these three funding programs. Meet with transit operators to discuss adjustments to already-programmed funds affected by the notice and, via amendment, adjust the TIP accordingly. Communicate with transit operators in the Michigan City Urbanized Area to sub-allocate the funds between

the two public operators there.
3) Develop and implement SAFETEA-LU closeout plans which show how all SAFETEA-LU apportioned FHWA STP Group I, Group II, HSIP, Local Earmark, and CMAQ funds will be utilized. Coordinate with the INDOT Finance Department to ensure that all apportioned funds are obligated.
4) Continue to meet with the INDOT LaPorte District office staff on an ongoing basis as a means of sharing project-level information, informing each other of new policies and procedures, and to discuss other topics of interest and relevance.
5) Enhance public awareness of upcoming highway construction projects with more visual information displays in the TIP and on NIRPC’s web-site.
6) Provide assistance, upon request or as needed, to project implementers, regardless of mode. Assist in the identification of new projects, or in the resolution of problems with existing projects.
1) Make final changes, if needed, to the reporting and oversight program for each of the FHWA funding programs (STP Groups I and II, CMAQ, and HSIP). Implement the modified program during the first half of Program Year 2012.
2) Monitor the utilization of MPO-controlled funds by updating fund following each applicable change in the TIP. Provide periodic reports utilization to the Policy Committee. balances on fund
3) Following publication of FTA’s annual apportionment notice, verify Northwest Indiana’s share of the annual FTA Section 5307, 5316, and 5317 apportionments to the Chicago Urbanized Area. Prepare the annual attachments to the NIRPC/RTA Letters of Understanding for these three funding programs. Meet with transit operators to discuss adjustments to already-programmed funds affected by the notice and, via amendment, adjust the TIP accordingly. Communicate with transit operators in the Michigan City Urbanized Area to sub-allocate the funds between the two public operators there.
4) Prepare either new Letters of Understanding with the northeast Illinois RTA (Section 5307, 5316, 5317, and Rail Modernization) or extend the existing Letters.
5) Monitor project progress for FHWA STP Group I, Group II, HSIP, Local Earmark, and CMAQ-funded projects. Provide INDOT with updated information on an ongoing basis.
6) Continue to meet with the INDOT LaPorte District office staff on an ongoing basis as a means of sharing project-level information, informing each other of new policies and procedures, and to discuss other topics of interest and relevance.
7) Enhance public awareness of upcoming highway construction projects with more

visual information displays in the TIP and on NIRPC’s web-site.

8) Provide assistance, upon request or as needed, to project implementers, regardless of

mode. Assist in the identification of new projects, or in the resolution of problems

with existing projects. End Products:

TIP & TIP Maintenance—2011

1) Updated 2011-2015 TIP.

2) Updated project database (Ongoing).

3) Updated project selection system documents (including selection criteria),

applications for assistance, and eligibility determination requests and responses. 4) TIP Amendments processed, documented and distributed. 5) Committee/stakeholder meeting materials. TIP & TIP Maintenance—2012 6) Draft 2013-2017 TIP update. 7) Updated project database (Ongoing). 8) Updated project selection system documents (including selection criteria),

applications for assistance, and eligibility determination requests and responses. 9) TIP Amendments processed, documented and distributed. 10) Committee/stakeholder meeting materials. Development & Monitoring: 2011 11) Written Oversight Program document, results of trial implementation, and

proposed program modifications. 12) Financial Status Reports (two to four per year). Reports detailing the list and

status of projects and funding for STP I, STP II, HSIP, and CMAQ. 13) FFY 2012 Annual Attachments to Letters of Understanding with NE Illinois RTA. 14) SAFETEA-LU closeout plan for STP Group I, Group II, HSIP, Lake-Porter

County CMAQ, and LaPorte County CMAQ. 15) Project technical assistance file.

16) Transit fund generation statistical reports for FTA Section 5307 and 5340.

Development & Monitoring: 2012

17) Revised Oversight Program document and full set of review reports for the full year.

18) Financial Status Reports (two to four per year). Reports detailing the list and status of projects and funding for STP I, STP II, HSIP, and CMAQ.

19) New Letters of Understanding with NE Illinois RTA or Extensions of the 20062010 Letters.

20) Project technical assistance file.

21) Transit fund generation statistical reports for FTA Section 5307 and 5340.

Use of FY 2011-2012 End Products/Future Direction:

These products consist of the basic process documents used in allocating federal surface transportation funds, maintaining a (current) fiscally constrained list of projects, oversight of the process through which local highway projects are advanced toward letting, and the post-letting oversight of projects. These products and tasks will also increase public awareness of the status of projects through regular reports. A cooperative process with INDOT will facilitate both better communication with the MPO but also ensure a more accurate depiction of state projects in the TIP. It will keep the TIP in compliance with both the FHWA/FTA Joint Planning Regulation and the federal authorizing legislation.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staff for this project is Gary Evers and Belinda Petroskey. In the conduct of this program subcategory, it is anticipated that they will contribute to the objectives and work tasks of program subcategory Framework and coordinate with the work in Transportation System Management, Transit Planning Coordination, and Non-motorized Transportation.

A portion of the NIRPC Vision and Strategic Directions for 2005-2008 is implemented by this task.

Vision 5: “NIRPC undertakes bold planning initiatives, in a comprehensive planning framework, that positively impact the region.”

Strategy 3: “Develop an effective multimodal transportation network.”

Strategy 5: “Advance implementation of new regional public mass transportation.” This program subcategory helps to implement those strategies.

Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:

 Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;  Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;

 Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

 Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;  Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.

Budget information for this program subcategory is found in Section II, Program and Budget Summary.

Environmental Mitigation Job # 2013 (FY2011) 2283 (FY2012)

Objective: One of the objectives of 2005 SAFETEA-LU was that transportation should play a significant role in promoting economic growth, improving the environment, and sustaining the quality of life. To that end, metropolitan planning organizations are required to include environmental mitigation in their long-range transportation plans.

The objective of this activity will be to establish a collaborative consultation process as well as collect and analyze information needed to discuss the potential environmental mitigation activities, identify priorities areas and activities with the greatest potential to restore and maintain environmental functions.

Past Work/Basis: 1) 2002: Advanced Identification of Wetlands Project 2) 2005: Watershed Management Framework Plan for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte

Counties 3) 2007: Northwest Indiana Regional Greenways & Blueways Plan

FY 2011-2012 Work Elements/Methodology and End Products:

1) Collect data on potential environmental impacts and mitigation activities from transportation activities. Priority environmental impacts to include at a minimum are:

a.
include water quality and stormwater impacts
b.
wildlife mortality
c.
habitat connectivity

2) Convene a Consultation group consisting of Federal, State, and Local land management and regulatory agencies and stakeholder groups to review results and technical reports.

3) Develop and present materials to NIRPC committees and stakeholder groups.

4) Develop an environmental mitigation element for inclusion in the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan.

a. Map areas that have the greatest potential to restore and maintain the environmental functions affected by the plan.

5) Identify strategies, policies and projects for implementation.

6) Develop Transportation Enhancement criteria specific to funding Environmental Mitigation projects

7) Develop a framework for future Environmental Mitigation Planning Activities.

8) Historical, Cultural, Sensitive Lands Inventory and Mapping Project: ($62,500 STP Group 1 funding $50,000 Federal and $12,500 local match.) NIRPC will partner with the Lake Michigan Coastal Program in a joint contract to produce GIS maps of Historical and Culturally Significant features in the 3 county region to provide a solid GIS database of Section 4(f) lands from identified in 49 USC § 303 and 23 USC § 138.

9) Every Day Counts Planning and Environmental Linkages: Staff will review FHWA

“Guidance on Using Corridor and Subarea Planning to Inform NEPA”, consult with

transportation, environmental, and natural resource agencies and identify opportunities to incorporate recommendations from this Guidance in to our project planning requirements.

FY 2011 End Products

1) Environmental Mitigation element in 2040 Long Range Plan 2) List of transportation project types likely to result in environmental impacts

requiring mitigation. 3) List of potential Environmental Mitigation Activities 4) Consultation Process

FY 2012 End Products 1) GIS Map layers of priority environmental mitigation areas with greatest

potential to restore and maintain environmental functions 2) Environmental Mitigation future planning and implementation strategy 3) Transportation Enhancement Criteria and process for funding environmental

mitigation projects. 4) GIS Map Layers of cultural and historical lands and assets in the NIRPC jurisdictional area. 5) PEL-Every Day Counts Plan – NEPA workshop

Staffing and Program Linkages:

  1. Joe Exl, Senior Water Resources Planner

  2. Planning factors from SAFETEA-LU that are addressed by this task are:  Environmental Stewardship  Environmental Streamlining

Americans with Disabilities Act (Transition Plan Compliance) Job # 2009 (FY2011) 2279 (FY2012)

Objective:

The purpose of this project is to make certain Local Public Agencies (LPA) in northwest Indiana comply with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA) requirements. When considering federal funding for local projects, the MPO needs to be able to tell FHWA that the local public entity, also known as the local public agency (LPA) (the project sponsor) has an adopted ADA Transition Plan and is in compliance with the ADA requirements.

Background:

Assisting the federal government to ensure ADA compliance by LPAs is one of the FHWA-IN’s current Planning Emphasis Areas for Indiana’s MPOs. FHWA-IN is requiring all MPOs to work with their LPAs to fulfill ADA requirements. Compliance means that the LPA has an approved ADA Transition Plan. If such a plan is not in place with the project sponsor LPA, then FHWA may not be able to authorize the project for development or construction. NIRPC will provide technical assistance, if necessary.

Work Elements and Products:

 NIRPC will offer technical assistance to those LPAs that need assistance in completing the interim Transition Plan by the end of CY2011.

 NIRPC will communicate the ADA Training module and an overview of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) ADA Transition Plan Report (2009) after the workshops are conducted by FHWA.

 NIRPC will offer assistance during the 2012 calendar year to those LPAs on refining their interim transition plans by December 2012.

 NIRPC will hire a consultant to hold a workshop on the new ADA Regulation changes for Title III. This workshop may be in the form of a half day workshop or some other effective format.

Revised August 23, 2011

UPWP 2012-2015 Valparaiso V-Line Public Transit Route Study

Objective:

Conduct a Route Study for services now operated by the City of Valparaiso, V-Line Local Service. This project will involve the procurement of professional services.

Past Work/Basis:

The City of Valparaiso, Indiana has been implementing and contracting for a public transportation system since 2007. The City provides a fixed route system, V-Line. This system consists of 5 bus routes, operated by Ride Right. V-Line serves the Valparaiso University campus, popular destinations throughout the City, and a route to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District railroad station in Chesterton (Dune Park Station).

The City also provides deviated fixed route service in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to all areas served by its fixed routes.

Although the V-Line has made minor adjustments to its routes since 2007, the Transit agency has not analyzed its service as a whole. Changes are needed to effectively and economically serve existing riders and attract more riders.

FY2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

This project involves conducting a Route Study of the V-Line Public Transit using interviews, public meetings, passenger surveys, transit demand estimation, route studies and realignments of existing routes and new routes or route segments, route maps, and cost analysis and Five-Year Financial Plan.

FY2012 End Products:

  1. Request for Proposals and Contract

  2. Summary of interviews with persons and organizations interested in transit.

  3. Summaries of public meetings with people interested in public transit.

  4. Analysis of passenger surveys and transit demand estimation.

  5. Recommendations of changes in existing routes and new routes.

  6. Preparation of map of each route and one complete system map.

  7. Cost analysis and Five-Year Financial Plan

Funding Sources: 2012:

Federal FTA (5307): $80,000 Other Agency: City of Valparaiso: $20,000 UPWP 2012-2015

Valparaiso Transit Service Marketing

Objective:

Implement a marketing plan for two bus services now operated by the City of Valparaiso: V-Line Local Service and ChicaGo Dash (Commuter Bus Service). This project will involve the procurement of professional services.

Past Work/Basis:

The City of Valparaiso started a new local bus service in 2007 (V-Line) and a commuter bus service (ChicaGo Dash) in 2008. In 2008, the City requested (and was allocated) Section 5307 funds for the development of a marketing plan and the implementation of early marketing efforts for both services. The investment has resulted in a 20%-30% increase in ridership on the local service and 40%-45% on the commuter service. In 2010, the City was allocated additional Section 5307 funds for implementation of the marketing strategy, which has resulted in an increase of 32% on the local service and 32% on the commuter service. The City desires to continue to market and otherwise publicize the commuter bus service toward the end of making it self-sufficient by the end of 2012.

FY2012 Work Elements/Methodology:

This project involves development of general purpose and targeted marketing campaigns, public relations campaigns, graphic design work, video and radio production, special events marketing, website design and maintenance, photography, customer contact, and periodic surveys to measure the effectiveness of the marketing strategies employed.

FY2012 End Products:

  1. Request for Proposals and Contract

  2. Summaries of meetings held with the marketing firm selected.

  3. Updated electronic transit user materials, including rider guide/map, individual route maps, in both English and accessible formats.

  4. Campaign-specific marketing materials, using tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and other customer contact interfaces.

  5. Updated website with improved search engine optimization customer feedback mechanism.

  6. Media-Ready video and other marketing materials.

  7. Written assessment of each campaign undertaken.

Program Subcategory: Regional Bus Authority Planning

Regional Service Planning and Development

Objective:

Provide for service evaluation, implementation planning and development of rider information material for regional service improvements including new routes and expansion of demand response services. Proactively respond to high interest and demand for quality public transportation with quality solutions for regional and local markets.

Past Work/Basis:

In 2007, the RBA adopted a Strategic and Operations plan that addresses how best to improve public transportation to serve its markets. Subsequently, RBA was awarded a grant by the Regional Development Authority to enact a program of specific programs

including improved regional routes, express services to Chicago, improved demand
response services and regional marketing and administration. Some of the
recommendations are currently being implemented.

FY 2012 Work Elements:

1) Evaluate performance and trends in existing and newly implemented transit services.

2) Prepare market research to identify and evaluate markets and best means to maximize transit use in each market.

3) Consider modification of service options in markets not performing to

expectations.

4) Design services, estimate costs, prepare implementation proposals.

5) Arrange for service provision though service agreements with existing and new

providers.

6) Prepare marketing and implement.

7) Implement, evaluate, and modify services.

FY 2012 End Products:

1) Service performance evaluations

2) Recommendations for changes/improvements

3) Marketing material for new/revised services to inform the riders of the changes

4) Implementation schedule for new/revised services

5) New service agreements with existing and/or new providers.

Use of FY 2012 End Products/Future Direction:

The products of the planning program will provide the RBA with factual, current information on which to base future service design decisions.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

Staff assigned for this task is the RBA Director of Operations Ken Dallmeyer. The work activities will be conducted in coordination and cooperation with the MPO.

Budget (Federal FY 2011):

Source: Total Federal Local FTA/5307 $100,000 $80,000 $20,000

Regional Transit Services Map and Information Materials

Objective:

Create maps and information materials of all public transit services in and near the service area of the Regional Bus Authority (RBA) in Lake and Porter Counties, Indiana. These resources will be utilized by the RBA Customer Information Center and through the website to provide up to date information on service options available and how to access and use them. In addition, high quality maps and handouts will be produced and widely distributed to the public.

Past Work/Basis:

In 2007, the RBA adopted a Strategic and Operations plan that addresses how best to improve public transportation to serve its markets. Subsequently, RBA was awarded a grant by the Regional Development Authority to enact a program of specific programs including improved regional routes, express services to Chicago, improved demand response services and regional marketing and administration.

FY 2009-2010 Work Elements:

8) Create map elements that accurately depict all local and regional route and demand response and para-transit services in the region.

9) Create a database of service provided by route and/or provider of necessary customer information including days and hours of service, fares operating rules and timetables.

10) Create a set of maps and informational handouts for distribution to the public.

11) Create a customer friendly and ADA compatible website of regional public services.

12) Provide training for customer information staff and persons who assist potential transit users such a librarians, counselors, public information officers.

13) Design with capacity to easily update for service changes.

FY 2009-2010 End Products:

First Year: 1) Maps and materials for Customer Information Center use 2) Paper Maps and Handouts for distribution 3) Interactive Website.

4) Training on use of materials for those who may assist potential transit users. Second Year:

1) – 4) continue from First Year. Use of FY 2009-2010 End Products/Future Direction: Provide Information to potential users to encourage increased use of transit and to

improve image in Northwest Indiana Staffing and Program Linkages: The assigned staff for this project is RBA Executive Director. Budget:

Total Cost $50,000
Federal 40,000
Regional Bus Authority 10,000

Service Planning and Development

Objective:

Provide implementation planning and start-up marketing for regional service improvements including new route and expansion of demand response services. Proactively respond to high interest and demand for quality public transportation with quality solutions for regional and local markets. Past Work/Basis:

In 2007, the RBA adopted a Strategic and Operations plan that addresses how best to improve public transportation to serve its markets. Subsequently, RBA was awarded a grant by the Regional Development Authority to enact a program of specific programs including improved regional routes, express services to Chicago, improved demand response services and regional marketing and administration. Some of the recommendations are currently being implemented.

FY 2009-2010 Work Elements:

14) Evaluate performance and trends existing and newly implemented transit services. 15) Prepare market research to identify and evaluate markets and best means to maximize transit use in each market. 16) Consider modification of service options in markets not performing to expectations.

17) Design services, estimate costs, prepare implementation proposals

18) Arrange for service provision though service agreements with existing and new providers

19) Prepare marketing and implement.

20) Implement evaluate and modify services

FY 2009-2010 End Products:

First Year:

1) Service and Marketing Proposals for identified routes and services for implementation

2) Service procurements completed

Second Year: 6) New services initiated. 7) First evaluations completed.

Use of FY 2009-2010 End Products/Future Direction:

A regular service evaluation process is in place for a process of continuous upgrading of service quality and effectiveness.

Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staff for this project is RBA Executive Director. Consultant assistance is anticipated.

Budget:

Total Cost $200,000
Federal 160,000
Regional Bus Authority 40,000

Regional Transit Services Map and Information Materials

Objective:

Create maps and information materials of all public transit services in and near the service area of the Regional Bus Authority (RBA) in Lake and Porter Counties, Indiana. These resources will be utilized by the RBA Customer Information Center and through the website to provide up to date information on service options available and how to access and use them. In addition, high quality maps and handouts will be produced and widely distributed to the public.

Past Work/Basis:

In 2007, the RBA adopted a Strategic and Operations plan that addresses how best to improve public transportation to serve its markets. Subsequently, RBA was awarded a grant by the Regional Development Authority to enact a program of specific programs including improved regional routes, express services to Chicago, improved demand response services and regional marketing and administration.

FY 2009-2010 Work Elements:

21) Create map elements that accurately depict all local and regional route and demand response and para-transit services in the region.

22) Create a database of service provided by route and/or provider of necessary customer information including days and hours of service, fares operating rules and timetables.

23) Create a set of maps and informational handouts for distribution to the public.

24) Create a customer friendly and ADA compatible website of regional public services.

25) Provide training for customer information staff and persons who assist potential transit users such a librarians, counselors, public information officers.

26) Design with capacity to easily update for service changes.

FY 2009-2010 End Products:

First Year: 5) Maps and materials for Customer Information Center use 6) Paper Maps and Handouts for distribution 7) Interactive Website. 8) Training on use of materials for those who may assist potential transit users.

Second Year: 1) – 4) continue from First Year.

Use of FY 2009-2010 End Products/Future Direction:

Provide Information to potential users to encourage increased use of transit and to improve image in Northwest Indiana Staffing and Program Linkages:

The assigned staff for this project is RBA Executive Director. Budget:

Total Cost $50,000
Federal 40,000
Regional Bus Authority 10,000

Program Subcategory: Regional Bus Authority Rider Survey

Objective:

The purpose of this study is for the Regional Bus Authority (RBA) to conduct a survey of riders of the RBA’s commuter, fixed route and complementary paratransit services. This will be the first complete passenger survey conducted by the RBA since they began operating in north Lake County in 2010.

Past Work/Basis:

The last ridership survey was done in the Hammond service area in 2007 and was conducted by the City as the former operator of public transit. The RBA became the provider for Hammond in January, 2010. In August of 2010 the RBA expanded service to include more coverage of north Lake County and more destinations outside of the City of Hammond.

In 2007, the RBA adopted a Strategic and Operations plan that addressed how best to improve public transportation to serve its markets. Subsequently, the RBA was awarded a grant by the Regional Development Authority to enact a program of specific projects, including improved regional routes, express services to Chicago, improved demand response services and regional marketing and administration. As funding became available, these recommendations were implemented. To gauge the effectiveness of the service and identify areas needing improvement the RBA will undertake a rider survey during the summer of 2011.

FY '12 Work Elements/Methodology:

  • Survey current riders, emphasizing socio-economic characteristics, income, trip purpose, origin and destination stops, and other information that would help the RBA to better understand its market.

  • Compile findings into both a statistical memorandum and a narrative report.

  • Develop program of activities to address issues identified as a result of the survey.

The survey will be conducted using material developed by the RBA staff and with the assistance of an intern. Analysis of results and preparation of the final report will be conducted by RBA staff.

FY '12 End Products/Future Directions:

  • A Technical Memorandum, reporting the results of the rider survey, for submittal to the Federal Transit Administration and interested local public agencies/private employers.

  • A Narrative Report, containing an analysis of the data, descriptions of the methodology used to survey the ridership, and discussions of possible service changes needed as a result of issues identified in the survey.

The end products of this project will aid the RBA in the development of recommended changes in service and/or policies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the fixed route, complementary paratransit, and commuter bus services.

Staffing and Program Linkages

The rider survey and analysis will be conducted by RBA staff with the assistance of an intern. The work will be conducted in cooperation and coordination with the MPO.

Budget (Federal FY 2011):

Source: Total Federal Local FTA/5307 $100,000 $80,000 $20,000

FY 2011 UPWP SUMMARY LIST OF PROJECTS AND BUDGETS
PROGRAM CATEGORY 11 TOTAL BUDGET PL / 5303 SHARE FTA 5307 SHARE CMAQ SHARE PENDING/ OTHER NIRPC SHARE NOTES
Planning Administration 334,563$ 267,650$ 66,913$ Staff Charges + department exp. $45,692
2000 - Planning Mangement 214,026$ 171,221$ 42,805$
2001 - Committee Support 120,537$ 96,430$ 24,107$
Data Management & Analysis 263,619$ 210,895$ 52,724$ Staff charges+ $2,500 travel time equipment
2002-Transportation Data Collection 110,487$ 88,390$ 22,097$
2003- Demographics Analysis & Forecasting 50,569$ 40,456$ 10,114$
2004- GIS Support Services 68,849$ 55,079$ 13,770$
2005- Planning Data Collection 33,713$ 26,970$ 6,743$
Short Range Planning 223,449$ 178,759$ 44,690$ Staff Charges+ $5,000 contract for ADA workshop
2006- Unified Planning Work Program 41,219$ 32,975$ 8,244$
2007- Transportation Improvement Program 156,812$ 125,449$ 31,362$
2008- Safe Route to School Program 7,078$ 5,663$ 1,416$
2009- ADA Transition Plan 18,340$ 14,672$ 3,668$
Long Range Planning 927,967$ 742,374$ 185,593$ Staff Charges+ $110,608 for Regional Assembly and final report production
2010- CRP/ TRP 473,844$ 379,075$ 94,769$
2011- Regional Land Use Planning 87,894$ 70,315$ 17,579$
2012- Congestion Management Planning 70,273$ 56,218$ 14,055$
2013- Environmental Mitigation Planning 26,979$ 21,583$ 5,396$
2014- Non-Motorized Planning 116,875$ 93,500$ 23,375$
2015- Safety & Security Planning 12,265$ 9,812$ 2,453$
2016- Economic Development Planning 9,011$ 7,208$ 1,802$
2017- Freight Planning 22,284$ 17,827$ 4,457$
2018- Travel Demand Forecast Modeling 70,610$ 56,488$ 14,122$
2019- Corridor Planning 22,410$ 17,928$ 4,482$
2020- Air Quality Conformity 15,523$ 12,418$ 3,105$
Outreach and Public Involvement 175,478$ 140,382$ 35,096$ Staff chg.+ $22,000 contractual for the CRP final printing
2021- Public Meeting & Communication Tools 115,431$ 92,345$ 23,086$
2022- Web Site Update 17,212$ 13,770$ 3,442$
2023- Environmental Justice 42,835$ 34,268$ 8,567$
Total PL Funding 1,925,076$ 1,540,061$ ---385,015$
Transit 410,326$ 328,261$ 82,065$
Transit Planning 100,000$ 80,000$ 20,000$ 62,065$
Transit Adminstration & ADA Review 310,326$ 248,261$
Total Transit (FTA) Funding 410,326$ -328,261$ --82,065$
NIRPC Programs Air Quality Education/ Outreach Diesel Engine Retrofit Bike Map MS4 Stormwater Management Greenways & Blueways Implementation Program Local Government Assistance Vehicles Oversite Program Small Cities & Towns Water Planning Program Staff Chag.+$252,630 for all programs total communication except G&B and LGA+ $40,500 for total contractual for MS4 & AQE + $80,000 for promotional for MS4 & AQE
382,000$ 382,000$
222,500$ 222,500$ 25,000$
25,000$
150,000$ 150,000$
23,000$ 23,000$
-$ -$
50,000$ 50,000$
-$ -$
75,330$ 75,330$
Total NIRPC Programs Funding 927,830$ --629,500$ 298,330$ -
NIRPC Administration ------
General Management Staff & Adminstration Support Indirect
-$ ---$ -$ -
Total NIRPC Budget 3,263,233$ 1,540,061$ 328,261$ 629,500 298,330 467,081$

AMENDMENT 1: FY 2011 UPWP

11 NEW NEW ORIGINAL Amended New 11 CMAQ PENDING NIRPC PROGRAM CATEGORY/SUBCATEGORY STAFFING BUDGET Amount Budget SHARE / OTHER SHARE NOTES

Planning

2509 Diesel Engine Retrofit Contractual -222,500 222,500 222,500 -

2580 Bike Map Contractual -25,000 25,000 25,000 -

UPWP Amendment Totals -247,500 247,500 247,500 -

Amended: 2/10/2011