At the March 2023 meeting, the TPB adopted two resolutions approving work programs for the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board and Commuter Connections. Board members heard a presentation on the Environmental Justice analysis results of the 2022 update of the Visualize 2045 long-range transportation plan. In addition, new COG Executive Director Clark Mercer engaged TPB members in a conversation about COG’s priority areas.

Meeting agenda, materials, and recording

ACTION ITEMS

FY 2024 Unified Planning Work Program

TPB members adopted Resolution R7-2023, which approves carryover FY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) funds for FY 2024 and R8-2023, which approves the FY 2024 UPWP. The TPB had reviewed the details of the UPWP at its February meeting. Two million dollars in carryover funds from FY 2023 will be applied to the FY 2024 UPWP for a budget of approximately $25 million in funding. After board approval, the TPB submits the program for U.S. Department of Transportation approval, with planned fiscal year work beginning on July 1.

City of Falls Church Council Member David Snyder asked whether a portion of the funding in the UPWP is set aside to support the WMATA budget. Kanti Srikanth, TPB Staff Director, clarified that while the UPWP does not specifically relate to Metro’s budget, the UPWP does anticipate support for regional studies to advance WMATA and local jurisdictional bus network service.

FY 2024 Commuter Connections Work Program

Nicholas Ramfos, Director of Transportation Operations Programs, presented Resolution R9-2023, requesting TPB approval of the FY 2024 Commuter Connections work program. Commuter Connections is an integral part of the TPB’s congestion management process for the region and supports the TPB’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. As with the UPWP, the Commuter Connections Work Program will begin on July 1. The only substantive change to the work program after TPB’s initial review was a reexamination of the eligible corridors for the Flextime incentive program. A new bottleneck analysis has been conducted since 2018, the year that the incentive was originally adopted, and the latest results were used to adjust the commuter corridors that apply to the program. More information on the Flextime program is available on page 36 of the work program. The board unanimously approved adoption of the FY 2024 work program.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Environmental Justice Analysis

TPB Transportation Planner Sergio Ritacco provided an overview of how the TPB conducts an Environmental (EJ) analysis of the long-range transportation plan’s impacts on low-income and traditionally disadvantaged racial and ethnic population groups. The EJ analysis process involves identification of Equity Emphasis Areas (EEAs)—U.S. Census tracts with high concentrations of low-income and traditionally disadvantaged racial and ethnic population groups—and use of the TPB’s travel demand model to understand the impacts of transit, highway, and bicycle/pedestrian projects in conjunction with forecasted population growth and jobs. Analysis results indicate positive impacts on accessibility and mobility through decreased auto and transit commute times in EEAs and non-EEAs for jobs and other activities.

The analysis test used by the TPB follows federal requirements and includes 35 measures of impact that focus on access and mobility. These measures are tested to determine whether the projects, programs, and policies included in Visualize 2045 would have an adverse impact borne by the EJ populations at a more severe level or at a greater magnitude than the non-EJ populations. As noted, the results of the EJ analysis show that Visualize 2045 does not have an adverse impact.

City of Rockville Mayor Bridget Newton asked how toll-related projects in the long-range transportation plan are being considered from an equity perspective. City of Takoma Park Councilmember Cindy Dyballa asked, in follow-up to Newton’s comment, if the EJ analysis methodology can be further refined to address toll roads and other factors that have changed in the past four years. In response, Srikanth reported that the TPB has included funding in the FY 2024 UPWP to take a deeper dive into EEAs to better understand the impacts of transit availability, auto ownership, average household income, roadway congestion, and other potential factors specific to individuals who reside in EEAs.     

(COG/TPB)
 

COG Executive Director Clark Mercer Introduction

COG Executive Director Clark Mercer has led the organization since late January 2023. A native of Northern Virginia, Mercer joined COG after serving as Chief of Staff for Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. In comments to the TPB, Mercer encouraged open discussions among the member jurisdictions about the region’s pressing concerns: affordable housing near work and schools, commute options that support the environment, and economic development that bolsters EEAs.

Mercer commented that he is interested in discussing EEAs with economic development officials in the region and whether economic development is being encouraged in these zones. Areas for further engagement include the hybrid nature of work and how the federal government hybrid work policy affects the economy of DC and the surrounding area. Mercer noted that taking additional time to consider projects for the long-range transportation plan and pausing for the time needed for the I-270 Op Lanes project and WMATA budget makes sense to make sure that the TPB is confident with the planning process and the long-range plan update.

Committee and Director’s Report Highlights

TPB Technical Committee, TPB Community Advisory Committee, Steering Committee, and Director’s reports are available on the March TPB meeting page.

Kanti Srikanth reported that among recent Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendment requests is a $312,500 addition from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to implement a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Vanpool Microtransit Pilot Program to be administered by Commuter Connections. The program is designed to serve as on-demand transportation for people who do not have transit service available, particularly those who live in EEAs.

Additional announcements:

Street Smart Spring Campaign               

The TPB’s annual bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign will run April 17 – May 14. The campaign’s kickoff included a news release announcing that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in the metropolitan Washington region increased 37 percent in 2022 compared to the year prior. These fatalities account for more than 36 percent of total traffic deaths. Through Street Smart, agencies in the region are increasing traffic safety law enforcement and ticketing for speeding and failure to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Revisions to Visualize 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan Update

The TPB has begun the process to update the Visualize 2045 long-range transportation plan. As part of Visualize 2050, TPB member jurisdictions are conducting a review and comment period on the 267 projects in the long-range plan. Due to the time necessary to review the plan’s significant projects, the TPB staff is recommending an adjustment to the Visualize 2050 planning schedule which will be shared with the TPB at its April meeting for approval.

NEXT MEETING

The next TPB meeting is scheduled for April 19 at 12:00 P.M. The April board meeting is virtual. A YouTube livestream option is available for all TPB board meetings.