RTP 2040 Selection Background Information Outline

Task Force members were encouraged to review and consider a wide variety of information when selecting projects for the 2040 RTP.  PAG developed this outline to help guide them through the important factors to consider. Click on any of the headings below to see more information in that category.  You can then preview any of the referenced documents by clicking on the underlined words.

1. Public Input Results
   
   Members of the public are the primary beneficiaries of the future network and will be directly impacted by the plan’s implementation.They have shared their concerns, values and project ideas for the 2040 RTP through the ThinkTank sessions and open houses.

   a. ThinkTank sessions

   • 20 ThinkTank sessions were held between December and February
   • Results and comments summarized by PAG staff
   • Location: Task Force binder - ThinkTank Data Analysis:Vision and Goals (tab M), bqAZ (tab O), Quantitative Results (tab W), and Projects and Programs (tab R)

   b. Public Open Houses

   • Four open houses were held in March to collect input and project ideas for 2040 RTP
   • Events were held in central, north, south and eastern Tucson
   • Participants completed comment forms which were compiled into a single document
   • Location: Task Force binder - Tab P - 2009 RTP Open House Comments
   
    

2. Jurisdiction Project Lists for 2040 RTP

   Jurisdiction staff began the process of creating the 2040 RTP draft project list by deleting completed projects or projects that are no longer a jurisdictional priority from the 2030 project list.They also created new projects and updated cost estimates for projects that are still desired.

    

   a. Project database

   • Working with the jurisdictions, PAG developed an online database of projects based on the 2030 RTP project list
   • The database contains projects the Task Force can select from (for all modes)
   • Location: A print-out of all the projects in the database will be distributed for your binder at the May 14 meeting – 2040 RTP Draft Project List 5-14-09

   b. Road projects map (maps online are very large – if you want a hard copy let us know)

   • The road projects have been placed on a large regional map
   • Location: Large map on PAG’s Web site – 2040 Draft Roadway Projects

   c. Transit and Bicycle Project Maps

   • The bicycle/pedestrian and transit projects in the database also have been mapped
   • Location:Large maps on PAG’s Web site – 2040 Draft Bicycle / Pedestrian Projects and 2040 Draft Transit Projects
       

3. Other regional planning efforts

   The following PAG planning efforts look at specific strategies to improve the transportation infrastructure in the region.

   a. High Capacity Transit Plan

   • Plan provides a framework for long-term investments in the region’s transit system
   • Includes options for modern streetcar, light rail, bus rapid transit and commuter rail
   • Location: PowerPoint presentation from April 22 Task Force Study Session

   b. Paratransit Plan

   • The purpose of the plan is to identify the feasibility of consolidating and coordinating services and functions of ADA paratransit service providers within Pima County (Sun Van, Pima County Rural Transit and Coyote Run)
   • Location: PowerPoint presentation from May 14 Task Force Meeting

   c. Regional Bike Plan

   • Addresses urban, suburban, and to some extent rural bicycle elements, including roads and shared-use paths, that the region’s jurisdictions can implement over the next 30 years
   • Contains a specific project list broken into categories that can be included in the 2040 RTP (which are already included in the 2040 RTP draft project list)
   • Location: PowerPoint presentation from April 22 Task Force Study Session

   d. Congestion Management Process

   • Defines and identifies congestion within a region and proposes strategies to reduce or mitigate the impacts of congestion
   • Location: Task force binder – Tab J - Congestion Management Process

   e. Loop Road Study

   • Identifies high-capacity roadways in the PAG region that will meet regional travel needs when the Pima County population is approximately 2.1 million people
   • Includes potential freeway facilities such as western and southern freeway loops and parkway facilities on Houghton, Kolb and River roads
   • Location: Task Force binder - Tab K – Loop Study Executive Summary

   f. Southwest Area Arterial Study(SAAS)

   • Outlines a Major Streets andRoutes Plan, including 190 new centerline miles of existing and new corridors for the study area bounded by I-19, Valencia Road, I-10, SR-83 and the park lands south of Sahuarita Road
   • Location: Task force binder - Tab K – SAAS Executive Summary
       

4. Regional Data Data and maps developed by PAG’s demography, travel modeling and GIS staff.

   a. 2040 RTP Fact sheets: Regional Trends

   • Includes population and employment growth information and projections on the impact of growth on regional travel
   • Location: 2040 RTP folder – Fact Sheet Regional Trends

   b. Traffic congestion maps

   • Maps show traffic volumes throughout the regional network of roads as of 2008 and projected out to 2040 if only the RTA and TIP projects are built
   • Location: Task Force Binder - Tab P - Traffic Congestion Maps

   c. Population growth maps

   • Regional Population and Employment Density map (2008 and 2040)
   • Statewide Population and Employment Centers map (2005 and 2050)
   • Location:Task Force Binder - Tab P

   d. Travel time maps
   Maps show the average travel time in minutes from all parts of the region to major trip generators in the region
   Location: Maps on PAG’s Web site -

   • Downtown and Raytheon
   • University of Arizona and the UA Tech Park
      

5. Environmental Impacts

   Federal regulations state that metropolitan planning organizations such as PAG must address environmental considerations in their planning (see handout given on April 22 – for specific information regarding the federal regulations).The following information may help guide the development of the transportation network improvements that reduce pollution and preserve the natural environment while meeting future mobility needs.

   a. Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan

   • Adopted in 2001 by the Pima County Board of Supervisors
   • Identifies critical plant, animal, cultural, and other natural resources in the region and the broad landscapes that they inhabit, with an eye toward maintaining or improving those ecosystems
   • Location: Task Force Binder - Tab S– Transportation Planning and the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan

   b. Town of Marana Habitat Conservation Plan

   • Guide to implementing conservation actions that will avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate impacts that could occur to specific species as a result of planned urban development, capital improvement projects, and road construction

   • Draft plan was available for public review until May 1, 2009

   • Location: Task Force Binder - Tab S – Marana Habitat Conservation Plan (FAQ)

   c. 2040 RTP Fact Sheet – Transportation and the Environment

   • Explains how transportation system improvements can be sensitive to the environment and the federal and local plans that guide those decisions

   • Location: 2040 RTP folder – Fact Sheet Transportation and the Environment

   d. 2040 RTP Fact Sheet – Air Quality

   • Provides detailed information on the three types of air pollutants that are of concern in Pima County and how they can be reduced
   • Location: 2040 RTP folder – Fact Sheet Air Quality
       

6. Building a Quality Arizona (bqAZ)

   Building a Quality Arizona is a statewide transportation planning effort run by the Arizona Department of Transportation that includes state roads and freeways, high-speed rail, light rail, express bus and other modes of transportation.The bqAZ working group of the RTP Task Force is working on recommendations for state facilities and projects in the PAG region; these projects also will be included in the 2040 RTP.

   • Location:PowerPoint Presentation from April 22 Task Force Study Session
      

7. Title VI and Environmental Justice

   It is important to consider social equity when planning transportation projects.For example, transportation projects that are selected in the long-range plan need to benefit different groups of populations (not just one jurisdiction, socio-economic class, or ethnic group).For the federal regulations concerning Title VI and Environmental Justice see the handout given out at the April 22 meeting.

   • Location:Task Force Binder - Tab S –  Protected Populations – Federal Regulations
       

8. Vision and Goals

   Another factor to consider when selecting projects is how well a particular project/program fits the vision and goals that the Task Force adopts.Will the project help the region meet the goals?

   • Location: Task Force Binder - Tab N – Adopted 2040 Vision and Goals
       

9. Fiscal Constraint

   The RTP needs to be fiscally constrained, meaning the adopted project list costs cannot exceed the expected revenues for the region.As we’ve discussed, funding transportation improvements is becoming more and more challenging.

   • Location:Handout on Web site - Financial Challenges
       

10. Base Case – TIP, RTA, and M&O

    When selecting projects to be adopted into the 2040 RTP there are some projects that need to be included.This includes projects that were programmed in the 2010-2014 TIP and projects that were voter approved in the RTA plan.In addition a certain level of Maintenance and Operations (M&O) costs need to be included.