MPO Meeting Minutes

Draft Memorandum for the Record

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting

January 18, 2024, Meeting

10:00 AM–12:45 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform

David Mohler, Chair, representing Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Secretary of Transportation and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) until 12:05 PM. Beginning at 12:05 PM, Eric Bourassa, Vice Chair, representing Marc Draisen and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).

Decisions

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agreed to the following:

·       Approve the meeting minutes of November 30, 2023

·       Approve the work scope for Parking in Bike Lanes—Strategies for Safey and Prevention

·       Approve the work scope for Interstate 90 Allston Multimodal Modeling Phase Two

·       Endorse the Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2024–28 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment Two

·       Release the FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Four for its 21-day public review period

Meeting Agenda

1.    Introductions

See attendance on page 15.

2.    Chair’s Report—David Mohler, MassDOT

There was none.

3.    Executive Director’s Report—Tegin Teich, Executive Director, Central Transportation Planning Staff

T. Teich stated that staff are soliciting ideas for transportation studies and technical assistance.

T. Teich stated that Vision Zero Task Force members have been selected and the first meeting is expected in early February.

4.    Public Comments  

Dan Jaffe, Charlestown resident, discussed construction activities and safety on the Gilmore Bridge.

5.    Committee Chairs’ Reports

Derek Krevat, MassDOT, stated that the previous meeting of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Committee contained a discussion on performance-based planning, climate resilience and air quality, and the development timeline for the next UPWP.

Tom Bent, Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville), stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Update Committee had its first meeting and discussed federal regulations, peer MOUs, and a work plan for the next nine months.

6.    Regional Transportation Advisory Council Report—Lenard Diggins, Chair, Regional Transportation Advisory Council

L. Diggins stated that the last meeting of the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Advisory Council) featured discussions on the TIP Universe of Projects and microtransit trends. The next meeting will review the Resilience chapter of the Needs Assessment and the Flexible Fixed Route Bus Service study.

7.     Action Item: Approval of November 30, 2023, MPO Meeting Minutes

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    November 30, 2023, meeting minutes (pdf) (html)

Vote

A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 30, 2023, was made by MAPC (Eric Bourassa) and seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (Brian Kane). The motion carried.

8.    Action Item: Work Scope for Parking in Bike Lanes—Strategies for Safety and Prevention—Kyle Casiglio, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    Work Scope for Parking in Bike Lanes—Strategies for Safety and Prevention (pdf) (html)

K. Casiglio stated that as bike lanes are installed in municipalities throughout the region, it has become more common for vehicles to be parked in these lanes creating hazards for all road users. The work scope proposes four stages of work over six months with a budget of $19,998. Task One will investigate why people park in bike lanes. Task Two will investigate interventions for parking in bike lanes. Task Three will create a StoryMap of findings. Task Four will prepare information to be shared with the board.

Discussion

L. Diggins asked who involved stakeholders might be. K. Casiglio stated that staff plan to reach out to bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, municipalities, and gig workers.

Jen Rowe, City of Boston (Boston Transportation Department), expressed interest in the study and discussed previous research that the city has conducted.

T. Bent suggested engaging with chambers of commerce and other small business associations.

B. Kane suggested differentiating between four-lane and two-lane roads within the study.

Seth Gadbois, Conservation Law Foundation, asked if Bluebike docking locations will be considered within the study. K. Casiglio stated that there is not robust enough data in the region to target Bluebikes specifically, but that separate work efforts are underway to improve bicycle and pedestrian count data.

Vote

A motion to approve the work scope for Parking in Bike Lanes—Strategies for Safety and Prevention, was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane) and seconded by the Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried.

9.     Action Item: Work Scope for Interstate 90 Allston Multimodal Modeling, Phase TwoBen Dowling, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    Work Scope for I-90 Allston Multimodal Modeling Phase Two (pdf) (html)

B. Dowling stated that work in this program expands on previous staff work to support draft environmental impact documents and other assumptions. B. Dowling stated that the scope is broken into six tasks, including a calibrated base year model run. Other tasks include two forecast year build runs, metric definition, preparation of results, and sensitivity tests.

Discussion

David Koses, City of Newton, asked if zoning adjustments for the MBTA Communities law will be considered with the land use assumptions and how the single platforms on Newton commuter rail stations are considered. B. Dowling stated that the project team would provide staff with level of service estimates for the year of interest.

Jim Fitzgerald, City of Boston (Boston Planning and Development Agency), thanked staff for their continued partnership with the City, MassDOT, and all other involved parties.

Vote

A motion to approve the work scope for Interstate 90 Allston Multimodal Modeling Phase Two was made by the MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane). The motion carried.

10.Action Item: FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Two—Ethan Lapointe, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Two (pdf) (html)

E Lapointe stated that FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Two proposes

·       earmarks to design projects in Arlington, Brookline, Dover, and Needham;

·       removal of FFY 2024 funding for the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) On-Demand Service Expansion project;

·       scheduling changes for CATA projects to accommodate a procurement delay for trolley replacement;

·       new funding for a Bluebikes project for Arlington, Newton, and Watertown; and

·       adjustments to the set-aide for Community Connections in FFYs 2025 and 2026.

The public review period began on December 11, 2023, and concluded on January 1, 2024. No public comments were received during this time.

Vote

A motion to endorse the FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Two was made by the MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane). The motion carried.

11. Action Item: FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Four—Ethan Lapointe, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Four (pdf) (html)

2.    Community Transit Grant Program Awards (pdf)

E. Lapointe stated that project 609054: Littleton—Reconstruction of Foster Street, a Regional Target project, had a cost increase of $1.2 million due to revisions from the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates in December 2023.

E. Lapointe stated that the budget for project 612034: Woburn—Interstate Pavement Preservation and Related Work on I-95 had a cost increase from $7.8 million to $11.5 million. E. Lapointe stated that project 605313: Natick-Bridge Replacement N-03-020, Route 27 (North Main Street) over Roue 9 (Worcester Street) and Interchange Improvements had a budget increase from $75.7 million to $86.5 million due to a resubmission of its 25 percent design.

E. Lapointe stated that project 610722: Acton-Boxborough-Littleton-Pavement Preservation on Route 2 was accelerated from FFY 2025 to FFY 2024, and its budget has been updated to omit a four percent inflation factor.

E. Lapointe stated that the advance construction schedule for project 607977: Hopkinton-Westborough-Reconstruction of I-90/I-495 Interchange has been adjusted to account for funding obligations made to the project through federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 funding.

E. Lapointe stated that project RTD0011114: MWRTA-Vehicle Replacements had a budget decrease of $821,056.

E. Lapointe stated that project RTD0011130: MWRTA – Blandin Hub Projects is being moved from FFY 2024 to 2025, to reflect intent from the MWRTA to pursue FTTA discretionary funding for buses and facilities in FFY 2025.

E. Lapointe stated that project MBTA011763: Quincy Bus Facility Modernization is a new line item that allocated $20,551,211 in FHWA Carbon Reduction formula funds, which is matched by the MBTA for $5,137,803.

Projects elected for funding from the FFY 2024 Community Transit Grants Mobility Management and Operating Assistance program are found in Table 1.


 

 

Table 1
FFY 2024 CTG Mobility Management and Operating Assistance Program Grants

Project Title

Cost

Description

CATA01160: CATA Dialysis and Medical Van

$117,708

This project received $58,854 in CTG funds with $58,854 in match to support transportation of dialysis patients to Beverly from Cape Ann. 

MBTA011761: MBTA - Virtual tool development for travel training and information

$250,000

This project received $200,000 in CTG funds with $50,000 in match to develop teaching, training, and information tools for the Mobility Center Travel Training Program.

MWRTA011674: MWRTA - Transitions and Outreach Program (TOP)

$125,000

This project received $100,000 in CTG funds with $25,000 in match for MWRTA TOP, a program that empowers populations to use MWRTA services.

MWRTA011675: MWRTA - Weekend CatchConnect Framingham and Natick Support

$301,842

This project received $250,000 in CTG funds with $51,842 in match to extend MWRTA weekend hours for its CatchConnect microtransit service in Framingham and Natick.

MWRTA011676: Sudbury - GoSudbury CatchConnect Shuttle

$74,865

Sudbury, in partnership with MWRTA, will expand CatchConnect service into Sudbury to improve mobility for older adults and residents with disabilities.

 

MWRTA011685: Mass211, Inc. - MassDOT Access Program

$49,500

This project will provide taxi rides for seniors and persons with disabilities in Framingham, Ashland, and Natick in a collaboration between MassDOT and the MWRTA.

MBTA011760: Irish Pastoral Centre - Improving Access for Low Income Seniors and Others in Greater Boston

$125,000

This project will improve the ability of the Irish Pastoral Center to create a mobility management program.

MBTA011769: Hull - Navigating with Ease, Convenience, and Confidence

$4,720

This project will provide technical and travel training for older adults who do not drive, are transitioning to not driving, are unfamiliar with technology, or changing habits.

MBTA011770: Lexington - Lexpress Bus Operating Support

$200,000

This line item provides continued funding to support Lexington’s Lexpress bus service.

MBTA011758: Newton Senior Transportation Operating Support FY24

$190,000

This line item provides $190,000 to support on-demand rides for seniors and persons with disabilities through Newton’s NewMo microtransit service.

MBTA011759: Greater Lynn Senior Services - Move Safe / Mobility Links

$144,950

This project received $115,960 in CTG funds with $28,990 in non-federal funds to support travel training for older adults and persons with disabilities on the North Shore.

MBTA011762: Mystic Valley Elder Services - Mobility Management Program

$121,043

This project received $96,834 in Community Transit Grant award funding with $24,209 in other non-federal funding to provide information, education, and referrals for transportation north of Boston.

MBTA011764: Needham Transportation Program

$48,600

This project supports on-demand transportation to appointments in and around Needham.

MBTA011764: SCM Community Transportation - Senior and Disabled Person’s Transportation

$36,000

This project supports salaries for drivers who give rides to older adults in the communities of Somerville, Cambridge, and Medford.

MBTA011766: Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services

$94,500

This project provides administrative support to enable older adults in Somerville and Cambridge to have independent living. It includes $75,600 in CTG funding, $1,500 in other federal funds, and $17,400 from nonfederal sources.

MBTA011767: Brookline - Senior Transportation Service

$100,000

This funding will allow Brookline Senior Center to expand its current transportation programs and offer improved, streamlined service.

MBTA011764: Dedham - Council on Aging Ride Services

$25,134

This funding will allow Dedham’s Council on Aging to support and expand its transportation operations.

MBTA011771: Marblehead - Access to Medical Care in Surrounding Towns

$45,000

This funding supports Marblehead’s Council on Aging to continue transportation operations.

MBTA011772: Acton - Mobility Management

$40,000

This project uses $32,000 in CTG funds with $8,000 in local match to hire a consultant to create a strategic transportation plan for its multi-town coordination system.

MBTA011773: Acton - CrossTown Connect Dispatch

$200,000

This project uses $100,000 in CTG funds and $100,000 in local match to maintain shared dispatching services for three towns in Acton’s Crosstown Connect network.

MBTA011774: North Reading – Public Transit Pilot

$20,000

This funding allows North Reading to expand driver service hours to increase capacity with two vans on the road, support mileage stipends, and use TNCs when staff are unavailable.

MBTA011775: North Reading Transportation Hotline

$85,000

This project uses $68,000 in Community Transit Grant funding with $17,000 in local matching funds to create a call center and hire a transportation coordinator to connect residents with transportation options.

CATA = Cape Ann Transportation Authority. CTG = Community Transit Grants. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MWRTA = MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. TNC = Transportation Network Companies. TOP = Transitions and Outreach Program.

Discussion

L. Diggins asked if there are any insights that can come from the Woburn project with a 42 percent cost increase and if these trends may affect Regional Target projects. E. Lapointe stated that the reason for the cost increase for the Woburn project had to do with the increased cost of materials.

J. Fitzgerald asked whether it could be confirmed that the cost estimate for the Acton-Boxborough-Littleton-Pavement Preservation on Route 2 project. E. Lapointe stated that the currently programmed cost reflects the latest design submission.

Vote

A motion to release the FFYs 2024–28 TIP Amendment Four for its 21-day public review period was made by the MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried.

12. Learning from Roadway-Pricing Experiences—Seth Asante and Ryan Hicks, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    Learning from Roadway-Pricing Experiences Memo (pdf) (html)

S. Asante stated that Boston was ranked the second most congested city in the United States and roadway pricing is one strategy that can be used to address congestion.

S. Asante stated that there are two categories of roadway pricing: road tolls and usage charges and congestion pricing. Congestion pricing can be implemented as cordon pricing, variable pricing, express lane pricing, high-occupancy toll lane pricing, target road user tolls, and parking and curb pricing.

Staff identified 13 roadway-pricing programs and conducted interviews with five selected programs: Transportation Network Provider Surcharge in Chicago, High-Occupancy Toll Lanes in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Central Business District Tolling Program in New York City, Bay Area Express Lanes Program in San Francisco, and Penn Quarter/Chinatown Parking Pricing Program in Washington, DC. All five case studies required enabling legislation. State legislation allowed for the Minneapolis and St. Paul, New York City, and San Francisco programs to begin, while local legislation enabled the Chicago and Washington, DC, programs.

Benefits of the Chicago program included more equitable distribution of ground transportation options and enabled transit service improvements. The Minneapolis and St. Paul program reduced congestion and improved travel times and reliability, while also enabling transit service improvements and increased transit ridership. The New York City program reduced traffic, vehicle-miles traveled, and energy consumption in the central business district, while providing a new source of funding for transit and improving regional air quality. San Francisco reduced congestion, improved travel times, reliability, and air quality. Washington, DC, increased parking availability and the use of low-demand parking spaces, while also encouraging travel by transit and bicycle during peak periods.

Discussion

J. Rowe asked if roadway-pricing mechanisms have been used to influence delivery activities of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. S. Asante stated that the Washington, DC, case study priced spaces for commercial deliveries as well, which was price based on the time of the day.

JR Frey, Town of Hingham, asked if there were geographic limits applied to the case studies. S. Asante discussed that the Washington, DC, and Chicago case studies optimized their program locations to where they would be most successful.

Presentation

R. Hicks stated that he will be discussing the role that the MPO can play in implementing roadway pricing.

R. Hicks stated that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council supported New York City’s roadway pricing project by using the regional travel model to model the impacts of tolling rates and analyze potential effects on traffic conditions, transit usage, parking, pedestrians, and bicycle usage.

In San Francisco, the Metropolitan Transportation Council’s 2035 Transportation Plan evaluated scenarios such as congestion strategies, benefits, and developed a legislative framework to enable the use of revenue.

R. Hicks stated that opportunities in implementing roadway pricing include the ability to fund sustainable modes of transportation, change behavior and encourage mode shift, and support economic vitality through reduced congestion.

Challenges in implementing roadway pricing included balancing equity concerns and revenue collection, mitigating traffic diversions, getting political buy-in and public acceptance, navigating state and federal statutes, and building interagency collaboration.

Lessons learned from the five case studies include the following:

·       Political leadership and legislation are essential

·       Emphasize engagement focused on environmental justice and underrepresented communities early in the process

·       Show that revenue uses are beneficial, transparent, and linked to transit and active transportation infrastructure improvements

·       Pair pricing programs with transit and active transportation modes

·       Focus on goals and benefits rather than revenue with transparency around supporting data

·       Constantly evaluate the program to maintain the effectiveness of a pricing project

·       Have adequate and specialized staff

R. Hicks stated that next steps for the Boston Region MPO could include

·       conduct stakeholder analysis;

·       engage equity and traditionally underrepresented populations;

·       identify pricing strategies that are most technically feasible;

·       workshop goals with full MPO board and develop policy frameworks; and

·       develop concepts for scenarios that could be analyzed in the next LRTP.

Discussion

Kristin Guichard, Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (Town of Acton), discussed strategies to ensure there are equitable alternatives for people commuting to areas with high congestion.

Jay Monty, City of Everett, discussed the need to consider priorities at the agency level.

B. Kane discussed opportunities with vehicle reporting already in place at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

J. Rowe discussed the City of Boston’s interest in understanding the possibilities and options in roadway pricing.

D. Koses asked if there are any examples of roadway pricing projects that have avoided cut-through traffic. R. Hicks stated that moderate success was seen in the Minneapolis and St. Paul high-occupancy vehicle lanes program.

Erin Chute, Town of Brookline, encouraged the consideration of working class members, who may not qualify as low income, but live with tight budgets.

13.FFY 2023 Public Engagement Update—Stella Jordan, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

1.    FFY 2023 Public Engagement Program Summary (pdf) (html)

S. Jordan stated that the Public Engagement Program Guidebook guides the public-facing activities of the MPO and communications and informs the development of MPO programs and projects. S. Jordan stated that a key component of the engagement program is fostering relationships with stakeholders in the region, including those who have not historically been involved in the MPO’s work, such as advocacy groups and members of the public.

S. Jordan stated that in FFY 2023, the engagement program supported the TIP, UPWP, Long-Range Transportation Plan, Coordinated Public Transit—Human Services Transportation Plan, Title VI, Regional Transportation Advisory Council, and support to other programs. S. Jordan stated that highlights in FFY 2023 include relationship building, equity program support and coordination, and participation in a peer exchange. S. Jordan discussed key metrics from FFY 2023.

Goals for FFY 2024 include continuing to expand relationships, provide incentives and build partnerships, and address gaps identified in FFY 2023.

Discussion

Sandy Johnston, MBTA, expressed support for compensating participants in engagement activities.

J. Rowe discussed opportunities for collaboration with the City of Boston.

14. Certification Review Action Plan Update—Annette Demchur, MPO Staff

A. Demchur stated that the action plan provides updates on progress towards addressing findings from the 2022 federal certification review.

A. Demchur stated that the corrective action to document the process for sharing information to develop the annual list of obligated projects in the MOU was completed, as the updated MOU went into effect on September 1, 2023.

A. Demchur stated that the recommendation to complete a new Limited English Proficiency approach was addressed as of December 2023, as staff completed a new Language Assistance Plan.

Other recommendations and progress can be found below:

·       Organization Structure

o   Update the 2011 MOU to put necessities in the MOU, details in the Operations Plan, document the representation of Regional Transit Authorities, and establish a new review cycle.

§  Updates include a completed review of the MOU, establishment of an MOU Update committee, and a developed operations plan.

o   Look for opportunities to identify and advance local and regional projects to fund with target funds.

§  Updates include engagement with MassDOT and municipalities, the launch of the project design pilot, and the TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee

o   Explore innovative ways to fund projects, ensuring target funds are being used

§  Updates include the launch of the project design pilot, transit transformation program, and bikeshare support program

o   Ongoing Progress

§  Public Outreach and Engagement work to continue to strengthen the variety of engagement strategies

§  Nonmotorized planning work to update or develop a regional bicycle and pedestrian plan or needs assessment

§  Environmental Mitigation, Consultation, and Resiliency work to engage federal and state environmental resource agencies and stakeholders for input in the next long-range transportation plan

§  Performance-Based Planning and Programming work to update the MPO’s interactive performance dashboard and carry out before-and-after studies for all projects on the TIP

Near-term board engagement includes updating the MOU through the MOU Update Committee, participating in the TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee, and programming design projects.

15.Members’ Items

There were none.

16. Adjourn

A motion to adjourn was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane) and seconded by the Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried.


 

Attendance

Members

Representatives

and Alternates

At-Large City (City of Everett)

Jay Monty

At-Large City (City of Newton)

David Koses

At-Large Town (Town of Arlington)

John Alessi

At-Large Town (Town of Brookline)

Erin Chute

City of Boston (Boston Planning & Development Agency)

Jim Fitzgerald

City of Boston (Boston Transportation Department)

Jen Rowe

Federal Highway Administration

Joshua Barber

margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in'>Federal Transit Administration

Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville)

Tom Bent

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

David Mohler

John Bechard

MassDOT Highway Division

John Romano

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Laura Gilmore

Sandy Johnston

Massachusetts Port Authority

Sarah Lee

MBTA Advisory Board

Brian Kane

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Eric Bourassa

MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of Framingham)

Dennis Giombetti

Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (Town of Acton)

Kristen Guichard

North Shore Task Force (City of Beverly)

Darlene Wynne

North Suburban Planning Council (Town of Burlington)

Melisa Tintocalis

Regional Transportation Advisory Council

Lenard Diggins

South Shore Coalition (Town of Hull)

South West Advisory Planning Committee (Town of Wrentham)

Rachel Benson

Three Rivers Interlocal Council (Town of Norwood/Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Tom O’Rourke

Steve Olanoff

 

 

Other Attendees

Affiliation

Miranda Briseño

MassDOT

Ned Codd

City of Newton

Ethan Conti-Field

 

William Cundiff

Southborough DPW

Chris Dempsey

 

Johannes Epke

Conservation Law Foundation

Daniela Espinosa

BPDA

Hannah Fong

 

JR Frey

Town of Hingham

Seth Gadbois

Conservation Law Foundation

Joy Glynn

MWRTA

Susan Harrington

MassDOT

Dan Jaffe

Charlestown Resident

Chris Klem

MassDOT

Joshua Klinenstein

MBTA

Raissah Kouame

MassDOT

Derek Krevat

MassDOT

Barbara Lachance

MassDOT

Jackie LaFlam

CATA

Jay Maddox

MBTA

Daniel Milbrandt

 

Jim Nee

MWRTA

Marc Older

 

Josh Ostroff

City of Newton

Sheila Page

Town of Lexington

Jeanette Rebecchi

Town of Bedford

Michelle Scott

MassDOT

Cheryll-Ann Senior

MassDOT

Cam Sullivan

MWRTA

Tyler Terrassi

MWRTA

Andrew Wang

MassDOT

 

MPO Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff

Tegin Teich, Executive Director

Seth Asante

Rounaq Basu

Logan Casey

Kyle Casiglio

Abby Cutrumbes

Annette Demchur

Ben Dowling

Hiral Gandhi

Shravanthi Gopalan

Betsy Harvey

Ryan Hicks

Dave Hong

Dave Hong

Jia Huang

Stella Jordan

Ali Kleyman

Ethan Lapointe

Erin Maguire

Rose McCarron

Marty Milkovits

Srilekha Murthy

Meghan OConnor

Gina Perille

Sarah Philbrick

Bradley Putnam

Sean Rourke

Seth Strumwasser

Samuel Taylor

 


 

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administered by the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, or both, prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. The Boston Region MPO considers these protected populations in its Title VI Programs, consistent with federal interpretation and administration. In addition, the Boston Region MPO provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166.

The Boston Region MPO also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 sections 92a, 98, 98a, which prohibits making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in admission to, or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, the Boston Region MPO complies with the Governor's Executive Order 526, section 4, which requires that all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background.

A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO or at http://www.bostonmpo.org/mpo_non_discrimination. To request this information in a different language or in an accessible format, please contact

Title VI Specialist
Boston Region MPO
10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150
Boston, MA 02116
civilrights@ctps.org

By Telephone:
857.702.3700 (voice)

For people with hearing or speaking difficulties, connect through the state MassRelay service:

·       Relay Using TTY or Hearing Carry-over: 800.439.2370

·       Relay Using Voice Carry-over: 866.887.6619

·       Relay Using Text to Speech: 866.645.9870

For more information, including numbers for Spanish speakers, visit https://www.mass.gov/massrelay.