Contents

 

 

Title Page 

 

List of Exhibits

 

Executive Summary

1

The Transportation Planning and Programming Process in the Boston Region MPO Area

2

Status of the Federal Fiscal Year 2013 UPWP Projects Conducted by Boston Region MPO Staff

3

Index of Projects by Agency

4

Administration and Resource Management Projects

5

Certification Requirements

6

Planning Studies

7

Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects

8

Boston Region MPO Budget and Operating Summaries

 

 

 

Appendix A: Other Boston Region Transportation- Planning Projects

 

Appendix B: Public Participation

 

Appendix C: Federal Fiscal Year 2014 UPWP Project Universe Tables

 

Unified Planning Work Program

 

Federal Fiscal Year 2014

 

 

Endorsed by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization

 

July 11, 2013

 

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Staff

 

Directed by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is composed of the:

 

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

MBTA Advisory Board

Massachusetts Port Authority

Regional Transportation Advisory Council

City of Boston

City of Beverly

City of Everett

City of Newton

City of Somerville

City of Woburn

Town of Arlington

Town of Bedford

Town of Braintree

Town of Framingham

Town of Lexington

Town of Medway

Town of Norwood

Federal Highway Administration (nonvoting)

Federal Transit Administration (nonvoting)

The preceding page contains a map that shows the Boston Region MPO region. This map includes the boundaries of the 101 cities and towns that fall within that region.

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other federal and state nondiscrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or military service. Any person who believes herself/himself or any specific class of persons to have been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI, ADA, or other nondiscrimination statute or regulation may, herself/himself or via a representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the date on which the person believes the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional information may be obtained at www.bostonmpo.org or by contacting the MPO staff at 617-973-7100 (voice), 617-973-7089 (TTY), 617-973-8855 (fax), or publicinformation@ctps.org.

To request additional copies of this document or to request it in an accessible format, please contact MPO staff using the methods described below. It is also possible to download the document by visiting www.bostonmpo.org (“Unified Planning Work Program” link).  

 

Contact MPO staff:

By mail:                 Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Certification Activities Group                                       10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150                                    Boston, MA 02116

By telephone:       617-973-7119 (voice)                                                       617-973-7089 (TTY)

By fax:                    617-973-8855

By email:               mscott@ctps.org

This document was funded in part through grants from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This document includes a statement that the Boston Region MPO certifies that its conduct of the metropolitan transportation planning process complies with all applicable requirements (which are listed below the statement); and that this process includes activities to support the development and implementation of the Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan and Air Quality Conformity Determination, the Transportation Improvement Program and Air Quality Conformity Determination, and the Unified Planning Work Program. This document lists the applicable requirements and has been signed by MPO members in attendance at their July 11, 2013 meeting.

Self Certification Document signed, page 2

List of Exhibits

Figure

 

1-1

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization – Organization Chart

1-2

Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Subregional Groups

1-3

Planning Process – Relationship of UPWP to Other Transportation-Planning Documents

 

Table

 

1-1

UPWP Project and Program Relationship to Federal Planning Factors

2-1

Completed FFY 2013 UPWP Projects with FFY 2013 UPWP Budgets

2-2

Continuing Discrete FFY 2013 UPWP Projects with FFY 2013 UPWP Budgets

2-3

Ongoing FFY 2013 UPWP Projects with FFY 2013 UPWP Budgets

2-4

FFY 2012 UPWP Projects Completed in FFY 2013 with FFY 2012 UPWP Budgets

4-1

Chapter 4 – Administration and Resource Management Projects

5-1

Chapter 5 – Certification Requirements

6-1

Chapter 6 – Planning Studies

7-1

Chapter 7 – Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects

8-1

FFY 2014 UPWP Budget Summaries – Administration and Resource Projects

8-2

FFY 2014 UPWP Budget Summaries – Certification Requirements

8-3

FFY 2014 UPWP Budget Summaries – Planning Studies

8-4

FFY 2014 UPWP Budget Summaries – Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects

8-5

FFY 2014 UPWP Program Budget By Recipient Agency

8-6

FFY 2014 UPWP Budget By Funding Source

8-7

Programmed FFY 2014 Federal Transit Administration §5303 Funding by Element and Task

8-8

FFY 2014 UPWP CTPS Schedule and Staff Assignments – Ongoing Planning Activities

8-9

FFY 2014 UPWP CTPS Schedule and Staff Assignments – Studies and Activities Currently Underway

8-10

FFY 2014 UPWP CTPS Schedule and Staff Assignments – Studies with Work Scopes to Be Developed

B-1

Summary of Written Comments on the Draft FFY 2014 UPWP, with MPO Responses

C-1

CTPS FFY 2014 UPWP Universe of Proposed New Projects, by Project Type

C-2

FFY 2014 UPWP MAPC Project Concepts

 

 

      

Executive Summary

 

This Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) contains information about surface-transportation planning projects that will be conducted in the Boston metropolitan region during the period of October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014 (federal fiscal year 2014). The UPWP is an essential transportation-planning tool for the region and often a first step in determining whether or not a project will be implemented. It is integrally related to other planning initiatives conducted by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), as well as by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport).

The projects in this UPWP will be funded from federal, state, and local sources. This UPWP has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP-21) and with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant application requirements and planning emphasis areas (planning factors and national goals) and guidance. This UPWP contains 79 projects, of which 63 will be carried out by the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on behalf of the MPO, MassDOT, the MBTA and Massport. The remaining 16 projects will be carried out by individual transportation agencies, municipalities, and academic institutions, two of which also include MAPC participation.

The majority of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2014 UPWP projects have been ongoing since FFY 2013 (or earlier). However, there are several new projects. Those to be undertaken on behalf of the MPO are:

 

CTPS will also continue to support projects that are being conducted by MassDOT and the MBTA. Examples of these are:

The UPWP is intended to serve two purposes. The first is to provide information to government officials, local communities, and the general public about surface-transportation planning projects expected to be undertaken in the Boston region. The second is to provide complete budget information to federal and state officials about the expenditure of federal funds for those projects being carried out by the Boston Region MPO.

The document is structured as follows. Chapter 1 provides general information about the Boston Region MPO, the transportation-planning process, and the sources of funding for UPWP projects. In addition, it explains the MPO’s role in programming these funds and the process the MPO followed to select the projects it was responsible for programming in this UPWP. Chapter 1 includes a chart depicting the organizational structure of the MPO, a map showing the municipalities that are members of each of the MAPC subregional groups, and a table showing the relationship between MPO-funded UPWP projects and federal planning factors. It also includes a figure showing the UPWP’s relationship to other MPO planning documents, current feasibility studies, and other visioning processes.

Chapter 2 provides a status report on the FFY 2013 UPWP projects that were conducted by CTPS and MAPC. It also includes a list of products and activities related to those projects and information on how to obtain copies of reports and certification documents.

Chapter 3 includes an index of the FFY 2014 UPWP projects, which are organized by the name of the agency responsible for conducting them.

Chapters 4 through 7 contain project descriptions and detailed budget information for all work being conducted by CTPS and MAPC on behalf of the MPO and for transportation projects being conducted by CTPS on behalf of the individual transportation-planning entities.

Chapter 8 gives budget summaries of the projects included in Chapters 4 through 7 and other information about the federal funding in this UPWP. It also includes information about CTPS staff participation in and anticipated completion dates of CTPS-managed projects. This chapter is intended to provide federal and state officials with information necessary for funding approval and contract administration.

Appendix A presents brief summaries of project information for other, non-MPO transportation-planning projects that will be conducted in the Boston region. These projects have separate review and approval processes and are outside the purview of the MPO. They are included in the UPWP to provide a more comprehensive picture of what is being planned in the region and to ensure that MPO planning efforts in the region are coordinated with other ongoing work.

Appendix B describes the public participation process used for the development of the Draft UPWP and the public workshops that were held during the Draft UPWP’s public review period. It also presents a summary of the written comments about the Draft UPWP that were received during the document’s public review period and the MPO’s responses to them.

Appendix C contains the documents that were developed by staff to catalog and rate potential UPWP projects. These documents were used by the MPO UPWP Committee and the MPO as a guide in selecting new projects.

 

1 The Transportation Planning and Programming Process in the Boston Region MPO Area

 

This chapter is intended to give the reader an understanding of how the transportation-planning process is conducted in the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area, including the federal requirements that govern the process, the funding sources used to carry it out, and the implementation of the process from conception to completion.

Section 134 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act and Section 5303 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, require that urbanized areas, to be eligible for federal funds, conduct a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation-planning process (3C process) resulting in plans and programs consistent with the planning objectives of the metropolitan area.

1.1     The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization

The Boston Region MPO area consists of the 101 cities and towns shown on the map that follows the title page of this document. The permanent MPO voting members are the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the MBTA Advisory Board, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), the City of Boston, and the Regional Transportation Advisory Council. The current elected MPO voting members and their respective seats are as follows:

In addition, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) participate in the MPO as advisory (nonvoting) members. Figure 1-1 on the following page shows MPO membership and organization of the Central Transportation Planning Staff (staff to the MPO).

This figure shows the membership of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, as described in the chapter, along with the groups that fall within the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS). 

Details about MPO voting members are provided below:

As noted above, two members participate in the Boston Region MPO in an advisory (nonvoting) capacity, reviewing the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the UPWP, and other facets of the MPO’s planning process to ensure compliance with federal planning and programming requirements:

Two other entities assist MPO members in carrying out the responsibilities of the MPO’s 3C planning process through policy implementation, technical support, and public participation: 

This map shows how the 101 municipalities in the Boston Region MPO region fall into eight MAPC subregions, which are represented by subregional groups. These subregional groups include the Inner Core Committee (ICC), the MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MetroWest), the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC), the North Suburban Planning Council (NSPC), the North Shore Task Force (NSTF), the South Shore Coalition (SSC), the SouthWest Advisory Planning Committee (SWAP), and the Three Rivers Interlocal Council (TRIC). Two communities are represented by more than one subregional group; Dover is in TRIC and SWAP, and Milton is in ICC and TRIC.

1.2         The Transportation Planning Process

The Boston Region MPO is responsible for carrying out the 3C planning process in the Boston region and has established the following objectives for the process:

1.3          The Unified Planning Work Program          

This Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) contains information about surface-transportation planning projects that will be conducted in the Boston metropolitan region during the period from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014 (federal fiscal year 2014). The UPWP is an essential transportation-planning tool for the region and often a first step in determining whether or not a project will be implemented. It is integrally related to other planning initiatives conducted by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), as well as by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport).

1.3.1    Consistency with Federal Planning Regulations

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)

This legislation requires all MPOs to carry out the 3C process. Activities the MPOs must perform to meet this requirement are:

The MAP-21 legislation establishes national goals for federal highway programs. These goals include:

    1. Safety—To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads
    2. Infrastructure condition—To maintain the highway infrastructure asset system in a state of good repair
    3. Congestion reduction—To achieve a significant reduction in congestion on the National Highway System
    4. System reliability—To improve the efficiency of the surface transportation system
    5. Freight movement and economic vitality—To improve the national freight network, strengthen the ability of rural communities to access national and international trade markets, and support regional economic development
    6. Environmental sustainability—To enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment
    7. Reduced project delivery delays—To reduce project costs, promote jobs and the economy, and expedite the movement of people and goods by accelerating project completion through eliminating delays in the project development and delivery process, including reducing regulatory burdens and improving agencies’ work practices

MAP-21 also establishes performance-based planning as an integral part of the metropolitan planning process. Performance-based planning and programming refers to practices that apply performance-management principles to transportation system policy and investment decisions. In other words, a system-level, data-driven process is used to make decisions about strategies and investments. 1 MAP-21 requires that each MPO establish performance measures and targets that track progress toward attainment of critical outcomes for its region and stipulates that these targets should be coordinated with those of relevant state agencies and public transportation providers to ensure consistency. 2 Information about the MPO’s work with respect to performance measures is detailed in the Long-Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Congestion Management Process project descriptions.  

Consistency with Other Federal Legislative Requirements

The 1990 Clean Air Act

Conformity determinations must be performed for capital improvement projects that receive federal funding and for those that are considered regionally significant, regardless of the funding source. These determinations must show that the MPO’s LRTP and TIP will not cause or contribute to any new air quality violations, will not increase the frequency or severity of any existing air quality violations in any area, and will not delay the timely attainment of the air quality standards in any area.

Transportation control measures (TCMs) identified in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the attainment of air quality standards are federally-enforceable and must be given first priority when using federal funds. Such projects include the parking-freeze program in Boston, statewide rideshare regulations, rapid transit and commuter rail extension programs, park-and-ride facilities, residential parking-sticker programs, and the operation of high-occupancy-vehicle lanes. MPO activities related to air quality are detailed in the Air Quality Conformity Determinations and Air Quality Support Activity project descriptions.

Non-discrimination Mandates

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other federal and state non-discrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or military service. The major federal requirements are discussed below.

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

This statute requires that no person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, under any program or activity provided by an agency receiving federal financial assistance.

Executive Order 13166, dated August 11, 2000, extends Title VI protections to persons who, as a result of national origin, have limited English proficiency (LEP). Specifically, it calls for improved access to federally-conducted and federally-assisted programs and activities and requires MPOs to develop and implement a system by which LEP persons can meaningfully participate in the transportation-planning process.

MPO activities that meet these requirements are discussed in the Boston Region MPO Title VI Reporting, the MassDOT Title VI Program, and the MBTA 2013-2014 Title VI Program Monitoring project descriptions.

Environmental Justice Executive Orders

Executive Order 12898, dated February 11, 1994, further expands upon Title VI, requiring each federal agency to achieve environmental justice by identifying and addressing any disproportionately high adverse human health or environmental effects, including interrelated social and economic effects, of its programs, policies, and activities on minority or low-income populations.

On April 15, 1997, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued its Final Order to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. Among other provisions, this order requires programming and planning activities to:

MPO activities that meet these requirements are discussed in the Transportation Equity/Environmental Justice Support project description.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all transportation projects, plans, and programs to be accessible to people with disabilities. At the MPO level, this means that public meetings must be held in accessible buildings and be conducted in a manner that provides for accessibility. MPO materials must also be made available in accessible formats. MPO activities that meet these requirements are discussed in Chapter 5.

Executive Order 13330

This executive order, dated February 26, 2004, calls for the establishment of the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility under the aegis of the Secretary of Transportation. This executive order reinforces both environmental justice and ADA requirements by charging the Council with developing policies and methods for improving access for persons with disabilities, low-income persons, and older adults. MPO activities related to the above federal requirements are detailed in Chapter 5.

Consistency with Federal Planning Factors and Other Federal Guidance

Federal Planning Factors

MAP-21 maintains the federal planning factors that were included in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). These planning factors are:

    1. Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency
    2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for all motorized and nonmotorized users
    3. Increase the ability of the transportation system to support homeland security and to safeguard the personal security of all motorized and nonmotorized users
    4. Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight
    5. 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
    6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight
    7. Promote efficient system management and operation
    8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system

These planning factors are reflected in the Long-Range Transportation Plan visions and were incorporated in the rating of projects for this UPWP. Projects specifically relating to these planning factors are identified in Chapters 4 through 7. A summary of the amount of money being spent for these projects can be found in Chapter 8. Table 1-1 provides a summary of how projects and programs in this UPWP that receive federal formula grant funding to carry out the 3C process address the federal planning factors.

Table 1-1: FFY 2014 UPWP Project and Program Relationship to Federal Planning Factors

Project Group Federal Planning Factor 1: Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency. Federal Planning Factor 2: Increase the safety of the transportation system for all motorized and nonmotorized users. Federal Planning Factor 3: Increase the ability of the transportation system to support homeland security and to safeguard the personal security of all motorized and nonmotorized users. Federal Planning Factor 4: Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight. Federal Planning Factor 5: 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. Federal Planning Factor 6: Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight. Federal Planning Factor 7: Promote efficient system management and operation. Federal Planning Factor 8: Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system. Notes
3C Planning and MPO Support 3C-funded Certification Requirements Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor This general project includes Support to the MPO and its Committees; Planning Topics; Subregional Outreach; Regional Transportation Advisory Council Support; TRANSREPORT; Public Participation Process; Boston Region MPO Website, www.bostonmpo.org; Professional Development; and General Graphics.
Access Advisory Committee Support 3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Air Quality Conformity Determinations 3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Air Quality Support Activity 3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Boston Region MPO Title VI Reporting  3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Long-Range Transportation Plan 3C-funded Certification Requirements Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
MPO/MAPC Liaison Support Activities 3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Provision of Materials in Accessible Formats 3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Regional Model Enhancement 3C-funded Certification Requirements Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Subregional Support Activities  3C-funded Certification Requirements Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Transportation Equity/Environmental Justice Support 3C-funded Certification Requirements Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Transportation Improvement Program 3C-funded Certification Requirements Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
Unified Planning Work Program (CTPS and MAPC) 3C-funded Certification Requirements Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
Addressing Safety/Mobility/Access on Subregional Priority Roadways (Continued from FFY 2013 UPWP) 3C-funded Planning Studies Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
Addressing Safety/Mobility/Access on Subregional Priority Roadways – FFY 2014 3C-funded Planning Studies Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
Bicycle/Pedestrian Support Activities 3C-funded Planning Studies Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Congestion Management Process 3C-funded Planning Studies Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies 3C-funded Planning Studies Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable This general project includes Rutherford Avenue Land Use Visioning; Subregional Priority Development and Priority Preservation Studies; Opportunities for and Impediments to Creating Transit-Oriented Development; Redevelopment Analysis for Selected Parcels within Routes 99, 16, and 28 in Boston, Everett, Medford, Somerville, and Cambridge; and Land Use Baseline for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  
Methodology for Evaluating the Potential for Limited-Stop Service on Transit Routes  3C-funded Planning Studies Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
MetroWest RTA Planning Assistance II 3C-funded Planning Studies Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Priority Corridors for LRTP Needs Assessment – FFY 2014 3C-funded Planning Studies Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
Safety and Operations Analyses at Selected Intersections – FFY 2014 3C-funded Planning Studies Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Traffic Signal Retiming Program  3C-funded Planning Studies Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Alternative-Mode Planning and Coordination 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Environmental Justice and Title VI Analysis Methodology Review  3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Freight Planning Support 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Cost-Effectiveness Analysis 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Household Survey-Based Travel Profiles and Trends 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Identifying Areas with Mode Shift Opportunities 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Land Use, Demographics, and Mode Shift in Transportation 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Livable Community Workshop Program 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Pedestrian Signal Phasing Study  3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Regional Transit Service Planning Technical Support – FFY 2014 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Roadway Safety Audits 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
TIP Project Impacts Before-After Evaluation – FFY 2014 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable No Notes
Transportation Investments for Economic Development  3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Project addresses this planning factor Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable No Notes
Travel Data Forecasts 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes
Travel Operations Analyses 3C-funded Technical Support/Operations Analysis Projects Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor Project addresses this planning factor No Notes

 

Other Federal Guidance

In addition, this year the FHWA asked MPOs to pay particular attention to the following areas in their UPWPs:

Performance Measures

The process for selecting new projects for the UPWP, which is dicussed in detail in Section 1.4.3, “New Study Selection Process,” included an effort to rate proposed projects against focus areas that highlight the MPO’s goals, visions, and policies. These focus areas, which were used to support the development of staff and the MPO’s UPWP Committee recommendations for new projects for FFY 2014, included an area titled “Supports Performance-Based Planning.” Of the new projects recommended for inclusion in this UPWP, four projects received a “major consideration” rating in this area and another three received a “minor consideration” rating in this area.

There are also several ongoing projects that discuss performance measure-related activities. The Long-Range Transportation Plan description specifically mentions that “the MPO will develop performance measures and incorporate performance-based planning into LRTP and TIP decision making” and that work products will include “[continuing] to develop performance measures to be used in monitoring the implementation of the LRTP and the TIP.” The TIP program description refers to updates that may be made to the evaluation criteria in response to the development of MPO performance measures.

Sustainability

The focus areas supporting the selection of new projects for FFY 2014 included an area named “Encourage Sustainable Communities and Livability.” The focus areas—“Protect Air Quality and Environment,” “Increase Transit and Healthy-Transportation Mode Share,” and “Link Land Use and Transportation”—support aspects of sustainability.The focus area ratings also reviewed how projects supported the goals and objectives of other state and regional planning activities, such as GreenDOT and MetroFuture, which include some sustainability concepts. Overall, new projects for FFY 2014 address a range of sustainability principles, including Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Corridors – FFY 2014 and Identifying Areas with Mode Shift Opportunities, in particular.

This UPWP also includes several ongoing projects that address sustainaibility concepts. For example, Bicycle/Pedestrian Support Activities and Alternative-Mode Planning and Coordination support alternatives to motorized transportation modes. Planned activities under MAPC’s MetroFuture Engagement program will include efforts to identify best practices for livable communities and sustainable transportation and to build constituencies at local levels that support these practices.

The FHWA has recently developed and released the Web-based tool known as the Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool (INVEST). This tool is designed to assess the sustainability of a program or project against best practices relative to sustainability. MPO staff will explore opportunities to apply the INVEST tool and its sustainability criteria in LRTP and TIP updates and in other future transportation studies conducted by MPO staff.

Movement of Goods

The FFY 2014 UPWP includes a Freight Planning Support project to support the efficient movement of goods. Freight elements have also been incorporated into Paths to a Sustainable Region, the Long-Range Transportation Plan, and freight considerations will be addressed in updates to the plan’s needs assessment. Also, the Regional Transportation Advisory Council has an ongoing freight committee supported by the MPO in order to maintain awareness of freight issues and provide input to the MPO on freight-related matters.

Engaging Title VI, Environmental Justice and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Populations

The MPO’s ongoing and continuing projects and programs include elements that address the needs and participation of Title VI, Environmental Justice (EJ), Limited English Proficient (LEP), and elderly populations and people with disabilities. The MPO’s Transportation Equity/Environmental Justice Support program is specifically focused on transportation needs of these populations. Other programs, including 3C Planning and MPO Support, Access Advisory Committee Support, and Provision of Materials in Accessible Formats, include activities that support and encourage the participation of these populations in the transportation decision-making process. CTPS also supports Title VI analysis for the MPO, MassDOT, and the MBTA, as described in Chapters 5 and 7. Throughout all of these activities, the MPO works in consultation with MassDOT’s Office of Civil Rights.

The focus areas used to rate new discrete projects for the FFY 2014 UPWP included an area called “Consider Transportation Equity and Accessibility.” Criteria for this focus area included not only improvements to transportation service and infrastructure serving these populations, but also an element for strengthening the role of these populations in transportation decision making. Of the new projects selected for FFY 2014, Environmental Justice and Title VI Analysis Metholodology Review particularly addresses the participation and needs of these populations.

Tangible Products of Planning Activities

The MPO meets and exceeds federal guidelines for the expenditure of metropolitan planning funds on tangible products.

1.3.2 Coordination with Other Planning Activities

MPO Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

The MPO considered the degree to which a proposed UPWP project would further the visions, policies, objectives, and planning emphasis areas of the MPO’s long-range transportation plan (LRTP), Paths to a Sustainable Region. The LRTP visions include:

  1. System Preservation
  2. The regional transportation system will be maintained to a state of good repair and will operate with maximum efficiency. It will be reliable and modern and will provide improved mobility regionwide. Automobile dependency will be reduced, and the transit system will serve more people. Modernization of the existing system will provide access and accessibility throughout for all; additions to the transportation system will also be fully accessible for persons of all abilities.

    Efficiencies and operational improvements will come through ongoing system preservation, use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and other technologies, management and operations strategies, and a balanced program of strategic investments. Innovative approaches will reduce auto dependency and actively promote other modes of transportation.

    Expansion of the system will come through strategic investments. 

  3. Livability
  4. All residents will have the capability of moving affordably between where they live, work, get services, and play using healthy transportation options that promote a healthy lifestyle. Multimodal transportation will serve business, residential, and mixed-use centers. Transportation investments will focus on existing activity centers, including sites of economic activity and adequate public infrastructure, where density will be encouraged. These centers of community activity will grow in population density and diversity of uses. This density and mixed-use activity will better support new and increased transit services.  Investments in bicycle and pedestrian facilities and in accessibility improvements will support healthy lifestyle choices and increase mobility for everyone, including people with disabilities. Community centers will thrive with the implementation of “complete streets” and context-sensitive design principles; urban design changes in community centers will create more human-scale and aesthetically pleasing community environments. The design of the transportation network will protect cultural, historical, and scenic resources, community cohesiveness, and quality of life.

    The transportation network will play its part as a foundation for economic vitality. Energy use will be managed efficiently and alternative energy sources used.

  5. Mobility
  6. People in most areas of all corridors in the region will have access to transportation to jobs, education and training, health services, and social and recreational opportunities. This includes persons with disabilities, the elderly, youth, minorities, and persons with low incomes or with limited English proficiency. More communities will have more transportation options, both motorized and nonmotorized. The transportation infrastructure will accommodate freight and commercial activity as well as passenger needs. Freight will be moved efficiently by all freight modes.

    The transportation system and services will be reliable. Delays, congestion, and travel time will be reduced. Transit ridership and use of sustainable options will be increased. The system will meet people’s needs; funding decisions will be guided by attention to customer service. Existing transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities will be linked in a network.

  7. Environment
  8. Human and environmental health will be considered in transportation decision making. With transportation investments targeted to areas of existing development, many greenfields will be preserved, many brownfields will be restored and reused, and water and sewer infrastructure and other utilities will be more cost-effectively maintained. Air quality will be improved as the full range of regulated vehicle emissions (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulates) and carbon dioxide are reduced to required and/or targeted levels. The transportation project design process will avoid or minimize negative impacts to wetlands, soil, water, and other environmental resources. Context-sensitive design principles will be implemented to protect communities’ cultural, historical, and scenic resources, community cohesiveness, quality of life, and aesthetic environments.

  9. Transportation Equity
  10. Low-income and minority residents, as well as the elderly, youth, and persons for whom English is a second language (ESL populations), will enjoy, on a level equitable with others, mobility and access to affordable transportation options that connect them with jobs, educational institutions, and services. Environmental burdens from transportation facilities and services (existing and future) will be minimized for these persons; low-income and minority persons will not be inequitably burdened. Expansion projects will address regional needs.

  11. Climate Change
  12. The production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the transportation sector in this region will be reduced to levels that contribute appropriately to the statewide targets set by the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act. The MPO region will have joined with other entities in Massachusetts and the Northeast to slow and perhaps prevent the onset of serious climate change effects. The MPO, in consultation and cooperation with state and federal agencies planning action on GHG reduction, will have adopted GHG reduction goals and taken the steps necessary to meet them. Critical elements of the region’s transportation infrastructure that may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change will have been identified and protected.

  13. Safety and Security
  14. All modes of the transportation network, passenger and freight, will provide transportation that is safe, personally and operationally, to the maximum feasible degree. The number and severity of crashes will have been reduced. State-of-the practice ITS measures and surveillance communication systems will have been deployed on the transit system to minimize vulnerability to security breaches. Transit malfunctions will have been reduced.

    Steps will have been taken to protect the viability of transportation infrastructure critical to emergency response and evacuations necessitated by natural hazards and man-made threats.

Work being done to support the LRTP is detailed.

MPO Congestion Management Process (CMP)

The purpose of the CMP is to 1) monitor and analyze the performance of facilities and services; 2) develop strategies for the management of congestion based on the results of monitoring; and 3) move those strategies into the implementation stage by providing decision makers in the region with information and recommendations for the improvement of transportation system performance. The CMP monitors transit, roadway, and park-and-ride facilities in the MPO region for safety, congestion, and mobility and identifies “problem” locations. Projects that help address problems identified in the most recent CMP monitoring were considered for inclusion in this UPWP. Work being done in the FFY 2014 UPWP to support the CMP is detailed.

The MBTA Program for Mass Transportation (PMT)

In 2009, the MBTA adopted its current PMT, which is the MBTA’s long-range capital plan. The PMT was developed with extensive public involvement and was approved by the MBTA Advisory Board. The PMT includes projects currently under study in this UPWP and work included in this UPWP supports the PMT planning process.

MetroFuture

MetroFuture, which was developed by MAPC and adopted in 2008, is the long-range plan for land use, housing, economic development, and environmental preservation in the Boston region. It includes a vision for the region’s future and a set of strategies for achieving that future, and it was adopted as the future land use scenario for the MPO LRTP, Paths to a Sustainable Region. Work being done to support MetroFuture implementation and updates is detailed in the MetroFuture Engagement project description.

youMove Massachusetts and weMove Massachusetts

youMove Massachusetts, a statewide initiative designed as a bottom-up approach to transportation planning, developed 10 core themes derived from a broad-based public participation process that articulated the expressed concerns, needs, and aspirations of Massachusetts residents related to their transportation network. These themes form the basis for the youMove Massachusetts Interim Report and were considered in the development of this UPWP.

The youMove civic engagement process supports weMove Massachusetts (also known as the Massachusetts Multimodal Project), the strategic planning process that constitutes MassDOT’s first comprehensive, data-based effort to prioritize transportation investments. The weMove Massachusetts process included an outreach effort focused on learning more about the transportation experiences and needs of a focused set of stakeholders, which included Environmental Justice and Title VI populations, while continuing to welcome comments and participation by the public. The results of this outreach, including themes identified in weMove Massachusetts interviews, are documented in the weMove Massachusetts Stakeholder Summary Report and were also considered in the development of this UPWP.

GreenDOT and MassDOT’s Statewide Mode Shift Goal 

GreenDOT, which MassDOT launched in June 2010, is a comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative that has three primary objectives: 1) reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; 2) promoting healthy transportation options of walking, bicycling, and public transit; and 3) supporting smart growth development. GreenDOT applies to MassDOT divisions and contractors, as well as Massachusetts’s MPOs and Regional Transportation Authorities (RTAs).

The GreenDOT Implementation Plan serves as the framework for embedding the sustainability principles of GreenDOT into MassDOT’s core business practices. The plan details 16 broad sustainability goals and related measurable tasks and performance indicators. These goals include MassDOT’s statewide mode shift goal, which aims to triple the current mode share of bicycling, public transit, and walking each by 2030 and is an important part of MassDOT’s strategy to meet the Commonwealth’s commitments under the Global Warming Solutions Act. The goals outlined in the GreenDOT Implementation Plan, including the statewide mode shift goal, were considered in the development of this UPWP. 

Healthy Transportation Compact

The Healthy Transportation Compact (HTC) is a requirement of the Massachusetts landmark transportation reform legislation that took effect on November 1, 2009. It is an interagency initiative that will help ensure that the transportation decisions the Commonwealth makes balance the needs of all transportation users, expand mobility, improve public health, support a cleaner environment, and create stronger communities.

The agencies work together to achieve positive health outcomes through the coordination of land use, transportation, and public health policy. HTC membership is made up of the Secretary of Transportation or designee (co-chair), the Secretary of Health and Human Services or designee (co-chair), the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs or designee, the MassDOT Highway Administrator or designee, the MassDOT Transit Administrator or designee, and the Commissioner of Public Health or designee.The HTC will also promote improved coordination among the public sector, private sector, and advocacy groups, as well as among transportation, land use, and public health stakeholders. MPO activities that relate to the Healthy Transportation Compact are discussed in the Livable Community Workshop Program description.  

Figure 1-3 shows the relationship of the UPWP to other transportation planning documents, including those described above.

This figure shows how the UPWP relates to the variety of planning documents described in Section 1.3.2: Coordination with Other Planning Activities. Some arrows on this document indicate the flow of support from the UPWP to different documents, and other arrows show the flow of ideas from various documents into the UPWP.

1.4     The UPWP Development Process

Each year the MPO considers projects for the annual update of the UPWP through its UPWP Committee, which was established by the MPO. The UPWP documents new projects and projects that are continuing from previous UPWPs, and it provides updates on the MPO’s ongoing programs that fulfill the 3C process outlined above.

1.4.1    Updates for Ongoing and Continuing Activities

As part of developing the upcoming UPWP, the MPO reviews activities for 1) ongoing projects and programs and 2) discrete (or limited-term) projects and programs that are continuing from previous UPWPs. Collectively, these projects and programs include both 3C-funded activities and projects completed on behalf of transportation agencies that serve the Boston region. As part of this process, the MPO staff identifies continuing activities that will be carried out in FFY 2014 and develops budgets for work to be conducted in FFY 2014.

In addition, MPO staff reviews and revises descriptions of activities to be conducted through the ongoing programs conducted as part of the 3C planning process. If there are changes to the budget of any program as a result of revisions to the planned activities, these are proposed. This annual project and program review and budget development process defines the amount of 3C funding (from federal grants that support the 3C process) that is available for new projects in the UPWP. After accounting for 3C-funded continuing and ongoing programs, the remaining funding is available for new projects.

To provide a comprehensive perspective of transportation planning activity occurring in the region, MPO staff members also develop a list of other major transportation planning activities occurring in the Boston region. This list includes projects that may not be funded with MPO funding or supported by MPO staff, but which are being implemented by individual transportation agencies, municipalities, or academic institutions.

Additional information on funding sources for UPWP projects and programs is available in section 1.5: Funding the Projects.

1.4.2    Universe of New UPWP Studies

For the development of new studies for the FFY 2014 UPWP, the MPO drew from the following sources to generate a universe of new study ideas for evaluation by MPO staff and the MPO’s UPWP Committee:

    1. Existing planning documents: the Congestion Management Process (CMP) reports; the Program for Mass Transportation (PMT), the MBTA’s long-range capital plan; Paths to a Sustainable Region, the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP); MetroFuture; and recent studies
    2. Past guidance received from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration on addressing planning emphasis areas
    3. FFY 2013 UPWP comment letters and project proposals
    4. Consultations with MassDOT, MAPC, and the MBTA
    5. MPO staff-identified needs

MPO staff also requested study suggestions through outreach at MAPC subregional group meetings, at Regional Transportation Advisory Council meetings, and through outreach to the general public at Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)- and UPWP-Building Workshops and at the MPO’s “Be Informed, Be Involved” information sessions.

1.4.3    New Study Selection Process

After generating a universe of new study ideas, MPO staff rated each project in 16 focus areas in order to assess what visions, goals, policies, factors, and priorities that study idea would be likely to advance. These focus areas are based on the MPO’s visions and policies, national goals and planning factors, federal guidance, and other state and regional priorities, including those outlined in other regional planning documents. These include:

    1. Link Land Use and Transportation
    2. Work with Limited Financial Resources
    3. Use a Management and Operations Approach
    4. Protect Air Quality and the Environment
    5. Preserve and Maintain the Transportation System
    6. Increase Transit and Healthy-Transportation Mode Share
    7. Encourage Sustainable Communities and Livability
    8. Advance Mobility, Access, and Congestion Reduction
    9. Improve System Reliability
    10. Increase Transportation Safety and Security
    11. Support Economic Vitality
    12. Consider Transportation Equity and Accessibility
    13. Support MetroFuture Goals
    14. Support Goals of PMT, youMove/weMove Massachusetts, GreenDOT, and MA Mode Shift
    15. Enhance Technical Capacity, Knowledge, and Insights
    16. Support Performance-Based Planning

In addition to conducting focus area ratings, MPO staff defined general scopes and estimated costs for study suggestions and considered potential study feasibility issues and consistency with the MPO’s policies and priorities. These various factors, along with the availability of funds for new studies, were considered as staff developed a recommended set of new study ideas for review by the UPWP Committee. Study ideas, their estimated costs, their focus area rating results, their relationship to the staff recommendation, and supporting comments are all documented in Appendix C.  

The UPWP Committee met three times to consider and provide guidance on the development process, new study ideas, idea ratings, and the staff recommendation for new projects. During its second and third meetings, the Committee developed the recommendation for a public review Draft FFY 2014 UPWP. The Committee selected a program of studies that was based on the availability of funding and the factors described above, including planning priorities and state and federal guidelines. The MPO approved the UPWP Committee’s recommendations for the public review of Draft FFY 2014 UPWP on May 16, 2013.

1.4.4    Finalizing the UPWP

Descriptive and financial information about ongoing, continuing, and new UPWP projects, along with information about the UPWP development process and other major transportation-planning projects occurring in the region, is incorporated into the public review Draft UPWP. Once the MPO votes to release the draft for public review, MPO staff posts the document for downloading from the MPO website (www.bostonmpo.org) and provides notice of its availability through various media and MPO communication outlets. The public review and comment period lasts 30 days, during which time MPO staff members conduct workshops and make presentations at meetings to discuss and collect feedback on the draft document. Comments provided through other venues, including the MPO website, are also compiled during this time and presented to the MPO. Information about the public review process for Draft FFY 2014 UPWP is available in Appendix B.

1.5     Funding the Projects

The funding for the projects included in this UPWP (presented in Chapters 4 through 7) comes from a variety of federal and state sources, as described below. The source of funds has important implications with regard to which agency or organization is responsible for programming them, as well as the MPO’s vote to approve both the UPWP and the subsequent work scopes for the projects included in it. The purview of the MPO is included in each of the funding descriptions.

1.6     Monitoring the Projects

The following procedures for monitoring the projects in this UPWP were approved by the MPO:

1.7     Amendments and Administrative Modifications to the UPWP

Amendments and administrative modifications may be made to the UPWP, when necessary, throughout the year. If an amendment is under consideration, the Regional Transportation Advisory Council and other interested parties, including any affected communities, are notified. The MPO follows the procedures specified in the MPO’s Public Participation Plan. Members of the public may attend and present comments at UPWP Committee meetings and MPO meetings at which amendments and administrative modifications are discussed. Administrative modifications may be made by the MPO without legal notice or a public review period, although these may be provided at the MPO’s discretion.

2 Status of the Federal Fiscal Year 2013 UPWP Projects Conducted By Boston Region MPO Staff

2.1     Introduction to FFY 2013 Projects

During federal fiscal year (FFY) 2013, numerous projects were conducted by the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on behalf of the MPO. For the purpose of reporting here on the status of these projects, they have been divided into three categories:

2.2     FFY 2013 Project and Budget Tables

This chapter includes four tables that describe the status of FFY 2013 projects. Tables 2-1 through 2-3 group the projects according to the “completed,” “continuing discrete,” and “ongoing” categories described above and provide FFY 2013 budget information. Table 2-4 lists projects that were expected to be completed in FFY 2012 but which actually were completed in FFY 2013. FFY 2012 budgets are provided in this table.  

Following these four tables is a listing of MPO work products resulting from FFY 2013 UPWP projects, along with work products from previous fiscal years, where applicable. Information is provided on how to obtain copies of reports approved by the MPO.

 

 

Table 2-1: Completed FFY 2013 UPWP Projects with FFY 2013 UPWP Budgets

UPWP Project FFY 2013 UPWP Project ID  Total FFY 2013 UPWP Budget FFY 2013 PL Funding FFY 2013 MPO §5303 Funding FFY 2013 SPR Funding FFY 2013 MassDOT Funding FFY 2013 MassDOT §5303 Funding FFY 2013 MBTA Funding FFY 2013 Other Funding Notes
2012–13 I-93 North and Southeast Xway HOV Lane Monitoring  23228 $64,000 $0 $0 $64,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 Activities associated with 2013–14 I-93 North and Southeast Xway HOV Lane Monitoring are described under the MassDOT Statewide Planning Research and Program Support project description. HOV  High-Occupancy Vehicle. Xway  Expressway. 
Bicycle Network Evaluation 11247 $12,200 $8,540 $3,660 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Callahan Tunnel Construction Impact Study 22206 $10,400 $0 $0 $0 $10,400 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Green Line Extension Study FEIR 22333 $10,000 $0 $0 $0 $10,000 $0 $0 (null) FEIR  Final Environmental Impact Report
MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance (Contract) 11380 $251,120 $0 $0 $0 $0 $251,120 $0 $0 The label "Contract" has been applied to UPWP entries that reflect contracts with transportation agencies that include multiple individual projects.
MBTA 2012 National Transit Database: Directly Operated 14326 $3,700 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $3,700 $0 No Notes
MBTA 2012 National Transit Database: Purchased Bus 14325 $2,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $2,600 $0 No Notes
MBTA Neighborhood Maps 14328 $11,130 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $11,130 $0 No Notes
Priority Corridors for LRTP Needs Assessment  13257 $105,000 $73,500 $31,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 LRTP  Long Range Transportation Plan. 
Regional HOV-Lane Systems Planning Study, Phase II 13256 $60,000 $36,000 $24,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Roadway Network Inventory for Emergency Needs: A Pilot Study 11144 $25,000 $13,610 $11,390 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Safety and Operations Analyses at Selected Intersections 13246 $67,700 $47,390 $20,310 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
SWAP Regional Public Transit Feasibility Study 42313 $40,000 $0 $40,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 SWAP  Southwest Advisory Planning Committee
Subtotal for Completed FFY 2013 UPWP Projects (ID # Not Applicable) $662,850 $179,040 $130,860 $64,000 $20,400 $251,120 $17,430 $0 No Notes

 

Table 2-2: Continuing Discrete FFY 2013 UPWP Projects with FFY 2013 UPWP Budgets

UPWP Project FFY 2013 UPWP Project ID  Total FFY 2013 UPWP Budget FFY 2013 PL Funding FFY 2013 MPO §5303 Funding FFY 2013 SPR Funding FFY 2013 MassDOT Funding FFY 2013 MassDOT §5303 Funding FFY 2013 MBTA Funding FFY 2013 Other Funding Notes
Accelerated Bridge Program Support (Contract) 13258 $40,000 $0 $0 $0 $40,000 $0 $0 $0 The label "Contract" has been applied to UPWP entries that reflect contracts with transportation agencies that include multiple individual projects.
Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways 13259 $75,000 $45,000 $30,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Boston Region MPO Freight Program – MPO Freight Study, Phase II  11145 $36,400 $36,400 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Freight planning and analysis conducted during FFY 2013 has been conducted under the "MPO Freight Study, Phase II (ID 11142)." Freight planning and analysis for FFY 2014 will be conducted under the program "Freight Planning Support."
Green Line Extension Delay: SIP Mitigation  11377 $17,000 $0 $0 $0 $17,000 $0 $0 $0 SIP  State Implementation Plan
Household Survey-Based Travel Profiles and Trends 11146 $66,700 $33,350 $33,350 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
I-93/I-95 Interchange, Woburn [listed as Modeling Support: I-93/I-95 Interchange Improvements North of Boston for FFY 2014] 73216 $52,400 $0 $0 $0 $52,400 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
MassDOT Road Inventory Supplemental Grant [listed as MassDOT Road Inventory Supplemental Grant for FFY 2014] 60616 $120,000 $0 $0 $0 $120,000 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
MassDOT Statewide Planning and Research Program Support (Contract) 11124 $332,000 $0 $0 $332,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 The label "Contract" has been applied to UPWP entries that reflect contracts with transportation agencies that include multiple individual projects.
MassDOT Title VI Program 13151 $47,000 $0 $0 $0 $47,000 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Massport Assistance SFY 2012–SFY 2014 [listed as Massport Technical Assistance for SFY 2012–SFY 2014] (Contract) 22124 $50,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $50,000 The label "Contract" has been applied to UPWP entries that reflect contracts with transportation agencies that include multiple individual projects. SFY: State Fiscal Year.
MBTA 2013 National Transit Database: Directly Operated 14333 $92,400 $0 $0 $0 (null) $0 $92,400 $0 No Notes
MBTA 2013 National Transit Database: Purchased Bus 14332 $22,340 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $22,340 $0 No Notes
MBTA Bus Service Data Collection Program VIII 11384 $226,950 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $226,950 $0 No Notes
MBTA Rider Oversight Committee Support  14303 $8,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $8,000 $0 No Notes
MBTA Title VI Program Monitoring: 2013 [listed as MBTA 2013–2014 Title VI Program Monitoring  for FFY 2014] 11385 $49,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $49,000 $0 No Notes
MetroWest RTA Transit Planning
Assistance II
53312 $30,000 $0 $30,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 RTA  Regional Transit Authority
Route 79 Interchange, Fall River [listed as Route 79 Transportation Study: Evaluation of Alternatives for FFY 2014] 43213 $33,700 $0 $0 $0 $33,700 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
South Coast Commuter Rail FEIR 43212 $10,000 $0 $0 $0 $10,000 $0 $0 $0 FEIR  Final Environmental Impact Report
South Station Expansion Support [listed as South Station Expansion Project: Support for FFY 2014] 12311 $125,000 $0 $0 $0 $125,000 $0 $0 $0 No Notes
Subtotal for Continuing Discrete FFY 2013 UPWP Projects (ID # Not Applicable) $1,433,890 $114,750 $93,350 $332,000 $445,100 $0 $398,690 $50,000 No Notes

 

Table 2-3: Ongoing FFY 2013 UPWP Projects with FFY 2013 UPWP Budgets

UPWP Project FFY 2013 UPWP Project ID  Total FFY 2013 UPWP Budget FFY 2013 PL Funding FFY 2013 MPO §5303 Funding FFY 2013 SPR Funding FFY 2013 MassDOT Funding FFY 2013 MassDOT §5303 Funding FFY 2013 MBTA Funding FFY 2013 Other Funding Notes
3C Planning and MPO Support 90011-90090 $725,800 $508,060 $217,740 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 increased the 3C Planning and MPO Support budget by $47,000.
Air Quality Conformity Determinations 10112 $12,000 $8,400 $3,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Air Quality Support Activity  90061 $40,700 $28,490 $12,210 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 increased the the Air Quality Support Activity budget by $4,700.
Alternative-Mode Planning and Coordination  MAPC7 $170,000 $113,970 $56,030 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Support
Activities 
13208 $39,000 $27,300 $11,700 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 reduced the Bicycle/Pedestrian Support Activities budget by $1,000. 
Boston Region MPO Livability Program [listed as Livable Community Workshop Program for FFY 2014] 13801, MAPC8 $60,600 $39,900 $20,700 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 reduced the Boston Region MPO Livability Program budget by $15,000. The Livable Communities Workshop Program and the Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program budgets reflect both CTPS and MAPC-managed funding.
Boston Region MPO Title VI Reporting 11355 $13,000 $9,100 $3,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program 13150, MAPC9 $60,000 $38,000 $22,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 The Livable Communities Workshop Program and the Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program budgets reflect both CTPS and MAPC-managed funding.
Computer Resource Management
60415-60492 $365,000 $255,500 $109,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 increased the Computer Resource Management budget by $35,000.
Congestion Management Process
11138 $199,500 $139,650 $59,850 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 reduced the Congestion Management Process budget by $10,000.
Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies and Land Use Reviews [listed as Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies for FFY 2014] MAPC4 $180,480 $107,610 $72,870 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Data Resources Management 60110-60600 $350,000 $245,000 $105,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 reduced the Data Resources Management budget by $85,000.
Direct Support 90000 $79,200 $37,500 $22,500 $14,000 $0 $5,000 $200 $0 No Notes.
Disability Access Support [listed as Access Advisory Committee Support for FFY 2014] 90024 & 90028 $117,300 $82,110 $35,190 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 increased the Disability Access Support budget by $30,300. The "Provision of Materials in Accessible Formats" portion of the Disability Access Support Project is listed as an independent project in the FFY 2014 UPWP. 
Land Use, Demographics, and Climate Change in Transportation Modeling [listed as Land Use, Demographics, and Mode Shift in Transportation for FFY 2014]  MAPC10 $50,000 $35,000 $15,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Land Use Development Project Reviews MAPC5 $80,000 $52,800 $27,200 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Long-Range Transportation Plan  10101 $180,000 $126,000 $54,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 reduced the Long-Range Transportation Plan budget by $20,000.
MPO/MAPC Liaison and Support Activities MAPC1  $157,010 $109,010 $48,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Regional Model Enhancement 11244 $790,000 $553,000 $237,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Regional Transit Service Planning Technical Support  14327 $18,000 $0 $18,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Regional Vision Implementation: Metrofuture [listed as MetroFuture Engagement for FFY 2014] MAPC6 $95,000 $62,200 $32,800 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Subregional Support Activities MAPC2 $157,010 $109,010 $48,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Transportation Equity/Environmental Justice Support 11132 $88,000 $61,600 $26,400 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Transportation Improvement Program 10103 $160,000 $112,000 $48,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Travel Data Forecasts 90080 $5,000 $3,500 $1,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Travel Operations Analyses 90040 $8,000 $5,600 $2,400 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Unified Planning Work Program [CTPS]  10104 $94,000 $65,800 $28,200 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 An administrative modification by the MPO's UPWP Committee on 4/18/2013 increased the Unified Planning Work Program [CTPS] budget by $14,000. 
Unified Planning Work Program [MAPC] MAPC3 $10,000 $7,000 $3,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes.
Subtotal for Ongoing FFY 2013 UPWP Projects (ID # Not Applicable) $4,304,600 $2,943,110 $1,342,290 $14,000 $0 $5,000 $200 $0 No Notes.
FFY 2013 UPWP Total (ID # Not Applicable) $6,401,340 $3,236,900 $1,566,500 $410,000 $465,500 $256,120 $416,320 $50,000 No Notes.

Table 2-4: FFY 2012 UPWP Projects Completed in FFY 2013 with FFY 2012 UPWP Budgets 

 

UPWP Project FFY 2012 UPWP Project ID  Total FFY 2012 UPWP Budget FFY 2012 PL Funding FFY 2012 MPO §5303 Funding FFY 2012 SPR Funding FFY 2012 MassDOT Funding FFY 2012 MassDOT §5303 Funding FFY 2012 MBTA Funding FFY 2012 Other Funding Notes
2011–12 I-93 North and Southeast Xway HOV Lane Monitoring  23227 $65,000 $0 $0 $65,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 HOV  High-Occupancy Vehicle. Xway  Expressway. 
Analysis of JARC and New Freedom Projects 13152 $20,000 $0 $20,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 JARC  Job Access and Reverse Commute
Impact of Walking Radius/Transit Frequency and Reliability 11374 $20,000 $0 $20,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes. 
Intercity Bus Study [now named Massachusetts Regional Bus Study] 11375 $65,000 $0 $0 $0 $65,000 $0 $0 $0 No Notes. 
MBTA [2012] Title VI Program Monitoring  11381 $50,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $50,000 $0 No Notes. 
MBTA Bus Service Data Collection VII  11369 $114,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $114,000 $0 No Notes. 
MBTA Systemwide Passenger Survey: Comparison of Results  11379 $30,000 $0 $30,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes. 
Priority Corridors for LRTP Needs Assessment [FFY 2012] 12201 $120,600 $120,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 LRTP Long-Range Transportation Plan. 
Regional HOV-Lane System Planning Study 13250 $30,000 $20,400 $9,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 HOV  High-Occupancy Vehicle
Roundabout Installation Screening Tool 13252 $700 $700 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes. 
Safe Access to Transit for Pedestrians and Bicyclists 13153 $36,500 $8,300 $28,200 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 No Notes. 
TIP Project Impacts Before-After Evaluation [FFY 2012]  12202 $30,000 $28,500 $1,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 TIP  Transportation Improvement Program
Total for FFY 2012 UPWP Projects Completed in FFY 2013 (ID # Not Applicable) $581,800 $178,500 $109,300 $65,000 $65,000 $0 $164,000 $0 No Notes. 

 


2.3     Work Products of the FFY 2013 UPWP

Listed below are reports, memoranda, and other MPO work products and activities associated with the projects in the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2013 UPWP. These projects are either complete or expected to be complete by the end of FFY 2013. Please note that some titles may change as products are finalized.  All certification documents and many other work products are or will be available for downloading from the MPO website, www.bostonmpo.org. Work products not found on the MPO website may be requested by contacting CTPS at 617-973-7100 (voice), 617-973-7089 (TTY), or bostonmpo@ctps.org (email).

 

This list also contains products that were expected to be complete in FFY 2012 or earlier, but were completed or are expected to be complete in FFY 2013. These products are highlighted with an asterisk (*).

2.3.1    CTPS Work Products

Certification Documents

CTPS Reports