Transportation Alternatives Workshop and Public Comment: Sept. 15, 2016

County of Fairfax, Virginia

Transportation Alternatives Workshop and Public Comment

Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation

September 15, 20167:00 PM


Transportation Alternatives Overview

New federal legislation was passed in December 2015 and will be effective 2016 – 2020. The legislation:

• Changed name of the Surface Transportation Program to the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program

•Established a set-aside within the STBG funding for Transportation Alternatives (TA Set-aside)•Continued the eligibilities as set forth in MAP-21 including the same four (4) categories:•Transportation Alternatives activities•Safe Routes to School (SRTS) activities•Recreational Trails Program activities•Boulevards from Divided Highways activities

Department of Transportation 2


Eligible Projects1. Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians,

bicyclists , and other non-motorized forms of transportation. 2. Construction, planning, and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will

provide safe routes for non-drivers to access daily needs.3. Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails 4. Construction of turn-outs, overlooks, and viewing areas to promote the scenic and historic

character of local roads. 5. Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising. 6. Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities. 7. Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way to improve roadway safety,

prevent against invasive species, and provide erosion control 8. Archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project

eligible under this title. 9. Environmental mitigation activity, including prevention and abatement activities to address

storm water mgmt., control, and water pollution related to highway runoff. 10. Wildlife mortality mitigation to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or to restore and

maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats. 11. Safe Routes to Schools Projects



Safe Routes To SchoolsEligible Activities

• Sidewalk improvements • Traffic calming and speed reduction

improvements • Pedestrian and bicycle crossing

improvements • On-street bicycle facilities • Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities • Shared-use paths/trails • Secure bicycle parking facilities • Traffic Diversion improvements • Other projects that improve ped/bike safety

and access

Ineligible Activities

• Bus stop improvements • Improvements to traffic flow/kiss and ride for

motorized vehicles • Others not related to walking or biking



SRTS Additional Requirements

• Principal letter of support • Title-I status • Travel modes • Travel distance • Parent survey • Barriers to walking • Efforts to promote walking/biking to school



State Allocation Formula – FY 16 Example

• FY 16 Total Funding - ~$22.3 million• Recreational Trails receives $1.5 million• $20.8 million Balance is split 50/50• $10.4 million is allocated based on population with $6.3 million to

Transportation Management Associations (TMA) and $4.1 million to other areas based on population

• The other $10.4 million is allocated anywhere in the state, Commonwealth Transportation Board(CTB) Policy governs distribution



VDOT FY18 Schedule

• July / August 2016 - Applicant Workshops • November 1, 2016 - Application Deadline • February 2017 – Applications and scores presented to the TMAs

and CTB • April 2017 – Tentative Selections made by VDOT staff• April / May 2017 – Department Six Year Improvement Plan (SYIP)

Public Hearings • June 2017 – Final CTB approval



Selection Process

Statewide Funds (50%) • Will be divided amongst District CTB members for project selections –

maximum $1M per member • The Secretary of Transportation and the CTB At-Large members will select

projects with any remaining statewide funds (any funds over $9M)

Population Based Funds (50%) • Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) will make selections in the 4

TMAs • CTB At-Large members will select projects based on other population areas

funding



FY 2018 Application Now Online



Status of Current TAP Projects

• Mason Neck Trail• Cross County Trail Lorton (FY 2017 Applicant)• Cinderbed Bikeway (FY 2017 Applicant)• Reston Bike Share• Westbriar Elementary School SRTS• Van Dorn Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements (FY 2017

Applicant)



Department of Transportation

FY 18 Staff Proposals• Van Dorn Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements -

$400,000• Cinderbed Bikeway - $800,000• Providence District Bike Share- $400,000

With the TA local match requirements FCDOT staff can only move forward with grant applications that have an identified local cash match. Currently, staff selects projects from the Board of Supervisor’s Transportation Priorities Program (TPP) that have funding already applied and would be competitive candidates for the grant. Projects outside the TPP need to have a local cash match identified before that can be applied for. Examples of other local cash match include donated Right of Way, HOA funds and District Discretionary Funds. Project advocates can also work with their supervisor’s office and FCDOT to have their project included in a future approved TPP.


Open Container FundingBicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program

• 100% Federal Funding• Focuses on improving safety for pedestrian and / or bicyclists along

active roadways• Must demonstrate safety need and the improvement being made• Requires a SEPARATE application submission using the application

portal – from home page select “Bike / Pedestrian Safety”• Application deadline for TA sponsors: November 1, 2016



Open Container FundingOpen Container Project Eligibility:

• Provides pedestrian and/or bicycle safety treatment at locations with history of crashes

• Provides infra-structure that connects pedestrian/bicycle generating land uses

• Road diet that creates bicycle lanes• Reduces conflict points between motorists, bicycles and pedestrians• Improves the opportunity for pedestrians and/or cyclists to safely cross a

roadway• Eliminates a barrier for non-motorized traffic• Provides separation or dedicated space for non-motorized travel along a

high-speed or congested route



Open Container FY 18 Applications

• Due November 1, 2016• Online application via Smart Portal• FCDOT is moving forward with an application for pedestrian

improvements on Pleasant Valley Road for FY 18.



Important Steps to Getting TA or OC Funding

• Schedule a field meeting with FCDOT staff and members of the community

• Participate in future Board of Supervisor’s Transportation Priorities Plan updates

• Gain support from state and federal elected officials, non-profits, schools and other community groups

• Stay involved in the process throughout the year



TAP Q&A Session



Public Input

• Recommendations for Projects• Support or Dissent on Projects• Other Comments on Transportation Alternatives


Transportation Alternatives Workshop and Public Comment: Sept. 15, 2016

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Transcript of Transportation Alternatives Workshop and Public Comment: Sept. 15, 2016