Chapter 1 Introduction

Transcription

1 The RTP must consider all major modes of transportation and be financially constrained, which means that each project or program appearing in the document must include an identified source of funding that will be of sufficient magnitude to allow its completion in the year programmed. Photo: Whittier Bridge under construction, by MassDOT. Chapter 1 Introduction The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is a federally required long-range strategy and evaluation of the transportation system in the Merrimack Valley. Looking out 25 years, the Plan assesses the needs, impacts and performance that transportation choices and investments have on mobility, safety, environment, and economy, just to name a few. When you get right down to it, the RTP is essential because it spells out how our region will spend federal transportation funding in a way that helps us achieve local, regional and state goals. The goals will impact how people get to jobs, support economic development, achieve environmental sustainability, and more. It s also important to plan ahead to ensure that the funding is spent equitably and that transportation infrastructure is maintained in a responsible manner. This RTP is the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization s (MVMPO) 25-year plan for transportation projects that can be programmed for implementation with federal funds. Implementation typically involves design, permitting and construction, although capital equipment purchases are also programmed Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 12

2 Each year, the MVMPO programs projects from the RTP that are, or soon will be, ready-to-go into its four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Only those projects that are identified in the RTP or are consistent with its recommendations can be programmed in the TIP. The TIP is also fiscally constrained and projects identified in the TIP are allocated 80% federal funds with a 20% match. Traffic congestion On-road mobile source emissions Freight movement on Interstate System. Measures of success are included as actual measures, where available, or as strategies, when new data collection is needed. Beyond simply identifying projects, the RTP also lays out the transportation concepts, programs, analyses and fiscal factors that shape the selection of the projects identified. The analyses, studies and plans that are used to achieve the Plan goals are included in the MVMPO UPWPs. The plan must consider seven planning factors identified in Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century, which are reflected in the goals and objectives. Table 1.1 shows the relationship between the MAP 21 planning factors and the MVMPO s goals. Photo: Bates Bridge connects Haverhill to Groveland. In addition, MAP-21 requires that MPOs establish performance measures in the areas listed below: Pavement condition Performance of the Interstate System Bridge conditions Fatalities and serious injuries 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 13

3 Table 1.1 MAP-21 Planning Factors Safety. Infrastructure condition Congestion reduction System reliability Freight movement and economic vitality Environmental Sustainability Reduced Project Delivery Delays MVMPO Goals Increase Safety for All Modes. Maintain existing infrastructure in a state of good repair. Promote Economic Vitality Objective 4: reduce congestion on region s NHS roadways that serve transit and/or existing population and places of employment. Create and Maintain Multi-modal Transportation System and Increase Capacity to Support Mode Shift. Promote Economic Vitality (objectives include freight) Promote Environmental Sustainability MassDOT is responsible for the project delivery process and regulations regarding project development. Transportation Planning: A Collaborative Process Transportation planning is a collaborative process and as such the MVMPO works with its partnering agencies, communities, stakeholder organizations and members of the public. Federal and state partners include: Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority Massachusetts Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Federal Transit Authority 15 member communities Neighboring MPOs More detailed information about the roles of our partners can be found in the MVMPO Memorandum of Understanding found in Appendix D. Coordination w ith other Planning Activitie s The RTP seeks to include and address strategies, goals and targets set out in the following documents. Priority Growth Strategy In 2009, MVPC staff completed the Merrimack Valley Priority Growth Strategy (PGS), its first 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 14

4 regional master plan in over 30 years. The 2009 PGS was prepared with MVPC communities direct participation and was well received by planning professionals and local/state elected officials. The National Association of Development Officials (NADO) recognized the PGS as a Best Practice" in 2009 and awarded the MVPC an Innovation Award for the PGS in FHWA subsequently featured the PGS on its Transportation Planning Capacity Building website as the latest example of an Innovative Project (FFY 2014). The MVPC staff has since assisted many of its communities with implementing 2009 PGS findings and recommendations. In 2011, the MVPC staff developed a PGS implementation plan with funding from the Commonwealth s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. This plan, entitled the Merrimack Valley Regional Strategic Framework Plan, informed a MVPC / EOHED discussion on how to integrate the Strategic Framework Plan with the Commonwealth s then-new "Planning Ahead for Growth" initiative. MVPC and EOHED staff worked together to identify which of the 57 regional Concentrated Development Centers identified in the PGS had statewide significance and could be designated as Priority Development Areas. The same exercise was done for identifying Priority Preservation Areas. Under the FFY 2014 UPWP, the MVPC staff completed a PGS update to ensure that the PGS land use, transportation, environment, and other content captured any changes that had occurred over the five years since it released the 2009 PGS. The MVPC adopted its PGS update in January Congestion Management Process (CMP) The CMP is a USDOT-mandated planning tool that MPOs with Urbanized Areas of more than 200,000 people must use to: Comprehensively examine and monitor congestion on a MPO's transportation network; Identify congested areas/components, and Recommend actions to resolve specific congestion issues. These recommendations often result in traffic analyses and studies that appear in a region's UPWP. Chapter 46 An Act Relative to Transportation Finance While the title of this 2013 act shows that it was intended to provide funding for the Commonwealth s transportation network, it also contained numerous provisions related to the 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 15

5 management of the state s transportation infrastructure. It contained provisions establishing the development of The Performance and Asset Management Advisory Council, required the preparation of Comprehensive Regional Transit Plans, and established the Project Selection Advisory Council, which it charged with responsibility for developing the project selection criteria to be used in the development of the comprehensive state transportation plan. All of these provisions will play a role in shaping the transportation planning process in FFY 2016 and the years to come. wemove Massachusetts planning for performance MassDOT introduced a number of firsts with the passage of wemove Massachusetts. It was the first multimodal transportation plan created by the agency since its restructuring in It was also the first plan to introduce performance management measures into the capital planning process. wemove Massachusetts evaluates the long-term performance of the transportation network under two alternative funding scenarios: 1), assuming that historica l funding levels would be in place and 2) assuming that the current funding levels authorized under Chapter 46 would be available. These impacts were measured in a number of areas such as pavement condition, bridge condition, mobility, bicycle transportation and safety. "GreenDOT" Launched by MassDOT in July 2010, the GreenDOT initiative is designed to make Massachusetts a progressive state in how its transportation network coexists with the environment and supports sustainable development. Three of its primary goals are: Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Promote the healthy transportation options of walking, bicycling, and taking public transit, and Support smart growth development. Through the Global Warming Solutions Act, which was enacted by the legislature in 2008, Massachusetts has committed to reducing statewide GHG emissions between 10-25% from 1990 levels by 2020 and by at least 80 from 1990 levels by To help achieve these GHG emissions reductions, MassDOT has committed to tripling the mode shares for walking, bicycling and 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 16

6 public transportation throughout the Commonwealth. Transit usage would be increased by offering more hours of service, improving bus route designs/schedules, reducing bus/train headways and upgrading the condition of rolling stock and other equipment. Improving travel accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians through a "Complete Streets" approach to improving the state's transportation network will make it easier and safer for persons to bike and/or walk. To further assist in the effort to reduce the number of Single Occupancy Vehicles in the Commonwealth, MassDOT has developed MassRides, a statewide travel options program that is designed to help people make more informed decisions about carpooling, bicycling, walking, public transportation, teleworking, and vanpooling. In December 2012, MassDOT released its GreenDOT Implementation Plan, which establishes 15 broad sustainability goals to decrease the level of resources needed to sustain the Commonwealth s transportation network. It includes many specific measures for reducing GHG emissions in the state including providing alternative fueling options at highway service areas and installing 30 electric vehicle charging stations along the state highway system as well as at transit parking areas. A logical location for such a station would be the Newburyport Park and Ride Lot, which is located adjacent to I-95 and is the busiest such facility in the Commonwealth. The Healthy Transportation Policy Directive, released by MassDOT in 2013, modified MassDOT's Design Criteria for Projects and Bicycle Accommodation in a few key ways including requiring sidewalks on both sides of roadways in urban areas, on both sides of bridges and/or on roadways passing beneath bridges, and on MassDOT facilities wherever adjacent commercial/pedestrian development density is greater than five units/acre. Accomplishments The MVMPO has made significant progress in implementing projects that it recommended in the 2012 RTP. This progress is the result of several factors: The state of readiness for many projects allowed the MVMPO to make full use of its 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 17

7 funding and to reprogram/ substitute TIP projects when needed. Several bridge projects were funded through the Accelerated Bridge Program including the Whittier Bridge, Bates Bridge, Rocks Village Bridge and the upcoming Route 28 Bridge over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority s (MBTA) Haverhill Line in Andover. MVMPO communities successfully applied for MassWorks grants that are paying for projects that otherwise would have eventually been paid for through the MVMPO including the reconstruction of a section of Merrimack Street in Lawrence. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) continues to support our vision and goals by providing extra statewide funding for projects, such as the Clipper City Rail Trail and a large portion of the Methuen Rotary project, which essentially freed up a significant amount of target funding for the region. Table 1.1 lists the projects that were funded since the 2012 RTP was endorsed. Table 1.1 Project Funded Since 2012 Community Status Route 150 Amesbury Construction S. Main St. Haverhill Complete Bradford Rail-Trail Haverhill Due to begin construction Merrimac Square Merrimac Under construction Rt. 110 roadwork/ sidewalks Merrimac Complete Methuen Rotary Methuen Under Construction Rt. 125 signalization North Andover Complete Route 286 intersections Salisbury Complete Clipper City Rail Trail Newburyport Out to bid by Sept 2015 Costello Transportation Center Amesbury Complete Haverhill Intermodal Center Haverhill Complete Bus replacements Region wide Complete 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 18

8 The Region Today Demographic information provides a snapshot of the forecasted growth of the region over the next 25 years and informs the decisions relative to the region s transportation needs. Title VI data is provided and discussed in Chapter 10. Population The population and employment forecasts used in developing the MVMPO s FFY 2016 RTP were developed through a cooperative effort of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, MassDOT s Office of Transportation Planning, the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. It is important to note that the population forecasts developed for this RTP were derived using a different approach than has been used in previous RTPs. Previous forecasts were guided by existing zoning and considered the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs build out analyses in allocating future population growth. The forecasts used in this RTP reflect Smart Growth principles as set forth in the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission s Priority Table 1.2: Merrimack Valley Region Population Forecast Community AMESBURY 16,450 16,283 16,421 16,402 17,290 ANDOVER 31,247 33,201 34,470 36,507 37,687 BOXFORD 7,921 7,965 7,440 7,183 7,758 GEORGETOWN 7,377 8,183 8,713 9,354 9,442 GROVELAND 6,038 6,459 6,833 7,283 7,572 HAVERHILL 58,969 60,879 64,457 67,593 69,095 LAWRENCE 72,043 76,377 82,767 89,029 88,691 MERRIMAC 6,138 6,338 6,279 6,340 6,587 METHUEN 43,789 47,255 52,383 58,161 58,094 NEWBURY 6,717 6,666 6,446 6,171 6,680 NEWBURYPORT 17,189 17,416 17,474 17,375 18,673 NORTH ANDOVER 27,202 28,352 29,453 30,747 32,045 ROWLEY 5,500 5,856 6,166 6,465 6,638 SALISBURY 7,827 8,283 8,609 8,813 9,115 WEST NEWBURY 4,149 4,235 4,141 4,075 4,341 Regional Total 318, , , , ,708 Source: UMass Donahue Institute, Metropolitan Area Planning Council and MassDOT. Growth Strategy. The new approach assumes that the zoning in many Merrimack Valley communities will be dynamic and change to facilitate this newer form of development. Consequently, the population forecasts for certain communities are much higher in this RTP than was shown previously Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 19

9 Table 1.3: Merrimack Valley Region Employment Forecast Community AMESBURY 5,312 5,286 5,263 5,307 ANDOVER 26,579 26,557 26,419 26,637 BOXFORD 1,260 1,254 1,249 1,262 GEORGETOWN 2,658 2,643 2,631 2,653 GROVELAND HAVERHILL 21,647 21,663 21,548 21,731 LAWRENCE 26,296 26,872 26,775 27,015 MERRIMAC METHUEN 18,296 18,882 18,790 18,964 NEWBURY 1,735 1,725 1,716 1,732 NEWBURYPORT 12,296 12,458 12,410 12,522 NORTH ANDOVER 20,568 21,095 20,999 21,167 ROWLEY 2,556 2,538 2,528 2,556 SALISBURY 3,498 3,630 3,618 3,644 WEST NEWBURY Regional Total 145, , , ,862 Source: UMass Donahue Institute, Metropolitan Area Planning Council and MassDOT. Table 1.2 shows that the population of the Merrimack Valley region is projected to see 19% growth between 2010 and The City of Methuen is expected to see the highest rate of growth during this period at 33%, followed by Georgetown (28%), Groveland (25%), and Lawrence (23%). Employment While the MVMPO region s population is expected to grow modestly over the next 25 years, regional employment levels are expected to remain virtually unchanged. Total employment is projected to grow by only 1.7% over 2010 levels. Journey to Work Where are Merrimack Valley residents traveling to get to work? Where do people who work in the region commute from? The tables on the following page tell an interesting story. One point to note is that the overall number of Merrimack Valley residents that work in the region has remained remarkably constant over the last 20+ years. However, the percentage of Valley residents working in the region has dropped over time as the number of workers has grown and more residents are finding employment outside the region. More and more Merrimack Valley residents are finding employment in Southern New Hampshire. Since 1990, the number of 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 20

10 Photo: Downtown Haverhill Merrimack Valley residents that work in Rockingham, Stratham and Hillsborough counties increased by 97% (See Table 1.4). This rate of growth explains the large number of comments/ requests received by the MVMPO in recent years citing the need for transit service between the Merrimack Valley and Rockingham County. Table 1.4: Where are Merrimack Valley Employees Coming From? Origin People MVPC 79,262 Southern NH 21,356 Boston 1,117 Greater Boston 6,026 Route 128 5,857 I NMCOG Region 8,838 Cape Ann 2,097 Southern Maine 728 Southern Edge 2,281 Metro West 378 Total 128,776 Source: ACS 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 21

11 Table 1.5: Where Do Merrimack Valley Residents Work? Work Zone Destination % Change MVPC 78,743 77,849 79,262 1% Route ,577 16,642 17,793 41% Greater Boston 7,121 11,032 11,213 57% Boston 7,058 9,134 10,293 46% Rockingham Co. NH 4,961 6,719 9,109 84% NMCOG 7,233 8,506 8,655 20% Southern Edge 5,227 5,276 5,793 11% Cape Ann 2,216 4,144 3,928 77% Hillsborough Co, NH 1,027 1,398 2, % I ,700 1,772 90% Metro West % Strafford Co, NH % York County, ME % Totals 127, , ,854 * Work destinations beyond this general region were not included. Source: U.S. Census 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 22

12 Hillsborough NH Rockingham NH Strafford County NH Table 1.6: Merrimack Valley Resident Work Destination American Community Survey York County ME Cape Anne Boston Community Totals Amesbury , ,771 Andover ,906 1, ,946 1,253 2, ,526 Boxford , ,751 Georgetown , ,898 Groveland , ,794 Haverhill 635 1, ,649 1, ,762 1,765 2, ,736 Lawrence 457 2, ,277 1, ,172 1,825 3,068 1,217 29,219 Merrimac , ,311 Methuen 419 1, , ,176 1,826 2, ,513 Newbury , ,222 Newburyport , ,849 North Andover ,523 1, , , ,990 Rowley , ,857 Salisbury , ,429 West Newbury , ,988 Subtotals 2,326 9, ,928 10,293 11,213 1, ,262 8,655 17,793 5, ,854 % of Total 1.5% 6.0% 0.3% 0.2% 2.6% 6.8% 7.4% 1.2% 0.6% 52.2% 5.7% 11.7% 3.8% 100% Greater Boston I-495 Metro West MVPC NMCOG Route 128 Southern Edge 2016 Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 23

13 Organization of the Document The 2016 RTP is generally organized to correspond with each goal. Here is what you will find: Chapter 1: Introduction provides an overview. Chapter 2: Vision and Goals elaborates on the goals, objectives and summarizes the strategies and performance measures. Chapter 3: Public Participation provides a review of the MPO s outreach efforts in developing the document. Chapter 4: Financial Constraint a review of existing funding, projected funding availability and the projects chosen for funding. Chapter 5: State of Good Repair Reviews existing conditions related to Goal 1 and how the MPO and communities intend to move forward. Chapter 6: Increase Safety for All Modes Discussion of existing conditions, projects, studies and programs that the MPO engages in that address reducing crashes and increasing safety. This section also addresses transportation system security. Chapter 7: Create a Multi-modal Transportation System A review of the strategies that the MPO is initiating, progress toward implementing a multi-modal transportation network, challenges and needs. Chapter 8: Promote Economic Vitality looks at how the selected transportation projects support the Priority Growth Strategy; challenges facing freight movement in the region and how the MPO is working with communities to address congestion, and especially seasonal congestion. Chapter 9: Promote Environmental Sustainability Looks at how the transportation system impacts the natural environment. Chapter 10: Transportation Equity Provides a review of Title VI and EJ populations and the benefits and burdens of transportation projects on these communities. Chapter 11: Public Comments Responses to public comments received during the public review and comment period. Chapter 12: Summary A quick look at how the selected projects will address regional transportation goals Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 24

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15 Chapter 2 Vision and Goals Equity Mode Choice Safety Livability Environment al Sustainability Economic Vitality State of Good Repair Chapter 2 Vision and Goals Vision: Supporting Livable Communities with Transportation The MVMPO envisions a multi-modal, safe, efficient and cost effective transportation system that supports our communities livability goals of economic vitality, high quality of life, preservation of natural resources and healthy lifestyles. Figure 2.1: The image shows that all the goals intersect with livability. The goals and objectives outlined in this plan detail how we hope to guide and support regional, local and state efforts to improve livability through creating a more dynamic, equitable and safe transportation system. They have been modified from the 2012 RTP to respond to changing policies and the evolving transportation network in the region Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 26

16 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Maintain Existing Infrastructure in a State of Good Repair 80% of federal aid roads will be maintained in good to excellent condition. Maintain and modernize capital assets such as transit buses in good to excellent condition. Improve conditions of existing pedestrian infrastructure. Goal 2: Increase Safety for All Modes Reduce overall number of crashes for all modes. Goal 3: Create a Multi-Modal Transportation System to Support Mode Shift Implement and expand multi-modal network. Improve/increase bicycle parking capacity. Increase efficiency and effectiveness of transit systems to support mode shift. Photo: Safe Routes to School program in North Andover. Goal 4: Promote Economic Vitality Direct transportation investment to Priority Development Areas. Support freight movement within and through Merrimack Valley region. Improve/increase multi-modal transportation options for tourism to reduce congestion and enhance visitor experiences. Reduce congestion on region s NHS roadways that serve transit and/or existing populations and places of employment Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 27

17 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goal 5: Promote Environmental Sustainability Improve regional air quality. Promote effective stormwater management. Implement adaptive planning for climate change. Goal 6: Transportation Equity Prioritize transportation planning and investments that eliminate barriers for Title VI and Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. Break down barriers to participation in MPO process Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 28

18 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Table 1.7: 2016 RTP Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Performance Measures and Targets Vision: The Merrimack Valley MPO envisions a multi-modal, safe, efficient and cost effective transportation system that supports our communities' livability goals of economic vitality, high quality of life, preservation of natural resources and healthy lifestyles. Goal 1: Maintain Existing Infrastructure in a State of Good Repair Objectives Strategies Target Performance measure 80% of roads in good % of federal aid roads in good to to excellent condition. excellent condition % of all federal aid-roads will be maintained at good to excellent condition. 1.2 Maintain and modernize capital assets, such as transit buses, in good to excellent condition. Exceed 5 Year benchmark of 15,502 miles between road call. Mean miles between failures of transit fleet; % of MVRTA bus replacements accomplished on schedule. 100% on-time replacement of transit vehicles. Create an inventory within 5 years. 1.3 Improve conditions of existing pedestrian infrastructure. Inventory conditions of all existing pedestrian infrastructure. Miles of existing sidewalks. Miles of sidewalks in good to excellent condition Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 29

19 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goal 2: Increase Safety for All Modes Objectives Strategies Target Performance measure 2.1 Reduce overall number of crashes for all modes. Conduct safety audits and other studies at priority high crash locations. Follow up with communities to ensure that they are implementing recommendations. Reduce non-interstate fatalities by 10% in five years. Number of crashes and severity of crashes all modes. Progress toward implementing recommendations at priority crash locations. Identify the severity of injuries related to crashes. Number of safety audits conducted at high crash locations. Work with communities to implement 3Es. Increase the number of schools participating in SR2S program. Increase number of schools by 10% in 5 years. Number of schools participating in SR2S Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 30

20 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goal 3: Create a Multi-modal Transportation System and Increase Capacity to Support Mode Shift. Objectives Strategies Target Performance measure 3.1 Implement and expand multimodal network. Implement a bicycle/pedestrian counting program. All communities will incorporate complete streets into planning, design, maintenance, and construction projects. Miles of multi-use trails built. Increase in number of people using multi-use trails. Number of communities with complete streets bylaws. Implement Active Transportation Network 10 miles of new trail complete in 5 years Miles of ATN facilities built/implemented 3.2 Increase bicycle parking capacity. Incorporate bicycle parking in project design for multiuse trails, roadways, transit centers and other infrastructure projects. 3.3 Increase efficiency and effectiveness of transportation systems to support mode shift Advocate for increased service along commuter rail lines. Increase # of parking spaces by 10% in 5 years. Increase ridership by 2% each year. Number of bicycle parking spaces in PDAs and at transit stations. MVRTA ridership. MBTA ridership Support expansion of region's commuter bus services. Evaluate the need for additional park & ride lot capacity to support mode shift. Park & Ride average utilization will be at 75%. Service frequency. Ridership. Parking capacity and % utilization Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 31

21 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goal 4 Promote Economic Vitality Objectives Strategies Target Performance measure 4.1 Direct transportation investment to Priority Development Areas. Number and quality of infrastructure improvements made to increase mobility to and within PDAs. 4.2 Support freight movement of within and through the Merrimack Valley region. 4.3 Improve/increase multi-modal transportation options for tourism to reduce congestion and increase visitor experiences. Advocate for a Complete Streets approach to road improvements that include freight needs. Monitor freight needs. Count bicycles and pedestrians using the network. Number of people bicycling, walking and riding transit to Salisbury Beach Newburyport during summer months. 4.4 Reduce congestion on region's NHS roadways that serve transit and/or existing population and places of employment. Investigate bike share and other options. Complete multi-modal network in coastal region. Enhance coordinated mobility information for visitors. Increase # of miles of Coastal trails network in 5 years. Miles completed. Measures based on travel speeds on NHS roadway segments (TBD). Transit travel time Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 32

22 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goal 5: Promote Environmental Sustainability Objectives Strategies Target Performance measure 5.1 Improve regional air quality. Support mode shift. Maintain regional attainment for air quality status. Establish baseline for regional bike/ped use by Pollutants - CO2, CO, PM 2.5, PM 10, VOC, Nox. 5.2 Implement effective stormwater management programs. 5.3 Adaptive planning for climate change. Develop model Illicit Discharge Detection Program; Collaborative Community outreach and training. Update local ordinances/bylaws to reflect requirements of final MS4 permit. Great Marsh restoration project including invasives species management; Planning models to quantify impacts of climate change/sea level rise. 15 communities compliant within 5 years. 10% reduction in impaired waterways within 5 years. Coastal Resiliency plans for five communities complete by Complete regional inventory & assessment of stream barriers by # Communities w/ approved/compliant MS4 permit programs. # of impaired waterway segments due to transportation activities. # Coastal communities with adaptation plans. # of "choke point" culverts Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 33

23 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives Goal 6: Transportation Equity Objectives Strategies Target Performance measure 6.1 Prioritize Transportation Planning and Investments That Eliminate Barriers for Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities. Continue advancing and evaluating actions that address protected populations' unmet travel needs. Not less than 33% will be spent in Title VI/EJ communities. % of funding spent in Title VI/EJ communities. Continue investing in infrastructure and services in communities where protected populations are present. 6.2 Break down barriers to participation in MPO process. Prioritize walking, bicycling and public transit infrastructure and services development/maintenance. Increase engagement of protected populations in the MVMPO's transportation planning activities. # and quality of outreach opportunities to Title VI/EJ communities Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Plan 34

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