LTAP News. On July 6, 2012, President Obama INSIDE. MAP-21 and California Implementation SPRING 2013

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1 LTAP News SPRING 2013 MAP-21 and California Implementation On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed Public Law (P.L.) , surface transportation authorizing legislation Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), continuing the Federal-aid highway program (FAHP) for fiscal years (FY) 2013 and MAP-21 created a streamlined, performance-based, and multimodal program to address the many challenges facing the United States transportation system. The MAP-21 provisions that are most pertinent to California s local agencies are highlighted in this article. For more detailed information on the highway provisions of MAP-21, please refer to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website: Continued on pages 2-4 INSIDE FHWA Launches New Initiative to Help Local Public Agencies Manage Federal-Aid Projects Retroreflectometer Loan Program LTAP Training Calendar for February through June

2 MAP-21 and California Implementation MAP-21 PROVISION HIGHLIGHTS Funding Programs MAP-21 simplified the previously complex array of funding programs by substantially consolidating the programs into a smaller number of broader, core apportionment programs. The restructured programs are as follows: Core Apportionment Funding Program National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Surface Transportation Program (STP) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) Program Highlights Combines activities previously eligible under the National Highway System, Interstate Maintenance and Bridge funding programs Expands the definition of the National Highway System (NHS) to include all principal arterials, the Strategic Highway Network, and intermodal connectors Requires an asset management plan for the NHS Establishes average annual funding at the same level as the previous Transportation Enhancement program Combines activities previously eligible under the Transportation Enhancement, Recreational Trails, and Safe Routes to School funding programs Continues the emphasis on a data-driven, strategic approach to improving highway safety on all public roads Establishes a new requirement for regular Strategic Highway Safety Plan updates Requires the establishment of performance measures, and States to set targets for number of injuries and fatalities Eligibility includes projects previously eligible under Transportation Enhancements, Recreation Trails, Ferry Boats, Consolidated Border Infrastructure Program, Truck Parking Facilities, and Safe Routes to School Eliminates previous set-aside for Transportation Enhancements Establishes new requirement for performance-based program measures for large transportation management areas Requires States with PM2.5 nonattainment areas to use a portion of their funds to reduce PM2.5 Metropolitan Planning Requires establishment and use of performance-based approach to transportation decision-making and development of transportation plans by metropolitan planning organizations Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities Changes previous discretionary program to apportionment program Eliminates set-aside for specific States Enhanced National Highway System The National Highway System (NHS) has been enhanced by the inclusion of portions of the State Highway System and Local Principal Arterials that were not on the NHS before. The enhanced NHS will now be subject to federal regulations. 2

3 Performance Management The transition to a performance- and outcome-based program is a cornerstone of MAP-21. The objective of this performance- and outcomebased program is for States to invest resources in projects that collectively make progress toward the achievement of the national goals. MAP-21 established national performance goals for the FAHP in the following seven areas: Safety Goal Area National Goal To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads Infrastructure Condition Congestion Reduction System Reliability Freight Movement and Economic Vitality Environmental Sustainability Reduced Project Delivery Delays To maintain the highway infrastructure asset system in a state of good repair To achieve a significant reduction in congestion on the National Highway System To improve the efficiency of the surface transportation system To improve the national freight network, strengthen the ability of rural communities to access national and international trade markets, and support regional economic development To enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment 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 burdens and improving agencies work practices Furthermore, MAP-21 also requires the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with States, metropolitan planning organizations and other stakeholders, to establish performance measures to support each of the national goal areas. Project Delivery MAP-21 provides an array of provisions designed to increase innovation and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in the planning, design, engineering, construction and financing of transportation projects. Many of the strategies focus on accelerating the environmental review process including: strengthening the linkage between the planning and environmental processes; using a programmatic approach where possible; consolidating environmental documents; establishing deadlines for the review process; and expanding authority for categorical exclusions. Other strategies for accelerating the project delivery process outside the environmental review process included in MAP-21 are: broadening the ability for some States to acquire or preserve right-of-way prior to completion of the NEPA process; providing for a demonstration program to streamline the relocation process; and encouraging the use of innovative technologies and practices. 3

4 Freight MAP-21 introduced several new freight provisions, bringing a greater focus on freight. As noted earlier, freight movement and economic vitality was established as a national performance goal. The Federal participating share may be increased for those projects that enhance the efficient movement of freight and that are identified in a state freight plan. MAP-21 requires the establishment of a national freight network and also encourages States to create a state freight plan and a state freight advisory committee. Buy America MAP-21 broadens the applicability of Buy America to the entire project as defined by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental document. If Federal-aid highway funds are used for any contract or agreement, to perform environmental studies and document preparation, right-of-way acquisition, preliminary engineering and other non-construction work, then Buy America applies even if no federal funds are used in the construction. The Buy America provision also applies to every contract (including utilities) if at least one contract for the project uses FAHP funds. For local agencies, this means that if federal-aid highway funds are used to prepare a NEPA document, subsequent construction contracts, regardless of funding source, have to include Federal Highway Administration s Buy America provisions. IMPLEMENTING MAP-21 IN CALIFORNIA MAP-21 represents a major change in how the Federal-aid highway program is administered. As an interim measure, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has decided to implement MAP-21 and its programs based on the projects that are currently programmed in the Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs (FSTIP). The long-term program will depend on the implementation of the performance measures and the targets that will be set based on these performance measures. The establishment of performance measures and targets will take about three years from the time the Act was passed. Clearly, MAP-21 sets the framework for future Federal transportation acts. To aid in the long-term implementation of MAP-21, Caltrans in coordination with FHWA has established a MAP-21 Working Group as well as several MAP-21 sub-groups. The goal of each of these groups is to solicit comments and/or feedback from external stakeholders on how to better implement MAP-21 in California as well as communicate questions and concerns related to MAP-21 program guidance. In addition, Caltrans conducts bimonthly external stakeholder conference calls to provide updates on MAP-21 implementation. For more detailed information on Caltrans MAP-21 implementation efforts, please refer to Caltrans MAP-21 website: 4

5 FHWA Launches New Initiative to Help Local Public Agencies Manage Federal-aid Projects The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently launched a new information-sharing initiative designed to help local public agencies and state departments of transportation manage their Federal-aid Highway Program projects. The initiative, called Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies, offers an abundance of information about key aspects of the Federal-aid program on a single public website. The website offers a central online library of informational videos and resources, designed specifically for local public agencies. Each video addresses a single topic, condensing the complex regulations and requirements of the Federal-aid program into easy-tounderstand concepts and illustrated examples. The videos are relatively short at less than 10 minutes long, professionally narrated in non-technical language, and supported with engaging graphics and animation that give viewers the most essential content. The videos can be viewed in any sequence from any computer or mobile device with Internet access. The website also has a State Resources button on the main page that provides access to a list of useful information, including individual state and FHWA local office LPA coordinator contacts and web links to state DOTs, state LPA manuals, local technical assistance program (LTAP) centers, and other helpful online resources. A drop-down menu on the main page, titled I want to know about, helps users find information quickly and conveniently about common Federal-aid topics. The website is regularly updated and new features added to meet state DOT and LPA needs and requests. 5

6 LTAP Training Calendar for February-June 2013 FEDERAL AID SERIES February 25 - March 1, 2013 CSUS College of Continuing Education Sacramento, CA March 11-15, 2013 DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego, CA April 8-12, 2013 Courtyard by Marriott Richmond, CA April 29 - May 3, 2013 Ayres Hotel Moreno Valley, CA June 3-7, 2013 Red Lion Hotel Redding, CA RESIDENT ENGINEERS ACADEMY February 11-14, 2013 CSUS College of Continuing Education Sacramento, CA March 4-7, 2013 Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard, CA March 25-28, 2013 Courtyard By Marriott Richmond, CA April 15-18, 2013 Hilton Garden Inn San Bernardino, CA May 13-16, 2013 Red Lion Hotel Redding, CA May 20-23, 2013 Hampton Inn and Suites Fresno, CA June 10-13, 2013 Hilton Hotel Stockton, CA June 24-27, 2013 Wyndham Hotel Costa Mesa, CA For more information or to register, visit Retroreflectometer Loan Program Under FHWA s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) retroreflectivity requirements of traffic signs, California s cities, counties, and regional transportation agencies are responsible for maintaining their signs to a minimum level of retroreflectivity and contrast levels. To help local agencies meet these requirements, Caltrans and Sacramento State are offering a Retroreflectometer Loan Program. Under this program, local agencies will have access to retroreflectometer equipment at no charge for up to two weeks. Local agencies will be required to sign a Loan- Borrow Agreement and pick up and return the equipment at Sacramento State s College of Continuing Education (CCE). If you would like to reserve the equipment, please contact Gabriel Hernandez at (916) or ghernandez@csus.edu. 6