Chapter 5. Congestion Management Program. Chapter 5

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1 Chapter 5 Congestion Management Program Chapter 5 67

2 Chapter 5 Congestion Management Program Enacted in the early 1990s, California s Congestion Management Program (CMP) statutes encourage local jurisdictions to develop comprehensive transportation improvement programs that reduce traffic congestion, improve land-use decision-making and enhance air quality. To meet the requirements of these statutes, VTA developed Santa Clara County s CMP to conform with the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the transportation-related provisions of the federal and California Clean Air Acts, and the regional Clean Air Plan. Every two years, VTA and its member agencies, which are the county of Santa Clara and the 15 cities in the county, collaboratively develop Santa Clara County s CMP. State and regional agencies provide occasional guidance. Since the member agencies implement most elements of the CMP locally, local input throughout the policy development process is crucial to the program s success. In response to state statutory requirements and VTA s Strategic Plan goals, we define our CMP in terms of nine elements that logically structure the program. Nine Elements of the CMP 1: System Definition Element The CMP Transportation System consists of three networks: (1) roadway; (2) transit; and (3) bicycle. The System Definition Element is linked to other elements in the CMP because all projects proposed for the CMP Capital Improvement Program (CIP) must be on or benefit the CMP Transportation System. Furthermore, the CMP Roadway Network facilities are monitored for conformance with the CMP Level of Service (LOS) standard. The designated CMP Roadway Network includes interstate highways, state highways, county expressways, and principal arterials. Principal arterials are those roadways that connect with the freeway and/or county expressway system, and are one of the following: (1) a state highway; (2) a six-lane facility; or (3) a non-residential arterial with average daily traffic of 30,000 vehicles per day. The CMP Transit Network consists of VTA bus and light rail services, the Caltrain Commuter Rail Service, and bus services provided in Santa Clara County by the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit). VTA also participates in a number of partnerships with other public transit operators to provide regional transit services, including the Dumbarton Express Bus Service, Highway 17 Express Bus Service, Altamont 68

3 Congestion Management Program Commuter Express (ACE) Rail Service, and Capitol Corridor Intercity Rail Service, all of which are part of the CMP Transit Network. For more information about VTA bus and light rail services, and our partnerships with other regional public transit providers, please see Chapter 3, Public Transit Services. Chapter 5 In October 2000, VTA adopted a countywide bicycle plan. This plan established cross-county bicycle corridors, which comprise the CMP Bicycle Network. Bicycles play a significant role in the countywide transportation system by providing both direct transportation and access to public transit services. 2: Traffic Level of Service Standard Element This element consists of the adopted Level of Service (LOS) standard for automobile travel on the CMP Roadway Network and describes the methodologies for evaluating LOS. LOS is a measure of travel demand (volume) and supply (capacity) for motor vehicles. It is a quantitative measure that evaluates automobiles, throughout on a given roadway segment. LOS is categorized into six levels, A through F, with LOS A representing free-flowing conditions or no congestion, and LOS F representing slow traffic flow or congested conditions. VTA recognizes that some level of traffic congestion may be desirable because it supports a strong economy, as well as a roadway system that works for multiple types of travelers. The adopted LOS minimum standard in Santa Clara County s CMP is LOS E. CMP Roadway Network facilities must operate within the adopted LOS standard. If a particular facility on the CMP Roadway Network does not meet this standard, then the responsible CMP member agency must prepare a deficiency plan for that facility. Member agencies must monitor LOS for CMP Roadway Network facilities within their jurisdictions using the adopted methodologies. 3: Multimodal Performance Measures Element The Multimodal Performance Measures Element defines specific performance measures that evaluate how well the CMP Transportation System serves the traveling public. VTA collects data on the performance measures annually as part of the CMP monitoring process. Our Board of Directors uses this data to evaluate and set priorities for the county s multimodal transportation system. Under the state s CMP statutes, the performance measures guide the development of other CMP elements, including the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Community Form and Impact Analysis Program, and deficiency plans. 69

4 4: Trip Reduction and Transportation Demand Management Element Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies increase the efficiency of the existing transportation infrastructure by reducing the demand for vehicular travel without changes to physical conditions. TDM strategies primarily target commuters to reduce peak-hour travel demand. Examples of TDM strategies include facilitating ridesharing; permitting flexible work hours and telecommuting; creating parking policies; charging roadway tolls; and implementing programs that encourage individuals to change their travel choices through social marketing and pricing. 5: Countywide Transportation Model and Database Element The countywide transportation model evaluates cumulative transportation impacts of local landuse decisions on the CMP Transportation System. Pursuant to the state s CMP statutes, VTA s countywide transportation model is consistent with the regional transportation model for the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) develops the regional model with data from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Because of the model s significance in the overall CMP, it must accurately reflect existing landuse and transportation conditions. In addition, transportation models used by local jurisdictions must be consistent with the countywide transportation model. 6: Community Form and Impact Analysis Program Element This element describes the procedures for analyzing how local land-use decisions impact the CMP Transportation System and for influencing policies to better support a multimodal transportation system. VTA s Land-Use Analysis Program links local land-use decisions with regional transportation and air quality impact analyses. It includes the Proactive CMP Process where VTA comments on proposed local development projects and reports on a quarterly basis to our Board of Directors on CMP member agency decisions regarding these projects. VTA s Transportation Impact Analysis Methodology ensures that all proposed local development projects are analyzed uniformly and consistently. The Community Design and Transportation (CDT) Program is VTA s primary program for integrating transportation and land use. The program, developed in partnership with CMP member agencies and the community, brings together VTA s planning, design and construction activities, and supports the other elements of the CMP. Moreover, it is an advocacy program, providing tools and resources to CMP member agencies to: (1) influence changes in local land-use policies and urban design; and (2) encourage high-amenity development in core areas, around transit stations and along major transportation corridors. For more information on the CDT Program, please see Chapter 4, Linking Land Use with Transportation. 7: Capital Improvement Program Element The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a list of capital projects designed to improve transportation conditions and air quality in Santa Clara County. VTA submits this list to MTC for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 70

5 The CIP prioritizes transportation capital improvement projects in Santa Clara County for the following funding categories: RTIP. federal Surface Transportation Program (STP). federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). federal Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA). Congestion Management Program Chapter 5 In addition, the CIP includes projects funded by Santa Clara County s 2000 Measure A Transit Improvement Program and the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) since they impact the county s transportation system. For more information about federal, state and local transportation funding programs, please see Chapter 2, Transportation Funding Sources. MTC s regionally adopted multimodal criteria for project selection guide the development of the CIP. These criteria emphasize: (1) maintaining and sustaining the existing transportation system; (2) enhancing the system s efficiency and effectiveness through congestion relief, safety improvements and freight movement improvements; (3) expanding the system; and (4) accounting for the system s impacts on land use and air quality. The state s CMP statutes require that the CIP maintain or improve the adopted LOS standard, mitigate the impacts of land-use decisions on the CMP Transportation System, and conform to federal and state air quality plans. 8: Annual Monitoring and Conformance Element The state s CMP statutes require regular monitoring to determine whether local jurisdictions are in conformance with all elements of the CMP. The Annual Monitoring and Conformance Element describes VTA s monitoring process. In Santa Clara County, CMP member agencies submit their monitoring data to VTA on an annual basis. VTA evaluates the data to determine changes to and impacts on the CMP Transportation System, and to ensure that each member agency is in conformance with the CMP. If a member agency fails to meet CMP standards or to implement the program s requirements, it could be found to be in non-conformance with the CMP and thus risk forfeiting a portion of its gas tax subventions from the state. 9: Deficiency Plan Element CMP member agencies must develop deficiency plans for facilities on the CMP Roadway Network that are not operating within the adopted LOS standard, and the VTA Board of Directors must approve those plans. A deficiency plan must include programs and actions that improve LOS on the overall CMP Transportation System and cause a significant improvement in air quality. CMP Roadway Network facilities that have a VTA-approved deficiency plan may operate below the LOS standard as long as the deficiency plan is in effect. 71

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