Regional Technical Committee

10:00 AM, April 6, 1999

A light lunch will be available



9:00 a.m. Pennsylvania Sub-Committee - Transit Support Program
- Year 2000 TMA - MAP Work Programs
9:30 a.m. New Jersey Subcommittee - Year 2000-2002 TIP Development
10:00 a.m. RTC Meeting Begins
12:00 p.m. Working Lunch

AGENDA


1.Report of March 2, 1999 RTC Meeting

2. Report on Board Activities

ACTION ITEMS

3. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

During the fiscal year, state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), member governments or transit operators must modify the TIP to reflect current schedules and needs. In Amendment 9901, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is requesting an additional $300,000 for Cross County Metro Planning. In Modification 9826, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is requesting a number of changes to TIP projects on Route 95, 130 and the Federal Street Bridge.

4. FY 2000-2002 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for New Jersey

A new TIP for New Jersey has been under development for three months. This is the first TIP for New Jersey since the passage of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and the imposition of the conformity freeze. Now that the freeze has been lifted, the New Jersey Subcommittee expects to be in a position to recommend to the RTC that the Board authorize staff to release a draft TIP for public comment sometime during May or June. This schedule will allow for review, comment, revision, and RTC recommendation in time for Board adoption of a final TIP at its July meeting.

5. Addendum to Conformity Demonstration

A recent court decision has struck down portions of the federal conformity rule including the ability to use budgets 45 days after they are submitted to EPA. This requires the DVRPC to demonstrate conformity of the FY 1999-2002 Transportation Improvement Program and amended Year 2020 Transportation Plan using previously approved budgets and build/no build comparisons. Results of the analysis will be presented.

6. NJ 55/Deptford Center Road Interchange Congestion Management System Analysis

Staff will present the CMS analysis performed for the NJ 55/Deptford Center Road interchange. The project will extend Deptford Center Road across NJ 55 and connect with Clements Bridge Road. The analysis shows that the proposed project is part of the regional Congestion Management System and includes a set of commitments to be implemented with project construction.

7. Amendment of the Regional TIP to include FY 1999 Job Access and Reverse Commute Projects and Funding

TEA-21 includes a new Federal Transit Administration (FTA) program, Job Access and Reverse Commute Competitive Grants, for transportation services and supportive activities that facilitate access to jobs for welfare and lower income persons, as well as reverse commute trips for the general population. MPO's in larger metropolitan areas have been given a key role in planning, project evaluation, and capital programming of approved projects and FTA funds. On December 4, 1998, the Board committed to program this additional federal funding when it became available. In March 1999, FTA provided DVRPC with a list of approved FY 1999 projects and funding levels in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Appropriate TIP amendments will be presented for action.

8. I-295/I-76/NJ 42 Interchange Transportation Investment Study (TIS)

NJDOT staff will present the findings and recommendations from a Transportation Investment Study addressing the traffic problems in the interchange area.

INFORMATION ITEMS

9. US 202 (Section 300) Congestion Management Study

Staff will update the RTC on the progress of the US 202 (Section 300) Congestion Management System (CMS) evaluation and present results of the needs assessment portion of the analysis. Federal regulations require that a project which provides a significant increase in single occupant vehicle (SOV) capacity to undergo a CMS analysis to determine if widening is warranted and, if so, select a set of appropriate travel demand reduction and operational strategies to implement in conjunction with the SOV capacity-adding project. The needs assessment is based upon the ability of the selected set of appropriate transportation control measures and other strategies to meet the increased traffic volume in future years without physically widening the road.

10. Delaware Valley Rail Freight Plan

Staff will present highlights from the Delaware Valley Rail Freight Plan, which describes a capital improvement program for the region's rail freight network.

Presented in atlas format, the plan contains twenty-two maps depicting rail freight operations and facilities in the region including the competitive access accorded to three major carriers, high and wide clearance routes, intermodal facilities, and a set of short lines.

STATUS REPORTS

  • Regional Rail Study Design Status
  • Meetings with PennDOT on staffing levels

11. Old Business

12. New Business

Air Quality Partnership
Annual Report
Connections 2050
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Economic Development District