feelings on the area's transportation needs. From this input and the area's surveillance activities, priority transportation issues are identified. Although not a rigidly structured procedure, this step in the DMTIP development process provides the foundation, in conjunction with the area's goals and objectives, for project selection, project staging, and the efficient employment of available fiscal resources.
Area-wide transportation priorities identified for the Fiscal Year 2018-2021 DMTIP program period are:
- Provide proper geometric design features to expedite safe, efficient traffic movement on the major street system.
- Increase capacity and/or decrease travel times on the major street system.
- Reduce rail/highway accidents at crossings of the Conrail and Norfolk Southern Railroads by: (1) improving crossing surface; (2) installation of standard signs and markings; and (3) installation of train-activated warning devices.
- Ensure transportation availability for the elderly, mobility limited, and disadvantaged through a demand responsive transit system and purchase of replacement vehicles for special transit providers.
- Reduce road users costs on the major street system.
- Make all necessary improvements at locations with a high accident history to reduce fatalities, injuries and damage.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
The projects are chosen, proposed, and developed by the implementing agencies to meet the major transportation improvement needs of their jurisdictions. Many needs are identified through major documents such as the biennial County Bridge Re-inspection Report, the Transportation Plan, and the MITS Transit Development Program. These reports contain detailed analysis and specify the improvements that are most needed and will have the greatest impact in upgrading and maintaining a transportation system that functions well. Other needs are identified through public input, traffic data collection, and committee discussions concerning short-range concerns. The Transportation Plan includes long-range needs that have already been identified through public input, traffic data collection, and committee discussions. The Plan Commission staff encourages the implementing agencies to submit projects from the major documents on a timely basis appropriate for meeting projected travel demands and maintaining the integrity of the transportation system.
The combination, timing, and priority of projects in the TIP are the result of discussions on proposed projects within the Coordinating Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee and the Transportation Policy Committee. In the past, TIP projects subject to local prioritization have not been rated to determine priority. The proposed Urban STP projects with local match funds available have not exceeded the federal funds available for programming, but that is expected to change.
The Urban STP funds, Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds and HSIP (safety) funds are the locally prioritized federal funds that have two or more agencies submitting projects. CMAQ and TAP projects have a formal rating system and it is anticipated that the Urban STP projects will soon have one. They will have a rating