MPO Meeting Minutes
Draft Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting
February 2, 2023, Meeting
10:00 AM–12:24 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform
David Mohler, Chair, representing Gina Fiandaca, Secretary of Transportation and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agreed to the following:
See attendance on page 10.
There was none.
T. Teich, Executive Director, shared that the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant awards were announced by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). The Boston Region MPO has been awarded $2.238 million in federal funding for the development of a Safety Action Plan for the Boston Region with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), as the fiduciary agent to the staff of the MPO, was the applicant on behalf of the MPO and worked closely on the application. MassDOT committed to provide the matching funding, bringing the total of the grant to $2.7 million. The Boston Region MPO has been told that it could take up to a year to receive the funding.
Two project locations have been selected for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2023 Multimodal Mobility Infrastructure Program corridor and intersection studies: Route 37 (Franklin and Washington Street) in Braintree and the Washington/Hanover intersection in Lynn.
Under the Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program, the Boston Region MPO will be working with the Town of Concord to develop short-term recommendations for safe crossings for the Route 2 crossings from Main Street and Old Road to Nine Acre Corner.
There were none.
Derek Krevat, MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning (OTP), announced that the next Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 1:00 PM.
Brian Kane, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Advisory Board, shared that the Administration and Finance Committee met on January 19, 2023, to discuss finances through the end of 2022. The committee met on February 2, 2023, to continue developing the Operations Plan.
Lenard Diggins stated that the upcoming Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Regional Transportation Advisory Council meeting will feature discussions about the Title VI Report and a brainstorming session about potential UPWP study ideas.
1. January 5, 2023, MPO Meeting Minutes (PDF)
2. January 5, 2023, MPO Meeting Minutes (html)
A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 5, 2023, was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (Brian Kane) and seconded by the MAPC (Eric Bourassa). The motion carried through a roll call vote. The following member abstained: Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination, Town of Acton (Austin Cyganiewicz)
3. Roadway Safety Performance Targets Memo (PDF)
4. Roadway Safety Performance Targets Memo (html)
5. Roadway Safety Performance Targets Appendix (PDF)
6. Roadway Safety Performance Targets Appendix (html)
S. Taylor presented CY 2023 roadway safety performance targets. The USDOT requires states and MPOs to establish annual targets pertaining to fatalities and serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes. Since 2018, the Boston Region MPO has voted to adopt the Commonwealth’s roadway safety performance targets. S. Taylor proposed for the Boston Region MPO to adopt the Commonwealth’s CY 2023 roadway safety performance targets, found in Table 1. S. Taylor discussed the trends related to each performance target.
Table 1
Proposed Roadway Safety Targets (CY 2023)
|
Performance Measure |
Target* |
Long-Term
Target |
|
Number of Fatalities |
355 |
0.00 |
|
Rate of Fatalities per 100 Million VMT |
0.59 |
0.00 |
|
Number of Serious Injuries |
2,569 |
0.00 |
|
Rate of Serious Injuries per 100 Million VMT |
4.25 |
0.00 |
|
Number of Nonmotorized Fatalities and Nonmotorized Serious Injuries |
437 |
0.00 |
*This target value is expressed as a five-year rolling
annual average.
CY = Calendar Year. VMT = Vehicle-Miles Traveled.
Sources: Federal Highway Administration, Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, and Boston Region MPO Staff.
B. Kane stated that the overarching goal of the MPO should be a reduction in vehicle-miles traveled (VMT), achieved by investing in and improving public transportation and nonmotorized forms of transportation. B. Kane suggested MPO staff calculate performance targets specific to the Boston region.
L. Diggins asked how MassDOT sets its performance targets. D. Krevat, MassDOT OTP, responded that the Traffic Safety department sets performance targets in coordination with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
David Koses, City of Newton, stated that driver behavior is an unpredictable factor and the proposed performance targets are reasonable because they indicate an ongoing trend of reducing serious injuries and fatalities on roadways. B. Kane responded that roadway design can be used to regulate and influence driver behavior.
E. Bourassa asked what the consequence is if an MPO fails to meet its roadway safety performance targets. D. Krevat stated that MassDOT is required to spend the full apportionment of its highway safety improvement funds and submit a report describing steps to be taken to meet the targets. D. Mohler stated that it is unclear what occurs if an MPO is unable to meet targets that they would have set themselves (as opposed to the state targets), as an MPO in the Commonwealth has never set targets separate from MassDOT before.
A motion to adopt calendar year 2023 Roadway Safety Performance Targets was made by the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (L. Diggins) and seconded by the MAPC (E. Bourassa). The motion carried through a roll call vote. The following member voted no: MBTA Advisory Council (B. Kane).
7. Revisions to the Draft Destination 2050 Planning Framework (PDF)
8. Revisions to the Draft Destination 2050 Planning Framework (html)
Michelle Scott presented and clarified changes to the draft Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Destination 2050 Planning Framework. The Destination 2050 Planning Framework, which is made up of a vision, goals, and objectives, was originally presented to the MPO Board at the December 15, 2022, meeting. The six goal areas of equity, safety, mobility and reliability, access and connectivity, resiliency, and clean air and healthy communities remain the same. The revisions primarily appear at the goal and objective level. Revisions occurred to clarify language and concepts, expand on ideas, and respond to public feedback.
Revisions are as follows:
· Vision
o “The Boston Region envisions an equitable, pollution-free, and modern transportation system that gets people to their destinations safely, easily, and reliably, and that supports an inclusive, resilient, healthy, and economically vibrant Boston region.”
· Equity
o Emphasize facilitating, rather than maintaining, inclusive and transparent planning processes
o Expand on objectives to allow transparent access to the planning process and provide meaningful opportunities to express needs and priorities
o Strengthen definition of disadvantaged communities
· Safety
o Add “improve safety for all users” to the goal statement
o “Eliminate” rather than “reduce” fatalities, injuries, and safety incidents
o Define and emphasize the priority of vulnerable roadway users and eliminate disparities for disadvantaged communities
o Incorporate accessibility into objectives
· Mobility and Reliability
o Clarify definition of mobility in goal statement
o Simplify objectives related to improving reliability and reducing delay
o Add objective about reducing delay on the transit system
o Emphasize electric vehicles as technology that supports the MPO’s goals
· Access and Connectivity
o Emphasize economic vitality themes
o Prioritize investments that support housing, land use, and economic growth goals
o Indicate that options should provide travelers with choices and opportunities
o Address network gaps through interorganizational coordination
o Incorporate accessibility into objectives
· Resiliency
o Move references to addressing negative environmental impacts to this goal area
o Provide examples of negative environmental impacts and nature-based solutions
· Clean Air and Healthy Communities
o Move references to addressing negative environmental impacts to resiliency
o Combine mode shift, VMT reduction, and air pollutant reduction themes into one objective focused on reducing VMT growth
o Add new objective related to supporting electrification, emphasizing transit electrification
Bill Conroy, Boston Transportation Department, stated that additional work will need to be done to examine the relationship between roadways and natural barriers, specifically in coastal communities. M. Scott stated that the purpose of the resiliency goal is to encourage the use of natural solutions such as storm water drainage in corridor studies.
Funding assumptions for the Destination 2050 LRTP can be found in Table 2.
Table 2
Destination 2050 Funding
|
Destination 2050 |
Years |
Funding |
Destination 2050 Increase
from Destination 2040 |
|
1 |
FFYs 2024–28 |
$697,545,145 |
$164,379,295 |
|
2 |
FFYs 2029–33 |
$833,039,179 |
$221,758,903 |
|
3 |
FFYs 2034–38 |
$920,869,097 |
$170,116,092 |
|
4 |
FFYs 2039–43 |
$1,017,823,098 |
$8,981,807 |
|
5 |
FFYs 2044–50 |
$1,597,196,673 |
$1,597,196,673 |
|
All |
All |
$5,066,293,193 |
$2,162,432,771 |
FFY = Federal Fiscal Years
Funding assumptions for the FFYs 2024–28 TIP regional target funding can be found in Table 3.
Table 3
FFYs 2024–28 Regional Target Funding
|
Blank |
2024–27 Current Projections |
2024–28 Funding Anticipated |
2024–27 Funding Programmed |
Expected Balance of Funding |
|
FFY 2024 |
$130,647,095 |
$130,647,095 |
$117,059,590 |
$13,587,505 |
|
FFY 2025 |
$128,427,689 |
$128,427,689 |
$124,612,902 |
$3,814,787 |
|
FFY 2026 |
$125,285,687 |
$125,285,687 |
$123,179,070 |
$2,106,617 |
|
FFY 2027 |
$138,246,315 |
$155,132,142 |
$128,586,581 |
$26,545,561 |
|
FFY 2028 |
n/a |
$158,052,175 |
$0 |
$158,052,175 |
|
Total |
$522,606,786 |
$697,544,788 |
$493,438,143 |
$204,106,645 |
FFY = Federal Fiscal Years.
L. Diggins asked for additional details related to the GANs due to be repaid in FFYs 2025 and 2026. D. Mohler responded that the GANs were issued for a program during the Patrick Administration to spend nonfederal aid on bridge projects, committing to repayment using future federal aid.
B. Kane asked what project the GANs reflected in FFYs 2029 and 2030 are connected to. D. Mohler responded that the GANs are for the Next Generation Bridge Program.
E. Lapointe presented an overview of the FFYs 2024–28 TIP project scoring process. TIP project scoring evaluates proposed projects against a set of criteria, creating internal scores. Once MPO and MAPC staff complete the internal scoring process, score verification begins, involving reviews by external stakeholders, such as MassDOT and municipalities, and providing additional time for applicants to gather letters of support and other nuances that may arise. Final scores will be presented to the full MPO board on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
The FFYs 2024–28 TIP received and scored 19 projects, containing 16 new projects, one returning project, and two other new projects pending further information.
Scoring criteria is as follows:
· Safety (18 points)
o Improved safety for all users, Vision Zero
· System Preservation (20 points)
o Maintain, modernize, and make resilient
· Capacity (18 points)
o Increase options and efficiently use existing capacity
· Clean Air (12 points))
o Create an environmentally friendly system
· Equity (20 points)
o All receive comparable benefits, no disproportionate burden
· Economic Vitality (12 points)
o Provide a strong foundation for economic vitality
Community Connections Scoring Criteria is as follows:
· Connectivity (18 points)
o Improve first- and last-mile connections to key destinations
· Coordination (18 points)
o Cooperation across sectors and organizations
· Plan Implementation (15 points)
o Support local, regional, and statewide planning efforts
· Transportation Equity (15 points)
o All receive comparable benefits, none face disproportionate burdens
· Mode Shift (24 points)
o Meaningful shift from single-occupancy vehicles to other means
· Fiscal Sustainability (10 points)
o Financial vitality after conclusion of MPO funding support
9. TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee Proposal (PDF)
10.
TIP
Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee Proposal (html)
T. Teich presented the concept of a TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee. The proposed committee has developed through conversations during the Administration and Finance Committee about the MPO’s Operations Plan. The committee’s purpose is to increase participation in the TIP process, act as a forum for more detailed discussions, and act as a forum to identify additional opportunities for board members to engage stakeholders in their subregion. The committee will not duplicate work done at the policy board level, nor will it be making decisions and recommending outcomes. The draft committee charge states that it will review the TIP development process to seek improvement and increase collaboration and engagement among staff, board members, MassDOT, MBTA, regional transit associations, and project proponents. T. Teich provided sample activities that the committee would engage in.
B. Kane compared the proposed TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee to a technical committee, examining in detail why a project would be ready or not ready to proceed in the TIP process.
L. Diggins suggested adding TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee meeting prior to the publication of the finalized TIP to process public comments.
D. Koses suggested conducting a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed committee.
There were none.
A motion to adjourn was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane) and seconded by the MAPC (E. Bourassa). The motion carried.
|
Members |
Representatives
and
Alternates |
|
At-Large City (City of Everett) |
Eric Molinari |
|
At-Large City (City of Newton) |
David Koses |
|
At-Large
Town (Town of Arlington) |
Claire Ricker |
|
At-Large
Town (Town of Brookline) |
Robert King |
|
City of Boston (Boston Planning &
Development Agency) |
Jim Fitzgerald |
|
City of Boston (Boston Transportation
Department) |
Bill Conroy |
|
Federal Highway Administration |
Kenneth Miller Joi Singh |
|
Federal Transit Administration |
|
|
Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) |
Tom Bent |
|
Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
David Mohler Lyris Bauduy-Liautaud |
|
MassDOT Highway Division |
John Romano |
|
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
(MBTA) |
Ali Kleyman |
|
Massachusetts Port Authority |
Sarah Lee |
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
Brian Kane |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa |
|
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of Framingham) |
Dennis Giombetti |
|
Minuteman
Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (Town of Acton) |
Austin Cyganiewicz |
|
North Shore Task Force (City of Beverly) |
Darlene Wynne |
|
North Suburban Planning Council (Town of Burlington) |
|
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Lenard Diggins |
|
South Shore Coalition (Town of Hull) |
Jennifer Constable |
|
South West Advisory Planning Committee
(Town of Medway) |
|
|
Three Rivers Interlocal Council (Town of
Norwood/Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce) |
Tom O’Rourke Steve Olanoff |
|
Other
Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
Sarah Bradbury |
MassDOT District 3 |
|
Miranda Briseńo |
MassDOT |
|
Paul Cobuzzi |
|
|
JR Frey |
Town of Hingham |
|
Valerie Gingrich |
|
|
Joy Glynn |
MWRTA |
|
Sandy Johnson |
MBTA |
|
Chris Klem |
MassDOT |
|
Joshua Klingenstein |
MBTA |
|
Raissah Kouame |
MassDOT |
|
Derek Krevat |
MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning (OTP) |
|
Owen MacDonald |
Town of Weymouth |
|
Holly MacMullen |
Conservation Law Foundation |
|
Shona Norman |
CATA |
|
Sheila Page |
Town of Lexington |
|
Jon Rockwell |
TEC, Inc. |
|
Cheryll-Ann Senior |
MassDOT District 5 |
|
Jon Seward |
|
|
Derek Shooster |
MassDOT |
|
Patrick Snyder |
MassDOT |
|
Tyler Terrasi |
MWRTA |
|
Andrew Wang |
MassDOT OTP |
|
MPO
Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Tegin Teich, Executive Director |
|
Jonathan Church |
|
Seth Asante |
|
Logan Casey |
|
Betsy Harvey |
|
Stella Jordan |
|
Ethan Lapointe |
|
Erin Maguire |
|
Marty Milkovits |
|
Rebecca Morgan |
|
Srilekha Murthy |
|
Gina Perille |
|
Sean Rourke |
|
Michelle Scott |
|
Judy Taylor |
|
Sam Taylor |
|
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) operates its programs, services, and activities in
compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of
1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination
in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United
States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin
(including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in,
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity that receives federal assistance. Related federal
nondiscrimination laws administered by the Federal Highway Administration,
Federal Transit Administration, or both, prohibit discrimination on the basis
of age, sex, and disability. The Boston Region MPO considers these protected
populations in its Title VI Programs, consistent with federal interpretation
and administration. In addition, the Boston Region MPO provides meaningful
access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited
English proficiency, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation
policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166. The Boston Region MPO also complies with the
Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 sections 92a, 98, 98a,
which prohibits making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in
admission to, or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race,
color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability,
or ancestry. Likewise, the Boston Region MPO complies with the Governor's
Executive Order 526, section 4, which requires that all programs, activities,
and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or
contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful
discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry,
national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era
veterans), or background. A complaint form and additional information
can be obtained by contacting the MPO or at http://www.bostonmpo.org/mpo_non_discrimination. To request this
information in a different language or in an accessible format, please
contact Title VI Specialist By Telephone: For people with hearing or speaking difficulties, connect through the
state MassRelay service: · Relay Using TTY or Hearing Carry-over: 800.439.2370 · Relay Using Voice Carry-over: 866.887.6619 · Relay Using Text to Speech: 866.645.9870 For more information, including numbers for Spanish
speakers, visit https://www.mass.gov/massrelay. |