Title: Regional Transportation Advisory Council - Description: RTAC Letterhead

 

Draft Memorandum for the Record

Regional Transportation Advisory Council Meeting

February 8, 2023, Meeting Minutes

2:30 PM4:10 PM, Zoom

Lenard Diggins, Chair, representing the MBTA Ridership Oversight Committee (ROC)

Meeting Agenda

1.    Introductions

L. Diggins called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM. Members and guests attending the meeting introduced themselves. (For attendance list, see page 4.)

2.    Public Comments

There were none.

3.    Discussion of MPO Equity Work—Betsy Harvey, MPO Staff

Betsy Harvey, MPO Staff, discussed the MPO’s Transportation Equity program and the work that is done beyond federal requirements. B. Harvey presented the MPO’s 2022 Title VI Triennial Report to the MPO Board on January 19, 2023. Title VI reporting necessitates that no inequitable decisions are made for the future but does not have any mandate to address existing and historic inequity. Through a variety of studies, the MPO is working to develop a baseline of equity measurements in the region by identifying needs and developing metrics to then analyze the metrics and evaluate the outcomes of MPO work.

Next steps include the development of the Destination 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment, as well as the development of additional metrics to assess existing inequities, and the establishment of processes to regularly update and communicate this work through the Transportation Equity program.

Discussion

Franny Osman, Acton Transportation Advisory Committee, asked how equity data can be used to evaluate equity within corridors. B. Harvey responded that municipalities should reach out to staff for specific, up-to-date data.

Jon Strauss, Town of Burlington, asked how the available online data applications can be used to support transportation proposals.

Andy Reker, City of Cambridge, asked how the MPO will incorporate engagement in the equity program, especially people in suburban areas. Stella Jordan, MPO Staff, responded that staff has begun using the equity data to ensure that engagements gaps are identified and addressed.

John McQueen, WalkBoston, noted that the MAGIC subregion, while minimally represented in equity applications, faces significant challenges providing accessible transportation for the elderly and people with disabilities.

4.    Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Study Proposal Discussion—Srilekha Murthy, MPO Staff

Srilekha Murthy provided an overview of the UPWP development timeline and encouraged attendees to participate in a brainstorming session for UPWP study ideas.

Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 UPWP themes are equity, resiliency, safety, and uncertainty.

Attendees participated in a brainstorming activity listing themes or topics that should be prioritized in the upcoming UPWP. Common themes were access, equity, public transit, connectivity, and Vision Zero.

Discussion

F. Osman stated that it would be helpful to be updated on the outcomes of UPWP studies that the Regional Transportation Advisory Council has suggested in past years. Ana Cristina Fragoso, Boston Society of Civil Engineers, added that a report showing how studies have been implemented would be valuable. Tegin Teich, Executive Director of MPO Staff, responded that previous attempts have been made to follow up on the outcomes of studies to limited success. T. Teich stated that the MPO is exploring ways to proactively connect communities to study results, following their completion.

5.    Approval of Meeting Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2022, October 12, 2022, and November 9, 2022, meetings was made by WalkBoston (J. McQueen) and seconded by MoveMass (Jon Seward). The minutes were approved.

6.    Chair’s Report—Lenard Diggins, MBTA ROC

L. Diggins discussed topics covered in January 2023, MPO meetings. Topics include the Title VI report, Public Engagement Plan, roadway pricing work program, and parking policy.

7.    Old Business, New Business, and Member Announcements

There was none.

8.    Adjourn 

A motion to adjourn was made by the Acton Transportation Advisory Committee (F. Osman) and seconded by WalkBoston (J. McQueen). The motion carried.


 

Attendees

Member Municipalities

Representatives and Alternates

Cambridge

Andy Reker

Needham

Rhain Hoyland

Weymouth

Owen Macdonald

 

Citizen Advocacy Groups

Representatives and Alternates

Acton Transportation Advisory Committee

Franny Osman

American Council of Engineering Companies

Fred Moseley

Boston Society of Civil Engineers (BSCES)

Ana Cristina Fragoso

MBTA Ridership Oversight Committee (ROC)

Lenard Diggins

MoveMassachusetts

Jon Seward

WalkBoston

John McQueen

 

Agencies (Non-Voting)

Attendees

Boston Transportation Department

Jennifer Rowe

MWRTA

Tyler Terrasi

 

Other Attendees

Affiliation

Daniel Carty

Town of Sudbury

Lil Hartman

Town of North Reading

Holly MacMullen

Conservation Law Foundation

Daniel Martin

Town of Brookline

Mike Miller

 

Marc Older

 

John Strauss

Town of Burlington

 

MPO Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff

Tegin Teich, Executive Director

Logan Casey

Betsy Harvey

Stella Jordan

Srilekha Murthy

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
Boston Region MPO
10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150
Boston, MA 02116
civilrights@ctps.org

By Telephone:
857.702.3700 (voice)

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.