On target, Vol. 10, no. 2 (Summer 2004)

Georgia Department of Transportation
ON TARGET

Office of Planning

Summer 2004

"Planning Georgia's Future Today"
Vol. 10 No. 2

FISCAL YEAR 2005-2007 STIP UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Each year, the Georgia Department of Transportation develops a document called the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP contains a list of any transportation project funded by federal dollars which is scheduled to begin during a three-year time period. The STIP currently under development includes federal funded

projects scheduled to begin in fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The total cost of
all projects in the STIP cannot exceed the expected amount of federal and state funds allocated to the state.
The beginning steps in developing the STIP are to divide transportation projects across the state into two general categories: projects located in urbanized areas and projects located in rural areas. Urbanized areas are

those with a population of 50,000 or more and designated as Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Rural areas have a population of less than 50,000.
In the rural areas, local officials and governments, local citizens and Georgia DOT officials jointly evaluate the existing need for transportation improvements in the area and funding availability. Following the consultation process, a Draft Rural STIP is printed. It is organized by individual county and by Georgia DOT district office as well.
See STIP, page 3

PLANNING OFFICE UPDATING STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

The Office of Planning is excited to announce that it is embarking upon an update of the Statewide Transportation Plan (SWTP). This is an important initiative that will continue moving the state toward a more integrated and multimodal transportation system.
Updating the SWTP will provide Georgia DOT with the technical and programmatic guidance needed to meet the transportation demands of the 21st century. The update will help evaluate the performance of passenger and freight movement, linkages between travel modes, and future system needs based on travel demand and financial projections. The SWTP will also support the vision for Georgia's entire transportation network as established in the state's Strategic Plan.
The current SWTP was adopted by the State Transportation Board in December 2001 with a "horizon year" of 2025. In order to meet the federal requirement to actively maintain a 20-year window into

the future, the Office of Planning has recently begun the process of selecting a consultant to assist in the SWTP's update. This updated SWTP, which will have a "horizon year" of 2035, will begin work in September 2004 and be completed in time for presentation to the State Transportation Board by December 2005.
The current SWTP heavily relied on the newly-released year 2000 census data in its extensive analysis of current and future trends; much of this data and analysis will be updated and revalidated during the update. The update of the SWTP will also incorporate the findings and recommendations from Georgia DOT's recently-completed statewide Interstate System Plan, which evaluated such items as existing and future travel, maintenance, and connectivity all within the context of the key transportation facilities that connect to the interstates and potential environmentally-sensitive areas.

These findings, along with the statewide model that was created as part of the Interstate System Plan, will provide crucial guidance in the update of the SWTP.
As in the past, the update will explore transportation needs for all modes of travel. It will contain an evaluation of the existing transportation network and a forecast of the transportation network in 2035.
The evaluation will look at economic factors statewide and how the expected growth will impact the transportation network.
See PLAN, page 3
`MOBILITY 2030', NEWLY DESIGNATED AREAS BECOME MPOS - PG. 2 GEORGIA OBLIGATION RATE RANKED 13TH - PG. 3 NEW SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM GUIDE CREATED- PG. 4

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ON TARGET

`MOBILITY 2030' PROPOSED MULTI-MODAL SOLUTIONS

On February 26, 2003, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Atlanta region, kicked off development of the next Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) entitled "Mobility 2030." The RTP is a document that outlines proposed multi-modal project solutions for the next 25 years. The development of this Plan included a strategy that's new to the ARC planning process: the development of an Aspirations Plan.
The Aspirations Plan examined transportation needs in the region without

considering financial constraint. The Aspirations Plan totaled an estimated $74 billion dollars to implement while financial forecasts estimated that only $50 billion dollars of federal, state and local funds would be available over the next 25 years. This leaves a $24 billion dollar shortfall in available funding.
In the fall of 2003, ARC began to constrain the Aspirations Plan by using detailed project evaluation criteria. Public involvement was key as well. The last round of public meetings was held in May and June. ARC is now compiling all of the comments they have received, making project revisions as appropriate, and completing both the technical analysis and financial balancing for the final RTP document. The next (and final) outreach phase for Mobility 2030 is scheduled for September, 2004.
In October 2004, the final RTP and TIP documents are expected to be available.

They will then be submitted for approval to the ARC Transportation Coordinating Committee and the ARC Transportation and Air Quality Committee in November and to the ARC Board in December. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority is charged with reviewing and approving the TIP on behalf of the Governor. After this approval takes place, it is anticipated that the USDOT will issue a final approval of the RTP in conformance with air quality standards in January, 2005. This is a critical date as the current metro Atlanta TIP expires on January 7, 2005.
To learn more about the draft Mobility 2030 plan please feel free to access ARC's website: http://www.atlreg.com/transportationair/ transportationair.html
Cedric Clark 404-657-6914 cedric.clark@dot.state.ga.us

NEWLY DESIGNATED AREAS BECOME MPOS

A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is an association of local agencies established to help coordinate all transportation planning and development activities within a metropolitan area. Establishment of an MPO is required by federal law for census-defined urbanized areas (over 50,000 population).
The MPO planning process uses two groups: 1) the Policy Board is comprised of officials representing the counties, cities, and state transportation agency and 2) the technical advisory group consisting of professional planners and engineers who are usually employees of the same agencies represented on the Policy Board.
The State of Georgia has four additional urbanized areas as a result of designation by the 2000 Census. These newlydesignated urbanized areas are the Dalton, Hinesville, Gainesville and Valdosta areas.

The Office of Planning recognized the need to assist the designated urbanized areas of Dalton, Hinesville and Valdosta in developing and establishing their MPOs in a way that is consistent throughout the state and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Gainesville was already receiving assistance through an Office of Planning consultant contract.
Each new MPO would need to be created from scratch, so the Office of Planning funded and is managing a consultant contract providing regulatory and technical guidance and assistance as needed to each new MPO.
After careful consideration and review, the firm of Wilbur Smith and Associates was selected as the consultant that would provide guidance and direction during this development process. The consultant is assisting the MPOs with establishing

advisory and decision- making committees; developing the travel demand model, (for Dalton and Hinesville); and by developing the federally-required MPO Bylaws, Public Involvement Plan, Unified Planning Work Program and Long-Range Transportation Plan. Currently, the MPOs, Georgia DOT and Wilbur Smith Associates are working on development of the Unified Planning Work Programs and base/future year socio-economic data. Once these tasks are complete, work will begin on developing the Long- Range Transportation Plans.
All MPO setup activities, including federally-required MPO products, are on schedule to be completed with Georgia DOT and consultant assistance by the regulatory deadline of October 2005.
Robert Hughes 404-657-6699 robert.hughes@dot.state.ga.us

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ON TARGET

GEORGIA OBLIGATION RATE RANKED 13TH

The latest comparison of Transportation Enhancement funding obligation rates by state has been released by the National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse. The obligation rate is a measure of the extent to which a state actually spends the TE money it is allotted from the federal government. For instance, a state which spends more of its TE funds than another state is said to have a higher obligation rate. Implementation of the TE program varies by state and as a result, obligation rates vary. Among the 50 states plus District of Columbia and Puerto Rico,

Georgia was rated 13th in the nation in obligation rates. This ranking of 13th reflects Georgia's obligation rate of 84.3% and incorporated funds apportioned to the state from FY92 2003. Since FY 92, Georgia has been apportioned $236,556,630. The majority of the top 13 states have had relatively small TE funding apportionments. Of the eight states that have been apportioned over $200,000,000.00 since 1992, Georgia was second only to New York.

The Odum Depot located in Odum, Georgia in Wayne County and the Richland Depot located in Richland, Georgia in Stewart County received awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation at its April 17 annual meeting in Savannah. Excellence in Rehabilitation awards recognize projects that improve a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.
Ronda Britt 404-657-6914 ronda.britt@dot.state.ga.us

DRAFT STIP SEEKS BOARD APPROVAL

STIP, from page 1
While the development of the Rural STIP progresses, the various MPOs around the state are simultaneously developing a threeyear Transportation Improvement Program for their respective urbanized areas. To further initiate public involvement in these larger areas, MPOs conduct meetings to discuss projects with local citizens.

Projects included in the MPOs' 20052007 Transportation Improvement Program are then incorporated with the rural program to form one document-the Draft STIP.
The current Draft STIP was presented to the State Transportation Board for review during the Committee of the Whole meeting on July 14, 2004.

officials has been critical in developing the FY 2005-2007 STIP. To date, over 200 public meetings have been held throughout the state in developing the STIP. These meetings have been held by Georgia DOT, the MPOs, and the state's Regional Development Centers (RDCs).

The next steps in finalizing the FY 2005 FY 2007 STIP include reviewing and verifying all listed projects and updating information as necessary. After the review is completed, the STIP will be sent to the State Transportation Board in September for approval. The final step will be sending the document to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in October, for their approval.
As in past years, public involvement and input received from local government

The Draft STIP is presently available for public review and comment at the RDCs, the MPOs and the DOT District Offices. The Draft STIP is also on the internet at: www.dot.state.ga.us/DOT/planprog/planning/programs/draft_stip_0507/ index.shtml.
Robert Hughes 404-657-6699 robert.hughes@dot.state.ga.us
Beth Edmiston 404-657-6695 beth.edmiston@dot.state.ga.us

EVALUATION TO LOOK AT ECONOMIC FACTORS
PLAN, from page 1
The forecasted network will include an evaluation of deficiencies and recommendations on how to address the anticipated challenges.
A vital part of the update process will be to develop and implement an extensive public involvement, stakeholder advisory committee and local government consultation input and feedback process. These will likely include a series of public involvement outreach and local government consultation meetings at various times and multiple locations throughout the state to solicit comments and suggestions.
The Office of Planning looks forward to updating the SWTP, which will provide the state's transportation decision-makers with the tools they need to prioritize Georgia's transportation needs for the next thirty years. Watch for updates to this important project in this newsletter and on the Office of Planning's website at www.dot.state.ga.us.
Matthew Fowler (404) 657-6916 matthew.fowler@dot.state.ga.us

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ON TARGET

IN SEVENTH YEAR OF SCENIC BYWAY
PROGRAM, NEW DESIGNATION GUIDE CREATED
Scenic Byway. The new Designation Guide was recently completed to establish specific guidelines and qualifications for the process. These new procedures provide the framework from which local sponsors work throughout the course of designation.

The Georgia Scenic Byways Program was initiated to maintain the preservation and promotion of unique corridors across the state.
Now in its seventh year under Georgia DOT, the Scenic Byways Program continues to attract local citizens from around the state who are interested in having the intrinsic qualities of their roads protected, enhanced, and publicized for all to visit.
The Office of Planning has recently revised the procedure used to designate a

The designation guidelines focus on activities at the local level to ensure that high standards are upheld, that local sponsors play the largest participation role, and that all residents are able to be involved. Significant changes to the procedures address the notification of affected parties, including all property owners along a proposed Byway route.
Also new in the procedures are provisions relating to public meetings. Local support and involvement is the key to a successful Scenic Byway project.

Dana Wright 404-651-7603 dana.wright@dot.state.ga.us

On Target is a quarterly publication of the Georgia
Department of Transportation's Office of
Planning.
Please send address corrections to: Karen Quarles
Office of Planning No. 2 Capitol Square S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334-1002 Phone: (404) 656-6016
Fax: (404) 657-5228 Email:
karen.quarles@dot.state.ga.us
Visit our website at: http://www.dot.state.ga.us

Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Planning No. 2 Capitol Square S.W. Atlanta, GA 30334-1002