On target newsletter, Vol. 12, no. 1 (Winter 2006)

Newsletter for the Georgia Department of Transportation's Office of Planning

Winter, 2006 Volume 4 #8
"Planning Georgia's Future Today"

In This Issue:
2005 TE Call for Projects
1
1-285 Strategic Implementation Plan
2
Statewide Transportation Plan Update
2
Office of Planning Welcomes Employees
3
Statewide Truck Lane Analysis
4
FY 2006-2008 Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program
4
Special Funding for Georgia Projects in
SAFETEA-LU 5
Interagency Consultation Committee (ICC) for Rome, Macon and Chattanooga MPO's
6

2005 TE CALL FOR PROJECTS: FY '06 and '07

By Elaine Armster Elaine.Armster@dot.state.ga.us

An innovative partnership between the Office of Planning and the Division

TE Advisory Panel Review a diverse, external panel of Georgians worked in teams to

of Information Technology resulted

provide recommendation levels of

in the Georgia Department of

high, medium, and low for each

Transportation making history by

of the submitted TE projects;

launching its first ever web-based Transportation Enhancement (TE) application. Seven TE Sponsor Workshops were held throughout the state in July and August of 2005 to introduce the new TE application process. The electronic application process received favorable reviews from Georgia's communities for being efficient and providing cost savings.
By the September 23rd close of the 2005 TE Call for Projects, 275 TE applications had been electronically submitted by sponsors located throughout Georgia's 13 Congressional Districts.

State Transportation Board Selection - Board members representing each Congressional District will make the final TE project selection and determination of funding amounts for each TE project awarded in Georgia for FY'06 and '07.
The first two phases have been completed. Special thanks to those who participated in the all-important technical and Advisory Panel reviews. At the time of this writing, we are in the third phase with the Transportation Board Members
having received

Receipt of

copies of their

the TE

Congressional

applications

District's TE

marked only

applications.

the beginning of the process.

Silver Comet Trail

Three more phases of work

remained:

Columbus River Walk In January 2006, the
Transportation Enhancement
Program expects to announce the

Technical Review -

projects selected for FY'06 and

submitted TE projects

'07 TE funding.

were reviewed internally to

ensure project eligibility

for TE funding;

Sapelo Lighthouse

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I-285 Strategic Implementation Plan

By Daryl Cranford Daryl.Crawford@dot.state.ga.us
In October, 2004, the Georgia Department of Transportation began a two-year effort to develop a Strategic Implementation Plan for I-285. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the transportation needs for the I-285 Corridor in a holistic manner. Due to intense development along the corridor, I-285 has been widened twice since its completion in 1969, initially to 8 lanes in 1989 and later to ten lanes along its northern quadrant in 1996. The Department is now considering the concept of truck only lanes for improving the safety and operation of I-285. The Atlanta Regional Commission's (ARC) Mobility 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) has identified several new capital improvements for I-285, including the addition of HOV lanes and the reconstruction of several existing interchanges. These large scale improvements will require extensive engineering, intense public outreach and significant right-of-way and construction monies.
In developing the I-285 Strategic Implementation Plan, traffic simulation tools will be developed to interface with the urban transportation travel forecasting model, providing detailed information on the operation of I-285 and its connecting freeways and roadways. The result of this effort will be a Strategic Implementation Plan for

I-285 that both refines the recommendations from ARC's RTP and identifies a variety of projects to ensure I-285's safe and efficient operation in the future.
The Department has contracted with a team of consultants headed by the consulting firm of PBS&J to develop the I-285 Strategic Implementation Plan. During the first year, the consultant has completed a review of available large scale simulation projects and the project steering committee has approved a modeling process for the study based on the consultant's recommendations. Second year efforts will focus on developing several improvement scenarios and using the model to test these scenarios. The final product, anticipated in October 2006, will be a Strategic Implementation Plan defined to meet the goals and objectives necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of I-285.
A critical component of the study will be coordination with on-going preliminary engineering studies, including I-75/I-575 and the northern quadrant of I-285 from I-75 to I-85. Information from the development of the I-285 Strategic Implementation Plan will be made available for use in the both of these preliminary engineering studies.

Statewide Transportation Plan Update

By Tamrat (Tim) Kassa, Jr. Tamrat.Kassa@dot.state.ga.us

Last revised in December 2001 with a "horizon year" of 2025, the current update of the Statewide Transportation Plan (SWTP) was completed by the Office of Planning in December 2005. The purpose of the SWTP is to assess current and future needs of major transportation modes in the state - such as highways, transit, air, and water.
Newly updated with the latest transportation and economic data and forecasts, the project developed revised statewide economic and transportation demand forecasts through the year 2035. Incorporating all existing regional and modal plans, the SWTP Update

defined financially unconstrained statewide transportation programs, estimated the cost of these programs, and forecasted available and potential funding sources. This updated SWTP will provide Georgia DOT with the technical and programmatic guidance needed to meet the transportation demands of the 21st century.
The SWTP Update process revealed some interesting findings:
Funding does not match needs. Anticipated revenue of $86 billion between now and the year 2035 is expected to be available; however, $160 billion of needs has already
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Statewide Transportation Plan Update - Continued

been identified by GDOT, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, local governments, and other Georgia transportation modes. This translates into a financial shortfall of $74 billion, which is significantly above the $44 billion shortfall predicted by the previous SWTP update completed in 2001.
Congestion is expected to grow substantially through the next 35 years statewide, but primarily in urban areas. Metro Atlanta could be impacted most, where 80% of the vehicle miles travel (VMT) could be congested, compared to the state as a whole where 50% of all VMT

is forecasted to occur under congested conditions.
Increases in personal and commercial travel patterns are expected to continue to grow over the next 30 years. VMT is expected to increase 2% annually for general use vehicles; however, truck VMT will grow at a faster rate 2.9% annually.
Information as well as the results on the recent update of the SWTP is available on the Office of Planning's website at: www.dot.state.ga.us/DOT/plan-prog/planning/ swtp/index.shtml

Office of Planning Welcomes New Employees!
By Joel North Joel.North@dot.state.ga.us

The Office of Planning would like to acknowledge new staff members who recently joined us.
Administrative Branch:
Travella Webb is the newest member of the Office of Planning. She brings to the office an abundance of administrative experience. Marie Holland, formerly a new member of the Office of Planning, was unfortunately for the office, recently selected for a Secretary 3 position in the Office of Consultant Design. Yolanda Colzie, a graduate of Griffin Technical College joined the Administrative Staff and has become an intregal part for office functions.
Technical Resources Branch:
The Technical Resources Branch experienced turnover in all of its staff positions and welcomed three new modelers during 2005. Patrick Wolfe, a recent graduate of Georgia Tech, focuses on travel demand modeling for Brunswick, Rome, Chattanooga, Dalton and Columbus. Megha Young, also a graduate of Georgia Tech, is responsible for the travel demand models in Valdosta, Savannah, Gainesville and Athens. Anson Gock, who hails from Raleigh, North Carolina, is in charge of travel demand modeling for Albany, Augusta, Hinesville, Macon and Warner Robins.
Central Georgia Planning Branch:
Two new planners joined the Central Georgia Planning Branch in 2005. Kelly Gwin, a graduate of Georgia State University, is responsible for a number of

counties in Central Georgia, including the Augusta area. Winn Keathley, a graduate of Trinity University who worked previously with Tennessee DOT, is responsible for Macon, Warner Robins and a number of counties in central Georgia.
Atlanta Planning Branch:
The Atlanta Planning Branch welcomed two new employees. Ryan Rusk, a previous employee of the Federal Aviation Administration, serves as the Department's liaison with the Atlanta Regional Commission. Michael Adams, a graduate of Georgia Southern and Georgia State, is responsible for planning activities in portions of southern metro Atlanta and also serves as the Department's planner for the Dalton MPO.
Special Projects Branch:
Tim Meyer, a recent graduate of Georgia Tech, is the Department's new Scenic Byway Coordinator and assists his co-workers with the Transportation Enhancement and Bicycle/Pedestrian Programs.
Air Quality Branch:
Cindy Jackson, a recent graduate of Georgia Tech, provides technical guidance and expertise in air quality and performs a variety of duties associated with the Department's efforts linking air quality and transportation planning.
Welcome to all our new colleagues!

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Statewide Truck Lane Analysis

By Tamrat (Tim) Kassa, Jr. Tamrat.Kassa@dot.state.ga.us
Not surprisingly, the growth in traffic and congestion is apparent in Georgia as well as nationwide. This trend is revealed in studies completed by the Office of Planning that predict truck volumes, as a component of traffic, will grow at almost 50% above the growth rate for general vehicular traffic through the year 2035.
The feasibility of creating separate truck-only lanes has been a hot topic within the national transportation community, and has recently gained interest in the state of Georgia. Due to the forecast of truck traffic, GDOT has decided to explore this alternative further and the Office of Planning will be taking the lead in conducting a statewide assessment of the feasibility of truck-only lanes on the state's freeway system. The primary focus of this analysis is to determine where truck only lane facilities could be justified, as well as their feasibility related to construction and operations.

The Statewide Truck Lane Analysis will have two primary objectives. First, it will collect and calculate truck traffic data (e.g. identify truck origins and destinations; collect vehicle classifications counts; develop current and future traffic volumes; and identify locations where truck crashes are above the statewide average). Secondly, the analysis will recommend solutions for truck traffic needs by determining what locations could benefit from truck-only lanes; calculate a benefit/cost ratio for each recommended improvement; and determine the impact of each recommended truck-only lane facility on improving safety and traffic congestion.
The Office of Planning expects the study to begin in early Spring 2006. Work on this important and detailed analysis will conclude within two years. Watch for progress updates in upcoming editions of this publication.

FY 2006-2008 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
By Robert Hughes
Robert.Hughes@dot.state.ga.us

The Office of Planning has completed its annual update of Georgia's Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a listing of federally-funded transportation projects within the state which are expected to be funded during the next three fiscal years - 2006, 2007 and 2008. Projects include highway, bridge, transit, bike/pedestrian, railroad, ports and aviation improvements.
As a vital part of our ongoing communication with local governments, representatives from each GDOT District office met personally with local elected officials to coordinate their local and regional transportation needs and priorities, and discuss the projects proposed to be included in the STIP. In addition, review and comment of the draft STIP was encouraged for all interested

stakeholders and the public at public meetings held around the state during the months of July and August, 2005. The Transportation Board approved the STIP in September. The FHWA approved it in November.
The STIP is posted on GDOT's website for download at:
www.dot.state.ga.us/DOT/ plan-prog/planning/
programs/index.shtml.

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Special Funding for Georgia Projects in

SAFETEA-LU

By Dan Gentry Dan.Gentry@dot.state.ga.us

Several categories of highway and transit funds in the new Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

state. Since Georgia is a donor state, the HPP funds do not add to the total federal highway funding guaranteed to the state under the Equity Bonus program. By

(SAFETEA-LU) law were earmarked for projects desig- contrast, TI earmarks are "over and above" the total

nated by Members of Congress. A total of $24 billion of minimum federal highway funding guaranteed to the

the $286 billion authorized under SAFETEA-LU was

state and so truly increase funding to the state. Each HPP

earmarked for highway and transit projects. Earmarks for and TI authorization is apportioned to a state over FYs

highway projects in Georgia were included under two of 2005-2009. The federal share is the standard 80% and all

the categories - High Priority Projects (HPP), comprised federal and state requirements for use of federal funds

of requests from all members of Congress, and

apply.

Transportation Improvements (TI), a category reserved

for senators' requests. The bill authorized $14.8 billion for 5,091 HPPs and $2.6 billion for 466 TI projects. In

Bus and Bus Facility

the SAFETEA-LU law, each earmark is comprised of a Nearly $2 billion nationwide, about half for Georgia, of

brief project description and a dollar (authorization)

the SAFETEA-LU Bus and Bus Facility authorizations,

amount.

were earmarked in the bill and the remaining funds will

For Georgia, $350 million was earmarked for 232 HPPs specified by all 15 of the Georgia members. 75 of the projects were recommended by GDOT. In addition, $55 million was earmarked for 18 TI projects. The projects cover a wide range of highway project purposes. In

be earmarked in annual appropriation bills. For the most part, the earmarks will go directly to transit systems but GDOT will administer earmark funds to smaller systems and will allocate a $9 million statewide bus earmark. The bus earmark funding is spread over FYs 2006-2009.

addition, $40 million in transit Bus

and Bus Facilities funds was earmarked for 21 projects for transit

Frequently Asked Questions

systems in Georgia.

Will GDOT issue an upfront check to local sponsors in the amount

authorized for the project?

High Priority Projects and Transportation Improvements

No. As with other federal highway funds, HPP and TI funds are not a grant. They operate on a reimbursement basis; and only for eligible expenses incurred after entering an agreement/contract with GDOT and

Highway and transit projects were

the project being authorized by FHWA. Funding does not come to

recommended to the congressional

GDOT all at once either. The HPP funds are apportioned 20% per

members by GDOT/Governor, local

year for FYs 2005-2009. TI funds are apportioned for those years as

governments and interest groups.

follows: 10%, 20%, 25%, 25%, 20%.

Each member of Congress was given an allocation of HPP funds, set by the

Will the project be funded at the level authorized in SAFETEA-LU?

transportation committee leadership, No. As with other federal highway funds, HPP and TI funds are subject

to distribute among the various

to obligation authority (OA) that is set aside specifically for these

projects the member had requested.

programs, on a project-by project basis for HPPs. Because of OA

Certain senators were given alloca-

restrictions, it is highly likely that less than 90% of each total

tions of TI funds. The project

authorization will actually be available for expenditure. (The OA

earmarks direct funding to the speci- limitation was only 85.5% for FY 2005.)

fied projects but generally do not increase total federal funds to the

Continued on page 6

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Frequenty Asked Questions- Continued

What if the amount of funds made available for the project is not sufficient to finance the project?
In nearly all cases, the HPP and TI authorizations are less than requested amounts. Project sponsors will have to secure additional funds for the project, downsize the project, or complete only a phase of work and seek other funding in the future.
Can I use HPP or TI funds for a project other than that described in the bill?
No. Funds can only be used legally for the project as described in the SAFETEA-LU bill. However, funds can be used for any federally-eligible purpose or any project "phase" - for planning, preliminary engineering, right-of-way or construction - unless limited by the SAFETEA-LU project description.
Do the federal funds require a match? Must it be cash or are other methods allowed?
The standard 80% federal/20% non-federal match

applies for all projects. The non-federal match for local projects is expected to be supplied by the local government sponsor. Non-federal match can be paid with cash or, within federal and state limitations, with "soft match," such as local government expenses incurred for services in developing and implementing the project, or local donations of materials or land for right-of-way. Local operating expenses are not eligible.
Will the funds lapse after a particular date?
HPP and TI funds do not lapse like other federal highway funds. Unless Congress acts to rescind funds sometime in the future, both the apportionment and obligation authority for each project remain available. However, congressional members secured funding in anticipation of timely project implementation, presumably within the SAFETEA-LU timeframe.

Interagency Consultation Committee for Rome,

Macon and Chattanooga MPOs

By Roxana Ene Roxana.Ene@dot.state.ga.us

Three areas outside the Atlanta region are in non-attainment for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5): Rome, consisting of Floyd County; Chattanooga, including Georgia's Catoosa and Walker counties; and Macon, consisting of Bibb County and a portion of Monroe County. These areas were designated as nonattainment for PM 2.5 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April, 2005. These areas must demonstrate conformity by April, 2006 or the use of federal transportation funds will be limited to transportation projects exempt from conformity. These areas must also demonstrate through air quality analysis that the Long Range Transportation Plan and TIP are consistent with the National Clean Air Act and that

they will not worsen air quality or delay attainment of CAA standards. To demonstrate conformity, a Conformity Determination Report (CDR) must be developed by each MPO and submitted to FHWA and FTA for approval. For more information about air quality and links to other air quality sites, please see the Air Quality Branch's website located at www.dot.state.ga.us/ DOT/plan-prog/planning/aq/.
As part of the conformity determination process, MPOs are required to consult with transportation and air quality agencies via an Interagency Consultation Committee. The committee includes representatives from federal (EPA, FHWA, FTA), state (GDOT, EPD, GRTA) and local (MPO) agencies. Since Chattanooga's non-

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attainment area extends into three states (Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee), the ICC includes members from each state. The ICC provides guidance in the air quality analysis and development of the CDR. Most of the agencies on the ICC will provide specific information or sections that will make up the CDR. The reviewing agencies and the agencies responsible for approving the CDR are members of the ICC. During the conformity determination process, each of the ICCs (Rome, Chattanooga, Macon) met once a month. To reduce travel time, several agencies attended meetings via conference call and consulted via emails. The ICC meetings will continue on an as-needed basis, once the non-attainment areas meet conformity.
The ICC is required to reach consensus on specific items to be included in the CDR. These items are usually thoroughly discussed during the ICC meeting prior to consensus.
Some of the items covered for consensus during the ICC meetings include:
Defining socio-economic data projection methodology
Review of the TIPs and LRTPs
Review of regionally significant projects
Review of projects exempt from the conformity process
Determining the travel demand forecasting model years for conformity
Scheduling the completion of the conformity process
Review of the planning assumptions and methodologies to produce emissions using the travel demand model and off-model procedures
Review of the input parameters used in MOBILE6 to produce emission factors
Review and approval of the CDR
The conformity determination process status and schedule for the three MPOs are as follows:
The Macon Policy Committee endorsed the draft document for public comment on November 30, 2005. The public comment period was scheduled for December 6, 2005 - January 12, 2006. An ICC

Georgia's PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas
meeting will be scheduled for mid-January to address any remaining topics, comments, or tasks. The Macon planning committees will likely review the final document during late January. Early in February, 2006, the final CDR would be submitted to EPA, FHWA and FTA. FHWA/FTA approval of the conformity determination would likely occur in late February or early March, 2006. In December, 2005, the Rome ICC initiated their review of the draft CDR. The Rome planning committees will review the document in January, 2006. Public comment will also be solicited during January. An ICC meeting will be scheduled for mid-February 2006 to address any remaining topics, comments, or tasks. The Rome planning committees will review the final CDR in late February. In early March, 2006, the final CDR will be submitted to EPA, FHWA and FTA. FHWA/FTA approval of the conformity
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determination would likely occur by the end of March, 2006.
The Chattanooga ICC initiated review of the draft CDR in December, 2005. The Chattanooga Policy Committee will review the draft CDR in early January, 2006. The document will go out for public comment during January, 2006. The ICC will review the final CDR in early February, 2006. The Chattanooga planning committees will review the final CDR during February, 2006. In early March, 2006, the final CDR will be submitted to EPA, FHWA and FTA. FHWA/FTA approval of the conformity determination would likely occur by the end of March, 2006.

ON TARGET

Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Planning 2 Capitol Square S.W. Atlanta, GA 30334-1002
2006 On Target is a publication of the Georgia Department of Transportation's
Office of Planning.
Please send address corrections to: Karen Quarles
Office of Planning 2 Capitol Square S.W. Atlanta, GA 30334-1002 Phone: (404) 656-5411 Fax: (404) 657-5228 Email: karen.quarles@dot.state.ga.us
Visit our website at: www.dot.state.ga.us