WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
West Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization
Unified Planning Work Program
Fiscal Year 2017
July 1, 2016—June 30, 2017
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WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AS THE DESIGNATED
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) FOR THE WEST
MEMPHIS-MARION AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (WMATS)
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The City of West Memphis (City) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and
related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal
financial assistance. Therefore, the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age,
national origin, religion or disability, in the admission, access to and treatment in the City’s
programs and activities, as well as the City’s hiring or employment practices. Complaints of
alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding the City’s nondiscrimination policies may be
directed to Carolyn Hughes, Human Resources Assistant, Paul Luker, ADA Coordinator at
[email protected], or Eddie Brawley, MPO Study Director at 796 West Broadway, West
Memphis, AR 72301 (870)735-8148 or [email protected]. You may also call 870-732-7500
or TTY/Voice number 711.
This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape
or CD and in Braille. Free language assistance is available for limited English proficient
(LEP) individuals.
The preparation and publication of this document was financed in part by funds provided by the
United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit
Administration. The provision of Federal financial assistance should not be construed as denoting
U.S. Government approval of plans, policies, programs or projects contained herein.
Other agencies and jurisdictions involved in the development of the FY 2017 UPWP include the
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, the Memphis Metropolitan Planning
Organization, Crittenden County and the local incorporated jurisdictions of Marion, West
Memphis and Sunset.
Additional agencies cooperating in the planning process of the West Memphis Metropolitan
Planning Organization include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas
Department of Environmental Quality.
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Table of Contents
MPO OVERVIEW
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT UPWP .....................................................................5.
ACRONYM LIST ...............................................................................................7.
THE WEST MEMPHIS MPO .............................................................................9.
THE MPO POLICY AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEES .........................................10.
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE ........................................................................................................12.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ..................................................................................12.
UPWP APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT PROCESS ...........................................12.
FAST ACT AND PLANNING EMPHASIS AREAS (PEA’S) ....................................13.
MAP: CRITTENDEN COUNTY/WMATS............................................................16.
STUDY TASKS ..................................................................................................17.
FAST ACT AND CAAA ......................................................................................17.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE .............................................................................22.
WORK TASKS
TASK 1 ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ............................................23.
TASK 2 DATA DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE .......................................27.
TASK 3 SHORT RANGE PLANNING ..................................................................29.
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TASK 4 LONG RANGE PLANNING ...................................................................31.
TASK 5 MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ...................................................................36.
SUBTASK 5.1 BRIDGE AND PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ...................................................................35.
SUBTASK 5.2 CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS.......................37.
SUBTASK 5.3 INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION
FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT .........................................40.
TASK 6 OTHER ACTIVITIES ..............................................................................42.
APPENDIX A (FUNDING TABLES) ...............................................................................44.
APPENDIX B (SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION)........................................................47.
APPENDIX C (MTP UPDATE TIMELINE) .....................................................................50.
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WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
A RESOLUTION
BY THE
POLICY COMMITTEE
OF THE
WEST MEMPHIS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
Resolution Number 0516001
WHEREAS, The U. S. Department of Transportation planning regulations require the
preparation and annual endorsement of an annual transportation planning work program; and
WHEREAS, This document describes ongoing and proposed transportation planning activities
for the study area according to task, project, purpose, methodology, anticipated products,
budget, and funding sources; and
WHEREAS, Public participation in the development of this document has been pursued in
accordance with the West Memphis MPO Public Participation Plan; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Transportation agencies have jointly participated in the
preparation of this unified work program for transportation planning activities for FY 2017; and
WHEREAS, The U. S. Department of Transportation agencies require that all incomplete
projects from the previous year Unified Planning Work Program be included in the current year
Unified Planning Work Program;
WHEREAS, The FY 2017 UPWP was prepared with estimated FY 2017 funding levels and the FY
2017 UPWP will be administratively amended at the time funding levels are provided by AHTD;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Policy Committee of the West Memphis Metropolitan
Planning Organization does hereby approve and adopt the FY 2017 Unified Planning Work
Program.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Policy Committee of the West Memphis Metropolitan Planning
Organization hereby requests AHTD funds to be used for performing transportation planning
tasks as described by subject in the FY 2017 Unified Planning Work Program
Resolution duly approved on May 10, 2016
____________________________________
The Honorable William H. Johnson, Mayor of West Memphis, Chairman
West Memphis MPO Policy Committee
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Partial list of ACRONYMS
ADT: Average Daily Traffic
AHTD: Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department
AQ: Air-Quality
CAAA: Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
CAC: Citizen’s Advisory Committee
CHSTP: Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan
CMAQ: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
CMP: Congestion Management Plan
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FAST Act: Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act
FHWA: Federal Highway Administration
FTA: Federal Transit Administration
FY: Fiscal Year
GIS: Geographic Information Systems
ICC: Interagency Consultation Committee (Air Quality)
ISTEA: INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991
ITS: Intelligent Transportation System
LRTP: Long Range Transportation Plan (Now MTP)
MAAG: Memphis Area Association of Governments
MAP-21: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century
MATA: Memphis Area Transit Authority
MPO: Metropolitan Planning Organization
MTP: Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Formerly LRTP)
MVEB: Motor Vehicle Emission Budget
NAAQS: National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NOx: Generic term for various nitrogen oxides
PEA: Planning Emphasis Area
PL: Planning Funds
PPP: Public Participation Plan
SATETEA-LU: Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
SIP: State Implementation Plan
SPR: State Planning and Research Funds
STIP: State Transportation Improvement Program
TAP: Transportation Alternatives Program
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TEA-21: Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
TAZ: Traffic Analysis Zone
TCC: Technical Coordinating Committee
TIP: Transportation Improvement Program
TITLE VI: Title VI of the U.S. Civil Rights of 1964, as amended
UPWP: Unified Planning Work Program
VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds
WMATS: West Memphis-Marion Area Transportation Study
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A Brief History of the West Memphis Metropolitan Planning
Organization…
In March 1972, the West Memphis City Council adopted a transportation plan as a part of the
update to the West Memphis Comprehensive Plan. On October 18, 1973, the revised
Transportation Plan was adopted. The Continuing Phase Plan was approved in 1975, and
revised and updated in April 1984 and again in 1986.
In 1983 the City of West Memphis was designated by Governor Clinton as the Metropolitan
Planning Organization/MPO for the West Memphis-Marion Area, Arkansas portion of the
Memphis Urbanized Area. As a result, on June 16, 1983 an agreement was signed between the
City of West Memphis, acting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and the
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. This agreement provides
Metropolitan Planning funds to the City of West Memphis for the purpose of engaging in a
comprehensive, continuing, and cooperative transportation planning process as required under
23 U.S.C. 134 and 49 U.S.C. 5303 (The Unified Planning Work Program document is prepared as
required to authorize expenditure of those funds and is a companion to the AHTD/SPR
document). Subsequent agreements between the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation
Department (AHTD) and the West Memphis MPO developed the organizational structure and
membership as it is today.
The West Memphis MPO serves as the forum for collective and cooperative decision making by
the principally elected officials of the local governments. The MPO is composed of a qualified
Study Director, a Technical Committee, a Policy Committee and a Citizens Advisory Committee.
The Policy Committee is responsible for the policy direction of the West Memphis MPO. The
primary daily administrative and transportation planning responsibilities for the MPO are
conducted by the Study Director.
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The MPO Policy and Technical Committees
2016-2017 POLICY COMMITTEE (12 MEMBERS)
•
Mayor, City of West Memphis—The Honorable William H. Johnson
•
Mayor, City of Marion—The Honorable Frank Fogleman
•
Mayor, Town of Sunset—The Honorable Eddie Craig
•
Crittenden County Judge—The Honorable Woody Wheeless
•
Chairman, West Memphis Public Works Committee—Ramona Taylor
•
District Engineer, AHTD—Rex Vines
•
Representative, AHTD Transportation Planning and Policy Division—Jessie Jones
•
Executive Director, MAAG—Ralph Moore
•
Director, Office of Economic Development, West Memphis—Ward Wimbish
•
Director, Office of Planning and Development, West Memphis—Paul Luker
•
Director, Office of Public Works, City of West Memphis—Phillip Sorrell
•
Director, Office of Economic Development, Marion—Mike Demster
2016-2017 TECHNICAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS)
•
WMATS Study Director—Eddie E. Brawley
•
West Memphis Office of Planning and Development— Paul Luker
•
Marion Economic Development—Mike Demster
•
West Memphis Economic Development—Ward Wimbish
•
AHTD District or Resident Engineer—Rex Vines
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•
Marion City Engineer—W. H. Reynolds
•
Sunset Planning Commission—The Honorable Eddie Craig, Mayor of Sunset
•
Marion Planning Commission—Ed Cain
•
West Memphis Planning Commission—The Honorable William H. Johnson, Mayor of
West Memphis
•
Crittenden County Planning Commission—The Honorable Woody Wheeless, Judge of
Crittenden County
•
Director, Office of Public Works, City of West Memphis—Phillip Sorrell
•
AHTD Transportation Planning and Policy Division —Paul Simms
•
Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization—Pragati Srivastava
Mr. Eddie E. Brawley, P.E., Study Director is charged with the daily administration and
coordination of the MPO activities.
The office of the MPO Study Director is located at 796 West Broadway, West Memphis,
Arkansas 72301.
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INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a document that identifies all major urban
transportation planning work tasks and activities anticipated being carried out by participating
agencies within the West Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) study area
during the MPO fiscal year, which runs from July 1, to June 30. All planning activities are
included in the work program regardless of whether the planning activities are federally or
locally funded. The UPWP is prepared annually (typically during the spring) by the MPO Study
Director in cooperation with MPO participants and according to Arkansas State Highway and
Transportation Department (AHTD) guidelines, and is formally approved by the MPO Policy
Committee. Federal regulations require the documentation of transportation and public transit
planning activities using federal funds.
The West Memphis-Marion Area Transportation Study (WMATS) is responsible for both
transportation issues as well as air quality concerns. While the transportation study covers only
a portion of Crittenden County, the air quality issues include the entire county (see map on
page 15). The study participants and their designated representatives will undertake all aspects
of the transportation planning process identified herein with the county judge acting as the
representative for the portion of the county outside of the study area in regards to air quality.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The public is invited and encouraged to participate in all phases of the MPO planning process.
Public participation procedures of the MPO are detailed in the Public Participation Plan (PPP).
This includes the preparation of the UPWP, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the
Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and the Transportation Conformity Determination
Report.
THE UPWP ADOPTION & AMENDMENT PROCESS
Prior to its annual adoption, the UPWP is presented to the MPO’s Citizens Advisory Committee,
the Technical Coordinating Committee and the Policy Committee for consideration and
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approval. Any major changes to the UPWP require an amendment to the adopted UPWP. An
amendment must be recommended by the Technical Coordinating Committee and approved and
adopted by the Policy Committee.
FAST ACT AND PLANNING EMPHASIS AREAS
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface
Transportation (FAST) Act that authorizes Federal highway, highway safety, transit, and rail
programs for five years from Federal fiscal years (FY) 2016 through 2020. The FAST Act
represents the first long-term comprehensive surface transportation legislation since the Safe
Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Act in
2005. The FAST Act continues the Metropolitan Planning program and incorporates the MAP-21
Planning and Performance based criteria. The Program establishes a cooperative, continuous,
and comprehensive framework for making transportation investment decisions in metropolitan
areas. Program oversight is a joint Federal Highway Administration/Federal Transit
Administration responsibility.
Planning Emphasis Areas
The USDOT circular on Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs) defines PEA’s as topical areas that
USDOT wants to place emphasis on as the MPO’s and State DOT’s develop their respective
planning work programs.
MAP-21 and FAST Act Implementation
Transition to Performance-based Planning and Programming – The MPO should continue to
further develop its performance management approach to transportation planning and
programming. Performance-based planning and programming includes using transportation
performance measures, setting targets, reporting performance, and programming
transportation investments directed toward the achievement of transportation system
performance outcomes.
Models of Regional Planning Cooperation
Promote cooperation and coordination across MPO boundaries and across state boundaries
where appropriate to ensure a regional approach to transportation planning. This is particularly
important where more than one MPO or state serves an urbanized area or adjacent urbanized
area—as is the case for the West Memphis MPO and the Memphis MPO. This cooperation and
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coordination could occur through the development of joint planning products, and/or by other
locally determined means. Coordination across MPO and across state boundaries includes the
coordination of transportation plans and programs, corridor studies, and projects across
adjacent MPO and state boundaries. This is accomplished by cooperative agreements between
the two local MPOs on planning and technical matters and air quality conformity including
participation in each other’s Technical and Policy Committee meetings and participation in each
other’s air quality interagency process. It also includes collaboration among state DOTs, MPOs,
and operators of public transportation activities such as: data collections, data storage and
analysis, analytical tools, and performance based planning.
Ladders of Opportunity
Access to essential services as part of the transportation planning process, identify
transportation connectivity gaps in access to essential services. Essential services include
housing, employment, health care, schools/education, and recreation. This emphasis area could
include MPO and state identification of performance measures and analytical methods to
measure the transportation system’s connectivity to essential services and the use of this
information to identify gaps in transportation system connectivity that preclude access of the
public, including traditionally underserved populations, to essential services. It could also
involve the identification of solutions to address those gaps.
The following table indicates the PEA’s for Federal Year 2017 and the work tasks under which
the West Memphis MPO will address them.
Planning Emphasis Area
Map-21 and FAST Act Implementation
Transition to Performance based Planning
and Programming
Models of Regional Planning and
Cooperation
Promote cooperation and coordination across
MPO boundaries and across State boundaries
West Memphis MPO Work Tasks
Task 4 Long Range Planning including Air Quality
Issues
Task 5 Management Systems including safety,
pavement management, travel times, congestion,
crash related special studies and GIS
development.
Task 6 Special Studies including GIS Development
Task 1 Administration and Management
Task 3 Short Range Planning including the
Transportation Improvement Program
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where appropriate to ensure a regional approach
to transportation planning.
Ladders of Opportunity
Access to essential services—as part of the
transportation process, identify transportation
connectivity gaps in access and essential services.
Task 4 Long Range Planning including
coordination of projects crossing state
boundaries and multistate regional air quality
consultation.
Task 5 Management Systems
Task 6 Special Studies
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STUDY TASKS
Within the UPWP, six work categories or tasks describe the goals and objectives of the planning
process. These are as follows:
•
Task 1: Program Support and Administration
•
Task 2: General Development and Comprehensive Planning
•
Task 3: Short Range Planning
•
Task 4: Long Range Planning
•
Task 5: Management Systems
•
Task 6: Other Activities
FAST-Act/MAP-21 & CAAA
As the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Area (MPO) for the region, the MPO must
respond to the planning requirements of two federal laws: the Fixing America’s Surface
Transportation (FAST) Act including applicable MAP-21 requirements and the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990 (CAAA).
The FAST Act provides $39.727 billion in federal - aid highway funding, an increase of 11
percent over the next five years. Overall, the FAST Act largely maintains current program
structures and funding shares between highways and transit.
The Bill does make some changes and reforms of note, including the streamlining the approval
processes for new transportation projects, providing new safety tools, and establishing new
programs to advance critical freight projects. With respect to streamlining the transportation
project approval process, the FAST Act incorporated a number of proposals to further speed the
permitting processes, while still protecting environmental and historic treasures as well as
codifying the online system to track projects and interagency coordination processes. More
specifically the Act: (1) supports early engagement among agencies involved in the
environmental review process; (2) expands the use of public dashboards to the environmental
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review process to provide additional transparency; (3) reduces duplicative reviews; and, (4)
expedites the environmental review process for reconstruction in the aftermath of an
emergency.
The FAST Act also makes a number of changes to the DOT’s safety programs, including creating
new grant programs and making changes to the departments’ authorities to protect the
traveling public. More specifically, the Act: (1) streamlines the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) truck and bus safety grant program; (2) improves the National
Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) ability to recall unsafe vehicles and
prohibits rental companies from renting out motor vehicles subject to safety recalls, until they
are fixed; (3) establishes a new competitive grant program for passenger and freight rail safety
projects; (4) increases accountability of states to ensure rail transit safety performance by
bolstering oversight in urban areas; and, (5) allows additional flexibility in transporting
hazardous materials during major disasters and emergencies in an effort to improve the ability
to carry out emergency response and relief efforts.
Freight was a major component of the public debate in the development of the transportation
bill and would eventually establish both formula and discretionary grant programs to fund
critical transportation projects that would benefit freight movements. These programs provide
a dedicated source of Federal funding for freight projects, including multimodal projects. The
Act 10 emphasizes the importance of Federal coordination to focus local governments on the
needs of freight transportation providers. More specifically the Bill requires the Development of
a National Freight Strategic Plan that will address the conditions and performance of the
multimodal freight system to identify strategies and best practices to improve intermodal
connectivity. In addition, the Plan will address the conditions and performance of the national
freight system to mitigate the impacts of freight movement on communities.
The FAST Act contains important provisions for metropolitan planning organizations and their
local elected officials. The Bill recognizes the vital role of federal transportation investments for
communities, and the importance of ensuring that local voices are part of the transportation
decision - making process. The FAST Act makes significant funding available for locally owned
bridges by preserving the off-system bridge set-aside and by making bridges that are not on the
National Highway System eligible for funding under the National Highway Performance
Program. The FAST Act also provides funding for local projects through the Surface
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Transportation Block Grant Program and increases funding for the Transportation Alternatives
Program.
Implications for the Transportation Planning Process:
For the MPO, the FAST Act requires additional issues be addressed as part of the long range
planning process (including tourism and natural disaster risk reduction), and expands the MPO’s
charge to integrate transit within its Regional Transportation Plan by requiring intercity bus
facilities be identified in the transportation plan. Moreover, the Bill adds to a section regarding
transportation and transit enhancements a requirement that the plan include “consideration of
the role that intercity buses may play in reducing congestion, pollution, and energy
consumption in a cost-effective manner. The Act also requires additional stakeholders (public
ports, intercity bus operators, and employer based commuting programs) be included in the
planning process.
To meet the requirements of the new Act, the MPO will continue to cooperate with the State
and local governments to develop transportation plans and programs for the urbanized area.
Such plans and programs will need to provide for the development of transportation facilities
(including pedestrian walkways and bicycle/transit facilities) that will function as an intermodal
transportation system for the metropolitan area, the State, and the nation. The process for
developing such plans and programs shall provide for consideration of all modes of
transportation, including transit, and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to
the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems. In an effort to
be more responsive to local and regional transportation needs, the MPO continues to support
the decision making process of local government.
Federal law ensures that certain allocations of highway and transit funds are to be administered
by a region's MPO and that the MPO be a partner in the planning process for the use of all of
the study area’s transportation funds. Federal law also requires the MPO to produce and
oversee a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the region's short-range investment
plan, which must be consistent and serve to implement the region’s long-range plan. The TIP
prioritizes the area’s transportation related projects within the constraints of federal funding
that Arkansas can reasonably expect to receive within four years.
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The metropolitan transportation planning process shall be continuous, cooperative, and
comprehensive, and provide for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and
services that will address the following factors (per CFR 450.306):
1. Support the economic vitality of the United States, the States, nonmetropolitan areas,
and metropolitan areas, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and
efficiency;
2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized
users;
3. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized
users;
4. Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and freight;
5. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the
quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and
State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;
6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and
between modes throughout the State, for people and freight;
7. Promote efficient system management and operation;
8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.
9. Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or
mitigate storm water impacts of surface transportation; and
10. Enhance travel and tourism.
Minimal policy changes from MAP 21 include…
•
•
•
•
Long range plans and TIPs must consider facilities to support intercity transportation
(rail, bus, commuter vanpools)
Must consider system resiliency, storm water, natural disaster vulnerability and
mitigation
Should consult with state agencies for tourism and natural disaster risk reduction
May designate “Critical Urban Freight Corridors”
With respect to both states and MPO’s, FAST Act stipulates that the transportation planning
process is to “provide for the establishment and use of a performance-based approach to
transportation decision-making.”
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The performance-based approach must support these national goals:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Safety - To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all
public roads.
Infrastructure Condition - To maintain the highway infrastructure asset system in a
state of good repair
Congestion Reduction - To achieve a significant reduction in congestion on the National
Highway System
System Reliability - To improve the efficiency of the surface transportation system
Freight Movement and Economic Vitality - To improve the national freight network,
strengthen the ability of rural communities to access national and international trade
markets, and support regional economic development.
Environmental Sustainability - To enhance the performance of the transportation
system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
Reduced Project Delivery Delays - To reduce project costs, promote jobs and the
economy, and expedite the movement of people and goods by accelerating project
completion through eliminating delays in the project development and delivery process,
including reducing regulatory burdens and improving agencies' work practices
Transit Passenger Rail and Bus Safety - To establish and enforce a comprehensive
framework to oversee the safety of public transportation as it pertains to rail and buses.
Transit Asset Management – To implement a strategic approach for assessing needs
and prioritizing investments for bringing the nation’s public transit systems into a state
of good repair.
The West Memphis MPO and the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department will
work cooperatively and coordinate with the Memphis MPO to ensure a regional approach to
transportation planning. This effort will ensure the timely identification and development of
both performance measures and a means to evaluate and report on the condition of the
transportation system with respect to established targets within the study area as well as the
regional urbanized area. This coordination effort with the Memphis MPO is in accordance with
the West Memphis and Memphis MPOs current planning agreements.
The Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) established a program and set a timetable for improving
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the nation's air quality. Crittenden County is currently classified as a non-attainment area for
ground-level ozone*. Although the responsibility for attaining and maintaining the standards
falls directly on the State, the MPO is responsible for a key role in developing many of the
programs relating to air quality attainment. The projects in the TIP and the MTP must conform
to the states’ air quality implementation plans. These projects must not lead to any further
degradation of the region's air quality. The MTP is updated at least every four years and next
year’s update to the year 2040 must continue to demonstrate transportation conformity
through 2027.
*On December 10, 2015, the State of Arkansas, through the Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ), submitted a request for the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to re-designate the portion of Arkansas that is within the Memphis, TennesseeMississippi-Arkansas (Memphis TN-MS-AR) 2008 8-hour ozone nonattainment area and to
approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a maintenance plan for the Area.
Currently EPA is accepting public comments on the request but they are proposing to
determine that the Memphis TN-MS-AR Area is continuing to attain the 2008 8-hour ozone
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS); to approve the State’s plan for maintaining
attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone standard in the Area, including the motor vehicle
emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic oxides (VOC) for the
years 2012 and 2027 for the Arkansas portion of the Area, into the SIP; and to re-designate the
Arkansas portion of the Area to attainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS. EPA is also
notifying the public of the status of EPA’s adequacy determination for the MVEB’s for the
Arkansas portion of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Area.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Increasingly, urban transportation policy makers and planners are called on to look
beyond the important, but limited objective of how to develop transportation
systems to efficiently move people and commodities, to view transportation as
only one major subsystem operating in the total urban environment.
In addressing these issues within the context of Environmental Justice the MPO will seek to:
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•
Explore needs within the minority, disabled and low-income communities
•
Involve the minority community and disabled and low income persons in the planning
process
•
Include minorities and disabled and low income persons on committees and in
leadership roles
•
Document Title VI efforts
•
Advertise public meetings in places where minorities and disabled and low income
persons assemble
•
Hold meetings at times and places convenient for the minority community
•
Communicate in languages other than English (orally and written) when necessary
•
Consider special needs in public accommodations
•
Follow-up with the minority community after public meetings, when decisions are made
and after project implementation
TASK 1: PROGRAM SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATION
PURPOSE
To conduct the metropolitan planning processes in accordance with applicable federal (23 CFR
450) and state requirements and to ensure the maintenance of a continuing, cooperative, and
comprehensive transportation planning process for the West Memphis MPO.
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The MPO prepared meeting materials, agendas and meeting minutes for all MPO
committee meetings.
2. The MPO prepared and adopted the FY 2017 Unified Planning Work Program.
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3. The MPO prepared monthly progress reports and reimbursement requests for MPO
activities.
4. The MPO prepared the Annual Title VI Report.
5. The MPO prepared the Annual Performance and Expenditure Report.
6. The Annual Audit was completed.
7. The MPO monitored the FY2010 (May 11, 2011) ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.
8. The MPO attended trainings and workshops relevant to administrating the MPO work
program.
9. The MPO participated in the Memphis MPO meetings and regional development
meetings.
10. The MPO purchased supplies and equipment (traffic counter supplies, computer
software, and subscriptions) as required.
11. The MPO monitored the agreement with AHTD, the MPO and the City of West Memphis
as the Public Transit Operator outlining the responsibilities of each agency in the
development and maintenance of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the
Transportation Improvement Program, the Public Participation Plan and the Annual List
of Projects.
WORK TASKS FOR FY 2017
The administration of the program and the required reports involve, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. The MPO will prepare for and attend meetings regarding the day-to-day operation of
the study as well as prepare meeting minutes and agendas.
2. The MPO will maintain all necessary records as well as ensure the preparation and
handling of miscellaneous correspondence.
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3. The MPO will prepare the monthly billings and progress reports.
4. The MPO will review and update the Public Participation Plan and other MPO
documents as necessary.
5. The MPO will prepare required annual reports including the Title VI Report, the Annual
Performance and Expenditure Report and the Unified Planning Work Program.
6. The MPO will administer the Section 5305, CMAQ and STBGP GT 200K funds.
7. The MPO will make provisions for necessary travel, training, and supply/equipment
purchases.
8. The MPO will procure and audit of Section 5305, CMAQ and STBGP GT 200K funds .
9. The MPO, in cooperation with the AHTD, will monitor and review performance measure
rule-making and development of preliminary performance measures. (Also included in
Task IV).
END PRODUCTS
Routine monitoring and updates to reports, memoranda, and analysis of data to determine
recommended changes and improvements consisting of the following:
1. OMB Circular A-133 audit report will be prepared by a responsible accounting firm.
2. Travel and supply/equipment purchase documentation.
3. Annual Performance and Expenditures Report.
4. Monthly billings and progress reports.
5. FY 2018 Unified Planning Work Program.
6. Revised Public Participation Plan, if necessary.
7. Agendas and minutes of committee meetings.
8. Annual Title VI Report.
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAFFING
The Study Director is responsible for coordination with assistance from administrative, planning
and engineering staff persons of the following entities:
City of West Memphis
Public Transit Operator (City of West Memphis)
City of Marion
Town of Sunset
Crittenden County
Memphis Area Association of Governments
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Office of Planning and Development
Consultant
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WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
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TASK 2: GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
PURPOSE
To collect and maintain an up-to-date inventory of planning data which includes, but is not
limited to land use, travel patterns, travel mode, transit ridership, socio-economic information
and demographics for use in the MPO’s Geographic Information System (GIS)
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The MPO monitored and updated, as necessary, area land use plans and subdivision
regulations (Planning Factors (1, 5, 6, 8).
2. The MPO reviewed all necessary agreements and contracts.
3. The MPO maintained and updated various databases, computer software and
performed other computer program file maintenance.
4. The MPO responded to requests for various study data.
WORK TASKS FOR FY 2017
1. The MPO will continue to monitor and update, as necessary, area land use plans and
subdivision regulations (Planning Factors 1, 5, 6, 8).
2. The MPO will continue to review agreements and contracts pertinent to MPO activities.
3. The MPO will continue to maintain and update the databases and computer software
used by the MPO to carry out the work tasks, and perform other computer program file
maintenance as necessary.
4. The MPO will continue to respond to requests for various study data.
END PRODUCTS
1. Current files documenting the available current study area subdivision regulations and
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land use plans for the study area.
2. Current databases and other computer program files used in the general administration
of the program.
3. Various study reports not included in the other work tasks.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAFFING
The Study Director is responsible for coordination with assistance from administrative, planning
and engineering staff persons of the following entities:
City of West Memphis
Public Transit Operator (City of West Memphis)
City of Marion
Town of Sunset
Crittenden County
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Memphis Area Association of Governments
Office of Planning and Development
Consultant
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WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
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TASK 3: SHORT RANGE PLANNING
PURPOSE
Administer short-term planning activities including the TIP, analyzing data for short-term
planning and developing projects to implement long-term plans (Planning Factors 1-8).
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The MPO monitored the FY 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
(October 25, 2013) to ensure consistency with the FY 2013-2016 STIP.
2. The MPO in cooperation with AHTD produced the FY 2016-2020 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP)
WORK TASKS FOR FY 2017
3. Monitor the current FY 2016-2020 TIP and work with the Air Quality Interagency
Committee, AHTD and the Public Transportation Operator (the City of West Memphis)
to demonstrate that proposed projects are in conformance with the area’s
requirements for meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
4. Monitor progress of the TIP and balance the fiscal viability of projects in relation to the
fiscal constraints of available funds.
5. Establish a performance based process. FAST Act continues MAP-21 requirements for
the MPO to establish and use a “performance-based approach to transportation
decision making” that supports FAST Act National Goals. The MPO will continue to
coordinate with AHTD on the establishment of a “performance based approach” to
transportation planning and the establishment of MPO “performance measures and
performance targets” that will be integrated into the 2040 WMATS Metropolitan
Transportation Plan and the WMATS FFY 2016 -2020 Transportation Improvement
Program.
6. Preserve and maximize the use of existing transportation facilities (Planning Factor 8)
through the coordination and review with local planning commissions, political
jurisdictions, AHTD, the Public Transportation Operator (the City of West Memphis) and
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related parties through planning and traffic engineering procedures. This will include
response to requests for study data related to short range planning.
7. Monitor applicable transportation enhancement activities (Planning Factors 2-6).
8. Carefully consider the effects of transportation projects to be undertaken within the
study area (Planning Factors 1, 6, 7) by reviewing both publicly and privately funded
transportation projects within the West Memphis-Marion Transportation Study Area in
relation to local goals and objectives for a safe, efficient and environmentally acceptable
transportation system. This includes the review of subdivisions developed by private
concerns to ensure their conformance with the overall transportation plan and needs.
9. In cooperation with AHTD and the Public Transportation Operator (the City of West
Memphis), develop and publish on the MPO web site a list of projects obligated in the
past federal fiscal year using federal funds.
10. Attend meetings related to short range planning issues. Prepare and handle all
correspondence related to this task.
END PRODUCTS
1. Produce the necessary reports in response to requests for study data regarding short
range planning.
2. Publish and monitor the annual list of obligated projects.
3. Performance measures development.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAFFING
The Study Director is responsible for coordination with assistance from administrative, planning
and engineering staff persons of the following entities:
City of West Memphis
Public Transit Operator (City of West Memphis)
City of Marion
Town of Sunset
Crittenden County
Memphis Area Association of Governments
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Office of Planning and Development
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WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
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Consultant
TASK 4: LONG RANGE PLANNING
PURPOSE
Update the current Metropolitan Transportation Plan (formerly the Long Range Transportation
Plan).
Elements of the Long-Range Transportation Plan include:
•
The identification of transportation facilities (including multimodal and intermodal
facilities) that function as an integrated transportation system.
•
A pedestrian walkway and bike path route plan.
•
A congestion management plan.
•
Air Quality Conformity demonstration.
•
A constrained financial plan.
•
An assessment of capital investment.
•
Measures necessary to preserve and make the most efficient use of the existing
transportation system.
•
Cooperate with AHTD in establishing required performance measures.
•
Consult with environmental regulatory agencies and discuss potential environmental
mitigation activities as appropriate.
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The MPO reviewed the pedestrian walkway inventory project for West Memphis and
Marion including a GIS map book of the walkway locations, signage in school zones and
state of repair.
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2. The MPO reviewed possible bike path routes for Mississippi River Crossing.
3. The MPO monitored air quality issues.
4. The MPO reviewed and maintained the Long Range Transportation Plan and
Constrained Financial Plans.
5. The MPO worked with ADEQ and the Interagency Consultation Committee to produce a
new motor vehicle emissions budget that was submitted to EPA as part of a request to
have Crittenden County re-designated showing attainment for ground-level ozone.
6. The MPO continued work on the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
WORK TASKS FOR 2017
1. In cooperation with AHTD and the Public Transportation Operator (the City of West
Memphis) monitor the 2033 Long Range Transportation Plan.
2. In cooperation with AHTD and the Interagency Consultation Committee, complete the
development of the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan with approval prior to April
23, 2017.
3. Maintain and ensure consistency of transportation planning through monitoring local
transportation planning's consistency with applicable Federal, State and local energy
conservation programs, goals and objectives.
4. Review air quality issues and determine if the Long-Range Plan is conforming to all
applicable requirements for the area’s transportation conformity determination
(Planning Factors 5, 7) by attending meetings at local and state levels related to air
quality issues, reviewing federal legislation and working in cooperation with the
Interagency Consultation Committee. This includes EPA, FHWA, AHTD, the Public
Transportation Operator (the City of West Memphis), the Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality as well as local and regional stakeholders in plan development to
ensure conformity with the requirements of the new air quality standards including
formulation and implementation of mitigation measures as necessary.
5. Maintain and ensure consistency of transportation and land use planning (Planning
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Factor 5) through review and revision of the current land use and zoning maps for the
WMATS.
6. Maintain and ensure connectivity of roads inside and outside of the study area (Planning
Factor 6).
7. Update functional classification maps and urban boundaries in accordance with the
latest Census data.
8. Maintain and ensure corridor preservation through attending and monitoring area
planning commission meetings and subdivision submissions (Planning Factors 5, 8).
9. Carefully consider the overall social, economic, energy and environmental effects of
transportation decisions (Planning Factor 5) through coordination and review of area
transportation decisions to attempt to balance and to positively enhance their social,
economic, energy, and environmental effects. This would include the production of
reports in response to requests for study data related to long range planning.
10. Coordinate and assist AHTD on major transportation studies including an update of the
current West Memphis Regional ITS Plan. This will include working with TDOT and
Memphis in order to satisfy the requirements of the Real Time Information Rule.
11. Monitor and revise, as necessary, the approved Long-Range Bikeway and Pedestrian
Plan (Planning Factors 2, 3, 4).
12. Establish a performance based process.
13. Continue the process of establishing goals, objectives and strategies for sustainability
and livability in the MPO’s area transportation planning in accordance with the U.S.
DOT’s Livability Initiative. This initiative will enhance the economic and social well-being
of all Americans by creating and maintaining a safe, reliable, integrated and accessible
transportation network that enhances choices for transportation users, provides easy
access to employment opportunities and other destinations, and promotes positive
effects on the surrounding community. This will enhance the area’s efforts to:
a. Better integrate transportation and land use planning.
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b. Foster multimodal transportation systems and effective multimodal connections.
c. Provide more transportation options to improve access to housing, jobs,
businesses, services and social activities.
d. Increase public participation and enhance coordination of transportation and
housing and healthy communities.
e. Reduce emissions including greenhouse gases.
f. Plan for unique needs such as climate change.
14. In cooperation with AHTD, FHWA and FTA allow for necessary training, research, and
development of planning performance measures that are required in the new Federal
Transportation law.
END PRODUCTS
1. 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan that demonstrates conformity with the
applicable NAAQS attainment requirements as needed. See Time Line Appendix C.
2. Update the West Memphis Regional ITS Architecture Plan as needed.
3. Updated Functional Classification Map and Urban Boundaries Maps as needed.
4. Updated bicycle and pedestrian plans.
5. Updated data documenting various local policies for providing right-of-way and
construction for planned streets and highways and the need for identifying corridors for
preservation of right-of-way as needed.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Reports in response to requests for study data regarding long range planning.
Updated West Memphis Land Use and Zoning maps as needed.
Maintain records of air quality activities for the WMATS on file.
Performance measures development.
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAFFING
The Study Director is responsible for coordination, with assistance from administrative,
planning and engineering staff persons of the entities listed below:
City of West Memphis
Public Transit Operator (City of West Memphis)
Town of Sunset
City of Marion
Crittenden County
Memphis Area Association of Governments
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Office of Planning and Development
Consultant
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
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TASK 5: MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
This task includes activities associated with the development, implementation, and operation of
the management systems (Planning Factors 1, 2, 3, 6, 7).
SUBTASK 5.1: BRIDGE AND PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
PURPOSE
The continuation of the current pavement management system and bridge management
system for this area.
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The MPO reviewed area bridge inspection reports from AHTD.
2. The MPO completed the annual street inspection project for West Memphis and
generated the pavement condition index using PAVER software.
WORK TASKS FOR 2017
1. Inventory and prioritize streets and highways for maintenance and construction using
the computer based data analysis program, PAVER, a U.S. Corps of Engineers developed
pavement management system. Currently, a data base of computerized street
pavement condition inventory and a prioritized list of streets based on a quantified
pavement condition index (PCI) and life-cycle cost analysis for improvements has been
established for West Memphis and is being established for Marion (Planning Factors 1,
2, 3, 6, 7).
2. Coordinate with AHTD and local jurisdictions for the prioritized ranking of area bridges
(Planning Factors 1, 2, 6, 7)
3. Establish a performance based process.
END PRODUCTS
1. A computerized street pavement condition inventory and a prioritized list of streets
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based on a quantified pavement condition index (PCI) .
2. Prioritized ranking of area bridges based on their condition.
3. Performance measures development.
SUBTASK 5.2: CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS
PURPOSE
1. To identify, relieve and minimize congestion.
2. To improve the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized
users by reducing the number and severity of crashes on all public roads in the study
area. (Planning Factor 2).
3. Continue to identify and quantify transit type services including van services and van
pooling provided in the study area. Continue to encourage and promote ridesharing.
4. Increase the use of transit services. (Planning Factors 2-7).
5. Increase transit safety and security. (Planning Factors 2, 3).
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Participated on the Arkansas Highway Safety Steering Committee, the Strategic Highway
Safety Planning Committee and the Arkansas Traffic Report Coordinating Committee
2. Monitored and reviewed the Congestion Management Process (CMP).
3. Monitored congestion management projects.
4. Conducted travel time surveys.
5. Continued traffic counts and updated traffic count map showing counter location and
count data.
6. Completed traffic crash data input.
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WORK TASKS FOR 2017
1.
Continue Travel-time studies on major and minor arterials.
2. In cooperation with AHTD and the City of West Memphis, identify and prioritize existing
high crash locations by maintaining and monitoring a traffic crash map and the
computerized collision diagrams of selected high crash locations by continuing data
input of local crash data as supplied by the police departments of West Memphis and
Marion through a computer data base program, locate all crashes on a street map of the
study area, and produce collision diagrams of crashes at selected intersections as
deemed necessary by the Study Director.
3. In cooperation with AHTD and the City of West Memphis, monitor traffic volumes and
related crash rates on arterials to determine congestion correlation and remedies.
Develop and implement strategies for improving safety at hazardous or potentially
hazardous locations.
4. Use traffic crash information, volumes, travel times, and other related factors to
establish means to identify and reduce congestion and improve safety by using proven
traffic engineering techniques.
5. Monitor and publish the ADT data as supplied by the AHTD on major and minor arterials
in the Study Area along with supplemental data obtained from selected field counts by
the MPO.
6. In cooperation with AHTD, the City of West Memphis and the Memphis MPO, study and
evaluate incident and crisis management on Interstates 40 and 55 in the Study Area
with the goal of congestion reduction.
7. Continue to monitor the agencies that are providing transportation services and who their
clients are in the study area. Cooperate with the Public Transportation Section of AHTD
in identifying and documenting the type of services provided by these agencies.
8. Coordinate and work in cooperation with the Public Transportation Section of AHTD
and the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) to monitor transportation routes and
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WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
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services in the WMATS. Monitor efforts of private providers in developing
transportation services.
9. Meet with Memphis Area Transit Authority and attend other appropriate transit related
activities to stay informed of increased transit services and needs for the area.
10. Continue to work cooperatively with area agencies in developing car pool, vanpool, and
related transportation demand services for this area. Activities will be centered
on the development of the Shelby County based programs that use area business
discounts, free taxi rides and periodic newsletters in order to attract commuters and
educate the population on the benefits of car and van pooling.
11. In cooperation with AHTD and the Public Transportation Operator (the City of West
Memphis), coordinate with human service agency providers in implementing strategies
that promote and encourage promotion of transit services.
12. Continue to coordinate with the City of West Memphis and the Memphis Area Transit
Authority to identify funding sources for the City of West Memphis transit service.
13. Establish a performance based process.
END PRODUCTS
1. Traffic studies and recommendations for crash reduction; intersection and spot
improvement recommendations including 4-way stop analysis.
2. A GIS traffic crash map indicating the location and linked to pertinent crash data that
enables detailed analysis of both individual crashes and intersections with high crash
rates.
3. Travel-time data.
4. Updated traffic count data and map.
5. Monitor ridesharing, van pooling, and other related transportation demand services
data.
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6. Maps of transit routes and services by MATA and other providers.
7. Arkansas Statewide Transit Coordination Plan.
8. Performance measures development.
SUBTASK 5.3: INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT FOR
FREIGHT
PURPOSE
To assist AHTD and coordinate with the City of West Memphis the Intermodal Transportation
Facilities Management System as well as to participate in the Memphis Regional Area Freight
Advisory Council and the Memphis Region Intermodal Technology Work Group. This
management system includes all transportation modes: waterways, railroads, airports,
pipelines,
transit terminals, trucking facilities, and access highways to these modes. This system shall also
include methods of achieving the optimum use of each mode; methods for increasing use by
advanced technologies like high-speed rail, and methods for encouraging innovative marketing
techniques (Planning Factors 4, 5, 6, 7).
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Updated Intermodal Facility Map
2. Updated NHS Connector Routes Map.
3. Participated as a member of the Memphis Regional Area Freight Advisory Council and
the Memphis Region Intermodal Technology Work Group.
4. Established Freight Committee for review of the new 2040 MTP planning process
including goals and objectives and continued freight network input.
WORK TASKS FOR 2017
1. Maintain inventory of major freight distribution routes, access to ports, airports,
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2.
3.
4.
5.
intermodal transportation facilities.
As required, in cooperation with AHTD and the City of West Memphis, evaluate each
mode and intermodal facility for physical condition, goods movement, equipment types,
etc. This would include the development and evaluation of performance measurements
in order to identify deficiencies such as capacity constraints and excessive delays.
Consult with WMATS area Freight Committee on plans and projects for improving the
local freight network.
As intermodal needs arise and are identified, integrate recommended solutions into the
Long-Range Transportation Plan and the T.I.P. as required.
Coordinate and participate in intermodal freight planning as a member of the Memphis
Regional Area Freight Advisory Council and the Memphis Region Intermodal Technology
Work Group.
END PRODUCTS
In cooperation with AHTD the City of West Memphis:
1. Updated comprehensive records of the existing freight transportation modes and
intermodal facilities, including a map of the study area indicating intermodal facilities
locations and primary access routes from arterial highway system, and the
identification of NHS connections to major intermodal terminals.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAFFING
The Study Director is responsible for coordination with the assistance from administrative,
planning and engineering staff persons of the following entities:
City of West Memphis
Public Transit Operator (City of West Memphis)
City of Marion
Town of Sunset
Crittenden County
West Memphis Public Works Department
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
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Office of Planning and Development
Consultant
TASK 6: OTHER ACTIVITIES
PURPOSE
Conduct research and development, as feasible, for traffic engineering projects and to integrate
G.I.S. into all applicable areas of the transportation planning process in cooperation with other
areas of interest. (Planning Factors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
PREVIOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The MPO continues to refine and update the Crittenden County street centerline file
and is also using the G.I.S. programs to maintain updated maps such at the PAVER maps,
the Urban Boundary, the Functional Classification Maps and various census/population
maps.
2. The MPO updated the MPO website as needed to provide public access to other MPO
documents such as the UPWP. The website also allows access to various maps, map
books and other pertinent information.
3. The MPO continued to meet periodically with a local group of officials and ArcView
users to improve the communication among the users as well as to ensure the integrity
of data development and maintenance.
4. The MPO continued working with the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the MPO
provides GIS related maps and other data related to transportation infrastructure as
requested. This enhances the MPOs commitment to address safety, security, and
environmental issues in the transportation planning processes.
WORK TASKS FOR 2017
1. Conduct feasible research and development for special projects in regard to traffic safety
such as traffic circles and related traffic calming measures.
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2. Attend G.I.S. training seminars and user meetings.
3. Continue to provide G.I.S. related maps and assistance to various agencies and individuals
with homeland security and environmental issues.
4. Continue pursuing how G.I.S. can most efficiently benefit the MPO. Continue the ongoing
task of developing an area-wide base map with integration of population data as well as
other pertinent data.
END PRODUCTS
1. Special projects reports on all such projects undertaken.
2. The continued development of a City of West Memphis base map and the integration of
county data. The integration of pertinent existing planning data and work tasks into the
G.I.S. program.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAFFING
The Study Director is responsible for coordination with assistance from administrative, planning
and engineering staff persons of the following entities:
City of West Memphis
Public Transit Operator (City of West Memphis)
City of Marion
Town of Sunset
Crittenden County
Memphis Area Association of Governments
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Office of Planning and Development
Consultant
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APPENDIX A—FUNDING
TABLE 1
UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
ANNUAL BUDGET
FTA SECTION 5303, FHWA PL, STP-ATTRIBUTABLE, and CMAQ FUNDS
CATEGORIES
LOCAL
MATCH
FEDERAL
FUNDS
TOTAL
001 Salaries
0.00
0.00
0.00
002 Payroll
0.00
0.00
0.00
003 Travel
0.00
0.00
0.00
004 Pension and Insurance
0.00
0.00
0.00
005 Research and Development Supplies
0.00
0.00
0.00
006 Computer Equipment and Software
607.39
2,429.54
3,036.93
007 Reports and Publications
342.88
1,371.51
1,714.39
008 Training, Seminars and Workshops
353.33
1,413.36
1,766.69
1,300.00
5,200.00
6,500.00
95.40
381.59
476.99
92,275.00
369,100.00
461,375.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
94,974.00
379,896.00
474,870.00
009 Audit
010 Advertising
011 Engineering and Planning Consultant
012 Traffic Demand Forecast Model
Total
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TABLE 2
BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR WORK TASKS
Work Tasks
LOCAL
MATCH
FEDERAL
FUNDS
TOTAL
Task 1
9,778.44
39,113.76
48,892.20
Task 2
1,130.19
4,520.76
5,650.95
Task 3
10,067.25
40,268.97
50,336.22
Task 4
54,163.68
216,654.69
270,818.37
Task 5
16,434.37
65,737.54
82,171.91
Task 6
3,400.07
13,600.28
17,000.35
Total
94,974.00
379,896.00
474,870.00
TABLE 3
FUNDING SOURCES ADMINISTERED BY MPO
TOTAL
LOCAL
MATCH
FTA Section
5305/
FHWA PL
FUNDS
STBGP GT 200K
FUNDS
CMAQ
FUNDS
TOTAL
94,974.00
116,896.00
98,000.00
165,000.00
474,870.00
45 | P a g e
WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
TABLE 4
BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR WORK TASKS SHOWING PERCENT OF TOTAL
Work Tasks
Task 1
006
007
008
009
010
011
Task 1 Totals
Task 2
011
Local Funds
Federal Funds
Total
% of Total
607.39
342.88
353.33
1,300.00
95.40
7,079.44
9,778.44
2,429.54
1,371.51
1,413.36
5,200.00
381.59
28,317.76
39,113.76
3,036.93
1,714.39
1,766.69
6,500.00
476.99
35,397.20
48,892.20
10.3
1,130.19
4,520.76
5,650.95
1.19
Task 3
011
10,067.25
40,268.97
50,336.22
10.60
Task 4
011
54,163.68
216,654.69
270,818.37
57.03
Task 5
011
16,434.37
65,737.54
82,171.91
17.30
Task 6
3,400.07
13,600.28
17,000.35
3.58
94,974.00
379,896.00
474,870.00
100.00
Total Program
46 | P a g e
WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
APPENDIX B
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
METROPOLITAN AND STATEWIDE PLANNING
The West Memphis MPO (MPO) certifies that it provides continuous, cooperative and
comprehensive transportation planning, addressing major issues facing the study area and that its
planning process is conducted in accordance with all applicable transportation planning
requirements, including the planning factors outlined in FAST Act. All requested reports and
necessary documentation is submitted as required and on a timely basis. The MPO extends full
cooperation and consultation as needed with the State on planning activities and programs.
CLEAN AIR ACT
Crittenden County is now designated a marginal non-attainment area for the 2008 8-hour
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone. Air Quality Conformity is addressed
in the transportation planning process and environmental impacts are addressed in most studies
funded through the MPO. (See pages 6 and 7). On December 10, 2015, the State of Arkansas,
through the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), submitted a request for
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to re-designate the portion of Arkansas that is
within the Memphis, Tennessee-Mississippi-Arkansas (Memphis TN-MS-AR) 2008 8-hour ozone
nonattainment area and to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a
maintenance plan for the Area. Currently EPA is accepting public comments on the request but
they are proposing to determine that the Memphis TN-MS-AR Area is continuing to attain the
2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS); to approve the State’s plan
for maintaining attainment of the 2008 8-hour ozone standard in the Area, including the motor
vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic oxides (VOC)
for the years 2012 and 2027 for the Arkansas portion of the Area, into the SIP; and to redesignate the Arkansas portion of the Area to attainment for the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
EPA is also notifying the public of the status of EPA’s adequacy determination for the MVEB’s
for the Arkansas portion of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Area.
47 | P a g e
WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
TITLE VI, CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
The MPO implements a Public Involvement Process that facilitates the participation of minority
and low-income populations in transportation decision-making and strives for increased public
involvement as part of the metropolitan planning process. By constantly evaluating its public
involvement efforts, as well as developing new techniques, the MPO attempts to increase
community awareness to address the needs of low-income populations within the urban area. As
part of the MPOs efforts to increase public awareness, attempts are being made to establish
working relationships with the local media. The resulting publicity may increase the exposure of
MPO activities and increase the involvement of the community. Every decision by the MPO is
made with the challenge of ensuring that projects do not disproportionately have adverse impacts
on minority or low-income populations. In addition, special efforts are made to identify minority
and low-income sectors within the urban area. The products developed as part of these efforts
will allow for better planning by all agencies involved and will assist in identifying needs in
areas inhabited by traditionally underserved populations. MPO and City staffs are active in
addressing environmental justice issues in the Study Area. This is evidenced by the
implementation of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), which is
managed by the Department of Community Development. The CDBG is a Federal entitlement
program that provides assistance to income-qualified families in designated target areas.
Historically, the City has provided affordable housing, public facilities and public infrastructure
improvements (streets, sidewalks, sewer and waterlines, etc.) to low-income areas of the
community.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (DBE)
The MPO is committed to maximizing the opportunity of minority and women owned
enterprises to participate in the performance of contracts financed in whole or in part with
Federal funds. The MPO maintains a list of consultants that is used for mailing requests for
proposals and these are also noticed in the newspaper. The MPO honors all written requests by
consulting firms for inclusion to the list. Furthermore, all consulting contracts address DBEs
through Article 23 (Minority Business Enterprises) and any work subcontracted by a hired
consultant must adhere to these provisions.
48 | P a g e
WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990
The MPO exercises good judgment in ensuring that discrimination based on disability does not
enter into the transportation planning process. This includes taking into account the special needs
of disabled persons in all aspects of the planning and implementation of new transportation
projects. In regards to public transportation, paratransit service is provided to persons with
disabilities with efforts to accommodate special needs.
RESTRICTIONS ON INFLUENCING CERTAIN FEDERAL ACTIVITIES
The MPO commits and certifies that no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be
paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any
federal agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a
Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any federal contract, the making of any
federal grant, the making of any federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and
the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any federal contract, grant,
loan, or cooperative agreement.
49 | P a g e
WEST MEMPHIS MPO UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM FY 2017
May 10, 2016 – Revised Budget April 21, 2017
Task Item length
Public Comment
TCC, PC or ICC Mtg
Approval Deadline
2015
Complete
Task
ID#
1
Plan Tasks
Jan
2016
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2017
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
Jun
Develop schedule, assign tasks
TIP DEVELOPMENT/ STIP SUBMITTAL
2
Create TIP Master Project List for STIP Submittal
3
TIP - Create, prioritize projects, Adopt
4
Financial Plan - Create, Adopt
5
Public Involvement Process (Revisions?)
UPWP- ANNUAL WORK PROGRAM
6
Create and adopt plan
7
Public Involvement Process (Revisions?)
Emissions Budget
8
Interagency Consultation Committee Mtgs.
9
Development and Approval of Emissions Budget
10
Conformity Determination
LRTP - LONG-RANGE PLAN
11
Develop Goals and Objectives
12
Public Involvement Process
Create Sections of LRTP
13
Goals & Objectives (see #11)
14
Safety
15
Security
16
Land Use
17
EJ
18
Project List
19
Regional Bike/Ped plan
20
Transit
21
Freight
22
Population Projections
23
Performance Measures
24
Environmental
25
Demographic/Economic Data
26
Air/Rail/Military
27
Financial Projections
28
ITS
29
Public Comments
30
Release Draft LRTP for Public Comment
31
Adopt Final LRTP and Conformity Determination
50 | P a g e