Prepared by
The Central Transportation Planning Staff:
Staff to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization
Directed by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization,
which is composed of the:
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
MBTA Advisory Board
Massachusetts Port Authority
Regional Transportation Advisory Council
City of Boston
City of Beverly
City of Everett
City of Framingham
City of Newton
City of Somerville
City of Woburn
Town of Arlington
Town of Bedford
Town of Braintree
Town of Lexington
Town of Medway
Town of Norwood
Federal Highway Administration (nonvoting)
Federal Transit Administration (nonvoting)
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: 3C Transportation Planning and the Boston Region MPO
Chapter 2: Coordinating Comprehensive Transportation Planning in the Region: What is the Unified Planning Work Program?
Chapter 3: Certification Requirements
Chapter 4: Boston Region MPO Planning Studies and Technical Analyses
Chapter 5: Agency and Other Client-Funded Transportation Planning Studies and Technical Analyses
Chapter 6: Resource Management and Support Activities
Chapter 7: Boston Region MPO Budget and Operating Summaries
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state nondiscrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), religion, creed, gender, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran’s status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background. Any person who believes herself/himself or any specific class of persons to have been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI, ADA, or another nondiscrimination statute or regulation may, herself/himself or via a representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. Complaints filed under federal law (based on race, color, national origin [including limited English proficiency], sex, age, or disability) must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the date the person believes the discrimination occurred. Complaints filed under Massachusetts General Law (based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry) or Governor’s Executive Order 526, section 4 (based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran’s status [including Vietnam-era veterans], or background) must be filed no later than 300 calendar days after the date the person believes the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO (see above) or at www.bostonmpo.org.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Cape Ann Transportation Authority, and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, which are Federal Transit Administration Section 5307(c) applicants, have consulted with the MPO and concur that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO for the development of the Transportation Improvement Program satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications, including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment.
Sandy Johnston
UPWP Manager, Central Transportation Planning Staff
10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150
Boston, MA 02116
617.570.9192
This document was funded in part through grants from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Decisions about how to allocate transportation funds in a metropolitan area are guided by information and ideas garnered from a broad group of people, including elected officials, municipal planners and engineers, transportation advocates, and interested residents. Metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) are the bodies responsible for providing a forum for this decision-making process. Each metropolitan area in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more—also known as an urbanized area—is required by federal legislation to establish an MPO, which decides how to spend federal transportation funds for capital projects and planning studies for the area.
The Boston Region MPO’s planning area extends across 97 cities and towns from Boston north to Ipswich, south to Marshfield, and west to Interstate 495.
Figure ES-1 shows the map of the Boston Region MPO’s member municipalities.
Figure ES-1
Municipalities in the Boston Region
The MPO’s board comprises 22 voting members. Several state agencies, regional organizations, and the City of Boston are permanent voting members, while 12 municipalities are elected as voting members for three-year terms. Eight municipal members represent each of the eight subregions of the Boston region, and there are four at-large municipal seats. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) participate on the MPO board as advisory (nonvoting) members. More details about the MPO’s permanent members can be found in Appendix F.
Figure ES-2 shows MPO membership and the organization of the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), which serves as staff to the MPO.
Figure ES-2
Boston Region MPO Organizational Chart
The federal government regulates the funding, planning, and operation of the surface transportation system through the federal transportation program, which was enacted into law through Titles 23 and 49 of the United States Code. Section 134 of Title 23 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act and Section 5303 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, require that urbanized areas conduct a transportation planning process, resulting in plans and programs consistent with the planning objectives of the metropolitan area, in order to be eligible for federal funds.
The most recent reauthorization of the surface transportation law is the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The FAST Act sets policies related to metropolitan transportation planning. The law requires all MPOs to carry out a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative (3C) transportation planning process. As part of its 3C planning process, the Boston Region MPO annually produces the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). These documents, along with the quadrennial Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), are referred to as certification documents and are required for the MPO to be certified as meeting federal requirements; this certification is a prerequisite for receiving federal transportation funds. In addition to the requirement to produce the certification documents, the MPO must establish and conduct an inclusive public participation process, as well as maintain transportation models and data resources to support air quality conformity determinations, transportation equity analyses, and long- and short-range planning work and initiatives.
The 3C planning process is an approach for conducting meaningful transportation planning. The federal government requires that MPOs conduct a process that is continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative:
The UPWP, produced by the Boston Region MPO, explains how the Boston region’s federal transportation planning funds will be spent in a given federal fiscal year (FFY). Specifically, the UPWP is a financial plan that is produced in compliance with the federally mandated metropolitan transportation planning process described above.
The development of the UPWP involves the prioritization of all potential transportation planning studies and technical analyses that could be undertaken to benefit the region in a given year. The scopes and budgets of the prioritized studies are documented in the UPWP. The aim is to ensure that the outcomes of the studies help achieve the transportation goals that the MPO, through its public processes, has set for the region.
The UPWP serves as a source for the following information:
The Boston Region MPO plans for the transportation future of the Boston region. The MPO is guided by a 20-year vision for a modern, safe, equitable, sustainable, and technologically advanced transportation system for the region. This vision is described in the MPO’s current LRTP, Charting Progress to 2040, and will be further expanded in the LRTP it is currently developing, Destination 2040. The transportation planning work funded through the UPWP is an integral part of achieving this regional vision.
The transportation goals of the Boston region, as agreed to by the MPO during the development of Destination 2040, are as follows:
In addition to the LRTP and the UPWP, the MPO also produces the TIP for the Boston region. As the near-term capital investment plan of the MPO, the TIP describes and prioritizes transportation construction projects that are expected to be implemented during the upcoming five-year period. Figure ES-3 illustrates the relationship between the LRTP vision and goals; the planning foundation for the MPO’s work, the UPWP; the TIP; and the process for monitoring and evaluating progress towards achieving the region’s goals.
Figure ES-3
Relationship Between LRTP, TIP, UPWP, and Performance-Based Planning Process
Federal funding that supports much of the work described in this UPWP comes from two main sources: the FHWA and the FTA. The federal funding sources, which are supplemented by a local match provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), include the following sources:
Yes, in addition to MPO-funded work, CTPS performs planning analyses and studies funded by state transportation agencies, including MassDOT, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). More detail about these agency-funded studies can be found in Chapter 5. For FFY 2020, the agency funding amounts programmed in this UPWP for projects to be conducted by MPO staff are as follows:
Throughout the following chapters, there is detailed information about work programs, studies, support activities, and technical analyses that are organized in the following categories:
Table ES-1contains the budget allocated for the MPO’s 3C planning activities in FFY 2020. The table reflects the FHWA metropolitan PL funds and FTA Section 5303 funds, which CTPS and MAPC expect to spend in FFY 2020. The table also reflects the work that CTPS will conduct with funds provided by other transportation agencies.
Chapters 3 through 6 provide detailed information about the transportation-planning activities that will be performed by CTPS during FFY 2020. The new studies chosen for funding in FFY 2020 are summarized below in Table ES-2 and described in more detail in Chapter 4.
Table ES-1
UPWP Budget for FFY 2020
| 3C Studies and Programs by CTPS Budget Categories |
3C PL Funds |
Section 5303 Funds |
Proposed FFY 2020 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
Administration, Resource Management, and Support Activities |
$431,340 |
$184,780 |
$616,120 |
MPO Certification Requirements |
$1,945,009 |
$807,697 |
$2,752,706 |
Continuing MPO-Funded Planning Studies and Technical Analyses |
$152,050 |
$123,180 |
$275,230 |
New MPO-Funded Discrete Studies |
$508,900 |
$218,100 |
$727,000 |
Direct Support |
$52,000 |
$142,000 |
$194,000 |
Total for CTPS 3C Studies and Programs |
$3,089,299 |
$1,475,757 |
$4,565,056 |
Budget figures include salary, overhead, and direct support.
| Agency-Funded CTPS Work |
Agency Funds |
Direct Support |
Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
MassDOT SPR Funds |
$295,500 |
$6,000 |
$301,500 |
MassDOT Section 5303 Funds |
$367,520 |
$6,000 |
$373,520 |
MassDOT Other Funds |
$79,000 |
$- |
$79,000 |
MBTA Funds |
$614,500 |
$925 |
$615,425 |
Other |
$55,000 |
$- |
$55,000 |
Total for Agency-Funded CTPS Project Work |
$1,411,520 |
$12,925 |
$1,424,445 |
Total CTPS Budget (3C and Agency Work) |
|
|
$5,989,501 |
| 3C Studies and Programs by MAPC Budget Categories |
3C PL Funds |
Section 5303 Funds |
Proposed FFY 2020 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
MAPC Planning Studies and Technical Analyses |
$393,599 |
$220,276 |
$613,875 |
MAPC Administration, Resource Management, and Support Activities |
$331,051 |
$127,949 |
$459,000 |
Total MAPC 3C Budget |
$724,650 |
$348,225 |
$1,072,875 |
Total 3C Budget Subtotal by Funding Program |
$3,813,949 |
$1,823,982 |
$5,637,931 |
Agency-Funded CTPS Work |
$1,424,445 |
TOTAL PROGRAMMED IN FFY 2020 |
$7,062,376 |
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. SPR = Statewide Planning and Research. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table ES-2
New Discrete Funded Studies in FFY 2020
| Project ID |
Study or Program |
Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
Page Number |
|---|---|---|---|
13293 |
Locations with High Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Rates in the Boston Region MPO Area |
$70,000 |
|
13301 |
Review of Vision Zero Policies |
$30,000 |
|
13420 |
Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways |
$115,000 |
|
13520 |
Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment |
$120,000 |
|
13720 |
Safety and Operations Analysis at Selected Intersections |
$80,000 |
|
13294 |
TIP Before and After Studies |
$42,000 |
|
13295 |
Innovations in Estimating Trip Generation Rates |
$30,000 |
|
13296 |
Operating a Successful Shuttle Program |
$50,000 |
|
13297 |
Further Development of the MPO’s Community Transportation Program |
$20,000 |
|
13298 |
Disparate Impact Metrics Analysis |
$40,000 |
|
13299 |
Exploring Resilience in MPO-Funded Corridor and Intersection Studies |
$90,000 |
|
20904 |
MPO Staff-Generated Research and Technical Assistance |
$40,000 |
|
Total for New Discrete and Ongoing Studies |
$727,000 |
|
|
NOTE: This information may be updated as the FFY 2020 UPWP budget continues to develop.
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program.
The annual process of creating the UPWP includes both generating and evaluating ideas for new studies, as well as updating the scopes and anticipated deliverables for ongoing technical analysis activities, certification requirements, and administrative support activities.
Ideas for new studies come from a combination of the following resources:
Ideas for new studies are compiled into the Universe of Proposed New Studies. Each proposal is evaluated based on how it would help the region accomplish the LRTP goals; the transportation mode(s) it addresses; the scale of the study; the time frame for implementation; the type of impact it would have; whether it furthers a body of existing work; and whether it has been considered in the past or is a completely new idea.
The MPO continually seeks to improve its process through inclusive and collaborative decision making. For this reason, the MPO seeks to involve a broad and diverse range of stakeholders throughout the UPWP development process.
The MPO staff will continue to seek public input for ideas for the Universe of Proposed New Studies and engage participants in discussing, evaluating, and eventually prioritizing studies for inclusion in the UPWP. Staff also continue to monitor and enhance the MPO’s communication channels, such as those documented below.
Feedback from public outreach forms a significant part of the input into the UPWP every year. Towards the end of every UPWP development process, the MPO votes to release for public review a draft document that describes ongoing work, new studies, and financial information. Then the MPO invites the public to comment on the Draft UPWP. The MPO staff posts the document for downloading via the MPO’s website (www.bostonmpo.org) and publicizes its release via MPOinfo (an email distribution list that includes municipal contacts, interested members of the public, and other stakeholders in the region) and Twitter. Email messages inform these contacts about upcoming opportunities for public comment and involvement in MPO decision making, and for announcing events sponsored or held by the MPO. The MPO staff also solicit public input during CTPS open houses and at public events hosted by the MPO or its transportation partners (including MassDOT and the MBTA). The MPO staff compiles all of the comments made during this public review period and presents them to the MPO board.
Information about the public review process for the Draft FFY 2020 UPWP is provided in Appendix B.
The MPO monitors the progress of studies funded through the UPWP by performing the following tasks:
This UPWP document is structured as follows:
Decisions about how to allocate transportation funds in a metropolitan area are guided by information and ideas garnered from a broad group of people, including elected officials, municipal planners and engineers, transportation advocates, and interested residents. Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are the bodies responsible for providing a forum for this decision-making process. Each metropolitan area in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more—also known as an urbanized area—is required by federal legislation to establish an MPO, which decides how to spend federal transportation funds for capital projects and planning studies for the area.
The federal government regulates the funding, planning, and operation of the surface transportation system through the federal transportation program, which was enacted into law through Titles 23 and 49 of the United States Code. Section 134 of Title 23 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act and Section 5303 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, require that urbanized areas conduct a transportation planning process, resulting in plans and programs consistent with the planning objectives of the metropolitan area, in order to be eligible for federal funds.
The most recent reauthorization of the surface transportation law is the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The FAST Act sets policies related to metropolitan transportation planning. The law requires all MPOs to carry out a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative (3C) transportation planning process.
The Boston Region MPO is responsible for carrying out the 3C planning process in the Boston region and has established the following objectives for the process:
More information about the federal, state, and regional guidance governing the transportation planning process and about the regulatory framework in which the MPO operates can be found in Appendix F.
The Boston Region MPO’s planning area extends across 97 cities and towns from Boston north to Ipswich, south to Marshfield, and west to Interstate 495.
Figure 1-1 shows the map of the Boston Region MPO’s member municipalities.
Figure 1-1
Municipalities in the Boston Region
The MPO’s board comprises 22 voting members. Several state agencies and regional organizations and the City of Boston are permanent voting members, while 12 municipalities are elected as voting members for three-year terms. Eight municipal members represent each of the eight subregions of the Boston region, and there are four at-large municipal seats. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) participate on the MPO board as advisory (nonvoting) members. More details about the MPO’s permanent members can be found in Appendix F.
Figure 1-2 shows MPO membership and the organization of the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), which serves as staff to the MPO.
Figure 1-2
Boston Region MPO Organizational Chart
The MPO board agreed on the following vision statement on January 17, 2019, in preparation for the upcoming adoption of Destination 2040, the MPO’s next Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP):
The Boston Region MPO envisions a modern, well-maintained transportation system that supports a sustainable, healthy, livable, and economically vibrant region. To achieve this vision, the transportation system must be safe and resilient; incorporate emerging technologies; and provide equitable access, excellent mobility, and varied transportation options.
As part of its 3C process, the Boston Region MPO annually produces the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). These documents, along with the quadrennial LRTP, are referred to as certification documents and are required for the MPO’s process to be certified as meeting federal requirements; this certification is a prerequisite for receiving federal transportation funds. In addition to the requirement to produce the LRTP, TIP, and UPWP, the MPO must establish and conduct an inclusive public participation process, as well as maintain transportation models and data resources to support air quality conformity determinations and long- and short-range planning work and initiatives.
The following is a summary of each of the certification documents other than the UPWP:
Figure 1-4 depicts the relationship between the three certification documents and the MPO’s performance-based planning and programming process, which is a means to monitor progress towards the MPO’s goals and continuously evaluate the MPO’s approach to achieving them.
Figure 1-3
LRTP Goals and Objectives, as of Spring 2019
Central Vision Statement
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization envisions a modern, well-maintained transportation system that supports a sustainable, healthy, livable, and economically vibrant region. To achieve this vision, the transportation system must be safe and resilient; incorporate emerging technologies; and provide equitable access, excellent mobility, and varied transportation options.
| Goals | Objectives |
| SAFETY: Transportation by all modes will be safe | • Reduce the number and severity of crashes and safety incidents for all modes • Reduce serious injuries and fatalities from transportation • Make investments and support initiatives that help protect transportation customers, employees, and the public from safety and security threats |
| SYSTEM PRESERVATION: Maintain and modernize the transportation system and plan for its resiliency | • Maintain the transportation system, including roadway, transit, and active transportation infrastructure, in a state of good repair • Modernize transportation infrastructure across all modes • Prioritize projects that support planned response capability to existing or future extreme conditions (sea level rise, flooding, and other natural and security-related man-made impacts) |
| CAPACITY MANAGEMENT AND MOBILITY: Use existing facility capacity more efficiently and increase transportation options | • Improve access to and accessibility of all modes, especially transit and active transportation • Support implementation of roadway management and operations strategies to improve travel reliability, mitigate congestion, and support non-single-occupant vehicle travel options • Emphasize capacity management through low-cost investments; prioritize projects that focus on lower-cost operations/management-type improvements such as intersection improvements, transit priority, and Complete Streets solutions • Improve reliability of transit • Increase percentage of population and employment within one-quarter mile of transit stations and stops • Support community-based and private-initiative services and programs to meet first- and last-mile, reverse commute, and other nontraditional transit/transportation needs, including those of people 75 years old or older and people with a disability • Support strategies to better manage automobile and bicycle parking capacity and usage at transit stations • Fund improvements to bicycle/pedestrian networks aimed at creating a connected network of bicycle and accessible sidewalk facilities (both regionally and in neighborhoods) by expanding existing facilities and closing gaps • Increase percentage of population and places of employment with access to facilities on the bicycle network • Eliminate bottlenecks on freight network/improve freight reliability • Enhance freight intermodal connections |
| TRANSPORTATION EQUITY: Ensure that all people receive comparable benefits from, and are not disproportionately burdened by, MPO investments, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, income, ability, or sex | • Prioritize MPO investments that benefit equity populations* • Minimize potential harmful environmental, health, and safety effects of MPO-funded projects for all equity populations* • Promote investments that support transportation for all ages (age-friendly communities) • Promote investments that are accessible to all people regardless of ability *Equity populations include people who identify as minority, have limited English proficiency, are 75 years old or older or 17 years old or younger, or have a disability; or are members of low-income households. |
| CLEAN AIR/SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: Create an environmentally friendly transportation system | • Reduce greenhouse gases generated in Boston region by all transportation modes • Reduce other transportation-related pollutants • Minimize negative environmental impacts of the transportation system • Support land use policies consistent with smart, healthy, and resilient growth |
| ECONOMIC VITALITY: Ensure our transportation network provides a strong foundation for economic vitality | • Respond to mobility needs of the workforce population • Minimize burden of housing/transportation costs for residents in the region • Prioritize transportation investments that serve residential, commercial, and logistics targeted development sites and “Priority Places” identified in MBTA’s Focus40 plan • Prioritize transportation investments consistent with compact-growth strategies of the regional land use plan |
Figure 1-4
Relationship Between the LRTP, TIP, UPWP, and Performance-Based
Planning Process
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a financial plan that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) produces annually in compliance with the federally mandated metropolitan planning process. This process requires transportation decision making in urbanized areas based on a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative planning process (the 3C process) that involves coordination of state and local governments and the public.
The UPWP documents the federal funding that will be spent on surface transportation studies and programs in the Boston region during a given federal fiscal year (FFY). This plan also serves as the basis for financing the ongoing work of the staff to the Boston Region MPO.
As outlined in Chapter 1, the transportation planning work funded through the UPWP is an integral part of achieving the Boston Region MPO’s vision and mandate.
This chapter explains the UPWP, its connection to the overall regional transportation vision developed in the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), and how the planning work of the MPO is funded.
As the basis for transportation planning at the Boston Region MPO, the UPWP prioritizes federal funding for transportation planning work that will be implemented in the 97-municipality area of the Boston region. The Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), staff to the MPO, or the staff of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Boston’s regional planning agency, conduct this work. This work primarily consists of four parts:
The UPWP includes activities that the federal government requires the MPO to conduct to remain certified as an MPO and be eligible to receive and distribute federal transportation dollars. Work in this category includes preparing federally required financial plans, including the LRTP and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The LRTP allocates funding for regionally significant transportation construction projects and programs over a 25-year period, while the TIP allocates funding for the implementation of projects in the near term, during the next five years. Air quality conformity and environmental justice-related compliance associated with the LRTP and TIP are also included in this category.
Other work funded through the UPWP to support MPO planning and certification requirements includes managing data and computer resources and maintaining the MPO’s regional travel demand model, which is used to forecast the potential impacts and changes that the transportation system will have on traffic congestion and transit ridership. See Chapters 3 and 6 for more detail about these areas of work.
Ongoing and continuing work programs support technical analyses and planning studies for cities and towns in the region. Examples of these programs include Bicycle and Pedestrian Support Activities, Regional Transit Service Planning Technical Support, and Community Transportation Technical Assistance. See Chapter 4 for more detail about these programs.
Every year, a certain amount of funding is available for the MPO staff to perform new studies. CTPS conducts these activities to enhance staff’s and the MPO’s knowledge of transportation planning practices, augment analytical methods, and evaluate strategies. Examples of these studies in the FFY 2020 UPWP include Disparate Impacts Metrics Analysis and Exploring Resilience in MPO-Funded Corridor Studies. See Chapter 4 for more detail about these new studies.
CTPS conducts planning analyses and studies funded by state transportation agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and other sources. See Chapter 5 for more details on these agency-funded studies.
MPO staff produces the UPWP each year under the supervision and guidance of the MPO’s UPWP Committee. The UPWP Committee, supported by MPO staff, convened six times in FFY 2019 to consider and provide input on the UPWP development process. Topics of discussion included the following:
These meetings resulted in the committee’s recommendation for the Draft FFY 2020 UPWP. The MPO approved the UPWP Committee’s recommendation for public review of the Draft FFY 2020 UPWP on May 16, 2019.
Below are details about the process for selecting studies and programs for the FFY 2020 UPWP.
To develop new planning studies for the FFY 2020 UPWP, the MPO drew from the following sources to generate a listing known as the Universe of Proposed New Studies for evaluation by MPO staff and the MPO’s UPWP Committee.
MPO staff works continuously to enhance public participation in the UPWP and other MPO activities, and strives to achieve continued improvements in the volume, diversity, and quality of public input. More information about the MPO’s public outreach process is available in Chapter 3, and at ctps.org/public_involvement.
The FFY 2020 UPWP Universe of Proposed New Studies documents proposed planning studies (see Appendix C).
MPO staff evaluated each new proposed study in the Universe of Proposed New Studies based on how it helps the region accomplish the LRTP goals; the mode(s) it addresses; the scale of the study; the time frame and type of impact it is anticipated to have; whether it furthers some body of existing work; and whether it has been funded in the past or is a completely new idea.
The evaluation process provides an important tool for the MPO and stakeholders to understand the amount of spending on studies across the following criteria:
In addition to conducting the study evaluation process, MPO staff defined general scopes and estimated costs for proposed planning studies and considered potentially feasible issues to study. Staff considered these various factors, along with the availability of funds for new studies, when identifying a recommended set of new proposed planning studies for review by the UPWP committee.
Table 2-1 shows the studies in the FFY 2020 universe selected for funding in FFY 2020. Chapter 4 provides detailed descriptions of these studies.
In addition to the process of selecting new discrete transportation planning studies, the MPO reviews activities for ongoing programs and work. MPO staff identifies and develops budgets for these continuing programs that will be carried out in the upcoming FFY. Staff proposes changes to the budget of any program resulting from revisions to planned activities.
Examples of ongoing and continuing activities comprise work that is required of the MPO, including certification requirements (Chapter 3), ongoing technical assistance to municipalities (Chapter 4), and resource management and support activities (Chapter 6).
The annual study program review and budget development process defines the amount of 3C funding (from federal grants that support the 3C process) that is available for new studies in the UPWP. After accounting for 3C-funded continuing and ongoing programs, the remaining funding is available for new studies.
Table 2-1
FFY 2020 New Discrete Funded Studies
| Project ID |
Study or Program |
Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
Page Number |
|---|---|---|---|
13293 |
Locations with High Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Rates in the Boston Region MPO Area |
$70,000 |
|
13301 |
Review of Vision Zero Policies |
$30,000 |
|
13420 |
Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways |
$115,000 |
|
13520 |
Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment |
$120,000 |
|
13720 |
Safety and Operations Analysis at Selected Intersections |
$80,000 |
|
13294 |
TIP Before and After Studies |
$42,000 |
|
13295 |
Innovations in Estimating Trip Generation Rates |
$30,000 |
|
13296 |
Operating a Successful Shuttle Program |
$50,000 |
|
13297 |
Further Development of the MPO’s Community Transportation Program |
$20,000 |
|
13298 |
Disparate Impact Metrics Analysis |
$40,000 |
|
13299 |
Exploring Resilience in MPO-Funded Corridor and Intersection Studies |
$90,000 |
|
20904 |
MPO Staff-Generated Research and Technical Assistance |
$40,000 |
|
Total for New Discrete and Ongoing Studies |
$727,000 |
|
|
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program.
MPO staff incorporates into the draft UPWP descriptive and financial information about ongoing and new UPWP studies, information about the UPWP development process, and other major transportation planning studies that occur in the region. Once the MPO votes to release the draft for public review, MPO staff posts the document to the MPO website (www.bostonmpo.org) and provides notice of its availability through various communication outlets.
As previously noted, public outreach forms a major part of the input to the UPWP each FFY. After the MPO approves the draft UPWP, there is a public comment period. During this time, MPO staff members solicit public input via the MPO website, social media outlets, open houses, and public meetings held in conjunction with MassDOT and the MBTA. Staff compiles all public comments received during this period and presents them to the MPO. Information about the public review process for the Draft FFY 2020 UPWP is available in Appendix B.
The MPO approved the following procedures for monitoring the studies in the FFY 2020 UPWP:
If necessary, MPO staff can make amendments and administrative modifications to the UPWP throughout the year. All 3C documents endorsed by MPOs, such as the TIP, LRTP, and the UPWP, must follow standardized procedures regarding amendments and/or administrative adjustments. If an amendment is under consideration, MPO staff notifies the Advisory Council and other interested parties, including any affected communities. The MPO follows the procedures specified in the MPO’s Public Participation Plan.
Table 2-2 gives general guidelines regarding the conditions that constitute an administrative adjustment or amendment to the UPWP.
Table 2-2
UPWP Administrative Adjustment and Amendment Guidelines
as of April 2019
| UPWP Administrative Adjustment |
UPWP Amendment |
|---|---|
Reallocation of budget funds |
Addition or Removal of UPWP task(s) |
Change in start/completion dates within the originally intended federal fiscal year(s) |
Change in start/completion dates, outside of originally intended federal fiscal year(s) |
Adjustment to project scope |
Significant change in project scope, cost, and/or time allocation |
Staff must present all proposed administrative adjustments and amendments to the MPO for consultation prior to endorsement. MPO members must vote on both adjustments and amendments and then release amendments for a 30-day public comment period prior to endorsement. Members of the public may attend and present comments at UPWP committee meetings and MPO meetings at which amendments and administrative modifications are discussed. The MPO may make administrative modifications without a public review period at the MPO’s discretion. When submitting the standard Budget Reallocation Request form to MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning (OTP), staff must fill out all fields with clear indication that the MPO was consulted prior to submission. Staff must submit back-up documentation, including the UPWP description of task(s) affected, original budget, revised budget, and justification for the request.
A change to a project scope, budget, and/or project schedule is considered significant when it alters the original intent of the project or intended deliverables of the project.
To provide a comprehensive perspective of transportation planning in the Boston region, the UPWP also includes a list of other major transportation planning activities in the region. This list, which is included in Appendix A of this UPWP, includes projects that are not funded with the MPO’s planning funds, but which are being funded and implemented by individual transportation agencies, municipalities, or academic institutions. Often, these efforts also use the expertise and tools that CTPS is uniquely able to provide.
The funding for the studies and programs included in this UPWP (presented in Chapters 3 through 6) comes from a variety of federal and state sources, as described below. The source of funds has important implications with regard to which agency or organization is responsible for programming them and for the MPO’s vote to approve both the UPWP and the subsequent work programs for the studies. The chapters of this UPWP are organized based on funding source—MPO-funded (3C-funded) studies and agency/other client-funded studies. FHWA and FTA have informed the MPO that as of FFY 2020, the 3C PL and Section 5303 contracts will be awarded as a single contract; Section 5303 funds were transferred to FHWA in July 2019 as part of the single contract award. Because this information was not available until late in the development process, the two types of funding are still broken out separately in this UPWP.
Table 2-3
UPWP Budget Summary of FFY 2020 Budgets for CTPS
| 3C Studies and Programs by Budget Categories |
CTPS 3C PL Funds |
CTPS Section 5303 Funds |
Proposed FFY 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
Administration, resource management, and support activities |
$431,340 |
$184,780 |
$616,120 |
MPO Certification Requirements |
$1,945,009 |
$807,697 |
$2,752,706 |
Continuing MPO-funded planning studies and technical analyses |
$152,050 |
$123,180 |
$275,230 |
New MPO-funded discrete studies |
$508,900 |
$218,100 |
$727,000 |
Direct support |
$52,000 |
$142,000 |
$194,000 |
Total for CTPS 3C Studies and Programs |
$3,089,299 |
$1,475,757 |
$4,565,056 |
| Agency-Funded CTPS Work |
Agency Funds |
Direct Support |
Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
MassDOT SPR Funds |
$295,500 |
$6,000 |
$301,500 |
MassDOT Section 5303 Funds |
$367,520 |
$6,000 |
$373,520 |
MassDOT Other Funds |
$79,000 |
$- |
$79,000 |
MBTA Funds |
$614,500 |
$925 |
$615,425 |
Other |
$55,000 |
$- |
$55,000 |
Total for Agency-Funded CTPS Project Work |
$1,411,520 |
$12,925 |
$1,424,445 |
Total FFY 2020 CTPS Budget (3C + Agency Work) |
$5,989,501 |
Note: Budget figures include salary, overhead, and direct support.
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. SPR = Statewide Planning and Research. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 2-4
Summary of MAPC UPWP Budget for FFY 2020
| 3C Studies and Programs by MAPC Budget Categories |
MAPC 3C PL Funds |
MAPC Section 5303 Funds |
Proposed FFY 2020 MAPC Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
MAPC planning studies and technical analyses |
$393,599 |
$220,276 |
$613,875 |
MAPC administration, resource management, and support activities |
$331,051 |
$127,949 |
$459,000 |
Total MAPC 3C Budget |
$724,650 |
$348,225 |
$1,072,875 |
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 2-5
UPWP Budget for FFY 2020
| Agency Supporting MPO/3C Work |
3C PL Funds |
Section 5303 Funds |
Proposed FFY 2020 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
CTPS |
$3,089,299 |
$1,475,757 |
$4,565,056 |
MAPC |
$724,650 |
$348,225 |
$1,072,875 |
3C Budget Subtotal by Funding Program |
$3,813,949 |
$1,823,982 |
$5,637,931 |
Agency-Funded CTPS Work |
$1,1,424,445 |
FFY 2020 UPWP Budget |
$7,062,376 |
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
The programs and activities described in this chapter are categorized as certification requirements because they include work that the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) must complete to fulfill the continuous, comprehensive, and cooperative (3C) process and to maintain its certification by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Several of these programs include activities that are necessary to comply with other federal and state laws, such as the federal Clean Air Act Amendments, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
The certification requirement activities serve to further the MPO operations and decision-making responsibilities. In addition, various programs described in this chapter directly relate to the MPO’s planning and programming activities, including the development of the regional Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Other activities described in this chapter support all other projects, studies, and programs contained in this Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) in compliance with the 3C planning process and planning regulations. These activities foster the implementation of MPO policies, federal planning factors and guidance, and all applicable orders and requirements.
Table 3-1 summarizes the ongoing programs conducted as part of the MPO’s certification requirements and related MPO support. The table presents the funding in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2019 and FFY 2020 and includes a brief description of the work, progress, and products for these ongoing programs. Although many of these programs generally comprise the same type of task from year to year, often there are variations in budgets that reflect greater or lesser emphasis in certain efforts or tasks. For example, MPO staff may undertake new or additional analyses under specific line items; expand or change the form of public outreach; fold tasks conducted in one year into an ongoing activity in a subsequent year; take on a new initiative of the MPO; or experience fluctuations in staffing levels that account for budget changes. Where appropriate, the table and individual program descriptions explain these differences.
The budget tables that accompany each of the individual program descriptions in this chapter include the salary and overhead costs associated with these programs. In this chapter, the programs are grouped into two general activity areas: (1) programs that support the MPO and its 3C process; and (2) programs that support the 3C planning and programming activities. Any direct costs associated with the projects are presented in Chapter 6.
Table 3-1
FFY 2020 Certification Requirements
| Project Name |
ID |
FFY 2019 Total Funding |
FFY 2019 Work Progress and Products |
FFY 2020 PL Funding |
FFY 2020 §5303 Funding |
FFY 2020 Total Funding |
FFY 2020 Planned Work Progress and Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Support to the MPO and its 3C Process |
|||||||
Support to the MPO and its Committees |
9120 |
$234,640 |
Continued support to the meetings and activities of the MPO board and its committees. Work entailed:
|
$194,740 |
$83,460 |
$278,200 |
Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year, with variations to the level of effort based on the specific requests by the MPO and state and federal partners.
Generally, the expected effort includes:
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Advisory Council) Support |
9320 |
$46,790 |
Continued support to the Advisory Council. Tasks generally consist of organizing and conducting the Advisory Council’s monthly meetings and annual field trip, including:
|
$31,190 |
$13,360 |
$44,550 |
|
Public Participation Process |
9620 |
$181,720 |
|
$127,680 |
$54,720 |
$182,400 |
|
General Graphics |
9220 |
$85,250 |
Provided graphics support to the MPO and its member agencies. This includes:
|
$68,210 |
$29,230 |
$97,440 |
Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year, although the level of effort varies based on the specific work products and reports that the MPO produces each year. |
Provision of Materials in Accessible Formats |
3120 |
$105,540 |
Supported the MPO and CTPS in:
|
$74,040 |
$31,730 |
$105,770 |
Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year, although the level of effort varies based on the specific work products and reports that the MPO produces each year that need to be converted into accessible formats. |
Professional Development |
9120.09 |
$21,770 |
Covered the labor expenses of staff attending conferences and seminars related to MPO work |
$21,329 |
$7,667 |
$28,996 |
Cover the labor expenses of staff attending conferences and seminars related to MPO work. |
3C Planning and Other Certification Requirements |
|||||||
LRTP |
8120 |
$362,290 |
Developed the final Needs Assessment for Destination 2040.
|
$196,640 |
$84,280 |
$280,920 |
|
TIP |
8220 |
$244,190 |
|
$194,360 |
$83,300 |
$277,660 |
Activities generally remain the same year to year, with staff supporting the MPO in developing its five-year (FFY 2021–25) TIP. FFY 2020 work will also focus on:
|
PBPP |
8820 |
$155,300 |
|
$59,180 |
$25,360 |
$84,540 |
|
Air Quality Conformity and Support Activities |
8420 |
$41,340 |
|
$21,890 |
$9,370 |
$31,260 |
|
UPWP |
8320 |
$108,930 |
|
$81,240 |
$34,810 |
$116,050 |
Activities generally remain the same year to year, with staff supporting the MPO in producing its annual (FFY 2020) UPWP. A special emphasis for FFY 2020 work will be targeted outreach to transportation equity populations |
Transportation Equity Program |
8520 |
$149,790 |
|
$120,300 |
$51,550 |
$171,850 |
Activities generally remain the same year to year |
CMP |
2120 |
$91,540 |
|
$85,440 |
$36,610 |
$122,060 |
|
Freight Planning Support |
2220 |
$56,370 |
|
$56,730 |
$- |
$56,730 |
|
Regional Model Enhancement |
7120 |
$795,760 |
|
$579,360 |
$248,290 |
$827,650 |
|
Transit Committee Support |
8920 |
n/a |
n/a |
$32,650 |
$13,980 |
$46,630 |
|
3C = continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive. ABM = Activity Based Model. CATA = Cape Ann Transportation Authority. CMAQ = Congestion Management and Air Quality. CMP = Congestion Management Process. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. EJ = Environmental Justice. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year.
FHWA = Federal Highway Administration. FTA = Federal Transit Administration. LAP = Language Assistance Plan. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. MWRTA = MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. n/a = not applicable. PBPP = Performance-Based Planning and Programming. PL = Planning. RTA = Regional Transportation Authority. SIP = State Implementation Plan. TAZ = Traffic Analysis Zone. TBD = To be determined. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program. TNC = Transportation Network Company. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
These programs provide staff support to the MPO, its committees, and the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Advisory Council). Other aspects of the work involve the MPO’s external communications and engagement activities with the public, municipalities, and other stakeholders. Specifically, these activities are described in the following work program efforts.
The other programs that support the 3C planning and programming activities are described in Chapter 4 under Technical Analysis and Support.
Project ID Number |
9120 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$194,740 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$83,460 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$278,200 |
FFY = Federal fiscal year. FHWA = Federal Highway Administration. FTA = Federal Transit Administration. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. PL Funds = Public Law Funds (also known as Metropolitan Planning Funds).
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Support to the MPO and Its Committees includes implementing MPO policies on planning and programming, planning and coordinating delivery of information for MPO decision making, and supporting the work and operation of the MPO and its committees. It involves providing support for MPO meeting management and agenda planning.
MPO staff will perform the following tasks related to MPO meetings and MPO committee meetings:
Technical and process support is provided to the MPO’s UPWP Committee, Administration and Finance (A&F) Committee, Congestion Management Process (CMP) Committee, and other ad hoc committees that are formed as needed. The identified committees of the MPO conduct their work as follows.
This effort also includes consultation with other entities and agencies involved with or interested in 3C planning activities, collaboration with other Massachusetts MPOs (with more detailed coordination with those in the Boston region urbanized area), and communication with Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) subregional municipal groups.
MPO support also includes conducting metropolitan transportation planning and implementing planning activities for the MPO. The goal of this work is to ensure compliance with federal regulations and requirements and to provide excellence in transportation planning processes, techniques, and outcomes. The work involves researching, analyzing, and reporting information on 3C planning topics, including those identified in federal reauthorization legislation, and issues related to other federal policies, regulations, and guidance. It also involves responding to federal recommendations or requirements for certification documents or MPO certification, and incorporating new requirements into the MPO’s 3C program. MPO staff will continue to implement Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requirements as guidance from this federal legislation is communicated to the MPO, and staff will be prepared to implement future legislation. Staff also participates in training to support compliance with federal requirements and guidance.
Other activities include day-to-day oversight of 3C program-related activities, collecting and fielding comments and inquiries, and responding to requests for information and support.
Project ID Number |
9320 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$31,190 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$13,360 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$44,550 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Advisory Council) is the MPO’s citizens’ advisory committee. MPO staff provides operations support to this body and its subcommittees. This includes planning programs and meetings; scheduling speakers; and preparing and distributing agendas, meeting notices, informational packets, and meeting minutes. It also includes helping to facilitate meetings; attending and making presentations at meetings; organizing and conducting field trips; soliciting new members; implementing and updating the bylaws; coordinating other activities, such as Advisory Council elections; and maintaining contact lists.
MPO staff regularly provides information, updates, and briefings on MPO activities, studies, and reports; requests and coordinates comments on MPO documents; and works with the Advisory Council and its committees as they conduct their programs, planning, and reviews.
Project ID Number |
9606 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$127,680 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$54,720 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$182,400 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Public participation is one of the six core functions of an MPO. The Boston Region MPO’s vision for public participation in the region is “to hear, value, and consider—throughout its planning and programming work—the views of and feedback from the full spectrum of the public, and use this input in its decision making.” The MPO’s Public Participation Process supports the MPO’s commitment to include and engage the people of the Boston region in transportation planning.
Staff makes a concerted effort to reach organizations that serve populations covered by federal regulations (referred to here as transportation equity [TE] populations) and their clients. These populations include people who are protected by federal mandates—people who identify as minority, have limited English proficiency (LEP), are 75 years old or older or 17 years old or younger, or have a disability; or are members of low-income households—as well as members of transit-dependent households, which are of interest to the MPO from an equity standpoint. Staff coordinates public participation efforts with the Transportation Equity Program to ensure that people from these populations have meaningful opportunities to participate in the MPO’s planning process.
MPO staff implements the MPO’s Public Participation Process according to the MPO’s Public Participation Plan (PPP). The process includes coordinating and implementing the MPO’s public outreach activities, via both communications and engagement efforts. This process provides information to various parties and collects input from them for the MPO to use in its planning and decision making, and in developing certification documents. This process supplements the involvement of the Advisory Council.
MPO staff aims to make it easy to access the information required to understand, follow, and engage in the MPO’s transportation planning and decision making. Staff will use in-person meetings, website content, email messages, social media (Twitter), blog, newsletters, and other digital tools for external communications.
Through the MPO’s Public Participation Process, staff works to provide opportunities for members of the public to participate in transportation planning and to ensure that everyone’s voice may be heard, valued, and considered. These opportunities include the following:
MPO staff will continue to explore and implement refinements to the Public Participation Process to increase public understanding of the MPO’s work and its efforts to break down barriers to participation.
The MPO’s Public Participation Process also involves consultations as specified in federal guidance, providing required American Sign Language and non-English language interpretation services at MPO-sponsored meetings and translations of MPO materials into non-English languages.
Project ID Number |
9220 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$68,210 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$29,230 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$97,440 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
MPO staff will provide graphics support to MPO agencies. This includes designing and producing maps, charts, illustrations, report covers, brochures, slides, and photographs; applying other visualization techniques; and creating other products that improve communication.
Project ID Number |
3120 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$74,040 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$31,730 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$105,770 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The MPO conducts its transportation planning activities and public outreach process in accordance with ADA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1998, and other policies and regulations governing accessibility standards. Adherence to these policies and regulations enhance public outreach and engagement because more stakeholders in the region can access MPO informational materials and reports.
In support of these standards, the MPO produces written and electronic materials in accessible formats. The MPO also maintains a library of document templates that incorporate accessibility guidelines and standards.
Project ID Number |
9520 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$21,329 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$7,667 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$28,996 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
MPO staff maintains its technical expertise in part by participating in courses, programs, and workshops offered by FHWA, the FTA, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and other public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Previous professional development endeavors have related to topics such as performance-based planning, traffic engineering issues and applications, regional modeling, bicycle/pedestrian issues, transit planning, public involvement, environmental justice, air quality, computer operations and maintenance, database applications, and other areas related to the provision of technical support services.
Staff will attend conferences, peer exchanges, trainings, and other enrichment and professional advancement opportunities.
These programs produce the core documents and work products that the MPO’s federal partners require and are the center of the MPO’s transportation planning work. These programs cover budgeting, planning, capital programming, and performance management, among other topics. Programs include:
Project ID Number |
8120 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$196,640 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$84,280 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$280,920 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Under the current federal transportation funding legislation, FAST Act, a new LRTP must be produced every four years.
The LRTP guides transportation system investments for the Boston metropolitan region for at least the next 20 years. The MPO adopted its most recent LRTP, Destination 2040, in July 2019. This LRTP serves as the Boston Region MPO’s guiding document: it establishes regional goals and objectives that the MPO will use for future decision making until September 30, 2023.
Although the latest quadrennial LRTP document was endorsed in FFY 2019, the MPO’s 3C planning process—including its long-range planning activities—is ongoing. The MPO’s robust LRTP development program helps meet Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and FAST Act requirements, which include keeping abreast of current state-of-the-practice planning tools and approaches and coordinating planning efforts with other regional and state transportation plans and programs. This program also supports scenario planning to generate data for decision making.
The Needs Assessment has become a foundational resource for the MPO’s transportation planning work. In FFY 2019, staff updated the Needs Assessment for use in developing Destination 2040; it is available to the public via the Needs Assessment document and application on the MPO’s website. In FFY 2020, staff will continue to update the Needs Assessment with new information as it becomes available. Staff will also perform further analyses to keep the Needs Assessment current and will use this information for future studies, reports, and deliberations. The updated information will also be made available to the public via the website. Data from the Needs Assessment will support two of the MPO initiatives: the MPO’s scenario planning activities and its performance-based planning practice.
In FFY 2020, the MPO will use the output from the Needs Assessment to develop and analyze land use and transportation options and scenarios. The MPO will use this information to monitor performance measures, set MPO performance targets, evaluate progress toward them, and track other indicators of interest.
The MPO has an ongoing practice of using model-based planning tools and off-model processes to generate forecasts and information about regional conditions and future needs. These tools will be used to assess the effects of potential options for changes to the transportation network. The MPO will use this information to make policy and capital-investment decisions.
Throughout the year, staff will seek to identify one or more opportunities to explore options and compare various alternative scenarios to understand effects on transportation, air quality, climate change, mode shift, the economy, and land use. Some of this work also may explore policy-related implications. In this way, the LRTP program serves as an ongoing resource for current information, insights, and analysis for all those involved in managing and improving the regional transportation network.
In developing the next LRTP, staff will research, plan, coordinate with interested parties, and review the priorities of the MPO and other state and regional agencies. Through updating the Needs Assessment and scenario planning, MPO staff will generate information that will guide the investment strategies for the next LRTP.
The LRTP program plays an important role in keeping the MPO abreast of current state-of-the-practice communications methods, planning tools, and approaches. In collaboration with MAPC, the MPO staff will explore effective ways to gather information, understand the needs of the Boston region, and analyze transportation and land use options. As part of FFY 2020 work activities, staff will research the best practices in metropolitan transportation planning and other facets of planning.
If any changes are made to regionally significant projects in the FFYs 2021–25 TIP, an amendment to the LRTP might be required. Staff will prepare the informational materials for MPO decision making and follow MPO procedures for informing and involving the public.
Project ID Number |
8220 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$194,360 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$83,300 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$277,660 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The Boston Region MPO’s TIP presents a five-year, financially constrained program of planned investments in the metropolitan area’s transportation system. Although federal regulations require that the TIP be updated every four years, Massachusetts and its MPOs are committed to producing annual updates.
MPO staff conducts outreach to municipalities and TIP contacts; coordinates the collection of TIP project-funding requests; evaluates and scores proposed new projects; updates the scores of previously scored unprogrammed projects (as needed); proposes programming of current and new projects based on anticipated funding levels; supports the MPO in its decision making about programming those funds; develops a draft document; and facilitates public review of the draft document before the MPO endorses the final TIP.
MPO staff communicates with the cities and towns in the region through TIP workshops, MAPC sub-regional meetings with municipalities, and correspondence with municipal TIP contacts and elected officials to gather information on existing and new TIP funding requests. MPO staff compiles the projects into a Universe of Projects list for the MPO.
The MPO uses TIP project evaluation criteria to identify projects that will help the region attain the vision, goals, and objectives established by the LRTP. The MPO’s evaluation criteria enhance decision making for the programming of transportation projects in the region by establishing a transparent, inclusive, and data-driven process through which funds are allocated.
In coordination with the development and endorsement of the next LRTP, Destination 2040, staff will examine the TIP evaluation criteria and revise them as needed to continue to align the TIP process with LRTP goals and objectives as well as state-of-the-practice transportation project impact analysis.
Staff develops a recommendation that proposes how to prioritize the MPO’s regional target funding. Typically, staff prepares a first-tier list of projects using the project evaluation ratings and project-readiness information. Staff then develops programming recommendations, giving strong consideration to the first-tier list of projects while also balancing equity of investments across the region and considering such things as design status, LRTP-identified needs, and cost.
In addition to preparing a recommendation for regionally prioritized projects, MPO staff also prepares and presents the Statewide Infrastructure Items and Bridge Programs and the capital programs for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA), and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) for the MPO’s consideration.
Staff prepares a draft TIP that maintains compliance with federal regulations and requirements for a public review and comment period. During the public comment period, MPO staff compiles and summarizes comments on the draft TIP and relays the comments to the MPO for consideration before endorsing the final TIP document.
In a typical year, various projects experience cost or schedule changes that require an amendment or administrative modification to the TIP. MPO staff manages all public review processes regarding TIP amendments and administrative modifications, including posting TIP materials on the MPO website.
Staff will prepare for the possibility of implementing several amendments and/or administrative modifications to the FFYs 2020–24 TIP during FFY 2020.
For more information about the TIP development process or the administrative modifications and amendments procedures, refer to Chapter 2 of the TIP, available online here: www.ctps.org/tip.
The FFYs 2021–25 TIP document will continue to report on the MPO’s implementation of its PBPP. The TIP will highlight the results of monitoring trends in the region and will note any progress made toward established performance targets.
Project ID Number |
8820 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$59,180 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$25,360 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$84,540 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
PBPP applies data to inform decisions aimed at helping to achieve desired outcomes for the region’s multimodal transportation system. The PBPP process involves the following tasks:
MAP-21 and its successor, FAST Act, direct states, public transportation providers, and MPOs to use this performance-driven, outcome-based approach in their transportation planning processes. The Boston Region MPO can also use PBPP practices to help achieve its specific goals and objectives. These practices will help the MPO to understand better how spending decisions affect the overall performance of the transportation system, to improve its decision making, and to increase accountability and transparency in its planning processes.
The MPO is already applying PBPP principles when making investment decisions as part of the LRTP, TIP, and UPWP development processes, and it is already responding to federal PBPP requirements. In FFYs 2018 and 2019, the MPO established or updated performance targets for several sets of federally required performance areas, including but not limited to roadway safety, National Highway System (NHS) bridge and pavement condition, NHS reliability, and transit asset management.
In FFY 2020, staff will support the MPO in continuing to meet federal requirements for PBPP, and will monitor and report on performance. Staff will also support the MPO in expanding and enhancing its PBPP practices, including further integrating PBPP into LRTP and TIP development.
In FFY 2020, staff will continue to provide information and recommendations to the MPO as it sets or updates targets for federally required performance measures. This work will involve reviewing federal regulations and guidance, gathering and analyzing data, developing performance baselines, and exploring ways to improve target-setting methodologies. MPO staff will continue to coordinate with Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), federal agencies, other MPOs and states, the region’s public transportation providers, and other stakeholders as part of the process. Outputs of this process will include memoranda, presentations, and other documentation to support target setting.
Staff will build upon prior work to include PBPP elements into LRTP and TIP processes. In FFY 2020, this will include researching how MPO investments and other factors may influence changes in performance outcomes and what strategies could help the MPO achieve its targets. Staff will also examine ways to update project and program selection criteria and work with program managers to make desired changes in future LRTP and TIP development cycles. Staff will coordinate these activities with UPWP development and CMP research and will work with MassDOT, the region’s public transportation providers, and other external stakeholders when exploring and proposing process improvements.
The MPO currently reports on performance in its LRTP and TIP documents, through the CMP, and on its web-based Performance Dashboard. In FFY 2020, staff will enhance these existing reports and tools by adding and/or updating baseline and trend data. Staff will also incorporate information on performance targets and, to the extent practicable, describe the effect that MPO investments may have on performance. This work likely will involve updating the structure of existing performance reports, such as the one in the TIP, or relevant elements of the Performance Dashboard, or creating new reports. The goals of these activities are to meet federal requirements, and to enhance the MPO’s understanding of how the transportation system’s performance is changing over time and how its investments affect those changes. During FFY 2020, staff will also update its federally required Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) plan, as applicable, and will produce other performance documentation as needed.
The MPO’s PBPP practice needs to address the MPO’s specific goals and objectives as well as meet federal requirements. Staff will continue to seek guidance from MassDOT and federal agencies to ensure that its PBPP program addresses federal requirements and recommendations. In FFY 2020, staff will continue to research other measures—beyond those that are federally required—that the MPO may wish to monitor. This work will be coordinated with the TIP update and other performance-related activities that will take place in FFY 2020. Staff will also explore the PBPP practices used by other planning agencies and institutions. Staff will make recommendations to the MPO about other PBPP approaches to implement and measures to track. Should the MPO wish to set targets for any of these additional measures, staff will support those processes as well.
Project ID Number |
8420 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$21,890 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$9,370 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$31,260 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This program covers the tasks needed to demonstrate that an MPO’s federally funded transportation programs meet conformity requirements. Typically, a conformity determination is performed annually for the TIP and every four years for a new LRTP (or if an LRTP amendment is undertaken).
Under the CAAA, states must monitor emissions from transportation vehicles and other sources to determine whether ambient emissions levels exceed health-based allowable levels of air pollutants. Areas in which the emissions exceed the allowable levels are designated as nonattainment areas. For these, the state must develop a SIP that establishes emissions budgets and shows how the plan would reduce emissions in the area sufficiently to comply with national ambient air quality standards. MPOs with nonattainment areas must complete air quality conformity determinations to demonstrate the conformity of transportation plans, programs, and projects with the Massachusetts SIP.
The Boston Region MPO area previously had been classified as a nonattainment area for ozone, but it was reclassified as an attainment area under the new 2008 ozone standard. Because the reclassification resulted from a new standard, a maintenance plan was not required, and the area was not classified as a maintenance area. A maintenance area is an area that had been reclassified from nonattainment to attainment. It is an area for which a maintenance plan has been approved as part of the Massachusetts SIP.
As an attainment area, the MPO was not required to demonstrate that the LRTP and TIP conform to national standards for the two pollutants that form ozone: volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A new ozone standard was recently proposed and released for public comment by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Boston Region MPO area might again be classified as a nonattainment area if this standard is approved. If the MPO area is reclassified as a nonattainment area, conformity determinations for ozone would be required.
In 2018, the FHWA and the FTA released new guidance regarding transportation conformity requirements. The United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit issued a decision in the South Coast Air Quality Management District v. EPA, No. 15 -1115 in February 2018, which struck down portions of the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) SIP Requirements Rule concerning the ozone NAAQS.
The portions of the 2008 Ozone NAAQS SIP Requirements Rule addressed implementation requirements of the 2008 ozone NAAQS and the anti-backsliding requirements (ensuring that areas do not revert to nonattainment) associated with the revocation of the 1997 ozone NAAQS. The impact of the decision addresses two groups of ozone areas described in the decision, one of which affects Massachusetts. It affects areas that were designated as nonattainment for the 1997 ozone NAAQS at the time of revocation and are designated as attainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. These areas have not been required to make transportation conformity determinations for any ozone NAAQS since the 1997 ozone NAAQS were revoked by EPA in April 2016.
With this new court ruling, Massachusetts is now required to perform a transportation conformity determination on any new LRTP and TIP, updates, and amendments that include the addition of a project that is not exempt (also known as a regionally significant project) from transportation conformity.
The City of Boston and surrounding cities and towns were classified as a maintenance area for carbon monoxide (CO). However, as of April 1, 2016, the 20-year maintenance period expired and conformity is not required for this area. The city of Waltham, however, is classified as attainment with a limited maintenance plan in place, and projects in this city still must comply with certain requirements. The MPO must still show that it is complying with transportation control measure requirements outlined in the Massachusetts SIP.
This ongoing Air Quality Conformity and Support Activities program supports the MPO’s expertise in air quality and climate-change matters, as well as the MPO’s response to changing requirements for planning, analysis, and reporting. This includes initiatives known today, as well as the ability to participate in issues that might emerge during the year. This program also supports implementation of air quality related transportation programs and projects, and it includes consultation, research, and coordination between the MPO and federal, state, local, and private entities.
Perform and present conformity determinations as noted below. These include a detailed analysis of air quality impacts (VOC, NOx, CO, and carbon dioxide) of the projects in the FFYs 2021–25 TIP, Destination 2040 LRTP amendments, if required, and any work required for implementing GreenDOT (the state’s comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability policy).
Activities will include analysis of transportation-control measures, park-and-ride facilities, and proposed high-occupancy-vehicle projects throughout the Boston Region MPO area, as well as evaluation of emerging and innovative highway and transit clean-air activities.
Activities will include integrating concerns about climate change and opportunities for emissions reduction into the MPO’s planning process relative to the regional travel-demand model set, the TIP, project specific work products, the LRTP, the CMP, the UPWP, and performance measures. Staff will work with MassDOT to implement its GreenDOT policy and comply with the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Global Warming Solutions Act Requirements for the Transportation Sector and MassDOT. Staff will also confer with agencies and organizations concerned about climate-change issues to inform actions in the MPO region.
The Massachusetts DEP is required to submit a SIP to the EPA documenting strategies and actions to bring Massachusetts into compliance with air quality standards. MPO staff support will include the following:
Project ID Number |
8320 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$81,240 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$34,810 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$116,050 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The UPWP, a federally required document that supports the 3C transportation planning process, is the mechanism for programming federal funding for transportation planning work that will be implemented in the Boston Region MPO area. The UPWP must comply with federal regulations and address the focus areas recommended by FHWA and the FTA.
The UPWP has two main purposes:
The UPWP document includes descriptions and budgets for work that MPO staff will conduct during the upcoming federal fiscal year, including both 3C-funded work for the MPO and work that is funded by state agencies or other entities. The UPWP document also describes the work that is executed by MAPC that is funded by 3C planning dollars. MAPC receives approximately one-third of the Boston region’s allotment of 3C funding. The UPWP’s Appendix A also provides supplementary information about other transportation planning activities in the region that are not funded by the MPO or conducted by MPO staff.
Work on the UPWP is ongoing. This work program element focuses on developing the FFY 2020 UPWP and supports the MPO and its UPWP Committee in monitoring FFY 2019 UPWP implementation, including any adjustments and amendments to the current UPWP.
An integral part of developing the UPWP is engaging state transportation agencies, municipalities, and the public throughout the process. Some of the public outreach activities for the UPWP are covered under the Public Participation Process; in FFY 2020, staff plans to expand UPWP outreach targeted at TE populations.
MPO staff coordinates and prepares materials for all phases of this work, including soliciting, evaluating, and recommending ideas for planning studies and technical assistance programs; conducting background research into planning needs; preparing budgets and project/program descriptions; coordinating document development with the MPO’s UPWP Committee; responding to federal and state DOT guidance; and preparing draft and final documents.
MPO staff members are responsible for coordinating public participation in the UPWP process, distributing the draft UPWP document, preparing the final UPWP document, and making administrative modifications and amendments as needed. MPO staff also prepares quarterly reports on the implementation of the UPWP.
Staff maintains the UPWP Study Recommendations Tracking Database, which houses details of project contacts, proposed improvements, implementation status, milestones, funding, and issues affecting implementation progress. MPO staff uses the database to support MPO activities such as developing the LRTP; producing reports for the MPO board, detailing topics such as the percentage of planning studies that have advanced to preliminary design; and conducting other inquiries relevant to the tracking of study recommendations and their implementation. Staff will regularly update the database, informing the Boston Region MPO about the status of recommendations from its planning studies.
Project ID Number |
8520 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$120,300 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$51,550 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$171,850 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The objective of the TE program is to perform activities related to FTA and FHWA Title VI, environmental justice (EJ), and other nondiscrimination requirements. These requirements are rooted in several federal laws and executive orders (EO), including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, EO 12898 “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations,” and the ADA, as well as United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) nondiscrimination regulations and guidance.
Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, including people with LEP, in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. EO 12898 directs recipients of federal financial assistance to identify and address any disproportionate burdens placed on low-income and minority populations. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by recipients of federal financial assistance. In addition to these programs, FHWA’s Title VI/Nondiscrimination Program prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and age under other federal authorities, and requires MPOs to understand and consider the transportation needs of these populations.
The TE program encompasses the programmatic, monitoring, and reporting activities that are necessary for MPOs to comply with the above federal civil rights requirements and guidelines, including public outreach to protected populations, data collection and analysis, and support to other MPO programs regarding populations protected by the above EOs and laws. The TE program also involves monitoring the success of these activities and reporting their results to demonstrate compliance.
The MPO will continue to implement its Title VI program and respond to any requests made by MassDOT regarding changes to the program. MPO staff will also prepare and submit the triennial Title VI report to MassDOT as requested by the FTA and FHWA. The report documents the MPO’s compliance with Title VI, EJ, and other nondiscrimination requirements. Although many TE program activities apply to all populations, regardless of the authority under which they are protected, the Boston Region MPO makes every effort to ensure that triennial reporting for Title VI and EJ are identified as such and the results reported separately. The triennial report will also include updates to the MPO’s Language Assistance Plan, which guides the MPO’s efforts to ensure that activities are accessible to people with LEP.
To ensure that TE populations remain central to the MPO’s public outreach process, these engagement activities are described in the MPO’s Public Participation Program. This reflects the MPO’s continued approach of undertaking outreach to these populations in coordination with all public outreach efforts done by the MPO. This approach strengthens the MPO’s capacity for engagements with these populations by formally committing more staff resources to these outreach efforts.
Staff will support development of the MPO’s certification documents through continuing analyses in adherence to Title VI, EJ, and other nondiscrimination regulations. This will include assisting in the establishment of equity performance measures, supporting the development and implementation of equity-related evaluation criteria for projects programmed in the TIP, analyzing state- and federally funded projects for disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens, and analyzing the distribution of UPWP-funded studies.
This committee provides an opportunity for MPO staff to discuss its analytical practices on behalf of the MPO and client agencies, make decisions about updating and implementing these practices, and promote integration of EJ and Title VI principles throughout MPO activities. TEAC’s overarching goals are to ensure that these principles are integrated fully into the MPO’s activities and that analytical processes are applied consistently. While the TIP and LRTP equity analyses are currently the primary concern of TEAC, other topics that deal with analytical components of the MPO’s transportation equity program are also of interest. Topics under TEAC’s consideration generally evolve as the need arises within the MPO.
Federal requirements instruct the Boston Region MPO to conduct analyses that evaluate the impacts of the MPO’s activities on populations protected by the civil rights regulations stated above. In order to improve the effectiveness of these analyses, including equity analyses, staff will refine current methods and develop novel methodologies. Staff will address analyses that are prepared using CTPS’s regional travel demand model, as well as those conducted with other tools. These processes will directly support the improvement of analyses conducted for the LRTP, TIP, and UPWP.
MPO staff will continue to coordinate with MassDOT’s Office of Diversity and Civil Rights to ensure consistency of MPO Title VI-related processes, procedures, and activities. Staff will also continue to support the MassDOT Rail and Transit Division in its evaluation of applications for funding from the Community Transit Grant Program.
Project ID Number |
2120 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$85,450 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$36,610 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$122,060 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The MPO’s CMP is a federally mandated requirement that seeks to monitor congestion, mobility, and safety needs; it also recommends appropriate strategies for reducing congestion. The CMP is developed in an integrated manner along with the MPO’s certification documents (LRTP, TIP, and UPWP) to ensure cohesive strategy evaluation and implementation.
In the Boston Region MPO area, the CMP follows federal guidelines and recommendations from the MPO’s CMP Committee to fulfill the following activities:
Depending upon CMP Committee recommendations, monitoring and analysis will continue for highways, arterial roads, park-and-ride lots, freight movements, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. CMP activities will include using electronic travel-time and speed data to monitor roadways, identify existing conditions, and recommend appropriate improvements in accordance with federal guidelines.
CMP activities will include monitoring performance, assessing needs, and recommending strategies for multimodal facilities and services, including:
Project ID Number |
2220 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$56,730 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$- |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$56,730 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
As part of its FFY 2014 UPWP, the Boston Region MPO established a formal freight-planning program. The goals for MPO freight planning are to:
Freight program priorities and activities were described in an action plan prepared in 2013. As part of the FFY 2019 program, the action plan was updated. The goals remain the same, but a new set of freight-related issues for study are suggested because most issues from the initial action plan have been studied.
The freight analysis within the framework of this program is ongoing and conducted on a multiyear basis. Freight studies, data collection, and model development efforts in the future will build on work undertaken as part of the initial action plan.
The freight program supports the MPO’s freight planning needs. In 2017, the MPO was required to recommend a set of Critical Urban Freight Corridors (CUFC) for inclusion in the National Highway Freight Network. As part of this effort, MPO staff identified several truck hot spots where the CUFCs connected with poorly operating limited-access highways. These truck hot spots include the following locations:
Truck traffic serves as a lens through which other freight modes can be studied. The South Boston Waterfront was one of the initial action plan topics, and a comprehensive gate survey of trucks entering and leaving Massport’s Conley Container Terminal in South Boston provided a clear geographical picture of merchandise freight travel markets served through the port of Boston. The new action plan envisions using similar analyses to understand airfreight and intermodal rail travel markets.
The topics mentioned above may be addressed in some manner over the next several years. For FFY 2020, the Southeast Expressway bottleneck at Interchange 18 may be studied first because the location is complicated by a number of traffic, regulatory, and land use issues. Outreach and MPO support activities will continue as opportunities and needs are identified. Model development activities may accelerate because truck data development and study of possible model improvement approaches during the initial action plan have placed the MPO in a good position to make progress in this challenging area.
MPO staff will move beyond the 2013 action plan. Anticipated efforts include:
Project ID Number |
7120 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$579,360 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$248,290 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$827,650 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Through this work program, CTPS builds and maintains a state-of-the-practice regional travel-demand model and fosters development of other tools to help assess the area’s transportation needs and evaluate alternatives to improve the transportation system. The regional travel-demand model is a simulation of travel behavior that emulates the millions of individual decisions that generate travel throughout the region. Metrics produced by the model are designed to aid in developing policy, performing technical and equity analyses, and meeting federal reporting requirements. The model is also used by MPO member transportation agencies because it is an extremely robust tool that incorporates data from all of the transportation agencies and transportation service providers (both public and private) that serve the Boston Region MPO area.
MPO staff plans to pursue the activities listed below to enhance staff’s technical analysis capabilities.
Maintain the regional model in good working order to address certification and project needs. In addition, the model set updates regularly so it can continue to be used for MPO- and agency-funded projects. Enhancements include the following:
Most MPOs similar in size to Boston (or larger), and many small MPOs, have already developed an ABM. The transition to ABMs is based on needing to have a tool that more accurately simulates how individuals and households plan and execute daily travel. The ABM initially will not replace the existing model, but instead will augment the agency’s analytical capabilities by providing a tool that is more sensitive to variables affecting travel decisions.
The first phase of this task involved data development, was mostly completed during FFY 2018–19, and involved extensive processing of the 2011 Massachusetts Travel Survey to create variables for model structures. The second phase of the ABM development project planned for FFY 2020 involves model estimation and component testing.
TNCs have usurped a considerable share of the Logan Airport ground access trips. In addition, TNCs’ market share has grown in Boston to the extent that the city is considering installing well-marked curbside passenger pickup areas. Quantifying TNCs’ effect on taxi service, the MBTA, and private auto modes is difficult. In the coming year, CTPS will work in conjunction with partner transportation agencies to quantify the effects of TNCs on mode share, vehicle-miles traveled and vehicle-hours traveled, and system capacity. CTPS will work toward incorporating this travel mode into the regional travel model and planning process.
Currently, the statewide travel model has more than 5,800 transportation analysis zones (TAZ), covering 448 communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. This level of detail is needed for accurate statewide analysis of vehicle-miles/hours traveled and for the preparation of accurate mobile emissions; however, having more zones increases model run times and is not necessary for analyzing projects within the Boston Region MPO area. To reduce run times, a hierarchical zone system will be created by combining TAZs in areas farther away from the MPO area according to community boundaries, thereby creating “Super Zones,” while maintaining the current, detailed TAZ system within the MPO area and adjacent communities. The enhanced regional model’s user interface and reporting capabilities will be modified to work with this new system and provide users with options regarding when and how to use it.
This task will investigate other modeling tools in the public domain that could be useful in project analysis and certification work. Of particular interest is the Simplified Trips-on-Project Software (STOPS) model developed by the FTA, which can be used to examine transit service area changes and/or transit operation changes. CTPS will investigate further the potential for STOPS project application in the Boston Region MPO area. In addition, there may be other tools to explore and evaluate that address specific needs related to certification activities or project evaluations.
Engaging in a process of continuous enhancement, staff will continue to update the model and its various aspects, as described above. Staff will also continue the development of the complementary activity based model, and respond to requests for data and modeling support from MPO staff, member agencies, and partner organizations.
Project ID Number |
8920 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$32,650 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$13,980 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$46,630 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This budget item would fund the staff resources required to establish and support a transit committee, which would have one representative that would vote on the MPO board.
Staff will continue work it began in FFY 2019 to establish a transit committee. The creation of this committee will provide representation for the region’s Regional Transit Authorities (MWRTA and CATA) on the MPO board and support coordination and dialogue with Boston region transit providers, particularly regarding MPO activities.
In addition to establishing the committee, MPO staff will provide operations support to this body. Support may include any of the following:
MPO staff will regularly provide information, updates, and briefings on MPO activities, studies, and reports; request and coordinate comments on MPO documents; and support the Transit Committee for planning, reviews, and other activities.
Host approximately four to six meetings, perform associated tasks, and manage pre- and post-meeting logistics.
As described in Chapter 2, each federal fiscal year (FFY), the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) receives federal transportation planning funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Combined with the local Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) matching amount, these funds form the budget that allows the MPO staff—Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS)—to accomplish the certification requirement activities described in Chapter 3; the planning studies and technical analyses described in this chapter; and the administrative tasks and data management described in Chapter 6.
To prepare each Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) accurately, the Boston Region MPO must understand the status of the previous year’s studies and work activities. In general, throughout the UPWP’s development, the MPO tracks a study’s progress according to the four categories cited below.
In addition, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), an MPO member agency, conducts planning studies and technical assistance throughout the region under four ongoing work programs each FFY (see MAPC Planning Studies and Technical Analyses).
The project descriptions throughout this chapter describe new transportation planning studies chosen for funding in FFY 2020. They provide detailed updates for the FFY 2020 funding and work products for the MPO’s and MAPC’s ongoing programs.
Some titles of these products and activities may change as they are finalized. All certification documents and many other work products are, or will be, available for download from the MPO website (www.bostonmpo.org). Work products not found on the MPO website may be requested by contacting CTPS at 857.702.3500 (voice), 617.570.9193 (TTY), or ctps@ctps.org (email). MAPC work products may be found at www.mapc.org.
Table 4-1
Completed MPO-Funded Transportation Planning Studies, FFY 2018-19
| Project Name |
ID |
FFY 2019 Budgeted PL Funding |
FFY 2019 Budgeted § 5303 Funding |
FFY 2019 Budgeted Total Funding |
Work Products (reports, technical memoranda, and other work products or activities) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FFY 2019 Studies |
|||||
Land Use, Environment, and Economy |
|||||
Reverse Commute Areas Analysis |
14359 |
$45,050 |
$19,950 |
$65,000 |
Report summarizing the magnitude of reverse commuting in the Boston region and, in selected case study locations, the challenges and opportunities for improving multimodal reverse commute options |
Transportation Access Studies of Commercial Business Districts |
14360 |
$58,910 |
$26,090 |
$85,000 |
Report summarizing the transportation access modes of customers in selected business districts, the customer access modes perceived by businesses in the same districts, and how access modes may be related to characteristics of the districts |
Multi-Modal Mobility |
|||||
The Future of the Curb |
14361 |
$24,260 |
$10,740 |
$35,000 |
Report summarizing current examples of repurposing the curbside lane, applications to the Boston region, and potential future demands for the curb |
Updates to Express Highway Volumes Charts |
13291 |
$58,910 |
$26,090 |
$85,000 |
Static graphic representations of highway volumes Dynamic interactive online tool representing highway volumes Technical memorandum explaining the process used to create the visual representations and various considerations |
Other Technical Support |
|||||
MPO Staff-Generated Research Topics |
20903 |
$13,900 |
$6,210 |
$20,110 |
Research memo on ferry service in the Boston region |
FFY 2018 Studies |
|||||
Active Transportation |
|||||
Bicycle LOS Metric |
13281 |
$2,377 |
$1,003 |
$3,380 |
Final report and presentation to the MPO |
Land Use, Environment, and Economy |
|||||
Transportation Mitigation of Major Developments |
13282 |
$2,152 |
$908 |
$3,060 |
Final report and presentation to the MPO |
Multi-Modal Mobility |
|||||
Travel Alternatives to Regional Traffic Bottlenecks |
13285 |
$2,117 |
$893 |
$3,010 |
Final report and presentation to the MPO |
Safety and Operations at Selected Intersections FFY 2018 |
13283 |
$2,454 |
$1,036 |
$3,490 |
Final report and presentation to the MPO |
Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Corridors FFY 2018 |
13286 |
$2,342 |
$988 |
$3,330 |
Final report and presentation to the MPO |
Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment FFY 2018 |
13287 |
$2,532 |
$1,068 |
$3,600 |
Final report and presentation to the MPO |
FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LOS = Level of Service. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning.
Table 4-2
Discrete Boston Region MPO Planning Studies and Technical Analyses Continued into FFY 2020
| Project Name |
ID |
Previous Total Funding |
Percent Complete by end of FFY 2019 |
FFY 2019 Work Products and Progress |
FFY 2020 PL Funding |
FFY 2020 §5303 Funding |
FFY 2020 Total Funding |
FFY 2020 Planned Work Products and Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FFY 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Active Transportation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pedestrian Report Card Assessment Dashboard |
13292 |
$65,000 |
90% |
Draft Report and Web Dashboard |
$6,090 |
$2,610 |
$8,700 |
Final Report and Presentation to MPO |
Multi-Modal Mobility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New and Emerging Metrics for Roadway Usage |
13290 |
$60,000 |
90% |
Draft Report |
$4,010 |
$1,710 |
$5,720 |
Final Report and Presentation to MPO |
Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways FFY 2019 |
13419 |
$120,000 |
95% |
Draft Report |
$5,060 |
$2,160 |
$7,220 |
Final Report and Presentation to MPO |
Addressing Priority Corridors |
13519 |
$120,000 |
95% |
Draft Report |
$5,350 |
$2,280 |
$7,630 |
Final Report and Presentation to MPO |
Low-Cost Improvements to Express Highway Bottleneck Locations FFY 2019 |
13619 |
$60,000 |
95% |
Draft Report |
$7,420 |
$- |
$7,420 |
Final Report and Presentation to MPO |
FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning.
Table 4-3
Ongoing Boston Region MPO Technical Analyses, FFY 2019-20
| Project Name |
ID |
FFY 2019 Total Funding |
FFY 2019 Work Products and Progress |
FFY 2020 PL Funding |
FFY 2020 §5303 Funding |
FFY 2020 Total Funding |
FFY 2020 Planned Work Products and Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTPS Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program* |
2420 |
$73,250 |
|
$51,340 |
$21,990 |
$73,330 |
Continue to support communities seeking transportation technical assistance |
Bicycle and Pedestrian Support Activities |
2520 |
$65,440 |
|
$41,870 |
$17,940 |
$59,810 |
|
Regional Transit Service Planning Technical Support |
14342 |
$45,810 |
|
$- |
$56,470 |
$56,470 |
Continue support to communities seeking transit service planning technical assistance |
Transit Data Support |
4220 |
$15,350 |
Responded to data request needs |
$- |
$11,170 |
$11,170 |
Continue to respond to data request needs |
Traffic Data Support |
2720 |
$15,180 |
Responded to data request needs |
$15,990 |
$6,850 |
$22,840 |
Continue to respond to data request needs |
Roadway Safety Audits |
2320 |
$14,640 |
Provided support to MassDOT for safety audits conducted in the Boston Region MPO area. |
$14,920 |
$- |
$14,920 |
Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year |
MAPC Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies |
MAPC 4 |
$165,480 |
|
$116,663 |
$70,523 |
$187,186 |
|
Land Use Development Project Reviews |
MAPC 5 |
$88,820 |
Technical memoranda regarding major development and transportation projects in the Boston region:
|
$59,400 |
$29,420 |
$88,820 |
Technical memos with transportation recommendations for development projects and large transportation infrastructure projects with a land use component. |
MetroCommon x 2050 |
MAPC 6 |
$90,000 |
MetroCommon Regional Plan for smart growth and regional prosperity, including extensive stakeholder outreach and public engagement |
$64,400 |
$30,600 |
$95,000 |
MetroCommon Implementation Plan |
Alternative-Mode Planning and Coordination |
MAPC 7 |
$256,272 |
|
$128,136 |
$66,577 |
$194,713 |
|
Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program* |
MAPC 8 |
$50,000 |
|
$25,000 |
$23,156 |
$48,156 |
Continue to support local technical assistance requests |
*This program shared between MAPC and CTPS.
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MAGIC = Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. RFI = Request for Information. RFP = Request for Proposal.
Table 4-4
UPWP Budget MPO New Discrete Studies, FFY 2020
| Project ID |
Study or Program |
CTPS PL Funds |
CTPS §5303 Funds |
Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Locations with High Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Rates in the Boston Region MPO Area |
$49,000 |
$21,000 |
$70,000 |
|
Review of Vision Zero Policies |
$21,000 |
$9,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways |
$80,500 |
$34,500 |
$115,000 |
|
Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment |
$84,000 |
$36,000 |
$120,000 |
|
Safety and Operations Analysis at Selected Intersections |
$56,000 |
$24,000 |
$80,000 |
|
TIP Before and After Studies |
$29,400 |
$12,600 |
$42,000 |
|
Innovations in Estimating Trip Generation Rates |
$21,000 |
$9,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Operating a Successful Shuttle Program |
$35,000 |
$15,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Further Development of the MPO’s Community Transportation Program |
$14,000 |
$6,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Disparate Impact Metrics Analysis |
$28,000 |
$12,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Exploring Resilience in MPO-Funded Corridor and Intersection Studies |
$63,000 |
$27,000 |
$90,000 |
|
MPO Staff-Generated Research and Technical Assistance |
$28,000 |
$12,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Total for New Discrete and Ongoing Studies |
$521,500 |
$223,500 |
$727,000 |
|
NOTE: This information may be updated as the FFY 2020 UPWP budget continues to develop.
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
The project descriptions in this section describe the new studies chosen by the MPO for funding in FFY 2020. As described in Chapter 2 and Appendix B, CTPS gathers new study ideas each year and classifies them into the following categories: active transportation; land use, environment, and economy; multimodal mobility; transit; transportation equity; resilience; and other technical work. Each of the project descriptions on the following pages begins with a funding table that shows the project identification number, category, funding sources, and total budget.
Project ID Number |
13293 |
Category |
Active Transportation |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$49,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$21,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$70,000 |
FFY = Federal fiscal year. FHWA = Federal Highway Administration. FTA = Federal Transit Administration.
MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. PL Funds = Public Law Funds (also known as
Metropolitan Planning Funds).
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The purpose of this task is to report intersections that have a high presence of pedestrian crashes and recommend improvements to these intersections. This task relates to the Congestion Management Process (CMP) because it includes collecting performance data and outlines strategies to alleviate congestion and improve safety. This is a follow up to a study conducted through the CMP in 2010 and again in 2012.
MPO staff will select a number of intersections identified through one Highway Safety Improvement Program process using Equivalent Property Damage Only (EPDO) to rank the clusters. MPO staff will select only those clusters with the highest EPDO based on crashes that involved pedestrians between 2005 and 2014 for this study.
Once selected, MPO staff will visit every intersection to evaluate the safety and traffic operations of the intersections. The pedestrian report card assessment tool will be applied to each intersection to determine what improvements are applicable to each intersection.
MPO staff will write a memorandum to document findings, including a description of each intersection, and recommend improvements. This memorandum will be shared with municipalities to promote awareness and encourage implementation.
Project ID Number |
13301 |
Category |
Active Transportation |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$21,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$9,000 |
FFY 2021 Total Budget |
$30,000 |
Vision Zero is a policy goal in which a city or region aims to reduce its transportation-related fatalities to zero. Over the last few decades, cities around the world have been implementing Vision Zero policies. A number of different strategies can comprise a Vision Zero policy, including
Staff will review Vision Zero policies from around the world, identify the major strategies employed in each policy, and document any successes that have been observed. Where possible, staff will determine which strategies have had the greatest affect in the overall success of the policy. Staff will then highlight the strategies that would be most effective for Vision Zero policies in the Boston region.
The primary objectives of this project are as follows:
The primary product of this task will be a technical memorandum documenting the results of the literature review and identifying effective strategies most applicable to our region for reducing transportation-related fatalities.
Project ID Number |
13420 |
Category |
Multimodal Mobility |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$80,500 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$34,500 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$115,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The Boston Region MPO has conducted Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways studies as part of the UPWP in every FFY since 2013. During MPO outreach, MAPC subregional groups identify transportation problems and issues that concern them, often those relating to bottlenecks or lack of safe access to transportation facilities in their areas. These issues can affect livability, quality of life, crash incidence, and air quality along an arterial roadway and its side streets. If problems are not addressed, mobility, access, safety, economic development, and air quality are compromised.
To address feedback from the MAPC subregional groups, MPO staff will identify priority arterial roadway segments in the MPO region, emphasizing issues identified by the relevant subregional groups. MPO staff will concentrate on transit service, nonmotorized modes of transportation, and truck activity along these arterial segments. MPO staff will consider numerous strategies to improve these arterials, including examining and evaluating any or all of the following factors.
The improvement strategies will provide a guide to designing and implementing a Complete Streets corridor, which could be recommended to implementing agencies and funded through various federal, state, and local sources, separately or in combination.
The study will include data collection, technical analysis, development of recommendations, and documentation for selected corridors.
Project ID Number |
13520 |
Category |
Multimodal Mobility |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$84,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$36,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$120,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The purpose of these studies is to develop conceptual design plans that address regional multimodal transportation needs along priority corridors identified in the MPO’s previous Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Charting Progress to 2040, or the LRTP that takes effect in 2019, Destination 2040. These studies include recommendations that address multimodal transportation needs that are expected to arise from potential future developments in the study area.
The LRTP identified needs for all modes of transportation in the MPO region. These needs guide decision making about which projects to include in current and future Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP). Projects that address the region’s current mobility needs are those that focus on maintaining and modernizing roadways with high levels of congestion1 and safety problems; expanding the quantity and quality of walking and bicycling; and making transit service more efficient and modern. During the past several years, the MPO has conducted these planning studies, and municipalities have been receptive to them.
MPO staff would select locations for study with consideration of municipal, subregional, and other public feedback, and then would collect data, conduct technical analyses, and develop recommendations for improvements. The recommendations would be forwarded to implementing agencies, which may choose to fund improvements through various federal, state, and local sources, either separately or in combination.
Through these studies, MPO staff would recommend conceptual improvements for one or more corridors, or several small sections within a corridor, that are identified by the CMP and the LRTP as part of the Needs Assessment process.
The studies would provide cities and towns with the opportunity to review the requirements of a specific arterial segment, starting at the conceptual level, before committing design and engineering funds to a project. If the project qualifies for federal funds for construction of the recommended upgrades, the study’s documentation also might be useful to MassDOT and the municipalities.
Project ID Number |
13720 |
Category |
Multimodal Mobility |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$56,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$24,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$80,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This project will examine mobility and safety issues at major intersections on the region’s arterial highways. According to the MPO’s crash database, many crashes occur at these locations, which also are congested during peak travel periods. While the resulting congestion may occur only at the intersections, it usually spills over to a few, adjacent intersections along an arterial. These intersections may also accommodate multiple transportation modes including buses, trucks, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
MPO staff will examine intersection locations based on a review of the MPO’s crash database and the MPO CMP’s travel-time and delay information. MPO staff will recommend safety and operations improvements to enhance the intersections’ operations for all transportation modes, including transit, bicycling, and walking, and to enhance the safety of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Municipalities are receptive to these studies, as they provide an opportunity to review the locations’ needs, starting at the conceptual level, before municipalities commit funds for project design. If a project qualifies for federal funds, the study’s documentation is also useful to MassDOT.
MPO staff will select intersection locations for study and develop recommendations for improvements. The findings will be documented in memoranda and presented to the MPO.
Project ID Number |
13294 |
Category |
Multimodal Mobility |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$29,400 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$12,600 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$42,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The purpose of this study is to identify the effectiveness of selected TIP projects and evaluate their anticipated improvements to safety, traffic flow, and other factors. Measuring project effectiveness is important in evaluating whether the employed strategies work well and are, therefore, suitable for application in similar situations.
Locations for study could be selected from the UPWP Study Recommendations Tracking or TIP databases. Selected study locations will have been constructed and operational for several years to allow users at each project location to become familiar with the operations and for user demand to normalize in the area.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a TIP project, “before” data and relevant measures of effectiveness will be gathered from relevant functional design reports and traffic studies. The “after” data will be collected in the field. The types of “before” and “after” data that will be collected and the associated performance measures that will be calculated depend on the type of project and improvements that are being assessed and also on the primary objective of the TIP project. Typically, for intersection improvement projects, intersection operations and safety will be evaluated using turning-movement counts, operational performance measures, and crash data. MPO staff will compare the two sets of data and draw conclusions on changes in performance.
This study will determine if certain improvement strategies work well and are, therefore, suitable to propose for other project locations in the Boston Region MPO area. The findings of the study will be documented in memoranda.
Project ID Number |
13295 |
Category |
Multimodal Mobility |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$21,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$9,000 |
FFY 2021 Total Budget |
$30,000 |
Planners typically use an estimate of the number of trips that a new development will generate to understand its impact on its surroundings and the transportation network at large. Traditionally, trip generation rates for different land use types are provided by the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ (ITE) Trip Generation Manual. However, the data for this manual is generally collected from suburban, single-use sites, and its rates tend to overestimate vehicle trips and exclude trips by transit, biking, or walking, particularly for mixed-use developments and in urban areas. Efforts are underway across the country to develop trip generation rates by means other than the ITE manual. These methodologies typically involve gathering characteristics about the development, including neighborhood density, household incomes, availability of transit service, and other demographic data. MPO staff believe a more thorough investigation into these methodologies would be beneficial to the Boston region.
Staff will research innovative approaches to estimating trip generation and best practices for developing trip generation rates for urban areas that better account for non-auto (transit, bicycle, and pedestrian) trips. This research will inform and support a number of ongoing and upcoming efforts in the region to improve the trip generation rates used to project travel by all modes. Some examples of such efforts include the following:
Staff will document their findings about approaches to improving trip generation estimates in a memorandum or other technical document, which will then inform further work on this topic in the Boston region.
Project ID Number |
13296 |
Category |
Transit |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$35,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$15,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$50,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
MPO staff and other transportation planners have repeatedly heard significant feedback from stakeholders in the Boston region regarding ways to operate shuttle and other nontraditional transit programs successfully. There is demand for both first- and last-mile and workforce transportation solutions, but relatively few examples of programs available to meet that demand that have proven both successful and fiscally sustainable. The goal of this study is to develop a guide for operating a successful shuttle program in the MPO region that will inform agencies and organizations who are interested in starting such a program. The guide will also assist MPO staff in better responding to requests from agencies and organizations seeking analysis and planning assistance for shuttle programs.
MPO staff will review existing, successful, sustainable, and well-regarded shuttle programs in the MPO region and elsewhere to understand their development, operations, and financing, and the factors behind their success. Based on the findings of this review, MPO staff will develop a guide for developing a successful shuttle program in the MPO region. MPO staff will design this guide to inform agencies and organizations who are interested in starting shuttle programs about best practices, and will cover areas including operations, strategies for obtaining financial support, and coordination with public transit systems and the region’s transportation network as a whole.
The product of this work will be a guide to assist agencies and organizations on how to develop, operate, and maintain a successful shuttle program in the MPO region.
Project ID Number |
13297 |
Category |
Transit |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$14,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$6,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$20,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
MPO staff anticipate further efforts in FFY 2020 to administer, review, and develop the MPO’s Community Transportation Program. The Community Transportation Program was first described in Charting Progress to 2040 and further clarified through the FFY 2018 UPWP study “Community Transportation Program Development” and in Destination 2040. This budget line would allow MPO staff to continue developing and refining the program after its pilot round in FFY 2019.
MPO staff will administer the initial round of grants under the Community Transportation Program, to be awarded in FFY 2021; review the program structure and make modifications to the framework and evaluation criteria as necessary; attend outreach meetings and work with other agencies and stakeholders to learn needs and best practices; and deliver periodic progress reports to the MPO.
MPO staff members anticipate the following outcomes:
Project ID Number |
13298 |
Category |
Transportation Equity |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$28,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$12,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$40,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
FTA and FHWA require MPOs to identify and address potential disproportionately high and adverse impacts on minority and low-income populations that may result from its investments, which are called disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens, respectively. This study would build off the work undertaken in the MPO’s Transportation Equity program in FFY’s 2018 and 2019 to develop a Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden (DI/DB) Policy for the LRTP program of projects. The policy determines whether implementation of the program of projects may cause potential future disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens.
In FFYs 2018 and 2019, MPO staff conducted the first phase of this work. This consisted of a public engagement process that included convening a stakeholder working group and a public workshop to get input on the content of the DI/DB Policy; quantifying the uncertainty in the MPO’s travel demand modeling process that is used to identify potential disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens; and updating metrics that are part of the analysis. This work culminated in April 2019 with the completion of a draft DI/DB Policy that was used starting with Destination 2040, the MPO’s next LRTP. This study will complete phase two of this effort by developing thresholds for each metric that indicate when an impact to a protected population would be significantly high and adverse. According to federal guidance, this is a critical component of a DI/DB policy. When this study is completed, the current draft DI/DB Policy will be updated to reflect the study’s outcomes.
The study will evaluate the metrics that the MPO currently uses to assess the LRTP program of projects for disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens, which broadly fall into three categories: accessibility to opportunities, mobility, and environmental. Staff will conduct a literature review of how other MPOs analyze these metrics for disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens, as well as a broader investigation into how much of a change in one of these metrics (for example, carbon monoxide [CO]) would adversely affect a population at a macro scale (the size of the MPO region).
Using the findings of the literature review, as well as results of testing potential thresholds on past DI/DB analysis results, staff will then develop thresholds for each metric. The thresholds will be based on how much of a change in the projected impact of each metric (such as an increase in CO emissions or in minutes of travel time) would adversely affect a given population. Therefore, each threshold will be used to indicate when the minority or low-income population would be projected to be more adversely affected by the LRTP program of projects than the nonminority or non-low-income population. Finally, the staff will propose changes to the current draft DI/DB Policy that reflect the outcomes of this study. This will wrap up the MPO’s development of the LRTP’s DI/DB Policy.
Memo documenting the study process and resulting thresholds for each metric, as well as proposed updates to the MPO’s LRTP DI/DB Policy.
Project ID Number |
13299 |
Category |
Resilience |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$63,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$27,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$90,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Climate change and resiliency are a growing challenge and addressing these issues is a statewide priority that will become more important in the coming years. The goal of this study would be to increase MPO staff familiarity with this topic to provide assistance to municipalities seeking to combat extreme weather, flooding, and other climate-related challenges. This familiarity with resiliency relating to transportation infrastructure can then be incorporated into MPO discrete studies, recurring studies, and technical assistance.
MPO staff will research resiliency practices that already exist and that other entities have applied to studies and projects. Part of this research may include interviewing other local and state entities to determine what practices are already available and implemented. MPO staff will then determine what resiliency practices are both useful and practical, and can be included in MPO studies.
A study that will increase MPO staff familiarity of climate change and resiliency practices to enhance future MPO studies and projects.
Project ID Number |
20904 |
Category |
Other |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$28,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$12,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$40,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This program would support work by MPO staff members on topics that relate to the Boston Region MPO’s metropolitan transportation planning process that staff members have expressed interest in, and that are not covered by an ongoing UPWP or discrete project.
This program was funded for the first time in FFY 2016, when the work undertaken consisted of investigating the possibility of using driver license acquisition rates obtained through Registry of Motor Vehicles data as a possible measure of transit dependence. In FFY 2017, MPO staff members completed research projects including an examination of crash rates in Environmental Justice communities; analysis of long-distance commuting in the Boston region and its implications for the MPO; and development of a new software tool for transit planning.
For FFY 2020, the scope of this program has been extended to allow MPO staff members to pursue small technical assistance projects for local communities. Individual MPO staff members would be able to identify small-scale needs in the diverse communities in which they live (within the MPO region), and a partner entity or entities to work with in making recommendations to solve the problem. This budget line would provide MPO staff with time to study the problem—involving their colleagues with specialty skills if resources and availability allow—and make recommendations to solve it.
Interested MPO staff members would complete an application for MPO funding to conduct independent research on a topic of professional interest and potential use in the metropolitan transportation planning process, or pursue a local transportation-related technical assistance project. MPO managers and directors would review the applications and select the most promising topics for study.
The research element of this program would produce valuable information for the MPO’s consideration and would support staff members’ professional development. The technical assistance element would yield highly creative, yet flexible and lightweight, solutions for transportation planning problems. Both elements would allow staff to raise the profile of the MPO and publicize its ability to help local communities, whether by publishing compelling research or by reaching out to help solve local problems.
The project descriptions in this section consist of ongoing MPO programs that provide technical planning assistance, support, and analysis to cities, towns, and other entities throughout the region. The major areas of technical analyses include data provision and analysis, bicycle and pedestrian support, transit service planning, and community-level transportation planning and technical assistance.
Project ID Number |
4220 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$- |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$11,170 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$11,170 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The purpose of this program is to provide transit data and small-scale analyses of available data to interested parties, upon request.
By performing various planning studies for the MBTA and other entities, CTPS has accumulated a large amount of transit ridership, revenue, and service data. This program allows CTPS to provide these data to interested parties throughout the FFY.
CTPS will respond to requests for data and small-scale studies from agencies, municipalities, members of the public, academic institutions, and other interested parties.
Project ID Number |
2720 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$15,990 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$6,850 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$22,840 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The purpose of this program is to perform various quick-response data-gathering or data-analysis tasks for public and private institutions throughout the FFY.
For the vast majority of requests for transportation planning and traffic engineering analysis, the amount of effort is significant; therefore, a specific scope of work is developed for these projects. Occasionally, public and private institutions and their consultants ask CTPS to perform various quick-response analyses or to gather data. These requests, which are expected to require fewer than two person-days each, are accounted for under this general project description.
Work products will depend on the tasks requested by the MPO, other agencies, the general public, consultants, or other interested parties.
Project ID Number |
2320 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$14,920 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$- |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$14,920 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This program supports CTPS participation in roadway safety audits (RSA).
An RSA, as defined by FHWA, is a formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent audit team. MassDOT guidelines require an RSA to be conducted where Highway Safety Improvement Program-eligible crash clusters are present. The RSA examines the location to develop both short- and long-term recommendations to improve safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. These recommendations help communities identify safety improvements that can be implemented in the short term, and determine if more substantial improvements are needed as part of a larger, long-term improvement process.
Audit teams include MassDOT headquarters and district office staff, MassDOT consultants, and CTPS personnel, as requested. In the RSA process, the audit team (1) reviews available crash data; (2) meets and communicates with local officials, planners, engineers, and other stakeholders; (3) visits the site to observe traffic operations and identify safety issues; and (4) develops and documents recommendations.
The anticipated outcome is participation in audit teams as requested by MassDOT.
Project ID Number |
2520 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$41,870 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$17,940 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$59,810 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
MPO staff supports both the MPO’s and the region’s needs for bicycle and pedestrian planning through ongoing data collection, analysis, and technical assistance in this program.
In addition to the items listed below, during the FFY, other bicycle and pedestrian planning studies often are identified collaboratively by MPO members, communities, bicycle and pedestrian advisory groups, and CTPS. Through such studies, MPO staff provides support to communities by creating bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects that can be advanced through the MassDOT Project Development process.
Anticipated outcomes include technical assistance, data collection, analysis, review of materials, and attendance at state, regional, and local forums and committee meetings. Tasks not related directly to separate studies or activities may include the following:
Project ID Number |
14342 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$- |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$56,470 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$56,470 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Through this ongoing program, the MPO provides technical support to regional transit authorities (RTAs), transportation management associations (TMA), MAPC subregions, and municipalities. This work is focused on improving or expanding transit service and reducing single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) travel in the region.
The MPO’s policy is to support transit services and reduce SOV travel in the region. As such, MPO staff provides technical support to RTAs to promote best practices and address issues of ridership, cost effectiveness, route planning, first- and last-mile strategies, and other service characteristics. The MPO also extends support to TMAs, MAPC subregions, and municipalities seeking to improve the transit services that they operate or fund.
MPO staff will provide technical assistance to RTAs, TMAs, MAPC subregions, and municipalities as described above.
Project ID Number |
2420, MAPC8 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
(CTPS) $51,340 (MAPC) $25,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
(CTPS) $21,990 (MAPC) $23,156 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
(CTPS) $73,330 (MAPC) $48,156 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Through this ongoing program, MPO staff and MAPC provide technical advice to municipalities throughout the region about identified transportation issues of concern.
This program is a mechanism for providing quick-response advice to communities that have identified transportation issues of concern about which they would like to have technical advice. In this program, a team of CTPS and MAPC engineers and planners will meet with community officials to learn more about specific problems and provide advice on next steps concerning issues that the community may have identified, such as those related to parking, traffic calming, walking, bicycling, and bus stops. In many cases, there will be a site visit to understand the potential problem, review existing data, and make suggestions for additional data that may be needed. General types of solutions, appropriate follow up, and contact information could be recommended. Descriptions of the various planning processes at MassDOT, the MBTA, the MPO, and MAPC, as well as guidance on how communities can get involved, could also be provided. Technical assistance activities could produce conceptual designs for some project locations.
This work will advance the MPO’s goals for system preservation, modernization, and efficiency; mobility; and land use and economic development. It will be consistent with the MPO’s CMP and other staff-identified needs. It also will include a safety component in which staff will respond to community requests to conduct analyses at crash locations and recommend possible mitigation strategies.
In early FFY 2020, MPO staff will solicit town municipal technical assistance requests. The number of technical assistance cases will depend on the funding amount, and MAPC and CTPS will coordinate and collaborate on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the complexity of the specific technical assistance requests from municipalities, CTPS and MAPC typically undertake three to four projects each FFY. MPO staff will document the work, recommendations, and outcomes of these consultations in the form of technical memoranda.
MAPC conducts transportation planning studies through four ongoing programs: Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies, Alternative Mode Planning and Coordination, MetroCommon x 2050, and Land Use Development Project Reviews. During each FFY, work that was started in previous FFYs is continued through these ongoing programs and new work is planned and undertaken.
Project ID Number |
MAPC4 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$116,663 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$70,523 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$187,186 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC, and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This UPWP task includes funding to support MAPC’s work on several corridor and subarea studies in the region. Some of these projects will be funded jointly through the UPWP and the District Local Technical Assistance Program.
This area of work is accomplished through the following subtasks.
MAPC will work with selected municipalities to develop local parking management plans to provide better parking availability to stimulate local economic prosperity, reduce congestion caused by circling vehicles, help municipalities plan for greater land use density by decreasing parking requirements, and encourage mode shift away from single occupant vehicle trips. The goal of this work program is to address the problems that municipalities face from not managing their parking supply in commercial and mixed-used areas. This work would benefit local air quality and congestion by managing parking supply and demand and creating places where people can park once and then walk to multiple destinations. In locations where parking requirements can be reduced, the number of households with one or more vehicles could decline, which could result in higher percentages of walking, biking, and transit ridership.
MAPC will work in one or two selected subregions or roadway corridors to coordinate multimodal transportation planning and transit service operations to be implemented by MassDOT, MBTA, RTAs, TMAs, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and/or municipalities, with local land use planning to achieve livability and smart growth goals. The goal of this work is to provide more mobility options for a variety of different users and trip types.
MAPC will examine opportunities to maximize existing and future nonautomotive travel within and through the proposed new Allston I-90 Interchange area, to and from major population and employment nodes in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, and throughout the region. More specifically, the study will examine the type and sequencing of transit services and capital improvements that achieve the highest nonautomotive mode share for the trips that will be generated by future growth in Beacon Yards as well as Harvard University, Kendall Square, Boston University, the Longwood Medical Area, and potentially other areas of Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline. Based on different development scenarios for Beacon Park Yards and projected growth estimates for nearby population and employment centers, the study will evaluate the accessibility benefits, utility, and transit ridership potential of varied transit alternatives.
Project ID Number |
MAPC7 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$128,136 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$66,577 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$194,713 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC, and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
MAPC provides alternative-mode transportation-planning support to the Boston Region MPO and municipalities that focuses on non-SOV modes. This work benefits bicycle and pedestrian transportation, encourages transit in areas that currently are underserved by existing RTAs, improves the region’s understanding of transportation network companies (TNC), advances electric vehicles, and identifies and supports transportation demand management strategies.
This area of work is accomplished through the following subtasks.
MAPC will further the regional and municipal understanding of the potential future effects of TNCs and autonomous vehicle/connected vehicle (AV/CV) technologies. MAPC staff will work with CTPS to identify how expanded TNC use and movement toward AV/CV technologies may influence future travel behaviors and how these findings can best be incorporated into travel demand and land use modeling as well as long-range transportation and land use plans. Staff also will continue to stay abreast of how federal agencies and other states and municipalities are regulating TNCs and preparing for AV/CV technologies.
MAPC will work with selected municipalities to advance solutions that apply technology, dynamic ride dispatching, ride-sharing technologies, and public-private partnership funding models to first- and last-mile connections and other gaps in the transit system.
MAPC will continue to support municipalities in the region to implement bicycle-sharing programs, including analyzing data to understand trip patterns. MAPC will also support municipalities, MassDOT, MBTA, DCR, and other agencies in the safe deployment of micro-mobility devices such as electric scooters.
MAPC will continue to work with MassDOT, CTPS, DCR, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, municipalities, and trail organizations to better develop and implement portions of a regional bicycle and pedestrian network of off-road and on-road connections (a greenway) that form a contiguous system around greater Boston. In 2015, MAPC, working with the above-cited partners, developed the branding of this system, called the LandLine. Trail development is increasingly frequent in most communities in the Boston region. The trails consist of shared-use paths along former railroad rights-of-way, hiking trails through conservation land, and historic corridors that connect points of interest. The binding theme of the proposed and completed corridors is creating attractive places to walk, bike, or otherwise travel through low-traffic or no-traffic green areas. These greenways often are local in nature; however, if all of these separate projects could be connected to form a regional system, a world-class regional network could be created.
Anticipated outcomes include the following:
Project ID Number |
MAPC6 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$64,400 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$30,600 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$95,000 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC, and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This UPWP study area will continue to support the update of MetroFuture, the Boston region’s 30-year comprehensive plan (through the year 2030) for sustainable growth and development. The new plan will be called MetroCommon 2050 and will have two plan horizons, 2030 and 2050. MAPC began the update in the fall of 2018 (and the planning for the update in 2017). During the winter of 2018/2019, MAPC began Phase 1, which is updating the vision and goals for the region. Phase 2 will focus on the strategic challenges and opportunities of the plan and Phase 3 is scenario planning, where MAPC will test various scenarios for the future of the region. Phase 4 is recommendation selection and Phase 5 is pulling it all together and launching MetroCommon 2050.
This area of work is accomplished through the following subtasks:
MAPC has just launched the planning process for creating its next comprehensive regional plan. Mobility will be a significant component of the plan. Changing demographics and location preferences, planned investments in public transportation and emerging transportation technologies will have a profound influence on the Boston region in the decades ahead. Through the plan update, staff will explore the implications of these emerging technologies, and develop recommendations for improving mobility, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, and expanding access to and capacity of public and active transportation.
MAPC will continue to work with municipal and state officials and residents to seek changes in land use that will support livable communities and sustainable transportation. This will include engaging the public in planning and dialogue that enhances equitable transit-oriented development planning, and influences other decision making to improve development outcomes, transportation opportunities, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the plan update, MAPC will convene an external advisory committee on mobility, as well as regional discussions about challenges and opportunities in making long-term improvements to the Boston region’s transportation system. Task outputs are expected to include engaging at least 500 people in at least 10 different events or activities.
Best practices and state policy support sustainable land use planning, which include local and state practices from across the country, and provide both ideas and proof of concept. MAPC will identify such best practices and employ appropriate means to promote their use in the region. Activities may include researching transportation strategies for senior mobility that are successfully employed in other parts of the country to assess their applicability in Massachusetts. MAPC may also research strategies to improve transportation equity and access for low-income and minority residents.
Anticipated outcomes include a stronger constituency for sustainable land use and transportation investments and programs; case studies or best practices for regional and local mobility; and recommendations for local, regional, and state actions.
Project ID Number |
MAPC5 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$59,400 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$29,420 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$88,820 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This UPWP task supports MAPC’s review of potential development projects in the region. In particular, MAPC will review projects for consistency with its sustainable land use and transportation goals, impacts on the transportation network and projects identified in the TIP and LRTP, and consistency with the MPO’s livability goals.
MAPC tracks all projects reviewed in the region under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), and provides a regional-planning analysis to the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs for all developments considered to have significant impact. Special attention is given to local zoning ordinances and regulations that serve to reduce auto travel by encouraging carpooling, transit, parking regulations, and other travel demand management techniques. MAPC also will recommend appropriate mitigation measures. MAPC coordinates these reviews with MassDOT and the municipalities, and works with MassDOT to identify updated requirements to be included in the transportation impact assessments that must be conducted by developers.
MAPC also reviews notices of offered railroad property from MassDOT, consults with municipalities as necessary, and provides appropriate input. Often, these notices involve rail trails, but they also may involve other types of proposed developments.
Anticipated outcomes include analysis and reports of MEPA reviews, development of mitigation recommendations, coordination with municipalities and transportation agencies, maintenance and updates of MAPC’s development database, and input into the project evaluations for the TIP and LRTP. In addition, MAPC will continue to review and respond to notices of offered railroad property.
1 Congestion is used as one of the selection criteria for potential study locations. Congested conditions are defined as a travel time index of at least 1.3 (this means that a trip takes 30 percent longer than it would under ideal conditions).
The transportation studies and technical analysis work described in this chapter will be conducted to support the work of various transportation agencies in the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area.
Some of the contracts described in this chapter are issued to the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) every year, and generally coincide with either the federal fiscal year (FFY) or the state fiscal year (SFY). Other contracts are issued for tasks and technical support to be conducted over a multi-year period, and they might be renewed with the agencies after several years. A third contract type covers the work for discrete studies or technical analyses intended to be completed within one FFY. These may either be one-time contracts in which CTPS conducts analysis or technical support to further a specific agency project, or they can be contracts in which CTPS provides technical support to an agency for data collection and analysis that is undertaken annually, such as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) National Transit Database (NTD): Data Collection and Analysis contract.
The work conducted on behalf of the agencies includes data collection and analyses covering a broad range of topics, including travel-demand modeling, air quality, traffic engineering, Title VI, and environmental justice. The products of this work are vital to support compliance with federal and state regulations such as the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. CTPS also enhances regional understanding of critical transportation issues through the preparation of graphics, maps, and other materials for agency studies and presentations. The work described in this chapter is organized by agency, and includes studies and technical analyses for MassDOT and the MBTA.
Table 5-1
UPWP Budget New and Continuing Agency Transportation Planning Studies and Technical Analyses for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | Total Contracta | Funding Source | FFY 2020 Agency Funds | Direct Support | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| Varies by Specific Project (97xxx) | MassDOT SPR Program Supportb | $600,000 | SPR | $295,500 | $6,000 | $301,500 |
| Varies by Specific Project (8100x) | MassDOT On-Call | $400,000 | MassDOT | $44,000 | $- | $44,000 |
| 13156 | MassDOT Title VI Program | $70,000 | MassDOT | $35,000 | $- | $35,000 |
| Varies by Specific Project | MassDOT Transit Planning Assistancec | $781,450 | MassDOT 5303 | $367,520 | $6,000 | $373,520 |
| MassDOT Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $742,020 | $12,000 | $754,020 |
| 14356 | MBTA SFY 2019 NTD | $136,600 | MBTA | $5,800 | $- | $5,800 |
| 14362 | MBTA SFY 2020 NTD | $143,400 | MBTA | $99,200 | $350 | $99,550 |
| 14366 | MBTA SFY 2021 NTD | $150,600 | MBTA | $38,700 | $150 | $38,850 |
| 11417 | MBTA 2019 Title VI Program Monitoring | $161,500 | MBTA | $20,000 | $- | $20,000 |
| 11424 | MBTA 2020 Triennial Title VI Report | $180,000 | MBTA | $160,800 | $300 | $161,100 |
| 11422 | MBTA Transit Service Data Collection | $540,000 | MBTA | $166,000 | $125 | $166,125 |
| 14355 | MBTA Rider Oversight Committee Support | $24,500 | MBTA | $5,000 | $- | $5,000 |
| 11414 | Support for MBTA Service Standards Development | $50,000 | MBTA | $37,500 | $- | $37,500 |
| 14358 | Service Equity Analysis Support to MBTA | $115,000 | MBTA | $48,000 | $- | $48,000 |
| 14364 | Fare Equity Analysis Support to the MBTA | $10,000 | MBTA | $7,500 | $- | $7,500 |
| 11415 | AFC 2.0 Equity Analysis | $77,000 | MBTA | $20,000 | $- | $20,000 |
| 11491 | MBTA Mapping Support | $12,000 | MBTA | $3,000 | $- | $3,000 |
| 74018 | Diversity Posters | $7,650 | MBTA | $3,000 | $- | $3,000 |
| MBTA Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $614,500 | $925 | $615,425 |
| 23328 | Weymouth Union Point | $245,000 | Other | $50,000 | $- | $50,000 |
| TBD | MAPC Allston | $10,000 | Other | $5,000 | $- | $5,000 |
| Other Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $55,000 | $- | $55,000 |
| Agency-Funded and Client-Funded Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $1,411,520 | $12,925 | $1,424,445 |
a The total contract amounts include direct costs. Annual direct costs are not included in the FFY budget amounts in the table and are shown separately in the Direct Support column.
b The term of the MassDOT SPR Contract is from July 1 through June 30. Therefore, the total FFY budgets in the UPWP represent a combination of funding from two different contract years. The total contract amount listed for the MassDOT SPR is the total contract amount for the 2019–20 contracts.
c Includes project ID 22214, Rail Vision. The MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance Contract is also called the MassDOT Section 5303 Contract. During the course of this UPWP, this contract is transitioning from operating on an SFY basis to an FFY basis; the total contract amount listed for the MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance includes two months of the SFY 2018 contract and five months of the SFY 2019 contract, in addition to the full FFY 2020 contract.
AFC = Automated Fare Collection. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
NTD = National Transit Database. SFY = State Fiscal Year. SPR = Statewide Planning and Research. TBD = to be determined. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
The contracts and technical analyses in this section are being undertaken for MassDOT.
Project ID Number |
Varies by Specific Project (97xxx) |
Funding Source |
SPR |
Total Contract |
$600,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$301,500 |
CTPS provides support to MassDOT’s SPR program as requested. This contract will include multiple individual projects or tasks throughout the FFY.
CTPS will conduct studies and analyses, and provide technical assistance upon request. Projects that are either underway or expected to begin in FFY 2020 are listed below. (Other projects may be added throughout FFY 2020.)
Activities and work products will depend on tasks requested by MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning (OTP).
Project ID Number |
Varies by Specific Project (8100x) |
Funding Source |
MassDOT |
Total Contract |
$400,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$44,000 |
The purpose of this on-call contract is to provide the MassDOT Highway Division with travel demand modeling and planning assistance throughout FFY 2020.
MassDOT’s Highway Division created a general on-call contract to retain CTPS’s services for three years, beginning in 2017, to provide travel demand modeling support, planning assistance, and data resources to MassDOT Highway Division projects.
Memoranda documenting findings of travel demand modeling or planning recommendations. In addition, staff will fulfill data requests, and otherwise coordinate with project teams on various issues and items.
Project ID Number |
13156 |
Funding Source |
MassDOT |
Total Contract |
$70,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$35,000 |
Under this contract, CTPS will continue to provide technical support to MassDOT for implementing its Title VI Program for both the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
MassDOT, as a recipient of federal funds from both FHWA and the FTA, is required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and with protections enacted through several other laws and executive orders that prohibit discrimination based on gender, age, income, and disability. Through this technical support work, CTPS will assist MassDOT in complying with these nondiscrimination laws.
Staff will provide technical support to MassDOT as described above.
Project ID Number |
Varies by Specific Project |
Funding Source |
MassDOT 5303 |
Total Contract |
$781,450 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$373,520 |
CTPS will provide transit-planning assistance to MassDOT and the MBTA by conducting various studies under MassDOT’s FTA-funded Section 5303 Program. This contract will include multiple individual projects or tasks throughout the FFY.
This assistance may include the following tasks:
Activities and work products will depend on tasks requested by MassDOT’s OTP. Projects of appropriate scope will be submitted to the MPO before proceeding.
Project ID Number |
22214 |
Funding Source |
MassDOT 5303 |
Total Contract |
Part of MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$4,520 |
Note: This project is part of the MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance contract and included in that total
MassDOT and the MBTA are embarking upon a long-term study, the Commuter Rail Vision study, to identify current and future needs for the commuter rail system. MassDOT has hired a consultant to assess the state of the rail system and identify opportunities to improve its reliability, operations, and connectivity; the consultant has requested a substantial amount of data from CTPS. CTPS will assist MassDOT by responding to the consultant’s data requests and providing technical analyses.
CTPS will use the regional travel demand model to support MassDOT and the MBTA’s project team in its analysis of different commuter rail scenarios. This technical analysis will be used to produce multiple performance metrics for gauging the effectiveness of the different strategies proposed by the consultant.
Data, technical assistance, and coordination with MassDOT and the MBTA’s project team.
The contracts and technical analyses in this section are being undertaken for the MBTA.
Project ID Number |
(SFY 2019) 14356 (SFY 2020) 14362 (SFY 2021) 14366 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract* |
(SFY 2019) $136,600 (SFY 2020) $143,400 (SFY 2021) $150,600 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
(SFY 2019) $5,800 (SFY 2020) $99,550 (SFY 2021) $38,850 |
*Several different contract years are included in this work.
For many years, in support of the MBTA’s NTD submittals to the FTA, CTPS has produced estimates of passenger miles and boardings for MBTA services. This project will develop these estimates for the following uses:
CTPS will also verify MBTA estimates of average passenger trip length on its commuter rail service.
The data underlying these estimates will be collected in a variety of ways:
The MBTA will submit its SFY 2019 NTD estimates of passenger boardings and passenger miles for various transit modes to the FTA with the aid of CTPS during FFY 2020. In addition, the MBTA will submit its SFY 2020 NTD estimates of passenger boardings and passenger miles for various transit modes to the FTA with the aid of CTPS during FFY 2021. The final technical memorandum for the 2020 NTD will be completed in FFY 2021.
In FFY 2020, CTPS will complete the final technical memorandum for SFY 2019 NTD reporting and will continue data collection begun in FFY 2019 for SFY 2020. Field staff will conduct ridechecks for the trackless trolley and contracted local bus service portions of the SFY 2020 NTD reporting. For bus routes, staff will collect data on boardings and alightings by stop, farebox readings, trip-level travel times, departure and arrival times, and arrival times at intermediate stops.
For heavy and light rail lines, staff will conduct origin-destination surveys and obtain fare-mix data.
Project ID Number |
11417 (MBTA 2019 Title VI Monitoring) |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract* |
(11417) $161,500 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget* |
(11417) $20,000 |
*Two different contract years are included in this work.
Under this contract, CTPS provides the MBTA with technical assistance by collecting data on and assessing the level of service (LOS) provided in minority communities compared to nonminority areas to support the MBTA’s compliance with Title VI requirements. In addition, the MBTA is required to submit a report to the FTA Office of Civil Rights every three years detailing the MBTA’s efforts to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. CTPS will compile and produce the next triennial report for the MBTA in 2020 (project ID 11424).
Staff will collect and analyze data on the following service indicators:
The data-collection and LOS-analysis activities will help to fulfill monitoring required as part of the MBTA’s ongoing Title VI Program. The results of the analyses will be reported internally at the MBTA, and will be included in the triennial report.
In addition to conducting annual Title VI service monitoring, CTPS will produce the MBTA’s 2020 Triennial Title VI Report for submission to the FTA. The triennial report will include the service equity analyses and fare equity analyses that were conducted for the MBTA in the preceding three years, demographic and service profile maps and charts, and the additional documentation needed to meet the MBTA’s general reporting requirements.
CTPS will provide documentation about selected LOS evaluations for SFY 2019 MBTA revenue service and amenities, and staff will prepare the MBTA’s 2020 Triennial Title VI Report.
Project ID Number |
11422 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$540,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$166,125 |
The work conducted under this contract will help the MBTA to assess bus and rapid transit service changes.
The MBTA requires ongoing data collection regarding its transit system in order to assess service changes. As part of this project, CTPS collects ridership and performance data to support future MBTA service changes. Work may also include support for improving the ridecheck database so that it will be compatible with new software and data sources. CTPS also may provide analytical assistance to the MBTA as requested.
Project ID Number |
14355 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$24,500 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$5,000 |
The MBTA established a Rider Oversight Committee (ROC) in 2004 to provide ongoing public input on a number of different issues, including strategies for increasing ridership, developing new fare structures, and prioritizing capital improvements. Through this contract, CTPS supports the MBTA by providing technical assistance to the ROC on an ongoing basis.
Over the past several years, the assistance provided by CTPS has included offering insights into the MBTA’s planning processes, providing data analysis, and attending committee meetings, at which staff may respond directly to ROC members’ questions.
CTPS will continue to provide technical assistance to the MBTA ROC and attend committee and subcommittee meetings.
Project ID Number |
11414 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$50,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$37,500 |
Under this contract, CTPS will work with the MBTA and other partners to refine MBTA service standards and measures and develop new measures.
CTPS will assist the MBTA in evaluating some of the potential service metrics that were not included in the final MBTA Service Delivery Policy, as the MBTA did not have the data or processes in place to calculate the metrics to determine if they should be included in a future revision to the Service Delivery Policy. In addition, CTPS will help the MBTA refine some of the approved metrics that have not been fully implemented, and develop tools to automate calculation of some of the new metrics.
Refined metrics and, to the extent feasible, tools for calculating some of the metrics.
Project ID Number |
14358 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$115,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$48,000 |
CTPS will support the MBTA in conducting the required Title VI service equity analyses for major service changes that take place during the duration of this contract.
CTPS will conduct service equity analyses for as many as two major service changes.
CTPS will prepare technical memoranda documenting service equity analyses for each major service change.
Project ID Number |
14364 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$10,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$7,500 |
The MBTA is required to conduct a Title VI fare equity analysis to evaluate, prior to implementing any fare change, whether the planned change would have a discriminatory impact based on race, color, or national origin. CTPS will support the MBTA in conducting the required Title VI equity analyses for proposed fare changes during FFY 2020.
CTPS will conduct the FTA-required fare equity analysis for any proposed changes in fare structure and tariffs.
CTPS will prepare a technical memorandum of findings from the fare equity analysis.
Project ID Number |
11415 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$77,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$20,000 |
The MBTA is developing a new all-electronic AFC system, known as AFC 2.0, for all MBTA service modes. With this system, direct payment of cash fares on vehicles would be eliminated and some riders would need to pay a fee for their fare media. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the distribution of fare vending machines and other fare media sales locations, the equity impacts of charging for a fare card, and a package of various fare structure changes that may be implemented with AFC 2.0.
Because riders will no longer be able to add value to their fare media using cash onboard a vehicle, riders who rely on cash may have to travel farther than they currently do to add value to their accounts at a fare vending machine or sales outlet. CTPS will gather relevant data and will analyze whether the distribution of fare vending machines and/or sales locations will serve to mitigate the impact of eliminating onboard cash payments.
Charging riders a fee for MBTA-provided fare cards (virtual or physical) is not specifically a fare increase, but it may disproportionately affect riders classified as low-income or minority riders and could create a barrier to accessing transit.
CTPS will gather relevant existing data and will determine the equity implications of the fee by using an FTA-approved methodology.
Lastly, AFC 2.0 brings with it a host of possible fare structure changes that may have equity implications. CTPS will analyze a selected set of fare structure changes to determine their combined equity impacts.
Title VI equity analyses of select components of the new MBTA fare system.
Project ID Number |
11491 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$12,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$3,000 |
The objective of this work is to provide map-making support, upon request from the MBTA. At the time of each request, CTPS will provide the MBTA with an estimate of the specific cost and schedule for completing the map(s).
CTPS will update MBTA maps, upon request from the MBTA, within the budget provided for this project.
Upon request from the MBTA, CTPS will update district maps to reflect changes in bus routes and bus route garage assignments. Upon request from the MBTA, CTPS staff will update other existing CTPS-created MBTA maps within the budget provided for this project.
Project ID Number |
74018 |
Funding Source |
MBTA |
Total Contract |
$7,650 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$3,000 |
The purpose of this contract is to design and produce posters and flyers to advertise MassDOT’s diversity events.
During calendar year 2019, the CTPS Graphics Group will design and produce a series of diversity posters and flyers for the MassDOT diversity events consistent with the national diversity topic theme. The following topics are included in the series: Black History; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Woman’s History; Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride; Disability Awareness; Hispanic Heritage; Native American History; and Veterans Day.
Posters and flyers for the remaining diversity celebrations in calendar year 2019: Disability Awareness, Veterans Day, and Native American History.
The contracts and technical analysis in this section are being undertaken for other clients and agencies.
Project ID Number |
23328 |
Funding Source |
Other |
Total Contract |
$245,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$50,000 |
Note: this item was originally programmed in the FFY 2018 UPWP, but much of the work is now planned for FFY 2020.
The South Weymouth Naval Air Station located in Weymouth, Abington, and Rockland was closed in 1997 on recommendation of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. In 1998, the Massachusetts Legislature created the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation, which was reconstituted in 2014 as the Southfield Redevelopment Authority. The Southfield Redevelopment Authority is charged with reinforcing municipal control over the land use and redevelopment of the former base. The 1,400-acre site was recently purchased by a development company, which has ambitious redevelopment plans that contemplate as much as eight million square feet of commercial development and approximately 4,000 housing units.
Significant transportation impacts associated with the new development, now known as Union Point, are anticipated. An east-west parkway was constructed through the site because of a prior redevelopment effort. The site is immediately east of State Routes 18 and 58. Funds are programmed to widen State Route 18 in the near future. This improvement, along with other programmed improvements, will be represented in the Boston Region MPO’s regional travel demand model.
The proposed development of Union Point is anticipated to occur in phases. Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed by 2022; full build-out of the property is planned to occur by 2032. CTPS has worked with the project team to define the appropriate study area and acquire updated traffic counts for a selection of intersections in the study area from the project team. CTPS will produce forecasts of travel demand for a base year, an intermediate year, and the future, full build-out year.
CTPS will follow the general approach outlined below.
CTPS will complete all model runs and analyses for various alternatives. CTPS will also provide traffic data to the project team for traffic impact analysis.
To support certification requirements and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) studies, staff from both the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) conduct various ongoing computer and data resource management activities and other support activities.
For each activity described in this chapter, we cite the purpose of the work, how the work is accomplished, and a summary of the anticipated federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 work products. The budget tables at the head of each project description provide the salary and overhead costs associated with the projects. Any direct costs associated with the projects are included in Direct Support.
Table 6-1 summarizes the funding assigned to each of the activities in this chapter that were also assigned in FFY 2019, a summary of the work products and/or progress made in FFY 2019, the funding proposed for each of these activities in FFY 2020, and the anticipated work products and/or progress in FFY 2020.
Although many of the activities in this chapter generally comprise the same type of tasks from year to year, often there are variations in budgets that reflect greater or lesser emphasis on certain efforts. For example, MPO staff may undertake new or additional data collection and/or analysis under specific line items; the tasks undertaken as part of one line item in one year might be folded into an ongoing activity in a subsequent year; or, there simply could be fluctuations in staffing levels. Where appropriate, these differences are explained in the table.
Table 6-1
CTPS Ongoing Resource Management and Support Activities, FFY 2019-20
| Project Name | ID | FFY 2019 Total Funding | FFY 2019 Work Products and Progress | FFY 2020 PL Funding | FFY 2020 §5303 Funding | FFY 2020 Total Funding | FFY 2020 Planned Work Progress and Products |
| CTPS Activities | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank |
| Computer Resource Management | Varies by Task | $334,160 | Provided maintenance and enhancements to CTPS’s desktop and server computer systems; computer network back-up system; and peripheral devices, such as printers, plotters, and mass storage devices. | $228,220 | $97,780 | $326,000 | Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year. |
| Data Resources Management | Varies by Task | $284,900 | Provided database maintenance and enhanced CTPS’s database of standard reference GIS layers and GIS layers required to carry out particular projects. Updated databases with new versions of standard reference GIS layers released by MassGIS, the MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning, and other agencies. Created GIS maps, computer map files, tables of socioeconomic and travel-related data, and databases. Analyzed data. |
$203,120 | $87,000 | $290,120 | Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year. |
| MAPC Activities | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank |
| MPO/MAPC Liaison and Support Activities | MAPC 1 | $167,000 | Interagency coordination: Includes developing work scopes and agendas, and participating in advisory and corridor committees. Support for MPO elections and public participation, TIP project evaluations; attend relevant meetings. |
$119,000 | $48,000 | $167,000 | Continue work in support of the operational land use model. |
| UPWP Support | MAPC 3 | $10,000 | Support the UPWP development process and attend relevant meetings. | $7,000 | $3,000 | $10,000 | Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year. |
| Subregional Support Activities | MAPC 2 | $187,000 | Support subregional groups. Includes preparing agendas, coordinating with transportation agencies, reviewing transportation studies in subregions, and helping to set subregional transportation priorities. | $139,000 | $48,000 | $187,000 | Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year. |
| Land Use Data and Forecasts for Transportation Modeling | MAPC 10 | $87,451 | Continued work in support of operational land use allocation model including data development and analysis, documentation, and mapping products for advanced transportation modeling. | $66,051 | $28,949 | $95,000 | Tasks and work products generally remain the same from year to year. |
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. GIS = Geographic Information Systems. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
The following sections contain details on the administration, resource management, and support activities undertaken by CTPS each FFY.
Project ID Number |
See Individual Tasks Below |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$228,220 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$97,780 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$326,000 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
In order to fulfill the Boston Region MPO functions, CTPS maintains state-of-the-practice computer resources.
CTPS performs the following subtasks as part of computer resource management:
Manage and maintain hardware and software for all CTPS computer systems to ensure that staff has maximum access to the computing resources required for its work, including an intranet site. Continue to ensure the security and integrity of all hardware, software, and data resources. Plan, monitor, and maintain CTPS’s server room and computing facilities.
Develop computer software to support CTPS’s analytical, administrative, and documentation requirements. Maintain and enhance software developed by CTPS and/or others when program maintenance is no longer available from the original vendor.
Assist staff in using computer resources; organize and distribute vendor-supplied documentation; and, where appropriate, provide written and online user guides for particular resources.
Work with other public agencies, including MAPC and MassGIS, the Commonwealth’s Bureau of Geographic Information, to encourage sharing of computer and data resources and techniques.
Purchase and maintain CTPS’s computing resources. These include in-house assets such as servers, desktop and laptop computers, tablets and handheld computers, mass-storage devices, networking and communications hardware, printers and plotters, system and application software, and consumable supplies. These also include out-of-house resources, such as software purchased as a service, cloud-based storage, and other cloud-based computing resources.
Update the CTPS Five-Year Plan for Computer Resource Development in conjunction with developing the next CTPS budget.
Work on these tasks will continue as described above.
Project ID Number |
See Individual Tasks Below |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$203,120 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$87,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$290,120 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
CTPS provides travel data and analyses at regional, corridor, and site-specific levels to support transportation planning and decision making in the Boston Region MPO area.
The categories below comprise the variety of tasks encompassed by this work:
CTPS will maintain and keep current its database of statistics from the US Census Bureau’s decennial Census and American Community Survey, and products derived from these sources.
CTPS will process or analyze data upon request to meet the needs of local, state, and federal agencies, and private institutions and firms. The 5320 project number is used for data requests handled by CTPS’s Data Resources group; the 5420 number is used for data requests handled by all other groups.
CTPS will continue to develop and enhance its stores of spatial and tabular reference data, along with associated tools. CTPS will coordinate data development and distribution internally and cooperate with Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MassGIS, MAPC, and other agencies to prevent duplication of effort, ensure quality, and reduce costs. CTPS’s GIS (spatial) database will be available to staff through both Esri and open-source GIS software, web services, and web applications.
CTPS will continue to develop and maintain a website that provides information regarding the MPO’s activities, reports, and studies produced by MPO staff, a data catalogue, and self-service data exploration applications. CTPS will continue to improve the site’s design, content, and accessibility to those who are visually impaired. The website plays a critical role in the MPO’s public participation program by providing information and eliciting public comment. CTPS posts all announcements on the website for MPO and Regional Transportation Advisory Council meetings and committee meetings, as well as their related materials.
As described above, work will continue on spatial and tabular reference databases, including socioeconomic data, Registry of Motor Vehicles data, and travel data; data processing tools; data analyses; web services and web applications; and responses to data requests.
| Project ID Number | Varies |
| FHWA 3C PL Funds | $52,000 |
| FTA Section 5303 Funds | $142,000 |
| 3C-Funded Work Direct Support Total | $194,000 |
| SPR Funds | $6,000 |
| MassDOT Section 5303 Funds | $6,000 |
| MassDOT Other Funds | $0 |
| MBTA Funds | $925 |
| Agency-Funded Work Direct Support Total | $12,925 |
Note: FTA and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
Through this activity, CTPS provides integral direct support for all CTPS projects and functions.
CTPS computer needs are programmed in the CTPS Five-Year Plan for Computer Resource Development, as amended.
Consultants are hired periodically to perform specialized, time-specific tasks as project work demands.
Project-specific printing costs, such as those for surveys, maps, reports, presentation boards, and other informational materials, are included in this budget.
Periodically, the US Department of Transportation and other organizations sponsor courses and seminars that enhance staff’s ability to do project work; the costs of registration, travel, and lodging associated with attending such programs are direct-support expenditures. Mileage, tolls, and parking expenses associated with project work also are charged as direct-support expenditures.
Various other expenditures may become necessary during the term of this Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Costs associated with postage for return mail, services for preparing and processing data for specific projects, and translations of MPO materials into other languages are direct-support expenditures. Other nonrecurring costs, such as software for specific project work, video-camera equipment for license-plate surveys, or traffic-counting equipment, also may be funded through this line item.
Direct costs include computer and general office equipment, professional consulting services, in-state project-related travel, out-of-state travel associated with staff attendance at professional and training conferences, and other costs deemed appropriate.
Project ID Number |
NEW |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$120,000 |
Funding Source |
Extended FFY 2019 FTA Section 5303 funds |
Note: Budget includes MassDOT local match.
The 2019 federal certification review of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) included recommendations that the MPO develop an operations plan as stipulated in the MPO’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) to better define the roles and responsibilities of MPO members and staff, particularly among the agencies involved (including the Central Transportation Planning Staff [CTPS], Metropolitan Area Planning Council [MAPC], and Massachusetts Department of Transportation), the MPO work products, and the structure and operations of the MPO board. In the meantime, CTPS, the organization that provides staffing support to the Boston Region MPO and which carries out most of the MPO’s work, has been in transition with new leadership and the need to fill vacant staff positions. To best inform the operations plan, CTPS will first engage in the development of a five-year strategic plan to reflect on CTPS’s history and context, and to provide a foundation and direction for both the organization’s work moving forward and the operations plan, which would be completed as a separate project.
For this project, CTPS will engage consultants to carry out a systematic strategic planning process for the organization, engaging staff and external stakeholders to assess organizational opportunities and challenges, refine CTPS’s vision and mission statement if needed, and establish a five-year plan towards achieving its vision. The vision and strategy will include establishing goals and objectives, as well as measures for success toward reaching the vision. This process shall be grounded in the federally required regional planning processes that CTPS must carry out.
This strategic planning work shall serve as groundwork for the separate effort to develop an operations plan for the Boston Region MPO.
The scope of work for developing a five-year strategic plan for CTPS contains three parts:
This strategic planning initiative will be grounded in organizational development and aim to assess how to build upon and enhance relationships with other agencies and stakeholders.
In addition, the strategic planning process will be based on a comprehensive plan to engage staff and external stakeholders such as MAPC as CTPS’s fiduciary agent, the MPO board, federal and state entities, MPO member municipalities, MAPC subregional groups, and other clients for CTPS’s technical work.
If completed in FFY 2020, work products will include the following:
The following sections contain details on the administration, resource management, and support activities undertaken by MAPC every FFY.
Project ID Number |
MAPC1 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$119,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$48,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$167,000 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This project includes working with MPO members and staff to establish work priorities and meeting agendas. It also includes implementing the continuous, comprehensive, and cooperative (3C) transportation planning process and engagement in regional transportation planning led by MassDOT, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and municipalities in the region. It also includes reporting to the MAPC executive committee, MAPC council members, MAPC subregions, and MAPC staff on MPO activities to ensure strong coordination of land use and transportation planning across the region.
In addition to participating in the Boston Region MPO process, MAPC actively participates in and attends statewide and regional planning committees, task forces, working groups, and commissions to represent the interests of the region, with a particular focus on the critical links between land use and transportation. These committees include the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies; Regional Coordination Councils; Global Warming Solutions Act Implementation Advisory Committee; MassDOT and MBTA board meetings; and various MassDOT, MBTA, or municipally led transportation working groups or studies. MAPC will also be actively involved in regional transportation plans and programs related to land use and transportation. Advisory committees may change from year to year as studies are started or completed, but participation in various advisory committees is an ongoing task.
MAPC provides education and outreach for a wide variety of transportation-related and land-use-related topics in the region, with emphasis on outreach through the subregions to municipal officials. MAPC also supports CTPS in its outreach to environmental justice and senior populations and to people with disabilities.
Working with the MBTA Advisory Board, MAPC will coordinate and implement annual elections for municipal representatives in the Boston region.
MAPC will support CTPS in developing the PBPP targets and identifying data to measure progress toward meeting targets and objectives.
MAPC will work with CTPS to update the TIP scoring criteria and to advise CTPS about the land use and economic-development aspects of the TIP evaluations. MAPC will provide updated TIP criteria and help implement the comprehensive regional growth plan, MetroCommon. MAPC will research TIP projects and work with municipalities to advance TIP projects.
MAPC will work with CTPS and MassDOT to develop MPO meeting agendas and presentations, and participate in MPO processes.
Outcomes of this program will result in interagency coordination; work scopes and agendas; participation in advisory and corridor committees; public participation and outreach; reports to the MAPC executive committee, MAPC Council members, MAPC subregions, and MAPC staff; MPO elections; PBPP targets and data; Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) scenarios; TIP criteria updates and project evaluations; and attendance at relevant meetings.
Project ID Number |
MAPC3 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$7,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$3,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$10,000 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This UPWP task supports MAPC’s management and oversight of UPWP-funded planning studies, projects, and programs, including preparing updates and budget information in monthly reports to MassDOT.
MAPC assists with the annual development of the UPWP and supports, in coordination with MassDOT and CTPS, development of UPWP project ideas and specific work scopes. Through community liaison and subregional support activities, MAPC staff also helps communities identify and develop studies to be included in the UPWP.
MAPC staff will prepare UPWP project listings and monthly reports on UPWP activities. MAPC will assist with annual development of the UPWP and support development of specific project proposals and work scopes. Staff will also provide assistance to communities in identifying and developing studies to be included in the UPWP through community liaison and subregional support activities.
Project ID Number |
MAPC2 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$139,000 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$48,000 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$187,000 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
The Boston region consists of 97 cities and towns. The region is subdivided into eight geographic areas that are represented by subregional councils comprising municipal officials, business leaders, community-based organizations, and other local participants. MAPC staff planners are assigned as coordinators to each of the subregional groups to help members develop an understanding of subregional and regional transportation and land use issues. This project supports community involvement in the development of transportation planning documents.
Subregional planning groups jointly identify and review the transportation priorities in their areas and recommend subregional projects and priorities for the TIP, LRTP, UPWP, and the MassDOT and MBTA capital investment plans.
Subregional coordinators and MAPC transportation staff report to the MPO through formal and informal communications. MAPC subregional groups will continue to participate in local corridor advisory committees whenever these committees are appropriate vehicles for working on projects in their areas. The subregional groups will continue to identify priority transportation needs, plan for first- and last-mile connections to transit, identify regional trail connections, pilot new technology to support increased mobility, and engage in the MPO's performance-based planning and programming initiative.
MAPC staff ensures timely discussions of transportation-related issues by placing the topics on meeting agendas, leading and participating in the discussions, and distributing appropriate documents and notices relating to region and statewide transportation meetings.
Outcomes of this program include monthly meeting agendas for transportation topics at subregional meetings; coordination with transportation agencies; review of transportation studies in subregions; support to subregional and corridor advisory committee meetings; public input on MPO processes and certification documents; and the setting of subregional transportation priorities.
Project ID Number |
MAPC10 |
FHWA 3C PL Funds |
$66,051 |
FTA Section 5303 Funds |
$28,949 |
FFY 2020 Total Budget |
$95,000 |
Note: The FTA match is provided by MAPC and FHWA funds include the MassDOT local match.
This program allows MAPC to support the MPO’s planning and decision making by providing CTPS with detailed population, household, employment, and land use data (current conditions and projections) for transportation modeling and project evaluation.
MAPC will focus on improvements to the land use allocation model to better assign population and employment forecasts at the transportation analysis zone level, based on changes to the transportation network. MAPC will use the model to support land use scenarios to be evaluated during development of MAPC’s MetroCommon 2050 plan.
MAPC will continue to monitor development projects that are being planned across the region and will maintain an up-to-date development database in an online portal at www.massbuilds.com. MAPC will support CTPS in applying this data for project evalation or updates to the regional travel demand model.
Anticipated outcomes include an improved land use allocation model; multiple land use alternatives for use in the MetroCommon process; updated development data and analysis; documentation; and mapping products to support advanced transportation modeling.
This chapter contains overall budget information by recipient agency and funding source. The information is presented according to the same Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) categories used in Chapters 3 through 6.
UPWP Work Areas |
Total Budget |
Certification Requirements |
$2,752,706 |
Continuing Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Planning Studies and Technical Analyses |
$275,230 |
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Planning Studies and Technical Analyses |
$613,875 |
New MPO-Funded Discrete Studies |
$727,000 |
Agency and Other Client Planning Studies and Technical Support |
$1,424,445 |
Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) Administration, Resource Management, and Support Activities |
$616,620 |
MAPC Resource Management and Support Activities |
$459,000 |
Direct Costs (3C) |
$194,000 |
Total |
$7,062,376 |
The funding for the projects, programs, and activities listed in Chapters 3 through 6 comes from the following sources, which are described in Chapter 2.
Funding Source |
Total Programmed Funds |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative (3C) Planning (PL)/Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Local Match |
$3,813,949 |
MPO Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 3C PL (Section 5303)/MassDOT Local Match |
$1,475,757 |
MassDOT FTA 3C PL (Section 5303)/MassDOT Local Match |
$373,520 |
MAPC FTA 3C PL (Section 5303)/MassDOT Local Match |
$348,225 |
FHWA Statewide Planning and Research (SPR)/MassDOT Local Match |
$301,500 |
MassDOT |
$79,000 |
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
$615,425 |
Other |
$55,000 |
Total |
$7,062,376 |
The 11 tables on the following pages summarize the funding information presented in the preceding chapters: one for each UPWP category of work conducted by CTPS, one for each UPWP category of work conducted by MAPC, and two summary tables. Another table follows that shows the federally designated elements and tasks for projects using Section 5303 funding. These summaries assist federal and state contract administrators in reviewing each work program in detail.
The budget tables reflect 3C transportation planning funds, consisting of FHWA PL funds and FTA Section 5303 funds that CTPS and MAPC expect to receive for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020. FHWA and FTA have informed the MPO that as of FFY 2020, the 3C PL and Section 5303 contracts will be awarded as a single contract; Section 5303 funds were transferred to FHWA in July 2019 as part of the single contract award. Because this information was not available until late in the development process, the two types of funding are still broken out separately in this UPWP. CTPS has received its estimated FFY 2020 FHWA PL allocation of $3,089,299. MAPC’s FFY 2020 FHWA PL allocation is $724,650. The total Boston region allocation of FTA Section 5303 funds is $2,321,502. CTPS has received its estimated amount of FFY 2020 FTA Section 5303 allocation of $1,355,757. MAPC’s 2020 FTA Section 5303 allocation is $348,225. All of these federal allocations include a state match. This budget also reflects projects funded with SPR, FTA Section 5303, and other funds from MassDOT; projects funded with MBTA funds; projects funded with carryover FFY 2019 Section 5303 funds; and projects funded from other sources.
Project status and financial data on this sheet are subject to change.
Table 7-1
UPWP Budget-Certification Requirements for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | FFY 2019 CTPS UPWP Budget | Expected Project Status as of 10/1/2019 | CTPS PL Funds | CTPS Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| 9120 | Support to the MPO and its Committees | $234,640 | Ongoing | $194,740 | $83,460 | $278,200 |
| 9320 | Regional Transportation Advisory Council Support | $46,790 | Ongoing | $31,190 | $13,360 | $44,550 |
| 9620 | Public Participation Process | $181,720 | Ongoing | $127,680 | $54,720 | $182,400 |
| 9220 | General Graphics | $85,250 | Ongoing | $68,210 | $29,230 | $97,440 |
| 3120 | Provision of Materials in Accessible Formats | $102,050 | Ongoing | $74,040 | $31,730 | $105,770 |
| 9520 | Professional Development | $21,770 | Ongoing | $21,329 | $7,667 | $28,996 |
| Support to the MPO Subtotal | blank | $672,220 | blank | $479,189 | $258,167 | $737,356 |
| 8120 | Long-Range Transportation Plan | $362,290 | Ongoing | $196,640 | $84,280 | $280,920 |
| 8220 | Transportation Improvement Program | $244,190 | Ongoing | $194,360 | $83,300 | $277,660 |
| 8820 | Performance-Based Planning and Programming | $155,300 | Ongoing | $59,180 | $25,360 | $84,450 |
| 8420 | Air Quality Conformity Determinations and Support | $41,340 | Ongoing | $21,890 | $9,370 | $31,260 |
| 8320 | Unified Planning Work Program | $108,930 | Ongoing | $81,240 | $34,810 | $116,050 |
| 8520 | Transportation Equity Program | $149,790 | Ongoing | $120,300 | $51,550 | $171,850 |
| 2120 | Congestion Management Process | $91,540 | Ongoing | $85,440 | $36,620 | $122,060 |
| 2220 | Freight Planning Support | $56,370 | Ongoing | $56,730 | $- | $56,730 |
| 7120 | Regional Model Enhancement | $795,760 | Ongoing | $579,360 | $248,290 | $827,650 |
| 8920 | Transit Committee Support | n/a | Ongoing | $32,650 | $13,980 | $46,630 |
| 90015 | Federal Certification Review | $29,690 | Complete | n/a | n/a | $- |
| 3C Planning and Other Certification Requirements Activities Subtotal | blank | $2,035,200 | blank | $1,427,820 | $587,530 | $2,015,350 |
| Certification Requirements Subtotal | blank | $2,707,420 | blank | $1,945,009 | $807,697 | $2,752,706 |
3C = continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-2
UPWP Budget-Ongoing and Continuing MPO Planning Studies and Technical Analyses for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | FFY 2019 CTPS UPWP Budget | Expected Project Status/Completion as of 10/1/2019 | CTPS PL Funds | CTPS Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| 13290 | New and Emerging Metrics for Roadway Usage | $60,000 | 90% | $4,010 | $1,710 | $5,720 |
| 13292 | Pedestrian Report Card Assessment Dashboard | $65,000 | 90% | $6,090 | $2,610 | $8,700 |
| 13419 | Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways FFY 2019 | $120,000 | 95% | $5,060 | $2,160 | $7,220 |
| 13519 | Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment FFY 2019 | $120,000 | 95% | $5,350 | $2,280 | $7,630 |
| 13619 | Low-Cost Improvements to Express Highway Bottlenecks FFY 2019 | $60,000 | 90% | $7,420 | $- | $7,420 |
| Planning Studies Subtotal (Continuing FFY 2019 Initiated Work) | blank | $425,000 | blank | $27,930 | $8,760 | $36,690 |
| 2320 | Roadway Safety Audits | $14,640 | Ongoing | $14,920 | $- | $14,920 |
| 2720 | Traffic Data Support | $15,180 | Ongoing | $15,990 | $6,850 | $22,840 |
| 4220 | Transit Data Support | $15,350 | Ongoing | $- | $11,170 | $11,170 |
| 2420 | Community Transportation Technical Assistance | $73,250 | Ongoing | $51,340 | $21,990 | $73,330 |
| 2520 | Bicycle and Pedestrian Support Activities | $65,440 | Ongoing | $41,870 | $17,940 | $59,810 |
| 4120 | Regional Transit Service Planning Technical Support | $45,810 | Ongoing | $- | $56,470 | $56,470 |
| Technical Analysis and Support Subtotal | blank | $229,670 | blank | $125,920 | $112,620 | $238,540 |
| MPO-Funded Planning Studies and Technical Analyses Subtotal | blank | $654,670 | blank | $152,050 | $123,180 | $275,230 |
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-3
UPWP Budget-MPO New Discrete Studies for FFY 2020
| Universe ID | Project ID | Study or Program | CTPS PL Funds | CTPS Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| A-1 | 13293 | Locations with High Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Rates in the Boston Region MPO Area | $49,000 | $21,000 | $70,000 |
| N/A | 13301 | Review of Vision Zero Policies | $21,000 | $9,000 | $30,000 |
| M-2 | 13420 | Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways FFY 2020 | $80,500 | $34,500 | $115,000 |
| M-3 | 13520 | Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment FFY 2020 | $84,000 | $36,000 | $120,000 |
| M-4 | 13720 | Safety and Operations Analysis at Selected Intersections FFY 2020 | $56,000 | $24,000 | $80,000 |
| M-6 | 13294 | TIP Before and After Studies | $29,400 | $12,600 | $42,000 |
| N/A | 13295 | Innovations in Estimating Trip Generation Rates | $21,000 | $9,0000 | $30,000 |
| T-3 | 13296 | Operating a Successful Shuttle Program | $35,000 | $15,000 | $50,000 |
| T-4 | 13297 | Further Development of the MPO's Community Transportation Program | $14,000 | $6,000 | $20,000 |
| E-1 | 13298 | Disparate Impact Metrics Analysis | $28,000 | $12,000 | $40,000 |
| R-1 | 13299 | Exploring Resilience in MPO-funded Corridor and Intersection Studies | $63,000 | $27,000 | $90,000 |
| O-1 | 20904 | Staff-Generated Research and Technical Assistance | $28,000 | $12,000 | $40,000 |
| Total for New Discrete and Recurring Studies | blank | blank | $508,900 | $218,100 | $727,000 |
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-4
UPWP Budget-New and Continuing Agency Transportation Planning Studies and Technical Analyses for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | Total Contracta | Funding Source | FFY 2020 Labor and Overhead | Direct Support | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| Varies by Specific Project (97xxx) | MassDOT SPR Program Supportb | $600,000 | SPR | $295,500 | $6,000 | $301,500 |
| Varies by Specific Project (8100x) | MassDOT On-Call | $400,000 | MassDOT | $44,000 | $- | $44,000 |
| 13156 | MassDOT Title VI Program | $70,000 | MassDOT | $35,000 | $- | $35,000 |
| Varies by Specific Project | MassDOT Transit Planning Assistancec | $781,450 | MassDOT 5303 | $367,520 | $6,000 | $373,520 |
| MassDOT Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $742,020 | $12,000 | $754,020 |
| 14356 | MBTA SFY 2019 NTD | $136,600 | MBTA | $5,800 | $- | $5,800 |
| 14362 | MBTA SFY 2020 NTD | $143,400 | MBTA | $99,200 | $350 | $99,550 |
| 14366 | MBTA SFY 2021 NTD | $150,600 | MBTA | $38,700 | $150 | $38,850 |
| 11417 | MBTA 2019 Title VI Program Monitoring | $161,500 | MBTA | $20,000 | $- | $20,000 |
| 11424 | MBTA 2020 Triennial Title VI Report | $180,000 | MBTA | $160,800 | $300 | $161,100 |
| 11422 | MBTA Transit Service Data Collection X | $540,000 | MBTA | $166,000 | $125 | $166,125 |
| 14355 | MBTA Rider Oversight Committee Support III | $24,500 | MBTA | $5,000 | $- | $5,000 |
| 11414 | Support for MBTA Service Standards Development | $50,000 | MBTA | $37,500 | $- | $37,500 |
| 14358 | Service Equity Analysis Support to MBTA | $115,000 | MBTA | $48,000 | $- | $48,000 |
| 14364 | Fare Equity Analysis Support to the MBTA | $10,000 | MBTA | $7,500 | $- | $7,500 |
| 11415 | AFC 2.0 Equity Analysis | $77,000 | MBTA | $20,000 | $- | $20,000 |
| 11491 | MBTA Mapping Support | $12,000 | MBTA | $3,000 | $- | $3,000 |
| 74018 | Diversity Posters | $7,650 | MBTA | $3,000 | $- | $3,000 |
| MBTA Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $614,500 | $925 | $615,425 |
| 23328 | Weymouth Union Point | $ 245,000 | Other | $50,000 | $- | $50,000 |
| TBD | MAPC Allston | $ 10,000 | Other | $5,000 | $- | $5,000 |
| Other Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $1,133,832 | $12,925 | $1,146,757 |
| Agency-Funded and Client-Funded Subtotal | blank | blank | blank | $ 1,411,520 | $ 12,925 | $ 1,424,445 |
a The total contract amounts include direct costs. Annual direct costs are not included in the FFY budget amounts in the table and are shown separately in the Direct Support column.
b The term of the MassDOT SPR Contract is from July 1 through June 30. Therefore, the total FFY budgets in the UPWP represent a combination of funding from two different contract years. The total contract amount listed for the MassDOT SPR is the total contract amount for the 2019–20 contracts.
c MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance includes project ID 22214, Rail Vision. The MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance Contract is also called the MassDOT Section 5303 Contract. During the course of this UPWP, this contract is transitioning from operating on an SFY basis to an FFY basis; the total contract amount listed for the MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance includes two months of the SFY 2018 contract and five months of the SFY 2019 contract, in addition to the full FFY 2020 contract.
AFC = Automated Fare Collection. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. NTD = National Transit Database. SFY = State Fiscal Year. SPR = Statewide Planning and Research. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-5
UPWP Budget Resource Management and Support Activities for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | FFY 2019 CTPS UPWP Budget | Expected Project Status as of 10/1/2019 | CTPS PL Funds | CTPS Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| 6220 | System Administration and Computer Room Management | $103,020 | Ongoing | $71,970 | $30,840 | $102,810 |
| 6420 | Software Development | $11,480 | Ongoing | $5,630 | $2,410 | $8,040 |
| 6520 | Staff Assistance and Training | $61,510 | Ongoing | $42,580 | $18,240 | $60,820 |
| 6620 | Liaison with Other Agencies | $3,800 | Ongoing | $1,640 | $700 | $2,340 |
| 6720 | Computing Resource Purchasing and Maintenance | $109,540 | Ongoing | $73,430 | $31,470 | $104,900 |
| 6820 | Computer Resource Planning | $44,810 | Ongoing | $32,970 | $14,120 | $47,090 |
| Computer Resource Management Subtotal | blank | $334,160 | blank | $228,220 | $97,780 | $326,000 |
| 5220 | Socioeconomic Data | $32,740 | Ongoing | $24,480 | $10,480 | $34,960 |
| 5320 | Response to Data Requests (Data Resources group) | $4,510 | Ongoing | $520 | $210 | $730 |
| 5420 | Response to Data Requests (Other groups) | $15,390 | Ongoing | $7,430 | $3,180 | $10,610 |
| 5520 | GIS/DBMS | $157,570 | Ongoing | $116,010 | $49,720 | $165,730 |
| 5620 | MPO Website | $74,690 | Ongoing | $54,670 | $23,420 | $78,090 |
| Data Resources Management Subtotal | blank | $284,900 | blank | $203,120 | $87,000 | $290,120 |
| Direct Support | blank | $72,000 | blank | $52,000 | $142,000 | $194,000 |
| Resource Management and Support Activities Subtotal* | blank | $619,060 | blank | $431,340 | $184,780 | $616,120 |
*Does not include Direct Support
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. DBMS = Database Management System. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. GIS = Geographic Information System. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization.
PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-6
UPWP Budget-MAPC Planning Studies and Technical Analyses for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | FFY 2019 MAPC UPWP Budget | PL Funds | Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 MAPC Budget |
| MAPC 7 | Alternative-Mode Planning and Coordination | $194,713 | $128,136 | $66,577 | $194,713 |
| MAPC 4 | Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies | $165,480 | $116,663 | $70,523 | $187,186 |
| MAPC 8 | Community Transportation Technical Assistance Programa | $45,000 | $25,000 | $23,156 | $48,156 |
| MAPC 5 | Land Use Development Project Reviews | $88,820 | $59,400 | $29,420 | $88,820 |
| MAPC 6 | MetroFuture Implementation | $90,000 | $64,400 | $30,600 | $95,000 |
| MAPC Planning Studies and Technical Analyses Subtotal | $584,013 | $393,599 | $220,276 | $613,875 |
a This project also receives funding from CTPS; these additional funds are accounted for in the CTPS budget.
FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-7
UPWP Budget-MAPC Resource Management and Support Activities for FFY 2020
| Project ID | Name | FFY 2019 MAPC UPWP Budget | PL Funds | Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 MAPC Budget |
| MAPC 1 | MPO/MAPC Liaison and Support Activities | $167,000 | $119,000 | $48,000 | $167,000 |
| MAPC 3 | MAPC Unified Planning Work Program Support | $10,000 | $7,000 | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| MAPC 2 | Subregional Support Activities | $187,000 | $139,000 | $48,000 | $187,000 |
| MAPC 10 | Land Use Data to Support Transportation Modeling | $87,451 | $66,051 | $28,949 | $95,000 |
| MAPC Resource Management and Support Activities | $451,451 | $331,051 | $127,949 | $459,000 |
FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-8
UPWP Budget Summary of FFY 2020 Budgets for CTPS
| 3C Studies and Programs by Budget Categories | CTPS 3C PL Funds | CTPS Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| Resource management and support activities | $431,340 | $184,780 | $616,120 |
| MPO certification requirements | $1,945,009 | $807,697 | $2,752,706 |
| Continuing MPO-funded planning studies and technical analyses | $152,050 | $123,180 | $275,230 |
| New MPO-funded discrete studies | $508,900 | $218,100 | $727,000 |
| Direct support | $52,000 | $142,000 | $194,000 |
| Total for CTPS 3C Studies and Programs | $3,089,299 | $1,475,757 | $4,565,056 |
| Agency-Funded CTPS Work | Agency Funds |
Direct Support |
Proposed FFY 2020 CTPS Budget |
| MassDOT SPR Funds | $295,500 | $6,000 | $301,500 |
| MassDOT Section 5303 Funds | $367,520 | $6,000 | $373,520 |
| MassDOT Other Funds | $79,000 | $- | $79,000 |
| MBTA Funds | $614,500 | $925 | $615,425 |
| Other | $55,000 | $- | $55,000 |
| Total for Agency-Funded CTPS Project Work | $1,411,520 | $12,925 | $1,424,445 |
| Total FFY 2020 CTPS Budget (3C + Agency Work) | blank | blank | $ 5,989,501 |
Note: Budget figures include salary, overhead, and direct support.
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. SPR = Statewide Planning and Research. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-9
UPWP Budget-Summary of FFY 2020 Budgets for MAPC
| 3C Studies and Programs by MAPC Budget Categories |
MAPC 3C PL Funds | MAPC Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 MAPC Budget |
| MAPC Planning Studies and Technical Analyses | $393,599 | $220,276 | $613,875 |
| MAPC Administration, Resource Management, and Support Activities | $331,051 | $127,949 | $459,000 |
| Total MAPC FFY 2020 UPWP Programmed Funds | $724,650 | $348,225 | $1,072,875 |
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-10
UPWP Budget-3C Budget and Overall Budget for FFY 2020
| Agency Supporting MPO/3C Work | 3C PL Funds | Section 5303 Funds | Proposed FFY 2020 Budget |
| CTPS | $3,089,299 | $1,475,757 | $4,565,056 |
| MAPC | $724,650 | $348,225 | $1,072,875 |
| 3C Budget Subtotal by Funding Program | $3,813,949 | $1,823,982 | $5,673,931 |
| Agency-Funded CTPS Work | blank | blank | $ 1,424,445 |
| FFY 2020 UPWP Budget | blank | blank | $ 7,062,376 |
3C = Continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative. CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal Fiscal Year. MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. PL = Planning. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.
Table 7-11
Programmed FFY 2020 FTA Section 5303 Funding by Element and Task
| Projects by Element and Task | FFY 2020 UPWP Project ID | FTA Funding by Agency with Local Match | |||||||
| FTA §5303 Total Funds | CTPS | MAPC | MassDOT | ||||||
| Federal Funds | Local Funds | Federal Funds | Local Funds | Federal Funds | Local Funds | ||||
| 44.21.00 | Program Support and Administration | blank | $709,123 | $469,574 | $117,393 | $97,725 | $24,431 | $4,800 | $1,200 |
| blank | Unified Planning Work Program | 8320 | $34,810 | $27,848 | $6,962 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Unified Planning Work Program Support | MAPC 3 | $3,000 | $- | $- | $2,400 | $600 | $- | $- |
| blank | Provision of Materials in Accessible Formats | 3120 | $31,730 | $25,384 | $6,346 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Direct Support | varies | $142,000 | $113,600 | $28,400 | $- | $- | $4,800 | $1,200 |
| blank | Support to the MPO and its Committees | 9120 | $83,460 | $66,768 | $13,354 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Professional Development | 9520 | $7,667 | $6,134 | $1,533 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Regional Transportation Advisory Council Support | 9320 | $13,360 | $10,688 | $2,672 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Public Participation Process | 9620 | $54,520 | $43,776 | $8,755 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | General Graphics | 9220 | $29,230 | $23,384 | $4,677 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Transportation Equity Program |
8520 | $51,550 | $41,240 | $10,310 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Transit Committee Support | 8920 | $13,980 | $11,184 | $2,796 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Community Transportation Technical Assistance Program | 2420, MAPC 8 | $45,146 | $17,592 | $4,398 | $18,525 | $4,631 | $- | $- |
| blank | Bicycle and Pedestrian Support Activities | 2520 | $17,940 | $14,352 | $2,870 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Regional Transit Service Planning Technical Support | 4120 | $56,470 | $45,176 | $11,294 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Performance-Based Planning and Programming | 8820 | $25,360 | $20,288 | $4,058 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | MPO/MAPC Liaison and Support Activities | MAPC 1 | $48,000 | $- | $- | $38,400 | $9,600 | $- | $- |
| blank | Subregional Support Activities | MAPC 2 | $48,000 | $- | $- | $38,400 | $9,600 | $- | $- |
| blank | Further Development of the MPO's Community Transportation Program | 13297 | $6,000 | $4,800 | $1,200 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Disparate Impact Metrics Analysis | 13298 | $12,000 | $9,600 | $2,400 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| 44.22.00 | General Development and Comprehensive Planning | blank | $281,439 | $153,976 | $38,494 | $71,175 | $17,794 | $- | $- |
| blank | Computer Resource Management | varies | $97,780 | $78,224 | $19,556 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Data Resource Management | varies | $84,280 | $67,424 | $13,485 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Air Quality Conformity Determinations and Support | 8420 | $9,370 | $7,496 | $1,874 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Land Use Development Project Reviews | MAPC 5 | $29,420 | $- | $- | $23,536 | $5,884 | $- | $- |
| blank | Land Use Data to Support Transportation Modeling | MAPC 10 | $28,949 | $- | $- | $23,159 | $5,790 | $- | $- |
| blank | MetroFuture Implementation | MAPC 6 | $30,600 | $- | $- | $24,480 | $6,120 | $- | $- |
| blank | New and Emerging Metrics for Roadway Usage | 13290 | $1,710 | $1,368 | $342 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Pedestrian Report Card Assessment Dashboard | 13292 | $2,610 | $2,088 | $522 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| 44.23.00 | Long-Range Transportation Planning | blank | $698,810 | $449,368 | $112,342 | $109,680 | $27,420 | $- | $- |
| 23.01 | Systems-Level Planning | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| blank | Regional Model Enhancement | 7120 | $248,290 | $198,632 | $49,658 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | LRTP | 8120 | $84,280 | $67,424 | $13,485 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Congestion Management Process | 2120 | $36,620 | $29,296 | $5,859 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| 23.02 | Project-Level Planning | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank | blank |
| blank | Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways FFY 2020 | 13420 | $34,500 | $27,600 | $6,900 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Review of Vision Zero Policies | 13301 | $9,000 | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Addressing Priority Corridors from the LRTP Needs Assessment FFY 2020 | 13520 | $36,000 | $28,800 | $7,200 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Safety and Operations Analysis at Selected Intersections FFY 2020 | 13720 | $24,000 | $19,200 | $4,800 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Locations with High Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Rates in the Boston Region MPO Area | 13293 | $21,000 | $16,800 | $4,200 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | TIP Before and After Studies | 13294 | $12,600 | $10,080 | $2,016 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Innovations in Estimating Trip Generation Rates | 13295 | $18,000 | $14,400 | $3,600 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Operating a Successful Shuttle Program | 13296 | $15,000 | $12,000 | $3,000 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Exploring Resilience in MPO-funded Corridor and Intersection Studies | 13299 | $27,000 | $21,600 | $5,400 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Corridor/Subarea Planning Studies | MAPC 4 | $70,523 | $- | $- | $56,418 | $14,105 | $- | $- |
| blank | Alternative Mode Planning and Coordination | MAPC 7 | $66,577 | $- | $- | $53,262 | $13,315 | $- | $- |
| blank | Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways FFY 2019 | 13419 | $2,160 | $1,728 | $432 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Addressing Priority Corridors from the Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment FFY 2019 | 13519 | $2,280 | $1,824 | $456 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| 44.24.00 | Short-Range Transportation Planning | blank | $391,540 | $14,416 | $3,604 | $- | $- | $298,816 | $74,704 |
| blank | MassDOT Transit Planning Assistance | Varies | $389,290 | $- | $- | $- | $- | $298,816 | $74,704 |
| blank | Traffic Data Support | 2720 | $6,850 | $5,480 | $1,096 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Transit Data Support | 4220 | $11,170 | $8,936 | $2,234 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| 44.25.00 | Transportation Improvement Program | blank | $83,300 | $66,640 | $13,328 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| blank | Transportation Improvement Program | 8220 | $83,300 | $66,640 | $13,328 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| 44.27.00 | Other Activities | blank | $12,000 | $9,600 | $2,400 | $- | $- | blank | blank |
| blank | MPO Staff-Generated Research and Technical Assistance | 20904 | $12,000 | $9,600 | $2,400 | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Total Boston Region MPO 5303 Funds Programmed | blank | $2,197,502 | $1,180,606 | $295,151 | $278,580 | $69,645 | $303,616 | $75,904 | |
CTPS = Central Transportation Planning Staff. FFY = Federal fiscal year. FTA = Federal Transit Administration. LRTP = Long-Range Transportation Plan MAPC = Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MassDOT = Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization. TIP = Transportation Improvement Program. UPWP = Unified Planning Work Program.