The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) announces a comment period for a proposed amendment to the NYMTC 2008-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The proposed amendments include programming funding for two new projects: 1) NYSERDA to purchase five hybrid/electric vehicles as a part of green initiative demonstration project with the U.S. Postal Service; and, 2) Construct a two-way bikeway on River Road from Victory Avenue to Moriches-Middle Island Road in the Town of Brookhaven. Details on the proposed amendment are available by clicking here.
Comments are due in writing by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 10, 2010 to:  
Nassau/Suffolk TCC                            
Attn: Nancy O’Connell                       
NYS State Office Building                    
250 Veterans Hwy, Rm 4A1A                         
Hauppauge, NY 11788
631-952-6115          
nloconnell@dot.state.ny.us  

As a partner in promoting the 2010 Census, NYMTC was recognized for support in raising awareness of and inspiring participation in the decennial census.  Results from the 2010 Census will help NYMTC – along with its communities and the government – make strategically and fiscally sound decisions to spur and sustain economic development and growth, and improve the quality of life in every neighborhood.

Transportation and a Livable Region was the focus of NYMTC's 2010 Annual Meeting, which was held on March 18that NYU's Kimmel Center. Keynote speaker Adolfo Carrión, Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, discussed the Administration’s focus through his office on building strong regional economies, supporting responsible and sustainable infrastructure and creating opportunity-rich neighborhoods. He noted that as he has traveled around the United States, it has become apparent that local entities are driving innovation. He stated that the pace of urbanization – both at home and internationally –

creates new opportunities and challenges for creating sustainable growth and more affordable living overall. To that end, Director Carrión praised NYMTC and its members for being in tune with the Federal emphasis on livability through the collaborative regional planning process that recognizes the need to enhance and expand sustainable development and transportation systems. To help in those efforts, he cited the inclusion of funding in the 2010 Federal budget for local planning through sustainable communities planning grants. The work being done at the local level, with the support of the Federal government, will help to shape American metropolises by changing patterns of urban development.

Following Director Carrión’s presentation, the Council members spoke about initiatives they are undertaking individually and collectively to support livability throughout NYMTC’s planning area. They reiterated their commitment to supporting sustainable growth and development for the region through a shared vision based on integrated planning and strategic transportation investments. These efforts are detailed in NYMTC’s 2010 Annual Report, entitled Transportation and a Livable Region, which is available for download by clicking here. The meeting was webcast in its entirety, and can be viewed by going to webcasts, click on "previous" tab then go to meeting date.

Metropolitan Area Planning Forum Held

On May 3, the five MPOs in the NY-NJ-CT region met in Stamford, CT, to advance their regional planning efforts.  This meeting was held in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Coordination MOU adopted in 2008 by NYMTC, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO), Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO) and Greater Bridgeport/Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (GB/VMPO).  To view the Multi-MPO MOU click here.

At the meeting, Jim Redeker, Director of Public Transportation for the Connecticut DOT, delivered the keynote address on Thinking Across Regions. The meeting also featured presentations from the executive directors of the three Connecticut MPOs on planning priorities in southwestern Connecticut, and a presentation on NYMTC's regional household travel survey. The next meeting of the MAP will be held in November 2010. Information will be posted on www.NYMTC.org as it becomes available.

Council Members Adopt UPWP at March 18 Annual Meeting

The final draft 2010-2011 UPWP was adopted by the full Council at the March 18 Annual Meeting,and is available for download.

Download
Final Draft 2010–2011 UPWP (3.25MB)

Final Draft Management Summary (5.94MB)

Download UPWP presentation

The revised 2009 CMP Status Report was adopted by PFAC on Thursday, January 21, 2010. To view the 2009 CMP Status Report click here.

The CMP provides a summary description of roadway traffic congestion, including focus on seven regional performance measures. This is the first report that offers composite route maps showing levels of congestion in each borough and county, based on ratios of demand over capacity. On the same maps, bottlenecks are identified and located.

NYMTC's planning area is a Federally-designated transportation management area. Federal planning regulations require a CMP in transportation management areas to manage traffic congestion through the integrated management and operation of the transportation system. In order to fulfill Federal requirements, the CMP Status Report is published every four years in conjunction with the release of NYMTC's Regional Transportation Plan.

On September 24, 2009, NYMTC’s Council members adopted the 2010-2035 Regional Transportation Plan, entitled A Shared Vision for A Shared Future, which establishes a sustainable regional framework for future transportation improvements and investments for the next 25 years. It establishes a shared, long-term vision for the transportation system serving the New York metropolitan region–its roads, bridges, freight and mass transit facilities, and its bicycle and pedestrian networks. Updated every four years, the Plan is the product of a cooperative public involvement and intergovernmental planning process, and its approval by NYMTC’s members is required for Federal transportation funding.

The strategic transportation investments proposed in the Regional Transportation Plan are tied to a Shared Vision for sustainable growth in the NYMTC region. NYMTC’s Shared Vision consists of several components: five regional shared goals that lay the foundation for the region’s decision-making framework; 10 regional desired growth areas that represent the region’s consensus vision for guiding future growth and development; a list of strategic regional transportation investments, including four foundation improvement projects that are a first step toward improving long-term mobility in the region; and a set of 10 strategic regional policy guidelines. Taken together, the strategic transportation investments that are called for in A Shared Vision for A Shared Future may cost as much as $50 billion and $60 billion over the next 25 years, but only about $13 billion in anticipated future funding has been identified to-date.

To request a presentation of the Regional Transportation Plan at a meeting or workshop please contact Jan Khan.

click here to view the Plan

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood gave well received keynote remarks to a large crowd at NYMTC’s special September 24 Council meeting to adopt the 2010-2035 Regional Transportation Plan.  Focusing on the Administration’s recently announced Sustainable Communities Initiative, the Secretary said, “The stakes for transportation’s future here in New York, and throughout urban America, could not be higher. The economic health of our nation and the quality of life we secure for our children will depend on our ability to achieve greater energy independence, reduce energy costs, and grow our communities in ways that are truly sustainable.”

Following the meeting, Transportation Secretary LaHood wrote in his blog Welcome to the Fast Lane, "On sustainable mobility, New York region ready to lead." To read the post, click here

To request a presentation of the Regional Transportation Plan at a meeting or workshop please contact Jan Khan.

click here for the Secretary’s remarks
click here for event press release
click here for NYMTC executive director’s presentation

NYMTC has taken a number of actions to amend or administratively modify the 2008-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to enable possible funding for candidate transportation projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For a potential project to be eligible for funding, it must be on the TIP. Candidate projects are provided both on lists and via geographical representation on Google maps, where feasible, by clicking on the links below.

Actions on additional candidate projects and/or changes to candidate projects already listed are possible and the information will be updated as necessary.

New York City Candidate Projects
Download (14kb) | Google Map

Lower Hudson Valley Candidate Projects
Download (14kb) | Google Map

Long Island Candidate Projects
Download (14kb) | Google Map

In addition, a comment period was held for transit projects proposed for ARRA funding. The projects, which can be viewed by clicking here, have been or will be endorsed by the MPOs in the New York metropolitan area and conform to State Implementation Plan (SIP) as required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

On June 18, 2009, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) approved a new Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan for the NYMTC Area. This effort stems in part from SAFETEA-LU, the Federal transportation act, which requires that such a plan be in place before services and transportation providers in the region may access certain specific funding programs offered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). These funding programs involve transportation services for persons with disabilities, older adults, and persons with lower income.

One of the key components of the Plan includes improved coordination among service providers to reduce redundancies, while at the same time ensuring that the needs of the target populations are met. It is important to note that the new Plan will be the basis for decision-making for grant applications for transportation services to these three populations. The Plan can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here and is also available on a CD or as a hard copy upon request.

Contact Nancy O'Connell at Nloconnell@dot.state.ny.us.

Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the next census is in 2010. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. The 2010 Census will determine the distribution of $300 billion annually of government funding for critical community services and generates thousands of jobs across the country. Printing of 2010 Census Forms is underway in preparation for Census Day – April 1, 2010. The forms are the shortest in census history, with just 10 questions requiring about 10 minutes to complete. Participation in the census is required by law; answers are protected by law and strictly confidential. The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.
For more information, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

A new report is now available on the characteristics of freight villages entitled, "How A Typical Freight Village Works" (click here). Freight villages are locations where all activities relating to transport, logistics and the distribution of goods ─ both for national and international transit ─ are carried out by various operators.  The report looks at existing freight villages, their operational characteristics, management practices and much more. Two European freight villages are reviewed in detail with regard to logistics, worker services, neighborhood compatibility, size and location. This report helps to set the stage for the analysis of freight villages and potential opportunities in the NYMTC region.
As part of the next phase of the project, the overall movement of freight in the NYMTC region is being mapped and analyzed. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

NYMTC’s Title VI Policy The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or gender, as provided in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which NYMTC received Federal financial assistance.
Further, NYMTC incorporates the principles of environmental justice into its policies, planning and project development activities to ensure that there are no inequitable impacts on minority groups and low-income groups throughout the region.