Who are the real heroes? Take time to nominate a local hero for a Leadership in Motion award.

I am a sports fan. I am also a father.

I am duly impressed by the athleticism and talent of our nation’s professional athletes. Many of these – for good or for bad – serve as role models, even “heroes,” to our children. While these individuals are impressive athletes, and many are also impressive human beings, they provide an unrealistic ideal for our children to strive for, and a perception that a person must be rich, famous, and “the best” at something to make an impact.

What about all of the quiet, local, unsung heroes? Those that make a positive difference in our daily lives, and the lives of generations to come, by volunteering in the community, going the “extra mile” at work, or choosing to run for office? What about those who through hard work and perseverance turn what seemed like an unachievable goal into reality? Do our children look up to them as heroes or role models? Do we?

We should.

While these people may not be rich or famous, or don’t have a line of shoes that bears their name, they are the leaders that impact our lives, and the lives of future generations. They are the ones who must make the tough – and sometimes unpopular – decisions for the greater good; not just the “good” of their agency, boss, or those that voted for him or her. That takes true courage – the makings of a hero.

The COMPASS Leadership in Motion awards program is designed to recognize and honor those who are our true local “heroes” – volunteers, professionals, and elected officials who are making a difference. In addition to the “people” awards, Leadership in Motion also recognizes businesses/nonprofits and government-sponsored projects that move us toward the future, and toward the goals established in Communities in Motion 2040, the regional long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon Counties.

While our children likely won’t suddenly be clamoring to replace the poster of their sports hero with a poster of a mayor, planner, or engineer, or want to buy the coolest loafers because a commissioner was seen wearing them, maybe we can make a dent in how we view our heroes – our leaders – by taking the time to nominate someone, or a business/nonprofit or project, that has had a genuine impact on our valley.  

Nominations for COMPASS Leadership in Motion awards can be submitted here and will be accepted through 3:00 pm, Tuesday, September 30, 2014. Awards will be presented at the COMPASS/Valley Regional Transit holiday luncheon on Monday, December 15, 2014.

The TIP takes a turn toward maintenance

As part of the process of updating Communities in Motion, the regional long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon Counties, the COMPASS Board of Directors chose to focus federal funding allocated through the Communities in Motion 2040 plan on maintaining the current transportation system.

The FY2015-2019 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), open for public comment through September 9, 2014, is the first TIP developed under this new direction from the COMPASS Board. This focus on maintenance affects the projects you will see – or not see – in this draft TIP. Understanding what this means, how the funding process works, and why the COMPASS Board made this decision will help you as you review and comment on the draft TIP.

First, it’s important to understand what types of projects are in the TIP, how they are funded, and which types of funding the “focus on maintenance” applies to. There are many, many types of funding…I’ve greatly over-simplified and lumped them into three categories:

1.  Federal Surface Transportation Funding (STP). This is the largest, and most flexible, “pot” of federal funding the area receives. By “flexible,” I mean it can be used for the widest variety of projects. It is this STP funding that the “focus on maintenance” applies to; the funds are split between roadway/bridge (82%), public/alternative transportation (15%), and planning/special projects (3%). Some STP funds are also taken “off the top” for specific purposes.

2.  Other federal funds. These include a myriad of federal funds, many of which are dedicated to specific types of projects, including Federal Transit Administration funds for public transportation projects, funding for safety projects, and funding for bicycle, pedestrian, and other alternative transportation projects. While the STP funds are very flexible, these funds are generally not, and are not included under the “focus on maintenance” direction. However, because STP funds are flexible, the same types of projects funded with these “other” funds can often also be funded with STP funds. So, for example, in the TIP you will see some public transportation projects funded with STP funds (therefore, they are maintenance projects) and other public transportation projects funded with Federal Transit Administration funds (they may or may not maintenance projects).

3.  Local/state funding. Very broadly, these are all funds that are not federal funds. They come from state fuel tax, local property tax, registration fees, and more. Some, but not all, of these projects are listed in the TIP, based on a variety of criteria including type, size, and location of the project.

Next, it’s important to understand how “maintenance” is defined in this context. “Maintenance” goes far beyond filling potholes. Simply put, in this context, a “maintenance” project is any project that does not expand the existing transportation system. The funds can be used to improve safety, rebuild bridges, replace or maintain buses, resurface roads, and, yes, fill potholes. In addition, certain projects that are “opportunistic” can be done within the focus on maintenance. For example, completing a missing portion of a bike lane or sidewalk could be included in a road maintenance project, even though these projects are technically adding something “new.” It is just simply the practical thing to do to be the most efficient with the funding we have.

Finally, it’s important to note that this doesn’t apply to any projects that were already in the TIP. The TIP is a five-year budget, so projects often first appear in the TIP several years before they are scheduled to begin. For example, a project scheduled for this year (2014) may have first appeared in the FY2010-2014 TIP, which was adopted by the COMPASS Board in November 2010. The focus on maintenance only applies to new projects in FY2015-2019 TIP (and future TIPs), so the shift is gradual. While most new projects in the FY2015-2019 TIP are maintenance, many projects that were already scheduled/budgeted are not. More maintenance projects will be added each year as existing capital (e.g., construction) projects are completed.

  

Over 90% of the new projects in the draft FY2015-2019 TIP are maintenance projects, funded with STP funds, as described above. The remaining 10% are paid for with other federal and local funding sources.

Now that we’ve discussed what this means and how it is applied, we have the bigger question of “why” – with our rapidly growing population, why did the COMPASS Board choose to focus federal funding on maintenance? Why not focus on new projects? While I do not want to attempt to speak for each Board member, three main reasons were the center of the discussion:

1.  We need to maintain what we have before building something new. Just as a person likely wouldn’t spend money to repaint his car if he couldn’t afford to change the oil, the Board felt it was important to first make sure we are keeping what we have in good working order.

2.  Preventive maintenance costs less than fixing something that is “broken.” Using the same car example, it is much less expensive to pay to change the oil on a regular basis than to forgo maintenance and have to replace a ruined engine. Spending money on preventive maintenance now costs less than having to completely rebuild or replace a section of roadway or bridge later. 

3.  “New” things must also be maintained. Just as happened with some highly publicized “free” car giveaways, winners of those free cars were not able to keep them because they couldn’t afford the costs of owning and maintaining the car. The same is true with public infrastructure. Costs don’t end when something is built or acquired…ongoing costs are just beginning. 

I hope this will help you as you review the draft TIP, and notice a decrease in construction and other capital projects and an increase in maintenance. Please take a few minutes to review and comment on the projects in the TIP – maintenance and otherwise – and tell us if you agree with the proposed projects. Click here to review and comment; comments are due no later than Tuesday, September 9, 2014.

COMPASS is asking for your comments…yes, again!

I’ve been asked why COMPASS seems to “always” be asking for public comment on something…“these” goals, “those” projects, and “this,” “that,” and “the other” plan. Why does COMPASS reach out to the public so often…and, why are we doing it again now?

The short answer is “it’s required.” Federal law requires that metropolitan planning organizations such as COMPASS solicit and consider public feedback when developing a long-range transportation plan (ours is called Communities in Motion) and a Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). COMPASS also solicits public input into other projects and plans as well.

However, there is much more to it than filling a requirement. Most transportation projects are big – they cost large sums of money (your tax dollars), they are often disruptive when under construction, and they have the potential to impact the landscape of an area and the quality of life of the residents who live there for many, many years. Decisions about these large, impactful projects should never be taken lightly or without input from those who will be affected.

People are often surprised when they suddenly see orange stakes driven in the side of the road, bulldozers starting to move dirt, or a new bus route they didn’t know about. It is COMPASS’ goal to keep that surprise to a minimum by keeping people informed of what is coming, and to answer questions and consider input about projects, before they start.

We ask for public input in a variety of different stages in the planning process. For example, earlier this spring we asked for input on the draft Communities in Motion 2040 plan. That plan sets long-term goals and transportation priorities for the region. In addition to asking for input into the draft plan itself, we also asked for feedback on key decisions before they were made. Those key decisions were the “meat” of the plan; by asking for input on those throughout the planning process we were able to develop a plan with the public input, instead of developing a plan then asking “what do you think?” once it was done.

In the title of this post, I tell you we are asking for comment again. This round of comments is not on Communities in Motion; it is on projects in the TIP and related documents and on the Transportation Service Coordination Plan. While Communities in Motion is a long-range planning document, the items we’re looking for input on now focus on more discrete projects and decisions.

In the draft TIP, we’re asking for your feedback on federally funded and “regionally significant” projects scheduled for the next five years. These are based on priorities set in Communities in Motion, but move from broad priorities to actual, on-the-ground, projects. For example, when developing Communities in Motion 2040, the COMPASS Board established a priority to focus federal funding allocated through Communities in Motion on maintaining the current transportation system. You can see that reflected in the draft TIP, as nearly 90% of new projects added this year (primarily scheduled for 2019 and beyond) are maintenance projects. The remainder are safety and planning projects, as well as some transit and pedestrian projects that are funded through specific transit and bicycle/pedestrian programs. (The “focus on maintenance” direction from the COMPASS Board does not affect projects that were budgeted/scheduled in the TIP prior to this year.) 

We are also asking for your feedback on the air quality conformity demonstration for Northern Ada County for the projects in the draft TIP. The process tell us that the projects in the draft TIP “conform” to air quality plans – that is, they will not worsen air quality. The draft TIP also contains the FY2015 federal program of projects proposed for funding by Valley Regional Transit.

In addition to the draft TIP and related documents, we are also asking for your input into proposed changes to the Ada and Canyon County Transportation ServiceCoordination Plan – a document that provides guidance on how to allocate federal funds designated for public transportation to serve seniors and individuals with disabilities. Again, this moves from broad goals to improve transportation services in Communities in Motion to the specifics of “how” to do that for specific populations.

While I can certainly understand if you are feeling “comment fatigue,” I encourage you to take a few moments to review the materials provided and share your feedback. Taking a few minutes now to be aware of what’s coming and have your say certainly beats an unexpected surprise later.

It’s Done!...Or is it just the beginning?

It’s done!  After four years of hard work, countless meetings, and input from hundreds of Treasure Valley residents, Communities in Motion 2040 (CIM 2040) was adopted by the COMPASS Board of Directors on Monday, July 21, 2014.

I’d like to thank everyone who dedicated their valuable time to help make CIM 2040 a reality. Staff from COMPASS member agencies spent numerous hours sharing professional expertise, reviewing data and technical information, and providing input on plan drafts.

I’d also like to extend a special “thank you” to those members of the CIM 2040 Planning Team and CIM Leadership Team who were not COMPASS member agency staff. These team members represented elements we had not addressed in CIM before – housing, economic development, farmland, and more – and brought valuable new expertise to help COMPASS develop a plan that takes a broader look at the future of the valley.

Now what?

Our staff will take a big, deep breath, then continue to the next phase of planning. Initially, three things will happen in tandem:

1. The CIM 2040 document will be finalized and a companion summary document will be prepared. Both of these will be printed, distributed, and posted to the COMPASS website. Please let COMPASS know (info@compassidaho.org) if you would like a hard copy of the full plan or the summary and we’ll make sure you get one when they are available.

2. We will continue the planning process by beginning to work on the update to CIM 2040: CIM 2045. In fact, some of the behind-the-scenes work on this has already begun. CIM 2045 is anticipated to keep the same goals and vision for growth as CIM 2040, but will update the financial forecast, growth allocations, and transportation needs based on changes that have occurred since they were developed for CIM 2040.
 
3. Most importantly, we will be implementing the plan. This plan was developed to be used as a guide and a decision-making tool, not simply to fulfill a requirement and then gather dust.

Implementation will take several forms. First, COMPASS and others will begin work on specific tasks that have been identified to help meet plan goals. I’ll discuss some of these specific projects in upcoming blog posts.

Second, COMPASS will be monitoring performance and providing feedback to COMPASS member agencies and other stakeholders through our performance monitoring report, development review checklist, and online dashboard. This will help us track progress to see if our collective actions are in line with the plan and moving the proverbial “needle” in the right direction. This performance information will also feed into CIM 2045. 

Finally, we will continue to work with our member agencies as they implement projects funded through the CIM implementation grants. The cities of Kuna, Melba, and Middleton received grants in FY2014; learn about their projects here and see what great things are already happening to implement CIM 2040.

Implementation of any long-range plan will never be complete; it is a process. There will always be new opportunities and new challenges as we forge our way ahead. I hope you’ll stay engaged as we move forward and our local communities continue to be “Communities in Motion.”

Highway Trust Fund Bankruptcy: Look Beyond the Cries of “Wolf!”

If you follow transportation issues in the news – heck, even if you don’t – you’ve probably seen the headlines:

Federal Highway Trust Fund Going Bankrupt!

Transportation Projects Coming to a Halt!

It seems often we hear dire warnings, then nothing bad seems to happen, so after a while we ignore them, likening them to the boy who cried “wolf.”

Will Congress do something to shore up the trust fund before it goes bankrupt later this summer? I honestly don’t know.  

My concern is that if Congress does act, they will create a short-term “fix” – enough to avoid an immediate crisis, and once again make it appear we cried “wolf!” for no reason, but not enough to truly solve the problem.

What is the problem? How did we get here? The underlying issue is simple – the Highway Trust Fund was designed to be an user-pay fund, but while costs have increased, revenues have not.

Think of the trust fund as your salary. When you got your first job, your expenses were small – rent, a car payment, food, and miscellaneous expenses. As you matured, your expenses grew – you got married and had children, leading to the need for a bigger car, larger house (with all the maintenance that goes with it), increased trips to the grocery store, and more. Even your routine expenses cost more due to inflation.

But – here’s the kicker – your employer prides himself on being fiscally conservative, so he has chosen to not give raises; good work earns you a nice pat on the back instead.

Your employer boasts about his fiscal conservativeness, but you are in a quandary: more expenses + same salary = you can’t afford to pay your bills and eventually become a burden on society.

The Highway Trust Fund is in the same boat. Inflation has increased the costs of everything from labor to supplies, but the federal fuel tax hasn’t increase since 1993. What cost $100 in 1993 costs $158.85 today! In addition, people are driving less and they are driving more fuel efficient vehicles, which means less gas purchased, and less money into the trust fund.

By underfunding our transportation system, it too becomes a burden on society.  Freight haulers must go out of their way to avoid bridges with weight restrictions, leading to extra costs in fuel and time. Deliveries are late due to detours and roads in poor repair, leading to less efficient commerce. Workers are stuck in traffic or can’t catch a bus, due to lack of ability to keep up with demand.

Most proposals I have seen to shore up the Highway Trust Fund are short-term “fixes,” but do not address the underlying problem. We need a long-term solution by returning to a true “user pay” system:

1. Raise the fuel tax.

2. Index the fuel tax to inflation, so we aren’t having this argument in the future – Congress won’t have the unpleasant task of raising taxes; the taxes will raise themselves.

3. Implement a tax on electric, hybrid, and other vehicles that are less reliant on gas so that they pay an amount equivalent to their use of the roads.

We need to stop boasting about being fiscally conservative and instead boast about being fiscally sound. Our future depends on it. 

Communities in Motion: Why Do You Care? Part XI

The process of developing Communities in Motion 2040 is drawing to a close. We collected public comments on the draft plan from March 3 – April 27, and received 114 comments during that time.

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments, participated in a discussion group, attended an in-person or virtual open house, or just took the time to look at the materials and become familiar with what the plan is all about. If you’d like to read the comments we received, visit www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/cim2040.htm#PublicParticipation.

This is my eleventh, and second-to-the-last, installment in my series of blogs about why people care, or should care, about long-range transportation planning in general and Communities in Motion in particular. I’ll publish my final installment the first week of October. At that point, Communities in Motion 2040 will have been adopted and we’ll be moving into the implementation phase of the plan. We’ll also already be looking forward to the next update to the plan, Communities in Motion 2045.

But, before we get to that, I present to you the latest list of why people should care about Communities in Motion 2040, as submitted by you: 

• It’s about down-stream effects – this is our shot at setting aside/preserving corridors for future.
• People should be interested in future needs and use of scarce resources, whether it’s transportation, housing, health etc.
• We should care about our transportation options as/when we get older.
• If we can’t afford to do it today, how will we be able to afford to do it tomorrow? We have to find a way to fund our transportation infrastructure!
• Because sitting in traffic sucks!
• Transportation makes the world go round…
• Efficient transportation is GREENER!

This is your last chance to share why you think Communities in Motion 2040 is important and why people should get involved ― why you care. To add your thoughts to the conversation, email aluft@compassidaho.org and we’ll post your ideas here. Watch for the last installment of the list in October!

The Invisible Antidote

I’ve often heard people comment that there are two seasons in Idaho: winter and road construction.

It certainly is road construction season in the Treasure Valley. Dozens of projects are underway; likely the most visible to most of us are rebuilding the Interstate 84 interchanges at Meridian Road, Broadway Avenue, and Gowen Road.

However, there are also many other projects underway or planned that are not visible and lack the fanfare of large construction projects, yet make our transportation system run more smoothly all the same. These types of projects are generally called “Transportation System Management and Operations,” or TSMO, and provide a variety of services that many of us don’t really notice or think about, but we definitely all benefit.

For example, have you ever seen the yellow “incident management” trucks along I-84 that assist motorists who run out of gas, have a flat tire, or have car trouble? Incident management is one example of a TSMO program that quickly gets those motorists back on the road – and off of the shoulder – to help keep traffic flowing freely and safely.

Do you follow the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) on Twitter to get tweets about traffic incidents? Have you seen the Idaho Transportation Department’s lighted signs over the interstate and state highways that tell you when traffic is backed up? Have you noticed how the traffic lights stay green longer on certain roads after big events, such as a concert at the Idaho Center or a BSU football game, to help get traffic out of the area more quickly? These are all examples of TSMO that already are in use in Ada and Canyon Counties.

While these are fairly visible TSMO projects, many others are equally important, but much less visible, such as establishing agreements across agencies for sharing fiber optic infrastructure, integrating additional local agencies into the regional traffic management center to improve communications, or establishing policies to install conduit (tubes for running wires or cables) whenever road construction occurs, whether the conduit is needed then or not, so that roads don’t have to be torn up later to add it after the fact. These are certainly “behind the scenes” projects and may seem boring or inconsequential, but the improvements they bring to our transportation system are wide-reaching all the same.

COMPASS recently completed a 10-year plan for TSMO projects in Ada and Canyon Counties. The plan identifies 30 regional strategies ranging from providing real-time parking availability information to drivers to upgrading surveillance and security on public buses, to implementing a regional emergency alert system to be used for natural disasters and other regional emergencies.  

This 10-year plan was developed simultaneously with Communities in Motion 2040 (due to be presented to the COMPASS Board for adoption in July). This timing was intentional; the TSMO plan specifically supports the goals of Communities in Motion 2040 and outlines numerous projects that focus on maintaining our current transportation system – the focus of federal funding in Communities in Motion 2040 – and helping that existing system work better, all with a significantly lower cost than traditional road construction projects.

While they may not warrant a ground breaking or ribbon cutting ceremony, the next time you see an incident management truck helping a motorist or notice conduit laying in a construction site ready to be buried, consider how these behind-the-scenes projects are helping get you to your destination a little more quickly, smoothly, and safely.

Communities in Motion: Why Do You Care? Part X

This is my tenth installment in the series of blogs about why people care, or should care, about long-range transportation planning in general and Communities in Motion in particular.

But, before I get to this quarter’s list, I want to remind you that the draft Communities in Motion 2040 plan is open for public comment through Sunday, April 27, 2014. Please show you care by taking a few minutes to review the materials and submit your comments. Learn more at www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/cim2040.htm#PublicParticipation.

Below is the latest list of why people care about Communities in Motion 2040, as submitted by you:

• Where would we be if we didn’t do this? COMPASS is a leadership/planning group that does a lot of good.

• Transportation is taken for granted – it’s there because people before us cared, so we should care now for the next generation.

• Transportation influences the economy, quality of life, and how communities look.

• It’s all about the money…

• Transportation supports population and economic growth.

• We need to anticipate future needs – we need to make the best use of future scarce resources.

• Transportation is a driving force behind the economy and quality of life.

• We need to plan so people can keep living here.

To share why you think Communities in Motion 2040 is important and why people should get involved ― why you care ― email aluft@compassidaho.org and we’ll post your ideas here. We only have two installments left – contribute now to make sure your ideas make the list!

The Big Finish

In November 2011 I wrote my first blog about Communities in Motion 2040.  Since then, I’ve blogged about the youth art and video contests, Communities in Motion 2040 Vision, “Your Treasure Valley Future” photo challenge, why you should care about long-range planning, and more…all related to Communities in Motion 2040.

After more than two years of blogging about the progress of the plan and ways for you to be involved, the finish line is in sight. The full draft of Communities in Motion 2040 is open for public comment – YOUR comment – through Sunday, April 27, 2014.

Please take a few minutes to review the draft plan, then submit your comments. Pay particular attention to these issues: 

• The plan includes 17 goals addressing eight planning elements. Do you agree with these overall goals? 

• The transportation needs outlined in the plan are based on future growth as depicted in the Communities in Motion 2040 Vision. Do you agree with this overall vision for the future of the valley? 

• The goals and Communities in Motion 2040 Vision have little meaning if we can’t tell if we are making progress toward meeting them. COMPASS has developed performance measures to track progress. Do you agree with the performance measures that were chosen? How do you think COMPASS should use those measures? 

• Financial projections indicate that there will not be enough revenue in the future to maintain our current transportation system, much less expand it to meet a growing population. Therefore, the COMPASS Board of Directors has chosen to focus all federal transportation funding allocated via Communities in Motion 2040 toward maintenance. Do you agree with this decision? 

• We need to know what our future priorities are to be ready should additional funding become available. The plan lists 33 prioritized transportation priorities and corridors based on needs to keep up with forecasted growth. Do you agree with this list?

Go online to review materials, comment, and learn about other ways to be involved: http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/cim2040.htm#PublicComment.

After the public comment period ends on Sunday, April 27, 2014, we’ll provide all of your comments to the Communities in Motion 2040 Planning and Leadership Teams and the COMPASS Board. They will consider your comments and address any necessary changes before considering the plan for adoption.

The Board is expected to adopt the plan in July. Thank you for your hard work and patience as we’ve moved through this process, and for helping us to be ready for the big finish.

Communities in Motion: Why Do You Care? Part IX

This is my ninth installment in the series of blogs about why people care, or should care, about long-range transportation planning in general and Communities in Motion in particular.

We have been asking people – Treasure Valley residents, such as you  –  this question. I have committed to sharing those reasons with you each quarter in my blog. Below is the newest list. 

Why people care about Communities in Motion 2040, as submitted by you: 

• We need to make the argument for more transportation funding – the plan is a tool for doing that.

• Building the Interstate highway system was the largest public works project since the Egyptian pyramids. If past generations can think ahead for us, we should think ahead for others!

• The leading cause of death for teens is traffic accidents. Let’s plan for better safety.

• Just because we’re living longer doesn’t mean we want to spend those extra years sitting in traffic.

• Driving in the snow is stressful. Let’s have less stress with more buses and carpools.

• Because the gas pump is not the fountain of youth!

• There will be over a million people here. Need I say more?

• Even if we can’t afford everything, I want to know what we need to accommodate all that future growth!

• Walking and biking are important – we need to build in a way that encourages them.

•  “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” (From Back to the Future)  Will you need roads in your future?   

Just a reminder – we’re almost done developing Communities in Motion 2040. The full draft plan will be available for public comment in March and April 2014. Visit www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/cim2040.htm to keep apprised of our progress and to find details on public comment opportunities as they are posted in late February. We anticipate the plan will be brought to the COMPASS Board for final action in summer 2014.

To share why you think Communities in Motion 2040 is important and why people should get involved ― why you care ― email aluft@compassidaho.org and we’ll post your ideas here. We only have three installments left – contribute now to make sure your ideas make the list!