Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Overview and Considering Greenhouse Gas

Emissions in MTC’s 2035 RTP

Joan Sollenberger, Chief Lisa Klein Joan Sollenberger, Chief Lisa Klein Division of Transportation Planning Senior Planner Analyst Division of Transportation Planning Senior Planner Analyst California Department of Transportation Metropolitan Transportation Commission California Department of Transportation Metropolitan Transportation Commission

California MPOs and RTPAsThe regional agencies responsible for the development of

regional transportation plans (RTPs) in California are:

18 federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

26 State designated Regional Transportation Agencies

RTPs can also be called:

Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTPs)

or Long-Range Transportation Plans

Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs)

• 20-year vision for transportation in the region.

•Identify the transportation policies, goals and objectives for the region.

•Provide an 20-year estimate of funds available for transportation improvements.

•List of transportation projects.

How RTPs are paid for:MPOs receive metropolitan planning funds from the Federal Highway Administration (PL) and the Federal Transit Administration (5303)

RTPAs use State planning funds called Rural Planning Assistance (RPA)

RTP Air Quality ConformityThe Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 is the federal law

that governs air quality.Transportation conformity means the projects listed in the

RTP do not exceed the emissions budget set forth in the SIP.

Federal regulations state the U.S. DOT cannot fund, authorize, or approve Federal actions to support transportation projects that do not conform to the SIP.

Regional Blueprint Planning

Coordinates land use, transportation and environmental planning decisions with enhanced public engagement.

Currently underway in most urbanized areas of the state, including several rural counties.

Regional Blueprint Plans RTPs

Air QualityConformity

Analysis

City/CountyGeneral Plans

Regional Transportation Plan Guidelines

Identify federal and State RTP related regulations and statutes.Provides a uniform transportation planning framework throughout California. Promotes a planning process that considers the views of all stakeholders in the decision-making process.Prepared by Caltrans under the direction of, and are adopted by the CTC.

The full update of the RTP Guidelines was adopted by the CTC in 1999.

Currently, the RTP Guidelines are being updated in two phases:

Phase I - SAFETEA-LU changes. To be adopted by the CTC in September 2007.Phase II - Greenhouse gas emissions. Estimated to be adopted by the CTC early CY 2008.

Significant Recent Federal Regulations Impacting RTPs

1. Enhanced public participation during the development of the RTP.

2. The RTP must discuss the types of potential environmental mitigation activities.

3. During the development of RTP, the MPO/RTPA must consult with federal, State and Tribal resource agencies.

Considering Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Transportation 2035 Plan

Lisa Klein, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Regional Transportation Plan Guidelines Work Group Meeting

June 28, 2007

Three Opportunities

1. Performance-based visioning

2. Corridor & investment performance

3. Environmental impact review

0

200

400

600

800

2000 No Build 2030

Transportation2030

To

ns

per

Day

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Outlook

Source: Transportation 2030 Plan EIR

-3%

+33%

Transportation 2035 Approach

Vision Finances

Scenario Performance Assessment

ECONOMY ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT EQUITY

CONGESTIONReduce delay by 20%

VMT

Reduce VMT per capita by 10% from today

EMISSIONS

Reduce CO2 by 40% from 1990

Reduce PM by 10% from today

TBDCongestion VMTVMT EmissionsEmissions

1. Investment scenarios

freeway operations; high-occupancy/toll lanes & bus; rail & ferry

2. Policy measures sensitivity analysis

(a) smarter growth; (b) user-based pricing; and (c) fleet mix

VMT

Under definition

Access & Cost

Corridor & Investment Performance

Legislatively required of MTC (SB 1492 - Perata, 2002)Financially constrained planGreenhouse gases, vehicle miles traveled & energy consumption – among others

RTP Environmental Impact Report

Energy Energy consumption CO2 emissions

TransportationVehicle miles traveledMode share and trips by modeVehicle hours of delay

Questions?