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2004 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM I. INTRODUCTIONThe Laredo Urban Transportation Study, in its capacity as the Laredo Metropolitan Planning Organization, provides continuous, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning for the Laredo Metropolitan Area as required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan was submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation and U. S. Department of Transportation in December 1999. The FY 2004 Unified Planning Work Program
(UPWP) was adopted by the Laredo Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy
Committee on A. PURPOSE The UPWP describes and schedules work to
be undertaken by the Laredo Urban Transportation Study during the 2003-2004
fiscal period. The UPWP also includes
a financial and participation summary.
All elements described are consistent and in support of transportation
planning objectives. TEA-21 requires that the Laredo
Metropolitan Transportation Plan address the following seven factors in
considering the transportation needs of the 1. Support the economic
vitality of area-global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency. 2. Increase the safety and
security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users. 3. Increase the
accessibility and mobility options available for freight and to people. 4. Protect and enhance the
environment, promote energy conservation, and improve the quality of life. 5. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system across and between modes for people and freight. 6. Promote
efficient system management and operation. 7. Emphasize
the preservation of the existing transportation system. B. DEFINITION OF AREA The Laredo Metropolitan Area includes the
City of C. ORGANIZATION The Laredo Metropolitan Planning
Organization is governed by the Policy Committee established in accordance
with bylaws adopted
MPO staff includes the MPO Planning
Director, a transportation planner, and support staff. D. PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT The private sector is encouraged to
participate in the development of all transportation programs and plans. Private transportation providers are
invited to participate in TIP development as members of the Technical
Committee and as project evaluation committee members. Private consultants
will be used for the completion of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Update, Rail Line Relocation Feasibility Study, Existing Land Use Assessment
and travel demand modeling. E. PLANNING ISSUES AND EMPHASIS The 2004 UPWP addresses the following
transportation areas of concern in the MPO area: * Growth and Development Projections * Long range planning * Impact of railroads on the community II. TASK 1.0 - ADMINISTRATION
AND MANAGEMENT A. OBJECTIVE To ensure that the Laredo Metropolitan
Area transportation planning process is fully a cooperative, comprehensive
and continuing activity; to monitor ongoing planning activities; to ensure
that all modes of transportation are given consideration as elements of a
single urban transportation system and are considered in the overall planning
process; to ensure public involvement in the transportation planning process. B. EXPECTED PRODUCTS The smooth and efficient operation of the
Metropolitan Planning Organization to include the following: fulfillment of
planning objectives; compliance with state and federal requirements;
continuation of a proactive public involvement process; reports and
certifications; development of the 2005 UPWP; updates to the Transportation
Improvement Program and updates to the Laredo Metropolitan Transportation
Plan. C. PREVIOUS WORK The 2004 UPWP is an ongoing planning
activity as required by the Federal Highway Act of 1962, Title23, US Code as
amended. Previous work has included
the preparation of the 2003 UPWP, reports and certifications, and staff
training. D. SUBTASKS 1.1 Program support
administration. This includes program
administration, record keeping, monitoring completion of UPWP projects,
audit, preparation of reports and the 2005 UPWP, assisting in the development
and revisions to the Transportation Improvement Program, interagency
coordination, facilitating citizen participation, and preparation of meeting
minutes. 1.2 Travel, training,
equipment and supplies that are not directly related to any other program
element. 1.3 Title VI civil rights evaluation (following FHWA/FTA guidance). This includes briefing the MPO Policy and Technical committees on Title VI topics, developing a complaint process for the general public and reviewing the existing Public Involvement Process with emphasis on Title VI/ Environmental Justice issues. E. FUNDING & PARTICIPATION
SUMMARY
III. TASK 2.0 - DATA DEVELOPMENT
AND MAINTENANCE A. OBJECTIVE Maintain a database on population,
housing, land use and transportation characteristics. Monitor growth patterns in the study area
for their impact on community transportation systems. Integration of data into GIS for
organization, retrieval and analysis, and to forecast pertinent information
to continue and further the goals and objectives of comprehensive
transportation planning. B. EXPECTED PRODUCTS Updated population, land use, housing
employment and street databases and maps.
A fully integrated mapping/data base system to be used in data
retrieval, analysis, projection, mapping, and graphic publication elements of
future transportation planning tasks. C. PREVIOUS WORK Compilation of land use data and GIS
equipment updates. D. SUBTASKS 2.1 Growth and development
monitoring and projections. This
includes ongoing updates and maintenance of data and maps related to
population, land use, housing and employment.
Collect and analyze data related to minority and low-income groups
within the MPO boundary. Develop
estimates and forecasts of population and employment. Update computer equipment and software. Train personnel on GIS and computer
equipment/software use. Purchase
materials and supplies for printing maps. E. FUNDING & PARTICIPATION
SUMMARY
IV. TASK 3.0 - A. OBJECTIVE To complete those activities associated
with near-term planning and implementation for projects that will be
undertaken within the next five years. B. EXPECTED PRODUCTS Short range planning activities will
result in strategies that will support those planning policies needed to
preserve the continuing flow of traffic.
C. PREVIOUS WORK A consultant was engaged to develop the
ADA Paratransit Plan Update. The plan
will be submitted to federal and state agencies after revisions and additional
public involvement efforts that will be conducted by El Metro. D. SUBTASKS 3.1 Travel demand
modeling. This includes training on
usage of the Laredo Travel Demand Model as well as equipment and software
updates and conducting alternative analysis for various projects. E. FUNDING & PARTICIPATION
SUMMARY
V. TASK 4.0 - METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION PLAN / LONG RANGE PLANNING A. OBJECTIVE To continue study and analysis of projects
and data for long-range planning elements and long-range project studies. B. EXPECTED PRODUCTS Updates and revisions to the 2000-2025
Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan. C. PREVIOUS WORK The Laredo Metropolitan Transportation
Plan was submitted to TxDOT and U.S. DOT in December 1999. The Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan
was completed during the 1999-2000 fiscal year. D. SUBTASKS 4.1 2005-2030
Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Update existing
MTP to conform to state and federal requirements. This includes an evaluation of the existing
transportation system, public transportation, environmental conditions and
transportation needs and developing a financially constrained implementation
plan. The project will include a land
use and socioeconomic conditions and forecast element. E. FUNDING & PARTICIPATION
SUMMARY
VI. TASK 5.0 - SPECIAL STUDIES A. OBJECTIVE To further the goals and objectives of the
transportation planning process through special studies undertaken by MPO
staff or consultants in support of existing or projected local needs. To maintain the transportation management
systems required by federal and state regulations, to assist decision-makers
in selecting cost-effective strategies to improve the efficiency and safety
of and protect the investment systems. B. EXPECTED PRODUCTS These are specific studies and projects
that address special problem areas or help promote and support transportation
related topics. C. PREVIOUS WORK The Laredo Bus Rapid Transit Plan was
funded through the 2003 UPWP. D. SUBTASKS 5.1 Rail
Line Relocation Feasibility Study Evaluate
existing conditions to assess the feasibility of relocating existing railroad
lines. The study will provide
recommendations regarding capital improvements necessary, potential location
for rail lines, cost-benefit ratios, an implementation plan with short and
long-term strategies, cost estimates, alternative recommendations, and order
of implementation for infrastructure improvements. 5.2 Existing
Land Use Assessment Collect and assimilate data on existing land use conditions within the E. FUNDING & PARTICIPATION
SUMMARY
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