2015 major accomplishments final

50 Pages·2015·7.43 MB·English

2015
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
MAJOR
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
60 Congress Street – Floor 1
Springfield, MA 01104-3419
www.pvpc.org
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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission e
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Since 1962, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been the designated regional planning
body for the Pioneer Valley region, which encompasses 43 cities and towns in the Hampden and
Hampshire county areas. PVPC is the primary agency responsible for increasing communication,
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cooperation, and coordination among all levels of government as well as the private business and
civic sectors in order to benefit the Pioneer Valley region and to improve its residents’ quality of life.
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Although PVPC is a public sector agency, it is not a direct arm of the federal or state governments. i
Rather, it is a consortium of local governments that have banded together under the provisions l
of state law to address problems and opportunities that are regional in scope. As a result, PVPC’s p
planning area is designated as a special district under the provisions of state enabling legislation.
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PVPC is funded through modest annual assessments from its member communities, state and federal
grant programs, fees for administering community development block grants, and matching funds.
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PVPC Executive Committee/Commission Officers

Chair: Walter Gunn (Longmeadow)
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Vice Chair: Judith Terry (Chesterfield)
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Secretary/Clerk: Douglas Albertson (Belchertown)
Treasurer: George Kingston (East Longmeadow) j
Assistant Treasurer: Mark Cavanaugh (South Hadley) a
At-Large Members: Lynn Arnold (Holland)
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Henry A. Barton (Southampton)
Marilyn Gorman Fil (Monson)
Michael Marciniec (Palmer)
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Executive Director Tim Brennan
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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Check the Record of the Top Ten Resolves for 2015
1. Develop, refine, finalize and secure Planning Commission and Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) endorsements of an updated version of the Pioneer Valley Regional
Transportation Plan, along with a new, updated transportation project evaluation criteria/
scoring system, both of which are aligned and consistent with our region’s needs as well as
applicable federal and state requirements.
2. Launch implementation efforts directly linked to the just-released One Region, One Future
bistate action plan which is designed to foster a connected, competitive, vibrant and green
interstate Knowledge Corridor that is well-positioned for sustained economic strength,
expansion and success.
3. Finalize and deliver an updated version of the Pioneer Valley’s Land Use Priority Plan by
working in concert with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, the
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, PVPC member cities and towns and
other partners to reliably identify the region’s Priority Development Areas (PDAs) and Priority
Preservation Areas (PPAs) thereby creating a new tool for informed decision making at all
levels of government. Complete publication, rollout and presentation of the Comission’s
new, ten year Plan for Progress document encompassing 2015-2025 and recruit lead
implementors.
4. Work in concert with MassDOT, the MBTA, affected cities and towns and other partners
to successfully complete the final phase of reconstructing the Pioneer Valley’ main north-
south rail corridor including high level passenger platforms in Holyoke, Northampton, and
Greenfield; signal system upgrades, bikeway tunnel and signage from Springfield north to
the Vermont state line. Simultaneously, pursue analysis and advocacy campaign that could
significantly boost the level of passenger rail service available on this travel corridor over the
next 3 to 5 years.
5. Establish a strong, collaborative relationship and working rapport with Governor-elect Baker
and his Administration as well as the new members and leaders in the Massachusetts State
Legislature, all who formally assumed public office in January of 2015.
6. Continue to participate and assist MassDOT as the state moves forward in 2015 with the
advertisement and award of the estimated $230 million, 3 year rehabilitation of the Route
I-91 Viaduct Project in Springfield including MassDOT’s companion, long range alternatives
study. Support completion of the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative which
incorporates the Inland Route connecting Boston, Springfield, Hartford, and Montreal.
7. Advance in partnership with affected cities and towns as well as numerous other public and
private sector partners, the initial, pilot phase of a regional bike share system by addressing
essential components including capital and operating costs, potential vendors, procurement,
branding and viable funding sources, among others.
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Check the Record of the Top Ten Resolves for 2015
8. Maintain PVPC leadership and support of the New England Knowledge Corridor n
Partnership and use the Partnership’s 15th anniversary as a means to elevate the
Knowledge Corridor visibility including the public’s awareness and understanding of e
the Knowledge Corridor’s relevance and importance to the strength, vitality and overall
competitiveness of this integrated interstate economy. Complete and release the final m
version of the Growth Business Study for the Connecticut portion of the Knowledge
Corridor working with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute.
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9. Pursue a number of innovative planning initiatives and products that build the PVPC’s
expertise and capabilities in a number of emerging areas including clean energy, health s
impact assessments, food security, region wide data sharing, emergency response,
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municipal shared services and last mile broadband access alternatives, among others.
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10. Work with both the Congressional delegation in Washington, as well as the Massachusetts
Legislature and Governor, to shape and advance legislative initiatives at the federal
and state levels that support and benefit the Pioneer Valley and its residents. At the m
federal level, for example, a key initiative will include an extension or reauthorization
of the “MAP-21” federal transportation law beyond May of 2015. At the state level,
key priorities include statewide zoning reforms, enabling regional ballot initiatives and o
advancing transportation and environmental bond funding commitments for significant,
in-region projects such as Connecticut River clean-up projects. c
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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
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Overview
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During 2015, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission undertook numerous projects and tasks
on behalf of its 43 member communities and the region as a whole. As these work activities have
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significantly influenced our Valley’s future economic prosperity, they have also protected its character
and natural resources. These major accomplishments are highlighted in this report. i
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The commission continues to engage in work projects that are interdisciplinary and collaborative, p
drawing upon the contributions of staff across the spectrum of planning and related areas of
expertise. Such projects are listed under the subject categories that most closely define them.
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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Transportation
Developed and amended, as necessary, the 2015-2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
for the Pioneer Metropolitan Planning organization. The TIP is a fiscally constrained document
which schedules all transportation improvement projects, defines funding sources, and lists regional
priorities. During the development process, staff performed significant analysis to ensure that
projects being funded in the TIP met both federal and state goals, including GreenDOT goals. PVPC
staff worked in consultation with federal, state, and local cities and towns to update the status of all
projects included on the TIP. All projects were prioritized using the new project evaluation criteria,
and updated project information was added into the TIP as necessary. PVPC staff worked with the
Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to release the
document for public review and endorsement by the MPO.
Developed the draft and final versions of the Unified Planning Work
Program (UPWP) for federal fiscal year 2016. The UPWP outlines
the annual transportation technical work program to be performed
using federal and state planning dollars.
PVPC Transportation staff, in coordination with the Pioneer Valley
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MassDOT, FHWA,
and FTA, completed an update to the Transportation Evaluation
Criteria (TEC) for the purpose of integrating current state and
federal requirements. The TEC is the system utilized by the MPO to
prioritize Federal Aid-eligible transportation improvement projects.
Every project is ranked by TEC score, and projects are funded
based on score from highest to lowest based on available funding
for the current federal fiscal year. PVPC staff developed a web page
to provide support data needed for various sections of the TEC at
http://www.pvpc.org/projects/transportation-evaluation-criteria-information-center. The new TEC
was designed to be completed by the entity responsible for the project development. A new TEC
form was completed for each proposed transportation improvement project, and all new TEC forms
were reviewed by the TIP sub-committee on March 26, 2015. The results of this process were used to
develop the 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program.
Scheduled monthly Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) meetings for the purpose of soliciting
input on various transportation topics. The JTC is an advisory group composed of locally appointed
representatives from our 43 municipalities as well as public and private transportation/transit
providers. PVPC staff also completed a comprehensive JTC membership update and coordinated
monthly meetings for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to the JTC.
Updated the Congestion Management Process (CMP) as part of the Regional Transportation Plan
update. The CMP is a tool used by PVPC to identify and evaluate congestion in the region as well
as to monitor locations that have been improved as part of previous completed transportation
improvement projects. This CMP update included the integration new travel time, bridge, safety, and
transit data for the purpose of generating a listing of corridors by congestion severity. This analysis
also allows the identification of the top areas of localized congestion or “bottlenecks” in the region.
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Developed draft and final versions of the Regional Transportation Plan
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for the Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RTP). The
RTP is the region’s long-range transportation planning document that is
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the basis for all federally funded transportation improvement projects
and planning studies. In order to advance the vision and goals of the n
RTP, a series of problem statements were developed to define the
overarching issues that must be advanced through the implementation of e
the RTP. A new addition to the RTP is a series of performance measures
and targets to track key transportation areas and improve the overall m
decision making process. The RTP also includes an analysis of the
expected transportation revenue sources and prioritizes transportation
improvement projects that can be implemented over the life of the plan. h
The 2016 RTP was endorsed by the MPO on July 28, 2015.
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Updated pavement distress data on the federal-aid eligible roadways in
33 of the 43 communities including the entire region’s urbanized area i
as part of the commission’s regional Pavement Management System. A l
priority listing of roadway maintenance and construction projects was developed based on a benefit/ p
cost ratio.
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Finalized the local Pavement Management System report for the Town of Belchertown. PVPC was
hired by the communities of Palmer, Hadley, Ware, and Holland to develop a pavement management
report for these towns. PVPC staff completed pavement distress data collection in all of these
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communities during 2015.
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Performed a total of 152 counts as part of PVPC’s annual traffic counting program. The data
collection effort included 71 vehicle counts for member communities, 46 vehicle counts requested
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by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and 35 peak hour turning movement counts.
Bicycle and pedestrian counts were also completed for the Springfield Riverwalk and Southwick Rail A
Trail.
Worked in cooperation with MassDOT to successfully apply for funding for the Holyoke and
Northampton Police Departments to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. One of the main goals of r
the Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) is the reduction in transportation fatalities
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and serious injuries by 20 percent over the next five years. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Pilot
Program provides funding for local police departments to stop motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians
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who are observed to demonstrate unsafe behavior through the disregard of existing traffic laws. This
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local enforcement process allows police officers to engage with the public to explain why they were
stopped, distribute safety literature, and determine why people could be disobeying traffic laws.
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PVPC staff will also work in cooperation with the local police departments, MassDOT, the Department
of Public Health/Mass In Motion, and others to improve walking and bicycling safety and to develop
recommendations to improve the infrastructure for walking and bicycling.

Participated in a bicycle and pedestrian safety audit for Union Station Redevelopment project 5
in the City of Springfield. Staff also participated in roadway safety audits (RSAs) for intersection
improvement projects in the communities of Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield, and Ware. Site visits
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were coordinated for each location to identify factors that may contribute to crashes at each location
and develop a series of recommendations to improve safety.
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Assisted the Town of South Hadley with the development of a municipal Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan,
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including a public survey and public visioning session to set townwide priorities.
Drafted and secured approval for a new intergovernmental compact on a bike sharing program for
the region. Sought corporate sponsorship and state/federal grants to help launch a pilot scale bike
share program serving Northampton, Amherst, Holyoke, Springfield, and UMass.
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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Reviewed regional project submittals for eligibility for congestion mitigation and air quality (CMAQ)
funding. Staff completed air quality conformity determinations for each location and applied for CMAQ
funding from MassDOT. PVPC also attended the statewide CMAQ consultation meeting to determine
CMAQ funding eligibility for transportation improvement projects throughout Massachusetts.
The MPO completed a 2015 update to the Title VI/ Environmental Justice Plan and Language Access
Plan. In cooperation with FHWA, FTA, and MassDOT, the region’s Title VI Plan outlines how the
MPO meets Title VI and Environmental Justice compliance. This plan discusses the efforts the MPO
makes to include specialized populations in the regional planning process. This plan also discusses
the demographic breakdown of the MPO region and indentifies how the MPO mitigates against and
avoids impacts to low-income, minority, limited-English-speaking, disabled. and elderly populations in
its planning process and development of numerous planning documents. This plan will also include a
procedure that allows members of these populations to file complaints should any MPO stakeholders
feel that they were subject to discrimination under Title VI guidelines and accompanying policies.
Prepared necessary documentation to facilitate and participated in a joint review of the transportation
planning process for the MPO by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA). Completed every four years, this review assesses the extent to which the MPO
meets the requirements of metropolitan planning regulations and develops recommendations to
improve the regional transportation planning process.
Participated in the ongoing working group meetings to develop a series of long range improvements
for the I-91 Viaduct. PVPC staff responded to requests and inquiries by consultants retained by
MassDOT regarding regional model data, traffic data, and projections for use in the I-91 Viaduct Study.
Participated in the Interstate 91 Deck Replacement Survey to provide MassDOT with information on
where and when users typically travel on I-91, other highways, and local streets in the project area.
This survey was aimed to assess travel patterns and conditions, especially during the peak travel hours
of the typical weekday morning and afternoon commute.
Worked in cooperation with the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) to enhance/upgrade the
PVPC regional transportation model for use in the I-91 Viaduct Study. This consisted of the preparation
of new input data and updates to land use and socio-economic data throughout the region.
Completed a study of existing transportation conditions along the Route 202 corridor from Route
21 to Stadler Street in the Town of Belchertown. Transportation staff performed data collection to
identify the existing transportation and safety conditions for this area and performed analyses to
develop a series of recommendations to improve traffic flow and to increase safety.
Assisted the City of Northampton in securing funding for development of an Equity-Focused Complete
Streets plan.
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Transit
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Developed PVTA’s first flex shuttle pilot program in South Hadley, the Tiger Trolley. This shuttle will
undergo a yearly review of ridership to determine if this model can be applied to more rural areas
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that do not typically warrant traditional fixed route service.
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Completed a 2015 Title VI program update for PVTA. This document l
is a comprehensive report on the PVTA and their adherence to FTA p
guidelines and regulations regarding Title VI requirements.
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Drafted a diagrammatic system map of PVTA bus services,
updated to include all service changes put into effect following the
Comprehensive Service Analysis (CSA). The system map has been
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approved by PVTA and brochures have been distributed to the public
as of the spring of 2015.
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Conducted random service quality spot checks as part of PVTA’s
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ongoing Mystery Rider program. Under this program, mystery riders
board both fixed route buses and paratransit vans unannounced and
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monitor the performance of the drivers, taking note of cleanliness,
driver’s customer service skills, driver’s handling of the bus, on-time
performance, and other quality issues. PVPC staff worked with PVTA’s
Mystery Facilities Inspection program, in which PVTA’s two major r
properties—the Springfield Bus Terminal the Holyoke Transportation Center are inspected twice a
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week by PVPC staff for general cleanliness, updated posted materials, bus arrival announcements,
overall upkeep, and maintenance of the property.
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Monitored PVTA buses for schedule on-time adherence at selected points throughout the service a
area, performing over 500 observations each quarter.
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Investigated possibilities for bus stop consolidation in Springfield and Chicopee by establishing
an ideal stop spacing of one quarter-mile. Bus stops were sorted into corridors and matched into
inbound-outbound pairs based on location. Ridership at each stop-pair was examined to verify the
usefulness of a one quarter-mile minimum spacing. Approximately 50 percent of stops in Springfield
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were recommended for consolidation.
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Continued to provide and maintain Quick Response (QR) code information for every PVTA bus
schedule at high ridership locations, including bus terminals, university campuses, and participating
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high schools. These QR codes can be scanned and a copy of the individual schedule can be
downloaded to a phone with a data plan.
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Facilitated meetings with PVTA paratransit riders to identify and discuss the concerns of Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and senior riders.
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