Rural Transportation Planning

Consistent with Article I of the Agreement for Utilization of Federal Highway Planning and Research Funds, the scope of work includes the following:

The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Rural Transportation Planning Work Program
Scope of Work FY 06

1. Administration

Task: Administrate the Rural Transportation Planning Work Program by:

1. Providing quarterly reports on Rural Transportation Planning activities to VDOT;

2. Processing all letters of authorization and amending scope of work as necessary;.

3. Developing future scope of work for the RTP program.

4. Attending, as needed any Advisory Committee meetings, and other transportation planning meetings.

Deliverables: Quarterly Reports and submission of FY 07 RTP Work Program

2. Rural Transportation Work Activities

A. Public Assistance:

Task: Assist VDOT and local governments with rural transportation planning by:

1. Reviewing local development and pertinent transportation proposals.

2. Advising local government elected and appointed officials on transportation program options; soliciting input; and continuing public involvement in rural transportation planning process.

3. Reviewing citizen and local government comments on rural transportation issues.

4. Providing, as needed, technical assistance to local governments on transportation projects in the Middle Peninsula.

5. Assisting local government administrators and staff with specific transportation program proposals, such as safety, industrial access, and Enhancement Programs

6. Providing other technical assistance and information to localities as requested.

7. Assisting in the development of input for the six-year plan including developing regional consensus on priorities of highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects for consideration by the CTB.

8. Review and comment on transportation projects with respect to issues relating to environmental justice.

9. Providing, as needed, GIS technical assistance to local governments and other appropriate entities on transportation and land use projects in the Middle Peninsula.

Deliverables: Report of contacts with individual citizens, organized citizens groups and local officials; Collection of GIS maps provided as part of assistance; Report on the technical assistance supplied to local governments on transportation projects in the Middle Peninsula; Copies of materials provided to localities with respect to Safety Conscious Planning and other transportation program proposals.

B. Land Use, Transportation and Telecommunication-Rural ITS:

Task: Establish a connection between land use, transportation and telecommunication technology by:

1. Assisting Local County governments by educating government elected and appointed officials about the connection between wireless telecommunication technology, land use, Rural ITS, and transportation.

2. Recording the physical locations of newly placed historic markets located in the Middle Peninsula using GPS technology. The physical location and textural content will be used to update the MPPDC transportation website and become an additional GIS layer. This will provide VDOT and DHR with an inventory of sign assets in the community as well as a safe and efficient manner for individuals to view information contained on signs without pulling off the road or having to exit their vehicle.

Deliverables: Report on activities with respect to educating local officials about the connection between wireless telecommunication technology, land use, Rural ITS, and transportation. Provide an HTML copy of updated Middle Peninsula Historic Marker Tour on MPPDC transportation website.

C. Ongoing Multimodal Transportation Safety Planning

Task: Provide technical assistance to MPPDC counties that opt to make bike facility improvements to the 1998 Middle Peninsula Regional Bicycle Facility Plan. This will include any updates to local plans for which additional needs are identified under the current Planning Grant.

Deliverables: Improvements, modifications, and changes to the 1998 Middle Peninsula Regional Bicycle Facility Plan.

Task: Build upon the needs highlighted by the Multimobility Study and provide technical assistance to Middle Peninsula localities and organizations with respect to coastal water trails by obtaining and updating information with respect to water trails established and under development in the Middle Peninsula to incorporate into GIS.

Deliverables: Report on contacts with individual citizens, organized citizens groups, and local officials, copies of additional trails developed by localities with the assistance of the MPPDC.

D. Ongoing Road Infrastructure Support:

Task: Assist with the Implementation of the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority by:

1. Serve as a liaison between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Middle Peninsula localities on issues related to the transfer of prescriptive and fee simple land interests.

2. Conduct research and site visits to road ending points identified by the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority as possible sites for access;

3. Facilitating meetings to discuss public access issues with concerned groups;

4. Advising local elected, appointed officials, and citizens about public access road endings and various management options.

Deliverables: Report of meeting minutes, maps, and field notes related to VDOT owned road-ending points as well as an interim report of progress.

E. State Highway Needs Assessment:

Task: Assist VDOT in conducting public information meetings, as needed, including VTRANS 2025 public meetings.

Deliverables: Summary of information meetings