Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) 2015 Call for Projects Workshop February 17, 2015 HCMPO Conference Room| Weslaco, TX

Workshop Overview The workshop will focus on addressing the following questions:  What is TAP?  Who is eligible to apply?  What projects qualify for funding? Ineligible?  How much funding is available?  What is the TAP Process?  What is required before I apply?  How will my application be scored?  What attachments should I include?

What is TAP? MAP-21, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century signed In 2012, established the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)  Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to School Program, and Recreational Trails Program (TRP) were combined into one funding source.  Provides funds for a variety of alternative transportation projects including bicycle and pedestrian facilities  States have sub-allocated 50% of funds to MPOs in urbanized areas with populations over 200,000. TAP TE SRTS RTP

What is TAP? MAP-21, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century signed In 2012, established the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)  The State and MPOs are responsible for creating their own competitive processes  HCMPO will have $4.6 million available in FY TAP Call for Projects  90% will fund Construction Projects 10% will fund Planning and Design  Future program calls will be held every other year for construction type projects only  Approx. $2 million available TAP TE SRTS RTP

Eligible Sponsors?  Under 23 U.S.C. 213(c)(4)(b), the eligible entities to receive TAP funds are:  Local governments  Regional transportation authorities  Transit agencies  Natural resource or public land agencies  School Districts, local education agencies, or schools  Tribal governments  Any other local or regional government entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails  Nonprofit organizations are not eligible as direct grant recipients for TAP funds unless they qualify through one of the eligible entity categories. Nonprofits are eligible to partner with any eligible entity on a TAP project.

Eligible Projects?  While several categories are eligible for TAP funds based on federal guidelines, the MPO has deemed only the following as eligible:  Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, including: Sidewalks

Eligible Projects?  While several categories are eligible for TAP funds based on federal guidelines, the MPO has deemed only the following as eligible:  Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, including: Bicycle Infrastructure

Eligible Projects?  While several categories are eligible for TAP funds based on federal guidelines, the MPO has deemed only the following as eligible:  Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, including: Pedestrian and Bicycle Signals

Eligible Projects?  While several categories are eligible for TAP funds based on federal guidelines, the MPO has deemed only the following as eligible:  Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, including: Traffic Calming Techniques Lighting & other safety related infrastructure

Eligible Projects?  While several categories are eligible for TAP funds based on federal guidelines, the MPO has deemed only the following as eligible:  Construction, planning, and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs. Bike Share, Shared Use Paths, Bus Stop Improvements

INELIGIBLE Projects The MPO has deemed the following as ineligible:  Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors (Rails to Trails)  Turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas  Inventory, control or removal of outdoor advertising  Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities  Vegetation management practices in transportation R-O-Ws  Archaeological activities  Environmental mitigation activities  Recreational Trails Program  Safe Routes to School  Planning, Design, or construction of boulevards TAP funds can not be used for:  State or MPO administrative purposes  Promotional activities  General Parks & Rec facilities, playground equipment, sports fields, campgrounds, or picnic areas and pavilions  Routine maintenance and operations

Available Funds FY Call for Projects for Hidalgo County will have a total of $4.6 million available  There is a minimum local cash match of 20%. Entities must provide proof of local match funding availability for each submitted project.  Non-cash donations can be used on a project but will not count towards the required local match and should not be included in the budget.  No more than 4 projects may be submitted and must be prioritized. Activity Type% of TAP Funding AllocatedTotal TAP Funding Available Construction90%$4,176,000 Planning & Design10%$464,000

Questions? Any questions on the TAP Program? NEXT: Application Process and Scoring Criteria

Application Overview

 Applications must be received “in-hand” by May 8 th at 5PM, Central Standard Time  Project Proposals should be mailed or hand-delivered to: Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization Attn: Linda De La Fuente 510 S Pleasantview Drive Weslaco, TX 78596

Application Overview Completed Application packets shall include: Project Location Maps & Other Supporting Maps (no more than 15) Itemized Project Cost Estimate Resolution of Commitment of Local Match and Overmatch Evidence of Public Involvement and Letter of Support (no more than 10) Materials such as photos, diagrams, and so on to supplement the project description and explain conditions and proposed improvements Project proposals must consist of three (3) original hard copies (including attachments) and one (1) electronic copy of all files on a CD, or USB drive.

Evaluation Process Evaluation and Selection Process  Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) will evaluate and score each project  The average scores will be presented to TAC for review.  TAC will present proposed project selections and awards to TPC  TPC has final approval of all projects and funding

Program Timeline  February 20 th – Call for Projects will open  May 8 th – Call for Projects will close  May 11 th – BPAC will evaluate the submitted projects  June 2 nd – TAC will review scores and recommend projects for selection  June 18 th – TPC will review TAC recommendations  June 3 rd – July 15 th – Public Involvement Period  July 7 th – TAC will finalize project selections and award amounts  July 16 th – TPC will approve finalized project selections and awards

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Evaluation CriteriaScoring (Maximum points) Improving Safety29 Making Linkages and Connections24 Incorporates Ped/Bike Design Enhancements and Promotes Active Living 15 Connecting to Employment, Households, and Activity Centers 12 Implementing Active Transportation or Mobility Plan10 Serving Disadvantaged (Environmental Justice) Areas10 Total100 Above and Beyond CriteriaUp to 22 (bonus) pts

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Improving Safety ( 29 Points Maximum)  Provides safer, less intimidating facilities for pedestrian, bicyclists, and other non-drivers by improving safety in areas with high numbers of crashes.  Improve crossings  Improve signalizations, lighting  Traffic calming  Other safety improvements  13 points – improves safety in areas with high # of crashes within a block (300 ft) of project  8 points – improves mobility for elderly, disabled, and/or youth  8 points – improves visibility of non-drivers to vehicular traffic

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Making Linkages and Connections ( 24 Points Maximum)  Improves connections between neighborhoods, cities, transit services, bicycle facilities, and schools.  Gap closures  Extension of facilities  Linkages between multiple jurisdictions  Providing access to transit via trails, sidewalks, or bicycle facilities  6 points – connects other cities / neighborhoods  6 points – connects to schools/ public buildings or institutions  6 points – extends existing system (bike/ped/transit)  6 points – eliminates gaps in system (bike/ped/transit) ** Regional linkages

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Incorporates Pedestrian/Bicycle Design Enhancements & Promotes Active Living ( 15 Points Maximum)  Provides pedestrians and bicyclists with landscaping, sidewalk design, crossing treatments, street furniture, bike racks, and lighting which encourage utilization and provides health and environmental benefits  5 points – provides design enhancements  5 points – provides bicycle parking/seating for pedestrians, rest areas  5 points – provides trailheads, staging area and parking *trails, pedestrian walkway enhancements, bicycle boulevard enhancements

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Connecting to Employment, Households, and Activity Centers (12 Points Maximum)  Provides access to major destinations and large number of residents or employees  4 points – improves access to commercial areas  4 points – improves access to parks and recreational areas  4 points – improves access to educational areas (schools, libraries, learning centers) *small-scale linkages

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Implementing Active Transportation or Mobility Plan (10 Points Maximum)  Improves mobility as described in:  the MPO’s Regional Bike Plan, Pedestrian Plan, Transit Plan  City Comprehensive or Master Plans  Other Regional Plan  10 points – Project conforms to any MPO, City (entity) or regional Plan *must provide evidence of conformity

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Serving Disadvantaged (EJ) Areas (10 Points Maximum)  Provides access in underserved communities  10 points – Improves access to areas within or adjacent to 50% of households below poverty rate, as defined by Census

Evaluation & Scoring Criteria Above and Beyond Criteria (22 Bonus Points Maximum)  Local Match (10 points maximum)  21-30% (2), 31-40% (4), 41-50% (6), 51-60% (8), 61%+ (10)  Project Readiness (5 points maximum)  ROW has been acquired (3), PS&E is at least 90% Complete (2)  Funding Completes project (5 points)  Location of project has a Safe Passing Ordinance (2 points)

Contact Info  Linda de la Fuente, Assistant Director Office: Ext  Andrew Canon Office: Ext  Stephen P. Walker R.L.A, District Landscape Architect District TAP Coordinator Texas Department of Transportation - Pharr Office: