UNIFIED PLANNING WORK

PROGRAM

Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization

FFY 2023

DRAFT REPORT May 20, 2022

This document was prepared by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission under Contract
#114679 with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and with the assis- tance of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA), MassDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the U.S. DOT.
Cover Photos: (Top) Sculpture on Bradford Rail Trail in Haverhill. (Middle) ‘Friends’ by Elain Gauthier, Essex Heritage and MVRTA bus at the Costello Transportation Center by MVRTA/More Advertising

Title VI Notice of Public Protection

The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) operates its programs, services and activi- ties in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin (including limited English proficiency) be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administrated by the Federal Highway Administration, the Fed- eral Transit Administration, or both prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex and disability. These protected categories are contemplated within MVPC’s Title VI Program consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, MVPC provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166.
MVPC also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. Chapter 272, Sections 92a, 98, and 98a prohibiting making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in ad- mission to or treatment in a place of public accommodation based upon race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, MVPC complies with the Governor’s Executive Order 526, Section 4 requiring that all its programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran’s status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background.

Additional Information

To request additional information regarding Title VI and related federal and state nondiscrimina- tion obligations, please contact:
Anthony Komornick
Title VI Program Coordinator
Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization c/o Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
160 Main Street
Haverhill, MA 01830-5061 (978) 374-0519, extension 15
[email protected]

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page i

Complaint Filing

To file a complaint alleging a violation of Title VI or related federal nondiscrimination law, contact the Title VI Program Coordinator (above) within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the al- leged discriminatory conduct.
To file a complaint alleging a violation of the Commonwealth’s Public Accommodation Law, con- tact the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination within three hundred (300) days of the alleged discriminatory conduct at:
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) One Ashburton Place, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02109 (617) 994-6000
TTY: (617) 994-6196

Translation

English

If this information is needed in another language, please contact the MVMPO Title
VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator at 978-374-0519 ext. 15.

Spanish

Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, por favor contacte al coordinador de MVMPO del
Título VI/Contra la Discriminación al 978-374-0519 ext. 15.

Portuguese

Caso estas informações sejam necessárias em outro idioma, por favor, contate o Coordenador de Título VI e de Não Discriminação da MVMPO pelo telefone 978-374-0519, Ramal 15.

Chinese Simplified

如果需要使用其它语言了解信息，请联系Merrimack Valley大都会规划组织（MVMPO）《民权法

案》第六章协调员，电话978-374-0519，转15。

Chinese Traditional

如果需要使用其他語言瞭解資訊，請聯繫Merrimack Valley大都會規劃組織（MVMPO）《民權法 案》第六章協調員，電話978-374-0519，轉15

Vietnamese

Nếu quý vị cần thông tin này bằng tiếng khác, vui lòng liên hệ Điều phối viên Luật VI/Chống phân biệt đối xử của MVMPO theo số điện thoại 978-374-0519, số máy nhánh 15.

French Creole

Si yon moun vle genyen enfòmasyon sa yo nan yon lòt lang, tanpri kontakte Kowòdinatè kont
Diskriminasyon/MVMPO Title VI la nan nimewo 978-374-0519, ekstansyon 15.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page ii

Russian

ЕслиВамнеобходимаданнаяинформацияналюбомдругомязыке, пожалуйста,
свяжитесьсКоординатором Титула VI/Защита от дескриминациив MVMPOпотел: 978-374-
0519, добавочный 15.

French

Si vous avez besoin d'obtenir une copie de la présente dans une autre langue, veuillez contac- ter le coordinateur du Titre VI/anti-discrimination de MVMPOen composant le 978-374-0519, poste 15.

Italian

Se ha bisogno di ricevere queste informazioni in un’altra lingua si prega di contattare il coordina- tore del MVMPO del Titolo VI e dell'ufficio contro la discriminazione al 978-374-0519 interno 15.

Mon-Khmer, Cambodian

ប្រសិនបរើបោក-អ្នកប្រូវការរកប្ប្រព័រ៌មានបនេះសូមទាក់ទងអ្នកសប្មរសប្មួលជំពូកទី6/គ្មា នការបរើសបអ្ើងររស់ MVMPOតាមរយៈបលខទូរស័ពទ978-374-0519 រចភ្ជា រ់បៅបលខ15។

Arabic

يف يرضحلا طيطختلا ةمظنملعباتلا زييمتلا عنمل ةسداسلا ةرقفلا قسنمب لاصتلاا ىجرُي ،ىرخأ ةغلب تامولعملا هذه ىلإ ةجاحب تنك اذإ
15 ماقرلأا طغضا مثو 978-374-0519 :فتاهلا ىلع يلاف كاميريم

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page iii
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MVMPO ENDORSEMENT PAGE ................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3

Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) Region and Subregions .................................. 3

Current MVMPO Membership ................................................................................................................................ 4

Organization of FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program................................................................................... 4

MVMPO Transportation Planning Priorities ........................................................................................................... 4

Amendment/Adjustment of FFY 2023 UPWP ........................................................................................................ 5

Regional Plans and Studies ................................................................................................................................... 5

State Policies and Plans....................................................................................................................................... 11

Federal Transportation Planning Legislation and Initiatives ................................................................................ 18

Other Transportation Planning Studies ................................................................................................................ 23

Other Non – Transportation MVPC Planning Studies and Funding Sources....................................................... 23

Transportation Planning Program Funding for FFY 2023 UPWP ........................................................................ 26

Transportation Planning Factors .......................................................................................................................... 28

Summary of Anticipated MVPC Funding Resources ........................................................................................... 29

Equity Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 31

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Staff ..................................................................................................... 33

MVPC Transportation Studies, Analyses and Technical Assistance ................................................................... 35

Acronyms Used in Draft FFY 2023 UPWP ........................................................................................................... 37

TASK 1.0 - MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF THE 3C TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS ..................................................................................................................................39

Task 1.1 - Program Management and Support .................................................................................................... 41

Task 1.2 - Public Participation Process................................................................................................................ 45

Task 1.3 - Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)............................................................................................ 49

Task 1.4 - Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) ....................................................................................... 51

Task 1.5 - Title VI/Environmental Justice/Limited English Proficiency Activities ................................................. 55

Task 1.6 - Metropolitan Transportation Plan ........................................................................................................ 59

TASK 2.0- DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ACTIVITIES ...............................................63

Task 2.1 - Traffic Monitoring Program .................................................................................................................. 65

Task 2.2 - Regional Pavement Management Program ........................................................................................ 69

Task 2.3 - Geographic Information Systems ........................................................................................................ 71

Task 2.4 - Congestion Management Process ...................................................................................................... 75

Task 2.5 - Intermodal Connections with National Highway System / Freight Planning ....................................... 77

Task 2.6 - Regional Transportation Model ........................................................................................................... 79

Task 2.7 - Active Transportation .......................................................................................................................... 81

Task 2.8 - Safety Monitoring System ................................................................................................................... 83

Task 2.9 - Transportation and Livability ............................................................................................................... 85

Task 2.10 - Development and Maintenance of MVMPO Transportation Performance Measures and Targets .. 89

Task 2.11 - Travel and Tourism Planning ............................................................................................................ 91

TASK 3.0 -SHORT AND LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES ........93

Task 3.1 - Elderly and Disabled/ADA Planning .................................................................................................... 95

Task 3.2 - Transit Planning .................................................................................................................................. 97

Task 3.3 – Bicycle and Pedestrian Access on Route 114 from the Intersection of Willow and Mill Streets to

Middleton Town Line ..................................................................................................................................... 101

Task 3.4 – Road Safety Audit of S. Union Street between Market Street and Merrimack Street in Lawrence . 103

Task 3.5 – Road Safety Audit at the Intersection of Franklin Street and Common Street in Lawrence ............ 105

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2022 Unified Planning Work Program Page v

TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)

Task 3.6 – Road Safety Audit at the Intersection of Main Street and the I-95 Connector in Salisbury ............. 107

Task 3.7 – Road Safety Audit at the Intersection of Lowell Street (Route 113) at Elm Street in Methuen ........ 109

Task 3.8 - Stormwater Management Technical Assistance ............................................................................... 111

Task 3.9 - Climate Change................................................................................................................................. 115

TASK 4.0 -OTHER TRANSPORTATION STUDIES ................................................................119

Task 4.1 - Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) ........................................................................................... 121

Task 4.2 - Local Technical Assistance ............................................................................................................... 125

Task 4.3 - Regional Transportation Security ...................................................................................................... 127

Task 4.4 - County Road Adjudication ................................................................................................................. 129

DRAFT FY 2023 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM TASK FUNDING SUMMARY.....131

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page vi

MVMPO Endorsement Page

e'4 Merrimack Valley

. , Planning Commission

MERRIMACK VALLEY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ENDORSEMENT

MERRIMACK VALLEY REGION FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2023

UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

The undersigned representatives on the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning

Organization hereby endorse the Merrimack Valley region's Federal Fiscal Year 2023

Unified Planning Work Program.

Date: June 22, 2022

Jamey Tesler

MassDOT Secretary/CEO

Jonathan Gulliver

MassDOT Highway

Division Administrator

Robert Snow

MVPC Chairman

Allison Heartquist

MVRTA Advisory Board Chair

James Fiorentini

Mayor of Haverhill

Brian A. De Pena

Mayor of Lawrence

Neil Harrington

MVMPO Subregion 1

Robert Snow

MVMPO Subregion 2

John Cashell

MVMPO Subregion 3

Paul Materazzo

MVMPO Subregion 4

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 1

This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 2

INTRODUCTION

As mandated under the federal “3C” transportation planning process, the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), describes the transportation planning activities that are to be carried out by a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) during the federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30), identifies the planning products that are to be produced, and identifies which agency will be responsible for producing these products.
The UPWP must be prepared and endorsed annually by the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) prior to the start of the planning program period before fed- eral money may be spent on any transportation planning studies and activities in the region.
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) Transportation Program staff serves as the MVMPO’s staff and is responsible for preparing the UPWP each FFY. The MVMPO staff will undertake most of the activities described in the FFY 2023 UPWP. However, this docu- ment also includes those significant transportation planning and engineering studies that will be completed in its region by other government entities and organizations.

Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) Region and Subre- gions

Figure 1 below is a map showing the boundaries of the MVMPO region, its sub-regions, and
15 member communities:


Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 3
Under federal transportation legislation, MPOs are assigned the important task of completing the planning and programming of all federally funded transportation projects and programs in their respective urbanized area.
Created by the Governor of Massachusetts in 1972, the MVMPO covers the same fifteen- community geographic area that defines the MVPC region and the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) service area.

Current MVMPO Membership

• MassDOT Secretary Jamey Tesler

• MassDOT Highway Division Administrator Jonathan Gulliver

• MVPC Chairman Robert Snow

• MVRTA Advisory Board Chair Allison Heartquist

• Mayor of Haverhill James Fiorentini

• Mayor of Lawrence Brian de Peña

• MVMPO Subregion Representatives:

Subregion 1 (Amesbury, Newburyport, Salisbury) Neil Harrington Subregion 2 (Newbury, Rowley, West Newbury) Robert Snow Subregion 3 (Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac) John Cashell Subregion 4 (Andover, Methuen, North Andover) Paul Materazzo

Ex officio, non-voting MVMPO members:

• FHWA Massachusetts Division Administrator Jeff McEwen

• FTA Region I Administrator Peter Butler

• Rockingham Planning Commission MPO (NH) Richard McDermott

• Boston MPO Erin Wortman

• Northern Middlesex MPO Andrew Deslaurier

• Nashua Planning Commission MPO (NH) Tim Tenhave

Organization of FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program

The MVMPO’s UPWP is structured so that planning tasks are grouped into the following four
areas:
1. Management and Support of the 3C Planning Process
2. Data Collection and Analysis Activities
3. Short and Long-Range Transportation Planning Activities
4. Other Transportation Studies

MVMPO Transportation Planning Priorities

The UPWP may be thought of as the document that ensures that the 3C planning process in the MVMPO region is implemented in a cooperative manner and recognizes the many influ- ences that are at work at various levels in shaping the transportation network. The Continu- ing, Comprehensive and Cooperative ('3C') federal transportation planning process

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 4
recognizes that a wide array of factors influence the multimodal transportation network and, conversely, many of these factors are influenced by this network. A milestone event in this regard occurred in 1991 with the passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which established 16 specific factors that MPOs were required to consider in de- veloping the plans and programs mandated under the legislation. While the number of these factors has been consolidated to 10 over the past 30 years, the need to be continuing and comprehensive in considering them remains at the foundation of the 3C planning process.
This document was also prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation who provided guidance to be consid- ered by Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) so that it continues to reflect previously identified federal and statewide transportation planning objectives.

Amendment/Adjustment of FFY 2023 UPWP

During the course of FFY 2023, amendments or Administrative Modifications to the UPWP may be required. These changes will be developed in cooperation with MassDOT, the Fed- eral Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Merri- mack Valley Transit Authority (MVRTA), and other concerned agencies as appropriate. The adjustment and amendment of this document shall be undertaken as defined below:

Amendments are defined as significant changes to the overall UPWP that require federal approval. Amendment with 21-day Public Review and Comment Period:

• Addition or deletion of a UPWP task or subtask.

• Major changes to UPWP task descriptions, activities, and other information.

• Funding increase above the originally approved UPWP overall budget.

• Funding transfers between tasks equal to or greater than 25% of the UPWP task budget.

Administrative Modifications require an approval vote from the MPO and sign-off from the
Office of Transportation Planning (OTP) and include the following:

• Minor changes to UPWP task descriptions, activities, and other information.

• Funding increase or decrease less than 25% of the UPWP task budget.

• Funding transfers between UPWP tasks less than 25% of the UPWP task budget.

Regional Plans and Studies

The following regional transportation studies, plans, and areas of focus have played an im- portant role in shaping the development of the FFY 2023 UPWP:

Active Transportation/Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Active Transportation Plan
The MVMPO adopted this plan in January 2015 and updated it in 2022 to create a re-
gion that will be ‘connected by safe, convenient and appealing Active Transportation

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 5
Corridors that people of diverse ages and abilities will choose to use. The MVPC and its communities will achieve this vision by increasing bicycling and walking mode shares to promote environmental sustainability and healthier lifestyles while reducing automobile dependence and improve air quality. We will connect jobs, housing, civic and recreation activities to strengthen our region’s livability and economic vitality.”
Since 2015, great progress has been made to further develop the Active Transporta- tion Network through the development of the multi-use trail network as well as the adoption and implementation of Complete Streets and support of the implementation of MassDOT’s statewide bicycle and pedestrian plans.
Regional Significant Projects include: Border to Boston Rail Trail:
MVMPO staff continue to support the towns of Boxford, Georgetown, Newbury and Salisbury as they develop this long-distance trail in cooperation with MassDOT as we continue to fill in the gaps.

Coastal Trails Network:

The Communities of Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and Amesbury are jointly creat- ing an on-road and off-road bicycle and pedestrian network. The MVMPO continues to support their efforts and has programmed the trail projects on the TIP.

Georgetown Branch Rail Trails:

MVMPO staff continued working with local officials in Haverhill, Groveland, and
Georgetown to implement recommendations made in the Georgetown Branch Rail
Trail Feasibility Study. MVPC provides technical assistance, convenes working groups and programs construction funding the TIP.

Manchester and Lawrence Branch:

The City of Methuen has completed the construction of the M&L Branch. In 2017, MassDOT approved a project to construct a 1.4-mile path in the City of Lawrence that will connect to the Methuen Rail Trail to the north and provide a dedicated trail bridge across the Merrimack River. MVPC completed a feasibility study for this proposed trail in 2014.This project is now programmed in the FFY 2023 and FFY 2024 elements of the MVMPO’s FFYs 2022-2026 TIP at a total estimated cost of $23 million.

The Merrimack River Trail:

In partnership with the Essex National Heritage Commission and the Northern Middle- sex Council of Governments, the Merrimack River Reconnaissance Report was pub- lished (2011) to reinvigorate this long-lived trail vision and outline opportunities. MVPC staff continues to work with regional partners and MassDOT to implement this trail, in- cluding a multi-use trail along Route 110 connecting Lawrence to Lowell.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 6

Title VI/Environmental Justice Planning

In recent years, the MVMPO has worked in coordination with USDOT and MassDOT to increase its efforts to implement Title VI and EJ planning activities.
Between 2009 and 2015 MVMPO work tasks included revision of the MVMPO Public Participation Plan, Title VI Notification, Complaint Policy and form, integration of up- dated Census and American Community Survey data, and continued expansion of out- reach to constituents in communities. Staff updated contact information, forged stronger working relationships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and dis- tributed information on its work in non-traditional formats (i.e., Facebook, attendance at community events) to engage Title VI and EJ populations.
Under the FFY 2016 UPWP, staff updated the MVMPO’s Title VI Program, which in- cluded an analysis of the region’s protected populations at the Census Block Group level of geography. Staff updated its Title VI Program in FFYs 2017 and FFY 2019 as well.
In recent years MVMPO staff also:

• Updated information required by FTA regulations pertaining to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 12898 regarding En- vironmental Justice.

• Implemented recommendations and increased solicitation of input from minority, low-income, and elder constituents.

• Made presentations on planning issues at neighborhood meetings in areas where low-income and minority populations are present, as well as at locations or events involving elders and the disabled.

• Assisted the MVRTA in implementing evaluation measures for its outreach to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations, as well as researched additional recommendations for improving its outreach to these groups.

• Monitored MVMPO transportation funding, project prioritization and investments as to how they benefited and/or burdened protected populations.

In May 2019, updated the Language Assistance Plan and the MVMPO voted to ap-
prove a change to the MPO’s definition of low-income. Low-income is now defined as
65% of the regional median household income.
In May 2021, the MVMPO prepared a draft version of its Title VI update to MassDOT.

MVMPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)

The MVMPO’s FFY 2020 MTP (formerly referred to as the Regional Transportation Plan) presents a comprehensive examination of the region’s existing transportation network and forecasts the future demand for transportation services in the Valley. Through these analyses, staff was able to identify what is needed to both maintain the

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 7
transportation network in good condition and to establish a program of projects and studies/analyses designed to correct any deficiencies that were revealed.
The Goals for the transportation network set forth in the 2020 MTP are to:

• Maintain the System in a State of Good Repair

• Increase Safety for All Modes

• Create a Multi-Modal Transportation System to Support Mode Shift

• Promote Economic Vitality

• Support Transportation Equity

• Promote Environmental Sustainability

In meeting these goals, the MTP analyzes the region’s transportation network through the lens of the performance and outcome-based planning methods established by USDOT. Building upon work in this area that was begun in the FFY 2016 MTP, the new document also considers the new performance measures and targets that were
established by MassDOT and subsequently adopted by the MVMPO. These measures are related to safety, the reliability of NHS roadways, pavement quality, bridge condi- tion, and asset management.

Route 114 Corridor Study

The Route 114 Corridor in Lawrence and northern North Andover is one of the MVMPO region's most congested roadways. Under the FFY 2011 UPWP, staff com- pleted a corridor transportation study that considered existing traffic and safety prob- lems, forecasted future travel demand, and made a series of recommendations to ad- dress recurrent congestion problems that have plagued the corridor for many years. The implementation of these recommendations is one of the MVMPO's highest priori- ties. The two projects (one proposed, one approved by MassDOT) that would address safety and congestion issues in this corridor are the two most highly rated projects in the MVMPO region based on their Transportation Evaluation Criteria scores.
The MVMPO has taken the following actions in recent years in pursuit of improving the
Route 114 Corridor:

• In December 2014, MassDOT approved a project (#608095) that would make im- provements to the section of the corridor from Andover Street to the Stop and Shop Driveway in North Andover.

• In 2015 and 2016, MassDOT, working in cooperation with area legislators, North Andover officials and with support from Merrimack College, implemented a project to install both a pedestrian signal on Route 114 between the College and the Royal Crest Apartment Complex and sidewalks along Route 114 and Andover Street.

• In 2017, the MVMPO programmed the use of available Target funding in the FFYs

2020 and 2021 elements of the MVMPO’s FFYs 2017-2021 TIP for the construction of Project #608095. This project currently appears in the FFYs 2023, 2024 and

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 8
2025 elements of the FFYs 2021-2025 TIP. However, due to changes in the scope of the project and other factors, its estimated construction cost has increased to
$35 million and it is anticipated that it will be programmed to use MVMPO Target funding in the FFYs 2024, 2025, and 2026 elements of the MVMPO’s FFYs 2022-
2026 TIP.

• In 2018 MVPC completed a study of the feasibility of extending fixed route bus ser- vice along Route 114 to better serve the College, nearby medical offices and possi- bly even to restore service to the Liberty Tree Mall area.

• MVPC has met with local officials and trails advocates from the communities of Lawrence, North Andover, Middleton and Danvers to identify options for improving bicycle and pedestrian travel in the corridor and providing connections to adjacent local and regional trails. Some of the improvements identified in this process will be implemented as part of the MassDOT project (#608809), now under construction, to resurface Route 114 from the Shawsheen River Bridge east to Peters Street in

North Andover.

Priority Growth Strategy

In 2009, MVPC staff completed the Merrimack Valley Priority Growth Strategy (PGS), the land use plan for the Merrimack Valley region. This document, prepared with commu- nities’ direct participation, was well received by planning professionals and local/state elected officials. The National Association of Development Officials (NADO) recog- nized the PGS as a “Best Practice" in 2009 and awarded the MVPC an Innovation Award for the PGS in 2011 while FHWA featured the PGS on its Transportation Plan- ning Capacity Building website as the latest example of an Innovative Project (FFY
2014). MVPC updated this document in 2015.
The MVMPO staff uses the PGS Update in two key areas; 1) to help define the preferred land use and zoning scenario included in the RTP, and 2) to quantify the economic impact of roadway and trails projects in applying the Transportation Evaluation Crite- ria. Under the FFY 2023 UPWP, MVPC Transportation Staff will continue the pro- cess of updating the PGS by reevaluating the transportation components of the doc- ument (see Task 2.9.6).

Congestion Management Process (CMP)

The CMP is a USDOT-mandated planning tool that MPOs with Urbanized Areas of more than 200,000 people must use to:

• Comprehensively examine and monitor congestion on an MPO's transportation network.

• Identify congested areas/components.

• Recommend actions to resolve specific congestion issues. These recommenda- tions often result in traffic analyses and studies that appear in a region's UPWP.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 9
The MVMPO continued to update its CMP under the FFY 2020 UPWP, incorporating
2019 travel time data that is available from FHWA for the NHS roadways in the region to identify congested corridor segments and intersections. It also considers the Travel Time Reliability and Congestion Performance Measures mandated by FHWA and Per- formance Targets for these measures that have been adopted by MassDOT and the MVMPO.
For transit services in the region, the CMP relies upon ridership data gathered by the MVRTA for its services, and from data gathered by the MBTA for the commuter rail ser- vices that it operates in the region.

Safety Monitoring System (SMS)

The MVMPO staff uses the SMS to identify components of the regional transportation network that have safety issues. The SMS uses crash data provided by MassDOT, lo- cal police departments, the MVRTA and other sources to identify safety problems for motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, and transit riders in the region. Many of the potential safety problem areas identified through the SMS are studied in more detail through tasks included in the UPWP to determine if a safety problem truly exists and, if so, to identify what steps need to be taken next to address it.
With MVMPO’s adoption of MassDOT’s Safety Performance Targets in January 2018, a primary objective of the SMS in FFY 2019 was to identify locations on the region’s transportation network where crashes involving fatalities and serious injuries take place. In FFY 2021, MVPC staff analyzed MVMPO region-specific data for each of the
14 Emphasis Areas identified in MassDOT’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. (See Task

2.8).

It has also developed a regional ‘Top 100’ Crash List that identifies high crash intersec- tions in the region. This list was used in conjunction with the MassDOT Crash Cluster list as tools to identify high crash locations in the Valley.

MVRTA Regional Transit Plan

The MVRTA Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan (CRTP) prepared in 2015 was up- dated in 2020. This update was prepared with the assistance of AECOM, a consultant that was under contract to MassDOT. The document addresses fixed route bus service by examining route ridership, evaluating individual bus routes and identifying areas for transit service. This CRTP will be used by the MVRTA to plan for and implement transit services in the future and any transit proposals must be included in the CRTP to re- ceive consideration for programming and implementation by the MVRTA and MVMPO.

2020 Coordinated Human Services Transportation - Public Transportation Plan

The 2020 Coordinated Human Service Public Transportation Plan identified a wide range of proposed transit services that would address perceived gaps in the region’s transit/transportation network. Among these were recommendations for transit

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 10
connections outside of the MVRTA region, more frequent service, coordinated transit for Veterans, and micro transit opportunities.

I-93 Bus on Shoulder

In November 2019, MVMPO staff met with the Secretary of Transportation to discuss the MVMPO’s recommendation for Bus-on-Shoulder (BOS) transit service along I-93 between Anderson Transportation Center in Woburn and Somerville. Subsequently, representatives from MassDOT, the MVMPO and MVRTA participated in a test run of coach service along the shoulder on I-93 to identify potential issues around implement- ing bus-on-shoulder service.
How to address congestion along I-93 has been the subject of several analyses. A 2014 feasibility study of Bus-on-Shoulder service along I-93 was compiled in a report pro- duced by the MVMPO in cooperation with the MVRTA. In addition, CTPS completed its reversible preferential lane analysis for the I-93 segment between Route 133 in Andover and the Central Artery North Area (CANA) in Boston.
In FFY 2020 MassDOT worked with the FHWA to secure approval to operate BOS ser- vice on I-93S between I-95 and the existing HOV Lane in Somerville. In January 2020 the MVRTA and MassDOT conducted an operational test of the BOS service. This test demonstrated that such a service was operationally feasible re-quiring signage and re- moval of the rumble strip to improve rideability. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic led the MVRTA to cease operation of its two routes that bring Merrimack Valley com- muters to downtown Boston. The MVRTA will be reinstituting its Boston Commuter Service on Tuesday July 6th with a limited schedule and has informed the MassDOT Highway Division so that the BOS pilot service can proceed as originally intended.

State Policies and Plans

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has completed a series of transportation planning ac- tivities that will influence transportation planning as well as transportation project program- ming and development activities across the state. The MVMPO staff has considered these plans in the development of the MVMPO’s FFY2023 UPWP.

Global Warming Solutions Act

Through the Global Warming Solutions Act, which was enacted by the Legislature in
2008, Massachusetts has committed to reducing statewide GHG emissions between
10- 25% from 1990 levels by 2020 and by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. To help achieve these GHG emissions reductions, MassDOT committed to tripling the mode shares for walking, bicycling, and public transportation throughout the Common- wealth. Transit usage would be increased by offering more hours of service, improving bus route designs/schedules, reducing bus/train headways, and upgrading the condi- tion of rolling stock and other equipment. Improving travel accommodations for bicy- clists and pedestrians through a "Complete Streets" (see below) approach to improving

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 11
the state's transportation network will make it easier and safer for persons to bike and/or walk.

An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy

In late March of 2021, Governor Baker signed An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, establishing newer, more stringent interim goals for emissions reductions, significantly increasing protections for Environmental Justice communities across Massachusetts. The legislation also authorizes the Admin- istration to implement a new, voluntary energy efficient building code for municipalities, and allows the Commonwealth to procure an additional 2,400 Megawatts (MW) of clean, reliable offshore wind energy by 2027.
In addition, Massachusetts joined Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C. in launching a multi-jurisdictional Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI) that will reduce motor vehicle pollution by at least 26 percent and generate over $1.8 billion in Massachusetts by 2032.

Healthy Transportation Policy Directive

Released by MassDOT in 2013, this directive modified MassDOT's Design Criteria for Projects and Bicycle Accommodation in a few important ways including requiring side- walks on both sides of roadways in urban areas, on both sides of bridges and/or on roadways passing beneath bridges, and on MassDOT facilities wherever adjacent commercial/pedestrian development density is greater than 5 units/acre.
Complete Streets Funding Program
This program was instituted by MassDOT in February 2016 as part of its effort to fur- ther support the creation of highway infrastructure that meets the MassDOT goal of promoting the healthy transportation options of walking and bicycling. This goal was a primary factor influencing the development of the Department’s Healthy Transportation Policy Directive.
The program provides financial support for communities adopting Complete Streets or- dinances or by-laws that meet MassDOT criteria. Funding is provided to both support the implementation of the Complete Streets ordinance or bylaw and to support the con- struction of Complete Streets projects.
MVPC staff provides technical assistance in the form of drafting ordinances, advising on prioritization plans and public outreach. By May 2022, 11 communities in the MVMPO region had Complete Streets ordinances/bylaws in place and seven had re- ceived MassDOT approval for Complete Streets projects.

Shared Streets/ (Shared Winter Streets) and Shared Spaces Program

To combat the negative economic impacts generated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, MassDOT created the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program in June 2020 “to

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 12
assist municipalities in meeting their individual needs for more and safer outdoor recre- ation, commerce, community activities, and mobility.” Eight Merrimack Valley commu- nities have received funding under this program to implement readily implementable small and medium scale projects including, but not limited to the creation of parklets to support outdoor dining, construction of sidewalks and sidewalk ramps, creation of bike lanes and installation of pedestrian signals.

Massachusetts Statewide Plans

State Rail Plan

MassDOT completed its most recent State Rail Plan in May 2018. The goals of this document are to:

• Set forth Commonwealth policy involving freight and passenger rail transporta- tion.

• Establish policies, priorities and strategies to enhance rail services in the Com- monwealth that provide benefits to the public

• Serve as the basis for federal and state rail investments within Massachusetts

• Establish the means and mechanism to coordinate with adjoining states, private parties and the federal government in projects of regional and national signifi- cance, including corridor planning and investment strategies

• Meet the planning requirement established by the Federal Railroad Administra- tion

The 2018 State Rail Plan establishes three tiers of long-term rail projects. Tier 1 pro- jects are those that “clearly support the long-term vision of the state”, do not require additional study and can advance through the project development process. Tier 2 projects are those that warrant further analysis and will be revisited in future plans, while Tier 3 project are less consistent with the rail vision for the Commonwealth.
It should be noted that the 2018 State Rail Plan does not include policy decisions re- garding specific MBTA Commuter Rail projects. There are several ongoing studies by the MBTA pertaining to the future of Commuter Rail that are currently underway includ- ing Focus40, the long-range investment plan for the MBTA and the MBTA Commuter Rail Vision, which will examine different approaches to delivering service including sys- tem electrification, among other potential longer-term investments in the MBTA’s rail network.

Rail Vision

In 2018-2019, the MBTA undertook an extensive planning effort toward examining fu- ture improvements for the MBTA commuter rail system. In October 2019, the MBTA

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 13
voted to adopt the boldest option that called for electrification of the system and in- creasing frequency to every 15 minutes at key stations, including Lawrence, downtown Haverhill and Newburyport.

State Freight Plan

MassDOT’s Freight Plan was completed in April 2018. It includes a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for developing “…a multimodal freight system that is safe, se- cure, resilient, efficient, reliable, and sustainable, and one that catalyzes economic de- velopment while supporting the continued competitiveness of the Commonwealth”.
It also identifies the following five Performance Goals for the Freight Network:

• The freight system should work for all its customers: shippers, carriers, consum- ers, workforce, and communities.

• The condition of the freight system should be improved to ensure an efficient and reliable supply chain.

• Capital budgets should be set in part using freight performance metrics, to en- sure that the benefits of projects for freight uses are properly considered in deci- sion-making.

• Freight movement should be safe for operators, motorists and passengers, bicy- clists, and pedestrians, in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

• The freight system should not adversely impact the health and livability of the communities it touches, and it should contribute to the achievement of a 25% statewide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from utilities, industry, trans- portation, and other sources by 2020 (Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008).

Most significantly, the Plan forecasts a large increase in the value of the amount of freight moved by all modes (i.e., truck, rail, marine, air, etc.) that will move into, out of and within the Commonwealth over the next 25 years reaching a value that is virtually double that which was moved in 2015.
The Freight Plan then identifies a series of ‘Immediate’, ‘Robust’ and other strategies
for improving the Commonwealth’s freight infrastructure and operations. These include a number of projects that are slated to be built using National Highway Freight Pro- gram funds to support projects along the National Highway Freight Network that will improve truck travel time reliability and the condition of core freight assets.
In the Merrimack Valley MPO region, the Plan identifies the I-495 corridor north of I-90 (including the Merrimack Valley region) as the most heavily used truck route in the state. It also identifies the lack of truck parking facilities in this corridor as an issue that is adversely affecting truck freight movement.

State Bicycle Plan

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 14
In 2019, MassDOT finalized the Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan. The Vision
Statement for the document states that:

Biking in Massachusetts will be a safe, comfortable, and convenient option for everyday travel.

Two overarching goals for achieving this vision are also established:

• Goal 1: Create high comfort connected bike networks for people of all ages and abilities

• Goal 2: Increase the convenience and attractiveness of everyday biking

To achieve these goals, the Plan states that MassDOT will seek to remove gaps and barriers that discourage everyday biking and will work with cities and towns to promote and encourage everyday biking activity. Examples of barriers to everyday biking in- clude uncomfortable roadway crossings, narrow or missing roadway shoulders and
lack of bicycle parking.
A key component of the Plan is MassDOT’s Potential for Everyday Biking analysis. This tool was developed in an effort to further identify those areas around the state where people would likely bike for everyday travel if safe, comfortable, and convenient bikeways were available.

State Pedestrian Plan

MassDOT also updated the Massachusetts Pedestrian Transportation Plan in an effort to improve conditions for walking throughout the Commonwealth. The new Plan rec- ommends policies, programs, and projects for MassDOT to guide decision making and capital investments, as well as develop guidance for municipalities to improve walkabil- ity in local communities.
Core Goals of the Plan Include:
I. Improve Accessibility - Improve mobility and connectivity to major community services, housing and employment centers with an emphasis on changing de- mands, underserved communities, healthy transportation options, and connec- tions to transit.
II. Improve Safety – Provide guidance on state of the practice in policy, design, im- plementation, enforcement, and evaluation of safer pedestrian environments.
III. Improve Maintenance - Identify policies and model practices to improve mainte- nance, year-round usability and state of good repair of existing and planned pe- destrian infrastructure.
IV. Prudent Investment - Develop a prioritized investment strategy that supports our goals and complements robust regional pedestrian planning efforts; and provide

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 15
a business case based on economic and public health data that inspires munici- palities to invest in walking environments.

Additional Complete Street Resources

MassDOT has striven to provide easy access to resources for municipalities to help and encourage them to implement the most up-to-date infrastructure. Among these are:

• The Municipal Guide to Walkability

• The Municipal Guide to Bikeability

• Speed Management Web site that includes a Roadway Treatment Toolkit

• Free training courses offered through Bay State Roads

Next Generation Bridge Program

Over the next five years, MassDOT expects to invest over $3 billion repairing the Com- monwealth's Bridges. This includes $816 million already programmed in the STIP us- ing BIL's reauthorization of existing programs, $1.1 billion under BIL's new Bridge For- mula Program, and $1.25 billion in bonding authority under the Commonwealth's Next Generation Bridge Program.
Next Generation Bridge Program projects will be advertised for construction during the five-year period covered during the upcoming TIP using state funding, which will be paid down by Grant Anticipation Notes (GANS) debt repayments in future years.
Three new bridge projects will be included in the MVMPO’s FFYs 2023-2027 TIP
through this program:

• Andover - Bridge Preservation, A-09-022, I-93 over Merrimack River (# 612193)

• Andover– Bridge Replacement, A-09-015, Tewksbury Street over MBTA/BMRR (# 612143)

• Methuen- Bridge Replacement, M-17-026, Route 213 EB/WB over the Methuen

Rail Trail (# 612158)

District Local Technical Assistance Program (DLTA)

The Massachusetts Legislature created the DLTA Program to support implementation of Sustainable Development Principles. The Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Ad- ministration and Finance has authorized distribution of DLTA funding to the Common- wealth’s regional planning agencies to assist their communities with planning service. DLTA funds can be used for a variety of purposes including developing shared land use objectives, reviewing and modifying existing local zoning and land use controls, and creating municipal partnerships.

MassDOT Capital Investment Program (CIP)

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 16
MBTA and each MassDOT agency are required to identify and prioritize the most ben- eficial investments, those that will most help to meet long-term goals for mobility, sus- tainability, and broad-based prosperity. These investments are funded through the Capital Investment Program (CIP), which uses state and federal funding to pay for
long-term improvements to the transportation system. Each year, MassDOT creates a new CIP that combines its capital planning efforts across its aeronautics, highway, mo- tor vehicles and transit business lines.
MassDOT has established three capital priority project types in evaluating transporta- tion projects in the Commonwealth:

MassDOT and the MBTA are now in the process of developing the FFY 2023-2027
CIP.

Project Selection Advisory Council (PSAC)

Created by the Legislature as part of Chapter 46 – An Act Relative to Transportation Finance in 2013, the PSAC met throughout 2014 and 2015 to develop recommenda- tions for modifying the Commonwealth’s transportation project development, evaluation and selection process. MassDOT incorporated PSAC recommendations in its evalua- tion of transportation projects/project proposals during FFY 2016. The new evaluation and project selection process, with some minor modifications has been employed by MassDOT every year since. The Department completed development of the FY 2023
Capital Investment Program in May 2022 and it is anticipated that it will be adopted by
MassDOT and the MBTA in June 2022.

Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan

Created under SAFETEA-LU and continuing under the BIL, the Highway Safety Im- provement Program (HSIP) is designed “to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fa- talities and serious injuries on all public roads.” Funds may be used for design and/or construction of projects on any public road or publicly owned bicycle and pedestrian pathway or trail.
A key component of the HSIP is the State Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), which is a “data-driven” document that “provides a comprehensive framework for reducing high- way fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads”. The Massachusetts SHSP was originally endorsed by local and regional stakeholders in September 2006 and revised in 2013 and 2018.

MassDOT has tentatively identified 12 Emphasis Areas for inclusion in the 2022 SHSP: Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 17

Federal Transportation Planning Legislation and Initiatives

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act IIIJA (Public Law 117-58, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)) into law. The BIL provides $550 billion over fiscal years 2022 to 2026 in Federal investment in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, mass transit, resilience and broadband.

Livability

The transportation network plays a major role in affecting the quality of life of residents in the area it serves. As was noted by FHWA on its website:

“The transportation network should provide residents with choices, an effort to ty- ing the quality and location of transportation facilities to broader opportunities such as access to good jobs, affordable housing, quality schools, and safe streets. This includes addressing safety and capacity issues on all roads through better plan- ning and design, maximizing and expanding new technologies such as ITS and the use of quiet pavements, using Travel Demand Management approaches to system planning and operations, etc.”

Examples of MVPC’s work in this area includes:

• Preparation and updates for the Priority Growth Strategy (PGS), which makes direct connections between the transportation infrastructure and economic de- velopment and access to jobs. The PGS will be updated in the calendar years

2022 and 2023.

• Lawrence Mayor’s Health Task Force (MHTF): MVPC staff have been involved in the Healthy Active Living Working Group (HALWG) work to advance healthy living through advancing policy, systems and environmental changes, such as implementation of the Ciclovia (open streets) annual events, Safe Routes to School (both site specific and creating systemwide changes), Complete Streets advocacy, mapping of assets for the Lawrence food assessment, which includes transportation, housing, food, agriculture and more.

• Assisting Haverhill non-profits and the MVRTA with an in-depth assessment transit needs for city residents, which resulted with the creation of a new transit service that works closely with and compliments the MVRTA’s existing services.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 18

USDOT Emphasis Areas

USDOT provides the MPOs with emphasis areas to focus transportation planning. These are discussed below.

Tackling the Climate Crisis – Transition to a Clean Energy, Resilient Fu- ture

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) divisions and Federal Transit Admin- istration (FTA) regional offices should work with State departments of transpor- tation (State DOT), metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), and providers of public transportation to ensure that our transportation plans and infrastructure investments help achieve the national greenhouse gas reduction goals of 50-52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050, and in- crease resilience to extreme weather events and other disasters resulting from the increasing effects of climate change.
The MVPC received a state-funded Regional Energy Planning Grant to map ex- isting infrastructure, work with communities to breakdown barriers to implement- ing electric vehicle charging stations. MVMPO staff are also providing technical assistance to the City of Lawrence to implement an electric bicycle pilot project. We support the MVRTA’s work to break down barriers to using transit including free fares, safe bus stops, public information, connections between modes and more.

Equity and Justice40 in Transportation Planning

FHWA Division and FTA regional offices should work with State DOTs, MPOs, and providers of public transportation to advance racial equity and support for underserved and disadvantaged communities. This will help ensure public in- volvement in the planning process and that plans and strategies reflect various perspectives, concerns, and priorities from impacted areas. We encourage the use of strategies that: (1) improve infrastructure for non-motorized travel, public transportation access, and increased public transportation service in under- served communities; (2) plan for the safety of all road users, particularly those
on arterials, through infrastructure improvements and advanced speed manage- ment; (3) reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel and associated air pollution in communities near high-volume corridors; (4) offer reduced public transportation fares as appropriate; (5) target demand-response service towards communities with higher concentrations of older adults and those with poor access to essen- tial services; and (6) consider equitable and sustainable practices while devel- oping transit-oriented development including affordable housing strategies and
consideration of environmental justice populations.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 19
The MVMPO strives to integrate outreach in our low income and racially diverse neighborhoods in all that we do. Examples of the MVMPO’s work in this area includes:

• Participation in the Lawrence Mayor’s Health Task Force.

• Participation, tabling and organizing the Ciclovia (open streets) in Law- rence.

• Coordinating with the City of Lawrence on a grant for an electric bicycle pilot project.

• Inviting residents to participate in Road Safety Audits.

• Meeting with Spanish and Chinese speaking elders at the Senior Center.

• Meeting with students at English as a Second Language classes.

• Tabling at health fairs in low-income and racially diverse neighborhoods.

• Participating in a food assessment for the City of Lawrence and a re- gional assessment.

• Advocating for and making connections between community needs and transportation, especially around transit, bicycle and pedestrian transpor- tation.

Complete Streets

USDOT is emphasizing the need to create complete streets that make road- ways safer for all users. With the implementation of the Massachusetts Com- plete Streets funding program, 11 out of 15 Merrimack Valley Communities have adopted Complete Street policies. MassDOT has also encouraged further adoption of Complete Streets design in all projects developed with federal fund- ing and has developed workshops, engineering guidance and toolboxes to aid in faster implementation. The MVMPO has provided technical assistance to com- munities on their Complete Street policies and projects. All studies take all us- ers into consideration and the MVMPO does conduct specific Complete Street analyses for corridors. Two have been conducted in environmental justice com- munities. The MVMPO continues to emphasize multi-modal transportation with the 2015 Active Transportation Plan and the 2022 update.

Public Involvement

USDOT encourages early, effective, and continuous public involvement to bring diverse viewpoints into the decision-making process. It encourages use of a va- riety of tools and methods to encourage greater involvement including Virtual Public Involvement.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 20
The MVMPO embraces the need to adapt and provide information in a variety of ways in order to reach and engage the public. The MVMPO adopted virtual meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it has been using GIS-based story maps to aid in providing information to the public on topics in- cluding Complete Streets, trails, and non-motorized crash data. Further, the MVMPO employed its first virtual mapping tool to encourage greater public input in the update to the Active Transportation Plan.

Strategic Highway Network/U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Coordina- tion

FHWA Division and FTA regional offices should encourage MPOs and State DOTs to coordinate with representatives from DOD in the transportation plan- ning and project programming process on infrastructure and connectivity needs for STRAHNET routes and other public roads that connect to DOD facilities. Ac- cording to the Declaration of Policy in 23 U.S.C. 101(b)(1), it is in the national interest to accelerate construction of the Federal-aid highway system, including the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, because many of the highways (or portions of the highways) are inadequate to meet the needs of national and civil defense. The DOD’s facilities include mili- tary bases, ports, and depots. The road networks that provide access and con- nections to these facilities are essential to national security. The 64,200-mile STRAHNET system consists of public highways that provide access, continuity, and emergency transportation of personnel and equipment in times of peace
and war. It includes the entire 48,482 miles of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Na- tional System of Interstate and Defense Highways and 14,000 miles of other non-Interstate public highways on the National Highway System. The
STRAHNET also contains approximately 1,800 miles of connector routes linking more than 200 military installations and ports to the primary highway system. The DOD’s facilities are also often major employers in a region, generating sub- stantial volumes of commuter and freight traffic on the transportation network and around entry points to the military facilities. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the STRAHNET maps and recent Power Project Platform (PPP) studies. These can be a useful resource in the State and MPO areas covered by these route analyses.

Federal Land Management Agency (FLMA) Coordination

FHWA Division and FTA regional offices should encourage MPOs and State DOTs to coordinate with FLMAs in the transportation planning and project pro- gramming process on infrastructure and connectivity needs related to access routes and other public roads and transportation services that connect to Fed- eral lands.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 21
The MVMPO meets with managers of federal lands in the Merrimack Valley and coordinates federal transportation funding needs for these areas. Funding for the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has been included on the MVMPO Transportation Improvement Program in the past, for example.

Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL)

FHWA Division and FTA regional offices should encourage State DOTs, MPOs and Public Transportation Agencies to implement PEL as part of the transporta- tion planning and environmental review processes. The use of PEL is a collabo- rative and integrated approach to transportation decision making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation plan- ning process, and uses the information, analysis, and products developed dur- ing planning to inform the environmental review process. PEL leads to inter- agency relationship building among planning, resource, and regulatory agencies in the early stages of planning to inform and improve project delivery
timeframes, including minimizing duplication and creating one cohesive flow of information. This results in transportation programs and projects that serve the community’s transportation needs more effectively while avoiding and minimiz- ing the impacts on human and natural resources.
MVPC continues to support the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative to address the requirements contained in EPA’s new Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Massachusetts, including those related to transportation infrastructure.
MVPC is also a certified provider of technical assistance under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EOEEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. EOEEA developed the MVP program to provide financial support to cities and towns in the state both for “…planning for resili- ency and in implementing key climate change adaptation actions for resiliency.”
A key component of this program is the MVP Assessment Workshop, which identifies key adaptation strategies to address threats to vulnerable community assets and resources. MVPC staff completed Vulnerability Assessment Work- shops for the Cities of Lawrence and Methuen and the Town of Andover in 2019 and completed MVP programs for the towns of Merrimac, North Andover and Rowley in 2020. Many of these involve the transportation network and will be considered by the MVMPO as it works with communities in developing the RTP, UPWP, TIP and performing other key transportation planning and programming
activities.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 22

Data in Transportation Planning

To address the emerging topic areas of data sharing, needs, and analytics, FHWA Division and FTA regional offices should encourage State DOTs, MPOs, and providers of public transportation to incorporate data sharing and considera- tion into the transportation planning process, because data assets have value across multiple programs. Data sharing principles and data management can be used for a variety of issues, such as freight, bike and pedestrian planning, equity analyses, managing curb space, performance management, travel time reliabil- ity, connected and autonomous vehicles, mobility services, and safety. Develop- ing and advancing data sharing principles allows for efficient use of resources and improved policy and decision-making at the State, MPO, regional, and local levels for all parties.

Other Transportation Planning Studies

In addition to the studies, analyses and legislation described above, the following transporta- tion planning studies have been implemented in the region and surrounding areas by other agencies. These include:

Interstate 495 Corridor Study

Completed in 2008, MassDOT undertook this study in recognition of the growing con- gestion that exists along the roadway, especially in the western Merrimack Valley and eastern Northern Middlesex regions and the fact that many of the interchanges along this section of roadway have not been improved since the facility was built in the early
1960s.
The study recommended an array of short- and long-term improvements for the corri- dor. Short-term improvements include the retiming of existing signals at exit and en- trance ramps, signalizing many of these ramp junctions in the next few years and re- striping the existing roadway to increase the length of many of the substandard accel- eration and deceleration lanes. Long-term improvements call for the widening of the roadway between Route 225 in Westford and Route 110 (Exit 49) in Haverhill.

Other Non – Transportation MVPC Planning Studies and Funding Sources

In addition to the transportation studies and analyses undertaken by the Commission on be- half of the MVMPO, as a comprehensive planning agency the MVPC is active in studies, initi- atives and analyses that address economic development, land use, open space and environ- mental matters that often directly impact the region's transportation network. 
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission serves as a conduit to both Federal and State economic development resources through a partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD).
MVPC serves as a Federally recognized Economic Development District (EDD) and a State- recognized Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO), in conjunction with its

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 23
roles and responsibilities as a comprehensive planning agency. Recent activities in these ar- eas are noted below:
We Are MV: MVPC maintained and updated the regional economic development and busi- ness support website WeAreMV.com. Updates included full Spanish translation, new busi- ness resource library, new local success stories, and a “how to start a business” guide.
MVPC maintains an available property inventory of all non-residential properties in the Merri- mack Valley. This database is updated every quarter. The information is mapped and dis- played on our regional economic development website WeAreMV.com and our Data Portal on MVPC.org. The properties are updated with flyover image photography and information in- cluding access to transportation, incentive districts, and local contacts.
MVPC Hosted a Housing Forum in North Andover and Haverhill in partnership with the Mas- sachusetts Housing Partnership. The events included panelists of local residents struggling to find housing in their communities and data that highlights the existing housing conditions in each community. Each forum ended with a series of policy recommendations for communities to implement on the municipal level.

• MVPC, in partnership with MassHire, conducted a survey of Merrimack Valley employ- ers to learn how to better respond to their workforce challenges. Their responses will

be used to shape programming focused on connecting employers with additional work- force resources. Large employers in the manufacturing sector were targeted as partici- pants.

• MVPC hosted The State of the Economy in Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley in partnership with the UMass Amherst Donahue Institute and Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority. The event was a high-level overview of where the economy stands in Massachusetts after a volatile 18 months and where we stand as a regional economy. Over 35 people from across the Merrimack Valley were in attendance. Attendees are part of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Coalition charged with crafting and implementing the CEDS.

• In partnership with Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Lawrence Partnership, and Es- sex County Community Foundation MVPC used its regional business inventory to cu- rate a targeted database of businesses with 50 or more employees in key industries including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, IT services, advanced textiles, and food manufacturers. Through a strategic outreach and engagement process, MVPC and economic development staff in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover met with large employers in the three communities to better understand their challenges and needs. For many of these businesses, it was the first time they interacted with anyone from the municipality in which they operate.

• Although the primary goal of this outreach is to identify challenges businesses face with being in this region, both the municipal staff and the businesses found value in

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 24
simply establishing a connection and open lines of communication between the two parties. To date, the businesses engaged through this work have reported challenges they face, the most common being workforce recruitment and retention.

• Utilizing Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) funding for our Targeted Eco- nomic Development Strategy, MVPC has been working with the communities of Law- rence, Andover, and North Andover to meet with large employers in their communities. The goal of this effort is to identify and respond to challenges the employers face with being located in this region. The number one concern routinely mentioned is workforce recruitment and retention. MVPC partnered with MassHire Merrimack Valley, The Gem Group, and the Merrimack Valley Project to put together a workforce webinar panel for manufacturing businesses to attend and ask questions about best practices in work- force recruitment and retention.

• In December of 2020, MVPC announced that the U.S. Economic Development Admin- istration (EDA) awarded the Lawrence Partnership a $600,000 grant to support the ex- pansion of the Revolving Test Kitchen (RTK), an incubator which invests in small local food-based businesses in Lawrence. Due to its position as the region’s Economic De- velopment District (EDD), MVPC serves as the grant administrator and oversees the project. Over the past year, MVPC has worked with the Lawrence Partnership as it has expanded its operations at the RTK. The newly renovated space, which opened in Au- gust of 2021, is located at the street-level entrance at Northern Essex Community Col- lege’s Lawrence campus on Common Street. Featuring shared culinary workspaces with multiple prep and cook spaces with dry and cold storage, RTK will accommodate

a range of food businesses, including food trucks, catering companies, small batch manufacturers, and food delivery companies, while offering its members access to culi- nary and business experts in the food industry.

• The Merrimack Valley Economic Development (MVED) is a 501-C-4 non-profit organi- zation housed within our Community and Community Development Program. MVED provides loans and financial incentives to small businesses throughout the region to stimulate the local economy. Financing is routinely cited as one of the biggest chal- lenges for small businesses, so the MVED revolving loan program was created in part- nership with the U.S Economic Development Administration and Massachusetts De- partment of Housing and Community Development to provide that assistance. Utilizing the MVED program, Boston Best Cookies and Jessica’s Brick Oven have been able to come together under the same roof of an updated facility in Methuen that will allow each business to continue thriving, creating an economy of scale to help production costs and times. The latest loan from MVED will assist in purchasing new equipment to meet the demand of the partnership with their national retailer and other large orders

as well as employ five more of our own Merrimack Valley residents. For more infor-
mation on the MVED program please visit our Revolving Loan Fund page.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 25

• MVED was designated as the Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. This designation allows MVED to provide State resources to businesses and organization in the regions. MVED suc- cessfully leveraged its REDO designation to direct $49,000 in grant funding to the Mer- rimack Valley Chamber of Commerce for their Merrimack Valley Means Business Pro- gram.

• MVPC produced a Recovery and Resiliency Plan which analyses how the Merrimack Valley was impacted by COVID-19. The report shows what businesses and industries were impacted and which ones began to recover. The report also compiles a series of local interventions that occurred during the course of the pandemic and recommends strategies and interventions that should be built upon to create a more resilient econ- omy.

• MVPC continues to manage the Merrimack Valley Strong Program, a free technical as- sistance program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The program currently has 230 business in the pipeline, the majority of which are Latino-owned, Spanish speaking, and/or women owned. This program is implemented in partnership with Mill Cities Community Investments and Small Business Strong.

Transportation Planning Program Funding for FFY 2023 UPWP

The transportation planning tasks and activities in the FFY 2023 UPWP were developed by the MVPC and MVRTA in cooperation with FHWA, MassDOT, FTA, local officials and the in- put of MVMPO Stakeholders.
The studies, analyses and other tasks contained in this document will be carried out through funding provided under two contracts. The first, and largest, is the annual planning contract between MassDOT and the MVPC. The second contract is between the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority and the MVPC.

PL/Transit Planning Contract Between MassDOT and MVPC

Funding for virtually all of the highway planning tasks and many of the transit tasks contained in the MVMPO’s FFY 2023 UPWP will be provided through a one-year contract between MassDOT and MVPC that will begin on October 1, 2022 and terminate on September 30,
2023.
While this contract is between MassDOT and the Commission, much of the funding is pro- vided by FHWA and FTA through their PL and Section 5303 Metropolitan Planning programs, respectively. MassDOT provides the match for the federal planning funds from these two pro- grams.
On January 28, 2022, MassDOT provided the MPOs in the Commonwealth with guidance on the amount of funding that would be available to them from the PL and Section 5303 federal
programs and MassDOT matching sources in FFY 2023. In April 2022, OTP provided

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 26
supplemental information regarding the amount of additional FTA Section 5303 planning funds that became available through the passage of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2022. The amount for the Merrimack Valley MPO is $941,381 and was used in the development of this document.

Transit Planning Contract Between MVRTA and MVPC

Transit planning activities carried out under the Section 5307 contract between the MVRTA and the MVPC are funded through an annual contract, with MVPC providing the 20% match for the federal transportation funds involved. The MVRTA sets aside a portion of its Section
5307 Urban Area Formula funds for this purpose. The tasks funded under this contract are more focused on having MVPC provide planning and technical assistance activities needed to support the Authority’s fixed route and demand response transportation services.
The transportation planning activities funded through the Section 5307 contract between the MVRTA and the MVPC will be in effect from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. In developing the FFY 2023 UPWP, it is assumed that the MVRTA will be providing $80,000 in Section 5307 funding for this contract and that MVPC will provide the 20% match.
All planning tasks to be initiated under the FFY 2023 UPWP will be performed by either the
MVPC or private consultants through the contracts described above.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 27

Transportation Planning Factors

10 planning factors must be considered in the conduct of the 3C Transportation Planning Pro- cess. The table presented below shows which individual transportation planning tasks in-
cluded in the MVMPO’s FFY 2023 UPWP address each of them:

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 28

Source: MVPC's FY 2023 Budget #1: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023* (Approved 2/17/22)

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 29
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 30

Equity Analysis

The MVMPO examined the distribution of studies undertaken under the UPWP with respect to geographic and social equity.

Study Choices: Each year, the MVMPO staff make it a priority to include studies in the UPWP that address safety concerns, but some studies are undertaken for reasons related to traffic congestion or mobility needs, as is the case with Complete Streets analyses. Addi- tional studies are undertaken as part of local technical assistance in which our member com- munities request MVMPO assistance with various transportation issues. For example, West Newbury requested a guard rail study, but this study did not include any high crash areas. This is reflected in the geographic distribution of studies among all MVMPO member commu- nities.

Geographic Equity: In the table below, the second and third columns shows the number of studies undertaken in each community between 2016-2023. 48.7% of the studies conducted between 2016-2023 have been (will be) in those communities that represent 56% of the popu- lation of the Merrimack Valley or 34% of the Federal Aid roadway miles. Studies or analyses during this time period have been conducted in each of the 15 Merrimack Valley communities, but the emphasis has been on those communities with higher numbers of crashes.

Social Equity: To further drill down on the equity analysis, the geographic location of each study was then compared to the Title VI maps used for the Transportation Improvement Pro- gram (ACS 2019) in order to identify which ones were located in low-income and minority tracts. A tract is considered minority if it has a higher percentage of minorities than the re- gional average. A tract is considered low-income if the median income of the tract is 65% or less than the regional average.

A total of 69 transportation studies have been included in the MVMPO’s UPWPs between FFY 2016 and 2023. Of those studies, 42% were (or will be in FFY 2023) conducted in or ad- jacent to Title VI/EJ tracts. It should be noted that these figures will change over the course of the FFY 2023 UPWP as communities come forward and ask MVPC for Local Technical Assis- tance related to transportation issues.
The analysis also takes into consideration the number of federal aid roadway miles and the number of crash clusters. 83% of the crash clusters designated by MassDOT between 2018-
2020 occurred in the Merrimack Valley’s largest cities of Haverhill, Lawrence, and Methuen. During the time period between 2016-2023, 47% of the studies were undertaken at high crash locations. The majority of these studies are also in low-income or minority tracts. The differ- ence between the total number of crash clusters and the number of studies at crash cluster locations reflects the fact that studies are undertaken for a variety of reasons. In addition, this analysis only takes into account those studies during the time period 2016-2023. The
MVMPO previously has studied many of the high crash locations identified through
MassDOT’s crash clusters and the MVMPO’s Top 100 Intersection Crash List.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 31

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 32

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Staff

(Number in parentheses represents the approximate percentage of staff per-

son’s time devoted to transportation planning)

Jerrard Whitten, Executive Director

Mary Kay Beninati, Senior Transportation Planner (100%) Ian Burns, Targeted Economic Development Coordinator Tony Collins, Transportation Planner (100%)

Jennifer Dunlap, Accountant

Cece Gerstenbacher, Environmental Planner (15%) Betsy Goodrich, Transportation Planner (100%) Lauren Keisling, Housing Planner

Anthony Komornick, Transportation Program Manager (100%) Nancy Lavallee, Administration

Steve Lopez, GIS Specialist (40%) Mikayla Minor, GIS Specialist (40%)

Dan Ovalle, Field Services Specialist (100%) Peter Phippen, Environmental Planner (10%) Nate Robertson, Economic Development Planner

James Terlizzi, Senior Transportation Planner (100%)

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 33
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 34

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 35
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 36

Acronyms Used in Draft FFY 2023 UPWP

in the 21st Century Act

MAPC: Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 37
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 38

TASK 1.0 - MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF THE 3C TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 39
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 40

Task 1.1 - Program Management and Support

Description

Program Management and Support activities include tasks that are necessary to maintain the federally prescribed 3C transportation planning process in the MVMPO region. These include administrative tasks associated with the preparation of transportation plans and programs (i.e., UPWP, TIP, and the MTP), coordination of transportation planning activities with other local, state and regional agencies, contract administration, and staff attendance of seminars and work- shops. Also included is MVPC staff participation in ongoing transportation studies & analyses being undertaken in the region or in surrounding MPO regions.

Previous Work

• Prepared of all necessary financial documents and progress reports for its PL contract with MassDOT and its transit planning contract with the MVRTA. MVPC also prepared newsletters and annual reports, and provided information to the press.

• Coordination with other regional planning agencies

• Review major transportation programs and documents prepared by state and federal agencies.

• Certification Reviews and implementing recommendations.

• Participation in municipal-level committees, such as traffic and safety committees.

• Development and adoption of new Merrimack Valley MPO Memorandum of Understand- ing.

FFY 2023 Activities

Each of the activities described below will be performed by the MVPC since this agency is des- ignated as the MVMPO's transportation planning staff. A breakdown of Program Management and Support tasks is shown below:

Tasks

1.1.1 Review Federal and State Transportation Programs: Includes staff reviews of federal
and state transportation programs, guidelines, circulars and manuals. This includes such documents as Federal Transportation Authorization legislation, the Commonwealths’ State Rail and Freight plans, weMove Massachusetts, Transportation Bond Bills, and MassDOT’s Capital Investment Plan. In addition, Chapter 40 Section 54A reviews of de- velopment projects proposed for abandoned rail lines in the region will be performed un- der this task as will staff attendance at workshops sponsored by MassDOT or USDOT.
1.1.2 Coordination of Regional Transportation Planning Activities: The MVMPO will, to the ex- tent feasible, coordinate all its transportation activities with related activities and pro- grams developed by other agencies and authorities in adjacent regions such as the Rockingham Planning Commission in New Hampshire, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Nashua Regional Planning Commis- sion, Lowell Regional Transit Authority and the Merrimack Valley Regional Coordinating

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 41
Council. Staff will also stay apprised of activities being undertaken by the Merrimack Val- ley TMA in its efforts to relieve congestion in and around Greater Lawrence and the Low- ell Junction area of Andover.
1.1.3 Preparation of Newsletter Articles and 2022 Annual Report Articles: Transportation staff will prepare articles for inclusion in the MVPC newsletter, which will be published monthly during the period, and for the MVPC’s 2022 Annual Report. This latter document will be prepared in the period from December 2022 through March 2023.
1.1.4 Contract Administration: Prepare time sheets, monthly and quarterly progress reports and billings for MVPC’s two transportation planning contracts and perform other contract administration activities necessary to the conduct of the 3C transportation planning pro- cess such as staff meetings.
1.1.5 Attend Meetings of MVPC and MassDOT District 4 Staff: MVPC transportation planning staff will prepare for and attend meetings with MassDOT District 4 personnel to discuss the status of MVMPO region’s roadway and trail projects, project programming issues, and other transportation-related topics.
1.1.6 MVMPO Participation in Other Regional Studies/Analyses: MVMPO staff will also sup- port the planning activities needed for regional studies and analyses that can have an im- pact on transportation in the MVMPO region. These include MVPC’s own efforts in Eco- nomic Development (including the development of the Comprehensive Economic Devel- opment Strategy), Housing, and Environmental Planning.
1.1.7 Attend Transportation Program Managers and Data Users Group Meetings:: The Trans- portation Program Managers Group serves as a primary forum for the exchange of infor- mation between the Metropolitan Planning Organizations, MassDOT and USDOT.
MVPC staff will be represented at meetings of this group as well as the Managers’ Data
Users Group. Both groups generally meet monthly.
1.1.8 MVMPO Participation on Community Committees: MVMPO will continued to participate on local traffic and safety committees, road committees, and other groups that have been created to address transportation issues in the Valley.
1.1.9 Participate in Northern Boston UZA Meeting(s): This group is comprised of transportation staff from the Boston, Northern Middlesex and Merrimack Valley MPOs and meets annu- ally to discuss transportation matters (e.g., projects, data availability, etc.) that cross
MPO boundaries.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 42

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 43
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 44

Task 1.2 - Public Participation Process

Description

An essential component of the federal transportation planning legislation requires that MPOs in- volve the public in all levels of the transportation planning process. The MVMPO’s public partici- pation process is designed to ensure that key public agencies at all levels of government, pri- vate and nonprofit organizations, MPO Stakeholders, and interested citizens are all kept ap- praised of the development of important MPO documents such as the Regional Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work Program and provided with the fullest access to all the transportation planning milestones in the region.
Key participating groups in this process are the MVMPO members, the MVMPO Transportation Committee, the MVPC, and the MVRTA Advisory Board. However, MVPC-sponsored meetings of local elected officials, the Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers Coalition (MVMMC) and
its subsidiary DPW Directors Subcommittee, Regional Planners and Economic Development Di- rectors, and area legislators are also important. Through these and the MVPC website, infor- mation concerning the status of transportation planning and construction projects as well as transit services in the region are presented and reviewed.

Previous Work

The MVMPO created and adopted a regional Public Participation Plan in the summer of 2007, updated in 2010 and again 2016. Updates were made in response to guidance that the MVMPO has received from FHWA and MassDOT and were designed to more actively involve the re- gion’s Title VI/Environmental Justice/Limited English Proficiency populations in the transporta- tion planning process. The MVMPO amended its Public Participation Plan in March 2017 to re- duce the review and comment period needed to adopt/amend its Regional Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Program, and Unified Planning Work Program.
In FFY 2022 MVPC staff prepared numerous public notices and press releases for local news- papers and boards announcing MVMPO meetings, MVTC meetings, and Public Hearings to re- ceive input on MVMPO documents, and modified its electronic outreach procedures to provide more information that can be used in both measuring how well this form of communication is performing and to streamline the management of the Stakeholders List.
MVPC staff continued supporting its Mayor’s and Managers Coalition as well as meetings of a subcommittee of that group, the DPW Directors. This group has and will continue to play a key role in the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative, a group formed through funding provided through a Commonwealth Community Innovation Challenge Grant (see Task 3.9). Staff also continued to work with the DPW Directors in developing apps that can be used by local DPWs
for collecting data and providing direct access to asset databases from locations in the field.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 45

FFY 2023 Activities

Staff will continue to support the implementation of the Public Participation Plan in the region and the tasks described below. In addition, MVPC will work to implement the other planning- related requirements contained in BIL and the Final Rule on Statewide and Metropolitan Plan- ning that apply to this task.

Tasks

1.2.1 Complete Update of MVMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP): Evaluate the effectiveness of specific PPP components and make revisions, as needed. The revised MVMPO PPP will consider the elements of MassDOT’s PPP, which is expected to be completed later in
2022. Virtual public involvement strategies/procedures will be included.
1.2.2 Continued Monitoring of Stakeholder Outreach Lists: Additional groups and organiza- tions will be added as warranted and non-participating parties will be removed upon their request.
1.2.3 Implement Public Participation Process: Staff will prepare public notices, announce- ments, documents, presentations and educational tools to be circulated at MVMPO, MVTC and other meetings, posted on MVPC website / social media, or distributed by mail, newspapers or other media as outlined in the MVMPO’s Public Participation Plan.
1.2.4 Distribution of Required Documents (TIP, RTP, UPWP) consistent with the MVMPO PPP.
1.2.5 Host and/or Meetings of Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers Coalition and Area Leg- islators.
1.2.6 Host Meetings of DPW Directors Subcommittee and Merrimack Valley Planning and Community Development Directors: These groups are comprised of stakeholders that play prominent roles in maintaining the transportation infrastructure and in the develop- ment of transportation projects in the region. Bringing these groups together allows MVMPO staff to present information on the region’s transportation network and transpor- tation planning process and garner meaningful comments and insights. The DPW Direc- tors Subcommittee meets the first Wednesday of every month, while the Planning and Community Development Directors meet on the fourth Thursday of the month.
1.2.7 Merrimack Valley Transportation Committee: Provide for and actively encourage public and private participation in the 3C planning process through the Merrimack Valley Trans- portation Committee (MVTC).
1.2.8 Hold MVMPO Meetings: MVPC staff will provide administrative and technical support to the MVMPO and host meetings of the organization. This task includes scheduling meet- ings, preparation and distribution of meeting agendas, notices, minutes, and other materi- als. The MVMPO usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the MVPC Offices in Haverhill. Since March 2020, these meetings have been held virtually.
1.2.9 Monitor/Participate in MPO and Committee Meetings for Surrounding MPOs: Under this

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 46
task, MVPC staff will attend policy committee, technical committee, and meetings of the Boston, Northern Middlesex, Rockingham and Nashua MPOs as needed. Staff may also attend meetings of other MPOs within the Boston Urbanized Area (UZA), although it is anticipated that this will occur less frequently. Staff will also review the materials pre- pared by these MPOs to ensure the coordination of all transportation-planning activities. Along with Task 1.2.10 below, this task will address the federal requirement for interre- gional transportation planning coordination.
1.2.10 Update Transportation Web Pages of MVPC Website and Facebook Transportation Page: MVMPO staff will continue to update and maintain the transportation content at www.mvpc.org and the MVPC Facebook Transportation page and look for additional ways to reach the public.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 47
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 48

Task 1.3 - Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Description

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) describes all transportation planning activities to be undertaken within the region in the coming federal fiscal year. Most of these activities will be conducted by MVPC transportation staff within that agency’s role as the transportation staff for the MVMPO. However, this document must also include descriptions of significant transporta- tion planning studies in the Valley that are to be undertaken by other agencies using federal transportation funds. Annually, MVPC staff produce draft and final versions of the MVMPO UPWP.

FFY 2023 Activities

Under this task in the coming program year the MVPC, in accordance with responsibilities de- fined in the Memorandum of Understanding for the MVMPO, will prepare the FFY 2024 UPWP for the region. The MVPC will also amend the FFY 2023 document as needed to reflect changes that may occur during the program year.

Tasks

1.3.1 Develop FFY 2024 Unified Planning Work Program: The MVPC will develop the FFY
2024 UPWP for the region which describes all transportation planning activities antici- pated to be undertaken in the next program year including, to the extent feasible, those state and locally funded activities which are to be conducted by the MVPC, or other par- ties.
1.3.2 Amend/Adjust FFY 2023 UPWP: Performed as necessary. Amendments and Adjust- ments to the UPWP shall be undertaken according to the procedures and circumstances identified on Page 5 of the Introduction.

Products/Schedule

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 49

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 50

Task 1.4 - Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Description

The TIP serves as a 5-year, financially constrained document that lists and briefly describes all federally funded transportation projects that are programmed for implementation in the region. Any project to be implemented using federal funding must appear in this document and any pro- ject that is to be implemented in the coming fiscal year must appear in what is known as the An- nual Element.

Development and Implementation Process

• Development of the TIP is a cooperative and collaborative process in conjunction with municipalities, the MVRTA and MassDOT’s Highway Division District 4 and its Office of Transportation Planning

• Update the universe of projects and apply Transportation Evaluation Criteria to each pro- ject. Projects meet the goals of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

• MVPC staff complete qualitative or quantitative assessments of each TIP project’s

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
• For transit projects, staff coordinate projects between MVRTA and MassDOT using MassDOT's GrantsPlus project tracking and grant management system for projects using FTA Section 5307 and Section 5339 federal funds and state matching funds, Projects in- clude the acquisition of new or replacement rolling stock, the purchase of Intelligent Transportation products, facility construction projects and other items. MassDOT's Rail and Transit Division then reviews these requests and provides the MPOs with a listing of projects that could be included given available state matching funds.

• Staff also employ MassDOT’s eSTIP template which provides MPO’s with improved ac- cess to the Department’s project information database. In 2022, this included the incorpo- ration of transit projects into eSTIP.

• Staff prepare all amendments for the MVMPO.

FFY 2023 Activities

MassDOT and the other MVMPO members will continue to work cooperatively to develop a re- gional priority list of federal aid and non-federal aid transportation projects that will serve as the basis of the FFYs 2024-2028 TIP.
MVPC will continue to complete GHG emissions evaluations for those roadway and bridge pro- jects that appear in the TIP (in Appendix E and Appendix F of the document).

Tasks

• Develop Five-year Program of Projects: In developing the Draft FFYs 2024-2028

TIP, staff will work with MassDOT and the MVRTA to update the list of all transit and highway projects that could possibly receive federal transportation funds for
planning, engineering, and construction or purchase during the period. For

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 51
informational purposes, all transportation projects proposed to be funded with Fed- eral funds other than from FHWA and FTA, and

• For informational purposes, all regionally significant transportation projects pro- posed to be funded with Non-Federal funds.

This five-year list of projects shall include the following information:
a. Project title.
b. Project description.
c. Project evaluation score based on the MVMPO staff’s application of Transportation
Project Evaluation Criteria.
d. Project Type (i.e., Planning, Design, or Construction).
e. Estimated total cost in the year that the project is to be advertised.
f. Amount of federal funds proposed to be obligated during each program year.
g. Identification of the intent to use Advance Construction method of funding, when approved.
h. Proposed source of funding (federal and non-federal).
i. Identification of the recipient/subrecipient and state and local agencies responsible for carrying out the project, and
j. Quantitative or Qualitative evaluation of each roadway and bridge project’s GHG
emissions.
Project descriptions shall be of sufficient detail to adequately describe the scope of the project and should match the descriptions shown on MassDOT's project information web page. In addi- tion, the total costs of projects seeking federal funds in each program year shall be comparable to the anticipated level of federal funding expected to be available to the MVMPO.
Also, all project construction cost estimates will be adjusted to reflect their anticipated levels in the fiscal year that they are programmed to be advertised. To accomplish this, baseline con- struction cost estimates will be increased by 4% per year until the fiscal year they are pro- grammed.
1.4.1. Preparation of MVMPO Region Draft and Final FFYs 2024-2028 TIP: The following tasks and procedures will be performed by the MVPC transportation planning staff in develop- ing the Draft FFYs 2024-2028 TIP:
• Ensure early involvement of local legislators, chief local officials, MVMPO Stake- holders, and citizens through the Public Involvement Process (see Task 1.2).

• Provide technical assistance to municipalities and private interests in developing projects and priorities, and

• Work with the MassDOT District 4 Project Engineer, MVRTA Administrator, MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator, and the Office of Transportation Plan-

ning in developing project information.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 52
The Draft FFYs 2024-2028 TIP will also include sections on:
a. The relationship of the TIP to the RTP.
b. Amounts of federal funds proposed to be obligated during each program year.
c. Previously funded projects and programs, their status, and an explanation of any significant delays in the planned implementation of major projects. The region will also specifically identify “investments in pedestrian walkways and bicycle transpor- tation facilities” as required in the FAST Act.
d. The criteria and process for prioritizing projects.
e. The Financial Plan that compares revenue needs to revenue sources for highway and transit programs.
f. Evaluation of how the region is programming transportation funding to maintain the existing transportation network.
g. Description of the transit funding provisions in The FAST Act.
h. The GHG emissions associated with each project appearing in the FFYs 2024-
2028 elements of the document.
i. Description of how Performance Measures are included in the FFYs 2024-2028
TIP.
1.4.2. Amendments to MVMPO’s FFY 2023-2027 TIP: The MVMPO will endorse amendments
to the region’s FFYs 2023-2027 TIP as needed throughout FFY 2023.
1.4.3. Review Reports on Projects: MassDOT provides quarterly reports to the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA) concerning the status of planned and advertised road and bridge projects. This information is usually disseminated and discussed at meetings of MassDOT staff, RPA Directors, and RPA Transportation Pro- gram Managers. Attendance of MVPC transportation staff at these meetings and the re- view of the information presented in these reports will be performed under this task.
1.4.4. Project Evaluation Criteria: Staff will continue to work with MassDOT and OTP staff to annually update the transportation project evaluation scores for roadway and trail projects in the MVMPO region.
As part of Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2013, the Legislature created the Project Selection Advisory Council (PSAC) which developed uniform project selection criteria that are to be used in the development of the comprehensive state transportation plan. These criteria, with minor modifications, have been applied by MassDOT to the universe of projects/pro- ject proposals as part of the preparation of the MassDOT/MBTA Capital Investment Pro- grams since 2017. MVPC staff has and will continue to work with MVMPO members to determine how and whether MassDOT’s new evaluation criteria can be incorporated into
its own transportation project evaluation process.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 53
1.4.5. CMAQ Consultation Committee: Prepare CMAQ project descriptions and complete man- dated Air Quality impact evaluations needed by the state’s CMAQ Consultation Commit- tee. Attend/participate in Committee meetings.
1.4.6. Publish List of Projects for Which Federal Transportation Funds Were Obligated in FFY

2022: By December 31, the MVMPO will develop and make available to the public a list of the transportation projects that federal funds were obligated.

1.4.7. Research and Develop investment programs that allow the MPO to assist communities with implementation of complete streets, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, transit connections and more.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 54

Task 1.5 - Title VI/Environmental Justice/Limited English Proficiency Activities

Description

The MVMPO’s Nondiscrimination Program activities relate to its status as 1) a direct recipient of USDOT planning funds, and 2) through provision of its technical assistance to the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority or MVRTA (an FTA direct funding recipient). Accordingly, cer- tain tasks contained in each MVMPO UPWP are also part of MVRTA documents prepared and submitted by the MVRTA each federal fiscal year.
The MVMPO performs this task to raise awareness and integration of Transportation Equity / Environmental Justice (TE/EJ) principles and needs in the MVMPO’s transportation planning and programming activities as well as in the MVPC’s overall Program work. As in previous years, MVPC Staff will continue outreach efforts to minority, low-income, Limited-English-Profi- ciency, disabled, and elder populations. It accomplishes much of this work through its staff sup- port to the MVRTA (see UPWP Tasks 3.1 and 3.2). Staff will maintain efforts initiated in prior FFYs to integrate Title VI/EJ awareness through community outreach, specific analyses and re- porting in its 3C process, a trend consistent among Federal, Commonwealth and MPO organi- zations in general.

Previous Work

• The MPO implements the Title VI program and prepares annual updates and certification re- ports as required.

• Staff conduct Title VI and EJ analyses during the planning processes.

• As part of the Public Participation Plan, outreach to Title VI and EJ communities is conducted throughout the year both for required documents as well as to create an inclusive environ- ment that allows for input from historically underserved communities.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC Staff proposes to implement its FFY 2023 Title VI/Nondiscrimination Work Plan by per- forming the following tasks:

Tasks

1.5.1 Staff Training and Coordination with MassDOT and USDOT: MVPC Staff will attend seminars, workshops, and other training sessions such as webinars sponsored by USDOT and/or MassDOT to improve the quality of the MVMPO’s own Title VI/EJ/LEP monitoring procedures.
1.5.2 Data Collection and Monitoring Regional Protected Population Facts/Trends.
1.5.3 Reviewing TIP Projects/UPWP Studies and Perform ‘Benefits and Burdens’ Analyses: MVPC Staff will continue to prepare ‘Benefits and Burdens’ analyses to determine how individual projects or programs contained in the TIP and UPWP affect the region’s mi-
nority, low-income, limited English-proficient, and other protected populations.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 55
1.5.4 Translating MVMPO Documents/Materials Translate all or portions of MPO documents and continue preparing process or document Fact Sheets in Spanish and in Simplified Chinese. Post materials in languages other than English on electronic media and hard copies at various locations
1.5.5 Elevating Accessibility: MVPC Staff will purchase or secure use of equipment and/or services that maintain and/or enhance MVMPO program accessibility. The Title VI Co- ordinator will also continue coordinating with the MVPC Office Administrator on MVPC facility, policy and program accessibility. The MVPC’s Title VI Coordinator will arrange for in-house accessibility training, as needed.
1.5.6 Interacting with MVMPO Region Constituent Groups. MVPC Staff will continue this work, including preparation and circulation of information as outlined in its Public Partici- pation Plan in all MVMPO communities to increase potential for participation in the MVMPO planning process by protected populations including Title VI and EJ targeted populations as well as the disabled, elders, etc.
1.5.7 Preparing Title VI Annual Report Submission to MassDOT: MVPC Staff will prepare this report to summarize MVMPO Title VI/Nondiscrimination Program activities in the previ- ous year. The content of the Annual Report will follow MassDOT guidance.
1.5.8 Implement Recommendations Provided Through the 2021 Planning Certification Re- view: The MVMPO will continue to update the LEP/LAP and Title VI program as needed
according to the recommendations provided through the Certification Review process.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 56

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 57
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 58

Task 1.6 - Metropolitan Transportation Plan

Description

The MVMPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan1 (MTP) is the most important element in the re- gion's 3C planning process. It comprehensively examines the existing transportation network in the region, identifies those issues and problems that either require or will require improvement, and recommends actions designed to facilitate these improvements. All major forms of trans- portation in the region are considered and the document is developed so that it is consistent
with the region’s comprehensive, long-term land use plans as well as any social, economic, en- vironmental, and energy conservation goals and objectives. The MTP guides investments 20- years in the future and must be updated every four years.

Previous Work

The MVMPO completed preparation of the region’s FFY 2020 RTP, which presents a compre- hensive examination of the region’s existing transportation network and forecasts the future de- mand for transportation services in the Valley.
The Goals for the transportation network set forth in the 2020 RTP are to:

• Maintain the System in a State of Good Repair.

• Increase Safety for All Modes.

• Promote Economic Vitality.

• Support Transportation Equity.

• Promote Environmental Sustainability.

FFY 2023 Activities

The Merrimack Valley MPO must prepare and endorse a new Metropolitan Transportation Plan in Spring/Summer 2023.

Tasks

1.6.1 Review of Significant Regional Studies: Staff will incorporate into the MTP data and other information from the MVPC’s Regional Housing Production Plan, CEDS, Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Active Transportation Plan and the Coordinated Public Transit -Human Services Transportation Plan.
1.6.2 Outreach to Communities to Develop Preferred Land Use/Zoning Scenario: Staff will contact local planners and community development officials to solicit input on their long- term zoning and land use objectives and likely reflect recommendations contained in ex- isting Community Master Plans and strategies being followed to support the develop- ment of Priority Development Areas and Priority Protection Areas as identified in the
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission's Priority Growth Strategy.

1 Also often referred to as the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 59
1.6.3 Modification of Existing Goals and Objectives to Reflect New Performance Measures and Targets: The MVMPO will review and, if needed, modify the goals and objectives contained in the MTP so that they support current performance measures and targets.
1.6.4 Collection of Data Showing the Condition and Utilization of the Regional Transportation

Network: Staff will develop or obtain data relating to the regional transportation network

1.6.5 Development of Financial Constraint Information Used in the Document: It is anticipated that MassDOT, working in cooperation with FTA and FHWA, will prepare estimates of
the amount and type of state and federal transportation funding that will be available to
all the MPOs in the state over the time period covered in the MTP. In addition, MVPC will develop an estimate of the amount of Chapter 90 funding that can reasonably be ex- pected for use in maintaining federal aid roadways in the region.
1.6.6 Hold Public Outreach Sessions: A minimum of three public outreach sessions will be held to introduce the MTP, describe the Merrimack Valley transportation network, pre- sent information generated through Tasks 1.6.4 and 1.6.5 above, and discuss important findings and recommendations. Additional presentations will be made to other groups throughout the region including those serving underserved protected populations.
1.6.7 Develop Recommendations for Programs and Projects: Staff will work with MPO mem- bers and stakeholders to develop a list of recommended projects and programs for inclu- sion in the RTP.
1.6.8 Preparation of Draft / Final Versions of MVMPO FFY 2024 MTP: Staff will prepare a draft MTP that contains the recommended projects and programs developed in Task
1.6.7 along with important information that describes the existing condition of the re- gion’s transportation network, identifies the amount of funding that will be available to implement the MTPs recommendations.
Once the MVMPO Draft FFY 2024 MTP has been approved for release to the public by the MPO, the document will be made available for public review and comment as out- lined in the MPO’s Public Participation Plan. Comments received during the public re- view and comment period will be brought to the attention of the MVMPO for considera- tion and appropriate action. Once approved by the MPO, a final version of the MTP will be completed and submitted to MassDOT, FTA and FHWA.
1.6.9 Monitor Status of Local Development Projects and Proposals: Staff will continue to work with community planners, development directors and planning boards to identify readily accessible sources of information that can be monitored to track the progress of devel- opments around the region.
1.6.10 Prepare Amendments if Needed.
1.6.11 Participate in MassDOT Socioeconomic Projections Committee

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 60

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 61
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 62

TASK 2.0- DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ACTIVITIES

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 63
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 64

Task 2.1 - Traffic Monitoring Program

Description

Traffic volume count data is the most widely used and easily understood method to monitor and measure activity on our roadways. Using Automatic Traffic Recorder (ATR) counting equip- ment, the MVPC has annually gathered traffic volume information on roadways throughout the region since 1983. These counts are taken for several important transportation planning pur- poses including the calculation of accident rates on links and at intersections, for use in MVPC corridor and intersection studies, in refining the Statewide Travel Demand Model, and in re- sponse to community requests for traffic counting information. These community requests often call for data on vehicle classification and vehicle speed to be collected. Counts are also taken
at MassDOT-specified coverage locations to aid the state in obtaining data on vehicle miles traveled by road type. MassDOT also submits this information to the FHWA each year and it is used, in part, to determine the amount of federal highway funding that will be made available to Massachusetts.
In addition to the ATR counts described above, MVPC staff manually collects vehicle turning movement counts at intersections/interchanges as well as information on bicycle and pedestrian travel.

Previous Work

During the 2021 traffic counting season (i.e., April – November):

• Completed approximately 100 traffic volume counts, and

• Conducted ATR counts at 30 locations on heavily traveled routes throughout the region where recent pre-COVID volume data had recently been collected.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC again anticipates conducting approximately 100 ATR traffic counts including 17
MassDOT-assigned locations. We will continue to collect data at 30 locations as part of COVID comparisons. In addition, MVPC staff will purchase equipment to automatically collect data on bicycle and pedestrian travel volumes to better monitor these two important travel modes and
assist with Complete Street planning and development of the Active Transportation Network.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 65

Tasks

2.1.1 Establish Revised 2023 Traffic Counting Schedule: Staff will work with MassDOT and CTPS staff to develop a revised schedule of ATR volume count locations. This will be impacted by the rate and nature of the reopening of the Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire economies.
2.1.2 Conduct MVPC Counts: Conduct counts throughout the region to refine and update the
Statewide Travel Demand Model and in support of MVPC studies and analyses.
2.1.3 Conduct MassDOT Coverage Counts: Take additional counts at MassDOT coverage count locations on undivided highways in the region. The MVPC will conduct 15 such counts this year for MassDOT to assist in their efforts to estimate the number of vehicle miles traveled on various classes of roadways in the Commonwealth. MassDOT will be submitting this information to FHWA, and it will be one of the data sources used to deter- mine the state’s highway funding allocation.
2.1.4 Community Requests: Member communities often request traffic counting information (vehicle classification, volume, or speed counts) at specific locations in anticipation of fu- ture developments, to address citizen concerns, etc. The MVPC anticipates conducting
10-15 of these counts under this UPWP.
2.1.5 Count Library: Maintain a library of traffic counts to be made available to the public. Staff annually updates its library of volume counts by including new information collected by MVPC, MassDOT, and by consultants as part of any traffic studies conducted in the Val- ley.
2.1.6 Traffic Monitoring System: Depending upon the traffic volume data collection program established under Task 2.1.1, MVPC will attempt to collect traffic volume counts at many of the locations it counts annually to measure changes in traffic levels. This data, along with volume data collected by MassDOT at the permanent count stations in the region, serves to quantify regional volume growth factors.
2.1.7 Data Submittal: All counts taken by the MVPC in FFY 2023 will be uploaded to the Mid- western Software Solutions (http://www.ms2soft.com/) website. MassDOT has recently proposed having this data upload process occur in the field rather than from the MVPC Offices.
2.1.8 Community Reports: Prepare and distribute electronic reports summarizing the traffic counting activities for each community in the region. Paper copies of these reports will be distributed to the chief elected officials, MVPC Commissioners and DPW Directors of each community. Electronic versions of the reports will be emailed to other local officials.
2.1.9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel Data: Staff will purchase bike/ped counters as well as cre- ate and implement a bicycle and pedestrian counting program along key on-road and off-
road facilities in the Valley and at locations previously counted as part of MVPC

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 66
intersection/corridor studies and mine the data contained in such studies prepared by consultants to support the development of a bicycle/pedestrian travel database.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 67
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 68

Task 2.2 - Regional Pavement Management Program

Description

One of the most significant expenditures that municipalities confront each year is the mainte- nance of their local roadways. Pavement management programs are designed to provide offi- cials with a comprehensive tool to both evaluate the condition of their roadways and cost-effec- tively program roadway improvement projects. These programs have proven to be persuasive and effective tools in educating the public on road maintenance issues and obtaining funding necessary to support a comprehensive road maintenance program.
In recent years, many communities have expanded their pavement management programs to include other community-owned infrastructure usually found in the road right of way. These typi- cally include sidewalks, water and sewer lines, streetlights, fire hydrants, storm drains and, in some cases, even electric boxes.

Previous Work

• Under the FFY 2019 UPWP, MVPC collected information on the condition of pavement on non-interstate federal aid arterial and collector roadways in the region for use in the FFY 2020 RTP.

• Used pavement condition data to identify the level of funding needed to attain and main- tain the Pavement Condition goals identified in the FFY 2020 RTP over the next 20 years.

• In 2020 and into 2021, MVPC staff worked with staff from Cartegraph to customize their

OMS platform to meet MVPC’s data collection and analysis requirements.

• MVPC Staff employed Cartegraph’s OMS Platform in collecting pavement condition data as part of its work with the Town of Groveland to implement a community pavement man- agement program.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC will focus on managing and updating data on the condition of pavement on federal aid arterial and collector roadways in the region for use in the FFY 2024 MTP. The data will be used to identify the level of funding needed to maintain the quality of these facilities over the next 20 years.
MVPC will continue to work with communities to develop local pavement management pro- grams.

Tasks

2.2.1 Continue to Update MVMPO’s Regional Pavement Management Program: While much of this effort is complete, our recent experiences indicate that this process will likely con- tinue as staff makes greater use of the OMS system. This task will involve reviewing and where necessary, modifying the assumptions contained in the pavement management

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 69
software to reflect local preferences in selecting appropriate roadway improvement treat- ments. It will also likely involve working with Cartegraph staff to modify the OMS platform to better meet MVMPO pavement management needs.
2.2.2 Collect Data on Pavement Conditions: Staff will collect data on pavement conditions on all federal-aid roadways for use in the FFY2024 MTP.
2.2.3 Analysis of Pavement Condition Data: Once Task 2.2.1 has been completed, staff will use the Regional Pavement Management Program to assess the network pavement’s current condition and forecast what the condition of the network would be if the existing level of roadwork spending were to continue over the time period covered in the MTP.
2.2.4 Identification of Pavement Maintenance Needs: From Task 2.2.2, staff will identify the estimated cost of maintaining the region’s roadway network in its current condition through the year 2050, and how much funding would be needed for the system to attain the MVMPO’s pavement condition target. These amounts would be compared to esti- mates of the funding expected to be available to the MVMPO for the maintenance of these roadways over the years covered in the FFY 2024 MTP.
2.2.5 Community Assistance: Continue to assist communities in the region seeking to estab- lish pavement management programs. This assistance will consist of technical support and, if necessary, data collection.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 70

Task 2.3 - Geographic Information Systems

Description

The MVPC makes extensive use of its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in all phases of its comprehensive planning program. This is especially true of its transportation planning activi- ties where virtually all map and geographical information used in its transportation planning studies and analyses is now produced and transmitted in digital format. Consequently, it is im- perative that MVPC and all RPAs in the Commonwealth continue to have state of the art GIS programs in place to support their own planning studies and analyses and to provide technical assistance to their constituent communities.

Previous Work

Under recent UPWPs, MVPC GIS and transportation staff worked cooperatively on several transportation-related issues, which have resulted in the creation of the following:

• A process to develop intersection and roadway improvement plans in GIS-compatible for- mats.

• GIS-based tool to assist staff in assigning locations to MassDOT crash reports

• Mapping tool that allows MVPC Transportation Staff to directly access and modify data

contained in the Agency’s GIS transportation databases.

• Application that integrates the collection of pavement condition data into both Cartegraph

and MVPC’s GIS Databases.

• Maps that were used in the development of the MVMPO's FFY 2020 Regional Transpor- tation Plan, its TIPs: and the MVPC’s Title VI/Environmental Justice/Limited English Profi- ciency analyses.

• MVRTA route and system maps and updates.

• Development of Apps that can be used by staff and municipalities in the field to manage data on catch basins, location of bus route signs, collect sidewalk conditions data and other assets.

• Updated digital aerial imagery used in regional transportation studies.

• Methodology to identify location of sidewalks using aerial imagery and MassDOT Road

Inventory File data.

• Mapping location of stormwater outfall pipes along public roadways.

• Acquire regional aerial imagery to be used by MVPC staff and member communities.

FFY 2023 Activities

A priority area under this task will be to support the development of the MVMPO’s FFY 2024
MTP. This work will include the preparation of maps and other materials that will be used to present information at public outreach meetings, on the MVPC website, and for inclusion in the Draft and Final versions of the document.
MVPC will continue to review any new road centerline files or Road Inventory Files (RIF) devel- oped by MassDOT and will continue using its GIS in geocoding newly accepted roadways that

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 71
have been submitted to the state for inclusion in the RIF. It will also continue to work with MassDOT and member communities to facilitate the process of updating the information in the RIF.
MVPC staff will again be assisting local communities in managing their digital aerial photog- raphy databases. This work will include offering additional workshops intended to familiarize new staff persons from participating cities and towns with the use of the Pictometry imagery and software as well as to answer the questions of persons who are working with the product.
GIS staff will also continue to update the region’s on-road and off-road bicycle and pedestrian facility data and assist the MVRTA with route map updates, and other GIS projects.
In response to a request made by MassDOT in its effort to “achieve consistency in data collec- tion efforts across all regions”, MVPC will take extra steps this year to provide OTP with GIS- based data for the MVMPO region in several key areas including asset management, resiliency, safety, and economic development.

Tasks

2.3.1 Maintain Transportation Database: MVPC will continue to upgrade and update its high- way planning and transit planning data layers for its GIS. MVPC will continue to work closely with MassDOT's Office of Transportation Planning, its Highway Division, MVRTA, MassGIS, and other public and private agencies to incorporate any information they may have into our transportation database.
2.3.2 Preparation of Maps and Other Information Needed for FFY 2024 MTP: Provide up- dated information in the form of tables, charts, and maps for topics to be included in the MTP including, but not limited to, pavement condition, bridge condition, high crash loca- tions, transportation networks/facilities, Census/ACS data, travel time/reliability, and en- vironmental constraints.
2.3.3 Road Inventory Line File Updates: Incorporate the latest Road Inventory File infor- mation from MassDOT into its GIS database.
2.3.4 Attend Regional Data Center and State User Group Meetings: While the Mass Users Group has not met in recent years, should it become active again staff will participate. Staff will also participate in Regional Data Center meetings.
2.3.5 Eagleview Data and Software Technical Support and Workshops: Assist staff from par- ticipating member communities in managing their Pictometry digital aerial image libraries and in the use of the Electronic Field Study software that is used to access and interpret the digital image database.
2.3.6 MVRTA Bus Route Data Layer and Technical Assistance: Maintain an up-to-date fixed route data layer for use in analyses, Title VI program, published route maps and more.
2.3.7 Maintain Active Transportation and Trails Datasets

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 72
2.3.8 Maintain/Update Traffic Counting Viewer and data layer that can be used easily by the public and in analyzing the transportation network.
2.3.9 Develop Maps and Conduct Spatial Analyses: MVPC GIS Staff will assist Transporta- tion Staff in completing its transportation studies and analyses by creating required maps and undertaking spatial analyses that may be required in these efforts.
2.3.10 Development of Apps: Continue to develop Apps that can be used by MVPC Staff and MVMPO communities to manage transportation asset databases and facilitate data col- lection activities.
2.3.11 Provide OTP with Regional GIS Data: Staff will provide MassDOT with shape files and data for the MVMPO region in a number of subject areas as identified in MassDOT’s Unified Planning Work Program 2023 Guidance. These subject areas include:

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 73
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 74

Task 2.4 - Congestion Management Process

Description

The Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) created Transporta- tion Management Areas (TMA’s) in those urbanized areas with populations over 200,000 per- sons. Within these areas, MPOs were given the primary responsibility to develop and imple- ment a Congestion Management System, which has now become the Congestion Management Process (CMP). This requirement was slightly modified in SAFETEA-LU, but its general intent remains the same under the FAST Act. Significantly, MAP-21 did officially set forth the require- ment that an MPO's Congestion Management Process include Goals and Objectives that could be tracked through application of performance measures.

Previous Work

In FFY 2017, MVPC staff completed the process of identifying congested roadway segments using travel time data made available under FHWA’s National Performance Management Re- search Data Set (NPMRDS) program. This data set contains travel time data gathered from a variety of sources on the nation’s NHS roadways. Unlike the Statewide Transportation Model, the NPMRDS data set provides an almost around the clock measure of actual travel times and congestion.
Under the FFYs 2020 and 2021 UPWPs, staff updated the MVMPO’s CMP using travel time data from 2019. The CMP uses the NPMRDS to identify congested NHS roadway locations in the Valley. The updated CMP also reflects the FHWA Congestion Performance Measure for NHS Roadways and considers MassDOT/MVMPO Performance Targets.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC staff will focus on incorporating new travel time data for NHS roadways in the region into the CMP. Staff will work with MassDOT to determine if and how the NPMRDS data from 2020 can be used. It will also continue to investigate acquiring additional travel time data that is avail- able for the remaining federal aid roadways in the region.

Tasks

2.4.1 NPMRDS Data: Staff will work with MassDOT and FHWA to acquire and monitor new
NPMRDS travel time information as it becomes available.
2.4.2 Other Travel Time Data: Staff will inquire as to the availability of INRIX or other travel time datasets for the non-NHS federal aid roadways in the region for inclusion in a future MVMPO CMP report.
2.4.3 Other Data Collection: MVPC staff will continue to monitor usage at park and ride lots throughout the region, review ridership information on congested transit routes/services, and collect turning movement counts at congested intersections.
2.4.4 Update MVMPO CMP: Staff will incorporate the results of the latest NPMRDS data and other sources into an update of the CMP document.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 75

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 76

Task 2.5 - Intermodal Connections with National Highway System / Freight Planning

Description

With its three interstate highways and other NHS roadways such as Route 213, the Merrimack Valley region offers many existing and potential intermodal connection opportunities. The re- gion is also served by three rail lines, one of which provides freight rail access to local busi- nesses (Lawrence Industrial Park Spur) and one line that carries a substantial amount of inter- state freight as well as passenger service (Haverhill Commuter Line). A third line currently sup- ports commuter rail service between Newburyport and North Station. Existing intermodal facili- ties include park and ride lots for commuter bus, commuter rail, and transit services as well as several trucking terminals.

Previous Work

• In FFY 2016, MVPC prepared a Regional Park and Ride Lot Study.

• In FFY 2017, MVPC completed an update to its 2012 analysis of the condition and usage of the intermodal facilities in the region. This analysis focuses on the park and ride facili- ties and transit stations located on or near NHS roadways and also assesses the ade- quacy of the connections to NHS roadways from truck freight terminals in the region. It considers such factors as the physical condition of the facilities and whether there is peak period congestion on the roadways that connect them to the NHS system. The study

also makes recommendations for addressing any of the deficiencies identified.

• FFY 2017, the MVMPO designated almost four miles of Critical Urban Freight Corridor in the region, making them eligible to receive funding under the FAST Act.

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

2.5.1 Collect usage data at park & ride lots in the region to be used in the MTP. Review
MassDOT data collected and collect additional data as needed.
2.5.2 Monitor freight corridors in the region and identify unofficial overnight freight parking loca- tions in the region.
2.5.3 Development of NHS and Freight Projects: Based on the recommendations contained in the MVPC's NHS Facilities Inventory and the State Freight Plan, MVPC will work with its communities and MassDOT to develop improvement projects that will improve access between key transportation facilities and the region's NHS roadway network and/or im- prove the movement of freight both within and through the Merrimack Valley region.
2.5.4 Provide technical assistance to communities in maintaining freight routes and implement- ing truck exclusions on local roadways not designed for freight use.
2.5.5 Facilitate Better Transit Connections with other Transportation Modes and Planning Pro- cesses. Coordination with municipal-led and community-led efforts to ensure transit is incorporated and coordination with municipalities to ensure that transit is included in

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 77
important planning documents and processes, such as master plans, land use, and open space plans as well as project development.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 78

Task 2.6 - Regional Transportation Model

Description

Regional transportation simulation models are the primary tools used to estimate the traffic im- pacts that will be generated by projected economic and population growth in the region and is a required component of the Regional Transportation Plan. These models also play an important role, along with NPMRDS travel time data on NHS roadways, in identifying and evaluating con- gested transportation facilities as part of an MPO’s Congestion Management Process.

Previous Work

In FFY 2018, MVPC staff worked with MassDOT, MAPC, the Donahue Institute at UMass and MPOs from around the Commonwealth to develop the socioeconomic projections that were in- cluded in the MVMPO’s FFY 2020 RTP. As part of this effort, MVPC staff provided CTPS with information on the size and location of recently completed, approved, and planned develop- ments in the Valley under the MVMPO’s FFY 2017 and FFY 2018 UPWPs. Similar work will be undertaken by the MVPC under this UPWP as the MVMPO begins to prepare for the develop- ment of its FFY 2024 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (see Task 1.6).

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC staff will continue to work with MassDOT and CTPS to review the parameters and capa- bilities of the Statewide Travel Demand Model. A focus area will continue to be the coordination of the MVPC’s traffic data collection program with MassDOT’s need to refine calibration of the Merrimack Valley section of the model.

Tasks

2.6.1 Model Coordination: Staff will review the Statewide Travel Demand model network for
the region and may suggest possible modifications. It will also review the latest forecasts for the region that have been generated. MVPC will also work with CTPS to identify loca- tions where staff can collect ATR and/or turning movement data in support of further re- finement/calibration efforts.

Products/Schedule

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 79

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 80

Task 2.7 - Active Transportation

Description

MVMPO communities are increasingly interested in improving opportunities for non-motorized transportation. The Merrimack Valley MPO’s FFY 2020 Regional Transportation Plan objectives include:
1. Implementing and expanding the multi-modal network through a. The development of the Active Transportation Network,
b. Assisting communities with implementing Complete Streets policies and practices
2. Increasing bicycle parking
3. Fostering tourism through enhancing visitor experiences and improving mobility.

Previous Work

• Updated the Merrimack Valley Active Transportation Plan

• In FFYs 2015 through 2017, MVPC worked in cooperation with MassDOT and the Haver- hill Police Department to implement a non-motorist safety program.

• In FFY2019, MVPC finished an inventory of and condition reports for sidewalks and ADA ramps in the seven communities of Amesbury, Andover, Georgetown, Lawrence, Me- thuen, North Andover and Salisbury.

• MVPC provided technical assistance to communities developing multi-use trails and worked with MassDOT to initiate the development of a multiuse trail along Route 110 that would link the cities of Lawrence and Lowell.

• Produced a Complete Streets analysis of Merrimack Street in Methuen in 2021 and a pe- destrian crossing study along Broadway between Park Street in Methuen and Park Street in Lawrence.

• Coordinated with MassDOT to initiate a new project to implement a sidepath along Route

110 between Lawrence and Lowell.

• Coordinated meeting between Border to Boston Communities, MassDOT, Essex National Heritage Commission and other parties to facilitate advancements of projects to address gaps.

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

2.7.1 Program Review: MVPC staff will continue to review any local, regional, state and na- tional policies/reports as they pertain to multi-use, pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian trails.
2.7.2 Provide Support to the Development of the Multi-Use Trail Network in the Region.
2.7.3 Implementation of the MVMPO Active Transportation Plan. This includes developing workshops for municipal staff and officials around best practices and design to encour-
age implementation of Complete Streets.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 81
2.7.4 Conduct a Regional Bicycle Parking Needs Assessment to Help Communities Plan for

Better Bicycle Access and Take Advantage of Funding Opportunities.

2.7.5 Provide Technical Assistance to City of Lawrence Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiatives, such as the Pa’Lante Project and the e-bike share pilot project funded through the Mas- sachusetts Clean Energy Council.
2.7.6 Develop and Maintain Regional Bikeability Index: Staff will work with MassDOT and area cyclists to refine and where necessary update the Regional Bikeability Index.
2.7.7 Provide Technical Support for Implementing Complete Streets in the Region.
2.7.8 Maintain and update bicycle and pedestrian network data. Identify critical gaps in the net- work for project identification.

Products/Schedule

2022 2023

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 82

Task 2.8 - Safety Monitoring System

Description

The Safety Management System is designed to provide the MVMPO with a comprehensive planning analysis tool that identifies potential 'hot spot' safety problem areas on the transporta- tion network. Federal transportation planning regulations include a requirement that Metropoli- tan Transportation Plans should maximize the safety and mobility of people and goods. The im- portance of USDOT's emphasis on safety may be found in the fact that funding for the Highway Safety Improvement Program has grown substantially in recent years. This program provides federal funding for safety-oriented projects that support the goals and objectives of a state’s Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Data prepared under this task is also used by the MVRTA as part of its Bus/Van operator train- ing to increase awareness for dealing with high crash locations.

Previous Work

• Create a Top 100 Crash Intersection List and Analyze Top Crash Corridors

• Presented Story Map on Non-motorist crashes in the region.

• Participate in MassDOT’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan process.

• Participate in and perform Road Safety Audits

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

2.8.1 Obtain Most Recent MassDOT Crash Data and Assist State in Verifying Data
2.8.2 Identify Locations of Crashes Involving Fatalities and Serious Injuries:
2.8.3 Review State’s Crash Cluster List: Staff will review MassDOT’s latest list of ‘Crash Clus- ter’ locations based on the latest three years of crash data and compare it to data con- tained in previous lists.
2.8.4 Evaluation of Emphasis Areas Included in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan: The 2018
Strategic Highway Safety Plan identified 14 Emphasis Areas. MVPC staff will analyze MVMPO region-specific data for each of these areas and report back to the MVMPO on how well the region is performing in relation to statewide information.
2.8.5 Participation in Road Safety Audits: Staff will participate in the Road Safety Audits un- dertaken in the region.
2.8.6 Develop Updated Regional Top 100 Crash Location List and Corridor List: To supple- ment MassDOT’s Crash Cluster list, MVPC staff will develop an updated ‘Top 100’ Crash List that identifies high crash intersections and roadway corridors in the region.
2.8.7 Support regional and community efforts to plan and implement strategies to accomplish

Vision Zero.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 83

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 84

Task 2.9 - Transportation and Livability

Description

In 2009, USDOT, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD), and the En- vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed the Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Com- munities “to help improve access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide.” These agen- cies then established the following Six Principles of Livability to attain this goal:

• Provide more transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, re- duce our dependence on oil, improve air quality and promote public health.

• Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, in- comes, races and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

• Improve economic competitiveness of neighborhoods by giving people reliable ac- cess to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs.

• Target federal funding toward existing communities – through transit-oriented devel- opment and land recycling – to revitalize communities, reduce public works costs, and safeguard rural landscapes.

• Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding and increase the effectiveness of programs to plan for future growth.

• Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods, whether rural, urban or suburban.

These six principles are intended to guide these three federal agencies to work in concert when considering and evaluating capital investments.

Previous Work

• 2009 completion of the Priority Growth Strategy (regional land use plan) and subsequent updates utilizing sustainable grown principles. It includes recommendations for transpor- tation infrastructure to increase quality of life, promote uses of non-motorized modes and reduce greenhouse gas generation.

• Active participant on the Mayor’s Health Task Force, Healthy Active Living Working Group, in Lawrence, a group that is devoted to promoting healthy living in the city. Pro- jects include planning for the Ciclovia and assisting in development of a Food Assess- ment, mapping the location of food establishments, housing, community-based agricul- ture and transportation connections as well as assisting in the development of the re- port/story map, organizing and participating in planning meetings, and providing other technical assistance, as needed.

• MVPC staff worked with the City of Haverhill’s Mount Washington neighborhood in ad- dressing pedestrian infrastructure improvements and employment access issues.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 85

• Produced the Methuen Merrimack Street Complete Streets report in 2022.

• Conducted a Health Impact Assessment of the Newburyport Route 1 Rotary.

• In 2022, MVPC signed an MOU with the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center to share de-identified health data to be used in mapping projects around food security and access, which includes transportation access.

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

2.9.1 Update the Priority Growth Strategy (PGS) transportation components.
2.9.2 Provide Technical Assistance to Communities Implementing Recommendations Con- tained in the PGS, in order to encourage a more robust transportation network.
2.9.3 Continue to Collect Public Health Data for Use in Health Impact Assessment Analyses: The MVMPO will do this through collecting health data and participating in Health Impact Analyses. Staff will collaborate with health-related working groups, committees and or- ganizations to improve transportation access for communities.
2.9.4 Participate in Meetings of the Mayor’s Health Task Force in Lawrence and Other

Groups.

2.9.5 Provide Technical Assistance to Communities Seeking to Implement Safe Route to

Schools Projects:

2.9.6 Technical Assistance to Communities in Advancing Complete Streets through project prioritization planning, implementation, etc.:
2.9.7 Update housing data, contribute to the Merrimack Valley Housing Production Plan, ana- lyze connections between subsidized housing, jobs, and transportation options.

Products/Schedule

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 86

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 87
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 88

Task 2.10 - Development and Maintenance of MVMPO Transportation Performance

Measures and Targets

Description

MAP-21 mandated that USDOT, state Departments of Transportation, and MPOs establish a performance and outcomes-based approach to managing the nation’s transportation infrastruc- ture and set out National Performance Goals in the areas of Safety, Infrastructure Conditions, Congestion Reduction, System Reliability, Freight Movement / Economic Vitality, Environmental Sustainability, and Reduced Project Delivery Delays.
USDOT began releasing Notices for Proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs) for the above areas dur- ing 2014 and 2015. Meanwhile, MAP-21’s successor, the FAST Act, was passed and carried forward the performance management federal rulemaking process.

Previous Work

• In FFY 2015, MVPC staff identified various transportation performance measures that were subsequently integrated into the FFY 2016 RTP.

• In FFY 2019, the MVMPO adopted MassDOT’s Safety Performance Measures and Tar- gets (PM1), and recognized the MVRTA’s Asset Targets for its Equipment, Rolling Stock and Facilities. The MPO also adopted MassDOT’s Targets for Pavement and Bridge conditions on the NHS (PM2), and Freight, Traffic Congestion on the NHS and emissions (PM3).

• In FFY 2021, the MVMPO adopted MassDOT’s 2021 Safety Performance Targets and recognized the MVRTA’s Revised Asset Management Targets for its Equipment, Rolling Stock and Facilities. It also adopted MassDOT’s revised 2022 Target for the Percentage of Non-Single Occupancy Vehicle Travel in the region along with the MVRTA’s new Safety Performance Targets as contained in its Public Transportation Safety Plan.

• Staff created a story map explaining the non-motorized performance measure using visu- alization techniques and presented it to the MVTC.

• MVPC staff also collected information on sidewalk location and condition in the communi- ties of Groveland, Rowley, and West Newbury. Sidewalk conditions data was proposed

as a performance measure in the 2016 RTP.

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

2.10.1 Safety Performance Measures/Targets: Staff will review new MassDOT data on the number and rate of fatalities and serious injuries (PM1) both at the statewide and region level. Staff will then advise the MVMPO as to whether it should adopt the MassDOT tar- gets or develop targets of its own.
2.10.2 Review and MPO Adoption of Targets for Other Federal Performance Measures.
2.10.3 Collect Data for MVMPO Region Sidewalk Locations and Conditions.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 89
2.10.4 Continue Working with MassDOT and the MVRTA on Transit Performance Measures: Staff will work with the MVRTA to coordinate activities integrate performance targets con- tained in the Authority’s Transit Asset Management Plan (TAM Plan) and the Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) into the MVMPO’s overall planning process.
2.10.5 Coordinate with MassDOT and USDOT and Participate on Program Managers Perfor- mance Measures Committee:
2.10.6 Continue Development/Refinement/Maintenance of MVMPO-Specific Performance Measures: The MVMPO’s 2020 RTP identifies 30 Performance Measures within its six Goals.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 90

Task 2.11 - Travel and Tourism Planning

Description

Public-sector tourism and travel promotion in the MVPC region are chiefly conducted at a statewide or multi-region level. MVPC is involved in promoting the development of tourism ac- tivities and recreation projects as tourism is an important element of the region’s comprehensive economic development strategy and has land use implications. The MVMPO plans and pro- grams funding for transportation projects that often serve local tourism and recreation travel needs.

Previous Work

• MVPC staff created a database of Regional Tourism Centers and Tourism Organizations in and around the MVMPO region

• Transportation staff participates in the updates of the Merrimack Valley Region’s Com- prehensive Economic Development Strategy in which stakeholders examined how effec- tive the region’s transportation network was in supporting access to the key tourist loca- tions in the Valley. From this, ideas for improving access to these areas such as provid- ing new transit services, installing signage, and even improving the navigability of the Merrimack River were offered for consideration.

• In FY 2019, MVPC participated in the Essex County Arts Plan in conjunction with the Es- sex County Community Foundation and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. During the planning meetings, transportation access was cited as an issue within the county.

FFY 2023 Activities:

MVPC staff will continue to reach out to groups such as the Essex National Heritage Area, Na- tional Park Service, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the North of Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau, Essex County Community Foundation, its Chambers of Commerce and to local and state officials to update its database of tourism activity centers in the region.

Tasks

2.11.1 Update MVPC Database of Regional Tourism Centers and Tourism Organizations: MVPC will continue to maintain its database of these centers and organizations. Staff will reach out to our travel and tourism partners to both get an update on their activities and to solicit information on tourism activities/organizations that we may not be aware of.
2.11.2 Attend Meetings of State and Regional Tourism Centers/Organizations: Through this process, MVPC transportation staff can ensure there is timely coordination of these or- ganizations’ projects and planning initiatives with those of the MVMPO.
2.11.3 Collaborate with MVRTA, municipalities and tourism-based organizations to better make the connection with all transportation modes.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 91
2.11.4 Participate in Historic and Arts Planning Efforts: MVPC staff will continue to work with municipal leaders, residents and business owners participating to address transportation needs around accessing historic, cultural and art destinations, jobs and education.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 92

TASK 3.0 -SHORT AND LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 93
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 94

Task 3.1 - Elderly and Disabled/ADA Planning

Description

The MVMPO region’s elderly population continues to grow, a trend that is expected to continue over the next few years. Elderly and disabled transportation needs continue to grow. Creating accessible and affordable transportation choices is key to helping people of all ages and abilities
lead high quality lives.

Previous Work

• Finalized the FFY2020 Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan in FFY 2020 and helped the MVRTA implement recommendations, such as secur- ing funding for the MediVan program and coordinating Councils on Aging van recipi- ents.

• In 2013, MVPC prepared the MVRTA’s Regional Mobility Plan, which both combined three previous plans (2007 Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan, 2008 El- derly Transportation Plan, and 2009 Disabled Transportation Plan) into one planning document and updated the analysis of transportation issues facing the region’s disabled population.

• Assisted MVRTA in monitoring its EZTrans services for ADA compliance.

• Worked with the MVRTA and social services agencies in Haverhill to create the Haverhill

Transportation Alliance.

• Coordinate meetings for the Regional Coordinating Council in cooperation with NMCOG.

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

3.1.1 Continue to Assist the MVRTA in Complying with ADA Paratransit Requirements: MVPC will assist the MVRTA in reviewing EZTrans Service for compliance with ADA Paratransit requirements.
3.1.2 Coordinate and support the Merrimack Valley Regional Coordinating Council.
3.1.3 Conduct outreach to elderly and disabled stakeholders regarding transportation needs and improvements to the transportation infrastructure.
3.1.4 Provide technical assistance to communities implementing Healthy Aging plans and pro- grams.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 95

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 96

Task 3.2 - Transit Planning

Description

The MVRTA is the primary provider of public transportation in the MVMPO region. It provides a wide array of fixed-route bus and demand-response transportation through private operators such as the Merrimack Valley Area Transportation Co., Inc. (MVATC). The MVRTA currently operates seven demand-response transit services in the region – its Ring and Ride Services
in Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Newbury, North Reading (which joined the MVRTA in May 2017), and West Newbury. It also operates demand-response services as more efficient options to the former Route 42 in Methuen and the former Route 22 in Andover.
The MVMPO performs specific planning tasks every FFY in support of the MVRTA’s public
transportation services.

Previous Work

• In 2018, MVPC staff worked with MVRTA staff and a coalition of service organizations to conduct a Haverhill Transportation Needs Assessment, which identified gaps, needs and opportunities for transportation coordination.

• In FFY 2019, the MVPC developed an App that MVRTA staff is using to inventory and manage bus route signs, bus stops and other assets. Data was used to enhance the Transit app and GTFS data for Google maps.

• In FFY 2020, MVPC reviewed ridership and investigated possible scheduling/routing

changes for the Authority’s Boston Commuter Bus Service.

• In FFY 2020 and 2021, MVPC staff participated on the Advisory Committee that assisted the MVRTA in the development of its 2021 Regional Transit Plan.

• Manage process and prepare route maps and system maps.

• Perform NTD passenger counts every three years. In FFY 2022, performed APC certifi- cation work in preparation for the 100% APC counts for NTD.

• Regularly collaborate with the MVRTA on outreach activities, such as joint tabling at the

Lawrence SALSA festival.

FFY 2023 Activities

Tasks

3.2.1 Provide Technical Assistance to the MVRTA and Communities as Required: MVPC staff has performed technical analyses for the MVRTA in previous FFYs at the MVRTA’s request. Staff has prepared Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and evaluated RFP responses; esti- mated sample sizes for MVRTA surveys and updated the MVRTA’s fixed route bus

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 97
maps. The staff will conduct similar transit planning activities for the MVRTA under the
FFY 2022 UPWP.
Staff will also provide technical assistance to communities on transit issues, including the MVRTA’s implementation of its Regional Transit Plan. As always, the MVMPO staff will consult and coordinate with MVRTA prior to providing transit-related technical assistance to any MVRTA member community.
3.2.2 Assist MVRTA in Monitoring FTA Areas of Compliance: MVPC Staff will assist the MVRTA in monitoring 17 areas of compliance, including Grant Administration, Mainte- nance reviews, EEO policy implementation, Procurement, and Civil Rights areas, that are included as part of FTA’s Triennial Review of the Authority.
3.2.3 Commuter Rail Evaluation: Under this task, MVPC will examine the recommendations of Rail Vision and identify the impacts they will have on the Merrimack Valley region. Re- lated to this, MVPC staff will continue to examine commuter rail issues in the Valley that are of interest to local officials and residents.
3.2.4 Housing and Transit: MVPC will continue to refine and update its housing data layer so that it reflects existing housing. MVPC will provide technical assistance to MPO member communities related to MBTA communities legislation, smart growth, and transit-oriented development in order to emphasize the transit connections. This information can also be used to assist the Authority in possibly modifying its routes to better accommodate the often transit-dependent population that reside in these facilities.
3.2.5 NTD Counts and APC Certifications: MVPC will support the MVRTA with the 100% APC
counts, which includes monitoring and certifications of APC accuracy.
3.2.6 Implementation of Bus Stops: Assist the MVRTA with implementation of regular bus stops throughout the system and bus shelters.
3.2.7 Service Planning and Transit Hub Changes: Assist MVRTA with service planning and changes to its transit hubs in both Lawrence and Haverhill.
3.2.8 Mapping/Analysis of MVRTA Fixed Route Boarding/Alighting Data: With the installation of APCs on all its fixed route buses and commuter coaches expected to be completed in the near future, the Authority will be able to generate a wealth of data on the precise lo- cations of each boarding and alighting passenger. Staff will assist the MVRTA in analyz-
ing and mapping this data.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 98

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 99
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 100

Task 3.3 – Bicycle and Pedestrian Access on Route 114 from the Intersection of Willow and Mill Streets to Middleton Town Line

Description

MVPC will participate in a coordinated planning process with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the communities of North Andover, Middleton, and Danvers to create a coordinated approach to bicycle and pedestrian access along Route 114.
Bicycle and pedestrian access along Route 114 has been a long-standing concern that has re- sulted in both short-term immediate solutions as well as a long-term reconstruction project that will result in the implementation of a sidepath along portions of the corridor. The Route 114 pro- ject that is currently funded on the TIP ends at the intersection of Route 114, Willow and Mill Streets.
This project will address needed safe bicycle and pedestrian access across Route 114 as well as access to important open spaces, such as Harold Parker State Forest and Ward Hill and the Middleton Rail Trail.

Previous Work

• MVPC completed a Route 114 Corridor Study in 2010, which focused primarily on traffic congestion, safety and pedestrian access. The study led to a Complete Street design of the corridor that is now programmed in the Merrimack Valley TIP. This project extends between Waverly Road and the Willow and Mill Streets intersection.

• MVPC participated in a Road Safety Audit at Rout 114, Sharpners Pond Road and San- dalwood Lane.

FFY 2023 Activities

The MVMPO staff will complete a traffic study for this location.

Tasks

3.3.1 Obtain and Analyze Crash Data: Staff will collect and analyze the most recent three years of MassDOT data.
3.3.2 Cross-Regional Coordination: MVPC staff will coordinate with MAPC, local advocacy committees and the Towns of North Andover, Middleton and Danvers.
3.3.3 Develop and Evaluate Alternative Improvement Options: The information and feedback obtained through Tasks 3.3.1-3.3.2 will be used to develop a set of short and long-term improvement options that will then be analyzed in greater detail to determine the im- pacts they might have in improving traffic and safety at this location and improving ac-
commodations for bicycle and pedestrian travel. Staff will consult with the MVRTA as

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 101
part of this process to solicit input as to how the proposed intersection improvements could impact bus movements through the study area.
3.3.4 Draft / Final Report Outlining Study Findings and Recommendations: Staff will prepare draft and final versions of the Study report outlining its findings and recommendations.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 102

Task 3.4 – Road Safety Audit of S. Union Street between Market Street and Merrimack

Street in Lawrence

Description

South Union Street is a two-lane congested north south primary route over the Merrimack River. Merrimack Street has dedicated bike lanes, but South Union does not provide any specific bicy- cle accommodation. The intersection of South Union and Merrimack Street is both a bicycle and HSIP crash cluster. The roadway does experience congestion. It is a transit route and is the location of the McGovern Transportation Center. The MVRTA is considering moving its bus transit hub to this location.
This project will also look at bicycle access across the South Union Bridge over the railroad tracks and include the South Union/Market Street intersection.

Previous/Ongoing Work

No studies or traffic counts have previously been conducted by the MVMPO at this location.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC will conduct a Road Safety Audit for this intersection.

Tasks

3.4.1 Collect Data on Health Impact Indicators and Transportation-Related Health Perfor- mance Measures: Staff will assemble available Health Impact Indicators for the commu- nity as well as any available transportation related health performance measures. This information will be presented and discussed as part of the Road Safety Audit for this in- tersection.
3.4.2 Data Collection: MVPC will review data collected as part of the Merrimack Street recon- struction projects and perform data collection on this corridor as needed, including bicy- cle and pedestrian counts, transit data and freight movement.
3.4.3 Data Analysis/Level of Service Calculations: MVPC staff will complete LOS analyses for these two intersections to both measure congestion and develop intersection crash
rates, which will be used in the Road Safety Audit for the study area.
3.4.4 Obtain and Analyze Crash Data: Staff will collect and analyze the most recent three years of MassDOT data and City of Lawrence Police Department traffic incident reports to identify the outstanding safety issues in the area. This information will be included in
the Draft Road Safety Audit Report.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 103
3.4.5 Conduct Study Area Road Safety Audit: Staff will present the findings from Tasks 3.4.1
- 3.4.4 to state and local officials in a Road Safety Audit. This audit will provide MVPC with information and suggestions that will facilitate the development of short and long- term improvement options that could implemented.
3.4.6 Develop and Evaluate Alternative Improvement Options: The information and feedback obtained through the Road Safety Audit will be used to develop a set of short and long- term improvement options that will then be analyzed in greater detail to determine the impacts they might have in reducing the number of crashes at this location. Staff will consult with the MVRTA as part of this process to solicit input as to how any of the pro- posed intersection improvements could impact bus movements through the study area.
3.4.7 Draft / Final Report Outlining Study Findings and Recommendations: Staff will prepare draft and final versions of the Road Safety Audit report outlining the study’s findings and recommendations.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 104

Task 3.5 – Road Safety Audit at the Intersection of Franklin Street and Common Street in

Lawrence

Description

The MVMPO has ranked the intersection of Franklin Street and Common Street as number 3 on its Top 100 Intersection Crash Locations. It has a MassDOT Estimated Property Damage Only (EDPO) score of 245 and is part of a HSIP Pedestrian Crash Cluster. This intersection is lo- cated in an Environmental Justice community.
Common Street is located in the downtown area of the Lawrence. Northern Essex Community College and the MVRTA Buckley Transportation Center are located on Common Street. Public housing as well as the St. Vincent de Paul Family Thrift Store are located at the corner of Com- mon Street and Franklin Street as well.

Previous/Ongoing Work

MVPC participated in a 2016 MassDOT RSA on Common Street between Hampshire and New- bury Streets.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC will undertake the following tasks in conducting a Road Safety Audit at this location:

Tasks

3.5.1 Collect Data on Health Impact Indicators and Transportation-Related Health Perfor- mance Measures: Staff will assemble available Health Impact Indicators for the commu- nity as well as any available transportation related health performance measures. This information will be presented and discussed as part of the Road Safety Audit for this in- tersection.
3.5.2 Data Collection: MVPC staff will perform weekday AM and PM peak hour vehicle turn- ing movement and bicycle/pedestrian counts at the intersection. ATR traffic volume counts will be taken on Franklin Street and Common Street.
3.5.3 Data Analysis/Level of Service Calculations: MVPC staff will complete LOS analyses for this intersection to both measure congestion and develop an intersection crash rate, which will be used in the Road Safety Audit for the study area.
3.5.4 Obtain and Analyze Crash Data: Staff will collect and analyze the most recent three years of MassDOT data and City of Lawrence Police Department traffic incident reports to identify the outstanding safety issues in the area. This information will be included in
the Draft Road Safety Audit Report.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 105
3.5.5 Conduct Study Area Road Safety Audit: Staff will present the findings from Tasks 3.5.1
- 3.5.4 to state and local officials in a Road Safety Audit. This audit will provide MVPC with information and suggestions that will facilitate the development of short and long- term improvement options that could be implemented.
3.5.6 Develop and Evaluate Alternative Improvement Options: The information and feedback obtained through the Road Safety Audit will be used to develop a set of short and long- term improvement options that will then be analyzed in greater detail to determine the impacts they might have in reducing the number of crashes at this location. Staff will consult with the MVRTA as part of this process to solicit input as to how any of the pro- posed intersection improvements could impact bus movements through the study area.
3.5.7 Draft / Final Reports Outlining Study Findings and Recommendations: Staff will prepare draft and final versions of the Road Safety Audit report outlining the study’s findings and recommendations.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 106

Task 3.6 – Road Safety Audit at the Intersection of Main Street and the I-95 Connector in

Salisbury

Description

The MVMPO has ranked the intersection of Main Street and the I-95 Connector as number seven on its 2022 Top 100 Intersection Crash Locations list. MassDOT has identified this inter- section as a 2017-2019 HSIP Cluster.
This location is a popular truck route as well as congested beach route during the summer sea- son.

Previous/Ongoing Work

MVPC staff has previously reviewed traffic operations at this intersection.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC transportation staff will complete the following tasks in developing recommendations for bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the study corridor.

Tasks

3.6.1 Data Collection: MVPC staff will perform weekday AM and PM peak hour vehicle turn- ing movement and bicycle/pedestrian counts at the intersection. ATR traffic volume counts will be taken on Main Street and the I-95 connector.
3.6.2 Data Analysis/Level of Service Calculations: MVPC staff will complete LOS analyses for this intersection to both measure congestion and develop an intersection crash rate, which will be used in the Road Safety Audit for the study area.
3.6.3 Obtain and Analyze Crash Data: Staff will collect and analyze the most recent three years of MassDOT data and Town of Salisbury Police Department traffic incident reports to identify the outstanding safety issues in the area. This information will be included in the Draft Road Safety Audit Report.
3.6.4 Conduct Study Area Road Safety Audit: Staff will present the findings from Tasks 3.6.1
- 3.6.3 to state and local officials in a Road Safety Audit. This audit will provide MVPC with information and suggestions that will facilitate the development of short and long- term improvement options that could implemented.
3.6.5 Develop and Evaluate Alternative Improvement Options: The information and feedback obtained through the Road Safety Audit will be used to develop a set of short and long- term improvement options that will then be analyzed in greater detail to determine the impacts they might have in reducing the number of crashes at this location. Staff will consult with the MVRTA as part of this process to solicit input as to how any of the pro- posed intersection improvements could impact bus movements through the study area.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 107
3.6.6 Draft / Final Reports Outlining Study Findings and Recommendations: Staff will prepare draft and final versions of the Road Safety Audit report outlining the study’s findings and recommendations.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 108

Task 3.7 – Road Safety Audit at the Intersection of Lowell Street (Route 113) at Elm Street in Methuen

Description

The intersection of Lowell Street (Route 113) at Elm Street is on the MVMPO’s Top 100 Inter- section Crash Locations. The City of Methuen recommended the study, because of speeding concerns and high crashes. The intersection is in an Environmental Justice Census Tract.
Staff will examine the geometry, crash data, evaluate improvement options, as well as speed management techniques.

Previous Work

MVPC has not studied this intersection before.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC transportation staff will perform a Road Safety Audit at this intersection.

Tasks

3.7.1 Data Collection: MVPC staff will perform weekday AM and PM peak hour vehicle turn- ing movement and bicycle/pedestrian counts at the intersection. ATR traffic volume counts will be taken on Lowell Street and Elm Street.
3.7.2 Data Analysis/Level of Service Calculations: MVPC staff will complete LOS analyses for this intersection to both measure congestion and develop an intersection crash rate, which will be used in the Road Safety Audit for the study area.
3.7.3 Obtain and Analyze Crash Data: Staff will collect and analyze the most recent three years of MassDOT data and City of Methuen Police Department traffic incident reports to identify the outstanding safety issues in the area. This information will be included in the Draft Road Safety Audit Report.
3.7.4 Conduct Study Area Road Safety Audit: Staff will present the findings from Tasks 3.5.1
- 3.5.3 to state and local officials in a Road Safety Audit. This audit will provide MVPC with information and suggestions that will facilitate the development of short and long- term improvement options that could implemented.
3.7.5 Develop and Evaluate Alternative Improvement Options: The information and feedback obtained through the Road Safety Audit will be used to develop a set of short and long- term improvement options that will then be analyzed in greater detail to determine the
impacts they might have in reducing the number of crashes at this location. Staff will

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 109
consult with the MVRTA as part of this process to solicit input as to how any of the pro- posed intersection improvements could impact bus movements through the study area.
3.7.6 Draft / Final Reports Outlining Study Findings and Recommendations: Staff will prepare draft and final versions of the Road Safety Audit report outlining the study’s findings and recommendations.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 110

Task 3.8 - Stormwater Management Technical Assistance

Description

One of the byproducts of a good transportation system is stormwater runoff that carries pollu- tants from vehicles and adjacent land uses. Pollutants can impair waterways and cause harm to not just drinking water for humans, but also the biotic communities living in the water. Both local municipalities and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation share responsibility for managing stormwater, testing and enforcing regulations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the Final Phase II National Pollutant Dis- charge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Massachusetts urbanized communities in 2016 with an effective date of July 1st, 2017. After a one-year delay, this permit went into effect on July 1, 2018.
The new permit outlines expanded, more prescriptive requirements for city and town operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems (“MS4s”) in implementing six minimum stormwater management control measures toward minimizing pollution to the maximum extent practicable
of the Commonwealth’s rivers, streams and water bodies. The minimum control measures, ele-
ments of all compliant municipal stormwater management systems, are in areas of:
1) Public education and outreach.
2) Public participation and involvement.
3) Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
4) Construction site runoff control.
5) Post-construction runoff control.
6) Stormwater pollution prevention/municipal good housekeeping.
Successful implementation of the six control measures will require a detailed knowledge of the
location, function, and condition of the urbanized areas’ municipal storm drainage infrastructure
– storm drains, manholes, catch basins, and outfall pipes – as well as of the receiving waters. Each community will need to prepare stormwater facilities and infrastructure operating and maintenance plans, implement rigorous monitoring and illicit discharge detection & enforcement programs, and update enhanced database and map inventories of stormwater system features including outfalls, pipes and catch basins.
Developing individual community programs that will comply with anticipated new federal require- ments will be an expensive proposition. Local DPW and highway department budgets are lim- ited, as is the staffing to implement these programs. These cost and implementation concerns were the impetus for formation of the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative, established in
2014 by the 15 MVPC communities to promote regional approaches to stormwater pollution pre- vention.

Previous Work

Under the region’s FFY 2014 UPWP, MVPC was successful in assisting its 15 communities with
the following:

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 111

• Worked with several municipalities to develop stormwater management plans including standard operating procedures for municipal facilities and open space/recreation areas.

• Assisted municipalities with drafting/updating stormwater bylaws and associated regula- tions to comply with more recent requirements of the MS4 Permit.

• Standardized and incorporated existing local stormwater infrastructure information into a comprehensive, web-based GIS database and mapping system including a mobile appli- cation to track maintenance and inspection of the system.

• Utilizing the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative mailing list, shared ongoing training and outreach information with Collaborative member communities. This includes training opportunities, grants, and outreach materials.

• Provided virtual IDDE training for local personnel, focusing on pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices for municipal operations and facilities.

• In collaboration with Greenscapes Northshore Inc., designed and conducted a multi-fac- eted stormwater public education program, with targeted messaging for four distinct Mer- rimack Valley audiences: (1) residents, (2) businesses, institutions, commercial facilities, (3) industrial facilities, (4) real estate developers.

• Assisted several communities with annual reporting as required by the MS4 Permit.

• Prepared Request for Proposals (RFP) templates for procurement of common storm- water management services, equipment, and supplies (e.g., catch basin inspections, out- fall catchment area mapping, illicit discharge detection, dry- and wet-weather sampling, etc.).

• Applied for and was awarded a MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant to assist the 15 MVPC communities with identifying 5 BMP retrofit sites and mapping these sites and their attrib- utes on a GIS data layer in each community’s MIMAP system.

• In FFYs 2020-2021, MVPC sponsored Stormwater Collaborative networking meetings, organized joint services procurement and sponsored information sessions and trainings on the new MS4 permit requirements. Agendas and attendance lists are available for all meetings.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC will continue to provide Stormwater Management technical assistance to communities in the region and will broaden its range of services to include the enhanced municipal require- ments under the Massachusetts Phase II Small MS4 General Permit, focusing on staff training, public participation and providing technical assistance to communities in development of up- dated, compliant Stormwater Management Programs as required by the MS4 permit.

Tasks

3.8.1 Provide Local Technical Assistance to Communities/Outreach Materials: Staff will con- tinue to design and conduct local and regional workshops to inform and train municipal personnel (public works and highway departments, conservation commissions, health boards) on the new Phase II Small MS4 General Permit requirements identified in the final permit including assistance in preparation of stormwater system operating &

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 112
maintenance plans and Notices of Intent. Staff will also draft and customize relevant stormwater management regulatory updates and associated public outreach materials, which are critical to reducing the volume and pollutant loads of uncontrolled stormwater that enters local drainage systems, waterways, and groundwater.
3.8.2 Provide Support to the Region’s Stormwater Collaborative: Staff will provide technical support and training assistance to the Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative. This regional coalition, made up of DPW, local conservation/stormwater management offi- cials and regional watershed directors, meets monthly. Activities include equipment sharing, joint procurement, maintenance of information/programs on the MVPC website, and program development in areas of regulatory development and stormwater program administration.
3.8.3 Assist Communities in meeting requirements of new MS4 Permits: MVPC staff will con- duct training sessions for municipal personnel. MVPC will pursue opportunities to pro- mote and implement Green Infrastructure practices in the region. MVPC will assist with preparation of Operation and Maintenance Plans for town facilities and Stormwater Pol- lution Prevention Plans for highway garages as needed.
3.8.4 Participate in MassBays and Regional Watershed Associations Water Quality Planning and Best Management Practices Forums and Workshops: Staff will assist in organizing and making presentations at sponsored workshops & public information meetings in col- laboration with MassBays National Estuary Program, Merrimack River Watershed Coun- cil, Ipswich River Watershed Association, Greenscapes North Coalition, Merrimack River District Commission and other regional partners.

Products/Schedule

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 113

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 114

Task 3.9 - Climate Change

Description

According to the FHWA report,” Integrating Climate Change into the Transportation Planning Process”, there is general scientific consensus that the earth is experiencing a long-term warm- ing trend and that human-induced increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), primar- ily from non-renewable fuel consumption, is primarily responsible. Global climate change is ex- pected to result in rising sea levels and the increased frequency and severity of damaging weather events, including high-intensity and long-duration storms, coastal storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, and even heat waves, droughts, and wildfire. These climate change impacts pose a potential significant threat to the Merrimack Valley region’s transportation network and services, and thus need to be properly considered and integrated into the region’s future trans- portation planning and decision-making.
In Massachusetts, the Legislature passed its Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) in 2008. Its purpose is to accomplish a range of environmental objectives including the reduction of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Act requires the Commonwealth, on an economy-wide basis, to:

• Reduce statewide GHG emissions between 10- 25% from 1990 levels by 2020.

• Reduce statewide GHG emissions by at least 80 percent below the 1990 levels by

2050.
In late March of 2021, Governor Baker signed An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, establishing new interim goals for emissions reductions, signifi- cantly increasing protections for Environmental Justice communities across Massachusetts. The legislation also authorizes the Administration to implement a new, voluntary energy efficient building code for municipalities, and allows the Commonwealth to procure an additional 2,400
Megawatts (MW) of clean, reliable offshore wind energy by 2027. In addition, Massachusetts joined Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C. in launching a multi-jurisdictional pro- gram that will reduce motor vehicle pollution by at least 26 percent and generate over $1.8 bil- lion in Massachusetts by 2032. The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) will allow participating jurisdictions to invest in equitable, cleaner transportation options, and create significant new employment opportunities while substantially improving public health across the Commonwealth and New England.
MVPC will work to plan and promote measures that can help achieve the emission reduction targets established in An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy that was passed by the Legislature in March 2021. This includes measures to lower GHG emissions from new vehicles, prioritization of transportation projects that preserve the existing transportation system, supporting denser land use development, and promoting the use of alter- native forms of transportation (e.g., public transit ridership, bicycling, Teleworking, “trip chain-
ing”, etc.).

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 115

Previous Work

Under the FFY 2016 UPWP, MVPC staff participated in the Community Resiliency Planning Project, specifically through its participation in meetings of the Community Coastal Resiliency Project Municipal Task Force. This project was led by staff from the Northeast Office of the Na- tional Wildlife Federation (NWF) and planning staff from the Ipswich River Watershed Associa- tion (IRWA). This effort resulted in the creation of the Great Marsh Coastal Adaptation Plan, that was completed in early 2018. This document identifies and prioritizes public assets in the Great Marsh that are at risk from climate change events, including coastal storms, sea level
rise, inland flooding, and erosion and includes community-based adaptation strategies and plans to reduce those risks. Many of these are transportation assets that are located in Salis- bury, Newburyport, Newbury and Rowley and the Adaptation Plan includes proposed actions that would protect them.
Staff also continued to participate in FHWA's Climate Change Adaptation Peer Exchange and reviewed the Climate Change planning efforts that have been completed or are under way in New England and elsewhere in the nation.
In FFY 2020, MVPC again, in partnership with the Great Marsh Coalition, planned, promoted, and co-sponsored a regional “Great Marsh Symposium” for Merrimack Valley and North Shore municipal officials, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and the public.
In FFY 2020, staff worked with the communities of Merrimac and Rowley to complete their Mu- nicipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) plans and assisted the Town of North Andover with a combined MVP/Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
In FY 2021, MVPC assisted the City of Lawrence in applying for FEMA Building Resilient Infra- structure Communities (BRIC) grant funding to update the Regional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan which expires in 2021. Staff also assisted Merrimac in completing an individual HMP to meet FEMA BRIC grant requirements.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC staff will continue to participate in meetings of the Community Coastal Resiliency Project Municipal Task Force as part of the Community Resiliency Planning Project and work with com- munities to prepare vulnerability assessments and strategic plans based on Community Resili- ence Building guidance promoted through the Mass. Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Pro- gram of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Executive Order 569 “Es- tablishing an Integrated Climate Change Strategy for the Commonwealth” issued by Governor Baker in September 2016. Staff will also receive training in climate project data generated by Commonwealth agencies along with detailed climate adaptation mapping and modeling activi- ties currently being prepared by MassDOT, the Woods Hole Institute, NOAA, and other sources.
Depending upon the availability of detailed mapping information and tools to model the impacts of storms at inland locations, MVPC can begin to work with its communities located west of the Great Marsh in identifying flood-prone infrastructure and identify potential impacts to both local and regional transportation facilities.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 116
MVPC will continue to conduct regional planning to meet new GHG emission reduction goals and will seek additional grant funding to assist communities with Net Zero planning. In 2021, MVPC received a Regional Energy Planning grant to facilitate planning and implementation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This work included mapping of all charging sta- tions, convening working groups around EV, and researching local by-laws.

Tasks

3.9.1 Participation in Community Coastal Resiliency Project Municipal Task Force: Staff will participate in Task Force meetings and will assist local officials in Salisbury, New- buryport, Newbury and Rowley in preparing their Community Adaptation Plans.
3.9.2 Implementation of Vulnerability Plans: Staff will continue to assist communities seeking to implement strategic plans under the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Prepared- ness Program, CZM Resiliency Plan, the RTP process and other processes.
3.9.3 Regional Tracking and Analysis: Staff will track, analyze and prioritize identified vulnera- bilities as related to transportation at the sub-regional and regional levels.
3.9.4 Monitor Progress of Sea Level Rise Mapping/Modeling Tools: Through its work with the MassBays Program, Hurricane Sandy Grant studies/analyses and MassDOT, staff will continue to assess the availability of the mapping and modeling tools needed to identify the combined impacts of flooding from storms and rising sea levels along inland water- ways.
3.9.5 Participate In/Host Regional Workshops: MVPC will continue to participate and present at public workshops to inform local officials and partner agencies and organizations on the status and anticipated impacts of climate change on the Merrimack Valley/North Shore region. This will include the Sea Level Rise symposium held annually with MassBays partners.
3.9.6 Consultation and Coordination will be undertaken by the MPO staff with various statewide and regional organizations including Executive Office of Public Safety and Se- curity (EOPSS), Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Northeast Homeland Security Advisory Council (NERAC), and regional conservation and water- shed agencies.
3.9.7 Electric Vehicles: MVPC will convene working groups to identify needs and next steps in deployment of EV charging infrastructure. MVPC will examine this issue from an equity standpoint and work with our communities to develop strategies. MVPC will also con- tinue to assist Lawrence with its e-bike pilot program funded through MassCEC.
3.9.8 Clean Energy Planning: Staff will convene training events or workshops that facilitate peer-to-peer learning and exchanges. Projects which further state clean energy goals, include adding alternative fuel vehicles to fleets, conducting municipal energy aggrega- tion that includes renewable technologies, fuel switching from delivered fossil fuels to renewable heating processes, and other similar activities. Municipal clean energy

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 117
planning services, in alignment with the recently released Massachusetts 2050 Decar- bonization Roadmap calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and
85% by 2050. Preparation toward developing community-wide net-zero plans, including preliminary scoping work, stakeholder surveys, and community workshops is also in- cluded.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 118

TASK 4.0 -OTHER TRANSPORTATION STUDIES

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 119
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 120

Task 4.1 - Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Description

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology’s purpose is to maximize the efficiency of the existing transportation network. This technology plays a prominent role in the MVMPO region where the opportunities to expand existing roadway capacity are limited. Examples of ITS tech- nologies include:

• Use of “EZ Pass” transponders at toll booths to reduce delay and to facilitate the installa- tion of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on limited access roadways.

• Smart phone apps and in-vehicle devices that provide navigational assistance and real- time travel information.

• Incident management programs on interstates and major arterial roadways.

• Advanced Traffic Management activities such as coordination of signals.

• Creation of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes on limited access roadways.

Previous Work

In FFY 2010 the MVMPO staff participated in the stakeholder input meetings held in support of MassDOT’s effort to update the Boston Regional ITS Architecture. Staff also reviewed the MBTA’s ITS Architecture Report to identify what impact any impending MBTA actions could have on services the MBTA provides directly to MVMPO region (commuter rail) or to the other parts of the MBTA system.
Also, in FFY 2010, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) initiated “Open Road Tolling” (ORT) at its Hampton Toll Booths. ORT lanes can process nearly five times as many vehicles as a conventional cash toll lane and 60% more traffic than a dedi- cated EZ Pass Lane.
In recent years, the MVRTA introduced new fareboxes on its fixed route buses that recognize cards accepted by the MBTA, has upgraded its Vehicle Location/GPS-enabled capabilities for all its buses and vans, and replaced the parking collection technology at several of the inter- modal transportation facilities that it manages.
Early in 2018, the Authority introduced its Transit App, which allows users to track the precise lo- cation of any bus on the MVRTA fixed route system. The information that the new app provides has been shown to boost ridership where implemented elsewhere across the nation. The up- graded Vehicle Location/GPS-enabled technology has also allowed the MVRTA to more effec- tively monitor the on-time performance of its buses and to then adjust its fixed route schedules.
In October 2018, MVPC staff participated in a meeting between the ITS Programs unit of MassDOT, Police, Highway Operations Center (HOC) personnel, MPOs along with key District and Boston Office engineers regarding proposed ITS camera and Variable Message Sign (VMS) installations on major corridors in District 4.
In 2020 the MVRTA received Statewide Federal Transit Section 5339 funds through MassDOT to purchase on board Automatic Passenger Counters (APCs). During the FFY 2021 UPWP, the

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 121
Authority began installing the APCs on its fixed route buses. In 2022, MVPC staff has begun to analyze the data generated by the first APCs that have been put into operation (see Task 3.1). When fully implemented, the APC system will supply data on passenger boarding, track wheel- chair and bicycle rack use on the Authority’s fixed route and commuter buses.

FFY 2023 Activities

The MVMPO staff will continue to monitor ITS strategies and technologies in Massachusetts and around the country and assess both their effectiveness and potential applicability in the MVMPO region.

Tasks

4.1.1 Continue Gathering Information on Existing ITS Projects in Massachusetts: Using the Boston ITS Architecture and those from other regions in the state as well as information contained in the STIP and other sources, MVPC staff will monitor actions being taken by other MPOs to implement ITS technologies and assess their potential applicability in the MVMPO region.
4.1.2 Attend Future ITS Conferences and Workshops: MVPC staff will attend ITS workshops and seminars as appropriate.
4.1.3 Attend Meetings of Boston Regional ITS Architecture Committee/ITS Integration Strat- egy: MVPC staff will continue to attend meetings of the Boston Regional ITS Architec- ture Committee and participate in MassDOT’s efforts to update the Boston Regional Ar- chitecture. The MVPC will update the MVMPO on Boston ITS Architecture Committee activities that would impact their present and future ITS plans/deployments.
4.1.4 Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Technology: In recent years there has been extensive work in developing and testing Autonomous Vehicles and it is anticipated that there will be wide- spread use of such vehicles in the United States within the next 20 years. AVs are being tested for transporting people (cars and buses) and moving freight. Full implementation of this technology may require substantial modifications to the nation’s transportation in- frastructure. Under this task, staff will continue to monitor the trends in AV technology and identify how they may impact the region’s transportation network.

Products/Schedule

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 122

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 123
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 124

Task 4.2 - Local Technical Assistance

Description

Each year, officials from around the MVMPO region request MVPC staff assistance to address traffic issues in their communities. These requests typically are limited in scope and consist of intersection capacity analyses, review of roadway signage, small-scale parking studies, a review of local traffic regulations, analysis of traffic safety issues or even assistance in completing the Project Need and Project Initiation Forms needed to advance project proposals through the MassDOT Project Development Process. Because of their limited scope and often-urgent timeframe, it is usually infeasible to prepare a scope of services to complete these projects.

Previous Work

Examples of technical assistance projects undertaken under the FFY 2020 and FFY 2021
UPWPs include:

• Collected traffic volume/vehicle classification/ speed count data on Scotland Road

and performed a field visit to the site to review Exit and Stopping Sight Distances for a recently opened commercial facility.

• Reviewed the traffic impact report for a proposed Chapter 40B development on Salem

St. and looked at the operation of the Salem St./School St. intersection.

• Collected ATR counts on Andover Street and Vehicle Turning Movement counts at the Andover Street/Shepard Street/Lawrencian Drive intersection in support of the City of Lawrence’s MassWorks application.

• Completed two sets of analysis of selected roadway corridors in the Town of Georgetown to determine if they met the Thickly Settled Criteria for residential areas that are defined by state law.

• Worked with Groveland officials to develop scope of services for contract with MVPC

to develop an Asset Management Program for the Town.

• Prepared report outlining MVPC's findings in collecting turning movement counts at Georgetown Square, the Library St./Central St. intersection, and the East Main St./Winter St. intersection.

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC staff will continue to provide technical assistance to member communities and local citi- zens on an as-needed basis.

Tasks

4.2.1 Respond to Community Requests for Transportation Data and Analyses: MVPC staff will respond to small-scale, limited requests for technical assistance in addressing transporta- tion issues in the MVMPO region.
4.2.2 Support Advancement of Projects Through the MassDOT Project Development Process:
MVPC will also support community efforts to advance projects through the MassDOT

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 125
Project Development Process. This will largely include providing assistance in the prepa- ration of Project Need and Project Initiation Forms.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 126

Task 4.3 - Regional Transportation Security

Description

The events of September 11, 2001 and the tremendous damage caused by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina dramatically raised awareness regarding the security of the nation’s transportation sys- tem. In the Merrimack Valley region, winter storms have caused severe damage to beach areas on Plum Island in Newbury and major rain events have often resulted in flooding that closes ma- jor arterial roadways such as Route 1 in Salisbury. Further inland, Route 114 near the Law- rence/North Andover line has been closed many times due to flooding of the Shawsheen River.
Federal requirements include security as a factor that MPOs must address in the transportation planning process. MPOs must ensure that their planning process “…should provide for consid- eration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that will increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users."

Previous Work

In April of 2016, the MVPC received approval of the Merrimack Valley Multi-Hazard Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. This plan was developed by MVPC in cooperation with 14 of the region’s 15 cit- ies and towns pursuant to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), which established a national program for pre-disaster mitigation and streamlined the federal administration of disas- ter relief. This legislation also requires all communities to have a FEMA-approved “Multiple Haz- ards Mitigation Plan” to qualify for FEMA funding under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
In September 2020, FEMA announced the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program aimed at shifting the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience. In FY2021, MVPC assisted the City of Lawrence in applying for FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure Communi- ties (BRIC) grant funding to update the MV Regional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan which expires in 2021. Staff also assisted Merrimac in completing an individual HMP to meet FEMA BRIC grant requirements.
MEMA presented the Evacuation (and Shelter) Concept of Operations to local officials and Emergency Management Directors in the summer of 2015 and it was determined that there was a need to better synchronize the agency’s efforts in Shelter, Evacuation, and Critical Transporta- tion Need planning. In Fall 2016, MEMA completed the Critical Transportation Need Evacuation Operational Plan and the update for the Cape Cod Traffic Plan. In addition, the agency is con- tinuing work on the Mass Care and Shelter Planning Phase II effort that kicked off in Fall 2016.
The MVRTA is the transit representative to the Northeast Regional Advisory Council (NERAC) that was established under the Executive Office of Public Safety and chairs the NERAC Working Group on Evacuation Planning. MVPC serves as a member of this committee.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 127

FFY 2023 Activities

The 2016 Merrimack Valley Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan expires in 2021. MVPC will assist com- munities with updating their Plans. Staff will continue to monitor information from USDOT, NARC, AAMPO and other sources on this subject to determine what basic elements should be addressed by an MPO in evaluating its transportation network. It will review and evaluate the ongoing activities of other RPAs and MPOs around the nation in this matter and assess their po- tential applicability in the MVMPO region.

Tasks

4.3.1 Updating Merrimack Valley Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: Instead of one regional plan, communities may choose to update their plans individually or in smaller regional groups. MVPC will assist communities with updating their plans.
4.3.2 Review Developments in Transportation Security Planning: Staff will continue to monitor materials and policies of transportation security issued by, NERAC, USDOT and state transportation agencies.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 128

Task 4.4 - County Road Adjudication

Description

Chapter 336 of the Acts of 2006 amended several sections of Chapter 82 of Massachusetts
General Laws governing the alteration, relocation and discontinuance of county roads. Section
1 of Chapter 82, as amended, states that regional planning agencies have the responsibility to “lay out, alter, relocate and discontinue highways and order specific repairs thereon” in those ar- eas where no county government or council of governments exists. The General Court also mandated that the regional planning agencies in such areas create regional Adjudicatory Boards to take actions on any proposed changes to county roadways in their jurisdiction. With the dis- solution of Essex County in 1996, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission fell under this re- quirement.
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Adjudicatory Board (MVPC Adjudicatory Board) is comprised of five members:

• MVPC Chairman

• MVPC Vice Chairman

• MVPC Secretary

• MVPC Treasurer

• MassDOT District 4 Highway Director (or designee)

Previous Work

The MVPC Adjudicatory Board has responded to community requests and approved the discon- tinuance of the following sections of County Roadway in the Merrimack Valley region:

• Section of county road layout near the intersection of Routes 150 and 110 in Amesbury

(June 2009).

• Portion of Towne Road layout in Boxford near the North Andover Town Line (September

2011).

• Sliver of the old County Road layout along Route 110 just east of the intersection with

Route 150 (September 2012).

• Section of River Road in Merrimac that lies between Skunk Road and a point just east of its intersection with Middle Road, which had been severely damaged by storms in 2006 and 2010 (October 2013), and

• County Easement in front of 38 and 40 Main Street in Amesbury (December 2019).

FFY 2023 Activities

MVPC staff will continue to implement and refine the review and approval process for the relo- cation/discontinuance of county roadways and roadway layouts that are located on or adjacent
to federal aid-eligible roadways in the region.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 129

Tasks

4.4.1 Implement/Amend Merrimack Valley Region County Road Adjudication Board and Roadway Review Process: MVPC staff will implement and as needed, amend the pro- cess for the review of requests to alter county roadways.

Products/Schedule

Funding

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 130

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program Page 131
This page left blank intentionally.

Draft Merrimack Valley MPO FFY 2022 Unified Planning Work Program Page 132