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68E32A0DA13F517D87258A120056988D Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

INTERIM COMMITTEE  TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Aug 21, 2023      
Location Old State Library



Presentation from Denver Regional Council of Governments Transportation Improvement Program - Committee Discussion Only
09:45:53 AM  
Ron Papsdorf, representing
the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), talked about the organization
and the tranportation improvement program (TIP) process.  A copy of
his presentation is included as Attachment B.   He indicated that
DRCOG fulfills three primary roles: facilitating the state's regional transportation
planning commission and working to adopt a long range transportation plan;
acting as the area agency on aging; and fulfilling the role of a federal
metropolitan planning organization.  Mr. Papsdorf mentioned that DRCOG
works closely with RTD, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT),
and local transportation commission members.
09:48:48 AM  
He continued talking
about the TIP, which is a four year program of funded projects.  He
explained several planning processes relate to the program, including the
metro vision regional transportation plan, which spans 20 years, and the
fiscally constrained regional transportation plan, also spanning 20 years.
  Mr. Papsdorf indicated that most resources go to maintaining the
system, rather than new projects.
09:50:47 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf mentioned
the recent plan that was adopted in 2021, and included safety, air quality,
regional transit, freight, multimodal ability, and active transportation.
 He said that in 2022 the plan was updated, including a focus on greenhouse
gas emissions.
09:52:27 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf talked
about state and federal funds, as well as funds allocated through DRCOG,
including the surface transportation block grant, congestion mitigation
air quality, multimodal and mitigation options fund, carbon reduction program,
and transportation alternatives.  He also talked about set aside programs,
including transportation demand services, regional transportation operations
and technology, air quality improvements, human service transportation,
and community mobility planning and innovation.
09:53:59 AM  
There was a discussion
about the TIP process as a dual model with funding going to regional and
subregional projects.  Mr. Papsdorf indicated that the regional share
is distributed first, at about 20 percent of funds.  He said that
these finds are applied for, evaluated, and allocated regionally.  Eighty
percent of funds flow through the subregional process with projects submitted,
evaluated, and recommended within the subregion.
09:56:18 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf talked
about funding sources.  He indicated that the multimodal transportation
and mitigation options fund was renewed as part of the passage of Senate
Bill 21-260, and includes a 50 percent match of funds and American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) funds in fiscal year 2022.  He said that these projects
must be complet by 2026.  The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
(IIJA), added new programs and increased funds through formula programs.
 Goals for the TIP process include meeting ARPA deadlines; maximizing
potential leverage with similar project types; integrateating greenhouse
gas emission (GHG) rules; and integrating outcomes of the 2050 regional
transportation plan review.
09:58:36 AM  
There was a discussion
about two tracks for the TIP process, air quality and multimodal or alternative
mode projects, and the surface transportation block grant program which
is the most flexible funding that may be used for many things.
09:59:36 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf talked
about dollar amounts distributed for the air quality and multimodal track
process which began in January 2022.
10:01:14 AM  
He mentioned that
the application is a rigourous process where projects must relate to regional
goals and impacts; priorities in the metro vision plan; the amount of federal,
state, and additional funds that can be leveraged; and projects that are
shovel ready.
10:02:24 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf indicated
that between 2024 and 2027, TIP will invest $495 million in transportation
with a total investment of $2.2 billion from all funding sources.  
He indicated that 64 percent of projects are in or near an urban center;
73 percent of projects are on a high-injury network, resulting in 51 fewer
fatal crashes and 302 fewer serious injury crashes; and 70 percent of projects
will implement Complete Streets elements.
10:04:41 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf shared
additional accomplishments, including the improvement of 190 intersections
for all transportation modes.  He shared that improvements include
25 percent roadway; 45 percent active transportation; 95 miles of bike
and pedestrian facilites; 97 miles of transit; 34 studies to prepare for
future projects; and 80 percent for existing transit.
10:05:57 AM  
There was a discussion
about the inclusion of GHG emission reductions in the TIP process.
10:07:44 AM  
The committee discussed
leveraging partnerships and effectiveness.  Mr. Papsdorf talked about
the bus rapid transit program with CDOT and RTD and mentioned that there
are five corridors.  He said that $50 million was invested through
the TIP process to help implement the program, but there are some constraints
on funds.
10:11:07 AM  
There was a discussion
about bike infrastructure.  Mr. Papsdorf said that a focus on safety
is important since bicyclist and pedestrian fatalaties have increased by
25 percent, which is alarming for a group that makes up only 5 percent
of all travel modes.  
10:13:25 AM  
Mr. Papsdorf mentioned
that every planning decision is tied together, including how investments
will achieve larger goals.  Mr. Papsdorf indicated that regional involvement
and discussions are important.  He said that DRCOG is focused on maximizing
efficiency and stated that while driving must occur, balance is needed.
10:16:34 AM  
There was a discussion
about equity in awarding and rating projects.  Mr. Papsdorf acknowledged
that equity is a significant consideration and that there is a federal
requirment for environmental justice.  He went on to say that equity
is imbedded in the proposed project and evaluation criteria, such as the
need to address specific populations.






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