Herkimer – Oneida Counties Transportation Study Long Range Transportation Plan DESTINATIONS 2030 Herkimer-Oneida Counties Long Range Transportation Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Chapter 1 Introduction 1-1 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals and Objectives 2-1 Chapter 3 Plan Requirements 3-1 Chapter 4 Demographics 4-1 Chapter 5 Transit 5-1 Chapter 6 Highways and Bridges 6-1 Chapter 7 Canals 7-1 Chapter 8 Rail 8-1 Chapter 9 Aviation 9-1 Chapter 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian 10-1 Chapter 11 Financing the Plan 11-1 Chapter 12 Implementation 12-1 Appendix A Agency Consultation Appendix B Public Participation Appendix C Regional Transportation Needs DESTINATIONS 2030 Herkimer-Oneida Counties Long Range Transportation Plan LIST OF MAPS AND FIGURES Page Map 1-1 Federal-Aid Highway System in Herkimer and Oneida Counties 1-2 Figure 3-1 Air Quality Impacts 3-9 Figure 3-2 Energy Consumption 3-9 Figure 3-3 Safe Routes to School Summary 3-11 Map 3-1 Floodzones and Wetlands 3-15 Map 3-2 Rare Plant and Animal Species 3-16 Map 3-3 Remediation Sites 3-17 Map 3-4 National Historic Registry Sites 3-18 Map 3-5 New York State Parks and State-Designated Historic Sites 3-19 Map 3-6 NYSDEC Managed Lands 3-20 Map 3-7 Agricultural Districts 3-21 Figure 4-1 Population Change, 1970 – 2000 4-1 Map 4-1 Population Shift, 1990 – 2000 4-2 Figure 4-2 Population Demographics for the HOCTS Planning Area 4-3 Figure 4-3 LEP Population, NYSDOT Region 2 by County 4-5 Figure 4-4 LEP Population, NYSDOT Region 2 by City 4-6 Map 4-2 New York State LEP Population by County 4-6 Map 4-3 LEP Populations in Oneida County 4-7 Figure 4-5 Population Projections, 2010 – 2025 4-8 Figure 4-6 Mode Split, 1990 to 2000 4-8 Figure 4-7 Travel Time to Work, 1990 4-9 Figure 4-8 Travel Time to Work, 2000 4-9 Figure 4-9 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Population Change, 1990 – 2000 4-10 Figure 4-10 Employment-Related Travel Patterns 4-10 Figure 4-11 Employment Projections in the Mohawk Valley, 2006 – 2016 4-12 Figure 4-12 Growth Occupations in the Mohawk Valley, 2006 – 2016 4-12 Map 4-4 Empire Zone Sites in Oneida County 4-15 Map 4-5 Empire Zone Sites in Herkimer County 4-16 Map 5-1 Public Transit Routes 5-3 Figure 5-1 Estimated 20-Year Transit Capital & Operating Needs 5-7 Figure 5-2 Estimated 20-Year Transit Funding 5-7 Figure 6-1 Statewide Traffic Fatalities, 1997 – 2007 6-3 Figure 6-2 Fatality Rates by County, 2004 – 2008 6-3 Figure 6-3 Traffic Fatalities, 2004 – 2008 6-4 Figure 6-4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes in Oneida County, 2005 – 2007 6-4 Figure 6-5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes in Herkimer County, 2005 – 2007 6-4 Figure 6-6 Highway Ownership by Mileage 6-6 Figure 6-7 FHWA Functional Classification 6-7 Figure 6-8 FHWA Functional Classification of Road Mileage by County 6-8 Map 6-1 Functional Classification of Roads 6-9 Figure 6-9 Summary of Miles by Condition, 2008 6-11 Figure 6-10 Condition of Road Surface by Percentage 6-11 Map 6-2 Pavement Conditions 6-12 Figure 6-11 2009 Bridge Conditions 6-13 Figure 6-12 Anticipated Freight Truck Increases, 2002 – 2035 6-16 Map 7-1 Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor – Eastern Region 7-3 Figure 8-1 Rail Needs in Oneida and Herkimer Counties 8-3 Figure 8-2 Status of Rail Projects 8-8 Figure 8-3 Planned Rail Improvements, 2009 – 2015 8-9 Map 8-1 Industrial Properties within Active Rail Corridors 8-10 Figure 9-1 Regional Aviation Objectives 9-3 Figure 9-2 Griffiss International Airport Capital Improvement Funding, 2010 – 2014 9-6 Map 10-1 Bicycle Routes, Multi-Use Trails and Connecting Roadways 10-3 Figure 10-1 Bicyclist Injuries and Deaths in the United States, 1997 – 2007 10-4 Figure 10-2 Pedestrian Injuries and Deaths in the United States, 1997 – 2007 10-4 Figure 11-1 Estimated Financial Resources, 2010-2030 11-2 Figure 11-2 Estimated Financial Needs, 2010-2030 11-3 Chapter 1 Introduction The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Governmental Policy and Liaison Committee (GP&L) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Herkimer and Oneida Counties and directs the regional transportation planning process as it relates to the use of federal transportation funds. The GP&L has final approval and authority on all major transportation decisions, policies, and programs developed through the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study (HOCTS) planning process. HOCTS serves as staff to the GP&L to carry out the transportation planning process and works cooperatively with local, state, and federal agencies to conduct transportation planning activities in Herkimer and Oneida Counties. The GP&L is composed primarily of locally elected and appointed officials that represent the interests of the citizens of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, officials from the State of New York, transit providers, social services agencies and other stakeholders. Under federal legislation, MPOs are responsible for the planning and programming of federal transportation funds within the designated MPO Planning Area. Map 1-1 depicts the Federal-Aid Highway System which includes New York State highways and all federal-aid eligible roads and bridges in the HOCTS Planning Area. The planning process is guided by three documents: the annual Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the 5-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and the 20-year Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) which is updated every 5 years. These documents are available online at www.hocts.org. The LRTP is developed as a guide or a blueprint for planning transportation system maintenance and improvements to address the current need and future demand. Developing and maintaining a complex transportation system consisting of highway, bridge, rail, transit, aviation, canal, bicycle and pedestrian facilities requires careful planning and decision making. HOCTS provides a public forum to address the transportation needs of the two-County area through its committee structure and adopted public outreach plan. The LRTP outlines goals, objectives and recommendations that address the transportation needs of the area to reflect changes in demographics, travel needs, economic conditions, technological improvements, environmental factors and land use patterns to appropriately program funding in accordance with state and federal requirements and in a manner that is consistent with local development plans. Destinations 2010-2030 is consistent with the HOCTS mission to develop an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. The LRTP has been developed in compliance with requirements of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109-59; SAFETEA-LU) and funded with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) planning funds (FHWA-PL and FTA Section 5303).1 1 US Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration HOCTS 1 - 1 Chapter 1 Introduction Destinations 2010 - 2030 Map 1-1. Federal-Aid Highway System in Herkimer and Oneida Counties HOCTS 1 - 2 Chapter 1 Introduction Destinations 2010 - 2030 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals, and Objectives The creation of the vision statement for the HOCTS Planning Area and the development of goals and objectives, conveys the framework and direction of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). In the development of the LRTP, the goals and objectives are examined to determine their relevance to the current needs and issues of the community, as well as their adherence to current federal requirements. The vision, goals, and objectives are reflective of the planning factors defined in federal transportation legislation and address the needs of Herkimer and Oneida County residents. HOCTS VISION STATEMENT “To develop an integrated intermodal transportation system that efficiently, conveniently, and reliably provides mobility networks that are responsive to the community’s needs for safe and secure movement of people and goods” Six priority areas have been established based on the LRTP Vision Statement: Land Use- Encourage compatibility with local and regional land use plans. Mobility & Accessibility- Improve safety and encourage coordination among transportation providers to address the diverse needs of the community for interconnectivity and accessibility. System Preservation- Promote a transportation system that compliments the area’s natural and built environment. Economic Efficiency- Focus on low-cost, high-benefit projects that maximize return on capital investment. Environmental Impact- Minimize the potentially adverse impact of transportation projects on the community. Public Participation- Promote public access and input in the regional transportation planning process. HOCTS 2 - 1 Chapter 2 Vision, Goals, and Objectives Destinations 2010 - 2030 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The LRTP is organized around the six general priority areas mentioned above that are reflective of the planning factors defined in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).1 These priority areas guide current and future infrastructure investment, the LRTP goals outline the direction for the HOCTS Planning Area and the objectives identify strategies necessary to obtain the goals. LAND USE Municipal governments are empowered with a great deal of authority over local land use policy through the use of planning implements such as comprehensive/master plans, zoning or other regulatory ordinances that guide and control the types of development or land use that occurs in a community. Goal 1: Develop a transportation system which is compatible with the regional land use plan and local land use plans. Objectives: Provide transportation facilities and services in existing and new areas of development consistent with the regional land use plan and local land use plans.