Regional Transportation Community Engagement Plan

A Resident’s Guide to Regional Transportation Planning TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is the Regional Transportation Plan? (pg. 2) Did you ever wonder “Who decided to build this road here?” or “I would really love to see more sidewalks Who Makes the Decisions? (pg. 3) in my community, but I don’t know who to talk to?” What Happens After a Project is Built? (pg. 10) or “Why isn’t there transit around here?”.....if so, then you’ve come to the right place! Who Maintains What? (pg. 11) Welcome to the Resident’s Guide to Transportation Planning for How Do I ...? (Transportation FAQs) (pg. 12) the Metropolitan Region. This quick-reference guide pro- vides an overview of how regional transportation planning works, who makes the decisions, and how you can participate.

Want to know more? This guide is part of a series developed by ARC to demystify the transportation planning process.

Here’s a list of all the guides – check them out! • A Resident’s Guide to Regional Transportation Planning • A Guide to Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Basics • Community Engagement: Values, Techniques and Process Federal law requires all metropolitan areas with populations greater than 50,000 people to designate a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to develop transportation plans for the region. It also requires that a Public Participation Plan be created that affords the public a reasonable opportunity to participate in and comment on transportation plans. This plan is intended to fulfill those requirements outlined in 23 Code of US Fed- eral Regulations (CFR) Part 450.210 and 450.316. The content of this publication reflects the views of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Department of Transportation, State of , or the Federal Highway Administration. Additionally, as reflected in Section VI of the 2009 Atlanta Quad Party Agreement (Memorandum of Agreement for Transportation Planning Coordination and Cooperation in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area (MPA) between the Atlanta Regional Com-mission, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and Metro- politan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), this Public Participation Plan satisfies the region’s Program of Transit Projects (POP) public participation re- quirements for the Urbanized Area Formula Program required in Section 9 of the Federal Transit Act Title 49, U.S. Code Section 5307 (b)(1) through (7) for the Atlanta Regional Commission and transit operators within the MPO area (Cherokee Area Transit, Cobb Community Transit, Douglas County Rideshare, , Henry County Transit, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Spalding County, and GRTA (Xpress)). It is the policy of the Atlanta Regional Commission that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any operation of the Atlanta Regional Commission as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes. Any questions or concerns about discrimination may be referred to the ARC Title VI Officer at bzwald@atlantaregional. org or 470.463.1494. Publication is prepared in cooperation with the Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. The “Regional Transportation Community Engagement Plan” for the Atlanta Metropolitan Region consists of the following modules: • Resident’s Guide to Regional Transportation Planning • A Guide to Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Basics • Community Engagement Values, Techniques and Process JUNE 2019

GDOT FTA FHWA FAST ETA

RELEVANT ACRONYMS MARTA USDOT UPWP TAMG TAQC GRTA SRTA MPO TDM TMA CMS DCA MPA CDR CEN CAA POP TCC ARC STIP ADA TOS CFR CTP RTC EPD HST RTP EPA LEP ATL DRI LCI TIP ITS RC

U.S. Department of Transportation Unified Planning Work Program Transit Operators Subcommittee Transportation Improvement Program Transportation Demand Management Transportation Coordinating Committee Transportation Coordinating Committee Transportation andAirQuality Committee Transportation Access andMobility Group State Road andTollway Authority Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Regional Transportation Plan Regional Transit Committee Regional Commissions Program of Projects Metropolitan PlanningOrganization Metropolitan PlanningArea Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Limited English Proficiency Livable Centers Initiative Intelligent Transportation System Human ServicesTransportation Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Federal Transit Administration Georgia Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act Federal Highway Administration Equitable Target Areas Environmental Protection Division Environmental Protection Agency Developments of Regional Impact Department of Community Affairs Comprehensive Transportation Plans Congestion Management System Code of Federal Regulations Community Engagement Network Conformity Determination Report Clean Air Act Atlanta-Region Transit LinkAuthority Atlanta Regional Commission ACRONYMSAmericans withDisabilities Act for thisurbanregion. Metropolitan PlanningOrganization (MPO) part of a20-countyarea, asthefederally designated ARC isresponsible for transportation planninginallor The Atlanta Region: serves asaregional convener andacollaborative hub. face-to-face meetingwithyour countycommissioner. In thisway, ARC event, learnaboutthelatesttrends ingreen infrastructure, orhave a population, findout exactly how travel patterns were impacted by a recent advancements intransportation, discusstheregion’s growing andchanging On any given day, you canjoinARCfor aconversation aboutrapid technological parties isthefoundation uponwhichthiscomprehensive planninghappens. elected officials, advocates, subjectmatter experts,localleaders, andinterested ment intoallof itsplanningwork. Continuous collaboration withcommunities, development, waterresources, aging&healthservices,andworkforce develop- comprehensive fashion, ARCincorporates aspects of transportation, community nificant, locally relevant, andfuture-focused transportation vision. Working ina Atlanta metro region, ARC’s job is to develop, plan, and facilitate a regionally sig- As theregional commissionandmetropolitan planningorganization for the you need. behind thescenes to helpyou move around andget thethings new gadget, theAtlanta Regional Commission (ARC) isworking along theSilver Comet Trail, orawaiting ashipmentof thelatest Station, bikingalongtheAtlanta Beltline, amorningrun taking express laneonI-75, navigating atransfer atMARTA’s Five Points Whether you are zippingalongan The Atlanta Regional Commission isPlanningfor OurFuture

A RESIDENT’S GUIDE TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING |1 Carroll

Paulding Douglas Coweta Cobb Fayette Cherokee Fulton Clayton Pike Spalding DeKalb Dawson Henry Forsyth Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Walton Barrow What is the Regional Transportation Plan? Who Makes the Decisions?

The quick answer... The officialMPO Policy Committee is known as the Transportation and Air Quality The Committee (TAQC) and is made up of elected and appointed officials from a variety of entities: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION “long-range list” PLAN (RTP) for the TRANSPORTATION & AIR QUALITY COMMITTEE: THE MPO POLICY BOARD Atlanta region ------COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A 20+year  long-range plan updated every 4 years, www.atlantaregionsplan.org at a minimum.

Yes, that’s great,  MAYORS CITIZEN MEMBERS ARC prioritizes I love our house  but we only have and have so a limited amount projects based  many projects  of money for on established  I want to do!!! the next six years... regional goals and evaluation criteria ARC BOARD CHAIR STATE AGENCIES

RTP TIP MARTA GDOT GRTA GDOT EPD

Graphic above is a general representation of membership and is not exact MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization ARC = Atlanta’s MPO The short-range  “to-do list” of  TRANSPORTATION construction projects An MPO is designated in urban These are the folks who  areas with 50,000+ people, to make the big decisions...  ------but they get lots of help! IMPROVEMENT carry out the federally required A 6-year plan that is  PROGRAM (TIP) metropolitan transportation “fiscally constrained” planning process (funding is available!)

2 | REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN A RESIDENT’S GUIDE TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING | 3 Who Makes the Decisions? How Can I Have a Voice?

Local Counties and Cities: Most transportation projects in the re- Remember the Transportation & Air Quality Committee? LOCAL gional plan come from decisions made at the local level. To have the These are YOUR public officials! COUNTIES greatest impact on transportation plans and projects in your own community, it is important to get involved at a local level through & CITIES participating in comprehensive planning and council meetings. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ARC Advisory Groups: ARC regularly convenes groups of external stakeholders to provide focused input. Examples include: Bicycle/  ADVISORY Pedestrian Task Force, Freight Advisory Task Force, Transit  GROUPS Operators Subcommittee, Transportation Equity Advisory Group, Community Engagement Network, Model Users Group, Project Delivery Task Force, and more.

MAYORS CITIZEN MEMBERS

Transportation Coordinating Committee: The Transportation Coordinating Committee, a formal committee of transportation  TCC and public works staff from the 20-county region, makes official recommendations and provides technical advisement to  ARC BOARD CHAIR STATE AGENCIES TAQC and RTC.

MARTA GDOT GRTA GDOT EPD

Graphic above is a general representation of membership and is not exact Regional Transit Committee: The Regional Transit Committee (RTC) is a body of policy makers who convene to discuss coordination RTC related to transit planning and regional policy. Attend a Meeting! >>> All board and committee meetings are open to the public Submit Comments! >>> All plans have a public comment  Transportation and Air Quality Committee: The Transportation and period prior to formal adoption Air Quality Committee (TAQC) serves as the MPO Policy Board for the region. TAQC makes final decisions on regional transportation Speak Up! >>> Public hearings are held throughout  TAQC policy, including approving the final list of projects to be funded in the planning process the RTP/TIP. Once a transportation plan is adopted by the TAQC, it moves on to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), Serve on an Advisory Group >>> ARC has many opportunities for residents who has the authority to approve it on behalf of the Governor. to join an advisory group or task force

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I did hear about it, but I don’t Did you hear about the know much transportation ARC’s update to the  planning. I am going to  Regional Transportation Plan?  ARC’s pop-up social tomorrow  I submitted written  night on the way to dinner.  comments last week. Where to Share Your Getting Involved Events to Share Wanna join me? Input Locally with ARC Your Input

Master/Comprehensive Plan Meetings Attend ARC Board Meeting VOTE - in every election! To find out more about these meetings check your city/county’s website for information Open Houses There’s more than one way to be a part of the Join ARC Advisory Group Check city/county website City/County Council and social media for events transportation process. Pick what works best for you! Meetings To find out more about “FORMAL” ENGAGEMENT “EVERYDAY” ENGAGEMENT these meetings check your city/county’s website for Local Plans Attend ARC committee meetings, Attend informational meetings, like open information Sign up for ARC Check city/county website give input at public hearings, submit house sessions, forums, or panel discussions newsletters and blogs and social media for events comments at public meetings You can visit a meeting one time, take an and info Any written or verbal comments occasional online survey, or you can find Neighborhood Associations submitted at public hearings or opportunities for sustained involvement Research about your local during plan public review periods and on-going conversations area to find where these Surveys/Studies become part of the written record Submit Written or Verbal There are many opportunities for meetings are taking place Check city/county website Comments to ARC of the plan’s development engagement around broad policies and and social media for events vision setting to guide the specific plans Formal engagement is often that follow related to a specific plan or policy Connect with ARC via social media or subscribe to an online newsletter for regular information on latest happenings Master/Comprehensive Plan Meetings 6 | REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN A RESIDENT’S GUIDE TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATIONTo find PLANNING out more | 7 about these meetings check your city/county’s website for information How Are Projects Funded? What Are Examples of Projects?

Where Does the Money Come From? A project that increases the ability to move larger numbers of people along a corridor. Capacity FEDERAL STATE LOCAL projects are often designed for automobile volumes, The Fixing America’s With the passage of the Many counties and cities in but should also be complete streets with safe Surface Transportation Transportation Funding Act (TFA) metro Atlanta host votes accommodations for all users. (FAST) Act of 2015 of 2015, state funding has to raise additional funds CAPACITY Example: Adding roadway lanes with sidewalks and provides federal increased by almost $1B each for transit, road, biking, and bikeways or extending rail lines and station walkways funding for highway and  year, effectively doubling the walking projects transit through 2020 State’s transportation budget

A project that addresses a safety concern, such FEDERAL as frequent crashes or conflicts between  vehicles and cyclists or pedestrians Example: Reconfiguration of an intersection SAFETY

STATE

FUNDING The state passes some money A project that provides infrastructure for bikes  through to the MPO for state and / or pedestrians and local projects MPO Example: Construction of a multi-use path ACTIVE PLANNING The state also participates TRANSPORTATION in the planning process, contributing ideas and input

A project that provides infrastructure for multiple  transportation modes, such as vehicles, transit, LOCAL GOVERNMENT bikes and pedestrians (Cities and Counties) Example: Conversion of a travel lane to a bus- only lane or a bike lane and on-street parking FUNDING PLANNING MULTI-MODAL Local governments receive  Local governments participate funding for some local projects in the planning process, and contribute local dollars contributing ideas and input

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Just like a house, after it’s built, In general, it depends on who owns it... Not sure? Look for a sign... transportation infrastructure requires routine maintenance and ongoing operational improvements.

INTERSTATE U.S. HIGHWAY STATE HIGHWAY OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE HIGHWAY

• Adding traffic control • Filling potholes devices, such as stop signs, traffic lights, etc. • Resurfacing of roads COUNTY ROAD LOCAL ROAD/STREET • Addition of turn lanes • Restriping lanes • Retiming (synchronizing)  • Repairing sidewalks HOW DO I REPORT A PROBLEM? traffic signals 1) Determine who maintains the roadway 2) Identify the exact location (mile marker, nearest cross-street, etc.) Small-scale changes which  Taking care of what’s  improve the transportation system already on the ground! 3) Contact the proper entity Interstate/US/State Highway Contact Georgia DOT  (404) 631-1990 or visit www.dot.ga.gov TAKE ACTION! County Road Keeping track of what needs to be done can be a challenge! If you have  Contact County Public Works concerns about the roads and sidewalks in the neighborhood, you can Local Road/Street  conduct an audit! This is a great activity for a neighborhood association Contact City/County Streets Department/Public Works to raise awareness about transportation. After your audit, be sure to pass the ** If your request is about operations – rather than maintenance – results along to the correct jurisdiction, whether city, county, or state. contact your local city or county engineering department

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Find out about traffic congestion in real time? Plan a bike trip? • Georgia DOT’s Navigator The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) and Georgia Bikes! provide resources for Call 511 bicycle trip planning, including maps, safe cycling guides, and classes. Visit www.511ga.org Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) Download 511 Georgia & Atlanta Traffic App (404) 881-1112 • Google Maps www.google.com/maps [email protected] Go to the menu and click the ‘Traffic’ button. Roads will turn green, yellow, or red, www.atlantabike.org corresponding to congestion levels. Google Maps will also show road closures, construction zones, and traffic incidents. Georgia Bikes! (706) 740-2453 Find out how to get somewhere via bus or train? [email protected] www.georgiabikes.org • ATL Transit www.atltransit.org - Joint pilot project of the major transit agencies in metro Atlanta, working The PATH Foundation has been building a network of off-road trails in and together to provide a unified resource for transit customers in the region. around Atlanta for walkers, cyclists, and skaters for more than 22 years. - Features an open trip planner, which provides step-by-step directions for using multiple modes of travel, including transit, biking, and walking. PATH Foundation • Regional transit agencies and organizations can also assist with trip planning (404) 875-7284 via telephone and email. [email protected] www.pathfoundation.org MARTA (404) 848-5000 Additional Resources [email protected] • Google Maps www.google.com/maps www.itsmarta.com • City and/or County websites CobbLinc (770) 427-4444 Get a Peach Pass (for use on tolled lanes)? [email protected] www.peachpass.com A Peach Pass is a small, thin electronic toll collection device that adheres to Gwinnett County Transit a vehicle windshield or a bumper that mounts to the front of your vehicle. It (770) 822-5010 automatically deducts the proper tolls when using electronic toll lanes within mygctransit.com the state of Georgia. The Peach Pass can be used in North Carolina and Xpress Florida as well. HOW DO I . .? HOW HOW DO I . .? HOW (844) 977-7742 1-800-255-0056 [email protected] www.xpressga.com

Atlanta Regional Commission (404) 463-3100 www.atlantaregional.org/contact-us

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Find transportation for older persons or persons with disabilities? http://gacommuteoptions.com/Commuter-Services/Improve-Your-Commute/Transit Public transit providers are required to provide ADA Complementary Paratransit service to anyone unable to ride or disembark from regular transit service, such as older adults and persons with disabilities. This service is offered to people who live within 3/4 of a mile of existing bus routes. Operators like GRTA which do not provide all-day service are exempt from this requirement. Check the Georgia Commute Options website for contact information for your nearest public transit provider. Additionally, you can find more information from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) or by calling your local county.

Atlanta Regional Commission (404) 463-3100 www.atlantaregional.com/contact-us

Find a Park and Ride lot? Visit www.xpressga.com Xpress buses, which run 27 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties, provide workers with commutes to and from major employment centers such as Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and .

Find or start a car pool? Atlanta Regional Commission Georgia Commute Options: http://gacommuteoptions.com Car pooling can be a great way to save money and reduce stress during your 229 Peachtree St NE #100 commute. The Georgia Commute Options website has a carpool matching service Atlanta, GA 30303 with more than 50,000 potential carpoolers or vanpoolers interested in sharing the ride. atlantaregional.org

Find an electric vehicle charging station? US Department of Energy database of alternative fuel stations: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/ There is also a PlugShare application that can be downloaded to your

DO I . .? HOW smart phone for searching on the go.

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