SPRING 2013

A emscopequarterly publication of SEMCOG, the Southeast Council of Governments

WHOAdding fuel to theWILL transportation funding PAY? issue SPRING - 2013 emscope

2012-2013 Officers Table of Contents

Michael Sedlak Commentary - Michael Sedlak, SEMCOG Chairperson Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Chairperson Avenue, Suite 1400 Clerk, 2 The time to invest is now! , Michigan 48226-1904 Green Oak Township 313-961-4266 • Fax 313-961-4869 www.semcog.org Joan Gebhardt 3 The time has come to deal with transportation First Vice Chair facebook.com/SEMCOG twitter.com/SEMCOG Treasurer, semcog.org/blog.aspx youtube.com/SEMCOG Schoolcraft College 8 So what’s the problem? Jeffrey Jenks Vice Chairperson

Cover photo: Commissioner, 12 So what’s the solution? This issue of Semscope brings transportation funding into the forefront for lo- Huntington Woods cal government officials, residents, and lawmakers. The complex nature of the issue – and the need to fund transportation improvements differently – becomes even more critical as electric vehicles become more Phil LaJoy 13 Contacts and resources mainstream. This photo was taken at the charging station at Vice Chairperson DTE Energy headquarters on Tueday, April 9, 2013. Supervisor, Canton Township 14 General Assembly March 28, 2013 • Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi Charles Pugh Preparation of this document was financed in part through grants Vice Chairperson from and in cooperation with the Michigan Department Council President, of Transportation with the assistance of the U.S. Department of City of Detroit 16 Public outreach: Clean air and carpooling Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Kathy D. Vosburg Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Vice Chairperson Urban Development. Commissioner, Macomb County Please direct any questions about this publication to Sue Stetler, 313-324-3428 or [email protected] John A. Scott Immediate Past Chair Semscope is a quarterly publication of SEMCOG Commissioner, Oakland County ISSN#03071-1310 Paul E. Tait Executive Director Printed on recycled paper. Michael Sedlak, SEMCOG Chair and Clerk of Green Oak Charter Township, announced the recipients of the 2013 Taubman Fellowships. (L-r) Kevin McNamara, Wayne County Commissioner, and Steven Baker, Berkley Councilman, will attend the prestigious program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University this summer.

Commentary Transportation Funding Creating success TheCreating time hassuccess: come to deal Thein Southeast time to invest Michigan is now! Our shared outcomes I encourage you to read this issue of Semscope. It answers many of the frequently asked with transportation Michael Sedlak questions about Southeast Michigan’s transportation system and how it is funded. And I The roads we travel on, the bridges we drive over, the public transit we take, all together form an SEMCOG Chairperson hope you will share this information with your friends, neighbors, and residents. I think the inter-connected, complex, and challenged transportation system. It’s how we move people. It’s how Clerk, Green Oak Township facts show that: we move things. • Our system is large and old. It includes roads, bridges, and public transit. Let’s take a look at Southeast Michigan’s trans- • This system supports both our economic prosperity and quality of life. portation system – its current condition and opportunities for the future. • Transportation agencies are increasing the efficiency of the system, but efficiency alone will fall far short of producing the savings needed to maintain it at an acceptable level, Southeast Michigan’s let alone improve it. transportation system • Continued funding of the transportation system through the gas tax and vehicle registra- There are over 23,000 miles of public roads in tion fees is generating less money and the result is a system in decline. Southeast Michigan. That is a lot of asphalt, • Failure to invest now will cost much more in the long run. concrete, bridges, traffic signals, and even road signs to maintain and manage. What makes it These facts lead me to the unavoidable conclusion that all of us in Michigan must step even more challenging in the SEMCOG region up and raise taxes to invest in our transportation system. Note that I purposefully chose the is that many of those roads are multiple-lanes, word invest. That is exactly how my fellow elected officials in Green Oak Township and I something most other areas of the state have in communicated the merits of a property-tax millage proposal to improve roads in our com- only limited areas. Multiple-lane roads are much munity – a proposal that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2012. more expensive to construct and maintain than traditional two-lane roads. We attribute our successful passage of the “Green Oak Model” to informing, informing, every day for a total of 41.9 billion miles in and informing some more the merits of investing in our road system to voters. We specifically We have more miles of public roads in our 2011 alone. This number is a decrease from presented to voters what their investment would buy, and communicated the benefits of a seven-county region than exist in entire states. 2005 (48.8 billion). The economic challenges better maintained and safer system that supports economic development, quality of life, and And while we all need roads to get to work, to of the past few years are evidenced in this helps maintain and support property values. run errands, to visit family and friends, and to declining total. have fun, our transportation system is equally Our residents, like most of yours, were not eager to pay more taxes. But when presented important to business and the overall economy Of course, our transportation system doesn’t end with the facts they chose to invest in the system…and invest in the future of their com- of Southeast Michigan. Businesses must get with roads. For many, a public transit system munity. I believe we can take these lessons and apply them to increasing state investment their employees to the job site. Goods must be plays a critical role in their daily activities. For in our transportation system. The information presented in this issue of Semscope is a good delivered to local, national and global markets. some, especially those younger individuals who start to educating decision makers about the need and potential approaches to addressing If a road is congested, or in disrepair, we may want to be environmentally conscientious, bikes may be their preferred mode of transportation. the challenge. be late for work or school. Many of our region’s manufacturers use a supply-chain methodology When it comes time to move all of the goods I encourage you to help us communicate the challenges of funding our transportation where parts are delivered just-in-time to be used that are manufactured in our region, it is the system. We must increase our state investment in transportation. Increasing our investment in the assembly process. If our transportation trucks, rail systems, airplanes, and even the will yield dividends needed to support the quality of life we want for ourselves, our children, system isn’t dependable, entire manufacturing freighters that move our exports throughout and our grandchildren. We must increase that investment now. Our future depends on it! systems grind to a halt. the world. There are 3.6 million licensed drivers in South- east Michigan who drive 3.3 million vehicles on the region’s roads. That doesn’t include the thousands of passenger vehicles and trucks Travel in the region equals that travel through our region each day. These 115 million miles every day vehicles travel a lot of miles – 115 million (this is a distance 22 million miles past the sun) 2 3 SPRING - 2013 emscope Transportation Funding

The time has come to deal with transportation What other taxes fund transportation? While it is not accounted for at the state level, Every time you license a vehicle, you pay a the citizens who took the recent SEMCOG survey were not all that far off when they One of the greatest challenges with using the state fee that goes toward road construction, How we pay for our believed that property taxes were a major source transportation system gas tax to fund roads is that the revenues only repair and maintenance. For cars, this vehicle- increase if more gasoline is purchased. The 19- registration fee is based on the price of the of funding for transportation projects. With the SEMCOG conducted cent state gas tax has remained at that level since vehicle. Truck registration fees are based on never-ending belt tightening that is occurring a telephone survey last 1997. In recent years, gas-tax revenues have been winter and asked a simple going down. As noted earlier, the number of Federal fuel economy standards on Southeast Michigan reduce question ­— True or False: miles traveled in the region has declined, but an gas tax revenues “Most funding for roads even bigger factor is that our vehicles use consid- comes from local property erably less fuel than a decade ago due to greater $400 taxes.” Fifty-one percent of fuel efficiency. To compound matters, users of $350 those surveyed incorrectly hybrid, electric, or other alternative fuel vehicles answered “True.” While pay little or no fuel taxes to support roads. As $300 many communities have we buy more fuel efficient cars, the number of been forced to dip into their gallons of gasoline used will continue to decline. $250 general operation budgets or pass millages for roads (see The gas tax is largely invisible. We know it is $200 there, but it is never itemized for the consumer. SEMCOG Chair Michael $150 Sedlak’s commentary), The answer to how much a car owner pays in property taxes account for gas taxes might startle drivers. For example, a $100 a small portion of overall motorist who travels 12,000 miles per year in Annual revenue (in millions) Annual revenue $50 transportation expenditures. a vehicle that averages 21.5 miles per gallon purchases 558 gallons of gas per year. That $0 The vast majority of the translates into $209 per year in state and federal revenue to fund roads comes from gasoline and gas taxes – to both maintain and improve the 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 diesel fuel taxes, as well as vehicle registration region’s roads and to support the public transit fees. Gas taxes were originally thought of as a system. The amount is different for every person Gas tax revenue with pre-2009 fuel economy standards user fee as gasoline use was strongly correlated depending on gas efficiency of the vehicle and Gas tax revenue with 2012-2016 fuel economy standards with use of roads. Both the state and federal the actual miles traveled. government levy gasoline taxes. Given the Gas tax revenue with 2017-2025 fuel economy standards fact that gasoline prices have doubled over the About half of the amount goes to the state and past decade, many people would conclude that the other half to the federal government. The combined federal and state gas taxes account money going to fund transportation must have the amount of weight the truck can haul. The at county road commissions and public works also doubled over the same time period. A logical for about two-thirds of our state’s revenue for transportation purposes. major drawback to gasoline taxes is that they officesacross the state, many local governments conclusion that is, of course, completely false. do not adjust to the cost of living, at least not have found themselves appropriating greater However, 42 percent of those surveyed believed Specifically, everyone who buys gas pays 18.4 as they are currently configured. This means amounts from their general operations bud- that increasing gasoline prices generated addi- cents per gallon in federal gas tax. This means that the license fees based on the value of the gets to fill the shortfalls in state transportation tional money for roads. Michigan receives a little more than $1 billion vehicle are the major source of revenue growth funding. However, local government general For every gallon of gas that you pump into your in federal transportation dollars each year that for the state transportation fund. With revenue operations budgets have also been stretched to car – no matter what the price at the pump– 19 comes back to our cities, villages, state, and from gas taxes steadily drifting lower, the vehicle the breaking point, which has resulted in many cents per gallon goes to the state and 18.4 cents county road commissions. Michigan has tradi- registration fee is moving closer to becoming the communities asking for dedicated millages to goes to the federal government for transporta- tionally been a “donor” state when comparing primary source for state transportation revenue. fund road projects. tion purposes. This revenue formula is the same the amount we pay in gasoline taxes to the as it was 10 years ago, but almost half the public amount that we receive back from the federal thinks they are paying more than they really are. government. However, in recent years that dif- That’s a perception that needs to be corrected. ference has been greatly diminished.

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The time has come to deal with transportation Numerous factors are used to determine how Lt. Governor talks about much each county, city, or village receives from How are state transportation One of the more controversial amounts dis- the MTF. Among the factors used in the calcula- fundsSoutheast distributed? Michigantributed is the $45 million for administrative tion are the number of miles of roads, but not expense and grants to other departments. In how many lanes are associated with those roads; In fiscal year 2011-12, a total of $1.875 billion State particular, much attention has focused on the whether the roads are primary in nature that al- Federal in state money was distributed through the transportation money that is not used for transportation ser- low traffic to flow though the community, or if transportation Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF). This funds vices, such as the $20 million that is paid to the they are secondary, or neighborhood in use. Extra funds money was mainly comprised of the state’s gas Secretary of State that covers the cost of collect- funds are allocated to areas that are part of feder- tax revenues as well as vehicle registration fees. 39.1% ing the nearly billion dollars in vehicle license ally designated metropolitan areas. Population Distributed to the The money is distributed by a complex formula county road fees that are deposited into the MTF. can have an impact on distribution, as well as SEMCOG region commissions, contained in Public Act 51 of 1951, as amended. how many vehicles are registered to a community. based on SEMCOG’s Generally speaking, 39.1 percent of the funds The STF pays for the cost of constructing and There is even a component that considers how regional transporta- 39.1% are distributed to county road commissions, maintaining, by the Michigan Department of much snow fell in the prior year. In some cases, tion plan. State Trunkline 39.1 percent is retained by the state for the State Transportation (MDOT), all roads under state a mile of main road can account for thousands Fund (STF), Trunkline Fund (STF), and the remaining 21.8 jurisdiction. This would include roads with an of dollars in revenue per year under the formula 21.8% percent is distributed to cities and villages. How- I-, US-, or M- designation. These roads are the and, in other cases, a subdivision road may only cities and villages ever, before these percentages are calculated, backbone of the transportation system and are account for a few hundred dollars each year. certain amounts are taken off the top. focused on moving people and goods through- out the region, state, and nation. What about federal funds? Federal transportation funds are distributed to Statewide Michigan Transportation Fund Receipts, 2007-2012 states and urbanized regions (like SEMCOG) $2.0 $1.97 within each state based on the federal govern- SEMCOG, a group of local elected officials ment’s own set of formulas. However, unlike convene on a regular basis to evaluate each proj- $1.91 $1.88 state funds that are distributed directly to local ect’s merit and then decide which ones make the $1.9 $1.86 $1.84 $1.85 governments, federal funds are distributed to the most sense for the region to receive federal fund- SEMCOG region based on SEMCOG’s regional ing. Their action decides the specific projects $1.8 transportation plan. Before any transportation which will receive federal funding in Southeast project can receive federal funds, it must go Michigan. through a series of steps (federal requirements) Billions $1.7 to ensure that the projects address the needs It is also important to know that the federal identified in the regional plan. government generally pays for a part of the cost $1.6 of transportation projects. The remainder is For instance, if a local community asks for the responsibility of state or local governments federal funds for a transportation project, the (often called a “local match”). $1.5 project must first be submitted to their county’s 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Federal-aid Committee (the group charged Citizens wanting to shape and influence regional with recommending federally funded proj- transportation policy need to voice their opin- Local transportation funding In FY 2012, $580 million was distributed to ects to SEMCOG). Each county in Southeast ions early and often where projects initiate – at Michigan (plus the City of Detroit separately), the local level. The largest amount that is dedicated to specific county road commissions to fund all roads in turn, makes a list of all the projects they and use is for the Comprehensive Transportation within townships as well as certain roads in their communities are planning and passes them Fund. The state’s constitution dedicates up to cities and villages. Unlike cities and villages, along to SEMCOG. In St. Clair and Washt- 10 percent of the transportation funds for al- townships receive no direct funding from PA enaw Counties, the list of projects is prepared ternative modes of transportation. This is the 51 and they have no jurisdiction over the roads by the St. Clair County Transportation Study main funding source for local bus systems, Dial- in their community. Cities and villages received (SCCOTS) and the Washtenaw Area Trans- A-Ride programs, as well as bus systems that $323 million to care for the roads within their portation Study (WATS). Working through transport people between different regions of the borders, which are not under the jurisdiction of state. Last year, $159 million was dedicated for the state or counties. public transit. 6 7 SPRING - 2013 emscope Transportation Funding

The lack of funding is taking its toll Another identified problem is bridges. They are So what’s the problem? old, getting older, and in need of repair. There SEMCOG coordinates a regional evaluation of are 4,685 bridges in Southeast Michigan. Cur- State, county, and local road agencies are find- The shot in the arm provided by the 2009 federal pavement conditions on all federal-aid-eligible The cost of road rently, 1,601 bridges are considered deficient. ing it impossible to maintain the region’s current stimulus grants were critical in many situations roads, generally our main roads. This has been However, there is not enough money to address construction rose transportation system with the funding that is to deal with immediate needs, but that program happening since 2004. The ongoing evaluation all of the region’s deteriorating bridges. For ob- more than 14 available. Each year it costs more to maintain and has come and gone and the list of critical needs paints a sobering picture. improve our transportation system. Why? The continues to grow. vious reasons, bridges need to be structurally percent between cost of construction and other materials continues Envision yourself seeing a warning on your car’s safe and reliable. Without regular maintenance, to rise. The cost of road construction rose more The taxation methodology, where over half of dashboard indicating the engine is overheating. bridges fall into disrepair, may need to be closed, 2003 and 2012. than 14 percent between 2003 and 2012. Dur- Michigan’s transportation funding and all of If you take action, the fix is likely to be a wa- or may not support the extra weight of trucks, the federal funding only increases if citizens buy During that same ing that same time period, the amount of money ter pump or might be as simple as buying a $2 buses, or ambulances. When a bridge is closed, that went into the Michigan Transportation Fund more gasoline than in the past, will not work in clamp. If you ignore the warning, you are prob- travelers are forced to seek alternate routes that time period, the (MTF) decreased seven percent from $2.014 bil- the future. We know with the new fuel economy ably in for a whole new engine! Unfortunately, can be miles out of the way. With each closed lion to $1.879 billion. standards set by the federal government, gasoline when it comes to our roads the warning light is bridge, driver travel time, congestion, and pol- amount of money consumption will go down, way down. That’s lit. The question is, how do we respond? lution increase. that went into the In the past, the state has borrowed money in order certainly good for the environment and our to accomplish road projects that it deemed nec- pocketbooks. However, this means a lot less We know the condition of the system is deterio- What we have accomplished MTF decreased essary, but did not have enough money to fund money for transportation purposes in the future rating, and the cost of the fix will double in just eight years. Consider, in 2004, just nine percent Despite the significant shortfalls in funding, at the time. Today, we have the same revenue, if if that method of taxation remains unchanged. Southeast Michigan has made great strides over seven percent from not a little less, and even greater needs. However, Simply changing the tax rate will still leave the of our roads were considered in poor condition. That percentage had increased to 30 percent last the past several years to improve the existing $2.014 billion to portions of current revenue are paying off debts system with long-term declining revenues. transportation system. Most importantly, roads for past road projects. year. The percentage of roads judged to be in $1.879 billion. “fair” condition decreased from 73 percent to 54 are safer. In 2012, there were nearly 48,000 percent during the same time period. fewer crashes than in 2003, a 27 percent decline. Road conditions in Southeast Michigan, 2004-2012 If we keep doing the same thing – under-in- We are operating our system more efficiently. vesting – we will get more of the same result: Though the use of better technology, traffic Costs have more than doubled signals are being retimed to create better traffic 2004 2012 deteriorating roads and higher costs once we de- 80% cide to fix. Investing wisely is not a cost increase, flows. The Freeway Courtesy Patrol provides it is a cost savings. If we are to use our residents’ safety and security on freeways, and helps al- 70% money efficiently, we have to act swiftly on the leviate delays caused by stranded motorists, warning our dashboard is sending us. accidents, and abandoned vehicles. In 2012, 60% 47,080 stranded motorists were assisted, by the Road projects are far from cheap. Consider the Courtesy Patrol, saving 20 million hours of delay 50% following costs for a typical road project: on freeways. • Pave a gravel road: About $1.3 million to pave Over the past four years (2008-2011), there has 40% Good one mile of gravel road. been other significant progress: • Widen a road from two to five lanes: About 30% Fair • 651 miles of pavement were resurfaced, recon- $6 million to widen one mile of a road from structed, or rehabilitated; two to five lanes. Percent lane miles Percent Poor • 335 bridges were replaced or repaired; 20% • Reconstruct an existing five-lane road: About $7.5 million to reconstruct one mile of a five- • 36 miles of roads were widened; 10% lane road. • 93 miles of new walking and biking facilities • Upgrade a traffic signal: About $127,000 to were constructed; 0% upgrade a traffic signal. • traffic signal improvements were made along 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 321 miles of roadway; and • 452 large and small buses were acquired or leased.

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So what’s the problem? A Regional Transit Authority was recently es- Vehicle registration fees, which are the source of tablished to cover Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, the other third of transportation funds, gener- We are spending tax dollars wisely. More and were willing to modify their behaviors in order and Washtenaw Counties. It is charged with ally mirror inflation and provide a solid revenue more communities, county road commissions, to reduce congestion on our roads during peak developing a public transit plan, coordinating base. Its greatest drawback is the fact that the and MDOT are using an asset management ap- travel times. plans of existing operators, and developing plans fee is paid in one lump sum at the time of the proach to help use the existing funds in the most for rapid transit service. Implementing this owner’s birthday. A significant increase to this The alternative to widening roads is to focus efficient and effective way possible. We are mak- expanded service will require additional invest- amount can lend itself to a bit of sticker shock. on strategies that reduce travel during peak ing progress. But, the reality is that Michigan ment in our region. times, such as changing our travel routes to less In the future, we may have more high-tech fund- ranks 48th in the country in spending on roads congested roads or traveling earlier or later in The success of these revitalized efforts to pro- ing solutions. Toll roads work on the premise (on a per capita basis). This ranking is down the day. Another method to reduce congestion, vide public transit services is important to every that the car should pay a certain amount to from 44 in 2007. There is no question that for which also has significant environmental as motorist in the region and will be critical to en- travel on a road. The amount is based on how progress and improvement to continue, we need well as economic development benefits, is the hancing our economic vitality. Consider: if we far you travel. Many toll roads have electronic Our most recent more money. use of public transportation, carpooling and can divert 10 percent of the passenger vehicles systems that allow the person to drive though estimate of needs Doing more with less vanpooling. off of the region’s most congested roads during the toll gate without stopping and the system specific times, using the strategies discussed, registers the vehicle’s activity on the road and through 2040 is While 600 miles of road in Southeast Michigan Public transit is an important part of our region’s we can reduce congestion by 17 percent. Public sends a monthly bill. are congested during the morning and afternoon transportation system. While only two percent transit, commuter vans, carpools, alternative approximately peak driving periods, only a few are congested of trips in Southeast Michigan are currently work hours, and telecommuting can all impact Are we really that far away from being able to use all day. We travel more freely than those in other made using public transit, it provides mobility congestion. This means the difference between the same concept for automobiles (as opposed $70 billion to just toll roads)? A typical automobile is pay- metropolitan areas. The congestion we experi- to those without automobiles and to those who getting home quickly in the evening or sitting compared to ence could be alleviated by the costly widening may choose not to drive. Increasingly, public in traffic and wishing you were home. Everyone ing around a penny a mile in state gas tax and of roads. Again, the SEMCOG public opinion transit is important to our future economic pros- can be a winner, but only if everyone works to another penny in federal gas tax. A gas guzzler revenues available survey showed very few citizens would support perity – the younger, highly-educated workers alleviate the problem. is paying more, a fuel efficient vehicle is paying paying additional taxes to make these types of needed to fill the knowledge-based jobs of the less, and an electric vehicle is paying nothing. of approximately improvements. However, those same citizens future – seek quality public transit when they A funding vision for the future Newer-model cars already have the capability of look for a metropolitan area in which to locate. reporting total miles driven electronically. We $52 billion. It is also a solution to some of our traffic issues. SEMCOG has advocated on behalf of sufficient are not that far away from basing transportation funds for transportation for years. The message taxes on actual miles driven. This is commonly is hitting home in Lansing. In his State of the How Michigan’s gas tax compares to our neighboring states referred to as a mileage-based tax. These types State address, Governor Snyder said, “We need of systems are currently being tested in many to invest more in our roads . . . it’s time…. This parts of the country and should be considered is an opportunity to say let’s just do the right in Michigan as well. thing and invest in our roads, keep our citizens safer, create jobs, have us save a whole lot of The 2040 Regional Transportation Plan is being money, and not stick our kids with a big bill.” developed at the same time as this issue of Sem- scope. It is scheduled for adoption in June. Our Part of the issue is finding more revenue, but most recent estimate of needs through 2040 is also critical is the long-term growth pattern of approximately $70 billion compared to revenues the current revenue source. Approximately two- available of approximately $52 billion. thirds of the combined revenue that comes from the state and federal government comes from gas That said, it is clear that many more projects are taxes. As our region (the “Motor City”) builds needed to fix the system than there is available more fuel-efficient automobiles, and puts more revenue. The consequences of not closing this alternative-fuel vehicles on the road (see cover gap will affect every motorist, transit ride, and photo), a tax on gasoline, even at a higher rate, business in Southeast Michigan. Both quality of will result in long-term diminishing revenue. life and economic prosperity will suffer.

10 11 SPRING - 2013 emscope Transportation Funding So what’s the solution? Contacts and resources U.S. Senators - (www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm) • MDOT has planted a variety of ground cover, Sen. Carl Levin – (202) 224-6221; www.levin.senate.gov/contact trees, and shrubs along the sides of I-75 in Sen. Debbie Stabenow – (202) 224-4822; www.stabenow.senate.gov/?p=contact More information: southern Oakland County and I-696 in western Macomb County. This cost-efficiency U.S. Representatives - (www.house.gov/writerep) SEMCOG experiment could save MDOT maintenance Rep. Tim Walberg – District 7 – (202) 225-4872 – http://walberg.house.gov www.semcog.org/2040 costs of freeway mowing, not to mention the RegionalTransportation- added safety feature of better drainage to pre- Rep. Mike Rogers – District 8 – (202) 225-4872 – http://mikerogers.house.gov Plan.aspx vent soil erosion and ponding on the freeway. Rep. Sander Levin – District 9 – (202) 225-4961 – http://levin.house.gov This Web page features • The City of Novi pursues pioneering practices Rep. Candice Miller – District 10 – (202) 225-2106 – http://candicemiller.house.gov several short videos in their winter maintenance program which Rep. Kerry Bentivolio – District 11 – (202) 225-8171 – http://bentivolio.house.gov describing components have resulted in less salt being applied to local Rep. John Dingell – District 12 – (202) 225-4071 – http://dingell.house.gov of Southeast Michigan’s transportation system – roads and reduced labor costs per snow storm Rep. John Conyers, Jr. – District 13 – (202) 225-5126 – http://conyers.house.gov by customizing their equipment, making their congestion, safety, freight, Rep. Gary Peters – District 14 – (202) 225-5802 – http://peters.house.gov public transit, walking own liquid brine to reduce salt purchases, and and biking, and roads talking to neighboring communities to learn Michigan State Elected Officials and bridges. The final MDOT has planted about new approaches. Michigan State Representatives: www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/ video explains the funding a variety of ground What is SEMCOG doing to address the challenge – what we’ve cover, trees, and shrubs transportation funding challenge? What you can do? Michigan State Senators: www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm tried to do in this issue along the sides of I-75 Through its transportation planning and imple- of Semscope – in two in southern Oakland Each and every Southeast Michigan resident Road Agencies minutes! We invite you County and I-696 in mentation activities, SEMCOG is working to: can be a part of addressing the transportation City of Detroit Department of Public Works – www.detroitmi.gov/Departments/Departmentof- to view all of these videos western Macomb Coun- • Maximize use of the existing system through funding challenge. How? for a better understanding ty. This cost-efficiency use of technology that informs drivers of PublicWorks/tabid/82/default.aspx of Southeast Michigan’s experiment could save accidents and alternative routes; • Share what you’ve learned with family, friends, Livingston County Road Commission – www.livingstonroads.org transportation system. MDOT maintenance and neighbors. Only through a motivated and Monroe County Road Commission – www.mcrc-mi.org • Reduce congestion by promoting rideshar- well-educated community can our region be costs of freeway mowing, ing, alternative work schedules, and alternative Road Commission for Oakland County – www.rcocweb.org not to mention the added successful in tackling these challenges. Just Fix the Roads routes; Road Commission of Macomb County – www.rcmcweb.org safety feature of better • Communicate with elected leadership in Lan- www.JustFixTheRoads.com drainage to prevent soil • Manage how we maintain and rebuild our St. Clair County Road Commission – www.sccrc-roads.org sing on the critical role that the transportation This Web site is from the erosion and ponding on roads and bridges (asset management) to en- system plays in state and regional economies Washtenaw County Road Commission – www.wcroads.org Michigan Transporta- the freeway. sure that projects selected for funding extend Wayne County Department of Public Services – www.waynecounty.com/dps tion Team (MTT), a the life of those roads and bridges and are the as well as our quality of life. Encourage ac- tions to address the shortfall in revenues. partnership of businesses, most cost effective; Transit Agencies associations, and citizens • Take actions to reduce costly peak demands • Educate decision makers and the public about Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) – www.theride.org with the common goal the need to invest more in the transportation on our transportation system such as telecom- of improving Michigan’s Blue Water Area Transit (BWAT) – www.bwbus.com system; and muting, carpooling, taking public transit, transportation infrastruc- traveling at less congested times or on less Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) – www.detroitmi.gov/ddot ture. A good place to visit • Advocate for more dollars from the federal congested routes. Detroit Transportation Corporation (PeopleMover) – www.thepeoplemover.com for more information government and more flexibility in the use of and news. those dollars. • Learn more about Southeast Michigan’s trans- Lake Erie Transit (LET) – www.lakeerietransit.com portation system. Visit SEMCOG’s Web site Livingston Essential Transportation Services (LETS) – www.co.livingston.mi.us/lets Best practices: Freeway maintenance at www.semcog.org Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) – www.smartbus.org and snow removal • Share your thoughts. Send us your feedback The way things have always been done might concerning the future of Southeast Michigan’s Federal, State, and Regional Agencies not be the best way anymore. Think outside the transportation system, how we will fund it, Federal Highway Administration, Michigan Division (FHWA) – www.fhwa.dot.gov box. Here are a couple examples of how state and and other issues described in Semscope, via e- Federal Transit Administration (FTA) – www.fta.dot.gov local communities are being creative in reducing mail to [email protected]. We also have Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) – www.michigan.gov/mdot Facebook and Twitter pages where you can costs of freeway maintenance and snow removal: St. Clair County ransportation Study (SCCOTS) – www.stclaircounty.org/offices/metro/default.aspx join in the conversation. Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) – www.miwats.org 12 1113 SPRING - 2013 emscope SEMCOG Meeting General Assembly March 28, 2013 • Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi

C o n g r e s s m a n Novi Mayor, Bob Chuck Hersey, from SEMCOG’s Plan and Policy Kerry Bentivolio, Gatt, welcomed Development, gave an update on development representing the SEMCOG del- of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan for 11th District, that egates and alternates, Southeast Michigan. View that presentation at includes the site emphasizing http://www.semcog.org/2040RegionalTranspor of SEMCOG’s partnerships and tationPlan.aspx. General Assembly, collaboration as key provided opening to Southeast Michi- remarks. gan’s success.

Wayne County Commissioner Kevin McNamara, and Chair of SEMCOG’s Finance and Budget Committee, presided “Do You See It Coming?” over adoption of SEMCOG’s 2013-2014 Annual Operating Budget and Work Program Summary. The $9.5 million budget is balanced and a de- crease of one percent over the current budget.

SEMCOG Executive Di- rector Paul Tait gave an Dan O’Leary, Supervisor of Wash- update on the Regional ington Township and Chair of Transit Authority. It was SEMCOG’s Transportation Ad- holding its first orientation visory Committee, summarized meeting at the same time the results of SEMCOG’s public Maud Lyon, Executive Director of CultureSource, introduced the live performance of an original play – “Do You See It of the General Assembly. opinion survey. Survey results are Coming?” CultureSource partnered with SEMCOG for the regional sustainability planning project, funded by a grant from Additional information sprinkled throughout this issue of HUD. The goal was to create community outreach program that helps elected leaders get the attention of citizens in a creative on the RTA is available at Semscope and available at www. and unexpected way. Six scenes were performed – bus stop, education, transportation, media, clean water, and housing. “What www.semcog.org/RTA.aspx. semcog.org/Sustainability_Infra- you are about to see is not just a nice play,” Lyon told GA delegates and alternates. “It is a tool for you to use.” She described structure.aspx. the three-step community engagement process. “We are currently developing the discussion guides, and will be working with you to improve the production and teach your staff how to use it as a tool for community outreach and engagement.” If any SEMCOG members are interested in having the play (or specific scenes in the play) performed in their community, please contact Sue Stetler ([email protected], 313-324-3428) or Kevin Vettraino ([email protected], 313-324-3357).

14 1115 SPRING - 2013 emscope SEMCOG Information

SANILAC

Public outreach: ST CLAIR

YALE BURTCHVILLE GRANT GREEN WOOD LYNN BROCKWAY Clean air and carpooling YALE SEMCOG Mem- YALE Membership FORT GRATIOT CLYDE YALE KENOCKEE Throughout this issue of Semscope, several references have been made to a recent survey conducted by Membership MUSSEY EMMETT Caac SEMCOG on the state of the region’s infrastructure system. The survey tells us that respondents are PORT Membership Emmett HURON Capac willing to take actions that will help reduce congestion and enhance Southeast Michigan’s quality of PORT HURON Capac Emmett KIMBALL

IR WALES RILEY BERLIN Capac Emmett PORT HURON

life. That bodes well for two important regional programs managed by SEMCOG – Ozone Action LA

EER C Emmett

MARYSVILLE PORT HURON

P LA ST and Michigan Rideshare. ST CLAIR MEMPHIS PORT HURON

LAPEER MACOMB GENESEE MARYSVILLE OAKLAND Leonar ST CLAIR MEMPHIS COLUMBUS RICHMOND MARYSVILLE Ortonille ARMADA MARYSVILLE BRUCE Armaa ADDISOLeonardN OXFORD MEMPHISMEMPHIS BRANDON ST CLAIR AND Ortonville HOLLY GROVEL Oxor Leonard Leonard RICHMOND Armada Ozone Action season begins May 1 Ortonville Romeo Ortonville Holly Oxford Armada Armada ST. CLAIR GENESEE Lake Oxford RICHMOND IR

WASSEE Orion MB SHIA Holly Romeo CHINA ST. CLAIR

Oxford LA CASC O EAST CHINA

In the past 10 years, air quality in Southeast Michigan has improved. LENOX RICHMOND ST. CLAIR CO Holly Romeo C

LIVINGSTON RAY Lake Orion WASH INGTON RICHMOND

Holly OAKLAND Romeo MA ORION ST IND EPENDENCE Lake Orion SPRINGFIELD That is due, in part, to the actions that residents take on Ozone ROSE Lake Orion Haen CLARKSTON Ne DEERFIELD TYRONE CONWAY COHOCTAH MARINE CITY Clarkston Clarkston IRA Action days – and that gives credence to one of SEMCOG’s key TTRELLVILLE CO New HavenNENewW BAL HavenTIMORE Clarkston LAKE ILLS ANGELUS AUBURN H ROCHEST ER CHESTERFIELD MARINEMARINE CITY CITY LAKE AUBURNLAKE AUBURN MACOMB New Haven messages – that a single action by many can make a difference. ANGELUS HILLS SHELBY ANGELUS HILLS ROCHESTER NEW BALTIMORE ROCHESTROCHESTERER HILLS NEW BALTIMORE WATERFORD MARINE CITY Folerille LAKE LAKE AUBURN Fowlerville WHITE PONTIAC HIGHLAND ANGELUS CLAY Fowlerville HARTLAND HILLS NEW BALTIMORE HOWELL OCEOLA PONTIACROCHESTER ROCHESTER HANDY HILLS ICA PONTIAC ROCHESTER UT ALGONAC Last year’s summer was one of the hottest on record. Twenty Ozone Action days were called in 2012, Fowlerville HILLS HOWELL SYLVAN LAKE SYLVAN LAKE UTICA MOUNT HOWELL KEEGO HARBOR ROCHESTERD HARRISON ALGONAC PONTIACKEEGO HARBOR UTICA CLEMENS HOWELL SYLVAN LAKE HILLS MB AN CLINTON

MT. CLEMENS ALGONAC ON

marking just the second time in the history of the program that the region experienced 20 Ozone MilfordKEEGOCH HARBORARD CO or OR TROY

D Mil TS STERLING LAKE VILLAGE ORCHARDBLOO MF IELAKELD STERLIUTICANG HEIGH HOWELL SYLVAN LAKE BLOOMFIELTROY D AKL

ON HEIGHTS

ST HILLS MA

RCE O

AN COMME MT. CLEMENS Milford KEEGO HARBOR TROYHILLS ALGONAC ST Wolverine Lake STERLING NG LFORD ORCHARD LAKED MI ine WEST BLOOMFIEL BLOOMFIELD

Action days (26 in 1999) AM BRIGHTON Woler Bingham HEIGHTS AKL

GENOA VI BLOO MFIELD BIRMINGHAM NG ON IOSCO MARI Lake HILLS AM Farms MT. CLEMENS

O Milford BIRM INGH FRASER

LI BRIGHTON WALLED LAKE TROY STERLING GH FRASER

VI CLAWSON Wolverine Lake ORCHARD LAKE S O N AKE BLOOMFIELD CLAW

LI LLED L HEIGHTS IN WA BRIGHTON Bingham Beverly Hills WIXOM BeHILLSerly BIRMINGHAMFranklin ROYAL WIOM nFarmsBinamHills MADISON HTS. FRASER ROSEVILLE BRIGHTON Wolverine Lake Frankli Farms MADISON OAK ROSEVILLE WALLED LAKE YALCLAWSON BinghaFARMINGTm ON RO HEIGHTS WARREN This year marks the 20th year of the Ozone Action program in Southeast Michigan. While most BIRMINGHAMOAKLATHRUP BERKLEYWARREN FranklinFarmsLAHILLSTHBeverlyRUP HillsBERKLEY VILLAGE FRASERST CLAIR SHORES BRIGHTON WIXOM WALLED LAKE NOVI ROYAL HUNTINGTON WDS. ST. CLAIR SHORES VILLAGE CLAWSONMADISON HTS. CENTERROSEVILLE LINE Pinckney SOUTH LYONFARM INGTON HILLS FARMINGTON HUSOUTHFIELDNTINOAKGTON CENTER LINE NOVI WO ODS OAK PK. WARRENHAZEL PARK LYON FARMINGTONFranklin HFIELDBeverly Hills EASTPOINTE of the actions that residents can take on Ozone Action days remain the same – delay mowing the WIXOM SOUT LATHRUP BERKLEYPLROYEASANALT RIDGE FERNDALE GREEN OAK OAK MADISON HTS. EASTPOINTE UNADILLA PUTNAM HAMBURG HILLS VILLAGE HAEL ROSEVILLE FARM INGTON PARK HUNTINGTOAK ON WDS. ST. CLAIR SHORES SOUTH LYON NOVI FERNDALEPARK MAWARRENCOMB GROSSE PT. WOODS. ney FARMINGTNORTHVILLEON LATHRUP CENTERPLEASANT LINE RDG. HARPER WDS. Pinck SOUTH LYON FARMINGTON SOUTHFIELDOAKLAND BERKLEYROYAL OAK GROSSE PO INTE Pinckney HILLS VILLAGE OAK PK. HAZEL PARK HARPER WOODS Grosse Pt. Shores lawn; avoid using lighter fluid for barbeques; take the bus, carpool, bike, walk, or telecommute – one NORTHVILLE EASTPOINTEODS STGR. OCLAIRSSE PO SHORESIN TE NOVI HUNTINGTFERNDALEON WDS. WO WAYNE CENTER LINE DETROIT SHORES LIVINGSTON SOUTH LYON FARMINGTON LIVONIA HIGHLAND PARK GROSSE PT. FARMS Pinckney SOUTHFIELD OAK PK. HAZEL PARK HAMTRAMCKEASTPOINTEGROSSE POINTE NORTHVILLE PLEASANTFERNDALEHIGHLAND RDG. PARK HARPER WDS. GROSSEGROSSE PT. WOODS. PT. action needs a little tweaking. In the past, we’ve asked that residents avoid refueling their vehicles WASHTENAW NORTHVILLE FA RMS PLYMOUTH Grosse Pt. Shores LIVONIA HAMTRAMCK GROSSE GROSSE PT. PARK REDFORD HARPER WDS.POINGROSSETE PT. WOODS. SALEM NORTHVILLE PLEASANT RDG. GROSSE NORTHFIELD Dexter LIVONIA WESTLAND DETROITDETROITPOINTE LYNDO N DEXT ER WEBST ER Barton Hills HIGHLANDDEARBORN P HTS.ARK PARK GROSSEGrosse PT Pt.. F ARMSShores on Ozone Action days because fumes released at the gas pump contribute to ozone formation. Now OUTH YM CHELSEA PL HAMTRAMCK PLYMOUTH GARDEN CITY DETROIT GROSSE PT. LIVONIA HIGHLAND PARK DETROIT GROSSE PT. FARMS PLYMOUTH DEARBORN HAMTRAMCK GROSSE PT. PARK though, newer vehicles don’t have gas caps; the new “cap” doesn’t allow for gas fumes to be released. ANN ARBOR DEAR BORN INKSTER GROSSE PT. HEIGHTS LAND Dexter PLYMOUTH WWESTLANDEST MELVINDALE County Members GARDEN WAYNE DETROIT GROSSE PT. PARK

Dexter Barton ANN ARBOR DEARBORN HTS. W Barton HillsHills NA CITY CHELSEA DEAR BORN RIVER ROUGE CHELSEA E TE CANTON WESTLANDGARDEN CITY DETROIT Livingston County Dexter Barton Hills SUPER IOR YPSILANTI DEARBORN HTS. ALLEN PK. ECORSE YN INKSTER

SEMCOG appreciates all that the media does to help get the Ozone Action day messages to the NAW LIMA SCIO DEARBORN LINCOLN PK. ASH

N CHELSEA SYLVAN GARDEN CITY

WA INKSTER ROMULUS MELVTAINYLORDALE W TE ANN ARBOR Macomb County WAYNE RIVER ROUGE ANN ARBOR KSO DEARBORN WYANDOTTE WAYNE ALLEN MELVINDALE public. We encourage all of our member communities to do the same on their Web sites, Facebook, ASH BELLEVILLEINKSTER SOUTHGATE

AC ANN ARBOR PARK Monroe County

W SE

ECOR LINCOLN RIVER ROUGE YPSILANTI WAYNE PARKMELVINDALERIVERVIEW SALINE ALLEN PK. County Members Manchester YPSILANTI ECORSE Oakland County and Twitter. Information will be sent to member communities when an Ozone Action day is called. S TAYLOR RIVER ROUGE ROMU LU VAN BURE N LINCOLN PK. DOTTE County Members WYAN LD YPSIYPSILANTILANTI ROMULUS TAYLOR ALLEN PK. TRENTON Livingston County LODI PITTSFIE SOUTHGATE ECORSE GROSSE ILE St. Clair County SHARON FREEDOM BELLEVILLE Messages will also be posted on SEMCOG’s Web site, social media pages, and on the telephone hot LINCOLNWYANDOTTE PK. ROMULUS TAYLOR Livingston County BELLEVILLE SOUTHGATE MacombWashtenaw County County SALINE RIVERFLAVITEW ROCK WYANDOTTEGIBRALTAR BELLEVILLE BROWNSTOWN line. That number has been changed this year to 313-961-4266 (press 4 for Ozone Action messages). SALINE MILAN SOUTHGARIVERVIEWTE MacombWayne County County S. Rockwood Monroe County ROCKWOOD ManchesterMancester TRENTON SALINE HURON Carleton RIVERVIEWGROSSE ILE R Monroe County AUGUSTA SUMPTE WOODHAVEN Manchester YORK TRENTON Oakland County SALINE BRIDGEWATER GROSSE ILE MANCHEST ER Education Members GIBRALTAR OCK TRENTON Oakland County WAYNE FLAT R Maybee BROWNSTOWN GROSSE ILE St. Clair County NAW MILAN FLAT ROCK Livingston Educational WASHTE GIBRALTAR Estral Beach OE ROCKWOOD St. Clair County MILAN MONR Sot Washntenaw County LENAWEE Dundee FLAT ROCKRockoo BROWNSTOWN Take the Commuter Challenge in May CarletonS. Rockwood GIBRALTAR Service Agency ASH ROCKWOOD MILAN Washntenaw County EXETER Carleton MILAN LONDON Wayne County S. Rockwood ROCKWOOD Macomb Intermediate MONROE SEMCOG’s recent public opinion survey showed very few citizens willing PETERSBURG Carleton BERLIN Wayne School County District Mayee Maybee to pay additional taxes to make road improvements. However, those same Estral Monroe County Beac Education Members E CITY Village Maybee Estral Beach OE FRENCHTOWN Community College citizens were willing to modify their behaviors in order to reduce congestion WE DUNDEE DundeeDnee Education Members NR RAISINVILLE Livingston Educational

commuter challenge Estral Beach Monroe County Intermediate

NALE MO Dundee Members LUNA Livingston Educational PIER Service Agency on roads. Carpooling is one of those viable options. SEMCOG has adminis- MONROE MONROE School District PETERSBURG Service Agency tered the MiRideshare carpooling program since 1980. SEMCOG currently PETERSBURG MONRO E MacombOakland Intermediate Schools MONROEFRENCHTOWN PETERSBURG Macomb Intermediate SUMME RFIELD IDA SchoolSchoolcraft District College estimates that commuters can save $3,000 a year by sharing a ride to work. LASALLE CITY Village Monroe SchoolWashtenaw CountyDistrict County The MiRideshare database, accessible from SEMCOG’s Web site and at CITY Village Monroe Community Intermediate County College School District LUNA LUNPIAER Wayne County Community PIER Community College BEDFORD ERIE Monroe County Intermediate www.mirideshare.org, has nearly 6,600 users. And while we do see usage spikes when the price of WHITEFORD LUNA College District PIER Monroe County Intermediate gasoline increases, this program will need to be further embraced by the public as the region continues Members SchoolWayne District County Regional Members MONROE Oakland School DistrictSchools te Line Education Service Agency to grapple with transportation funding issues. LUCAS MicianOio Sta SchoolcraftOakland Schools College The Commuter Challenge, an annual event in May since 2006, challenges the public to try carpool- WashtenawSchoolcraftAssociate IntermediateCollege Members WashtenawUniversity Intermediate of Michigan ing and other transportation options by offering prize incentives to do so. A link to the 2013 challenge School District 156 Total Members — April 2013 Wayne SchoolUniversity County District of CommunityMichigan-Dearborn is on SEMCOG’s Web site – www.semcog.org. Wayne College County District Community 156 Current Members Wayne College County District Regional August 2012 16 Wayne Education County Service Regional Agency 11 Education Service Agency Associate Members UniversityAssociate of Michigan Members University of Michigan,Michigan Dearborn University of Michigan, Dearborn 157 Current Members March 2012 157 Current Members March 2012 PRESORT Southeast Michigan Council of Governments STANDARD 1001 Woodward Avenue • Suite 1400 U.S. Postage Detroit, MI 48226-1904 PAID Detroit, MI Permit No. 3981

A emscopequarterly publication of SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, is the only organization in Southeast Michigan that brings together all of the region’s governments to solve regional challenges. SEMCOG is creating success in Southeast Michigan by: • Promoting informed decision making to improve Southeast Michigan and its local governments by providing insightful data analysis; • Promoting the efficient use of tax dollars for both long-term infrastructure investment and shorter-term governmental efficiency; • Solving regional issues that go beyond the boundaries of individual local governments; • Delivering direct assistance to member governments in the areas of transportation, environment, and community and economic development; and • Advocating on behalf of Southeast Michigan in Lansing and Washington.