Meeting_Body
AD HOC 2028 OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC GAMES COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
Subject
SUBJECT: 2028 MOBILITY CONCEPT PLAN UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE the progress report on the 2028 Mobility Concept Plan.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro’s Office of Strategic Innovation is overseeing the implementation of the 2028 Games Mobility Concept Plan (MCP). This is the fifth progress report to the Metro Board of Directors regarding this and other planning efforts in anticipation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (“the Games”) and the pursuit of state and federal funds to support the transportation infrastructure needed for the region, including mobility during the Games.
Background
BACKGROUND
2028 Mobility Concept Plan
At its December 3, 2020 meeting, the Metro Board of Directors approved Motion 42: “2028 Mobility Concept Plan” (Attachment A) and directed staff to work with regional partners to assign staff resources and proceed with the development of a regional investment plan to include a federal engagement strategy and funding proposal to implement transportation improvements that would provide permanent, long-term benefits to the people of Los Angeles County. Motion 42 directed staff to report back to the Board to apprise them of the progress.
The goals of the MCP are to leave a lasting, positive legacy by expanding transportation improvements; to make it easy for people, including those with specific mobility needs, to get to venues via public transit, biking and walking and to create an effective coalition of public and private-sector partners that can deliver on mobility and operational improvements for the 2028 Games. Cities that have hosted past Games have achieved transformative progress in transportation, including increases in transit ridership, mode shift away from drive-alone trips, and improvements in customer experience. Preparation for the Games provides a unique opportunity to shift how residents and visitors experience transportation in the Los Angeles region. Metro's goal is to deliver excellent customer experiences that put people first so that many of the improvements built remain in place long after the Games are over.
Since 2021, as the mobility leader responsible for spectator and workforce transportation for the 2028 Games, Metro has worked with LA28, Caltrans, Metrolink, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), a group collectively known as the Games Mobility Executives (GME), to develop a 2028 Mobility Concept Plan. Following an extensive agency stakeholder outreach process to create the Comprehensive Project List, covering over 300 projects and including input from Metro Service Councils, Councils of Governments, venue cities, GME partner agencies, municipal operators, and other organizations, Metro’s 2028 Games Task Force completed a multi-step screening and prioritization process leading to a shorter list of projects and programs. In December 2022, the Board approved this shorter list titled, 2022 Mobility Concept Plan (MCP) Prioritized Project List (Attachment B). This list comprises 50 partially funded or unfunded projects/programs, including capital and operational improvements that align with the mission of Motion 42. The 2022 MCP Prioritized Project List is a living document and will change based on Metro and the GME’s ability to secure funding.
Games Mobility Executive Coordination for USDOT Surface Transportation Project List
Using the 2022 Prioritized MCP Project List as a basis, the GME identified a subset of 15 projects/programs (some of which are bundles of projects) deemed to either serve a specific Games delivery need (e.g., the supplemental bus system), or be highly beneficial and supportive of the transport strategy for the Games (e.g., a network of bus-only lanes). Attachment C contains the final GME Surface Transportation Priority List. In the development of this short list, the GME bundled several projects from the Prioritized Mobility Concept Plan into groups.
The GME submitted this Surface Transportation Priority List to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) in December 2022 for further discussion and consideration (Attachment C).
Development of an Implementation Plan
As an immediate next step, the GME determined the key roles and responsibilities for each agency to develop an implementation plan for the Surface Transportation Priority List, as summarized in the table below.
|
Project Name |
Lead Agency for Imp. Plan Development |
Partner / Stakeholder Agencies for Imp. Plan Develop, Project Delivery, and/or Operations |
|
Supplemental Bus System |
Metro |
LA28, LADOT, other transit agencies (as applicable) |
|
Countywide Mobility Hubs |
Metro |
Caltrans, LADOT, Metrolink, LA28 |
|
Games Route Network Design & Implementation |
LA28 |
Metro, Caltrans, LADOT, other local agencies (as applicable) |
|
ATSAC/LARTMC Integration and Operations Enhancements |
LADOT |
Metro, Caltrans, other local agencies (as applicable) |
|
Countywide Bus Only Lanes & TSP Improvements |
Metro |
LADOT, Caltrans, other local agencies (as applicable) |
|
Transit/Venue Ped/Bike Access Enhancements |
City of LA |
Metro, other local agencies (as applicable) |
|
Phase I Zero Emissions Bus Program |
Metro |
LA28, LADWP, SCE |
|
Open Street to Uplift Arts, Culture, and Recreation |
Metro |
City of LA, LA28 |
|
Countywide and Freight TDM Program |
Metro |
City of LA, Caltrans, Port of LA, Port of Long Beach, Freight Railroads |
|
Universal Basic Mobility Expansion |
Metro |
LADOT, Caltrans |
|
Key Station Improvements (State of Good Repair ) |
Metro |
City of LA |
|
Light Rail Speed and Operational Improvements |
Metro |
LADOT |
|
Inglewood Transit Connector |
City of Inglewood |
|
|
Metrolink Fleet and Track Capacity Improvements: SCORE Phase I Completion |
Metrolink |
|
|
Access Services EV Fleet and Infrastructure |
Metro |
Access Services |
Following this assignment of responsibilities, staff prioritized the following seven projects/programs with long-lead times for implementation to immediately begin project development work: Games Route Network, Supplemental Bus System, Countywide Mobility Hubs, Countywide Bus-Only Lanes, Transit/Venue Ped/Bike Access Enhancements (First/Last Mile), Key Station Improvements and Light Rail Speed and Operations Improvements. Additional project definition and, in some cases, prioritization are required for these to successfully compete for funding opportunities. The progress made over the past eight months on these seven projects/programs is described below. Furthermore, Metro has undertaken the development of a dedicated travel demand forecasting model to forecast Games-related travel and to develop operational plans over the next five years.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The 2028 Games Task Force has made significant progress on the MCP regarding technical analysis and coordination. Over the past quarter, the team has focused on:
• Scope refinement for priority projects
• Development of a grant application bundle for federal funding opportunity
• Building internal and external alignment towards implementation of the MCP
• Advancing advocacy efforts at the federal level
A detailed progress report is provided in Attachment D.
Legislative Efforts
Metro has been working with a broad and diverse number of federal stakeholders to ensure that the Federal Government provides robust support for surface transportation projects related to the 2028 Games being hosted by the City of Los Angeles. These federal stakeholders have included, but not been limited to, senior officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation, officials at the Office of Management and Budget (Executive Office of the President of the United States), and members of Congress, including members of the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation.
As part of this outreach to federal stakeholders, Metro is working in partnership with the LA28 organizing committee to ensure that the 2028 Games offer unparalleled mobility for Southern California residents and visitors - given that with no spectator parking at the sporting venues, these games will be car-free. To achieve this worthwhile and ambitious goal and with a clear appreciation that these upcoming games will likely be the largest sporting event in American history, Metro is strongly supporting assistance for surface transportation projects relating to international Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympics events.
In the coming weeks, Metro will be working with the Biden Administration to encourage them to ensure that the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Budget (which will be released early next year) includes federal funding recommendations for worthwhile transportation projects and initiatives related to the 2028 Games. This is similar to the federal transportation funding for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in the Federal Fiscal Year 2002 Budget released by then-President George W. Bush. In parallel to this effort, Metro will be working with our Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation to support our Budget request and to back funding requests our agency will advance through the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process - which will commence in the Spring of 2024.
Funding Opportunities
In parallel to the federal advocacy efforts described above, staff continues to work with GME partners to explore grant opportunities and innovative financing options to help fund the GME Surface Transportation Priority Project List.
Safe Streets for All
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Staff worked with SCAG to include funding for two to four temporary demonstration projects, as well as Open Streets events, as part of a Planning and Demonstration Grant application they submitted for Fiscal Year 23. These demonstration projects would arise from the Transit/Venue Ped/Bike Access Enhancements workstream of the MCP and would highlight and test potential project designs to improve safe connections to/from transit stations, prefacing permanent improvements. Examples of elements included in demonstration projects include improving crosswalks, adding street trees/landscaping, pedestrian lighting, traffic calming measures, wayfinding, street furniture, bike lanes (where space is available), and opportunities to temporarily pedestrianize streets. Planning and Demonstration Grant award decisions are expected in October 2023.
Reconnecting Communities / Neighborhood Access and Equity Programs
One significant opportunity is the Fiscal Year 2023 Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program (NAE). This program was established under the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 and will allocate $450 million for projects addressing regional equitable access and mobility challenges. Projects located in economically disadvantaged areas will be prioritized and may receive a larger share of federal funds. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that: 1) Advance community-centered connection transportation projects; 2) Benefit underserved communities; 3) Improve access to daily needs; 4) Foster equitable development and restoration; and 5) Reconnect communities.
Metro staff coordinated with partners and local jurisdictions countywide in scoping and developing the grant application to ensure a successful funding request that addresses a regional challenge to benefit all Angelenos, especially in Equity Focus Communities. This included outreach and collaboration with all Los Angeles County Supervisor Districts, Los Angeles City Council offices, Games Mobility Executive agency staff, a dozen cities, municipal transit operators, Councils of Government, and transportation stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive commitment to these projects and future outreach and engagement.
Funding will benefit transit riders through improvements such as bus-only lanes, bus shelters, bus bulbs, and transit signal priority. Funding will improve first/last mile connections to transit spaces and community amenities through pedestrian and cyclist improvements, such as bicycle lanes, sidewalk improvements, and Metro Bike Share expansion. Furthermore, the funding request will include mobility hub investments at critical transfer stations that invest in place-making strategies like pop-up vendor spaces, public art, and shade structures. Beyond capital improvements, Metro will seek funding to expand the successful GoPass program beyond 2025 to ensure low-income students continue to have access to free transit. This set of projects will create legacy benefits to support Metro’s Vision 2028 Plan goals of transforming Los Angeles County through regional collaboration. A map of the proposed project bundle is provided as Attachment D. A funding announcement is expected in Spring 2024.
If selected for this grant opportunity, Metro will develop a robust strategy to engage a wide audience to inform, educate, and invite feedback from different perspectives, as well as develop a feasible project wish list prior to the final design of any project.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is currently no financial impact for these efforts. While the NAE grant has no local match requirements, the projects included in Metro’s application already have more than $15.6 million in state and local grants. Several of these projects have already received Board approval as part of NexGen and other agency efforts. Additional local funding, such as Proposition C 25% and Measure R 2% may be recommended to help fund these projects in upcoming capital budgets, based on availability and eligibility at time of expenditure.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Approximately 90% of the proposed 2028 Games venues within Los Angeles County are located in or near (i.e., within one mile) Equity Focused Communities (EFCs), using the latest 2022 EFC Map for the analysis. As a result, staff relied on guidance from the Office of Equity and Race (OER) to ensure the project screening criteria used in the development of the 2022 MCP Priority Project List included an equitable approach and EFCs receive their fair share of beneficial outcomes and are protected from a disproportionate amount of the potential adverse impacts.
The MCP project list linked to other social benefits and policy goals beyond mobility for the Games to ensure that underserved and heavy transit user communities can realize those benefits. This was achieved by working with the OER to refine the equity criteria and metrics to be more quantitative, data-driven, and refined to reflect social benefits and Metro’s policy goals, including improving access to opportunity. Equity was emphasized in the prioritization of the project list with a weighted score of 40%. This translated into projects with higher equity scores ranking higher overall and getting included in the 2022 MCP Prioritized Project List.
Having prioritized seven of the 15 priority projects/programs due to longer lead times for implementation, staff has made a concerted effort to further evaluate and screen the bundled projects within each of the seven workstreams: Games Route Network, Supplemental Bus System, Countywide Mobility Hubs, Countywide Bus-Only Lanes, Transit/Venue Ped/Bike Access Enhancements (First/Last Mile), Key Station Improvements and Light Rail Speed and Operations Improvements. Additional equity criteria defined top projects and improvements within each workstream and engagement with stakeholders.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The development of the MCP supports strategic goals #1 “Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling, #2 “Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system,” and #4 “Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership” by providing a roadmap and strategy to deliver permanent transit and transit-supportive projects and programs that can help serve the 2028 Games.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
The next few months will be critical for the advancement and implementation of the MCP. Our most immediate next step is the submittal of an NAE grant application, due on September 28, 2023.
By the end of 2023, staff will complete the scope refinements and prioritization for seven of the 15 Surface Transportation Priority projects. This effort will be critical to ensuring these projects can compete for State and Federal funding opportunities and be delivered in time for the Games. Initial partnering and scoping conversations will continue for the additional projects/programs led by Metro. Following this, staff will develop a detailed implementation plan, including a schedule and staff resource requirements. Staff will also continue to coordinate with the GME on the implementation of a legislative funding strategy.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Motion 42: 2028 Mobility Concept Plan
Attachment B - 2022 MCP Prioritized Project List
Attachment C - GME Surface Transportation Priority List
Attachment D - Workstreams Progress Report
Attachment E - Draft NAE Regional Challenge Project Map
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Ernesto Chaves, Executive Officer, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213) 418-3142
Kasey Shuda, Senior Director, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213) 454-6479
Jacqueline Torres, Senior Director, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213) 547-4208
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Seleta Reynolds, Chief, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213) 922-4656
Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, (213) 922-7950
