Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JUNE 17, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: WAYFINDING SIGNAGE GRANT PILOT PROGRAM
ACTION: APPROVE PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR the Wayfinding Signage Grant Pilot Program Guidelines as outlined in Attachment A.
Issue
ISSUE
At the November 2014 meeting, the Board directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to create a two-year pilot Wayfinding Signage Grant Program to implement components of Metro’s First/Last Mile Strategic Plan (Attachment B). The Board must adopt the grant program guidelines to ensure consistency in the program’s implementation and administration.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Grant Program provides $500,000 over two years, beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-16, to assist agencies in designing and implementing Wayfinding Signage systems that guide people to and from transit stations on non-Metro properties. Both years funding will be awarded during FY 2015-16. Wayfinding signage projects can effectively guide and direct the public to and from Metro stations and will improve the usability of the transportation system throughout Los Angeles County. This program provides grant funds to cities, County of Los Angeles, Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, municipal and local transit operators, and Caltrans, to improve wayfinding signage within one-mile of existing Metro stations and stations that will be opened by the end of FY 2016-17. Additionally, Metro has developed Station Wayfinding Signage Guidelines (Attachment C) to assist agencies who wish to develop signage and wayfinding improvements around Metro station areas. These guidelines were previously transmitted to agencies in December 2014 and posted on <http://www.metro.net/projects/call_projects> under the Guidelines and Manuals section. Since the Wayfinding Signage Grant Program is a two-year pilot program, an evaluation will be conducted at the end of the demonstration period to assess its needs and benefits. A comprehensive update on the First /Last Mile Strategic Plan implementation activities is being reported separately.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are agencies that provide way finding signage to and from Metro stations. These include: cities, County of Los Angeles, Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, municipal and local transit operators, and Caltrans.
Eligible Activities
To be eligible for funds, the project must improve or implement wayfinding signage, including updates and/or replacements of signage within one-mile of the Metro fixed-guideway station. The project must follow Metro’s Station Wayfinding Signage Guidelines and be consistent with applicable local, state, federal laws, guidelines and/or standards, as well as wind load considerations. Funding is eligible for design, fabrication, and installation of static wayfinding signs within one-mile of existing Metro stations and stations that will be opened by the end of FY 2016-17.
Evaluation Criteria
To be recommended for funding, projects must provide a direct benefit to addressing the challenge of getting transit users to and from the Metro stations within the often complex urban environment. Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria and associated scores:
a) Demonstration of Need (maximum 30 points)
b) Integration with other First/Last Mile Strategies (maximum 30 points)
c) Project Readiness and Cost Effectiveness (maximum 35 points)
d) Local Match (maximum 5 points)
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The Wayfinding Signage Pilot Grant Program will not have any adverse safety impacts on Metro’s employees and patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the FY 2014-15 budget. Grants are anticipated to be awarded in the later part of FY 2015-16. $150,000 is budgeted in the FY 2015-16 Subsidies to Others Budget in Cost Center 0441. Since this is a multi-year program, the Cost Center Manager and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Impact to Budget
The project will be funded using Proposition C Discretionary 40% which is eligible for bus and rail operating and capital expenditures.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve or defer approval of the Wayfinding Signage Grant Pilot Program Guidelines as recommended. Staff does not recommend these alternatives as the program was directed by the Board and furthers Metro’s objectives with regard to First/Last Mile Implementation Plan strategies.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
With Board approval of the guidelines, staff will develop the grant application package, solicit and evaluate applications. Staff will bring its recommendations for grant award to the Board in Winter 2015.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Wayfinding Signage Grant Pilot Program Guidelines
Attachment B - November 2014 Board Motion
Attachment C - Station Wayfinding Signage Guidelines
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Fulgene Asuncion, Transportation Planning Manager, (213) 922-3025
Fanny Pan, Director, (213) 922-3070
Renee Berlin, Managing Executive Officer, (213) 922-3035
Reviewed_By
Reviewed By: Martha Welborne, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7267
