Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JANUARY 16, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
WITHDRAWN: RECEIVE AND FILE status report on the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Update, including the following informational items:
A. Public Engagement Summary Report (Phase 1); and
B. Draft Mobility Plan to Access Opportunity Framework.
Issue
ISSUE
This is a status report on the development of the LRTP update. Included is a summary for the first phase of public engagement (Attachment A), and Draft Mobility Plan to Access Opportunity Framework (formerly Vision) as overview guidance to the entire LRTP (Attachment B).
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Background
In September 2017, LRTP Work Plan was presented to the Metro Board (Legistar File No. 2017-0548); it included a scope of work that has distinct modules (i.e., chapters) for development and timeline for key deliverables to the Board. In March 2018, the Board was presented the Orientation and Context module framework (Legistar File No. 2018-0003). In November 2017, the Board received a Public Participation Plan outline for phases of public engagement (Legistar File No. 2017-0644), with an update provided in August 2018 (via Board Box) regarding Phase 1 outreach that began summer 2018, with a scheduled conclusion of November 2018.
Public Engagement - Phase 1 Approach
Phase 1 of LRTP’s public engagement was an open-ended listening phase. The outreach is designed around a “Our Next LA” thematic frame. A broad variety of stakeholders were asked what they envision for their future communities, especially as it related to Metro’s use of its future transportation dollars. For example, Post-it forms were used to ask where participants lived, and how they would describe the “My Next_____” future of that community.
Metro conducted more than 35 public events and attended an additional 21, collected more than 3,000 post-its and received more than 20,000 surveys. Additional outreach was conducted online, at public meetings, through social media, major employers and more. A summary of public events, including location, and other outreach details is provided in Attachment A.
Public Engagement - Phase 1 Results
Analysis of the completed post-its and top survey answers indicates that public interest focuses primarily on the following 5 areas (in no particular order):
• Livability -- Increase access to jobs, affordable housing and more, through quality transportation, to improve the public well-being
• Complete streets -- Safer corridors that include expanded bike, pedestrian and green infrastructure, while maintaining a state of good repair on roadways
• Improved transit -- Optimize speed, reliability, security, customer experience and performance on the transportation network
• Less congestion -- Provide options to bypass traffic, improve traffic flow and improve travel times
• Innovative transportation options -- Provide innovative and high quality mobility service options
Public Engagement - Phase 2
These five focus areas will be used to establish a Values Framework in Phase 2 of LRTP public engagement. Stakeholders will be asked to rank these five areas in terms of their own top priorities. A new online ranking tool was developed in December 2018, but stakeholders will continue to be able to write in their priorities, if they do not see their priority area listed. Phase 2 outreach will continue through spring of 2019, and the responses will help shape the LRTP Values Framework, which will include performance metrics.
A Mobility Plan to Access Opportunity Framework Module
This module is intended to provide the overview of what Metro will achieve through the LRTP. Attachment B presents a detailed outline of what that entails. Importantly, the foundational guidance in this framework is based on the Board-adopted Metro Vision 2028 Strategic Plan, which sets up near term goals and action plans for Metro. This framework explains the relationship between Vision 2028 goals and LRTP plan requirements. Both plans are aligned to achieve Metro goals, but the LRTP has significant distinctions, including: required financial constraint to bound investment priorities; three decades longer time frame to support Measure M delivery; and application of federal and state air quality requirements. Both plans are distinct, but linked in guiding Metro’s commitment to excellence for LA County’s transportation future.
Upcoming Milestone Baseline Understanding Framework Module
Staff will return to the Board with the draft Baseline module within the first quarter of 2019. This important module will include the following information about the existing transportation system and Metro stakeholders:
• Travel Demand Model analysis and other research for the existing system;
• Socio-demographic information about the communities Metro serves, including identification of inequity based on data;
• Partner agency information, including strategic efforts and related plans.
The baseline data will provide the foundation for defining performance metrics and targets that will assess achievement of LRTP goals and objectives. Research is ongoing. The Baseline Understanding module will be drafted and adapted during the LRTP Update process to be responsive, consistent and continuously reinforcing, with implementation modules/plans during the continuum of LRTP.
Equity Platform Framework
The LRTP public engagement effort provides key information consistent with the Listen & Learn pillar of the Equity Platform. The Phase 1 outreach was an open listening approach to engage stakeholders. Information learned will be included in the Baseline Understanding module, the Values Framework module and used for Phase 2 of public engagement.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This report has no impact on safety because no action results from this receive and file report.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item has no fiscal impact to the agency because no action results from this receive and file report.
Impact to Budget
Activities associated with completing the LRTP update are budgeted in the current fiscal year and are within budget.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The LRTP will advance all five goals of Vision 2028 because it is foundational to this update and is specifically called upon to implement performance measures for system improvement.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Thorough public engagement is essential to a valid LRTP update, in order to accurately represent the needs and priorities of the region. Therefore, no alternative was considered.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
The LRTP Update is scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2020, which generally aligns with SCAG’s 2020 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy update. During the development timeline, all frameworks and their modules will be completed and updated, as appropriate. The next modules to be developed are the Baseline Understanding and Values Frameworks, which will be highly integrated and provide the foundation for a performance-based approach to consider investment priorities, and related trade-offs. Staff will rely heavily on stakeholder input for this module and all aspects of LRTP development, including input from Metro internal working groups, external partners and the Policy Advisory Council. LRTP scenarios will also be prepared and analyzed. All scenarios will be financially constrained, and comply with voter-approved ballot measures and other legal commitments.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Public Engagement Summary Report, Phase 1
Attachment B - Draft Mobility Plan to Access Opportunity Framework
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Rena Lum, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-6963
Mark Yamarone, DEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-2834
Kalieh Honish, EO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-7109
Manjeet Ranu, SEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3157
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077
