Application for Boston Region MPO
2007/2008 TDM Funding Program

In order to properly evaluate all requests for funding under the TDM Funding Program, the Boston Region MPO Transportation Planning & Programming Committee is requiring that all applicants respond to each of the following questions in the most thorough manner practicable. Not only will these responses allow the Committee to measure the comparative ridership potential and costs of each proposal, but the process is also designed to ensure that each applicant has developed their proposal fully enough to be both successful and sustainable.

The questions are divided into eight sections:

• Program Mission
• Alternative Mode Services
• Roadway Characteristics
• Operating Environment
• Land Use
• Marketing Plan
• Financial Plan
• Monitoring/Reporting Plan
• Impact on Air Quality

PROGRAM MISSION

1. What is the purpose of the new or expanded project or program?
Describe the market that it will serve and why this service is necessary.

1. Identify your target customers and include any relevant demographic data (age, income levels, etc.), results from origin/destination studies, travel survey data, etc. that would support the need for this new project or program.
2. Provide a description of the activity hubs (businesses, schools, etc.) and residential developments that would benefit from your project or program.
3. What is the mission statement for this new service?

ALTERNATIVE MODE CHARACTERISTICS

2. Describe the existing HOV and transit services available. Are there transit routes serving the area? Are there vanpools or shuttles in the area? Are these programs competitive with SOV travel?

3. For any alternative modes present in the area, describe the level of utilization. Is there latent demand or a lack of interest?

4. Are there existing facilities in the area that support alternative modes (e.g. park & ride lots, HOV lanes, bicycle facilities)?

ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS

5. Describe the level of roadway congestion in the area, using measures such as level of service (LOS), vehicle miles traveled (VMT), average vehicle occupancy (AVO), mode splits, and hours of delay. How is this expected to change in the future?

6. If the existing roadway facilities are congested, are there alternative routes available?

7. How long is peak period, and is there available capacity during off-peak hours?

8. Describe the major trip generators within the area. Is most of the traffic passing through, or is most of it due to sites within the area?

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

9. Describe the policy environment in the area for alternative modes. Are there policies, programs, ordinances, etc., in place to support alternative modes? These may include policies for planning, land use, growth management, or environmental protection in addition to transportation.

10. Describe the state of technology in the area, including electronic infrastructure for data collection or distribution, telephone, cable, and computer network technologies. Is the area covered by a "Traffic Management Center"?

11. Describe the degree of public-private cooperation in the area. To what degree is there trust and collaboration between private employers and developers and government agencies and transit providers? Are there Transportation Management Associations in the area?

12. Describe the attitudes of the public and elected leaders in the area towards TDM and alternative modes. How has the public responded to recent transportation projects? Have any recent attitudinal surveys been done?

LAND USE

13. What is the current housing density in the area? How is it expected to change?

14. What is the current employment density in the area? How is it expected to change?

15. To what extent are distinct land uses segregated or integrated in the area?

16. To what degree is the area pedestrian or transit oriented? Are there activity centers within the area that are more or less pedestrian or transit friendly than the rest of the area? Are there safe, pleasant walkways? Are there transit shelters?

17. What are the future plans for the area? Is it planned to remain essentially as it is now, or is it planned for development/re-development as a future employment, residential, or activity center?

MARKETING PLAN

18. Describe how public education, awareness, and marketing fit into your plan. If public education and promotion are not a substantial portion of your program, how will you alert the public to it? Describe any marketing pieces that may be mailed, E-mailed, posted, advertised, etc.

FINANCIAL PLAN

19. Describe your long-term financial plan. Provide a detailed budget for your proposal, including all expected costs and revenue sources. Provide background information on how costs and revenues were determined.

1. Estimate the gross operating cost per day.
2. Estimate your annual maintenance costs, if applicable/.
3. Estimate all other costs, including marketing, administration, and performance data collection.
4. Describe what entities you have either partnered with or will seek partnership with as a revenue source (in-kind contributors should be listed and their services should be described.)
5. Describe your plans for sustainability after the three-year limit for subsidies under this funding program has been reached.

A spreadsheet has been provided to assist in assembling a budget for the proposed program.

MONITORING/REPORTING PLAN

20. Describe how you plan to collect and maintain data on the activities and effectiveness of the program. How will you collect comprehensive usage data for a new service (if applicable)? How will you determine the impact/success of marketing efforts in terms of increasing awareness of the program?

IMPACT ON AIR QUALITY

21. Please provide the following inputs, were applicable, which can be used by Boston Region MPO staff to estimate the air quality benefits of your proposal:

Changes in speed, volumes Reduction of vehicle trips Reduction of vehicle miles of travel Reduction of emissions from heavy duty vehicles Days of operation per year for the project

Application Questionaire in Word Format (DOWNLOAD)