The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments on its draft Budget & Work Program for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 from Tuesday, February 12, to Thursday, March 14, 2019.
The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the final Budget & Work Program on Tuesday, April 23.
What is the UPWP?
The BRTB’s Budget & Work Program is known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Transportation Planning. It is a federal requirement that details projects, studies and other activities to be completed by BRTB members and staff of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC.)
The UPWP includes both local and regional activities. The BRTB develops a list of regional transportation planning activities every two fiscal years. This plan includes $7.89 million in funding for FY 2020 and $6.28 million in funding for FY 2021 for planning activities from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
UPWP funds support staff and several local planning activities. Highlighted new regional projects include:
- Elderly Trip Characteristics and Patterns – The intent of this $100,000 study is to provide policy-makers and planners with an understanding of transportation issues that affect the growing population of those individuals 65 years and older. The purpose of the study is to: identify areas of concentrated elderly populations; conduct an examination of travel behaviors, while identifying patterns and trends; and identify specific policy implications and ways to address current and future needs.
- Regional Traffic Impact Study Guidelines – The intent of a traffic impact study is for a jurisdiction or agency to review how proposed development will affect the surrounding transportation network. This $180,000 project will develop regional traffic impact study guidelines.
- Development Review Practices for Changing Mobility – The popularity of new mobility – such as the ridesharing services of Uber/Lyft, carsharing services of Zip Car, or alternative mode-sharing services of Lime/Bird bicycles or scooters – affects the curb and sidewalk space of public roads and private developments. The intent of this $180,000 study is to: review how jurisdictions in the Baltimore region address new mobility company requests for curb and sidewalk space; identify best practices; analyze the potential shift toward a more flexible use of curb and sidewalk space; and recommend potential improvements to the process.
- Pedestrian Safety and Roundabouts – The intent of this $100,000 study is to increase safety for non-motorists by: analyzing available data to characterize safety concerns for pedestrians in traffic roundabouts; identifying crash trends; and develop recommendations for improving the design of roundabouts.
- Congestion Management Process – The intent of this $200,000 project is to create a step-by-step congestion management process for the Baltimore region, based on the federal guidelines.
Download the Budget & Work Program for FY 2020-2021 or visit BMC to view a printed copy.
View FAQ about the FY 2020-2021 UPWP
B’More Involved
The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed regional transportation planning activities through Thursday, March 14.
Please send all comments in writing to:
Email: comments@baltometro.org
Twitter: @BaltoMetroCo @BmoreInvolved #BRTBlistens
Mail: The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230
Fax: 410-732-8248
The public may also provide feedback during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB monthly meetings on Tuesday, February 26, Tuesday, March 26, or before the vote on Tuesday, April 23. All meeting are scheduled to take place at BMC at 9 a.m.
The BRTB is the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation in the region. BMC provides the BRTB with staff support.
The BRTB operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.