NARC held the fourth in a series of workshops addressing integrating air quality and transportation planning in Tuscon, Arizona, on June 25, 2002. This workshop examined how selection criteria and performance measures help MPOs and COGs realize their transportation planning objectives and guide the effective allocations of their CMAQ funding. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) requires MPOs to apply fiscal constraint principles to projects in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This requires transportation planners to rely on selection criteria and performance measures to determine project selection while maintaining or improving air quality. Selection criteria are used to compare project alternatives and ultimately to recommend high-value projects for inclusion in TIPs. Performance measures evaluate the success and effectiveness of long-range plans in meeting stated goals.

Presentations:

Michael Meyer, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology

Dan Rocha, North Central Texas Council of Governments

Diane Nguyen Grindall, San Joaquin Council of Governments

Jim Wild, East-West Gateway Council of Governments

Jane Hayse, Atlanta Regional Commission

Daniel Gardner, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

Patricia Berry, Chicago Area Transportation Study

Contact: Erika Young, Transportation Director, 202.986.1032 Ext: 212