The Sacramento Transportation Authority (SacTA) adopted a prioritized list of nominations for the SB 1 Local Partnership Program (LPP) Competitive Grant Program at the January 11, 2018 meeting. The projects are:
- Capital SouthEast Connector
- Downtown Grid 3.0 Implementation
- Hazel Avenue Improvement, Phase III
- White Rock Road Transportation Improvement Project
- South Watt Avenue Improvement – Florin Rd to Jackson Rd
- Elverta Road Improvement – Dutch Haven Blvd to Watt Ave
Five of these projects are largely roadway capacity expansion. As such, they harm transit because they allocate scarce transportation funds to roadways instead of higher value transit projects that would reduce rather than increase vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gases (GhG). Documentation of the five projects claims that they reduce “congested VMT” and a supposed air quality benefit for this. However, they would increase overall VMT because the increased capacity induces more trips. Congested VMT is just Level of Service (LOS) masquerading as something else now that the discredited LOS is on the way out.
The City of Sacramento Downtown Grid 3.0 Implementation project focuses on active transportation, walking and bicycling, and transit, and is the only good project on the list. You can read more detailed descriptions of each of the nominated projects in the SacTA agenda packet.
The question was asked by STAR members why transit, and SacRT, was not on the list. It is not known whether SacRT did not submit a project, or whether it did but the project was not considered. Transit is certainly eligible in the LPP program. A brief introduction to the LPP program follows.
Created by SB 1, the Local Partnership Program (LPP) has two parts, a by-formula part, and a competitive part. Since the LPP is for counties or other entities that have some sort of tax set aside for transportation, and SacTA is the only entity in the county that does, it receives any funds from both programs. For the by-formula part, there are almost no restrictions on what the taxing entity may spend the funds on, and the competitive part is limited mostly by project competitiveness and matching requirements. Though California Transportation Commission (CTC) staff tends to be very supportive of transit, the commissioners are generally not.
The list of eligible projects, section 12, includes two types of use for transit, paragraph B for transit facilities, such as rail or BRT, and paragraph C, for transit rolling stock and fare collection. There is no transit operations item in this program. The criteria, section 16, includes but does not require significant reduction of VMT. Nominations, section 17 includes very specific language about GhGR, but again, does not require it.
When Dan participated in the workshops which developed the LPP guidelines, it was pretty clear that few if any agencies were going to spend on transit. There was strong resistance to any mention of vehicles miles traveled (VMT) and to any performance measures. It was clear that the agencies saw this as no-strings money that would allow them to keep doing what they’ve always done.
The relevant sections of the LPP guidelines are below. It is not clear if any or all of this applies to projects funded through the by-formula part of the program. The full guidelines are available at: http://www.catc.ca.gov/programs/sb1/lpp/docs/sb1-lpp-revised-final-guidelines-and-resolution-120617.pdf.
There are other SB 1 programs that must or can support transit. See the overview at http://www.catc.ca.gov/programs/sb1/.
12. Eligible Projects (selected items)
B. Improvements to transit facilities, including guideways, that expand transit services, increase transit ridership, improve transit safety, enhance access or convenience of the traveling public, or otherwise provide or facilitate a viable alternative to driving.
C. The acquisition, retrofit, or rehabilitation of rolling stock, buses, or other transit equipment, including, but not limited to maintenance facilities, transit stations, transit guideways, passenger shelters, and fare collection equipment with a useful life of at least 10 years. The acquisition of vans, buses, and other equipment necessary for the provision of transit services for seniors and people with disabilities by transit and other local agencies is an eligible project under this paragraph.
16. Competitive Program Evaluation Criteria
The Commission will give higher priority to the following: (selected bullets)
- Projects that can demonstrate quantifiable air quality improvements, including a significant reduction in vehicle-miles traveled.
- Within a Metropolitan Planning Organization, projects that further the implementation of the sustainable communities strategy.
17. Project Nominations
C. An explanation of the project and its proposed benefits, including the following: (selected items)
ix. A description of how the project is consistent with transportation, land use and housing planning goals within the region. For projects within a region with a currently adopted California Air Resources Board approved Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), the eligible taxing authority will discuss how their project is consistent with the SCS. This will include a quantitative and/or qualitative assessment of how the project will facilitate implementation of the SCS and support achieving the region’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
x. A description of the greenhouse gas impacts and the community impacts of the project and how those impacts are mitigated to a less than significant level. This should include a quantification of the effects of the project on diesel particulate (PM 10 and PM 2.5), nitrogen oxides, greenhouse gases and other pollutant emissions using the Caltrans’ Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Model 6.0. (Cal B/C), the SB 1 Intermodal Tool, or the SB 1 Other Projects Tool. Report emissions saved in both tons and dollars. The SB 1 Intermodal Tool and the SB 1 Other Projects Tool are currently under development. These tools will be provided by December 15th by Caltrans at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/eab/LCBC_Analysis_Model.html.
Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders (STAR) 