ADOT Multimodal Planning Division

Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) Program Overview

December 4, 2013

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Program Overview

• PARA program is competitive and covers 100% of study costs with no local match required;

• $250,000 budget cap, 10-15% typically allocated for public involvement consultant;

• Addresses issues related to roadway, transit and non-motorized transportation modes;

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Overview Continued• Next PARA cycle will begin January 2014

(Funding Applications Distributed)

• Funding available to local communities, cities, towns, and counties located outside Transportation Management Areas (Phoenix and Tucson urbanized boundaries); and

• Tribal governments and their sub-units are eligible including: chapters, districts and villages.

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Application Preparation

•Applications must be prepared by local agency staff:

•Consultants assisting with application preparation will be disqualified from bidding on projects; and

•Partnerships between communities are encouraged, and lead agency must be identified.

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Eligible ActivitiesPlanning activities eligible for funding include:

• Roadway operations and facilities planning;

• Transit operations and facilities planning;

• Feasibility review of public transit with intent of seeking FTA or other funding assistance;

• General Plan Circulation Element development / update;

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Eligible Activities Continued

• Scenario Planning

• Bike / Ped Planning including General Plan Bicycle elements; and

• Trails Planning as part of a multimodal roadway, pedestrian and transit system.

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Ineligible Activities• Design documents;

• Environmental clearances (NEPA documents);

• Engineering documents including pre-design and DCRs; and

• Construction of facilities or capital expenses including: staff salaries, and purchasing computer hardware.

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PARA Study Examples / FAQ

Examples of previous studies and a FAQ page can be accessed through the PARA website at:

http://www.azdot.gov/planning/CurrentStudies/PARAStudies

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ADOT Project Management

ADOT Planner Responsibilities:

• Overall project management;

• Consultant selection oversight;

• Scheduling TAC meetings;

• Deliverables review and acceptance; and

• Payment for consultant services.

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Local Public Agency Role

• Assist ADOT PM as part of study team:• Assist with development of public involvement

materials used in related activities (e.g. public meetings, forums and stakeholder meetings);

• Provide guidance and local perspective, including timely review and final approval of all deliverables; and

• Assist with securing meeting rooms for project meetings (e.g. public meetings, TAC meetings, PMT meetings).

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Application Submittal Requirements• Ten hard copies and electronic submittal;

• Application period closes 45 days after distribution to local governments;

• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered; and

• Send all required items to:

E-mail: jfeek@azdot.gov

ADOT Multimodal Planning Division

Attention: Justin Feek

206 South 17th Avenue., Mail Drop: 310B

Phoenix, AZ 85007

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Application Content

• Application located on Pages 4 and 5 of packet;

• Map of the Study Area (11x17 if necessary) with planning area boundary;

• Background, Purpose, Need and Goals Statement (max 5 pages, 12 point font);

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Application Content: Background, Purpose, Need and Goals Statement

This section will carry the most weight in the scoring process. Primary elements:

• Overall project considerations;• Demonstration of the need for study;• Demonstration of planning element

incorporation;• Demonstration of Community Support;

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Application Content Continued• Demonstration of how study will benefit the

state, region, and / or community;• A list of Technical Advisory committee

members (public agency staff excluding elected officials);

• Estimated timeline for completion (maximum 12-months) including target dates and constraints (i.e. Council – Board meetings) Schedules may be shorter than 12- months when possible;

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Application Content Continued• A minimum of three letters of support from

appropriate (COG, MPO, ADOT District Engineer, Council, Stakeholders, etc.);

• Studies including State routes must include support from ADOT District Engineer(s); and

• If applicable, provide a list of previous relevant studies and a list of projects based on associated recommendations made by previous ADOT and Non-ADOT transportation studies.

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Scoring Criteria (Application Page 10, Appendix C)

• Overall Project Considerations: 0-20 Points

• Demonstrates Need for Study: 0-25 Points

• Incorporates Planning Elements: 0-15 Points

• Demonstrates Community Support: 0-15 Points

• Benefits the State, Region, and/or Community: 0-25 Points

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Study Content GuidelinesThe Study may consider a few or as many of the following potential elements:

• System Performance and Preservation;• Mobility and Access for People and Goods;• Public Transportation;• Environment and Quality of Life;• Planning Coordination;• Mobility and Economic Competitiveness;• Safety;• Accessibility; or• Resource Conservation.

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Questions?All questions and application submittals should be directed to:

Justin FeekPARA Program ManagerArizona Department of TransportationMultimodal Planning Division 206 South 17th Avenue, Mail Drop 310BPhoenix, AZ 85007Phone: 602-712-6196Fax: 602-712-3046