May 2016 - Issue 58
Monthly Transportation News from and for the Region 
Bike to Work Day 2016

May 20, 2016 is National Bike to Work Day. Come celebrate and bring a friend!

On Friday, May 20th there will be 11 breakfast stops in Albuquerque and one in Rio Rancho. Two of these May 20th  stops will be near the following Rail Runner stations: Downtown ABQ and the Journal Center/Los Ranchos. On Thursday, May 19th there will be one breakfast stop for Sandia Laboratories/Kirtland Air Force Base/Veterans Administration Hospital. All breakfast stops will run between 6:30-8:30 AM.

This year's theme is bring a buddy. Bicyclists who bring another buddy cyclist will both get a small prize and can be eligible to enter a free drawing to feed the polar bear at the zoo.

As in past years there will be promotional items to be given away including t-shirts, patch kits, and reflective items. Coffee from Starbucks will be provided along with granola bars from General Mills and fruit from Blake's Lotaburger.

For more information visit: BiketoWorkABQ.com

Study on Pedestrian & Bicyclist Safety at Rail Runner Crossings Released

As part of a larger effort to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety at grade crossings throughout the New Mexico Rail Runner Express corridor, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District recently finalized the 
NMRX Grade Crossing Pedestrian & Bicyclist Safety Study.  This study is comprised of three components: a toolbox of standard and optional safety devices well suited for use at pedestrian and bicyclist grade crossings of the NMRX main track; an evaluation form to aid in the initial prioritization of pedestrian- and bicyclist-related improvements at existing grade crossings; and standard applications that provide visual guidance for design consultants, contractors, and Rio Metro staff.

MRMPO and NMDOT Announce Call for Projects for the Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program 

The Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization and New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) are pleased to announce the opening of the call for projects for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding in Federal fiscal years (FFY) 2018 and 2019. The new, combined guide for both TAP and RTP--called the  Active Transportation and Recreational Programs Guide (the "Guide")--is intended to be a user-focused resource for potential applicants, MPOs and RTPOs, and other stakeholders in identifying and applying for the appropriate funding source based on the specific project type. Click  here for more information on how to apply, to view required application forms, and to access the Guide. 
All entities seeking Small Urban TAP funds, Rural Area TAP funds, TAP Flex funds and Recreational Trails Program funds must utilize the NMDOT process/guide. Applicants must meet the following key deadlines:
May-July: Project identification forms due to MRMPO for eligibility screening (MRMPO is not requiring the Project Feasibility Form (PFF) process)
Aug-October: Project sponsor completes application
Nov: MPO planner vets applications for completeness
Nov 30th: Deadline for MPO to submit complete applications to appropriate NMDOT program Coordinator
All applications will then be submitted to NMDOT via the MPOs and RTPOs according to the process outlined in the Guide.  
For questions on the call for projects, contact Steven Montiel at smontiel@mrcog-nm.gov or 505-724-3633. Applicants can also contact TAP Coordinator, Danial Watts ( danial.watts@state.nm.us or 505-470-8545) or RTP Coordinator, Aaron Detter ( aaron.detter@state.nm.us or 505-827-5117. 
Please note that MRMPO will issue a separate call for projects for all TAP-Large Urban funds in fall 2016. The TAP-Large Urban call for projects will follow the routine MRMPO call for projects process being undertaken for the FFY 2018-2023 TIP development process and will follow all key deadlines established by that process.  Please keep an eye out for this call in September.
New Training Date Added to Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan Training Workshop being Held at MRCOG

A series of Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) workshops are being held around the state this spring. The May 5th Albuquerque Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) Training Workshop being held at MRCOG is full, but a May 24th training date has been added to accommodate others wanting to attend the training. As with the other training in Albuquerque, the May 24th workshop will be held at MRCOG (809 Copper Ave NW, ABQ, NM 87102).
 
The ICIP is a planning tool that establishes planning priorities for anticipated capital projects for a five year period. The ICIP is also used by state and federal agencies to determine which projects to fund in communities throughout the state. Conducted by the Department of Finance & Administration/Local Government Division (DFA/LGD), the training workshops will assist communities in developing their Fiscal Year 2018-2022 ICIP.
 
Workshops will include presentations and hands-on training for the ICIP database. The workshops are open to all New Mexico local government entities, tribal governments, legislators, local elected officials, and others who would like a better understanding of the ICIP process.

For those who cannot attend a training in person, a webinar option will also be made available for the May 5th training.

More information about the workshops, as well as a registration form, can be found here .   
2016 Planning Commissioners Workshop

If you are a planning commissioner, planner, clerk or elected official, you will not want to miss MRCOG's 2016 Commissioner Workshop on Friday, May 13! Refreshments will be served and questions will be answered. There is no charge for this workshop.
 
To RSVP, please email Maida Rubin, mrubin@mrcog-nm.gov


May Calendar

WHAT
 WHEN
 WHERE
Transportation Coordinating Committee Meeting
Friday, May 6 (1:30-3pm)
 MRCOG Board Room
2016 Planning Commissioners Workshop Friday, May 13 (9am-noon) MRCOG Board Room
Metropolitan Transportation Board Meeting

Friday, May 20 

(10-11:30am)

 MRCOG First Floor Conference Room
Rio Metro Board Meeting
Friday, May 20 (noon)
MRCOG Board Room
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Webinar: Aspects of Equity
 Wednesday, May 18
(1-2pm)
 MRCOG Board Room
Bike to Work Day Friday, May 20 (6:30-8:30 am) Cycle stops at various locations (see BiketoWorkABQ.com) 
ITS Subcommittee Meeting
 Wednesday, May 25 (1-3pm)
 MRCOG

GRAPHIC OF THE MONTH
 
This month's 'Graphic of the Month,' actually a video animation, shows urban development in the Albuquerque metropolitan area by mapping residential and non-residential building permits from 1990 through 2014. Note that yearly building permits, depicted in dark red and dark blue, appear to decrease after the recession in 2008. Creating this graphic involved formatting building permit data from governments in the region and then mapping it using the data's geographic information (a process called geocoding). Over 115,000 permits are displayed in the graphic.

MRMPO Staff Credits: Andrew Gingerich, Maida Rubin, and Kendra Montanari

Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization | 505.247.1750 |  www.mrcog-nm.gov
STAY CONNECTED: