Express Lanes Demonstration Program-Performance Goals for the Texas Department of Transportation Express Lanes IH-635/IH35E and North Tarrant Express Lanes Projects, 4069-4071 [E9-1174]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 13 / Thursday, January 22, 2009 / Notices
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
[Disaster Declaration #11631]
Washington Disaster # WA–00018
Declaration of Economic Injury
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business
Administration.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: This is a notice of an
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
declaration for the State of Washington,
dated 01/12/2009.
Incident: Green River/Kummer Bridge
Closure.
Incident Period: 11/14/2008 and
continuing.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/12/2009.
EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date:
10/13/2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan
applications to: U.S. Small Business
Administration, Processing and
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport
Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A.
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,
U.S. Small Business Administration,
409 3rd Street, SW., Suite 6050,
Washington, DC 20416.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
hereby given that as a result of the
Administrator’s EIDL declaration,
applications for economic injury
disaster loans may be filed at the
address listed above or other locally
announced locations.
The following areas have been
determined to be adversely affected by
the disaster:
Primary Counties: King.
Contiguous Counties:
Washington: Chelan, Kitsap, Kittitas,
Pierce, Snohomish, Yakima.
The Interest Rate is: 4.000.
The number assigned to this disaster
for economic injury is 116310.
The States which received an EIDL
Declaration # are Washington.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number 59002)
Dated: January 12, 2009.
Sandy K. Baruah,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9–1208 Filed 1–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Advisory Committee on Veterans
Business Affairs
U.S. Small Business
Administration.
ACTION: Notice of open Federal Advisory
Committee meeting.
AGENCY:
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14:47 Jan 21, 2009
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SUMMARY: The SBA is issuing this notice
to announce the location, date, time,
and agenda for the next meeting of the
Advisory Committee on Veterans
Business Affairs. The meeting will be
open to the public.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
February 10–11, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the U.S. Small Business Administration,
409 3rd Street, SW., Eisenhower
Conference Room, 2nd floor,
Washington, DC 20416.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.,
Appendix 2), SBA announces the
meeting of the Advisory Committee on
Veterans Business Affairs. The Advisory
Committee on Veterans Business Affairs
serves as an independent source of
advice and policy recommendation to
the Administrator of the U.S. Small
Business Administration.
The purpose of the meeting is
scheduled as a full committee meeting.
The agenda will include: (1) Status of
the current committee; (2) Orientation
for new members; (3) Discussion of the
permanency of SBA’s Advisory
Committee; (4) A review of SBA’s
Programs and Services; and (5)
Implementation steps of Public Law
110–186.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
meeting is open to the public; however,
advance notice of attendance is
requested. Anyone wishing to attend
and/or make a presentation to the
Advisory Committee on Veterans
Business Affairs must contact Cheryl
Simms, Program Liaison, by February 2,
2009, by fax or e-mail in order to be
placed on the agenda. Cheryl Simms,
Program Liaison, U.S. Small Business
Administration, Office of Veterans
Business Development, 409 3rd Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20416, Telephone
number: (202) 619–1697, Fax number:
202–481–6085, e-mail address:
cheryl.simms@sba.gov.
Additionally, if you need
accommodations because of a disability
or require additional information, please
contact Cheryl Simms, Program Liaison
at (202) 619–1697; e-mail address:
cheryl.simms@sba.gov, SBA, Office of
Veterans Business Development, 409
3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416.
For more information, please visit our
Web site at https://www.sba.gov/vets.
Dated: January 5, 2009.
Cherylyn Lebon,
SBA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–1206 Filed 1–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
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4069
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6488]
In the Matter of the Review of the
Designations of Al-Qa’ida (AQ),
Haraket-ul-Mujahidin (HUM), Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine
(PFLP), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
(PIJ) and All Designated Aliases, as
Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Pursuant to Section 219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act, as
Amended
Based upon a review of the
Administrative Records assembled in
this matter pursuant to Section
219(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as amended (8 U.S.C.
1189(a)(4)(C)) (‘‘INA’’) , and in
consultation with the Attorney General
and the Secretary of the Treasury, I
conclude that the circumstances that
were the basis for the 2003 redesignations of the aforementioned
organizations as foreign terrorist
organizations have not changed in such
a manner as to warrant revocation of the
designations and that the national
security of the United States does not
warrant a revocation.
Therefore, I hereby determine that the
designations of the aforementioned
organizations as foreign terrorist
organizations, pursuant to Section 219
of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1189), shall be
maintained.
This determination shall be published
in the Federal Register.
Dated: January 9, 2009.
John D. Negroponte,
Deputy Secretary of State, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. E9–1221 Filed 1–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA–08–0106]
Express Lanes Demonstration
Program—Performance Goals for the
Texas Department of Transportation
Express Lanes IH–635/IH35E and North
Tarrant Express Lanes Projects
AGENCY: Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
SUMMARY: Section 1604(b)(7) of the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users (SAFETEA–LU) (Pub. L. 109–59;
Aug. 10, 2005), authorizes the Secretary
of Transportation (Secretary) to develop
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 13 / Thursday, January 22, 2009 / Notices
and publish performance goals for each
express lane project accepted under the
Express Lanes Demonstration Program.
This notice lists the Performance Goals,
Monitoring and Reporting Program
requirements for the I–635 (the LBJ
Freeway) project in Dallas and North
Tarrant Express project in Ft. Worth in
the State of Texas.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before February 23, 2009.
Mail or hand deliver
comments to: Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or
submit electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, or fax comments
to (202) 493–2251.
All comments should include the
docket number that appears in the
heading of this document. All
comments received will be available for
examination and copying at the above
address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. Those desiring notification of
receipt of comments must include a selfaddressed, stamped postcard or may
print the acknowledgment page that
appears after submitting comments
electronically. Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments in
any one of our dockets by the name of
the individual submitting the comment
(or signing the comment, if submitted
on behalf of an association, business, or
labor union). You may review the DOT’s
complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, Pages
19477–78) or you may visit https://
DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions about this notice, contact Mr.
Wayne Berman, Office of Operations,
(202) 366–4069,
(Wayne.Berman@dot.gov); for legal
questions contact Mr. Michael Harkins,
Attorney Advisor, Office of the Chief
Counsel, (202) 366–4928,
(Michael.Harkins@dot.gov). The FHWA
is located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document
may be downloaded from the Federal
Register’s home page at: https://
www.archives.gov and the Government
Printing Office’s database at: https://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:47 Jan 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
Background
Section 1604(b) of SAFETEA–LU,
established the Express Lanes
Demonstration Program (ELDP). Under
the ELDP, the Secretary must carry out
15 demonstration project during the
period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009
to permit States to collect a toll from
motor vehicles at eligible toll facilities.
On September 18, 2007, the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
submitted an application to the FHWA
for the I–635 (LBJ Freeway) managed
lane project, which was approved on
March 19, 2008. Subsequently, TxDOT
submitted an application to the FHWA
for the North Tarrant Express managed
lane project, which was approved on
July 16, 2008.
The I–635 project would consist of the
construction of 28 miles of new
managed (tolled) lanes as part of the
reconstruction of portions of I–635 and
I–35E in the Dallas area. The North
Tarrant Express project would consist of
the construction of approximately 36
miles of new managed (tolled) lanes as
part of the reconstruction of portions of
I–820, I–35W, and State Highway 183 in
the Fort Worth area.
Pursuant to section 1604(b)(7) of
SAFETEA–LU, the Secretary, in
cooperation with the State, public
authority, private entity, and other
program participants must develop
performance goals for each project and
publish such goals for public comment.
This notice lists, and solicits public
comment on, the Performance Goals,
Monitoring and Reporting Programs for
the I–635 and North Tarrant Express
Projects.
Performance Goals, Monitoring and
Reporting Program
The following describes the agreed
upon Express Lane Demonstration
Program’s Performance Goals,
Monitoring and Reporting Program for
the I–635 and the North Tarrant Express
Projects. This program has been
developed cooperatively between
TxDOT and FHWA.
A. Performance Goals
The FHWA and TxDOT have
identified the following three
Performance Goals for the project. These
Performance Goals reflect the priorities
for the project at the State and local
levels. The Performance Goals also
reflect the goals of the Express Lanes
Demonstration Project set forth in
Federal law at SAFETEA–LU Section
1604(b).
I. Effects on travel, traffic, and air
quality.
II. Distribution of benefits and
burdens.
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III. Use of alternative transportation
modes.
IV. Use of revenues to meet
transportation or impact mitigation
needs.
B. Core Performance Measures
The following Core Performance
Measures will be utilized to focus the
monitoring and reporting work
undertaken to evaluate facility
performance. The Performance Goals for
which each Core Performance Measure
will provide relevant information are
indicated in parenthesis. Specific
reporting items for each Core
Performance Measure are listed
immediately below it.
Generally, facility performance will
be assessed by reference to baseline
values or trends for the reported items
under the Core Performance Measures.
The methodology for determining each
baseline value or trend will be
explained in detail in the Performance
Monitoring and Evaluation Manual
described below.
1. Travel-Time Reliability in Priced
Lanes (I, II, III)
• Report percentage of time that the
managed lanes are operating at a
minimum average speed of 50 miles per
hour, broken down into daily averages
for the a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m.
peak periods.
• Report 95th percentile travel times
for the managed lanes, broken down
into daily averages for the a.m. peak, offpeak, and p.m. peak periods. (The 95th
percentile represents the slowest traffic
day each month.) This measure is
reported in minutes.
• Report the Buffer Index calculated
to demonstrate performance in the
managed lanes, broken down into daily
averages for the a.m. peak, off-peak, and
p.m. peak periods. The Buffer Index is
the extra time that travelers must add to
their average travel time when planning
trips to ensure on-time arrival. (For
example, a buffer index of 40 percent
means that for a trip that usually takes
20 minutes a traveler should budget an
additional 8 minutes to ensure on-time
arrival most of the time. The 8 extra
minutes is called the buffer time.
Therefore, the traveler should allow 28
minutes for the trip in order to ensure
on-time arrival 95 percent of the time.)
• Report traffic volumes and traffic
volume changes on a total and
percentage-change basis annually,
broken into daily averages, for daily
total, by a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m.
peak the managed lanes by direction.
• Report traffic speeds and traffic
speed differences from the previous year
(on a total and percentage-change basis)
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 13 / Thursday, January 22, 2009 / Notices
annually, broken into daily averages, for
daily total, by a.m. peak, off-peak, and
p.m. peak for the managed lanes by
direction.
• Report actual number of incidents
and identify the effect on lane
availability for the managed lanes
during this time, including the length of
time each such lane was unavailable.
utilizing the corridor after tolling
begins.
2. Changes in Mode Split/Ridership/
Vehicle Occupancies of Priced vs.
General Purpose Lanes (I, II, III)
5. Change in Criteria Pollutant
Emissions for the Region (I)
• Report number of declared HOVs
for the year and differences from the
previous year (on a total and percentagechange basis), broken into daily
averages, by a.m. peak and p.m. peak for
managed lanes.
• Report number of buses (i.e.
registered non-revenue accounts) for the
year and differences from the previous
year (on a total and percentage-change
basis), broken into daily averages, by
a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m. peak for
managed lanes.
• Report average toll charged for the
year and differences from the previous
year (on a total and percentage-change
basis), by vehicle type, broken into daily
averages, by a.m. peak, off-peak, and
p.m. peak for managed lanes.
• If reasonably available, report
ridership volumes for the year and
differences from the previous year (on a
total and percentage-change basis), by
vehicle type; SOV, HOV2+, HOV3+,
Bus, Van Pool and Other, broken into
daily averages by a.m. peak, off-peak,
and p.m. peak for the general purpose
lanes, managed lanes, and parallel
access roads as applicable.
• Report on the amount of vehicle
miles traveled (VMT) for the year and
differences from the previous year (on a
total and percentage-change basis), by
vehicle type; SOV, HOV2+, HOV3+,
Bus, Van Pool and Other, broken into
daily averages by a.m. peak, off-peak,
and p.m. peak on the managed lanes.
• Report Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) rideshare
payments, HOV subsidy and other
disbursements.
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3. Transit Schedule Adherence (II, III)
• To the extent the information is
reasonably available, report on transit
service reliability—percentage of ontime performance of transit service.
• To the extent the information is
reasonably available, report on any
existing bus transit routes or sanctioned
van-pool accounts utilizing the corridor
in advance of opening the project for
tolling. This is to be used as a
benchmark for added bus transit routes
or sanctioned van-pool accounts
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14:47 Jan 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
4. Application of Revenue Reinvestment
(II, IV)
• Report breakdown of the use of
revenues.
• Report percentage of revenue used
to mitigate impacts.
• Report on the concentrations of six
criteria pollutants (particle pollution,
ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide,
sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead)
during the current year and differences
from the previous year (on a total and
percentage-change basis) utilizing
reasonably available and reliable air
quality reporting tools and mechanisms.
• Utilize the results of the core
performance sub-elements B.I(a)
(Travel-time reliability in tolled lanes)
and B.III(a) (Changes in mode split/
ridership/vehicle occupancies of tolled
vs. general purpose lanes) to the extent
possible to assist in utilizing the
NCTCOG’s air quality modeling tools
and mechanisms to demonstrate any
reductions in criteria pollutant
emissions.
C. Monitoring and Reporting Program
I. Performance Monitoring and
Evaluation Manual
Prior to commencement of pricing
operations on the facility, TxDOT will
prepare a Performance Monitoring and
Evaluation Manual document that will
describe the information to be collected,
the methodology for identifying baseline
values and approach for developing the
annual reports that assess facility
performance. It will serve as a tool to
facilitate achievement of the
performance goals identified in Part A
by documenting the program for regular
monitoring and reporting to be utilized
in the assessment of the Core
Performance Measures identified in Part
B.
The Performance Monitoring and
Evaluation Manual will be in the form
of an instruction manual, and will
address the following subject areas.
1. Project Overview
2. Purpose and Need
3. Organization of Document
4. Overview of Project Goals
5. Overview of Core Performance
Measures
a. Key Questions and definition of
Core Performance Measures
b. Description of how specific
reported information relates to Core
Performance Measures and Performance
Goals
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4071
6. Methodology for Determining
Baseline Measurements
7. Annual Monitoring Program
Measurement Processes and Procedures
8. Coordination with other
Transportation Providers
9. Reference Documentation Listing as
Applicable
II. Monitoring and Reporting Annual
Report
The annual monitoring and reporting
program measurement processes and
procedures will be documented in an
annual report that shall include the
following sections.
1. Project Information
2. Performance Highlights
3. Performance Summary
4. Performance Details
D. Timeline and Process for Submission
of ELDP Monitoring Report
The annual reporting period for the
Express Lanes Demonstration Program
is between January 1st and December
31st of each year. Data collected and
reported will align with this time
period. The first year’s data after tolling
commences will be data collected from
the date of service commencement to
December 31st of that year.TxDOT’s
submission to FHWA of the Monitoring
and Reporting Annual Report will occur
no later than March 31st of each year.
Authority: Section 1604(b)(7) of the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users (SAFETEA–LU) (Pub. L. 109–59; Aug.
10, 2005).
Issued on: January 8, 2009.
Thomas J. Madison, Jr.,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9–1174 Filed 1–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) has
received a request for a waiver of
compliance from certain requirements
of its safety standards. The individual
petition is described below, including
the party seeking relief, the regulatory
provisions involved, the nature of the
relief being requested, and the
petitioner’s arguments in favor of relief.
Iowa Interstate Railroad
[Docket Number FRA–2008–0105]
The Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), a
Class III Railroad, petitioned for a
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22JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4069-4071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1174]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-08-0106]
Express Lanes Demonstration Program--Performance Goals for the
Texas Department of Transportation Express Lanes IH-635/IH35E and North
Tarrant Express Lanes Projects
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 1604(b)(7) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)
(Pub. L. 109-59; Aug. 10, 2005), authorizes the Secretary of
Transportation (Secretary) to develop
[[Page 4070]]
and publish performance goals for each express lane project accepted
under the Express Lanes Demonstration Program. This notice lists the
Performance Goals, Monitoring and Reporting Program requirements for
the I-635 (the LBJ Freeway) project in Dallas and North Tarrant Express
project in Ft. Worth in the State of Texas.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 23, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver comments to: Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC 20590, or submit electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, or fax comments to (202) 493-2251.
All comments should include the docket number that appears in the
heading of this document. All comments received will be available for
examination and copying at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed,
stamped postcard or may print the acknowledgment page that appears
after submitting comments electronically. Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all comments in any one of our dockets by the name
of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association, business, or labor union). You
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, Pages
19477-78) or you may visit https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice,
contact Mr. Wayne Berman, Office of Operations, (202) 366-4069,
(Wayne.Berman@dot.gov); for legal questions contact Mr. Michael
Harkins, Attorney Advisor, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-4928,
(Michael.Harkins@dot.gov). The FHWA is located at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to
4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the
Federal Register's home page at: https://www.archives.gov and the
Government Printing Office's database at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/
nara.
Background
Section 1604(b) of SAFETEA-LU, established the Express Lanes
Demonstration Program (ELDP). Under the ELDP, the Secretary must carry
out 15 demonstration project during the period of fiscal years 2005
through 2009 to permit States to collect a toll from motor vehicles at
eligible toll facilities. On September 18, 2007, the Texas Department
of Transportation (TxDOT) submitted an application to the FHWA for the
I-635 (LBJ Freeway) managed lane project, which was approved on March
19, 2008. Subsequently, TxDOT submitted an application to the FHWA for
the North Tarrant Express managed lane project, which was approved on
July 16, 2008.
The I-635 project would consist of the construction of 28 miles of
new managed (tolled) lanes as part of the reconstruction of portions of
I-635 and I-35E in the Dallas area. The North Tarrant Express project
would consist of the construction of approximately 36 miles of new
managed (tolled) lanes as part of the reconstruction of portions of I-
820, I-35W, and State Highway 183 in the Fort Worth area.
Pursuant to section 1604(b)(7) of SAFETEA-LU, the Secretary, in
cooperation with the State, public authority, private entity, and other
program participants must develop performance goals for each project
and publish such goals for public comment. This notice lists, and
solicits public comment on, the Performance Goals, Monitoring and
Reporting Programs for the I-635 and North Tarrant Express Projects.
Performance Goals, Monitoring and Reporting Program
The following describes the agreed upon Express Lane Demonstration
Program's Performance Goals, Monitoring and Reporting Program for the
I-635 and the North Tarrant Express Projects. This program has been
developed cooperatively between TxDOT and FHWA.
A. Performance Goals
The FHWA and TxDOT have identified the following three Performance
Goals for the project. These Performance Goals reflect the priorities
for the project at the State and local levels. The Performance Goals
also reflect the goals of the Express Lanes Demonstration Project set
forth in Federal law at SAFETEA-LU Section 1604(b).
I. Effects on travel, traffic, and air quality.
II. Distribution of benefits and burdens.
III. Use of alternative transportation modes.
IV. Use of revenues to meet transportation or impact mitigation
needs.
B. Core Performance Measures
The following Core Performance Measures will be utilized to focus
the monitoring and reporting work undertaken to evaluate facility
performance. The Performance Goals for which each Core Performance
Measure will provide relevant information are indicated in parenthesis.
Specific reporting items for each Core Performance Measure are listed
immediately below it.
Generally, facility performance will be assessed by reference to
baseline values or trends for the reported items under the Core
Performance Measures. The methodology for determining each baseline
value or trend will be explained in detail in the Performance
Monitoring and Evaluation Manual described below.
1. Travel-Time Reliability in Priced Lanes (I, II, III)
Report percentage of time that the managed lanes are
operating at a minimum average speed of 50 miles per hour, broken down
into daily averages for the a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m. peak periods.
Report 95th percentile travel times for the managed lanes,
broken down into daily averages for the a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m.
peak periods. (The 95th percentile represents the slowest traffic day
each month.) This measure is reported in minutes.
Report the Buffer Index calculated to demonstrate
performance in the managed lanes, broken down into daily averages for
the a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m. peak periods. The Buffer Index is the
extra time that travelers must add to their average travel time when
planning trips to ensure on-time arrival. (For example, a buffer index
of 40 percent means that for a trip that usually takes 20 minutes a
traveler should budget an additional 8 minutes to ensure on-time
arrival most of the time. The 8 extra minutes is called the buffer
time. Therefore, the traveler should allow 28 minutes for the trip in
order to ensure on-time arrival 95 percent of the time.)
Report traffic volumes and traffic volume changes on a
total and percentage-change basis annually, broken into daily averages,
for daily total, by a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m. peak the managed
lanes by direction.
Report traffic speeds and traffic speed differences from
the previous year (on a total and percentage-change basis)
[[Page 4071]]
annually, broken into daily averages, for daily total, by a.m. peak,
off-peak, and p.m. peak for the managed lanes by direction.
Report actual number of incidents and identify the effect
on lane availability for the managed lanes during this time, including
the length of time each such lane was unavailable.
2. Changes in Mode Split/Ridership/Vehicle Occupancies of Priced vs.
General Purpose Lanes (I, II, III)
Report number of declared HOVs for the year and
differences from the previous year (on a total and percentage-change
basis), broken into daily averages, by a.m. peak and p.m. peak for
managed lanes.
Report number of buses (i.e. registered non-revenue
accounts) for the year and differences from the previous year (on a
total and percentage-change basis), broken into daily averages, by a.m.
peak, off-peak, and p.m. peak for managed lanes.
Report average toll charged for the year and differences
from the previous year (on a total and percentage-change basis), by
vehicle type, broken into daily averages, by a.m. peak, off-peak, and
p.m. peak for managed lanes.
If reasonably available, report ridership volumes for the
year and differences from the previous year (on a total and percentage-
change basis), by vehicle type; SOV, HOV2+, HOV3+, Bus, Van Pool and
Other, broken into daily averages by a.m. peak, off-peak, and p.m. peak
for the general purpose lanes, managed lanes, and parallel access roads
as applicable.
Report on the amount of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for
the year and differences from the previous year (on a total and
percentage-change basis), by vehicle type; SOV, HOV2+, HOV3+, Bus, Van
Pool and Other, broken into daily averages by a.m. peak, off-peak, and
p.m. peak on the managed lanes.
Report Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) rideshare
payments, HOV subsidy and other disbursements.
3. Transit Schedule Adherence (II, III)
To the extent the information is reasonably available,
report on transit service reliability--percentage of on-time
performance of transit service.
To the extent the information is reasonably available,
report on any existing bus transit routes or sanctioned van-pool
accounts utilizing the corridor in advance of opening the project for
tolling. This is to be used as a benchmark for added bus transit routes
or sanctioned van-pool accounts utilizing the corridor after tolling
begins.
4. Application of Revenue Reinvestment (II, IV)
Report breakdown of the use of revenues.
Report percentage of revenue used to mitigate impacts.
5. Change in Criteria Pollutant Emissions for the Region (I)
Report on the concentrations of six criteria pollutants
(particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur
oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead) during the current year and
differences from the previous year (on a total and percentage-change
basis) utilizing reasonably available and reliable air quality
reporting tools and mechanisms.
Utilize the results of the core performance sub-elements
B.I(a) (Travel-time reliability in tolled lanes) and B.III(a) (Changes
in mode split/ridership/vehicle occupancies of tolled vs. general
purpose lanes) to the extent possible to assist in utilizing the
NCTCOG's air quality modeling tools and mechanisms to demonstrate any
reductions in criteria pollutant emissions.
C. Monitoring and Reporting Program
I. Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Manual
Prior to commencement of pricing operations on the facility, TxDOT
will prepare a Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Manual document
that will describe the information to be collected, the methodology for
identifying baseline values and approach for developing the annual
reports that assess facility performance. It will serve as a tool to
facilitate achievement of the performance goals identified in Part A by
documenting the program for regular monitoring and reporting to be
utilized in the assessment of the Core Performance Measures identified
in Part B.
The Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Manual will be in the
form of an instruction manual, and will address the following subject
areas.
1. Project Overview
2. Purpose and Need
3. Organization of Document
4. Overview of Project Goals
5. Overview of Core Performance Measures
a. Key Questions and definition of Core Performance Measures
b. Description of how specific reported information relates to Core
Performance Measures and Performance Goals
6. Methodology for Determining Baseline Measurements
7. Annual Monitoring Program Measurement Processes and Procedures
8. Coordination with other Transportation Providers
9. Reference Documentation Listing as Applicable
II. Monitoring and Reporting Annual Report
The annual monitoring and reporting program measurement processes
and procedures will be documented in an annual report that shall
include the following sections.
1. Project Information
2. Performance Highlights
3. Performance Summary
4. Performance Details
D. Timeline and Process for Submission of ELDP Monitoring Report
The annual reporting period for the Express Lanes Demonstration
Program is between January 1st and December 31st of each year. Data
collected and reported will align with this time period. The first
year's data after tolling commences will be data collected from the
date of service commencement to December 31st of that year.TxDOT's
submission to FHWA of the Monitoring and Reporting Annual Report will
occur no later than March 31st of each year.
Authority: Section 1604(b)(7) of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59; Aug. 10, 2005).
Issued on: January 8, 2009.
Thomas J. Madison, Jr.,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-1174 Filed 1-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
