New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 2 - AIR QUALITY (STATEWIDE)
Part 99 - CONFORMITY TO THE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OF TRANSPORTATION PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND PROJECTS
Section 20.2.99.129 - CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES - LATEST PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS

A. Except as provided in this paragraph, the conformity determination, with respect to all other applicable criteria in 20.2.99.130 NMAC through 20.2.99.138 NMAC, must be based upon the most recent planning assumptions in force at the time the conformity analysis begins. The conformity determination must satisfy the requirements of Subsections B through F of 20.2.99.129 NMAC using the planning assumptions available at the time the conformity analysis begins as determined through the interagency consultation process required Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (1) of Subsection C of Section 20.2.99.116 NMAC. The "time the conformity analysis begins" for a transportation plan or TIP determination in the point at which the MPO or the other designated agency begins to model the impact of the proposed transportation plan or TIP on travel and/or emissions. New data that becomes available after an analysis begins is required to be used in the conformity determination only if a significant delay in the analysis has occurred, as determined through interagency consultation.

B. Assumptions (including, but not limited to, vehicle miles traveled per capita or per household, trip generation per household, vehicle occupancy, household size, vehicle fleet mix, vehicle ownership, and the geographic distribution of population growth) must be derived from the estimates of current and future population, employment, travel, and congestion most recently developed by the MPO, or other agency authorized to make such estimates and approved by the MPO. The conformity determination must also be based on the latest assumptions about current and future background concentrations.

C. The conformity determination for each transportation plan and TIP must discuss how transit operating policies (including fares and service levels) and assumed transit ridership have changed since the previous conformity determination.

D. The conformity determination must include reasonable assumptions about transit service and increases in transit fares and road and bridge tolls over time.

E. The conformity determination must use the latest existing information regarding the effectiveness of the TCMs and other implementation plan measures which have already been implemented.

F. Key assumptions shall be specified and included in the draft documents and supporting materials used for the interagency and public consultation required by 20.2.99.116 NMAC through 20.2.99.124 NMAC.