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Programs and Services

Metro COG is required to adopt and implement a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) that covers a 24 month period. The UPWP details out specific work tasks of Metro COG which support the overall Metropolitan Planning Program (MPP) covering the FM Metropolitan Area. The UPWP covers a range of transportation and community planning activities, including data collection, public outreach, and development of programs to coordinate the expenditure of Federal surface transportation funds with the FM Metropolitan Area. The development of the UPWP is done in consultation with the general public, identified interested persons, relevant stakeholders, and the Transportation Technical Committee. The UPWP is approved by the Metro COG Policy Board. The following is brief overview of the programs and services which are typically covered with in the UPWP.

Public Input & Education 

Public Input and Education activities include any general effort at public outreach or education related to the implementation of Metro COGs general mission, excluding public input for specific projects and plans. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to:

 

  1. Development, printing, and distribution of the News & Events
  2. Speaking engagements at local service clubs, schools, or other organizations for the purposes of relaying information or receiving input relative to Metro COGs planning program
  3. Appearances before the decision making bodies of other related agencies (e.g., Riverkeepers, watershed districts, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, etc.) for the purposes of relaying information or receiving input relative to Metro COGs MPP.
  4. Maintenance of Public Participation Plan

 

Data Development & Management

Data Development & Management activities include any general effort to retrieve, manipulate, analyze, display, or improve the flow of information and data both internally within Metro COG and between Metro COG and other bodies or persons.  Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Responding to data requests from the public, member jurisdictions, staffs, and decision makers
  2. Developing, printing, and distributing the Metro Profile
  3. Developing, monitoring, maintaining, and seeking approval of the Metropolitan Land Use Map and Inventory
  4. Web searches for data sources or background information
  5. Developing visual aids, maps, posters, images, graphics, or digital presentations of relevant information
  6. Acquiring data from applicable sources
  7. Operation, evaluation, and maintenance of the Metro COG GIS database
  8. Operation, evaluation, and maintenance of the Metro COG computer network
  9. Operation, evaluation, and maintenance of the Metro COG website
  10. Monitoring and support of the Metro COG library
  11. Managing of software licenses
  12. Installing or uninstalling of software as needed
  13. Conducting traffic counts, turn movement counts, collecting speed data, or other traffic information
  14. Monitoring and maintaining the Metro COG traffic counting equipment pool

Traffic Model Development, Use, & Support

Traffic Model Development, Use, & Support Activities include any effort to complete the construction and validation of the Metro COG Regional Traffic Model, and any effort to use the model for local transportation planning and decision making, which may include, but is not limited to:

  1. Coordination with the Advanced Traffic Analysis Center regarding maintenance and operations of regional travel demand model
  2. Development and creation of alternative networks and socio-economic databases for use in the traffic model
  3. Analysis of traffic model output and dissemination of that information
  4. Investigation of the validity of traffic model output, identification of errors in that output, and implementing solutions to those errors
  5. Scenario planning and alternatives identification for model runs
  6. Development of socio-economic forecasts, and distribution of those forecasts to Traffic Analysis Zones
  7. Identifying potential traffic model improvements, and developing and implementing those improvements

Metropolitan Modal Plan Development

Metropolitan Modal Plan Development activities include any effort related to the development and implementation of one of the regularly updated Metro COG plans, which include:

Activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Completing modal plan consistency reviews
  • Reviewing plans and reporting on implementation activities
  • Scheduling, coordinating, and attending review committee meetings
  • Collecting and analyzing existing conditions data
  • Soliciting and receiving public input relevant to these plans
  • Developing and evaluating various goals, objectives, alternatives or “visions”

Sub-Area Plans, Studies, and Analyses

Sub-Area Plans, Studies and Analysis activities include the development and completion of any specific plan, study, or analysis which emanate from a Major Modal Plan, or address a specific community or transportation need. Studies listed in this section are specific to a particular calendar year, and will change annually based upon the approval of the Metro COG Policy Board.

Some of the specific work tasks which may occur for any of the projects listed in Section 500 may include:

  1. General coordination and participation activities associated with the pass-through projects and/or pass-through elements of projects.
  2. Reviewing related plans and reporting on implementation activities
  3. Scheduling, coordinating, and attending review committee meetings
  4. Collecting and analyzing existing conditions data
  5. Soliciting and receiving public input relevant to these plans and studies
  6. Developing and evaluating various goals, objectives, alternatives or “visions”
  7. Disseminating recommendations and seeking approval of the final plans and study documents by the relevant governing bodies
  8. Implementing plan recommendations, including non-capital recommendations such as inter-jurisdictional policy coordination, public awareness or education campaigns, public surveys, and undertaking planning studies for specific corridors and projects

TIP Development & Coordination

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Development & Coordination activities include any effort to complete the FM Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan, or coordinate the TIP with the North Dakota State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and Minnesota STIP.  Examples of such activities include but are not limited to:

  1. Assisting the local public transit operators in preparing short range operations, capital, and planning programs which are harmonious with the Metro Transit Plan
  2. Assisting the local jurisdictions in formulating or updating their four year roadway priorities in light of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan
  3. Seeking formal approval of the TIP
  4. Soliciting and receiving public input on the TIP
  5. Coordinating the TIP development with the state Departments of Transportation

Areawide Transit Planning

Areawide Transit Planning Activities include implementing provisions of the Metro Transit Plan, and transit and technical assistance coordination regarding specific transit needs and issues.

Examples of annual/general work activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Complete specific sub-area transit analysis
  2. Coordinate North Dakota Section 5309 requests
  3. Provide general transit system technical assistance
  4. Complete and distribute the Annual Directory of Special Transportation Services
  5. Provide general human services transportation coordination
  6. Provide technical assistance to existing public/nonprofit transportation providers

Bicycle-Pedestrian Planning

Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning activities include implementing provisions of the bicycle-pedestrian plan, and bike-pedestrian technical assistance coordination regarding specific needs and issues.

Examples of annual/general work activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Coordinate Safe Routes to School program
  2. Provide Transportation Enhancement and Safe Routes to Schools funding application coordination
  3. Provide bicycle/pedestrian general technical assistance
  4. Conduct bicycle-pedestrian counts on the local network

Community Planning

Community Planning activities include the development and provision of land use and zoning ordinance as well community/comprehensive planning documents. These services are typically funded with 100% local funds, with some exceptions for comprehensive plans conducted within the MPA. Metro COG has a long tradition of developing comprehensive plans for rural communities outside of the MPA. Metro COG has established a tradition of assisting its members jurisdictions coordinate issues beyond just transportation planning, for which inter- governmental coordination is needed.