TSCNotes - September/October 1997, Issue 18

September/October 1997, Issue 18 

Contents

• TSC Approves $2.3 Billion in Transportation Improvements for the Baltimore Region
• Intelligent Transportation Systems for the Baltimore Region
• Maryland Moves
• Distributing McCormick's Spices
• OUTLOOK 2020 Moves Forward
• TSC Meets
• Citizen's Corner
• Did You Know?

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TSC Approves $2.3 Billion in Transportation Improvements for the Baltimore Region
On August 26, 1997, the Transportation Steering Committee (TSC) approved the 1998-2002 Baltimore Region Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), outlining $2.3 billion worth of transportation improvements for the Baltimore region. Of this amount, approximately $1.1 billion in federal funds is being requested to finance these improvements, with the state and local governments contributing the remaining $1.2 billion as matching funds. Further, because the Baltimore metropolitan area is a severe non-attainment area with regard to ozone, the TSC conducted a comprehensive air quality conformity analysis of the TIP and Long Range Plan from which it flows. Such analysis is a prerequisite to acceptance by state and federal funding agencies.

The federally-mandated TIP is a document which summarizes the timing, cost, and rationale of major improvements in the region over the next five years. Improvements included in the TIP flow directly from the Baltimore Region Long Range Transportation Plan. The TIP serves as a strategic management tool which accomplishes the objectives of the Plan, as well as serves as a multi-modal listing of anticipated federal funding requests.

In accordance with federal regulations, the TIP must separately display an "annual element," listing all projects for which federal funding is being requested in Fiscal Year 1998. Over half of the requested $480 million in improvements would use federal funds. About forty-two percent of the projects requesting federal funds in 1998 are system preservation projects (see Figure 1), a national priority set in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991.

To help the region achieve air quality goals, the TIP outlines a number of projects designed to help reduce emissions. Although not as numerous as highway preservation projects, emission reduction strategy projects also represent a large portion of the total number of projects for which federal funds are being requested in 1998. Thirty-three percent of these projects have been characterized as emission reduction strategies (see Figure 1). Emission reduction strategy projects include park and ride lots, transit vehicles and commuter rail coach purchases, bicycle and pedestrian trails, congestion management, and signal systemization projects, all of which have a measurable impact on air quality. These projects helped ensure the 1998-2002 TIP is in conformity with all air quality goals for the Baltimore region.



The greatest portion of both federal and matching funds being requested in the 1998 annual element, approximately 35 percent, will be allotted for transit projects (see Figure 2). When one accounts for the projects appearing as emission reduction strategies that are also classified as transit or other type projects, the total amount of funds being requested for transit projects is actually about 43 percent of the total. With funding for commuter rail projects added, this figure increases to more than half of the overall funds being requested. The majority of funding for transit projects comes from state and local agencies.



Highway preservation projects account for nearly 32 percent of the overall funding being requested (see Figure 2). The majority of funds requested for preservation projects are dedicated to the rehabilitation and replacement of numerous bridges throughout the region.

The 1998-2002 TIP has been forwarded to the State of Maryland for approval. The State will compile a Statewide TIP (STIP), which is a compilation of all regional TIPs throughout Maryland, to be forwarded to the federal government for approval. The federal government awards all funding directly to the State of Maryland.

For more information on the 1998-2002 Baltimore Region Transportation Improvement Program, please contact Lisa Minnick of the BMC's Transportation Planning Division at 410/333-1750, ext. 245 or lminnick@baltometro.org.

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Intelligent Transportation Systems for the Baltimore Region
Often unnoticed by drivers and transit users are a whole host of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that work behind the scenes like high-tech traffic cops to manage transportation throughout the Baltimore region. Timing of traffic signals, incident response units, and highway advisory radio are examples of several ITS applications in use today around the region. Work is underway to expand and coordinate ITS applications, such as these, on a regionwide basis.

As reported previously in the TSC Notes, the BMC received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration for $465,000 and has contracted with Transportation Corridor Consultants (TCC) to assist in the development of a coordinated and integrated ITS strategy for the region. Already this year, five working papers have been produced: 1) data collection from the major stakeholders, 2) User Services objectives, 3) geographic areas of focus, 4) performance criteria, and 5) a draft User Services plan.

Through the fall of 1997, the draft User Services plan, which is based upon TCC's understanding of the problems and opportunities in the Baltimore area, will be refined by the ITS Coordinating Committee. Prior to acceptance, the document will be distributed to a large audience in order to ensure it has broad support.

The draft User Services plan identifies the following priorities -- let us know what you think!

HIGH PRIORITY	MEDIUM PRIORITY
pre-trip travel information	route guidance
en-route driver information	traveler information services
en-route transit information	travel demand management
traffic control	public transportation management
incident management	emergency vehicle management
electronic payment services	emergency notification & personal security

 
Additional information on these services is available for those interested, as is an opportunity to participate in the ITS Coordinating Committee's development of a regionwide long range strategy.

Another component of the grant to be addressed later this year is the selection of a User Services project for implementation and evaluation. While many projects will be considered, it is important to select one which is visible and will gain public support for future strategies.

For more information, please contact Regina Aris of the BMC's Transportation Planning Division at 410/333-1750, ext. 238 or raris@baltometro.org.
 
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Maryland Moves
Highlighting Aspects of the Goods Movement Industry
The recent UPS strike has heightened awareness of the goods movement industry's impact on area manufacturers and stores and the national economy. Firms involved in the manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing industries generate significant amounts of transportation activity within the Baltimore region and our freight transportation infrastructure is, therefore, a critical lifeline for them. This is the first of occasional articles highlighting goods movement activities and organizations that play an important role in our region's complex transportation system.

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Distributing McCormick's Spices
Known in this region for Old Bay, McCormick & Company is headquartered in the Baltimore region and produces over 2,700 seasonings and spices at its Hunt Valley facilities.

Access to the region's transportation facilities is important to McCormick. Located in close proximity to the Port of Baltimore, many spices are shipped through the port from countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, India, Israel, and Spain for processing. The items manufactured in Hunt Valley are then trucked to McCormick's new distribution center located in Harford County.

McCormick established the 369,000 square foot distribution center in 1996 when it consolidated several scattered warehouses & distribution centers. The company carefully selected the center's location based on its close proximity to Hunt Valley and Interstate 95. Following an industry trend, McCormick's consolidation allows it to more efficiently serve the needs of its retail (e.g. grocery stores), food service (e.g. restaurants and fast food chains) and industrial (e.g. food processors) customers from one location.

More than 50 percent of the company's business is generated during the September-to-December holiday season and McCormick works to respond to orders within five days or less. It, therefore, relies heavily on private truck companies to deliver its products directly to customers in a timely fashion. During the holiday season, 30-40 trucks transport products each day throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest. A small percentage of goods are shipped internationally through the port.

McCormick is one of many companies with manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities in the Baltimore region whose specific needs affect their multi-modal transportation decisions and our transportation network.

For more information, contact Jocelyn Jones of BMC's Transportation Planning Division at 410/333-1750, ext. 239 or jjones@baltometro.org.
 
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TSC Meets At the July 22, 1997 Transportation Steering Committee meeting , the TSC approved two resolutions. The first, Resolution #98-2, amended the 1997-2001 TIP to provide additional funds for improvements to Metro rail cars, facilities, and stations. The second, Resolution #97-18, accepted the report and recommendations of the Subcommittee on Goals, Policies, and Strategies to form the basis for assessment and analysis of alternative investment tracks for the 1997 Baltimore Region Transportation Plan. Janet Oakley, Director of Transportation of the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, was on hand at the August 26, 1997 meeting to discuss the re-authorization of ISTEA. Ms. Oakley reviewed some of the options currently being discussed in the House and Senate and the concerns associated with each. Also at the August meeting, Resolution #98-3 was approved amending the 1994 Long Range Transportation Plan and 1997-2001 TIP to include improvements to MD 140 in Westminster. Resolution #98-4 was also passed approving the 1998-2002 TIP and Conformity Determination of the TIP and Plan. Finally, Resolution #98-5 was approved, amending the F.Y. 1998 Unified Planning Work Program.

 
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Citizens Corner by John Wing, Chair, CAC

At its July 9 meeting, the Citizens Advisory Committee approved by consensus a position statement on the proposed Conrail acquisition. Drafted by a CAC taskforce led by member James Lewis and based on extensive research, the position will be forwarded to the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) which has the power to approve or disapprove the acquisition of Conrail by Norfolk Southern and CSX.

The CAC generally supports the Conrail acquisition which would broadly increase rail competition on the Eastern seaboard. However, it is important to citizens and businesses in the Baltimore region that rail competition in Maryland is also assured. Increasing transportation services and competition in Maryland is the cornerstone of the CAC position. Such improvements will benefit the Baltimore region because it would improve transportation efficiency and thus help the region's freight dependent economy. But there are dangers in the details of the acquisition that could limit competition. Those will be the basis of CAC recommendations to the STB:

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 December 2008 09:58