TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Application to FY 2020-21 Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager or his designee, to file and execute applications and funding agreements with the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) for application of the FY 2020-21 Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program (TFCA) funds for the Mission Boulevard Corridor Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Project.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The requested TFCA funds of approximately $350,000 will provide for travel time and reliability improvements along Mission Boulevard in the City of Hayward.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff plans to apply for approximately $350,000 in TFCA funds. The awards will be announced in summer/fall of 2020. The grant funds can only be used for the construction phase of the project; therefore, District funds of approximately $40,000 would be required to complete the design phase of the project.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
TFCA is a local fund source of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). As the TFCA program manager for Alameda County, ACTC is responsible for programming 40 percent of the $4 vehicle registration fee collected in Alameda County for this program.
The ACTC recently announced the FY 2020-21 TFCA Program call for projects. Eligible projects must result in the reduction of motor vehicle emissions within the Air District’s jurisdiction. The reductions are measured in terms of cost effectiveness calculations established by the Air District. Approximately $3 million is available in funding for the FY 2020-21 program in Alameda County.
Staff plans to apply to the program for approximately $350,000 for a TSP project in the City of Hayward. The project would implement a TSP system and signal coordination at 24 signalized intersections along the Mission Boulevard corridor. The system will improve vehicle travel speeds and reduce the amount of vehicle delay at intersections, as well as reducing overall emissions. The improved vehicle flow will improve transit travel time and reliability. The TSP project will also improve safety at the bus stop locations that will be re-located from the near side to the far side of the intersection.
The Project is consistent with the District’s Major Corridors Plan and complements short- and medium-term improvements recommended by the ACTC’s East 14th/Mission Boulevard and Fremont Boulevard Multimodal Corridor Project.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Outside of the minor local match requirement, staff cannot identify any major disadvantages to approving this report. If awarded, this grant will allow the District to leverage $350,000 in grant funds to enhance travel in the Mission Boulevard Corridor, which was recommended as short-term improvements in the Major Corridors Study.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
The main alternative considered was the purchase of non-revenue electric vehicles to be located at the General Office. The TSP project was selected because the service improvements, on-time performance efficiency and improved reliability satisfy more of the District’s strategic goals and directly benefit the public.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Seema Prasad, Senior Capital Planning Specialist
In Collaboration with:
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning and Grants Manager
Mika Miyasato, Senior Transportation Planner
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer
Chris Andrichak, Director of Management and Budget
Robert del Rosario, Director of Services Development and Planning
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel