News and Information from March 2022
A Message from the Executive Director
How did everyone's March Madness brackets turn out? I don't really follow basketball but sometimes I'll join in with a group. I saw an article on the NCAA website that was titled "The Absurd Odds of a Perfect NCAA Basketball Bracket". The TL/DR version of the article (which I learned stands for 'Too Long; Didn't Read') is there is a 1 in 120.2 billion chance if you know a little something about basketball and a 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 chance if you just flip a coin. Which tracks with every bracket I've ever filled out. Suffice it to say, the odds are not great.
Another article I read recently was in the Southeast Missourian highlighting the latest on electric vehicles in Southeast Missouri. The article did a great job detailing existing efforts through local business investments, national deployment goals, as well as local planning efforts to date. In the comments section, a person had thanked the author for the article and provided an insightful question about equity. They shared their place of employment has over 800 clients, most of which do not own homes and noted most EV owners charge their vehicles at home. They wondered what benefit the underprivileged community could see from EV deployment. This is a great question and deserves continued thought as SEMPO develops their plan. Addressing equity was a core component of the plan since the development of our Request For Proposal. We shared that the plan was to include opportunities to increase equitable access to EV infrastructure and services for residents who have been traditionally underserved, such as multifamily housing residents, renters, lower-income residents, non-native English speakers, and communities of color. These considerations were to be analyzed for incorporation into the vision, goals, and action-based strategies. Focusing on equity within the planning approach aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, signed by the president in January of last year, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal investments in climate and clean energy, including sustainable transportation, to disadvantaged communities. As we will be reviewing a draft of the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan in the near future, we need to ensure this deliverable is adequately reflected throughout the document.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
It's here folks, and the White House has released a Guidebook on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) detailing the $1.2 trillion in infrastructure investments and the numerous programs and funding sources it comprises. Now, if you aren't up to reading the 465 page guidance released, I'll also include links to abbreviated versions highlighting the grant programs more pertinent to Missouri and our planning area.
Included in the BIL, are 25 competitive infrastructure funding opportunities for local governments with a number of these programs being introduced for the first time. It will be important for our members to monitor these programs and identify potential projects that may benefit our communities. These programs are detailed in all of the links provided below.
One significant highlight of the BIL is that it authorizes $550 billion in new investments in infrastructure over a 5-year period above the "baseline" spending (annual spending under previous federal programs/legislation). Due to this new spending, the BIL represents:
- Largest federal investment in public transit ever
- Largest federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak
- Largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate System
- Largest investment in clean drinking water & wastewater infrastructure in U.S. history
- Opportunity for every American has access to reliable high-speed internet
*Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is also referred to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
How to Compete for Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Awards
Somewhat unique in the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is the combination of three large grant programs into one submission option. The "Mega-projects" or National Infrastructure Assistance Program, the INFRA Program, and the "Rural" or Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program are collectively titled the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Awards Program. Applicants may identify projects they would like considered under all three programs with one project submittal. Each program consists of their own funding thresholds and goals with overlapping eligibility criteria. The US Department of Transportation held an informational webinar on March 29 where they provided an overview of the programs and application process. Below is a copy of the presentation materials.
Applications for the FY 2022 cycle are due May 23, 2022.
MoDOT State Freight & Rail Plan
What importance does our freight and rail systems have on your daily life? Something the average person might not think about every day. But it certainly does play a significant role in our day-to-day lives and the level of comfort and convenience we are accustom. From your doorstep deliveries, trips to the grocery store, to the purchase of home goods or building materials, it all relies on the movement of freight. Below is a link to the draft 2022 Missouri Freight & Rail Plan as well as a link to provide your feedback.
Chicken & Egg Scenario? More Like Chicken & Waffles
Missouri will receive an estimated $98,961,186 in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Funding over the next five years through investments within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The NEVI Formula Funding Program has stakeholders coming to grips with this impending reality. In a recent AMPO article, Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka was quoted saying, "Chargers and vehicle sales were once thought of as a 'chicken-and-egg' problem, with no consensus on which needed to come first. I say it’s more like chicken and waffles, these two things go hand-in-hand together. This is no longer a drill, this is no longer a pilot. This is a national program, and that changes the entire complexion of this system.”
In order to receive NEVI Formula Program funds each State is required to develop an FHWA-Approved EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan that describes how the State intends to use the funds in accordance with the NEVI Formula Program Guidance. State DOTs must submit their EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans to the new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation no later than August 1, 2022.
FHWA Toolkit for Active Transportation Funding & Financing
SEMPO's Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan identified numerous sidewalk, trail, and bicycle lane projects which could be developed to enhance pedestrian movement within our communities. The FHWA toolkit outlines innovative funding and financing strategies to deliver these types of active transportation projects. Please consider reviewing these programs for enhancing active transportation routes within Cape and Jackson.
Roadway Fatalities Update
The Southeast District has experienced 24 fatalities on the roadways in 2022 as of March 20. This number is higher than the 22 fatalities which occurred in 2021 at this time. Of these 24 fatalities, 76% of the occupants were not buckled. Statewide, we have experienced 178 fatalities which surpasses what we experienced in 2021 where 164 fatalities were recorded. This is a terrible trajectory as 2021 recorded the highest number of fatalities on our roadways in over five years, eclipsing 2020 which had previously held this dreadful record.
Draft FY 2023 UPWP
The draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for fiscal year 2023 has been reviewed by the Technical Planning Committee (TPC) and the SEMPO Board of Directors. Pending any further comments, the draft will be presented to the Board in April for consideration of approval. Highlights of the FY 2023 work plan include development of the 2024 - 2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), an update to the Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan, finalization of the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan, ongoing TIP management, and an optional update to the Travel Demand Model conducted in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).
SEMPO Trivia
Almost every episode of this series shows a team of crime fighters being flown to the crime scene in an executive jet. Which show features these "in-demand" crime fighters?
a. True Crime
b. NUMB3RS
c. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
d. Criminal Minds
e. Bones
f. Homeland
Be the first one to respond to my email (amcelroy@cityofcape.org) with the correct answer and I'll bring the drink of your choice to our next meeting.
The Interstate's Forgotten Code
Some of you may have not forgotten, but this is a fun animated reminder of the Interstate's numbering system as well as poking at some of the inconsistencies (or minor deviations).
Transportation Quote
“The line between disorder and order lies in logistics…”
–Sun Tzu
