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Draft 2012-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Introduction to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a staged program encompassing a five-year period consisting of all regionally significant transportation improvements to all modes of travel in Palm Beach County.  The TIP is developed through a continuing, cooperative, comprehensive and coordinated effort involving the Florida Department of Transportation, the Board of County Commissioners, the Port of Palm Beach, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Tri-Rail) and municipalities within the County.  Consultation is also carried out with the Miami-Dade and Broward MPOs during the TIP process.

The TIP contains transportation projects funded by Federal, State and local sources located primarily on the State Highway System.  The TIP is based on and reflects the Florida Department of Transportation's FY 11-15 Five-Year Work Program for Palm Beach County, and generally moves forward the projects in the time frame from previous Work Programs.  The County Five-Year Road Program is also included.  Since projects are subject to limited change due to unforeseen issues, the DOT program and the TIP may be modified throughout the year.

To provide for continuity and ease of use, the projects contained in the TIP have been aggregated by type and listed in sections.  The TIP is divided into the following sections:

• Major Improvements:  significant capacity additions
• Interstate 95 (I-95): improvements and maintenance to I-95
• Florida Turnpike: Turnpike-related activities
• Transportation System Management: low cost improvements
• Maintenance:  Maintenance of facilities
• Aviation:  Airport improvements
• Port of Palm Beach:  Port-related projects
• Tri-Rail:  South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) commuter rail projects
• Railroad:  Other than RTA commuter rail projects
• Transit:  Mass transit projects
• Transportation Disadvantaged:  transportation disadvantaged and ADA projects
• Enhancements:  Transportation enhancement projects
• Palm Beach County 5-Year Road Program:  County road program

The MPO, in cooperation with State, County and local government agencies, participates in a countywide level of service (LOS) analysis monitoring program which is the basis for the current roadway Congestion Management Program (CMP) for Palm Beach County.  Traffic counts are taken throughout the county.  These traffic volumes are compared with the standards and performance measures contained in the CMP, and used to identify and map over capacity links based on LOS  standards.  This analysis serves as Tier 1 in the two-tier Congestion Management Program performance standards and provides primary guidance in the prioritization of major capacity addition projects included within the TIP.  The prioritization process also considers issues related to safety, continuity, local goals and similar issues not easily quantified. The priorities are adopted by the MPO each September and transmitted to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for use in preparing the tentative Work Program.  The MPO and FDOT work together cooperatively in development of the TIP and the Work Program prior to their respective adoptions.

In order to be included in the TIP, a major improvement project must be consistent with the policies and priorities of the MPO adopted long-range plan.  The intent of the TIP is not only to address current problems, but to construct the needed facilities for the long-range plan.  The current long-range transportation plan is the 2035 Cost Feasible Transportation System Plan.  This Plan is maintained by MPO staff.  The Plan contains elements for roadways, mass transit, bicycles and pedestrians.  The 2035 Plan was prepared using estimates of available revenues and project costs and is cost feasible.  The County program is based on the available revenues from local option gasoline taxes and impact fees.  The projects are funded using the various existing funding sources, and are appropriate for the available funds in each category.  Modifications to the Plan have been made when appropriate to reflect changes in anticipated development levels and proposals for specific roadway links.  These modifications are reviewed and approved by the MPO.  The Plan is included in the County Comprehensive Plan and in local municipal comprehensive plans.  This inclusion ensures consistency with local comprehensive plans to the maximum extent feasible.  Projects included in the Transportation System Management (TSM) element are selected to provide a short-term solution and be accomplished in a minimal amount of time with low capital investment.  These projects may also include low cost improvements related to congestion relief and air quality improvements.  Transit projects are taken from the Transit Development Plan (TDP) prepared in conjunction with the transit operator and adopted by the MPO.  The MPO works closely with the Port of Palm Beach to ensure projects taken from the Port Master Plan are consistent to the maximum extent feasible.  The Airport Master Plan is also used for consistency in selection of aviation projects in the TIP.  The TIP document includes explanations of codes and abbreviations and references to the 2030 Plan project lists.

The Transportation Disadvantaged section of the TIP contains project funding for transportation disadvantaged activities required by Chapter 427 of the Florida Statutes.  The MPO serves as the planning agency and monitors the Community Transportation Coordinator who assesses the needs of the county, prepares a service plan and coordinates the provision of services with the plan.   Funding for the disadvantaged activities is included in the Transportation Disadvantaged section of the adopted TIP. 

The MPO sets priorities for major projects, those adding capacity to the transportation system (additional lanes, additional buses, significant reconstruction).  Projects contained in this TIP generally reflect the continuation of priorities established in previous years during the TIP process.  Major projects, such as State Road 710 and State Road 7, have been top priorities. These projects are moving forward in the schedule but have experienced changes due to funding shortfalls.  Additional lanes on Interstate 95 for a northern portion of its length in the county are under construction. The TIP was placed in county libraries throughout the county and in most municipal libraries where the public could view and comment on the document.  The draft document was also placed on the MPO’s web site. The TIP was reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).  The TAC is composed of planning and engineering staff from municipal, county and state agencies and organizations to provide input on the technical aspects of the program.  The CAC is composed of representatives from the community with interests in transportation and planning in accordance with the requirements of TEA-21 and Chapter 339.175 of the Florida Statutes, to provide a citizen viewpoint on transportation projects and impacts.  The TIP was presented at meetings of the TAC and CAC on June 1 and will be presented to the MPO on July 21, with opportunities for the public to comment on each occasion.  Agendas for these meetings are distributed to the media, meeting notices listed in the County weekly meeting list in the newspaper as appropriate, and displayed on the MPO's website.

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