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New Q&As will be added at the top of this page with the date posted so
the viewer can quickly see if new items have been posted. Link to
other Questions and Answers (Q&As).
- Q: Does the FDOT LOS standard have to be adopted for transit projects
funded through TRIP? (posted 9/15/06)
A:No. Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, Section 3180 (Concurrency) states in
paragraph 10: "for roadway facilities funded in accordance with s.
339.2819 [i.e., TRIP], local governments shall adopt the level-of-service
standard established by the Department of Transportation by rule." The
requirement to adopt the FDOT LOS standard applies to only roadway
facilities funded through TRIP. It doesn't apply to transit projects or
facilities funded through TRIP.
- Q: The law states that projects funded through TRIP must adopt FDOT
Level of Service standards. Under the current TRIP guidelines, no city will
go after TRIP funds for primary arterials in congested urban core areas
because the required LOS standard could not be met. Will the Department
consider lowering its adopted LOS standards for TRIP projects in such areas?
(posted 9/15/05)
A:No. The Department does not have the authority to lower the LOS standards
that are adopted by rule, except where a variance from the provisions of the
rule is granted in accordance with Chapter 120, F.S. in those situations
where a hardship can be demonstrated. Also, exceptions to concurrency
requirements are available in certain designated areas as provided in s.
163.3180, Florida Statutes (e.g. concurrency exception areas, multimodal
districts etc.).
- Q: What if the congestion is so bad on a candidate project that it
will never meet the FDOT LOS standard even if it is improved using TRIP
funds? Should it still be considered? (posted 9/15/05)
A:Yes. Project funding will be based on whether it is a priority of the
regional entities as identified in the regional plan for the regional
transportation area.
- Q: On what basis are Intelligent Service System (ITS) projects to be
evaluated? (posted 9/15/05)
A:They should be evaluated based on whether they are located on a
regionally significant facility and whether they improve vehicle throughput.
- Q: Can a project be submitted for TRIP funds that does not
originate from a Regional Transportation Plan? The legislation doesn't
explicitly state that the projects must come from a plan.
(posted 6/23/05)
A:No. The project must come from an approved Regional Transportation
Plan. The nexus between TRIP and the plan is found in the first
paragraph of 339.2819, F.S. where it references 339.155(5), F.S. That is
where the language on the Regional Transportation Plan is found.
- Q: Can TRIP funds be used on the SIS? (posted 6/23/05)
A:Yes. However, you cannot mix TRIP funds and SIS funds because both
are state funds.
- Q: Does a project need to be included in the Regional Planning
Council's Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP) in order to be eligible
for TRIP? (posted 6/23/05)
A:No. What the regional transportation area deems to be regionally
significant may not necessarily match what the RPC says is regionally
significant.
- Q: What does it mean for a project to be "consistent with the
Strategic Intermodal System Plan"? (posted 6/23/05)
A:Being consistent with the SIS means that the project serves a
national, statewide, or regional function, and it serves an integral
part of an interconnected regional network.
- Q: Who decides what is regionally significant and what are the
criteria? (posted 6/6/05)
A:Regional transportation areas designate regionally significant
facilities. The definition of "regionally significant" is expected to
vary according to the characteristics and policies of each region. FDOT
has provided guidance for these designations and identified
characteristics for consideration. This guidance may be found in Section
6.2 of the Work Program Instructions.
- Q: This is similar to the question about the definition of the
Regionally Significant Projects except substitute airports such as
Tri-County Airport in Holmes County. To Washington, Holmes and Jackson
Counties Tri-County is very much "Regionally Significant" (posted
6/6/05)
A:The regional transportation area is responsible for designated
regionally significant facilities for all modes. FDOT Districts will
receive priorities for TRIP funds from all regions in the District.
Based on the guidance developed by FDOT, the District may determine that
a transportation facility that serves predominantly local travel will
not be a high priority for TRIP funds within the District.
- Q: Who will define "Regionally Significant Facilities" when two
rural counties form a regional transportation area? The FDOT guidance
looks good from a statewide perspective, but if I'm a small rural county
they have a completely different meaning. FS 339.155(5) has no reference
to statewide significance. (modified 6/6/05)
A:Designation is the responsibility of the regional transportation
area. The FDOT guidance provides characteristics of regionally
significant facilities. A TRIP project eligibility criterion states that
projects must, at a minimum, "support facilities that serve national,
statewide or regional functions and function as an integrated
transportation system"; in addition, FDOT guidance states that "all
facilities on the SIS and Emerging SIS are regionally significant."
- Q: Do the projects have to be on the SHS? (posted 5/31/05)
A:No. Projects must be on regionally significant facilities, as
designated by the regional transportation area. Projects for public
transportation facilities that are regionally significant are also
eligible.
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