Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
17 <br />Hi~hway <br />All seven point categories are weighted equally. A maximum of four points can be received for each <br />point category. After roadway projects are ranked, the projects will be sorted by estimated cost into two <br />lists so that high cost and low cost projects can be considered separately. <br />1. Travel Demand -This category awards points to projects based on the level of travel demand. <br />For road projects, travel demand is measured by the volume to capacity (V/C) ratio based on the <br />2035 socio-economic data on the existing plus committed network. For new road facilities in <br />which traffic counts are not available, volumes on a parallel existing facility may be used. <br />Projects must have a V/C ratio of at least 0.80 to receive points. All projects with a V/C greater <br />than 0.80 will be divided equally into four quartiles based on V/C ratio. Assigning points by <br />quartile will ensure that points are distributed evenly and that projects are compared relative to <br />each other. Traffic signal systems, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and Transportation <br />Demand Management (TDM) projects receive four points because these projects reduce <br />congestion system-wide. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to provide the V/C ratio for their local priorities. MPO staff will <br />divide the projects into quartiles and award points. <br />Safety (Accidents/100 Million Vehicle Miles) -Safety points are awarded to projects with reported <br />accident rates significantly greater than statewide averages for urban road segments -the <br />statewide average is 330 to 370 accidents per 100 million vehicle miles (or, 330-370 ACC/100 <br />MVM). Projects must have an accident rate of at least 300 ACC/100 MVM to receive points. Al] <br />projects with an accident rate of at least 300 ACC/100 MVM will be divided equally into four <br />quartiles based on accident rate. Assigning points by quartile will ensure that points are <br />distributed evenly and that projects are compared relative to each other. Traffic signal systems, <br />Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) <br />projects receive four points because these projects improve safety system-wide. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to provide the accident rate for their local priorities. MPO staff will <br />divide the projects into quartiles and award points. <br />3. Environmental bnpacts -natural environment -Points are awarded based on the impact on <br />wetlands, streams, wildlife habitat, parks, and air quality. <br />The MPO will provide local jurisdictions a base map of environmental areas. Local jurisdictions <br />are asked to apply the ranking methodology based on a GIS analysis. <br />4. Community Impacts -Points are awarded based on the impact on neighborhoods and <br />communities. ' <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to apply the ranking methodology based on a GIS analysis. <br />5. E~zvironmental Justice- Points are awarded based on the impact on low-income and minority <br />populations. This item is designed to penalize projects that may have negative impacts on low <br />income areas or federally recognized disadvantaged groups. <br />The MPO will provide local jurisdictions a base map that indicates which Transportation <br />Analysis Zones have a high percentage of minority and low income populations. Local <br />jurisdictions are asked to apply the ranking methodology based on a GIS analysis. <br />Page 3 of 11 <br />