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20 <br />After transit projects are ranked, the projects will be sorted into two lists for short- and long-term needs. <br />These lists should correspond to what is shown as funded (short-term) and unfunded (long-term) in the <br />TIP. . <br />Expansion ofExistirag Routes -Projects that expand existing routes are awarded points based on <br />travel demand on the existing route as is measured by the vehicle crowding or load factor. The <br />load factor used will be the average daily riders divided by the product of the peak vehicle pullout <br />and the average vehicle capacity. The load factor is calculated separately for bus and paratransit <br />vehicles. Projects will be divided equally into four quartiles based on the load factor. Final <br />points will be assigned by quartile to ensure that points are distributed evenly and that projects <br />are compared relative to each other. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to provide the load factor. MPO staff will divide the projects into <br />quartiles and award points. <br />2. Regional Connectivity -Projects receive points based on the number of connections to other <br />transit systems. The transit systems considered are: DATA, Chapel Hill Transit, TTA, Orange <br />Public Transit, Duke University Transit, Chatham Transit Network (must connect in Chatham <br />County), and Capital Area Transit (CAT). These are the fixed route systems in the MPO with the <br />exception of the Chatham Transit Network because Chatham County does not have a fixed route <br />service. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked,to apply the ranking methodology. <br />3. Essential Services -Projects receive points based on if the project provides funds to maintain the <br />current level of transit service. This category will award points for maintenance projects and <br />replacement vehicles. This point category is weighted double to reflect the irriportance of <br />maintaining the existing system. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to apply the ranking methodology. <br />4. E~ahancement of Existing Service of New Service -Projects receive points based on the estimated <br />increase in new riders. For new service, this should be based on surveys or other market research. <br />For enhancements of existing service (bus shelters, ITS projects, etc.), this should be based on <br />studies of similar projects. Jurisdictions are expected to document and justify their estimates. <br />Projects will be divided equally into four quartiles based on the number of new riders. Final <br />points will be assigned by quartile to ensure that points are distributed evenly and that projects <br />are compared relative to each other. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to provide the number of new riders anticipated. MPO staff will <br />divide the projects into quartiles and award points. <br />5. Funding Status in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) -Points are awarded to <br />projects based on the percentage of the total project cost that is funded in the currently adopted <br />Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), or if the project has post year status in the TIP. <br />Local jurisdictions are asked to provide funding status and apply the ranking methodology. <br />Environmentallmpacts -natural e~zvironment -Points are awarded based on the impact on <br />wetlands, streams, wildlife habitat, parks, and air quality. <br />Page 6 of 11 <br />