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5 <br />ORANGE COUNTY UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD <br />COMMENTS REGARDING THE <br />DCHC MPO REGIONAL PRIORITY LIST FOR THE <br />2009 -2015 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) realizes that the ranking <br />methodology is only one tool for comparing merits of projects submitted by all <br />jurisdictions. However, the board is concerned that the methodology used is flawed in <br />accurately reflecting the merits the projects, especially for bicycle and pedestrian <br />projects. <br />For example, bicycle and pedestrian project travel demand points are awarded for <br />proximity to travel destinations, and connectivity points are awarded for connectivity to <br />other bicycle or pedestrian facilities, and not for connectivity between desired <br />destinations. This process leaves out points that would indicate the need and priority <br />for connectivity between longer distance destinations, such as between municipalities or <br />for phased bicycle or pedestrian facilities that would ultimately connect with other <br />planned bicycle or pedestrian facilities. <br />Orange County's number 1 priority, TIP Project E-4980 to construct a pedestrian bridge <br />on Orange Grove Road over I-40, should also receive travel demand points as a bicycle <br />project since the bridge will be used by both pedestrians and bicyclists. This bridge <br />connects to the Orange Grove Road Elementary School but is not connected by an <br />existing bike bath at the present because any bike path would currently dead end at I- <br />40 The distance between the proposed bridge and the school is minimal and would <br />certainly be covered by a bike path. <br />Orange County's projects in the Regional Priority List should reflect the priority of those <br />projects in the local priority list. <br />