Section 8116 - Commission Review and STIP Adoption(a) The Commission, or one of its committees, will meet with nonmetropolitan RTPAs for presentation of rural recommendations on the programming of funds. These meetings will be held between December 1 and June 1 of each programming cycle.(b) Prior to adopting the STIP, the Commission shall hold public hearings and accept oral and written testimony from the public on all RTIPs and the PSTIP. The hearings shall be publicized through the local news media.(c) The Commission shall identify by June 1 the major criteria it will emphasize when evaluating the PSTIP and the RTIPs during the STIP adoption process.(d) In the adoption of the STIP the Commission may deviate from an RTIP based on the finding that there is one or more of the following:(1) There is an overriding statewide interest. In making such a finding, the Commission may consider, but is not limited to, the following areas in which the State has concerns:(A) interregional transportation;(C) energy consumption and efficiency;(D) effects of transportation on urban development patterns;(E) protection of areas of critical statewide interest;(F) maintenance and more efficient use of existing public investments;(G) better transportation for the elderly, handicapped, and those with low incomes;(H) wider opportunities for alternative modes and new types of public transport;(I) conformance with State Urban Strategy;(J) financial feasibility of the project;(K) effects of projects on State and regional economic development; and(L) statutory constraints on the program.(2) There are insufficient funds available to implement the program. In this event, the Commission will conform to regional priorities to the extent possible within its own policies, evaluation criteria, and priority setting procedures when selecting the projects competing for the funds available.(3) There are conflicts between the Regional TIPs.(e) The Commission shall indicate in writing or at a public hearing reasons for its deviation from the RTIPs.(f) Pursuant to Section 189(1)(c) of the Streets and Highways Code, the Commission shall make a finding in its adopted STIP that the Commission has not deleted, delayed, or decreased the amount allocated to any State highway or exclusive public mass transit guideway project included in the 1980 State Transportation Improvement Program or any subsequent STIP in any State Transportation District, except in District 7, for the purpose of allowing increased allocations to District 12.(g) Criteria for Evaluation of Transit Guideway Projects: Transit projects receive State funds allocated by the Commission pursuant to Section 199 of the Streets and Highways Code and Sections 99317.5 and 99317.9 of the Government Code. The projects must meet the applicable statutory requirements, including environmental clearance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. The Commission and Department shall consider the following issues when setting priorities for funding the projects:
(1) Alternatives: (A) the degree to which the proposing agency has given adequate consideration to alternatives;(B) demonstration that the project is an effective solution to a transportation problem.(2) Financing the Project's Capital Expenditures:(A) reasonableness of the project's capital costs;(B) the adequacy of probable capital revenues to defray implementation costs, including the source and degree of firm commitments of proposed funds (for projects proposed for Transportation Planning and Development Account funds--the degree of commitment of Article XIX, State Highway Account funds);(C) the percentage of local contributions for capital costs; and(D) annualized capital cost per passenger mile.(3) Financing Project Operations: (A) reasonableness of projected operating costs;(B) adequacy of probable operating revenues to defray operating costs;(C) the percentage of fare revenues to operating costs;(D) the percentage of total local funds to operating costs;(E) the projected annualized total project operating cost per passenger-mile; and(F) net change in system operating cost per passenger-mile resulting from project implementation.(4) Project readiness: the status of planning and feasibility studies and of the environmental impact analysis, and the year in which each phase of construction can begin.(5) Maintenance: The degree to which the project involves maintenance, rehabilitation, or modernization of an existing facility as compared with new construction activities.(6) Significant social and environmental effects, including the project's consequences for: (A) transit use, accessibility, and mobility;(B) air quality, especially the goals in the State Implementation Plan and regional strategies adopted pursuant to the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments;(E) neighborhood environment;(F) local economic development policy; and(G) community and regional land use and development patterns.(H) criteria for Evaluation of Airport Projects: The Department and the Commission shall prioritize airport projects using the following criteria for the airports and projects considered.
(1) The Importance of the Services the Airport Provides: The degree to which the airport serves the area. The analysis shall consider both current and projected traffic for the entire area, the role this airport has in serving that traffic, and the difference between the project's expected economic benefits and its cost.(2) Safety: The degree to which the proposed project will improve safety. The analysis shall consider existing safety hazards, the record of accidents at the airport, the expected positive impact of the proposed project, and any negative impacts it may have.(3) Environment: The degree to which the proposed project will enhance the environment. The analysis shall consider environmental problems at the airport, the expected positive impact of the proposed project, and any negative impacts it may have.(4) Maintenance of Existing Facility: The degree to which the project will prevent deterioration or extend the usefulness of an existing physical facility.(5) Maximize Use of Facility: The degree to which the project will improve operational efficiency of the airport.(6) The degree to which the project relates to the California Aviation System Plan.(i) The adopted STIP shall be consistent with the State Urban Strategy and the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality.(j) The adopted STIP shall list projects consistent with the requirements of Sections 8118 and 8119.(k) An annual program of projects is required by Section of Title 23105 of Title 23 of the United States Code. After July 1, 1979, the Department shall select only State highway projects included in the adopted STIP for the Section 105 Program.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 21, § 8116
Note: Authority cited: Section 14532, Government Code. Reference: Sections 14529, 14530, Government Code; Section 189 (1)(c), Streets and Highways Code.