Help Shape Northeast Ohio's Future

What kind of future would you like to see in northeast Ohio? How will this region look in 2040 if we keep doing what we're doing?   What are the potential outcomes if we do things differently?  

This first round of VibrantNEO workshops revolves around a "Business-As-Usual" scenario. It outlines what northeast Ohio will look like if we keep doing what we are currently doing. VibrantNEO seeks help from the public to determine what we value and what's most important to improving this region. Future workshops will examine alternative scenarios, and what will happen in northeast Ohio if we focus on different priorities. The Business-As-Usual workshops will be held April 30, and May 1 and 2 - register today!

Major Planning Documents Available for Review and Comment

As northeast Ohio's metropolitan planning organization (MPO), NOACA is responsible for developing and updating:

• a long-range transportation plan that offers a vision of the region's transportation system at least 20 years into the future
• a transportation improvement program, which lists federal-aid projects scheduled for implementation over the next four years
• an overall work program, which describes planning activities and studies NOACA will perform in the next state fiscal year

Drafts of these three documents, plus NOACA's draft 2013 Regional Bicycle Plan, are now undergoing public review and comment, and are available online. Hard copies can also be found in NOACA's office, Ohio Department of Transportation District 3 and 12 offices, and at selected libraries in northeast Ohio. Note each document's public review deadline, and feel free to provide input. 

• Connections+ 2035, the long-range transportation plan - Review Period: April 15 - May 10, 2013   
• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for State Fiscal Years 2014-2017 -
  Review Period - March 15 - May 10, 2013  
• 2013 Regional Bicycle Plan - Review Period: April 12 - May 10, 2013   
• FY 2014 Overall Work Program (OWP) - Review Period: April 12 - June 14, 2013

New Application Round for JARC/New Freedom Funding Underway

Attention local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and operators of public transportation services: NOACA has launched the 2013 application cycle for federal Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom program funding. These funding programs support transportation services for individuals with low incomes and those with disabilities. Federal law for these programs requires that projects in the Cleveland area be consistent with the goals of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio to receive funding.

Attend an Electric Vehicle Readiness Workshop

Is your community ready to support the deployment of electric vehicles? Join Clean Fuels Ohio at an Electric Vehicle Readiness Workshop on Thursday, May 9, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Sustainable Cleveland Center in Tower City. This workshop will focus on municipal planning, permitting, zoning and building codes relating to electric vehicles. Learn about the electric vehicle planning process for your community. Space is limited; register for this event soon!

Check Out NOACA's Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative Evaluation  

NOACA launched its Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative in 2004 and awarded the first planning grants in 2005. Since that time, NOACA has awarded many more funding grants, and sponsors have conducted the studies and prepared completion reports. Some of the studies that were completed have moved forward to the project planning phase, and some have even resulted in completed transportation improvements. NOACA recently conducted an evaluation of its TLCI program, and the completed evaluation report has been posted on NOACA's website. If you have questions about the TLCI or evaluation report, contact Planner Ryan Noles.  

2013 Ozone Action Day Program Underway

NOACA's 2013 Ozone Action Day program began on April 1.  Through this program, you can find out about the causes of ground-level ozone pollution and its health impacts, and sign up to receive air quality alerts when ozone levels reach unhealthy levels. The Ozone Action Day Program is active from April through October, when seasonal heat and sunlight are at their highest.

As we move towards summer with its heat, humidity, and sluggish air flow, you can help keep the region's air cleaner by implementing voluntary actions recommended by NOACA's air quality program, including:

• taking public transportation, carpooling or riding a bike to work
• avoiding excessive vehicle idling
• refueling vehicles after 7 p.m.
• delaying lawn mowing or grilling until after 7 p.m.
• reducing energy consumption by turning off lights and appliances when not in use

NOACA Updates Pavement Condition Data on Transportation System Portal

NOACA has received 2011 pavement condition data from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and staff has posted the new data on the Transportation System Data Portal. The data is from roads on the federal-aid system in northeast Ohio. The 2012 pavement condition data is coming soon!

Regional Household Travel Survey Concludes

NOACA and its consultant GeoStats have completed the Regional Household Travel Survey, which began in February 2012 to gather information on travel behaviors and patterns in northeast Ohio. The collected data will now help planners develop transportation projects that best serve the region's transportation needs.

The original goal for this project was to obtain completed travel surveys from 4,250 randomly selected households in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties; the actual number of completed surveys received was 4,545. Individuals in participating households used Global Positioning System (GPS) devices or travel logs to track trip destination and duration, and record travel modes and demographic information. Many thanks to all who participated in the survey and helped us obtain this important information about travel in our region.