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Transportation board approves new PTAC member

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s appointment of Jan Vassar to the transportation board created a vacancy on the Public Transportation Advisory Committee. The process of replacing Vassar on that advisory group, which included releasing a notice of the PTAC opening in District 2 and sending application packets to 145 individuals, resulted in the recommendation to appoint Carl Root.

Root has 20 years of public transportation experience through various positions at Western Washington University, the University of Washington and the University of Idaho. Currently, he is the director of parking and transportation services at the U of I and is responsible for all elements of transportation related to the university.

The transportation board, meeting in Boise last week (March 17) approved Root’s appointment. In addition to completing Vassar’s current term, which will expire June, Root also was appointed to the next three-year term, commencing in June and ending June 2013.

Other board discussion

District PTAC annual update & leadership awards
The PTAC was created to advise the department on issues and policies related to public transportation in Idaho. It is composed of six members, one representing each of ITD’s administrative districts.

PTAC, according to board policy, is to provide an annual report on its goals and objectives. This year, each PTAC member will report to the board on its activities when the board meets in and tours their respective district. The PTAC members will highlight their respective district’s progress and successes, as well as their vision for the coming year.

An I-way leadership award will be presented along with that report. This recognition is a partnership with the Community Transit Association of Idaho (CTAI). Its intent is to acknowledge outstanding leadership, coordination and innovation in the pursuit of improving mobility options. One award will be presented to a project, entity, or process in each of the six districts during the summer/fall board tours and meetings.

Federal funding and capital improvement program update
ITD staff typically discusses with the board issues related to the Capital Investment Program at the beginning of each year. That discussion was postponed this year because of uncertainty with the federal transportation act. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) expired in September 2009. Congress has not enacted a new federal transportation bill, but has extended SAFETEA-LU and funding under a series of five extensions. The current extension expires Dec. 31.

ITD staff reported that one reauthorization proposal would provide a significant increase in funding for transportation; however, it does not provide a method for raising the additional revenue that will be needed to support the program funded at that size. The proposal also places heavy emphasis on metropolitan congestion, freight movement, performance standards and measurement, and the “livability and environmental stability of communities”.

No major changes in funding or philosophy are anticipated as staff members update the Capital Investment Program. The priorities will continue to be operations, preservations, restoration and expansion. No enhancement projects will be solicited.