"A Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the Dubuque Metropolitan Area

Transportation Study (DMATS) 4- year financial implementation program listing of

transportation improvement projects eligible for Federal funding. It is DMATS

transportation investment program, consisting of capital and operating improvements to

the Metropolitan Transportation System. The TIP is multi-modal. It includes

investments in various modes such as transit, highway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities.

The TIP is the means of implementing the goals and objectives identified in the DMATS

Long-Range Transportation Plan.

The FFY 2012 - 2015 TIP for the DMATS Metropolitan Area is a four year listing of

federal aid eligible transportation projects selected for implementation by the various

governmental agencies comprising DMATS, in consultation with, and by approval of the

DMATS Policy Board in cooperation with Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Departments of

Transportation. The TIP is prepared annually by the DMATS Policy Board and

Technical Advisory Committee. DMATS technical work is supported by staff members

from the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA).

Prioritization of projects within a project year is done by the implementing agencies with

the approval of the Policy Board. Prioritization of Long Range Transportation Plan

projects on a year to year basis is done cooperatively between DMATS and the

implementing agencies.

This document contains projects identified for improvement or construction from the

DMATS 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan.

Project Selection Criteria

The projects included in the TIP were selected using the following criteria:

1) The appropriateness of the particular project in relation to the present DMATS goals as

follows:

a) Goal: To develop an efficient, integrated, balanced transportation system. This

can be summarized as serving and anticipating travel needs made evident by regional

land use patterns. This includes multi-modal development and use, facilitated by

coordination of organizational effort to improve goods shipment by air, rail, river, and

truck.

b) Goal: To develop surface transportation facilities. This encompasses the

development of a safe, efficient street and highway network; and maintaining access to

viable air and rail transportation systems. Transit, bicycles, and pedestrians are

encouraged.

DMATS Transportation Improvement Program FY 2012 – 2015 Page 4

c) Goal: To work toward the provision of transportation-related facilities that will

complement and enhance the current and future transportation network. This includes

development of parking facilities, and ancillary facilities. Also included is the provision

of amenities for inter-modal usage, such as ride share lots and bus shelters, to reduce

congestion and promote a safe, environmentally sound system.

2) The appropriateness of the particular project in relation to the best available cost and

revenue estimates for the next three fiscal years.

3) The input of State, County and City officials, the local transit operators, the private

sector, and others as represented through DMATS.

4) Consistency of the transportation projects in the TIP with the air quality standards

outlined in the State Implementation Plan and with local land use planning and economic

development.

Relationship of the TIP to Area Planning and Programming

As the primary transportation investment management tool of the DMATS urban

planning and programming process, the TIP must reflect the established goals and

objectives of the DMATS Long Range Transportation Plan. Applying the criteria

described above establishes a link between cost/benefit analysis and planning. Projects

are included as the process identifies their feasibility with respect to comparative

importance and funding potential. This reinforces the establishment of priorities, as it

allows assessment of funding source availability through the out-years of the TIP.

All of the projects contained within the TIP are selected from federal aid eligible projects

already contained in the DMATS 2031 Long-Range Transportation Plan or have been

sponsored and funded by a state DOT."