,i #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #eeia ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #ah1 #bjad ,ms4 ,fudge introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure ,a ,,bill ,to enhance transportation programs in order to connect people to jobs1 schools1 and other essential services through a multimodal transportation network1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,transportation ,connections to ,opportunity ,act of #bjad4 #b4 ,public involvement in plan development 7a7 ,section #acd amendment ,section #acd7;i7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by inserting after subparagraph 7,c7 the following3 7,d7 ,public involvement ,metropolitan planning organizations shall offer interested parties1 such as those described in paragraph 7#f71 a reasonable opportunity to participate in the development and consideration of scenarios4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f77;,a71 by striking comment on the transportation plan and inserting provide input during the development and implementation of the transportation plan4 7b7 ,section #ace amendment ,section #ace7;f77#c77;,a77ii7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking comment on the transportation plan2 and inserting provide input during the development of the transportation plan4 7c7 ,section #ecjc amendment ,section #ecjc7;i7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by inserting after subparagraph 7,c7 the following3 7,d7 ,public involvement ,metropolitan planning organizations shall offer interested parties1 such as those described in paragraph 7#f71 a reasonable opportunity to participate in the development and consideration of different scenarios4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking comment on the transportation plan and inserting provide input during the development and implementation of the transportation plan4 7d7 ,section #ecjd amendment ,section #ecjd7;f77#c77;,a77ii7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking comment on the proposed plan2 and inserting provide input during the development of the transportation plan4 #c4 ,connection to opportunity national goal and potential performance measure 7a7 ,transportation connections to opportunity ,section #aej7;b7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking highway infrastructure asset system and inserting infrastructure asset system under this title2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 ,multimodal connectivity ,to achieve an interconnected transportation system which connects people to jobs1 schools1 and other essential services through a multimodal network4 4 7b7 ,establishment of performance measures ,section #aej7;c7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting as listed in paragraphs 7#c71 7#d71 7#e71 and 7#f7 before the period2 and 7#b7 by adding the following at the end3 7#g7 ,multimodal freight ,the ,secretary may1 in accordance with the national freight strategic plan under section #afg1 establish performance measures to assess the efficiency of the multimodal freight network4 7#h7 ,transportation connectivity ,the ,secretary may1 in accordance with the framework established in section #acd1 establish a performance measure to be used by metropolitan planning organizations to assess the degree to which the transportation system provides multimodal connections to opportunity1 particularly for transportation-disadvantaged populations4 4 #d4 ,measuring transportation connectivity pilot activities 7a7 ,title #bc ,section #acd of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is further amended by inserting at the end1 the following3 7r7 ,measuring transportation connections to opportunity 7#a7 ,connection to opportunity pilot program 7,a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program in which not more than #aj metropolitan planning organizations shall develop and deploy #a or more pilot measures and targets to improve multimodal connectivity and increase connections for disadvantaged ,americans and neighborhoods with limited transportation options4 7,b7 ,pilot locations ,the ,secretary shall select not more than #aj metropolitan planning organizations in not more than #aj locations1 each of which is the sole metropolitan planning organization serving an urbanized area of more than #a1jjj1jjj residents1 which shall include-- 7i7 metropolitan planning organizations that have demonstrated previous successful use of performance measurements and performance-based planning efforts1 which the ,secretary shall designate as mentor grantees2 and 7ii7 metropolitan planning organizations that have limited or no successful previous experience in performance measurements and performance-based planning efforts1 which the ,secretary shall designate as novice grantees4 7,c7 ,pilot program activities 7i7 ,transportation connectivity inventory ,not later than #f months after selection as a pilot location1 and in consultation with appropriate ,states1 transit agencies1 and local governments1 metropolitan planning organizations in pilot locations1 the selected metropolitan planning organization shall develop an inventory of transportation assets within such organization's metropolitan planning area which describes-- 7,i7 the condition of key highway1 transit1 bicycle1 and pedestrian facilities2 7,,ii7 the degree to which these facilities provide residents with connections to opportunity2 7,,iii7 the identity and location of transportation-disadvantaged populations within the planning area2 and 7,,iv7 local challenges to multimodal connectivity1 such as zoning or land use issues1 availability of affordable housing1 and physical barriers that obstruct access from residential areas to opportunity4 7ii7 ,performance measures ,not later than #a year after selection as a pilot location1 a metropolitan planning organization in such pilot location shall apply the baseline data it developed in clause 7i7 to adopt #a or more provisional measures to assess multimodal connectivity improvements in the transportation system1 including measurements of multimodal connectivity improvements available to transportation-disadvantaged populations identified in clause 7i77,,iii7 and appropriate to local assets and needs4 7iii7 ,data collection and reporting ,a metropolitan planning organization selected as a pilot location shall collect baseline and annual performance data on multimodal transportation connectivity to opportunity and report these data to the ,secretary throughout the duration of the pilot project4 7iv7 ,knowledge-sharing ,a metropolitan planning organization designated as a mentor grantee shall engage in knowledge-sharing activities with novice grantees to the extent feasible1 which may include peer exchanges and technical assistance4 7v7 ,project implementation 7,i7 ,notwithstanding section #abj1 a metropolitan planning organization may use funds remaining after the completion of the transportation connectivity inventory1 development of provisional measures1 and related tracking activities to pay the non-,federal share to implement projects within the metropolitan planning area described in subclause 7,,ii74 7,,ii7 ,the projects referred to in subclause 7,i7 are projects that are reasonably anticipated to address system gaps and improve performance according to the locally adopted provisional multimodal transportation connectivity measures4 7#b7 ,national performance measure development activities ,the ,secretary shall reserve not more than #i1jjj1jjj of the amount authorized for this subsection for the #d-year period beginning in fiscal year #bjae for use on evaluation of multimodal connectivity measures developed by metropolitan planning organizations in pilot locations1 and to consider development of a national indicator to measure the multimodal connections to opportunity provided by the transportation network1 including the following activities3 7,a7 ,national technical assistance and peer exchange forums ,the ,secretary shall support the measure development and data collection of metropolitan planning organizations in pilot locations through technical assistance and peer exchanges1 and through workshops with ,states1 transit agencies1 and metropolitan planning organizations to discuss pilot program findings1 and establish an online collaboration center for local jurisdictions to share ideas and challenges1 and document lessons learned4 7,b7 ,connection to opportunity final report ,at the end of the pilot program1 the ,secretary shall issue a final report in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 the ,secretary of the ,department of ,commerce and the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and after seeking public comment4 ,the report shall document the outcomes of the pilot program and make recommendations on the establishment of #a or more national multimodal connectivity measures1 and shall include-- 7i7 the results of the efforts of the pilot program to measure and improve multimodal connectivity2 7ii7 the ,secretary's recommendations for #a or more national connectivity measures and integrating them into the ,federal transportation performance management framework1 in accordance with section #aej2 and 7iii7 an assessment of social outcomes and impacts that may result from the pilot measures as well as estimated savings to ,federal1 ,state1 and local social service subsidy programs1 as well as other costs avoided and new tax revenues attributable to increased connectivity4 7,c7 ,potential rulemaking ,after publication of the final report under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary1 in consultation with ,state departments of transportation1 metropolitan planning organizations1 and other stakeholders1 may issue a rulemaking that establishes performance measures and standards as described in section #aej7;c77#h74 7#c7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this subsection-- 7,a7 the term opportunity means jobs1 schools1 and health care services2 and 7,b7 the term transportation-disadvantaged means an individual who faces challenges in securing or accessing transportation due to age1 disability1 or income constraints1 including lack of access to transportation or a private vehicle4 4 7b7 ,title #di ,section #ecjc of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting at the end1 the following3 7r7 ,measuring transportation connections to opportunity 7#a7 ,connection to opportunity pilot program 7,a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program in not more than #aj metropolitan planning organizations shall develop and deploy #a or more pilot measures and targets to improve multimodal connectivity and increase connections for transportation-disadvantaged and neighborhoods with limited transportation options4 7,b7 ,pilot locations ,the ,secretary shall select not more than #aj metropolitan planning organizations in not more than #aj locations1 each of which is the sole metropolitan planning organization serving an urbanized area of more than #a1jjj1jjj residents1 which shall include-- 7i7 metropolitan planning organizations that have demonstrated previous successful use of performance measurements and performance-based planning efforts1 which the ,secretary shall designate as mentor grantees2 and 7ii7 metropolitan planning organizations that have limited or no successful previous experience in performance measurements and performance-based planning efforts1 which the ,secretary shall designate as novice grantees4 7,c7 ,pilot program activities 7i7 ,transportation connectivity inventory ,not later than #f months after selection as a pilot location1 and in consultation with appropriate ,states1 transit agencies1 and local governments1 metropolitan planning organizations in pilot locations1 the selected metropolitan planning organization shall develop an inventory of transportation assets within such organization's metropolitan planning area which describes-- 7,i7 the condition of key highway1 transit1 bicycle1 and pedestrian facilities2 7,,ii7 the degree to which these facilities provide residents with connections to opportunity2 7,,iii7 the identity and location of transportation-disadvantaged populations within the planning area2 and 7,,iv7 local challenges to multimodal connectivity1 such as zoning or land use issues1 availability of affordable housing1 and physical barriers that obstruct access from residential areas to opportunity4 7ii7 ,performance measures ,not later than #a year after selection as a pilot location1 a metropolitan planning organization in such pilot location shall apply the baseline data it developed in clause 7i7 to adopt #a or more provisional measures to assess multimodal connectivity improvements in the transportation system1 including measurements of multimodal connectivity improvements available to transportation-disadvantaged populations identified in clause 7i77,,iii7 and appropriate to local assets and needs4 7iii7 ,data collection and reporting ,a metropolitan planning organization selected as a pilot location shall collect baseline and annual performance data on multimodal transportation connectivity to opportunity and report these data to the ,secretary throughout the duration of the pilot project4 7iv7 ,knowledge-sharing ,a metropolitan planning organization designated as a mentor grantee shall engage in knowledge-sharing activities with novice grantees to the extent feasible1 which may include peer exchanges and technical assistance4 7v7 ,project implementation 7,i7 ,notwithstanding section #abj1 a metropolitan planning organization may use funds remaining after the completion of the transportation connectivity inventory1 development of provisional measures1 and related tracking activities to pay the non-,federal share to implement projects within the metropolitan planning area described in subclause 7,,ii74 7,,ii7 ,the projects referred to in subclause 7,i7 are projects that are reasonably anticipated to address system gaps and improve performance according to the locally adopted provisional multimodal transportation connectivity measures4 7#b7 ,national performance measure development activities ,the ,secretary shall reserve not more than #i1jjj1jjj of the amount authorized for this subsection for the #d-year period beginning in fiscal year #bjae for use on evaluation of multimodal connectivity measures developed by metropolitan planning organizations in pilot locations1 and to consider development of a national indicator to measure the multimodal connections to opportunity provided by the transportation network1 including the following activities3 7,a7 ,national technical assistance and peer exchange forums ,the ,secretary shall support the measure development and data collection of metropolitan planning organizations in pilot locations through technical assistance and peer exchanges1 and through workshops with ,states1 transit agencies1 and metropolitan planning organizations to discuss pilot program findings1 and establish an online collaboration center for local jurisdictions to share ideas and challenges1 and document lessons learned4 7,b7 ,connection to opportunity final report ,at the end of the pilot program under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall issue a final report in consultation with the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 the ,secretary of ,commerce1 and the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and after seeking public comment4 ,the report shall document the outcomes of the pilot program and make recommendations on the establishment of #a or more national multimodal connectivity measures1 and shall include-- 7i7 the results of the efforts of the pilot locations to measure and improve multimodal connectivity2 7ii7 the ,secretary's recommendations for #a or more national connectivity measures and integrating them into the ,federal transportation performance management framework in accordance with section #aej2 and 7iii7 an assessment of social outcomes and impact that may result from the pilot measures as well as estimated savings to ,federal1 ,state1 and local social service subsidy programs1 as well as other costs avoided and new tax revenues attributable to increased connectivity4 7,c7 ,potential rulemaking ,not later than #b years after the publication of the final report under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary1 in consultation with ,state departments of transportation1 metropolitan planning organizations1 and other stakeholders1 may issue a rulemaking that establishes performance measures and standards4 7#c7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this subsection-- 7,a7 the term opportunity means jobs1 schools1 and health care services2 and 7,b7 the term transportation-disadvantaged means an individual who faces challenges in securing or accessing transportation due to age1 disability1 or income constraints1 including lack of access to transportation or a private vehicle4 4 #e4 ,performance management data support program 7a7 ,performance management data support program ,section #aej of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting at the end the following3 7f7 ,performance management data support ,to assist metropolitan planning organizations1 ,states1 and the ,department in carrying out performance management analyses1 including the performance management requirements of this chapter1 the ,secretary shall create and maintain data sets and data analysis tools4 ,such sets and tools may include-- 7#a7 collecting and distributing vehicle probe data describing traffic on the ,national ,highway ,system2 7#b7 collecting data regarding household travel behavior in crossing local jurisdictional boundaries2 7#c7 enhancing existing data collection and analysis tools to accommodate performance measures1 targets1 and related data2 7#d7 enhancing existing data analysis tools to improve performance predictions in reports described in subsection 7e7 of this section or section #edje of title #di2 and 7#e7 developing tools to improve performance analysis and evaluate the effects of project investments on performance4 4 7b7 ,federal share ,section #abj of such title is amended by adding at the end the following3 7l7 ,performance management data support program ,the ,federal share payable for an activity developed under the performance management data support program under section #aej7;f7 shall be #ajj percent of the cost of the activity4 4 #f4 ,multimodal accommodations 7a7 ,design standards ,section #aji of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking may take into account and inserting shall take into account2 and 7ii7 by striking paragraph 7#a77;,c7 and inserting the following3 7,c7 access and safety for users of all foreseeable modes of transportation4 2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking may develop and inserting shall develop2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7m71 by-- 7,a7 striking and light motorcycles2 and 7,b7 inserting 1 safe1 convenient1 and continuous before alternate route4 7b7 ,transportation alternatives 7#a7 ,federal share ,section #abj of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7m7 ,transportation alternatives program ,the ,federal share requirements under this section applicable to the transportation alternatives program under section #bac may be met based on-- 7#a7 an individual project or activity under that section2 or 7#b7 a program of projects or activities approved under subsection 7c77#f77;,b7 of that section4 4 7#b7 ,reservation of funds ,section #bac of such title is amended in subsection 7a77#a7 by striking of fiscal years #bjac and #bjad and inserting fiscal year4 7#c7 ,eligible entities ,section #bac7;c77#d77;,b7 of such title is amended by-- 7,a7 redesignating clauses 7vi7 and 7vii7 as clauses 7viii7 and 7ix72 and 7,b7 inserting after clause 7v7 the following3 7vi7 a nonprofit organization2 7vii7 a metropolitan planning organization 7except in the case of a competitive process carried out by such metropolitan planning organization under subparagraph 7,a772 4 7#d7 ,program of projects ,section #bac7;c7 of such title is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,program of projects ,funds may be obligated under this section for-- 7,a7 a project or activity eligible under subsection 7b72 or 7,b7 a program of projects or activities eligible under that subsection4 7#g7 ,administration 7,a7 ,submission of project agreement ,for each fiscal year1 each ,state shall submit a project agreement that-- 7i7 certifies that the ,state will meet all the requirements of this section2 and 7ii7 notifies the ,secretary of the amount of obligations needed to carry out the program under this section4 7,b7 ,request for adjustments of amounts ,each ,state shall request from the ,secretary such adjustments to the amount of obligations referred to in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 as the ,state determines to be necessary4 7,c7 ,effect of approval by the secretary ,approval by the ,secretary of a project agreement under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the ,united ,states to pay funds made available under this title4 4 #g4 ,establishment of a ,broadband ,infrastructure ,initiative 7a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary shall carry out a broadband infrastructure initiative to expand right-of-way use to accommodate broadband infrastructure and improve broadband access in unserved and underserved areas4 7b7 ,requirements ,the ,secretary shall require each ,state to meet the following requirements3 7#a7 ,state ,broadband ,infrastructure ,needs ,each ,state department of transportation shall-- 7,a7 identify the broadband infrastructure needs of the ,state in coordination with other ,state and local agencies and the ,federal ,responder ,network ,authority established in section #fbjd of the ,middle ,class ,tax ,relief and ,job ,creation ,act of #bjab 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #adbd72 7,b7 designate a broadband utility coordinator to incorporate such needs into future ,federal-aid highway projects as described in paragraph 7#b72 7,c7 provide an online system for any broadband infrastructure entity to register for inclusion in efforts to address such needs as described in such paragraph2 and 7,d7 include broadband infrastructure entities in transportation plans and programs described in sections #acd and #ace of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,broadband ,infrastructure ,coordination ,plan ,each ,state department of transportation shall-- 7,a7 implement a plan based on the needs described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 to promote the installation of broadband infrastructure in rights-of-way2 7,b7 target such installation in unserved and underserved areas2 7,c7 minimize repeated excavations in rights-of-way through coordination described in paragraph 7#a77;,b72 and 7,d7 coordinate1 to the extent practicable1 such deployment with other telecommunications and local land use and transportation plans4 7#c7 ,right-of-,way ,access ,notwithstanding any other provision of law-- 7,a7 ,each ,state department of transportation shall-- 7i7 consider new technology and construction practices to promote the safe and efficient accommodation of broadband infrastructure in rights-of-way2 7ii7 permit the broadband utility coordinator to authorize any broadband infrastructure entity to install broadband infrastructure in rights-of-way2 and 7iii7 ensure that authorized broadband infrastructure entities have access to rights-of-way without charge for installation1 operation1 and maintenance of broadband infrastructure2 and 7,b7 each ,state department of transportation may-- 7i7 restrict such access in the interest of safety2 and 7ii7 designate any longitudinal area to accommodate broadband infrastructure4 7c7 ,state ,flexibility ,a ,state meeting the requirements under subsection 7b7 may use funds authorized for the surface transportation program under section #acc of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 and the national highway performance program under section #aai of such title1 to install broadband infrastructure as part of a ,federal-aid highway project located in an unserved or underserved area1 and the broadband infrastructure may be used to support nontransportation purposes in addition to transportation purposes4 7d7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section3 7#a7 ,the term broadband infrastructure means buried or aerial facilities that provide wired or wireless connections to enable users to send and receive data4 7#b7 ,the term broadband infrastructure entity means any entity that installs1 owns1 or operates broadband infrastructure and provides services to members of the public4 7#c7 ,the term broadband utility coordinator means an individual responsible for coordinating the broadband infrastructure needs of the ,state with ,federal-aid highway projects4 7#d7 ,the term ,federal-aid highway has the same meaning given such term in section #aja7;a77#f7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,the term longitudinal area means the area along the length of a highway4 7#f7 ,the term project has the same meaning given that term in section #aja7;a77#ah7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#g7 ,the terms right-of-way and rights-of-way mean real property1 or interest therein1 acquired1 dedicated1 or reserved for the construction1 operation1 and maintenance of a ,federal-aid highway4 7#h7 ,the term ,state means any of the ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 or the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 that receive funds under title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#i7 ,the term underserved area means an area in which-- 7,a7 #ej percent or less of households have access to the minimum broadband speed2 7,b7 no provider offers service speeds of at least #c ,mbps2 or 7,c7 #dj percent or less of the households choose to subscribe to a broadband service4 7#aj7 ,the term unserved area means an area that does not have access to broadband services at speeds of at least #gfh ,kbps download_/#bjj ,kbps upload4