Transportation Capital Program
Fiscal Year 2011

Glossary

Capital Investment Strategy Categories

Bridge Assets

Projects designed to keep existing bridges functioning and in a state of good repair, including work which replace bridges or rehabilitates existing bridges to conform with current design standards.

Road Assets

Projects designed to keep the existing highway system functioning and in a state of good repair, including work which upgrades segments of the system to current design standards.

Mass Transit Assets

Projects designed to bring the transit system to a state of good repair. This classification includes rail, light rail and bus assets, including associated systems and technology improvements. Mass Transit Asset projects may also be funded with National Highway System (NHS) funds. ISTEA has created a "national highway system," consisting of the interstate highway system and other key highway links. The NHS funding category has been established to support improvement projects on this key network.

Airport Assets

Projects designed to preserve, maintain and improve New Jersey aviation facilities for the development of an efficient air transportation system that responds to the needs of its users and the public.

Transportation Support Facilities

Projects designed to preserve, maintain and improve physical plant infrastructure including office buildings, rest areas, maintenance facilities, toll plazas and existing park/ride locations. Bus stops and train stations are included under Mass Transit Assets.

Safety Management

Projects designed to enhance safety and reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.

Congestion Relief

Projects designed to improve the flow of people and goods along transportation corridors.

Multimodal Programs

Projects designed to address improvements and provisions for alternative modes of transportation, such as aviation, goods movement, bicycle/pedestrian, ferries, paratransit, intermodal connections, rail, maritime and others modes.

Local Systems Support

Projects designed to provide for the development and implementation of transportation improvements on the local roadway network.

Phases of Work

Problem Screening (PS) Phase

The Problem Screening Phase is the entrance into the delivery process for any potential project. The Phase purpose is to investigate a potential transportation problem. A potential problem is developed into a Problem Statement (PS) and submitted to Capital Investment Strategies (CIS). The sources of the Problem Statement may include NJDOT Management Systems, Planning Studies, a Metropolitan Planning Organization, or internal and external stakeholders. This Phase involves a Tier 1 Screening, a Tier 2 Screening or a Management system Initiative Screening. If the problem is validated, a recommendation is advanced for review and approval by the Capital Program Screening Committee (CPSC) and the Capital Program Committee (CPC).

The objective of the Problem Screening Phase is to effectively, efficiently, and consistently screen transportation problems in agreement with the Statewide Capital Investment Strategy (SCIS) and project prioritization criteria. Achieving this goal is expected to produce selective proposals that are consistent with the SCIS performance related goals, objectives and investment targets for potential advancement while conforming to State and Federal requirements.

Concept Development (CD, LCD) Phase

The Concept Development Phase purpose is to identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies that address a well-defined and well-justified Purpose and Need Statement and select a Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA). The PPA is selected based on several factors, including environmental impacts, constructability, cost effectiveness, and if the project can be constructed in a timely manner. This phase involves data collection, internal and external stakeholder coordination, and alternatives analysis. Along with the PPA, key products that are produced in this Phase include the Purpose and Need Statement, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification, and the Concept Development Report.

CD denotes NJDOT Concept Development Phase; LCD denotes concept development by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Preliminary Engineering (PE, LPE) Phase

The Preliminary Engineering Phase involves performing engineering tasks and technical environmental studies to obtain formal community consensus (through a public information center) of the study and to secure the approval of the environmental document. If a design exception is necessary on a project, preparation and approval of the Design Exception Report will occur during this Phase.

During the Preliminary Engineering Phase a number of activities are simultaneously set in motion based on the PPA such as community involvement (meetings with affected property, business owners), agency consultation, environmental documentation, design level mapping, and the development of geometric design.

PE denotes NJDOT Preliminary Engineering Phase; LCD denotes preliminary engineering by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Final Design (FD, LFD) Phase

The purpose of the Final Design Phase is to produce the project’s construction contract documents (i.e., Final Plans, Specifications, and Cost Estimate (PS&E) for use in soliciting bids from prospective contractors, and advancing the project to the Construction Phase. This Phase includes the continuation and completion of environmental and engineering tasks initiated in the Preliminary Engineering Phase, such as roadway design, bridge design, right of way and access engineering, utility engineering, environmental permits and clearances, and community outreach. The completion of those tasks will involve various internal and external project stakeholders. Stakeholder coordination ranges from onboard project review meetings with internal offices to efforts with local officials, the general public and other state and federal agencies. Efforts with the public and local officials are guided by a project-specific public involvement action plan.

The Final Design Phase is completed when the project is authorized for construction, which initiates the Construction Phase of project delivery.

Planning Study (PLS)

A phase or type of work involving traffic studies needs analyses, corridor studies, and other work preparatory to project development. See also “Concept Development.”

Feasibility Assessment (FA, LFA)

A phase or type of work intended to develop feasible project proposals that produce the best balance among transportation needs, environmental values, public concerns and costs. The end products of scoping are: a recommended scheme with a realistic cost estimate; an approved environmental document; reasonable assurance that environmental permits can be obtained; community support, or documentation explaining why such support cannot reasonably be obtained; and identification of right of way (ROW) needs and costs. Scoping consists of two phases in NJDOT: Feasibility assessment and final scope development. FA denotes feasibility assessment by NJDOT; LFA denotes local feasibility assessment by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Feasibility assessment is the first phase of scoping, during which the Division of Project Development (DPD) performs sufficient engineering to determine whether the concept emerging from concept development can be feasibly evolved into a project in light of environmental and community constraints and issues. If it cannot be reasonably demonstrated that environmental approvals and community support are forthcoming, the concept will neither become a project, nor pass into the Capital Program.

During feasibility assessment, project schemes that balance project objectives against environmental, community, engineering and budget constraints are developed. If alternatives which can resolve the problem to full engineering standards in light of constraints cannot be developed, then a full range of design and alignment alternatives will be considered, including those which back off desirable standards and instead meet minimum standards, which drop below minimum standards, or even those which do not achieve one or more of the project goals. In essence, the Division of Project Development (DPPD) will systematically “ratchet down” project expectations until a good fit between engineering goals and environmental and political considerations are achieved. This will lead to the development of what has been termed as the Initially Preferred Alternative (IPA).

During feasibility assessment, the community involvement will generally be limited to coordination with municipal staff and officials, although, if deemed necessary, the Department may decide to conduct the public meetings normally reserved for preliminary design. This may include the obtaining of the actual resolution of support from the community governing body.

Feasibility assessment will culminate in a presentation to the Screening Committee regarding the potential project. The Screening Committee’s recommendations will be presented to the Capital Program Committee for approval. If deemed a worthy project, the project will be assigned to a Project Manager and entered into the pool of projects for preliminary design. If the project is determined to be “fatally flawed,” it will be recommended for termination, or recycled for reconsideration as part of a further concept development.

Preliminary Design (PD, LPD)

Preliminary design is the process of advancing preliminary engineering and obtaining formal community and environmental approval of the Initially Preferred Alternative. PD denotes preliminary design by NJDOT; LPD denotes local preliminary design by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

During preliminary design, the Project Manager who was liaison for the Feasibility Assessment phase will assume full control of the project. A number of activities will be simultaneously set in motion, based on the Initially Preferred Alternative (IPA): community involvement, environmental documentation, and design services.

To obtain the formal community involvement buy-in, a public meeting will generally be arranged, which may lead to some minor adjustments to the project’s scope. Ultimately, the local officials will be asked to provide a resolution of support endorsing the project.

To obtain the environmental approvals for the IPA, consultation with outside agencies, such as the State Historic Preservation Office may be necessary. The approved environmental document will be based on technical studies conducted by the environmental teams within the Division of Environmental Resources, and will generally consist of a Categorical Exclusion. The preliminary design phase will not be considered complete until the environmental document is approved.

The preliminary design conducted during this phase will be initiated to facilitate later final design activities. They will be based on the IPA, and consist of, among other things: development of base plans for final design; development of geometric design sufficiently to clarify environmental impacts and to define right-of-way parcels; utilities discovery and verification; geotechnical studies (soil borings and analysis); preliminary drainage work; and development of property acquisition cost estimates.

Project Development PRD

A phase or type of work used by NJ TRANSIT which is intended to develop feasible project proposals that produce the best balance among transportation needs, environmental values, public concerns and costs.

Design (DES)

A phase or type of work consisting of taking a recommended solution and scope of work defined in the preliminary design phase and developing a final design, including right-of-way and construction plans.

Design and Construction (EC)

Funding is provided for both design and construction costs.

Design and Right of Way (ER)

Funding is provided for both design and right of way costs.

Design, Right of Way and Construction (ERC)

Funding is provided for design, right of way, and/or construction costs.

Right of Way (ROW)

A phase or type of work in which the land needed to build a project is purchased.

Construction (CON)

A phase or type of work involving the actual building of a project.

Capital Acquisition (CAP)

Term used to denote the acquisition of rolling stock by NJ TRANSIT.

Statewide Investment (SWI)

NJ TRANSIT uses this designation to describe a series of coordinated smaller-scale projects in multiple locations, and in multiple phases of work, that address a specific mobility issue.

Utility (UTIL)

In some cases, the utility relocation work associated with a project must be programmed separately from the actual construction phase of work. These items are shown under the "Utility" category.

Funding Categories

DOT Funding Categories

Bridge

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for the rehabilitation or replacement of bridges defined as structurally deficient and/or functionally obsolete according to federal definitions.

Bridge-Off

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for the rehabilitation or replacement of bridges defined as structurally deficient and/or functionally obsolete according to federal definitions. This funding is used for bridges that are off the federal-aid system.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)

This federal-aid funding category was established under the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) to support projects which improve air quality and/or relieve congestion without adding new highway capacity. These funds are especially targeted for states like New Jersey with serious air quality problems.

Demonstration Funds (DEMO)

Federal transportation acts sometime target specific projects in various states in addition to general programs for federal support. This funding category includes “demonstration” funding provided under ISTEA, as well as “high priority project” funding provided under TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU. These projects, for “demonstration” or "high priority project" funding often have special rules applying to their use.

Equity Bonus Program (EB)

This federal funding category provides funding to states based on equity considerations. These include a minimum rate of return on contributions to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund, and a minimum increase relative to the average dollar amount of apportionments under TEA-21. Selected states are guaranteed a share of apportionments and High Priority Projects not less than the state’s average annual share under TEA-21. This program replaced TEA-21sMinimum Guarantee Program.

Ferry (FERRY, FERRY FTA, FERRY-FHWA DISC)

Federal funds are allocated for the rehabilitation and/or development of ferry facilities throughout the state.

High Priority Projects (HPP 10, HPP 20)

Federal transportation acts sometime target specific projects in various states in addition to general programs for federal support. This funding category includes “high priority project” funding provided under SAFETEA-LU. Designated percentages are available each year under the federal legislation. HPP 10 project funding is available at the rate of 10%, 20%, 25%, 25% and 20% for each year of the legislation). HPP 20 project funding is available at the rate of 20% each year of the legislation.

Highway Safety Improvements (HSIP)

The primary purpose of this federal funding category is to establish the policy for development and implementation of a comprehensive highway safety program in each state.

Interstate Maintenance (I-Maint)

A federal-aid funding category has been established to promote resurfacing, rehabilitation, and preventive maintenance on the interstate system.

National Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (NBIG)

Federal funds are provided to construct, renovate, and maintain tie-up facilities for vessels that are 26 feet or more in length. Activities eligible for funding are:

• construction, renovation and maintenance of public and private boating infrastructure tie-up facilities;
• one-time dredging only between the tie-up facility and the already maintained channel;
• installation of navigational aids;
• application of funds to grant administration;
• and funding preliminary costs.

National Highway System (NHS)

ISTEA has created a "national highway system," consisting of the interstate highway system and other key highway links. The NHS funding category has been established to support improvement projects on this key network.

Other (OTHER)

This represents funding provided from sources other than state or federal funding. Sources could include the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, other state agencies, private developers, counties or municipalities.

Planning (PL, PL-FTA)

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for the federally mandated transportation planning process conducted within each Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Rail-Highway Grade Crossing (RHC)

This is a federal funding category which is intended to develop and implement safety improvement projects to reduce the number and severity of crashes at public highway-rail grade crossings. Eligible activities include signing and pavement markings at crossings, active warning devices, crossing surface improvements, sight distance improvements, grade separations and the closing and consolidation of crossings.

Recreational Trails (REC. TRAILS)

New Jersey's Recreational Trails Program provides grants to public agencies and non-profit organizations for a variety of trail projects. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry administers the program.

Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS)

This federal funding category provides funds to the states to substantially improve the ability of primary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely. The program establishes two distinct types of funding opportunities: infrastructure projects (engineering improvements) and non-infrastructure related activities (such as education, enforcement and encouragement programs).

Scenic Byways (SCENIC BYWAY)

This federal funding category recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities and provides for designation of these roads as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads or America's Byways.

Statutory References

State

The "State" or "TTF" category is used to show the disposition of funding received from the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.

Statewide Planning and Research (SPR, SPR-FTA)

Federal law requires a percentage of funds allocated to states for highway improvements to be devoted to planning and research activities.

Surface Transportation Program (STP)

The Surface Transportation Program is a federal-aid funding category established under ISTEA, which encompasses funding previously made available under various smaller federal-aid categories as well as a broad, flexible component. Funding must be set aside for safety (STP-SY) and transportation enhancement (STP-TE). Sub-allocations must be made to urbanized and non-urbanized areas (STP-NJ, funding provided to NJTPA; STP-STU, funding provided to DVRPC; STP-SJ, funding provided to SJTPO).

To Be Determined (TBD)

Funding has not yet been determined for the unconstrained years of the Capital Program.

Various Federal (VAR FEDERAL)

This funding category is used to denote unanticipated allocations of Federal funds, outside the parameters of the regular apportionment process. Until such allocations are made, the exact funding source is not known.

NJ TRANSIT Funding Categories

Casino Revenue

Annual allocation of the 7.5% of the casino Tax Fund appropriated for transportation services for senior and disabled persons.

COPS (Certificates of Participation)

Funds freed up on existing COPS Notes substituting insurance policy for a cash reserve fund to guarantee payment to the note holders.

CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality)

This federal-aid funding category was established under the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) to support projects which improve air quality and/or relieve congestion without adding new highway capacity. These funds are especially targeted for states like New Jersey with serious air quality problems.

FFGA (Full Funding Grant Agreements)

FFGAs are authorized under Federal transit law and are the designate means for providing new starts funds to projects.

MATCH

These are local funds that are needed to match Federal funding (JARC and S5311).

METRO-NORTH

This is funding received from the METRO-North transit agency.

NEW FREEDOM (NEWFREE)

The purpose of the New Freedom Program is to provide improved public transportation services, and alternatives to public transportation, for people with disabilities beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

OTHER

Potential federal earmarks or unidentified non-traditional transit funds.

PANYNJ

Anticipated Port Authority of New York and New Jersey funds.

Section 5307

Federal Transit Administration Urbanized Area Formula Program. Includes funding for transportation enhancements (Sect. 5307-TE).

Section 5309

Federal Transit Administration Fixed-Guideway Modernization Program

Section 5309D

Federal Transit Administration—Federal Congressional earmarks to projects.

Section 5316

This is a Federal Transit Administration program which provides funding for selected municipal plans that either increase job accessibility for the most disadvantaged members of the population, or facilitate reverse commute movements (offering access to employment outside of the urban centers).

Section 5317

Improved public transportation services, and alternatives to public transportation, for people with disabilities beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Section 5339

Federal Transit Administration-Federal Congressional earmarks to projects for Alternatives Analysis.

S5310 (Section 5310)

Programs for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities—Federal funds are provided for the purchase of small buses or van-type vehicles with lifts for private or non-profit agencies that serve the elderly and persons with disabilities. (Formerly known as the Section 16 Program)

S5311 (Section 5311)

Non-urbanized Area Formula Program—Federal funding is provided for rural public transportation programs. (Formerly known as the Section 18 Program)

State

The "State" or "TTF" category is used to show the disposition of funding received from the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.

Surface Transportation Program (STP)

The Surface Transportation Program is a federal-aid funding category established under ISTEA, which encompasses funding previously made available under various smaller federal-aid categories as well as a broad, flexible component. Funding must be set aside for transportation enhancement (STP-TE).

Project Categories

Bridge Preservation

This classification includes work, which is designed to keep the existing bridges functioning, and in a state of good repair, including work which rehabilitates or replaces existing bridges to current design standards. Program categories within this classification include bridge rehabilitation and replacement, bridge capital maintenance, bridge management, local bridges, NJ TRANSIT bridges, and railroad overhead bridges.

Bridge and Roadway Preservation

This classification includes work which is designed to keep both existing bridges and roadway in a state of good repair. Under this category, in addition to roadway improvements, existing bridges within the project limits will be rehabilitated or replaced, bringing bridges to current design standards.

Capital Program Delivery

This classification includes a variety of activities that provide direct support to the capital program pipeline. Program categories within this classification include program implementation costs, planning program and studies, project scoping and design, right of way and utility, construction, unanticipated expenses, project cost settlement, and transportation grants, corridor studies.

Capital Program Support

This classification includes a variety of “overhead” type activities that indirectly contribute to the project pipeline. Program categories within this classification include facilities and equipment, contractor support, operational support.

Congestion Relief

This classification encompasses work that improves the flow of people and goods along transportation corridors. Specific programs under this heading include highway operational improvements, bottleneck widening, missing links, major widening, intelligent transportation systems, demand management, and congestion management system.

Intermodal Programs

This classification includes work that addresses improvements/provisions for alternative modes of transportation. Program categories within this classification include aviation, goods movement, bicycle/pedestrian, ferries, paratransit, intermodal connections, rail, maritime and other modes.

Local Aid

This classification provides for development and implementation of transportation improvements on the local roadway network. Program categories within this classification include local aid to counties, local aid to municipalities, local aid discretionary, local aid other programs, economic development, local roadway improvements, bicycle/pedestrian, regional planning and project development.

Quality of Life

This classification includes work which is designed to enhance the environment associated with, or impacted by, transportation improvements. Program categories within this classification include transportation enhancements, noise walls, landscape, air quality, signs, wetland mitigation, environmental remediation and rest areas.

Roadway Preservation

This classification includes work that is designed to keep the existing highway system functioning and in a state of good repair, including work which upgraded segments of the system to current design standards. Program categories within this classification include highway rehabilitation and reconstruction, highway resurfacing, highway capital maintenance, drainage, truck size and weight control, pavement management system, interagency agreements and dams.

Safety

This classification includes work that is designed to improve safety for the traveling public on the existing highway system. Program categories within this classification include safety improvements, safety management, and safety capital maintenance, rockfall mitigation.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations

DVRPC - Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

The MPO covering the counties of Mercer, Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester.

NJTPA - North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority

The MPO covering the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

SJTPO - South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization

The MPO covering the counties of Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem.