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TAC weighs adding transportation equity to VPSP2 project scoring
Summary
CCRPC staff presented a qualitative transportation equity screen for 17 VPSP2 projects and discussed how an equity criterion could be integrated into project scoring; members asked for clearer definitions, points or multipliers, and better disaggregation of racial and demographic data.
CCRPC staff presented a preliminary transportation equity screening process for the VPSP2 proposed project list and opened the floor for TAC feedback on May 4.
Bryan Davis, senior transportation planner, said VTrans scores were not available by the meeting and that staff developed a qualitative screen to assess potential benefits and burdens of 17 projects on people living in and near project areas as well as users of the facilities. "Transportation equity is not currently part of the VPSP2 criteria, but is necessary to ensure public funds are being allocated to projects that minimize burdens and maximize benefits," he said.
Members raised procedural and technical questions about how equity would affect project rankings. Dennis Lutz asked whether adding equity points would change priority order; Charlie Baker said incorporating equity could alter point distributions and that equity would likely become its own criterion. Some members urged clearer definitions and documentation explaining why a project received a "high," "medium" or "low" equity rating. Andrea Morgante and Kirsten Jensen suggested engaging external experts and UVM faculty to help refine screening metrics; staff said they are working with the Vermont Racial Equity Association and a Transportation Equity Coalition to improve the pilot.
Charlie Baker noted that the state transportation bill includes language directing transportation equity work and that a report with recommendations to the legislature is due Jan. 15, 2022. Staff will re-screen projects based on feedback and present a revised recommendation at the CCRPC Board meeting.
Next steps: staff will refine the equity screen, incorporate external feedback, re-score projects as necessary and present the VPSP2 recommendation to the CCRPC Board.