The NOACA Governing Board approved the following project as a candidate to be amended to the NOACA Transportation Plan and in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) by adopting Resolution No. 2004-029 on June 11, 2004.

Title: ODOT District 12 Motor Assistance Program (a.k.a. Road Crewzers)
Sponsor: ODOT District 12
Estimated Total Cost: $500,000 ($250,000 in SFY 2006 and SFY 2008)
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA Attributable Funds

History/Background:
The Road Crewzer Program is motorist assistance program that has been operated by ODOT District 12 for several years. The program is ongoing and involves patrols and roadside assistance, incident management and motorist information. The program is also part of a region wide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) study sponsored by ODOT’s Central Office. The Road Crewzer Program would be part of the Incident Management Plan for the NOACA area. Meetings have been ongoing with the stakeholders as part of the ITS Study. NOACA, GCRTA, safety forces representatives and others participate on this committee.

Current Conditions:
Road Crewzers currently operate in the Cuyahoga County area. Each year, the Crewzer vehicles log high mileage patrolling the area’s Interstate Routes, significantly contributing to incident management and congestion mitigation. Due to the high mileage accumulated, the vehicles are replaced every two years.

Due to budgetary limitations, the district‘s ability to replace the vehicles in a timely manner is limited. Capital funds that are used for road and bridge improvements cannot be used to purchase equipment, while the equipment replacement budget for District 12 is under great pressure. A recent purchase of a new fleet of vehicles will meet the needs of the Crewzer Program for the next two years only.

Proposed Project:
ODOT District 12 is requesting $250,000 to purchase five (5) vehicles in state fiscal year (SFY) 2006 and $250,000 to purchase 5 (five) vehicles in SFY 2008. The total cost for each year is $250,000 (i.e. 5 vehicles at $50,000 per vehicle). ODOT’s total request is for $500,000 for SFY 2006 and SFY 2008. ODOT is requesting Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds at a federal participation rate of 100%. (requiring no local match). Although this program is eligible for 100% federal funding, NOACA’s Regional Transportation Investment Policy, dated September 2003, states that NOACA funded projects are generally funded at a rate of no more than eighty percent (80%). This being the case, the maximum amount of CMAQ funding would be $200,000. ODOT would have to provide the remaining $50,000 non-federal match. The vehicles would be purchased in the summer of calendar year 2005 (SFY 2006) and 2007 (SFY 2008).

Staff Comment(Summary):