Project-level conformity determinations are required for Federal highway and transit projects in nonattainment and maintenance areas.
Project-level conformity determinations are required for Federal highway and transit projects in nonattainment and maintenance areas. The project must come from a conforming metropolitan transportation plan and TIP. Additionally, as part of these project-level determinations, in carbon monoxide and particulate matter nonattainment and maintenance areas, localized analysis requirements apply for certain Federally-funded or approved projects. This analysis is called “hot-spot” analysis.
Exhibit 5 shows a simplified version of the transportation conformity process for metropolitan transportation plans/TIPs and projects.
EXHIBIT 5
Transportation Conformity Process for Metropolitan Transportation Plans/TIPs and Projects
Plan/Tip conformity requiring a new regional emissions analysis
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Ensure timely implementation of SIP TCM's, fiscal constraint, etc.
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Conduct regional emissions analysis using latest planning assumptions and emissions model
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Are there adequate approved SIP budgets?
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Is conformity test met?
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Meets all other requirements (e.g., public involvement)
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Complete Plan/TIP conformity determination
Is project a non-exempt Federal Project?
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Does the project come from a conforming plan and TIP? (Note: does not apply to donut or isolate rural areas)
Is the project in a CO and/or PM area?
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Is hot-spot analysis required?
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Perform hot-spot analysis
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Are hot-spot requirements met?
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Meet other project-level conformity requirements (e.g., compliance with control measures in PM areas)
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Complete project-level conformity determination
Key interagency points are in bold.