RECEIVE presentation and PROVIDE input on Caltrans Strategic Investment Strategy (CSIS).

There is no funding source directly tied to the projects included in the CSIS. Caltrans uses the CSIS to make strategic decisions on which projects best align with programs such as the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI). The Districts use the CSIS as a tool to work with their partner agencies to identify projects that are good candidates to nominate for future funding sources. Caltrans acts as the lead applicant for several federal and state grant programs and uses the CSIS to identify and select projects to be submitted. This could potentially impact the availability of State funds for the region's priority safety and congestion-relief transportation projects.

Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, was signed into law on April 28, 2017. This legislative package invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety. These funds will be split equally between state and local investments. State transportation funds, including revenue collected under SB 1, must be used solely on transportation. As outlined in SB 1, California will continue the "fix-it-first" approach to maintaining the state's highways, roads and bridges.

The Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) details a holistic investment framework and outlines accompanying strategies and actions on how the state should invest billions of dollars of transportation funding where state agencies play a role in project selection or nomination. The investment framework, strategies, and actions help the transportation sector aggressively combat and adapt to the climate crisis, while supporting public health, safety, and social equity goals. Under CAPTI, where feasible and within existing funding program structures, the state will invest discretionary transportation funds in sustainable infrastructure projects that align with its climate, health and social equity goals. Caltrans "fix-it-fist" approach to funding is guided by the objectives defined in the CAPTI Investment Framework. CAPTI Strategy S4 calls for Caltrans to "Advance State Transportation Leadership on Climate and Equity through Improved Planning & Project Partnership". This is a commitment to lead on climate action and advance social equity in the transportation sector. Several key actions are identified in the CAPTI that advance this new direction to change the type of projects Caltrans will fund, nominate, and sponsor.

The CSIS includes Key Action S4.1 that calls for Caltrans to "Align Caltrans project Nominations with the CAPTI Investment Framework." The CSIS will guide projects nominated or sponsored by Caltrans, as well as projects that Caltrans partners with a local or regional agency. The CSIS is envisioned to be an investment framework through a data- and performance-driven approach that guides transportation investments and decisions. This framework includes methodologies and processes for how Caltrans should invest billions of dollars of highly competitive fund programs that will address transportation deficiencies while also achieving the CAPTI Guiding Principles. The CSIS will guide nominations for projects funded by the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) and projects funded by other sources, commonly referred to as Non-SHOPP projects. 

SHOPP projects are presently prioritized through a data- and performance-driven approach under Asset Management; therefore, the Interim CSIS is focused on prioritizing non-SHOPP projects using a predominantly qualitative approach to guide the investment decision-making process. Caltrans intends to transition the CSIS towards a data- and performance-driven approach prior to SB 1 Cycle 4, when data collection and in-depth analyses can be conducted to establish baselines and performance targets and effectively measure the extent to which Caltrans delivers on the CAPTI Guiding Principles. The interim CSIS includes nine evaluation criteria:

1. Safety: Does the project reduce fatalities and serve injuries for all users in alignment with the Safe Systems approach?
2. Vehicle Miles Travelled: How does the project impact VMT?
3. Mode Shift: Des the project demonstrate the potential for mode shift?
4. Public Engagement: Does the project include documentation of a meaningful public engagement process?
5. Benefits to Disadvantaged Communities: Does the project incorporate local community needs that provides benefits to DACs?
6. Climate Resiliency: Does the project improve climate adaptation and resiliency?
7. Natural and Working Lands: Does the project minimize impacts on natural resources and ecosystems?
8. Infill Development: Does the project promote infill development and transportation-efficient land use patterns while protecting from displacement?
9. ZE Infrastructure: Does the project include and / or improve access to zero emission vehicle charging.

Agency staff has been working closely with Caltrans District 5 during this process to review our priority regional State highway projects that are already in the development pipeline – Scenic State Route 68 Corridor, US 101 South of Salinas, and the State Route 156 Corridor Improvements. In coordination with PointC, the Agency’s corridor advisor, staff has been able to provide feedback during the pipeline review for how these projects are in alignment with the State’s goals and should be prioritized for funding.

A draft of the interim CSIS is currently available for public review and comments. The deadline for comments to be submitted is November 14th. A representative from Caltrans will provide an update to the Committee at the meeting.