No. 29455 (New Rule): R926-4. Establishing and Defining a Functional Classification of Highways in the State of Utah

DAR File No.: 29455
Filed: 01/29/2007, 11:52
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The rule is required by Section 72-4-102.5.

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule sets out the procedure by which roads are classified by function.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 72-4-102.5

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

Highway Functional Classification -- Concepts, Criteria, and Procedures, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Publication No. FHWA-ED-90-006, March 1989

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

It is anticipated that there will be costs for conducting this functional classification, but it is impossible to estimate how much. The costs will involve staff time in analyzing roads, census bureau information, and requests from local officials.

local governments:

Local governments may have some costs, but only if they choose to submit requests to the Department regarding functional classifications. It is impossible to estimate how much these costs will be.

other persons:

There should be no costs to other persons since the project only involves analysis by government and not third parties.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There should be no costs to other persons since the project only involves analysis by government and not third parties.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There should be no costs to other persons since the project only involves analysis by government and not third parties. John R. Njord, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Transportation
Program Development
CALVIN L RAMPTON COMPLEX
4501 S 2700 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84119-5998

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

James Beadles at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4168, by FAX at 801-965-4796, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

03/19/2007

This rule may become effective on:

03/26/2007

Authorized by:

John R. Njord, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R926. Transportation, Program Development.

R926-4. Establishing and Defining a Functional Classification of Highways in the State of Utah.

R926-4-1. Authority.

This rules establishes the procedure and criteria by which highways shall be functionally classified as required by Utah Code Ann. Section 72-4-102.5

 

R926-4-2. Incorporation by Reference.

The Department incorporates by reference Federal Highway Administration Publication No. FHWA-ED-90-006, "Highway Functional Classification - Concepts, Criteria, and Procedures" (U.S. Department of Transportation, March 1989). The publication will be referred to as the "Functional Classification Manual".

 

R926-4-3. Initiating a Change in the Functionally Classified Road System.

A request to consider changing the functional classification of an existing roadway may be initiated by an official of the local transportation agency responsible for the route by the Metropolitan Planning Organization with jurisdiction over the proposed change or by a Department staff member. Requests are to be forwarded to the Department's Systems Planning and Programming Division through the office of the local Region Director.

 

R926-4-4. Procedure to Determine Functional Classification of Roads.

(1) The procedure the Department uses to determine the functional classification for roads will follow the concepts and procedures identified in the Functional Classification Manual and will meet the guidelines relating to the extent of road miles and vehicle miles traveled of rural and urban functional classification systems. The final system will be as reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

(2) Traffic volumes and road mileage will come from data the Department reports on an annual basis. Population information will be taken from the most recent U.S. Census information.

 

R926-4-5. Schedule for Updating the Functionally Classified Road System.

(1) The schedule to update the Functionally Classified Road System is based on the U. S. Census, with a major 10-year update initiated after the release of census date. There will also be a mid-census review and an opportunity for annual adjustments.

(2) The major, or decennial, update, begins after the US Census Bureau releases information on urban and urbanized areas based on population and population density. This is historically completed about three years after the census count. Boundaries for small urban and urbanized areas are initially determined by the Census Bureau. They are then adjusted to fit local conditions by the Department in consultation with the underlying local authorities responsible for transportation. Road functional classifications are then determined by the Department, using the same consultation process and the concepts, procedures, and criteria identified in the Functional Classification Manual. The recommended functional classification changes are then forwarded to the local Federal Highway Administration Division Office for review, approval, and adoption as the Functionally Classified Highway System for the state.

(3) The mid-census review is initiated by the Department approximately five years after the major update has been completed and is similar to the decennial update. Road functional classifications are reviewed on the entire system, using the procedures and criteria identified in the Functional Classification Manual. The Department will consult with local official and forward recommended changes to the local Federal Highway Administration Division Office for review, approval, and adoption. Changes to urban boundaries and related rural or urban classifications are not considered in this review.

(4) Each year, the Department will review proposals to make changes in functional classification. This adjustment considers routes that experienced changes that were unforeseen during the regular system-wide review process and which are of a time-sensitive nature that precludes waiting for the next regular review. This adjustment is for minor revisions only and will not consider changes in mileage or vehicle miles traveled limits, boundary, or urban-rural classification changes.

 

KEY: functional classification, roads, transportation, census

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 72-4-102.5