1 - Introduction

Per federal regulations (CFR 23 § 450.326), the GBNRTC, in cooperation with the State(s) and any affected public transportation operator(s), is required to develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the metropolitan planning area.

The TIP reflects the investment priorities established in the current Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and shall cover a period of no less than 4 years, be updated at least every 4 years, and be approved by the MPO and the Governor. Once implemented, the TIP is designed to make progress toward achieving defined performance targets.

The GBNRTC FFY 23-27 TIP incorporates heightened considerations to ensure that WNY region’s transportation system can facilitate the efficient movement of individuals and commerce. In addition to applying engineering-based asset management principles, this TIP emphasizes transportation system improvements that will address:

  • System maintenance and preservation

  • Climate/resilience vulnerabilities

  • Reduction of transportation carbon footprint

  • Improved mobility options

  • Support of operational enhancements and emergency response efforts

  • Improved safety and accessibility for all system users

  • Improved freight movement and logistics

GBNRTC Designation and Responsibility

By federal law, an MPO is designated by each state's governor for every urban area in the United States of America with at least 50,000 residents. The GBNRTC is one of fourteen (14) designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations for New York and is composed of Erie and Niagara Counties in Western New York State.

MPO are tasked with devising solutions to regional transportation problems, which involves addressing land use, air quality, energy, economic development, and commerce. MPOs, in cooperation with the NYSDOT and public transportation operators, develop long-range transportation plans (MTP) and Transportation Improvement Programs through a performance-driven, outcome-based approach to planning for metropolitan areas of the State.

GBNRTC Membership

The GBNRTC currently consists of the following seven members:

  • City of Buffalo

  • City of Niagara Falls

  • County of Erie

  • County of Niagara

  • NYS Thruway Authority

  • Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

  • New York State Department of Transportation

Each year, in accordance with the most current federal and state regulations, these seven members formally affirm the transportation planning process and set forth the responsibilities of the Council and its members (Resolution 2022-13):

  • Projects will be developed based on the continuing, comprehensive and coordinated transportation planning process.

  • Transportation systems embracing various transportation modes will be developed, so as to efficiently maximize mobility of people and goods.

  • Plans and programs will be developed that are vital to the economic, social and civic well-being of the metropolitan area.

  • Air quality conformity determination analysis will be performed by the MPO for transportation plans and programs.

  • An open planning and programming process will be conducted to reach out to stakeholders, interest groups, and the general public, especially underrepresented and under-served populations, as well as to the media.

GBNRTC and NYSDOT Region 5 staff work closely together to program TIP projects in Erie and Niagara Counties, including the densely settled urban areas in the Buffalo Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA).

NYSDOT Region 5 is also responsible for programming projects in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties which are to the south of Erie County. These projects are not included in the TIP but are listed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as they fall outside of the GBNRTC’s defined planning area.

Defined Urban Area

The defined urban area is used in determining (urban/rural) the functional classification of roadways. Functional classification defines the role each element of the roadway system plays in serving travel needs. All roads serve two main objectives to various degrees – mobility and land access.

Different uses of the functional classification of roads may include:

  • Eligibility for federal highway funds

  • Transportation agencies description of roadway system performance and targets

  • Access management

  • Prioritizing for investments in project selection

  • Transit route planning and travel route designation

The Census Bureau’s urban-rural classification is fundamentally a delineation of geographical areas, identifying both individual urban areas and the rural areas of the nation. The Census Bureau’s urban areas represent densely developed territory, and encompass residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses.

For the 2010 Census, an urban area will comprise a densely settled core of census tracts and/or census blocks that meet minimum population density requirements, along with adjacent territory containing non-residential urban land uses as well as territory with low population density included to link outlying densely settled territory with the densely settled core. To qualify as an urban area, the territory identified according to criteria must encompass at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of which reside outside institutional group quarters. The Census Bureau identifies two types of urban areas:

  • Urbanized Areas (UAs) of 50,000 or more people;

  • Urban Clusters (UCs) of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people.

“Rural” encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area.

A map of the GBNRTC’s defined urban area follows. This urban area will be subject to modification when the results of the 2020 Census are incorporated.

Tribal Nations

Federal regulations 23 CFR 450.316(c) and 23 CFR 450.324(f)(10) state that when the Metropolitan Planning Areas includes Tribal lands, the MPO shall appropriately involve the Tribal government(s) in the development of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Some of the advantages of this involvement include:

  • Build stronger relationships and trust

  • Increased understanding of issues facing Tribal Nations

  • Assistance in defining a future vision for the region

  • Improved understanding of the TIP

    • Participation in the identification system needs/new projects

    • Opportunity to comment on projects before construction begins

    • Avoidance of potential impacts to sensitive and important resources

  • Review draft documents and planning studies

  • Data assistance and sharing

There are three Tribal Nations located in the GBNRTC planning area, including:

  1. Seneca Nation of Indians

  2. Tuscarora Nation

  3. Tonawanda Seneca Nation

A map and description of Tribal Nations located in the GBNRTC planning area follows.

Seneca Nation of Indians

Seneca Nation is a federally recognized Native American Tribe. It functions as an autonomous and sovereign nation with a total enrolled population of 8,469 persons. Its land base consists of five non-contiguous territories geographically surrounded by western New York representing over 84 square miles.

Seneca Nation territories include:

  • The Cattaraugus Territory (Ga’dägësgëö’) is approximately 40 miles south of Buffalo, New York - forming the southern limit of the Greater Buffalo Niagara metropolitan planning organization (MPO)—at the boundary of Erie, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties. It consists of 22,013 acres, generally following along 17 miles of Cattaraugus Creek to its confluence with Lake Erie.

  • The 7-acre Niagara Falls Territory (Josgö’sëhdöh) was acquired in 2001 and converted into a class III gaming operation. The property is bounded by Niagara Street, 3rd Street, Rainbow Boulevard and John B. Daly Boulevard. The Territory is conveniently located two blocks from the Robert Moses Parkway, one of the major routes in and out of the city, and within three blocks of the famed American Falls, which attracts an estimated 3 million visitors annually.

  • The 9-acre Buffalo Creek Territory (Dejohšyogë:h) was acquired in 2005 with the full-service Buffalo Creek Casino constructed in 2010. Bounded by Perry Street, Michigan Avenue, South Park Avenue, and Mervin Street, the property is within a quarter mile of the newly revitalized Canalside development along Buffalo’s waterfront. The territory is situated between I-90 NY State Thruway and State Route 5 along the coast.

The Seneca Transit System (STS) is a public bus service for all area residents on the Allegany and Cattaraugus Territories and surrounding communities of Western New York. STS runs bus service six days a week between Irving and Steamburg. All STS buses are wheelchair accessible. Buses operate Monday through Saturday; two buses, one from each Territory, complete six round trips per day. STS provides increased mobility by providing access to employment, education, and training, as well as to personal appointments, shopping, and recreation.

The Seneca Nation of Indians formally participates in the GBNRTC as a Regional Strategic Stakeholder.

Tuscarora Nation

The Tuscarora Reservation (Nyučirhéʼę) is an Indian reservation in Niagara County, New York. The Tuscarora Reservation is home to Tuscarora Nation and their Iroquois relatives and guests. The population was 1,152 at the 2010 census. The Tuscarora are a federally recognized tribe. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Indian reservation has a total area of 9.3 mi2 (24.0 km2), all land. The reservation is located northeast of Niagara Falls, New York. It is surrounded by the Town of Lewiston.

Tonawanda Seneca Nation

The Tonawanda Indian Reservation (Ta:nöwöde') is an Indian reservation of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation located in western New York, United States. The band is a federally recognized tribe and, in the 2010 census, had 693 people living on the reservation. The reservation lies mostly in Genesee County, extending into Erie and Niagara counties. It is bordered by the Towns of Alabama, Pembroke, Newstead, and Royalton.

GBNRTC Organization

The roles and responsibilities of those involved in the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council, including its functions and practices, are defined in the GBNRTC’s Governance Framework. This Framework also formalizes the communication networks between the GBNRTC and its partners, identifying how various groups fit into the organization as a whole.

GBNRTC Policy Committee (Policy)

Provides a forum for cooperative decision making in regard to transportation planning and programming for the Buffalo-Niagara Region.

  • Approves resolutions regarding GBNRTC actions and provides final GBNRTC approval of plans, programs, and projects.

  • Sets regional policies for transportation and associated development activities in the Buffalo-Niagara area, while providing a pathway through external political/legislative system.

  • Approves highest level TIP project actions.

  • Meetings are held at least twice a year using a hybrid format with Zoom and live options for participants. Public may view the meetings live or via a Facebook Live stream (https://www.facebook.com/GBNRTC). Public comments can be submitted via Facebook or email (staff@gbnrtc.org).

Planning and Coordinating Committee (PCC)

Coordinates and guides the regional transportation planning process in accordance to guidance set by the Policy Committee.

  • Provides a forum for broad-based discussions of transportation issues and planning, including the programming of federal transportation funding for the region, and is a main avenue for public participation in the planning process.

  • Advises the Policy Committee on the approval of transportation plans, programs, and projects.

  • Through its representatives and subcommittees, the PCC participates in the development of the GBNRTC certification documents (Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Transportation Improvement Program, and Air Quality Conformity Determination).

  • Coordinates planning activities with Regional Strategic Stakeholders by invoking consideration of GBNRTC plans, projects, and programs.

  • Oversee and coordinate GBNRTC staff.

  • Recommend major project actions to Policy Committee.

  • Approval for minor TIP amendments and major Administrative Modifications

  • Initiate public review for MPO documents and TIP Amendments.

  • Approval of UPWP budget revisions.

  • Provides general oversight for GBNRTC staff and operations

  • Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month using a hybrid format with Zoom and live options for participants. Public may view the meetings live or via a Facebook Live stream (https://www.facebook.com/GBNRTC). Public comments can be submitted via Facebook or email (staff@gbnrtc.org).

Regional Strategic Stakeholders

Formally structured governments, groups and organizations may be designated as Regional Strategic Stakeholders. This designation allows for greater participation in the development of GBNRTC plans and programs.

  • May introduce ideas to PCC or respond to PCC on GBNRTC issues, plans and projects.

  • Review and provide comments and recommendations on such documents as the GBNRTC TIP and MTP.

  • Isolate and bring forward key issues requiring consideration as related to policy, plans and projects.

  • Invited to attend PCC meetings and offer recommendations and positions but do not participate in PCC votes.

The Seneca Nation of Indians, the Transportation Council of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership and the Empire State Development Corporation formally serve as GBNRTC Regional Strategic Stakeholders.

PCC Subcommittees

PCC Subcommittees provide technical advice and recommend appropriate courses of action to the PCC on current and emerging transportation planning issues, goals, plans, priorities and programs.

  • Assist the PCC by providing detailed reviews and working level participation in the development of GBNRTC plans, projects and processes.

  • Assist with technical tasks associated with GBNRTC work items and make recommendations to the PCC.

  • Identify issues and present those issues to the PCC for consideration.

  • May seek participation from Advisory Groups in the development of plans and projects.

  • The GBNRTC Transportation Projects Subcommittee (TPS) is specifically charged with addressing any and all issues pertaining to the development, maintenance and monitoring of the TIP. Subcommittee members include transportation planning officials from each of the GBNRTC’s seven member agencies and has the following functions:

    • Review new funding opportunities and programs

    • Review descriptive data reports on the region’s transportation infrastructure conditions

    • Address any and all issues pertaining to the development, maintenance and monitoring of the TIP.

      • Review project status and funds available

      • Approves minor project changes (Administrative Modifications)

      • Recommends all TIP amendments to PCC

      • Prioritize and submit new and carryover projects for inclusion in multi-year TIP update for their agency

      • Recommends final MPO constrained project candidate list to PCC for inclusion in TIP update

      • Review, assess and incorporate public feedback in project selection and scoping decisions

      • Develop projects for competitive funding opportunities outside of direct regional federal allocations (TAP/CMAQ, BRIDGE NY, INFRA, BUILD, etc.).

Central Staff

A dedicated full-time staff consisting of highly educated and skilled transportation professionals serves the seven GBNRTC member agencies.

This staff is primarily responsible for completing the tasks defined in the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) including developing, managing and implementing the region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).