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For transportation projects, OPR's update to the CEQA Guidelines identified specific types of transportation projects that will be presumed to have a less than significant transportation impact because they "would not likely lead to a substantial measurable increase in VMT." Generally, those projects fall into four categories: transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and roadway reconfigurations that do not add lanes. 2. Model and/or Algebraic Methods If a project requires further VMT analysis, City staff may opt to use either a transportation model or a simplified algebraic method developing on the level of detail required for the project, and the project's general complexity. If a transportation model is preferred, there are options to use the Bay Area regional model, Travel Model One, or a more local model, such as the VTA-C/CAG travel model. For smaller projects, a simplified algebraic approach to calculating VMT may be used. For this method, total VMT is equivalent to the project's total trip generation multiplied by average trip length. Consultant shall run up to two travel demand models to evaluate their sensitivity to each project type and include the results and discussion in the white paper described under Task 1.A. Deliverable: VMT Metric & Methodology White Paper Task 1.0 - Adopt VMT Impact Significance Thresholds Following selection of a methodology and metric for VMT, the City must then determine its VMT impact significance threshold. The intent of the VMT impact significance threshold is to: 1. Ensure that the environmental impacts of traffic, such as noise, air pollution, and safety, continue to be properly addressed and mitigated through the California Environmental Quality Act. 2. Balance the needs of congestion management with statewide goals related to infill development, promotion of public health through active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The CEQA Guidelines and the OPR Technical Advisory state that "a per capita or per employee VMT that is fifteen percent below that of existing development may be a reasonable threshold" (OPR Technical Guidance, 2018). The City continues to have the discretion to set an alternative threshold, and to choose the most appropriate methodology and threshold for the local context. The Consultant shall assist the City in selecting significance thresholds. The thresholds selected as a part of this process may be interim in nature, to allow time for further evaluation and use before finalizing. Consultant will attend up to two in-person meetings with the City to assist the City in determining interim significance thresholds, as outlined in Task 1.D. REV: 08-21-19 PR AM/AGR.Amend No. 1/Fehr & Peers Citywide Transporation Plan (Page 4 of 6)