Statewide Transportation Planning Framework Program Progress Report

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Statewide Transportation Planning Framework
Program Progress Report

• League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual
  Conference
• September 4, 2009

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Agenda

• Transportation Planning Framework overview
• Trends impacting Arizonas future
• Arizona responds long-range transportation
  planning
• 2050 Vision and Guiding Principles
• Statewide Transportation Future Scenarios
• Statewide Rail Framework
• Next steps
• Recommended Statewide Transportation Framework
• Long Range Transportation Plan

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A Changing World

• Global economics
• Demographics
• Land use
• Energy and climate
• Growth patterns
• Infrastructure at capacity

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Some Transportation Trends

• Rising fuel prices make people search for options
• Traditional funding sources quickly becoming
  history
• Potential for private investment
• Future technology options and innovation
• Legislation requiring greenhouse gas emissions
  analysis
• Legislation linking transportation and land use
• Federal emphasis on transit, especially
  high-speed rail

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Statewide Transportation Planning Framework
Process
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Building A Quality Arizona

• Also known as bqAZ or Framework Studies
• Initiated late 2007 by State and COG/MPO
  Association
• Intensive outreach and collaboration with
  policymakers, stakeholders, interest groups, and
  the public
• Envisions the future and identifies what we need
  to get there.

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A Collaborative Effort Since Early 2008

• Focus groups
• Stakeholder interviews
• Community workshops
• Online workshops
• Common Interest Workshops
• Regional and Rail Technical Advisory Teams
• Regular Interest Group Briefings
• Regional Advisory Teams
• Framework Management Committee
• Framework Policy Committee

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Vision and Guiding Principles Developed from
collaborative input
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Arizona Transportation 2050 Vision
Arizonas integrated, multimodal transportation
system provides residents and the traveling
public with mobility choices (rail, transit,
auto, air, pedestrian and bicycle) that reflect
the high value that Arizonans place on our unique
southwestern lifestyle, the extraordinary places
we call home, and the natural resources that
define us as a state. In recent decades,
innovation and technology have changed the way we
travel with the introduction of new modes to
Arizona, as well as improved fuel efficiencies
and expanded use of alternative fuels. Through
coordinated land use decision-making and wise
investments in state-of-the art infrastructure,
Arizonans have broad transportation choices. We
now move people and goods safely and efficiently
in a way that promotes sustainable growth and
preserves our natural environment, while
continuing to position Arizona for economic
opportunities and diversification based on our
unique assets. Arizonas statewide
transportation system connects communities,
people and commerce to enhance our quality of
life, while ensuring that future generations can
enjoy an even better Arizona.
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Guiding Principles

• Improve mobility and accessibility
• Support economic growth
• Promote a sustainable development pattern that
  links land use and transportation
• Consider Arizonas environment and natural
  resources
• Ensure safety and security

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Statewide Transportation Future
Scenarios Developed from collaborative input
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Statewide Transportation Future Scenarios

• Three scenarios express different philosophies
  and contain potential future transportation
  networks based on differing assumptions
• Scenario A Personal Vehicle Mobility
• Scenario B Transit Mobility
• Scenario C Focused Growth
• Recognize diversity of our state each region may
  view transportation differently
• Elements of all three, based on statewide input
  and technical analysis, will provide one future
  scenario to guide transportation planning

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Common Features of All Scenarios

• Roadways
• All three scenarios recognize the private auto as
  the predominant mode of transportation
• Enhanced capacity on all Interstate highways
• East and west high-capacity bypasses of I-17
• Enhanced capacity through new and improved
  facilities in Sun Corridor Megapolitan region
• High-capacity bypass of I-10 southeast of metro
  Phoenix
• Transit/Rail
• All three scenarios include transit, to varying
  degrees
• Expanded intercity bus service to activity
  centers and tribal communities
• Enhanced capacity through new and improved
  facilities in Sun Corridor Megapolitan region
• Border Considerations
• Consideration of bordering states and binational
  transportation requirements

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Scenario A Personal Vehicle Mobility

• Predominant emphasis on personal vehicle use
• Vehicle technology and efficiency evolve over
  time
• Modest increase in transit investment
• Land use patterns remain like today

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Scenario B Transit Mobility

• Emphasis on enhanced transit use
• Shift to using transit for regular trips (work,
  school, shopping, etc.)
• Provides more travel choices
• Land use patterns remain like today

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Scenario C Focused Growth

• Land use and transportation decisions made
  together
• Balance of roadway and transit investments
• Transportation investments focused to support
  activity centers
• Reduced vehicle trips resulting from focused
  growth

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Statewide Rail Framework

• Make recommendations for passenger and freight
  rail systems
• Outline rail-related economic growth potential
• Maximize existing rail infrastructure
• Complement other transportation system components
• Address economic and sustainability issues
• Explore mutually beneficial partnerships
• Position Arizona as a rail partner in the
  southwest region

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Strategic Rail Concepts Under Consideration

• Passenger rail
• Commuter rail in MAG and PAG regions
• Intercity rail Phoenix to Tucson and beyond
• Options for high-speed rail
• Freight rail
• Improvements to Class I rail lines (UPRR and
  BNSF)
• Assistance to shortline railroads
• Economic development opportunities related to
  inland and Mexican ports
• Organizational support for statewide rail system
  development

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Next Steps

• 2050 Statewide Transportation Planning Framework,
  including Rail Recommendations
• (October 2009)
• Draft Recommendations posted on Website
  (October-December 2009)
• Statewide Public forums North/Central/South
• (Late November/Early December, 2009)
• Framework Policy Committee Meetings
• (October and November 2009)
• State Transportation Board Meetings
• (November and December, 2009)

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Long Range Transportation Plan

• 2050 Statewide Transportation Planning Framework
• Legislated Transportation Planning Process
• State Long Range Transportation Plan
• Regional and State Transportation Improvement
  Programs (TIPs)
• 5-Year Construction Program

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www.bqaz.gov