TRANSPORTATION PLANNING the technical aspects of the project prepared by consultants

Transportation planning is the process of developing CITIZEN'S ADVISORY

strategies, policies, and infrastructure plans to efficiently and composed of a cross-section of the community and may
effectively move people and goods within a given area. It include representatives from labor, business, interested
involves analyzing existing transportation systems, assessing citizens, and members of community interest groups.
future demand, and identifying improvements to enhance METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO)
mobility, safety, sustainability, and accessibility. metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is a transportation
policy-making organization made up of representatives from
Basic Elements of Transportation Planning local government and transportation authorities.
SITUATION DEFINITION
The first step in the planning process is situation definition, 4 RELEVANT PROCESSES IN IMPLEMENTATION OF
which involves all of the activities required to understand the TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND
situation that gave rise to the perceived need for a RECOMMENDATIONS
transportation improvement. 1. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS
PROBLEM DEFINITION entails the generation of plans for various
The purpose of this step is to describe the problem in terms of types of transportation facilities and programs.
the objectives to be accomplished by the project and to 2. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMMING PROCESS
translate those objectives into criteria that can be quantified. process is the act of reconciling recommended projects from
SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS the planning process with the amount of funds available over
In this phase of the planning process, consideration is given an expected period of time, usually between two and six
to a variety of ideas, designs, locations, and system years.
configurations that might provide solutions to the problem. 3. THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AND RIGHT-OF-
ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE WAY PROCESS
The purpose of performance analysis is to estimate how each this process, variations of the alignment may be considered
of the proposed alternatives would perform under present and and environmental studies may be conducted, including
future conditions. solicitation of public input through project-specific hearings.
EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES 4. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
The purpose of the evaluation phase is to determine how well entails advertising the project, soliciting bids, and
each alternative will achieve the objectives of the project as constructing the project.
defined by the criteria.
Choice of Project 2 SEPARATE TIME HORIZONS
Project selection is made after considering all the factors  Short-term projects
involved. If the project involves the community, it may be  Long-term projects
necessary to hold additional public hearings. A bond issue or
referendum may be required. It is possible that none of the Estimation of Project Cost and Travel Demand
alternatives will meet the criteria or standards, and additional Planning-Level Cost Estimation
investigations will be necessary. Project cost estimation at the planning stage may be
SPECIFICATION AND CONSTRUCTION hampered either because the project has not yet been well-
Once the transportation project has been selected, the project defined or because a significant amount of time has passed
moves into a detailed design phase in which each of the since the project cost was estimated, rendering the older
components of the facility is specified. For a transportation estimate out of date.
facility, this involves its physical location, geometric Planning-Level Demand Estimation
dimensions, and structural configuration. With the land-use forecasts established in terms of number of
jobs, residents, auto ownership, income, and so forth, the
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING INSTITUTIONS traffic that this land use will add to the highway and transit
3 "C" PROCESS facility can be determined.
CONTINUING Among the groups that could be affected are the traveling
process be revisited frequently and viewed as an ongoing public (user), the highway or transit agencies (operator), and
concern. the non-traveling public (community).
COMPREHENSIVE
context ensures that all transportation modes are addressed. FORECASTING TRAVEL
COOPERATIVE refers to the process of predicting and estimating future travel
state (or states) and all municipalities in an urbanized area patterns, trends, and behaviors. It involves analyzing
work together. historical data, current trends, and various factors that
influence travel, such as demographics, economic conditions,
4 COMMITTEES IN TRANSPORTATION social changes, and technological advancements.
ORGANIZATION
POLICY FOUR ELEMENTS
composed of elected or appointed officials  data collection (or inventories)
TECHNICAL  analysis of existing conditions and calibration of
composed of the engineering and planning staffs that are forecasting techniques,
responsible for carrying out the work or evaluating  forecast of future travel demand, and
  analysis of the results.
Data Collection
The data collection phase provides information about the city
and its people that will serve as the basis for developing
travel demand estimates.

Transportation system inventories involve a description of the

existing transportation services; the available facilities and
their condition; location of routes and schedules; maintenance
and operating costs; system capacity and existing traffic;
volumes, speed, and delay; and property and equipment.

PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

Rights of way
—Roadway and shoulder widths
—Locations of curbed sections
—Locations of structures such as bridges, overpasses,
underpasses, and major culverts
— Overhead structure clearances
—Railroad crossings
—Location of critical curves or grade
—Identification of routes by governmental unit having
maintenance jurisdiction
—Functional classification
—Street lighting

LAND USE AND ZONING CONTROLS

TRAFFIC GENERATORS
 SCHOOLS
 PARKS
 SHOPPING CENTERS
 OFFICE COMPLEXES
 STADIUMS

LAWS, ORDINANCES, AND REGULATIONS

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
 TRAFFIC SIGNS
 SIGNALS
 PAVEMENT MARKINGS
TRANSIT SYSTEM
 Routes by street.
 Locations and lengths of stops and bus layover
spaces.
 Location of off-street terminals
 Change of mode facilities

Navigating the Future: Travel Surveys and Forecasting

TRAVEL SURVEYS are a vital tool for forecasting travel
patterns and trends.
are conducted to establish a complete understanding of the
travel patterns within the study area.

FREIGHT PLANNING is similar to passenger planning in

that both may be used to satisfy one or more stated policy
goals.