CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2014 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategies (RTP/SCS) represents a new approach to regional transportation planning; one that goes beyond singularly addressing transportation needs. The 2014 RTP/SCS strengthens the link between land use and transportation planning, recognizing the significant connection between these two areas and its impact on the region s quality of life. The 2014 RTP/SCS or Plan presents a strategy to accommodate the significant expected growth in the region while promoting economic vitality, providing more housing and transportation choices, promoting healthy living, and improving communities through an efficient and well-maintained transportation network. This plan addresses new requirements, including Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) which calls for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector; as well as new federal mandates under MAP21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), the new transportation authorization bill, which emphasizes a performance-based planning approach. The Plan, which matches transportation investment priorities with desired land use, represents the Stanislaus Council of Government s (StanCOG) vision for a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable region with multimodal transportation options available for all users.

3 The 2014 RTP/SCS document is the culmination of an integrated planning effort referred to as Valley Vision Stanislaus (VVS). The VVS effort encompassed the Regional Transportation Plan, Sustainable Communities Strategy and Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) planning processes, which created an approach that was driven by local and public input and that truly integrated land use and transportation planning to address those issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries. ASSEMBLY BILL 32 AND SENATE BILL 375 MOVING AHEAD PROGRESS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (MAP-21) The MAP-21 transportation bill was signed into law in 2012 authorizing federal surface transportation planning for two years. A key part of the new transportation bill is the emphasis on performance-based planning and programming for long range transportation plans such as the Regional Transportation Plan. Performance-based planning and programming uses performance measurement to evaluate desired outcomes to guide the development and evaluation of the regional transportation plan. Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) establishes a goal for the State to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by the year Senate Bill 375, California s climate change law enacted to implement AB 32, establishes GHG emission reduction targets for each region to be addressed through an integrated transportation and land use planning approach that demonstrates how the targets could be achieved. SB 375 also integrates the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process into the RTP/SCS effort to ensure that projected housing unit allocations are consistent with the development pattern within the SCS component Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy 13

4 INTEGRATING TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE Unlike previous RTPs, the 2014 RTP/SCS focuses on maintaining the region s vitality and character by creating a more sustainable transportation system and land use development pattern. In the context of this long-range planning document, sustainability means a transportation system and pattern of development that complement each other to provide for current needs without compromising the needs of future generations. This can be achieved through the preservation of agricultural land, equitable access to a variety of healthy and safe transportation options for all users, the availability of a wide range of housing options, and protection of the region s natural resources and open space. In order to assess the performance and success of the 2014 RTP/SCS, seven goals and corresponding objectives were adopted. Together, these goals and objectives are used by the Plan to measure how successful the integration of transportation and land use planning strategies are at achieving the vision in this document. 14 Chapter 1: Executive Summary

5 In order to assess the performance and success of the 2014 RTP/SCS, seven goals and corresponding objectives were adopted. Table 1.1 Goals of the 2014 RTP/SCS Goal 1. Mobility & Accessibility Improve the ability of people and goods to move between desired locations; and provide a variety of transportation choices. Goal 2. Social Equity Promote and provide equitable opportunities to access transportation services for all populations and ensure all populations share in the benefits of transportation improvements and provide a range of transportation and housing choices. Goal 3. Economic and Community Vitality Foster job creation and business attraction, retention, and expansion by improving quality of life through new and revitalized communities. Goal 4. Sustainable Development Pattern Provide a mix of land uses and compact development patterns; and direct development toward existing infrastructure, which will preserve agricultural land, open space, and natural resources. Goal 5. Environmental Quality Consider the environmental impacts when making transportation investments and minimize direct and indirect impacts on clear air and the environment. Goal 6. Health & Safety Operate and maintain the transportation system to ensure public safety and security; and improve the health of residents by improving air quality and providing more transportation options. Goal 7. System Preservation Maintain the transportation system in a state of good repair, and protect the region s transportation investments by maximizing the use of existing facilities Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy 15

6 VALLEY VISION STANISLAUS PLANNING PROCESS In order to achieve the collective vision for the region, it is critical to comprehensive understanding of the existing population and transportation system, as well as the extent and make-up of future growth. An understanding of how future populations may use the transportation system compared to existing residents is critical in region s needs today and for tomorrow. A steering committee, referred to as The Valley Vision Stanislaus (VVS) Steering Committee, was established to help guide this planning process. Since StanCOG does not have land use authority, it was important to include representatives from each of the jurisdictions in the region who hold land use authority as well as a representative from the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). In addition, other members were added, including a representative from the general public, a bicycle and pedestrian stakeholder, social service agencies, public transit interests, and an elected official to ensure a collaborative and comprehensive planning approach. To accommodate anticipated growth and determine future regional trends, land use and transportation investment strategies (scenarios) were developed in coordination with the VVS Steering Committee utilizing information from a comprehensive demographic forecast. This demographic forecast was used consistently throughout the VVS planning effort and was further incorporated into the transportation model to forecast future travel patterns. Together these forecasts allowed the VVS Committee to evaluate the extent to which each scenario achieved the goals and objectives of the 2014 RTP/SCS. Four scenarios were developed approximating different potential growth patterns for the region s transportation system and land use including: Historical Trend, New Trend, Moderate Change, and More Change. The scenarios reflect a broad range of transportation policies and land use strategies from historical trends to a more compact future with greater investments in alternative transportation options. The performance of each scenario was evaluated by the VVS Steering Committee and presented to the public. Based on this analysis and public input the Moderate Change scenario was identified by the StanCOG Policy Board as the preferred scenario. This scenario then became the basis for the 2014 RTP/SCS. 16 Chapter 1: Executive Summary

7 TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS Concurrent with the development of the land uses strategies, revenue projections were developed in collaboration with local agencies to determine the available funding for transportation projects through the year 2040, including federal, state, and local funding sources. A total of $4.46 billion in revenues are anticipated over the life of the plan. Transportation investments were then evaluated based on the Plan goals; and projects were selected to provide a transportation system that best fits with the pattern of development and transportation needs of the region. The Plan is financially constrained to ensure that project costs do not exceed projected revenues. The 2014 RTP/SCS represents a new vision and comprehensive strategy for the Stanislaus re- gion. With the selection of the Moderate Change scenario, roadway funding has shifted from approximately 84 percent of total funds, as identified in the 2011 RTP, to 61 percent. Additionally, a greater portion of this funding is directed to operational improvements and rehabilitation. An equally large shift occurred in the share of transit funding, with the growth in transit funding capitalizing on a more compact land use development pattern. The transit investments include improvements to existing services and funds to reduce headways and to add new services including: bus rapid transit (BRT), express service routes, and the extension of commuter rail into the region. These investments show a commitment to achieving the vision of the Plan in response to changing times in addition to new federal and state legislation. Figure 1.1 Project Expenditures by Mode 2014 RTP/SCS 2011 RTP/SCS $39,398,600 (1%) $196,993,700 (4%) $464,187,400 (11%) $53,504,300 (1%) $2,714,023,000 (61%) $224,618,300 (5%) $3,683,937,100 (84%) Roadway Transit Bicycle/Pedestrian Aviation $1,464,834,119 (33%) 2014 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy 17

8 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT The success of the 2014 RTP/SCS is determined by its ability to meet the established goals and objectives and in its ability to be successfully implemented. To evaluate the plan, a collection of performance measures, relating to each goal were thoughtfully crafted. To provide a concise list, the performance measures are divided into three broad categories: quality of life, mobility and accessibility, and environmental sustainability. The performance measures were specifically chosen to determine the ability to meet each of the Plan s goals, to ensure that the Plan succeeds in improving the quality of life of the region s residents, providing a wide range of transportation choices, and encouraging a wider variety of housing options for the future. The performance measures evaluated the Plan against the Historic Trend scenario as this scenario best approximates business as usual growth and transportation investments into the future. These performance measures should not be construed as mandates or consistency requirements for local agencies but rather as ways to assess the 2014 RTP/SCS relative to existing business-as-usual patterns of transportation investments and development. However, the greenhouse gas emissions per capita targets have been established as regional mandates by the California Air Resources Board under Senate Bill 375. EQUITY StanCOG is also committed to ensuring that transportation investments and projects are funded and implemented in an equitable manner for all of the region s residents and transportation system s users. To meet this commitment, StanCOG undertook a comprehensive equity analysis of the RTP/SCS and targeted outreach efforts to identify traditionally disadvantaged communities. The equity analysis ensures that these groups share in the benefits of transportation investment decisions and are not subject to disproportionate impacts. The equity analysis consists of an additional six performance measures focused specifically on impacts to identified environmental justice communities. The outreach efforts were designed to reach and engage traditionally disadvantaged communities to ensure that these groups were not excluded from the planning process. PUBLIC OUTREACH No comprehensive planning effort can be successful without input from those that are affected by the plan. A two pronged approach was undertaken to involve both elected officials and the public those that will ultimately implement the plan and those directly affected by the plan, respectively. StanCOG not only created the VVS Steering Committee to receive input from the local agencies on the direction, concepts and details of the RTP/SCS, we also continually provided information and updates to the local elected officials to ensure that they were aware of the effort and to solicit their input throughout the planning process. 18 Chapter 1: Executive Summary

9 The performance measures were specifically chosen to determine the ability to meet each of the Plan s goals Table RTP/SCS Performance Measures Quality of Life Jobs-housing balance Affordability of new housing stock Vehicle hours of congestion Average bike or walk trip length Percent of housing within one-half mile of parks and open space Percent of housing within 500 feet of a major transportation corridor Mobility and Accessibility Percent of low-income and/or minority persons benefitting from roadway expenditures Percent of housing within one-half mile of frequent transit service Percent of low-income housing within one-half mile of frequent transit service Peak period transit ridership Percentage of congested lane miles Congested lane miles on major goods movement corridors Weekday vehicle miles of travel per capita Injury or fatality rate per 100,000 vehicle miles traveled Environment and Sustainability Housing mix by housing type Total bikeway improvement funding Roadway maintenance Greenhouse gas emissions per capita Health-based criteria pollutant emissions Overall residential density Acres of land consumed per 1,000 new residents Total acres of land consumed by new development Total acres of Prime Farmland consumed by new development 2014 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy 19

10 StanCOG also sought to improve upon prior planning efforts, by reaching a larger portion of the public. StanCOG utilized electronic outreach methods to reach people remotely, giving them the opportunity to provide input on the Plan at their convenience and from the comfort of their home or work in 10 minutes compared to attending a 2-hour workshop. However, to reach those that do not have access to the internet, an address or a computer, StanCOG provided scores of conventional workshops and presentations as well as partnering with key stakeholders that represent various interests to tap into their networks. effectively links the transportation system to our everyday destinations. Just as importantly, the Plan harnesses the visions of local agencies and residents to create healthy and active communities while attracting and maintaining businesses that rely on a high quality of life and robust transportation system to move goods. This plan also goes a step further, introducing performance measurement to continually re-evaluate local public policy and investment strategies, and provides the ability to react to changes in the region s overall priorities or demographic shifts. CONCLUSION This Plan cannot guarantee specific outcomes, but through local coordination and the integration of land use and transportation planning we can improve the region s odds of achieving an economically viable and desirable place to live and work, with abundant natural resources and scenic beauty. By more closely aligning our policies with our vision in short, by creating a RTP/ SCS Plan that not only addresses traffic congestion and air quality, but also where people live and work the RTP/SCS provides a way to achieve these goals. The Plan demonstrates that the region can meet and exceed the greenhouse gas targets provided under SB 375. It further shows significant progress towards achieving the other goals of the plan, through a land use pattern focused on compact and infill development that more Figure 1.2 Comparison of SB 375 Emission Reduction Targets and Plan Reductions 0% -5% -10% -15% -20% -25% -30% SB 375 Target 2014 RTP/SCS Plan 20 Chapter 1: Executive Summary