Implementation

The LRTP 2045 Vision is about more than just transportation. Public input reinforces the idea that the transportation network is intricately tied to many other conditions in the community including land-use, public health, the environment, and the economy. The overall built environment operates most effectively when all these different processes work together to facilitate safe and efficient mobility to support our individual and collective goals.

Plan implementation involves certain standard routine tasks that can be considered on two levels: project-related implementation, and concept-related implementation.

Project-Related Tasks

Review Project Priorities Periodically

Projects in the LRTP have undergone an initial prioritization process; this prioritization should be reviewed periodically to include new projects and change priorities if new funding or information becomes available. Two existing documents can serve this purpose at the regional level: the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Project Priority Review Guidelines(PPR).

The TIP is updated every year and lists transportation projects anticipated to be constructed in the metropolitan planning area during the next four years. The program reflects the goals, objectives, and recommendations from the 25-year Long Range Transportation Plan in the short term. By mandate, the TIP must include projects receiving federal and state funding; the CUUATS program also includes local projects from our member agencies. Compiling the document requires a consensus among all CUUATS agencies, thus establishing compliance with federal laws and eligibility for federal funding.

The PPR Guidelines outline the process by which CUUATS evaluates and documents consistency between the local use of federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) funds and federal and regional transportation goals as established in the LRTP. Local agencies seeking to use STBGP funds are required to submit a project application to be reviewed by CUUATS staff and the Project Priority Review working group who use a set of criteria based on federal and regional transportation goals to score each project. The project scores are intended to illustrate the level of consistency with federal and regional transportation goals and also serve as a way to measure projects against one another in the event that multiple projects apply for STBGP funding in the same year.

Seek New Funding Resources

Local agencies should continually seek new funding sources for those projects that do not currently have funding. When the new federal or state transportation bill is enacted, local agencies should determine potential funding sources and pursue projects that fit the intent of the new bill.

Concept-Related Tasks

Complete Benchmarks from Plan Performance Measures are based on the LRTP goals and objectives as well as the project lists; they are measurable events that signify progress and/or lack of progress toward defined goals. Every effort should be made to update data sets related to the Performance Measures and produce the LRTP Report Card each year.

Monitor Area Development

While the LRTP is based on local agencies’ most available knowledge at the time of writing, many new developments may occur while other anticipated developments may not occur on time or at all. Decision making processes and future updates to the plan should reflect these changes.

Evaluate Change

Proactive planning should be utilized to anticipate changes to the transportation network. Where unanticipated changes occur, local agencies should assess how unanticipated changes will affect the transportation system, and react to those changes logically and efficiently.

Update Models

The CUUATS Modeling Suite must be updated as continually as staff and funding permit. Updated traffic volumes, population forecasts, employment forecasts, and other inputs are essential elements to have accurate working models. Seek Funding for Implementation Some of the goals and objectives will require significant staff time or other inputs to be completed. Funding must be sought for both transportation projects and concepts implementation.