Planning Today for Tomorrow's Mobility

Whether we are going to work, taking a vacation, delivering products or visiting friends, all of us depend on a safe, efficient, reliable transportation system. It is a matter of life and livelihood. As our population grows and our economy expands, so does the need to move people, goods and services.

California's population is predicted to increase by 10 - 18 million over the next twenty-five years. Much of this growth will likely be in our current coastal urban areas - San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and the Bay Area. But there will also be significant growth in the Central Valley and Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

The predicted population growth could contribute to severe increases in travel volume and traffic congestion, polluted air and water, endangered fish and wildlife, and increased land consumption. We have an opportunity to address the undesirable effects of increased travel demand. We need to plan today to provide for tomorrow's mobility while maintaining the state's economic vitality, quality of life and natural environment.

California's Transportation Plan

The State of California, under the leadership of the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and in conjunction with our regional partners, is in the process of developing a 20-year California Transportation Plan (CTP). The CTP will present a vision for California's future transportation system, strategies for serving our growing population and will serve as a framework for linking state, regional and local transportation plans. The plan will consider all entire transportation system including roadways, rail, transit, seaports, airports, bikeways and pedestrians.

Guidelines and Public Participation Program

In fall 2000, a State Transportation Plan Guidelines Team was established to develop an approach for developing the plan and a supporting Public Participation Program. The Guidelines Team was comprised of representatives from:

Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Governor's

Office of Planning & Research

California Transportation Commission

Federal Highway Administration

Caltrans Divisions, including: Environmental Mass Transportation, and Transportation Planning

Rural Counties Task Force

California Association of Councils of Government

Local Government Commission

Surface Transportation Policy Project

In May 2001, Brian Smith, the Guideline Team Sponsor, approved the California Transportation Plan Elements and Public Participation Program. (Both in PDF Format)

In order to bring the important statewide transportation issues to the forefront, we have accelerated the delivery of the draft California Transportation Plan to the Administration to December 2001. While this does not dramatically impact how we will develop the Plan, it does effect the development schedule.

Additionally, we are developing a draft California Transportation Plan Themes for consideration in the development of the CTP. The Themes are designed to stimulate discussion of California's future transportation needs and potential implementing strategies. The Themes will be shaped and influenced by the Public Participation Program.

Current Public Participation Efforts

We have just completed a Customer Survey to determine the opinions of the stakeholders and users of the transportation system. In April and May 2001, fifty-seven focus groups were held across California. The sessions included a discussion of our current and future transportation challenges and possible solutions. The results from the focus groups provided the basis for a telephone survey, which was completed in June 2001.

Additionally, a brochure introducing the California Transportation Plan and including a brief questionnaire will be distributed in July.

We are currently collaborating with our transportation partners to sponsor several workshops around the State. Staff is also conducting numerous interviews with policy and decision makers, and representatives of various communities throughout the summer. A Discussion Paper has been prepared to generate dialogue among the workshop participants. The comments and concerns raised during the workshops and interviews will be documented and considered in the Plan.

Your Input

The public participation effort is designed to gain comments on the Plan as well as the public's concerns and ideas on how to meet the needs of our growing population. Please submit your comments to:

Department of Transportation
California Transportation Plan
P.O. Box 942874, MS-32
Sacramento, CA 94274-0001

Or

E-mail: California.Transportation.Plan@dot.ca.gov

If you want to be added to our stakeholder database to receive periodic updates and notifications please provide your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. If you are representing an organization please include your title and organization's name and primary interest, such as land-use planning, biking, transit or the environment.