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Transportation Plan – Visions and Policies
OVERVIEW • VISIONS AND POLICIES • THE LAST 25 YEARS
UNIVERSE OF PROJECTS • AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY • PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization is responsible for programming the spending of transportation funds in 101 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts and for conducting the regional transportation-planning processes through which the region´s current and future transportation needs are identified and prioritized. It is the responsibility of the MPO to conduct its work and decision making so as to equitably distribute the benefits and burdens of the transportation system within the region and to utilize and conserve the available financial, infrastructure, natural, and cultural resources in the most effective way possible.

The MPO has defined its visions and policies for a number of topics to guide this planning and programming. The definition of a topic is a major area of focus. Policies are specific statements to be used in guiding decision making. Visions are descriptions of the end state that eventually exists after policies´ objectives have been achieved.

The MPO´s visions and policies are presented by topic below.
System Preservation, Modernization, and Efficiency

Vision
Preserving the existing transportation network and replacing systems once their life span is realized are tasks critical to the promotion and effective management of regional mobility. The vision of the Boston Region MPO is to maintain and manage existing transportation facilities so that they function at their highest possible level of safety and efficiency. In this manner, people using elements of the system will experience the highest possible service level. Application of transportation systems management and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies will be the main tool used to provide information, reduce congestion, and expedite transit service, thereby providing for system reliability, safety, and efficiency. Upgrading to keep in step with evolving standards will help meet the region´s changing needs.

Policies
To emphasize the preservation, modernization, and efficiency of the existing transportation system, the MPO will:
  1. Put priority on projects that maintain, repair, and modernize existing infrastructure.
  2. Set funding goals for maintaining the system.
  3. Make investments that maximize the efficiency, effectiveness, reliability, and flexibility of the existing transportation system.
  4. Encourage and support, through planning and programming, projects and programs that improve the operation of the existing transportation system through the use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), new technologies, and transportation system management.
Mobility

Vision
A coordinated mix of transportation modes and services will give users of the region´s transportation system increased opportunities for convenient, reliable, speedy, affordable, and accessible travel. Existing roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and freight links will be maintained and their serviceability improved. New routes, lines, and connections will serve additional needs. The spectrum of options will serve travelers from different areas of the region with varying needs.

Policies
To improve mobility for people and freight, the MPO will:
  1. Put a priority on projects and programs that increase the availability of transportation options for people and freight by improving connections, access to and within the system, services, and infrastructure to meet needs.
  2. Support projects and programs that improve public transportation service by making it faster, and more reliable and affordable.
  3. Consider how an improvement to a single mode can make the entire system work better.
  4. Fund projects that expand the existing transportation system´s ability to move people and goods in areas identified in the Boston Region Mobility Management System, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Program for Mass Transportation, the MPO´s Regional Equity Program, MPO and Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works(EOTPW) freight studies and through public comment. This includes encouraging options that manage demand. Adding highway capacity by building general-purpose lanes should be considered only when no better solution can be found and should be accompanied by proponent commitments, developed in the environmental review process, to implement transportation demand management (TDM) measures.
  5. Assist agencies and communities in planning and implementing projects that provide bicycle and pedestrian routes, networks, and facilities.
  6. Support programs that meet public transportation needs in suburban communities, including improving access to existing public transportation and partnering with others to initiate new intra-suburban services linking important destinations.
  7. Provide better access for all to transportation throughout the region, including for our youth, elderly and disabled users, and members of zero-vehicle households. This includes identifying and addressing structural and operational barriers to mobility.
  8. Develop a multimodal, comprehensive plan for freight movement that includes an evaluation of freight infrastructure needs and access to intermodal facilities (air, road, rail, and water).
Environment

Vision
Transportation planning activities and projects will strive to reduce air quality degradation and other environmental degradations caused by transportation. Vehicle emissions (carbon monoxide [CO], nitrogen oxides [NOx], volatile organic compounds [VOCs], particulates, and carbon dioxide [CO2]) will be reduced by modernizing transit, truck, and automobile fleets, and through increasing transit mode share.

In the process of considering transportation projects, the MPO will take into account the management and minimization of soil and water contamination, such as highway and rail right-of-way runoff, and wetland impacts. Construction of transportation facilities will be planned and carried out in a manner that avoids or minimizes negative impacts to natural resources. Transportation planning will also promote project design that preserves cultural resources such as community character and cohesiveness, quality of life, and historic and scenic resources; protects greenfields, open space, wildlife, and ecosystems; and advances sustainability and health-promoting transportation options. Transportation agencies will work with environmental and cultural resource agencies to achieve these ends.

Policies
To minimize transportation-related pollution or degradation of the environment, promote energy conservation, support preservation of natural resources and community character, and advance sustainability, regional environmental benefits, and health-promoting transportation options, the MPO will:
  1. Give priority to projects that maintain and improve public transportation facilities and services so as to increase public transportation mode share and reduce reliance on automobiles.
  2. Give priority to projects that reduce congestion or manage transportation demand to improve air quality.
  3. Support, through planning and programming, projects that make transportation in the region more sustainable.
  4. Promote the use of low-polluting or alternative fuels, efficient engine technology or other new, viable technology and resource protections.
  5. Consider environmental issues during project selection; in particular, air quality and reduction of pollutants (CO, NOx, VOCs, particulates, and CO2), water resources (soil and water contamination, stormwater management, and wetlands impacts), greenfields and open space, and wildlife and ecosystems; and value those that reduce negative impacts.
  6. Recognize value in transportation projects that preserve natural and cultural resources, including visual, historic, aesthetic, noise, community cohesiveness, and local quality of life values.
  7. Recognize, in evaluations, projects that respect community character in their purpose and design.
  8. Consult with environmental and cultural resource agencies and entities on environmental effects, particularly through the existing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) processes.
  9. Encourage, through planning and programming, transportation choices that promote a healthy lifestyle, such as walking and bicycling.
Safety and Security

Vision
Safety and security initiatives will be implemented to protect the region from natural and human threats. Transportation infrastructure and its operation will be upgraded on an ongoing basis for the safety and security of all users. Technologies will be employed to manage incidents, conduct emergency response, and support safe evacuations using various transportation modes. Highway and transit infrastructure will be kept in a state of good repair. There will be fewer crashes, due to improved intersection designs and upgrades.

Policies
To improve safety and security for all transportation system users and prepare the transportation system for its role in emergency-response preparedness, the MPO will:
  1. Support designs and fund projects and programs that address safety problems and enhance safe travel for all system users. This includes designs and projects that encourage motorists, public transportation riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians to share the transportation network safely.
  2. Support, through planning and programming, the installation, operation, upgrading, and timely maintenance of system infrastructure, including ITS, to provide for safety and security.
  3. Participate in regional planning for safety and security initiatives, such as evacuation and contingency measures, and homeland security.
Regional Equity

Vision
Regional equity and the needs of low-income and minority residents will be assessed through regular activities and technical analyses. Low-income and minority residents will share equally with others in access to the transportation network and its mobility benefits. Environmental burdens from transportation facilities and services will be identified and minimized for all populations.

Policies
To promote the equitable sharing of the transportation system´s benefits and burdens, and incorporate environmental justice principles into transportation planning and programming activities, the MPO will:
  1. Continue the outreach to communities with a high proportion of low-income and minority residents to identify transportation needs.
  2. Assess regional equity by analyzing mobility, accessibility, and congestion for communities with a high proportion of low-income and minority residents.
  3. Fund projects that address identified regional equity issues and needs.
Land Use and Economic Development

Vision
Multimodal transportation will serve business, residential, and mixed-use centers. Transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities will be linked in a network to a growing inventory of denser residential development, employment and commercial centers, and major destinations. Transportation investments will focus on centers of economic activity and areas with adequate water, sewer, and other public infrastructure. Transportation rights-of-way will be used to maximize public benefits.

Transportation planning will be integrated with land-use and economic-development planning to the greatest extent possible in order to achieve more mobility, foster sustainable communities and transportation, and expand economic opportunities and prosperity. Transportation improvements will be made to facilitate the movement of freight throughout the region.

Policies
To promote the integration of land-use, economic-development, and transportation planning to achieve efficiencies; benefits for mobility and the environment, including sustainable communities and transportation; and stronger economic opportunities, the MPO will:
  1. Link transportation planning with land-use and economic-development plans, particularly in areas identified for economic development by state, regional, and local planning.
  2. Make transportation investments where existing or planned development will encourage public transportation use, walking, and bicycling.
  3. Give priority to projects in areas identified in local and regional plans as being suitable for concentrated development and/or redevelopment, including brownfield redevelopment; support initiatives that increase sustainability.
  4. Consider both existing development and densities in transportation decision-making and give priority to projects that support them.
  5. Consider the appropriate use and maintenance of transportation rights-of-way to maximize public benefits.
  6. Put priority on transportation investments related to existing centers of economic activity; or to areas with adequate water and sewer infrastructure; or to municipal centers or areas targeted for economic development.
  7. Support, through planning and programming, transportation improvements that provide transportation links for economic activities such as freight movement.
Public Participation

Vision
Members of the public will have the opportunity to be informed about and involved in MPO planning and decision-making regarding transportation projects, programs, and spending for the region. Information will be presented in clear and concise formats, including visualizations, accessible formats, and other media. The MPO will strongly encourage low-income and minority residents and those with limited English proficiency to participate. The Regional Transportation Advisory Council will continue to contribute to the development of all MPO documents.

The MPO will work with project proponents and members of the public to help them understand the MPO project evaluation and selection processes. To facilitate this understanding, the MPO will, in conducting those processes, consistently follow its published project-selection criteria.

The MPO will consult with environmental, cultural resource, community, business, economic development, and other agencies throughout the region and state to promote the integration of their interests with transportation planning and programming.

Policies
To promote public involvement in all phases of transportation planning and design, the MPO will:
  1. Implement the MPO public participation plan in a way that provides all residents and businesses the opportunity to participate in the transportation planning process.
  2. Communicate effectively with project proponents and members of the public to ensure their understanding of the MPO project evaluation and selection processes and facilitate their participation.
  3. Use the MPO´s criteria, based on MPO policies, in decision-making and project selection.
  4. Continue to work with the Advisory Council in the development of all MPO documents, and support the Advisory Council´s work of bringing the public´s views to MPO decision-making.
  5. Reach out to under-represented persons and groups, including low-income and minority residents and those with limited English proficiency, to ensure that decisions are made in an open and participatory process.
  6. Solicit the input of environmental, cultural resource, community, business, economic development, and other appropriate agencies on MPO activities to promote the integration of these interests with transportation planning and programming.
  7. Work to improve coordination among the local, regional, and state jurisdictions that own and operate the region´s transportation system.
  8. Expand methods of communication and explore new technologies to improve outreach. Use varied media and visualization techniques.
Finance

Vision
Projects programmed by the MPO will effectively and efficiently use the region´s limited financial resources to maintain, operate, and improve the transportation system. In addition, the MPO will pursue opportunities for innovative funding and public-private partnerships. The MPO will encourage implementing agencies to provide transparent and accurate information to better estimate and contain project costs.

Policies
To secure and efficiently and effectively apply financial resources for the maintenance, modernization, and appropriate expansion of the regional transportation system, the MPO will:
  1. Consider project effectiveness in meeting transportation needs during project selection.
  2. Work to identify and acquire new revenues for the transportation system, including those from innovative funding sources and public-private partnerships.
  3. Work with implementing agencies, communities, and project proponents to identify and adopt information systems to better estimate and contain project costs.
  4. Consider the cost of maintenance and operations when selecting projects.
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