Blog - Articles published 2019

A recent study conducted by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) found that a substantial number of Boston region workers reverse commute, but serving these trips by transit remains challenging because of entrenched land use patterns and the structure of transit, walking, and biking networks.Reverse commuters are residents of the core of a major urban area, such as Boston, who travel to and from work in the suburbs. In recent years, this phenomenon has become a major point of interest in media and public policy circles. The MPO study sought to better understand how many reverse-commute trips occur in the region so planners can develop strategies for improving these trips.

Part 3 of a series on developing Destination 2040, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) next Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Destination 2040 allocates funding to major transportation projects in the Boston region and guides the MPO’s capital investment programs and research studies. Parts 1 and 2 of this series presented the vision and investments eligible for inclusion in Destination 2040. On July 18, 2019, the MPO board agreed to a draft plan. Destination 2040 is available for public review and comment until August 23, 2019.

Part 2 of a series on developing Destination 2040, the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) next long-range transportation plan (LRTP). Destination 2040 will allocate funding to major transportation projects in the Boston region and guide the MPO’s capital investment programs and research studies. Part 1, “What’s your vision for transportation in the Boston region?”, presented the proposed vision for Destination 2040. On January 17, 2019, the MPO board agreed to the proposed vision. 

Since 1993, the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has been conducting systemwide passenger surveys on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). CTPS conducted the last MBTA systemwide survey in 2008 and 2009. Prior to that, the last comparable survey had been conducted between 1993 and 2000...