Embracing New Metrics: Community-Driven Transportation Planning

Transportation planning metrics can be traced back generations to when more technical core values defined desired outcomes. Today's community values reflect a desire to place safety first and diversify modal choices for community benefits, including a more inclusive and equitable transportation network.

Learn specific ways to connect planning and design while honoring goals and objectives that build the transportation system the community wants, not what standards dictate.

The presentation highlights key elements of transportation planning and engineering, including levels of service, functional classification, data collection and analysis, design standards, and public engagement. If left unchallenged, these elements can result in barriers to desired results. Learn to build key partnerships with engineering professionals and negotiate strategies that change desired outcomes.

The panel provides perspectives from the private, local government, and state department of transportation sectors that have the most impact in changing behavior, policy, and projects.

Examples include:

• Transitioning from traffic impact study to transportation impact analysis;

• Replacing outdated standards and assumptions that support all modes of transportation;

• Rethinking the language and messaging of delay and congestion;

• Replacing static functional classification design standards with dynamic and flexible standards; and

• Diversifying travel demand models to include multiple modes.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Redefine transportation planning metrics and goals to prioritize systemic community values, ensuring that planning processes reflect the needs and aspirations of diverse local populations.
  • Adopt innovative engagement strategies for private sector, local government, and state DOTs to actively involve community members in shaping transportation solutions, fostering inclusivity and shared ownership.
  • Integrate holistic safety measures into planning practices, moving beyond traditional metrics to create safer, more resilient transportation systems that address the broader social and environmental context.