Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan 3 GOALS and OBJECTIVES
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INTRODUCTION VISION Louisiana has a vast interconnected system of roads, Plan Highlights Louisiana’s transportation vision was developed based rails, airports, ports, and transit that touches every resi- upon feedback from a legislative questionnaire, DOTD dent, visitor, business, and industry in the state. While 30-YEAR HORIZON PLAN executive staff interviews, public telephone surveys, vi- the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Devel- sioning workshop, and Advisory Council members: The Statewide Transportation Plan identifies funding opment (DOTD) operates and maintains significant parts needs and policies to accomplish ambitious but realistic Louisianians enjoy the quality of life offered by both of this system, much of it is operated and maintained by goals and objectives over a 30-year time horizon. the urban and rural areas of the state. Louisiana will local governments and independent authorities. As the nurture and support a continuation of small- and DOTD works to create a state transportation system that MULTIMODAL IN NATURE medium-sized towns and cities with open space be- is safe and efficient today, it also is thinking ahead to The Plan covers all modes including highways and bridg- tween them. The State’s economy will prosper, due 2044 and asking, how Louisiana can invest in its trans- es, freight and passenger rail, ports and waterways, avia- in large part to an integrated, connected, safe and portation system to provide a high quality of life and tion, trucking, public transportation, and non-motorized secure, well-maintained, and balanced transporta- strong economy in the future. transportation. tion system that moves people and freight effectively The DOTD has prepared a 30-year investment and policy $56 BILLION IN NEEDS from, within, and between Louisiana’s urban and plan to create the well-connected, and community- The Plan identifies roughly $56 billion in transportation rural areas via land, water, and air. friendly transportation system that the state needs to needs for all modes, with a heavy emphasis on state Louisiana recognizes that while a majority of the compete in the global economy and to provide improved highway pavement and bridge preservation. State’s residents prefer to live and work in small- mobility for residents. The Statewide Transportation and medium-sized communities, some of the State’s Plan, hereafter referred to as “the Plan,” is the result of FOUR FUNDING SCENARIOS citizens also desire to live and work in more dense or vigorous discussions with public and private sector part- The Plan identifies four funding scenarios, ranging in val- compact urban environments. Both futures require ners and communities throughout the state about what ue from $16 billion to $35 billion over 30 years. more local decision-making and responsibility re- the State’s system needs to accomplish in the years garding transportation investments and local land ahead. It is also the result of in-depth analyses of Louisi- FAST ACT COMPLIANT use planning, along with an increased emphasis on ana’s financial future and transportation system’s condi- The Plan is consistent and compliant with the intent and quality of life and passenger travel choices, in part- tion and performance. Out of these discussions and provisions of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation nership with DOTD. analyses, the Plan team developed important policies Act (FAST ACT), and fully accounts for federal guidance in and key implementation strategies (recommendations) statewide transportation planning processes. Louisiana will continue to support its extractive and to meet the common objectives of the DOTD and its other key industries (agribusiness, mining, heavy DOTD INITIATIVES partner agencies. manufacturing, transshipment, and other port relat- The Plan recognizes and furthers the DOTD’s perfor- ed activities, etc.) as the major economic drivers in mance management initiatives. the State. However, the potential for increased eco- nomic activity associated with arts and entertain- ment, retirement, tourism, and research and tech- The results of these efforts are summarized briefly in this nology in select areas also will be reflected in freight document. Full details are available in the Statewide Trans- and passenger transportation services and infra- portation Plan document and can be found on the DOTD website (www.dotd.la.gov/study). The Plan was adopted by structure investments. the Policy Committee in November 2015. 2 Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan 3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Plan outlines five goals that are driven by the vision and are consistent with the FAST Act’s national goals. Objec- Goal 4: Community Development and Enhancement tives were established to define how each goal is to be accomplished. Many of these objectives are matched with nu- Objectives meric performance targets. Over the next few years, DOTD will collaborate with MPOs to assess factors that are influ- Provide support for communi- Cooperate with and support MPOs, state planning and develop- encing the level of performance of various transportation modes, and to develop performance targets that will be nec- ty transportation planning, ment districts, and local governments with the establishment essary to maintain or improve operational efficiency. infrastructure, and services. and refinement of land use, transportation, and community de- velopment plans Goal 1: Infrastructure Preservation and Maintenance Increase options available to local governments to seek sustain- Objectives able revenue for local transportation needs Preserve Louisiana’s multi- Keep Louisiana’s state highway pavement, bridges, and highway Continue the Road Transfer Program as a voluntary program to modal infrastructure in a related assets in good condition assist local governments in addressing local transportation needs state-of-good-repair through Assist modal partners in achieving state-of-good repair for avia- Reduce barriers to state and local collaboration. timely maintenance of tion, port, rail, transit, and navigable waterway infrastructure existing infrastructure. Assist local roadway departments in achieving state-of-good- Enhance access to jobs for both urban and rural populations repair for locally owned roads and streets Improve modal options associated with supporting the economy and quality of life regardless of age, disability, or income Goal 2: Safety Identify methods to preserve the integrity and character of “town centers” and preserve open space, or the appearance of Objectives open space, between them Provide safe and secure travel Reduce the number and rate of highway-related crashes, fatali- conditions across all transpor- ties, and serious injuries Goal 5: Environmental Stewardship tation modes through physical Reduce the number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes Objectives infrastructure improvements, Assist modal partners in achieving safe and secure aviation, port, Ensure transportation policies Minimize the environmental impacts of building, maintaining, operational controls, programs, rail, transit, and waterway performance and investments are sensitive and operating Louisiana’s transportation system and public education and to Louisiana’s environment, Comply with all federal and state environmental regulations awareness. history, and culture. Goal 3: Economic Competitiveness Objectives Provide a transportation sys- Improve the efficiency of freight transportation and the capacity tem that fosters diverse eco- of freight related infrastructure throughout Louisiana nomic and job growth, inter- Improve access to intermodal facilities and the efficiency of in- national and domestic com- termodal transfers merce, and tourism. Provide predictable, reliable travel times throughout Louisiana Ensure small urban areas (5,000+ population) are well connect- ed with one another and with large urban employment centers 4 Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan 5 PLAN DEVELOPMENT The Statewide Transportation Plan is the product of vigorous discussions with public and private sector partners and Stakeholder Outreach Analyses communities throughout Louisiana about what the State’s transportation system needs to accomplish in the years ahead. It is also the result of in-depth analyses of Louisiana’s financial future and transportation system condition and Stakeholder involvement was critical to the development Existing System Review– A comprehensive inventory performance. Out of these discussions and analyses, important policies and key implementation strategies of the Statewide Transportation Plan. To understand the of the state transportation system components (all (recommendations) were developed to meet the identified objectives. transportation needs of Louisiana’s residents and busi- modes) provided a starting point for consideration of nesses, DOTD used several methods to solicit stakeholder investment needs. input, such as a public phone survey, legislative question- Statewide Transportation Plan Development Process Modal Needs Analysis – The Plan team estimated 30- naire, DOTD executive staff interviews, advisory council year investment needs through a technical analysis meetings, website, and policy committee meetings. of system deficiencies, which assessed maintenance, Stakeholder participation played a critical role in the de- preservation, modernization, and expansion for Outreach Data/Analysis Products velopment of the recommendations, which were formu- state highways and bridges, freight and passenger lated by a diverse