Nashua Region Metropolitan Transportation Plan This document provides a basic blueprint for long-term transportation investment in the Nashua Region to the ~ 2019 to 2045 horizon year 2045.The plan is structured around four major goals, developed through public outreach and coordination Adopted by NRPC on Dec. 19, 2018 with advisory committees, which include Mobility and Accessibility, Quality of Life, System Sustainability and Implementation. 2019 – 2045 Nashua Region Metropolitan Transportation Plan This document has been prepared by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration; the New Hampshire Department of Transportation; and the Federal Transit Administration. The contents of the report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, or the Federal Transit Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1 OVERVIEW OF THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ............................................................ 2 OVERVIEW OF THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN (MTP) ...................................................... 4 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................ 5 Mobility ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Quality of Life ........................................................................................................................................ 5 System Sustainability ............................................................................................................................ 5 Implementation .................................................................................................................................... 6 PLANNING EMPHASIS AREAS ........................................................................................................................ 8 PERFORMANCE-BASED PLANNING ........................................................................................................... 9 TRANSIT ASSET MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................................. 10 TAM TARGETS ......................................................................................................................................... 11 SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Target Development ........................................................................................................................... 14 Target Adoption .................................................................................................................................. 15 State Target Summary ........................................................................................................................ 15 State Target Detail and MPO Comparison .............................................................................................. 16 Number of Fatalities ........................................................................................................................... 16 Rate of Fatalities ................................................................................................................................. 17 Number of Serious Injuries ................................................................................................................. 18 Rate of Serious Injuries ....................................................................................................................... 19 Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries ................................................................. 20 Crash Modification Factors for Projects Impact Analysis ................................................................... 21 PAVEMENT AND BRIDGE CONDITION ..................................................................................................... 21 i | P a g e 2019 – 2045 Nashua Region Metropolitan Transportation Plan TRAVEL TIME RELIABILITY ....................................................................................................................... 23 ENVIRONMENT AND AIR QUALITY .......................................................................................................... 25 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................................................ 25 WATER QUALITY .................................................................................................................................. 28 OPEN SPACE ........................................................................................................................................ 29 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ...................................................................................................................... 30 POVERTY.............................................................................................................................................. 30 MINORITY POPULATIONS .................................................................................................................... 32 Environmental Justice Zones by Census Tract .................................................................................... 33 CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS ................................................................................................. 35 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS ............................................................................................................ 37 Summary of the MPO Adopted Public Involvement Process.............................................................. 37 NASHUA REGION TRANSPORTATION SURVEY .................................................................................... 37 COMMUNICATIONS WITH MUNICIPALITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS ..................................................... 38 EXISTING CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................................ 39 DEMOGRAPHICS...................................................................................................................................... 40 POPULATION ....................................................................................................................................... 40 EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUTING ...................................................................................................... 43 MTP Survey Respondent Travel Characteristics ................................................................................. 45 REGIONAL ROAD NETWORK ................................................................................................................... 46 NORTH-SOUTH ROUTES ...................................................................................................................... 46 East-West Routes ................................................................................................................................ 48 Crossing the Merrimack River ............................................................................................................. 50 NHDOT Highway Tiers ......................................................................................................................... 51 Traffic Volumes and Trends ................................................................................................................ 51 ROADWAY CONGESTION .................................................................................................................... 54 FREIGHT MOVEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 60 Road Network in Nashua Region ........................................................................................................ 60 Freight Railroads in the Nashua Region .............................................................................................. 61 Intermodal Facilities in New Hampshire ............................................................................................. 61 Commodity Flow ................................................................................................................................. 62 Critical Urban Freight Corridors .......................................................................................................... 62 NH DOT Statewide Freight Plan .......................................................................................................... 63 ii | P a g e 2019 – 2045 Nashua Region Metropolitan Transportation Plan Best Practices for the Nashua Region ................................................................................................. 63 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLANNING ...................................................................................................