Long Range Transportation Needs Study

Long Range Transportation Needs Study

TARCOGTop of Alabama Regional Council of Governments TARCOGTop of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Rural Planning Organizaton Long Range Transportation Needs Study 2014 - 2019 Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Rural Planning Organization (RPO) Long Range Transportation Needs Study 2014 - 2019 September 2013 TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | ii Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Long Range Transportation Needs Study 2014 - 2019 Adopted: September 26, 2013 This document is posted on the Internet at www.tarcog.us For information regarding this document, please contact Ms. Falguni Patel, Transportation Planner Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments 5075 Research Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35805 Ph: 256-716-2485 Email: falguni.patel@tarcog.us This document has been financed in part by the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) on behalf of the Rural Planning Organization, and the Alabama Department of Transportation, and produced by TARCOG pursuant to requirements set forth in amended Title 23, USC 134 and 135 (MAP-21 Sections 1201, 1202, July 2012). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of the U. S. Department of Transportation. TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | iii Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Long Range Transportation Needs Study 2014 - 2018 Policy Committee: TBA, Chairman TBA, Vice Chairman Technical Advisory Committee: Mr. Robert Pirando, Chairman Mr. Richard Sanders, Vice Chairman Citizens Advisory Committee: TBA, Chairman TBA, Vice Chairman Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Staff to the RPO TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | iv Resolution The Rural Planning Organization (RPO) adopting the Long Range Transportation Needs Study as prepared by the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) WHEREAS, the Top of Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) was established to serve as the decision-making body and to provide guidance in conducting the non-metropolitan consultation planning process for portions or all of DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, and Marshall Counties in Alabama, as provided in amended 23 USC 134 and 135 (MAP-21 Sections 1201, 1202, July 2012); and WHEREAS, the Rural Planning Organization (RPO) is interested in the continued development of the non-metropolitan transportation consultation process as described in 23 CFR 450.210(b) through on- going public involvement and data collection regarding the rural transportation needs and issues of the citizens in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, and Marshall Counties; and WHEREAS, the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), serving as staff to the Rural Planning Organization, has prepared a Long Range Transportation Needs Study outlining the projects and strategy to accomplish the goals of the consultation planning process and the Rural Planning Organization; and WHEREAS, the Rural Planning Organization (RPO) Long Range Transportation Needs Study has been duly reviewed, discussed, and approved by the RPO. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this 26 th day of September 2013 that the Top of Alabama Rural Planning Organization does hereby adopt and endorse the Long Range Transportation Needs Study as a guiding and supporting document for the consultation planning process. TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | v About TARCOG Established by a local initiative in 1968, the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) aims to identify and address common regional issues, opportunities, and challenges of Northeast Alabama’s municipalities and counties. TARCOG serves as Substate Planning District Twelve and the Area Agency on Aging. The governments of five northeast Alabama counties, DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall, and the municipalities located in these counties make up TARCOG. TARCOG helps local governments by obtaining funding for local government assistance, coordinating local governments’ responses to regional issues, and providing a wide range of services to the region’s governments and residents. This document was prepared and designed by the TARCOG Department of Planning and Economic Development. Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Department of Planning and Economic Development Ms. Nancy D. Robertson ............................................... Executive Director Mr. D. C. Schafer ................................ Director of Economic Development Ms. Beverly Zendt, AICP .............................................. Director of Planning Ms. Falguni Patel .................................................... Transportation Planner Mr. Scott Griess.............................................................. Associate Planner Ms. Jo Beth Gleason ....................................................... Associate Planner TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | vi Table of Contents Chapter 1. The Planning Process for Rural Transportation Development ............................. 1 Introduction Purpose The RPO Process Integration with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Integration with the Statewide Transportation Plan Chapter 2. A Vision for Rural Transportation ............................................................................ 5 Guiding Principles Transportation Goals Chapter 3. The Transportation Situation of the District ............................................................ 9 Location and Geography County Profiles Municipalities Population and Economy Transportation Network Environment Chapter 4. An Analysis of Transportation Development Issues ........................................... 21 Network and Classification Volume & Capacity Road and Highway Safety Rural to Suburban/Urban Transition Complete Streets and Context Sensitive Design Economic Development and Intermodal Transportation Alternatives Transportation Finance Chapter 5. Strategic Projects, Programs and Activities ....................................................... 33 Transportation Assessment Transportation Infrastructure CEDS Transportation Projects City and Regional Planning Finance Chapter 6. A Plan of Action for Rural Transportation Development ................................... 41 TARCOG’s Mission Statement Program Activities Performance Monitoring and Update Appendices ............................................................................................................................... A-1 TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | vii Acknowledgements The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) on behalf of Top of Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) acknowledges the efforts of many people who made contributions to this report and thanks them for their participation. In particular, TARCOG would like to thank Committee members of the RPO Policy Committee, RPO Technical Advisory Committee, and RPO Citizen Advisory Committee. TARCOG would also like to extend its appreciation to Mr. Jeff Pruitt, former Planning Director, for providing guidance during the process of this study. Additional thanks goes to all of those who responded to questionnaires and surveys that were sent to the stakeholders throughout the RPO region. And finally, TARCOG would like to thank the United States Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Transportation for their support. TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | viii Chapter 1 The Planning Process for Rural Transportation Development Introduction Purpose The RPO Process Integration with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Integration with the Statewide Transportation Plan Introduction This report is the Long Range Transportation Need Study for Top of Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) in Northeast Alabama. As a five year update, it was prepared in 2013 for use from 2013 to 2018. It was prepared and is maintained by the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) for RPO service area consisting of DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, and Marshall Counties and the 45 municipalities that lie within those counties. TARCOG | Long Range Transportation Needs Study | 2014 – 2019 | 1 Purpose The purpose of this Long Range Transportation Needs Study is to plan a coordinated approach to the Rural Transportation development of the region. This document summarizes the long range transportation needs of the region represented by the Top of Alabama Rural Planning Organization. The Top of Alabama Rural Planning Organization covers DeKalb County, Jackson County, portions of Limestone County, and Marshall County in northeast Alabama. In January and February of 2003, the regulations that govern how States conduct transportation planning activities were revised to include the development and use of a consultation process with non- metropolitan local officials. The revision affected the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 23, Part 450, Sections 450.104, 450.206, 450.212, 450.214, 450.216, and 450.224. These regulations were further defined in amended 23 USC 134 and 135 (MAP-21 Sections 1201, 1202, July 2012). In addition to developing a consultation process, States are required to provide for participation of these local officials in the statewide transportation planning process and in the development of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). In 2006, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) agreed to fund

View Full Text

Details

  • File Type
    pdf
  • Upload Time
    -
  • Content Languages
    English
  • Upload User
    Anonymous/Not logged-in
  • File Pages
    65 Page
  • File Size
    -

Download

Channel Download Status
Express Download Enable

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

  • Not to be reproduced or distributed without explicit permission.
  • Not used for commercial purposes outside of approved use cases.
  • Not used to infringe on the rights of the original creators.
  • If you believe any content infringes your copyright, please contact us immediately.

Support

For help with questions, suggestions, or problems, please contact us