The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is the cornerstone of the transportation planning process. While many people focus their attention on the MPO’s project programming tool, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), it is the RTP where a region’s transportation priorities are established, where existing and potential problems with the transportation network are identified, where future travel demand is forecast and where studies that address these issues are first recommended. The recommendations and findings included in the Plan are then moved to implementation usually as studies that get included in the region’s Unified Planning Work Program, and then ultimately as projects that get programmed for implementation in the TIP. However, while we often tell people that any project or program that is to be implemented using federal transportation funding must appear in the TIP, the importance of the RTP can be found in the fact that no important transportation project can appear in the TIP without also being in the Regional Transportation Plan.
The RTP also focuses on the many ways that transportation impacts other aspects of our lives and in turn is impacted by outside forces. Climate change is a perfect example is as transportation sources are significant generators of greenhouse gases that fuel global warming which in turn may result in rising sea levels and more frequent and larger storms that impact the transportation network. The Regional Transportation Plan will examine policies such as promoting smart growth development to reduce, establishing emergency response measures to respond to recurrent flooding issues that impact our transportation network, and identifying how the transportation network can support the region’s development vision as set forth in the recently completed Merrimack Valley Priority Growth Strategy.
2011 RTP Planning Process
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission has launched the 2011 RTP planning process. This is an important opportunity for community members to have a say in the future of transportation for their community. Transportation impacts economic development, job access, quality of life and more.
The Regional Transportation Plan will address transportation as it relates to safety, air quality, congestion, climate change, livability, environmental justice. We will look at ways to enhance all modes of transportation, though ideas such as transit oriented development and ‘Complete Streets’. In addition, we will look to ways of saving communities money through pavement management, joint procurement and potentially a road diet.
Three kick-off meetings were held around the region in January and February to discuss the content of RTP, how we intend to develop the document so that the MPO can adopt the new plan in March 2011, and most importantly to listen to any suggestions or observations that you may have that should be considered in the document. Suggestions from those meetings may be found in the minutes. MVPC intents to hold a variety of meetings throughout the year and also welcomes the opportunity to come to your community or community group to discuss your community's priorities and the content of the RTP.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Public participation is important for the creation of a comprehensive Regional Transportation Plan. Comments and suggestions are welcome throughout the process. Call, e-mail to Transportation Manager Tony Komornick (akomornick@ mvpc.org) or check out our Facebook page for announcements, discussions and links to related information.
Meetings
May 17, 2010 Regional Transportation Plan - Bicycle Transportation in the Valley
3-6 pm at the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, 160 Main Street, Haverhill
Please join the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission for a discussion of bicycle transportation in the Valley. Earlier this year, MVPC launched the planning process for the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the long-range plan. Your participation in this process is imperative. Your expertise, ideas and vision will h...elp define mobility in the Merrimack Valley over the long-term. In addition, as many of you are aware, only projects that appear in the RTP can receive federal transportation funding.
This is a listening session for us to learn about what you think is needed for an integrated transportation network. How does bicycle mobility impact your constituency and your community? How does it fit into your community’s plans? What type of transportation network do you want? What are your community’s priorities?
Suggestions and comments from RTP Launch meetings.
