Transportation Planning

Transportation planning is a specialized field within urban and regional planning that focuses on developing strategies and infrastructure to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable movement of people and goods. As an applied science, it utilizes data analysis, modeling, and forecasting to evaluate current transportation systems and predict future needs. Planners in this field work to create a balanced, multi-modal network—encompassing roads, public transit, pedestrian walkways, and cycling paths—that enhances community accessibility, supports economic development, and minimizes environmental impact, thereby shaping the physical form and social fabric of cities and regions.

  1. Introduction to Transportation Planning
    1. Definition and Scope
      1. Core Concepts of Transportation Planning
        1. Scope of Practice
          1. Interdisciplinary Nature
            1. Professional Ethics and Standards
            2. Goals and Objectives
              1. Mobility
                1. Definition of Mobility
                  1. Measures of Mobility
                    1. Personal Mobility vs. System Mobility
                    2. Accessibility
                      1. Definition of Accessibility
                        1. Accessibility vs. Mobility
                          1. Measuring Accessibility
                            1. Spatial and Temporal Dimensions
                            2. Safety
                              1. Safety Objectives in Planning
                                1. Safety Performance Measures
                                  1. Risk Assessment and Management
                                  2. Efficiency
                                    1. Operational Efficiency
                                      1. System Efficiency
                                        1. Energy Efficiency
                                        2. Sustainability
                                          1. Environmental Sustainability
                                            1. Social Sustainability
                                              1. Economic Sustainability
                                                1. Intergenerational Equity
                                                2. Equity
                                                  1. Defining Equity in Transportation
                                                    1. Addressing Disparities
                                                      1. Spatial Equity
                                                      2. Economic Vitality
                                                        1. Transportation and Economic Development
                                                          1. Freight and Commerce Impacts
                                                            1. Regional Competitiveness
                                                          2. Historical Evolution of Transportation Planning
                                                            1. Early Transportation Systems
                                                              1. Pre-Industrial Transportation
                                                                1. Canal and Railroad Era
                                                                2. Emergence of Modern Planning
                                                                  1. Post-World War II Highway Development
                                                                    1. Urban Renewal and Transportation
                                                                    2. Key Legislation and Policy Milestones
                                                                      1. Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956
                                                                        1. Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964
                                                                          1. Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)
                                                                            1. Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)
                                                                              1. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)
                                                                                1. Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act
                                                                                  1. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
                                                                                  2. Shifts in Planning Paradigms
                                                                                    1. From Predict and Provide to Manage and Monitor
                                                                                      1. Integration of Environmental Considerations
                                                                                        1. Emphasis on Multimodal Planning
                                                                                      2. Relationship to Urban and Regional Planning
                                                                                        1. Integration with Land Use Planning
                                                                                          1. Regional vs. Local Perspectives
                                                                                            1. Transportation and Urban Form
                                                                                              1. Smart Growth Principles
                                                                                              2. Key Actors and Institutions
                                                                                                1. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
                                                                                                  1. Structure and Functions
                                                                                                    1. MPO Planning Process
                                                                                                      1. Transportation Policy Committees
                                                                                                        1. Technical Advisory Committees
                                                                                                        2. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs)
                                                                                                          1. Roles and Responsibilities
                                                                                                            1. Statewide Planning Processes
                                                                                                              1. District and Regional Offices
                                                                                                              2. Federal Agencies
                                                                                                                1. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
                                                                                                                  1. Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
                                                                                                                    1. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
                                                                                                                      1. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
                                                                                                                        1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
                                                                                                                        2. Local Governments
                                                                                                                          1. City and County Transportation Departments
                                                                                                                            1. Local Planning Commissions
                                                                                                                              1. Public Works Departments
                                                                                                                              2. Transit Agencies
                                                                                                                                1. Structure and Governance
                                                                                                                                  1. Service Planning and Operations
                                                                                                                                    1. Regional Transit Authorities
                                                                                                                                    2. Private Sector Stakeholders
                                                                                                                                      1. Transportation Network Companies
                                                                                                                                        1. Freight Operators
                                                                                                                                          1. Consulting Firms
                                                                                                                                          2. Advocacy Groups and Non-Profits
                                                                                                                                            1. Environmental Organizations
                                                                                                                                              1. Community Groups
                                                                                                                                                1. Professional Associations

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                                                                                                                                            2. The Transportation Planning Process