Transportation

Because transportation helps shape an area's economic health and quality of life, an efficient transportation system must provide for the mobility of people and goods while it influences patterns of growth and economic activity by providing access to land. The performance of the system affects public policy concerns like air quality, environmental resource consumption, social equity, land use, urban growth, economic development, safety and security. Transportation planning recognizes the critical links between transportation and other societal goals. The planning process is more than merely listing highway and transit capital projects. It requires developing strategies for operating, managing, maintaining and financing a region's transportation system in such a way as to advance the area's long-term goals.

As cities look for ways to finance their transportation initiatives, transportation development must be coupled with employing innovative practices that don't solely rely on investment. Linking land use changes to transportation is one option that has proven to increase economic development, improve livability, reduce congestion, and improve environmental sustainability.

    Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Projects (2012)
    This a municipal action guide that describes PPPs, specifically for developing transportation and transit projects. It looks at the some of the common structures used for transportation financing and development, the benefits and risks, strategies for effective implementation, and real-life examples which detail successes as well as challenges.

    Understanding Urban Transportation Systems: An Action Guide for City Leaders (2011)
    A key piece of our nation's infrastructure is the urban surface transportation system.  As local elected officials face issues with funding it, they must also grabble with how to address congestion, air quality and other environmental concerns, and quality of life all while ensuring they are working with their regional partners.  NLC has released a publication that discusses issues with the urban transportation system and provides a broad overview of the causes of urban transportation problems and of the implications for finding good solutions.

    Integrating Bike Share Programs Into a Sustainable Transportation System (2011)
    As cities of all sizes face challenges in maintaining effective, agile transportation systems, bike share programs are emerging as a cost effective and sustainable way to expand the portfolio of transit options.  By providing an automated, public, bicycle rental program with a pricing structure that incentives short trips, cities are realizing economic, environmental and public health benefits.  Denver, CO, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, MN and Buffalo, NY are highlighted in this City Practice Brief.

    Local Roles in Integrating Transportation and Land Use (2008) 
    Transportation planning, which is directed largely by federally-mandated Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), tends to occur at a broader, regional scale, while land use authorities are vested primarily with local jurisdictions. Given the intrinsic connection between transportation and land use, the best to route to improving the quality of life in cities, towns, and regions is to ensure that regional and local perspectives, especially in the long-term, are mutually supportive. This Municipal Action Guide provides local officials with strategies and action steps to help foster transportation and land use integration that both articulates local interests and advances regional goals.