Metropolitan Transportation Plan: 2011 Update

Metropolitan Transportation Plan

2011 Update

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Clark County is the long-range, regional transportation plan. The MTP is based on the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan for Clark County and is the collective regional strategy for developing a transportation system to provide mobility and accessibility for person trips as well as freight movement. The 2011 MTP update has 2035 as its horizon year. The updated MTP is available for download below in Adobe's PDF format. The 2011 MTP update has been designed for use electronically. Throughout the document you will find hyperlinks to relevant plans and information published by partner transportation agencies and local jurisdictions.

The MTP is part of the required federal metropolitan transportation planning process and supports local land uses and the region's economic development. The MTP identifies future travel needs, recommends policies and transportation strategies, and identifies implementation programs to meet future transportation needs.

The 2011 update focuses on continuing compliance with the current federal transportation act, SAFETEA-LU. It also focuses on consistency between state, regional, and local plans with projects from state and local plans incorporated into the MTP.

Key elements of the MTP 2011 update:

MTP Framework, Purpose and Goals (Chapter 1)
2035 Horizon Year and Demographic Forecast (Chapter 2)
2035 Travel Demand Forecast (Chapter 3)
Designated Regional Transportation System (Chapter 3)
Regional Transportation System Needs, Projects & Strategies (Chapters 3, 5 and Appendix B)
Financial Plan (Chapter 4)
Safety Assessment (Chapter 5)
Modal Elements, including freight, transit, pedestrian and bicycle (Chapter 5)

2011 Update: Process

The Regional Transportation Council Board of Directors adopted the 2011 update to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Clark County at the Board's December 6, 2011 meeting (RTC Board Resolution 12-11-23) concluding a year-long MTP update process. During the course of the year, technical review and input was provided by the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) and policy review provided by the RTC Board of Directors at the Board's monthly meetings.

The MTP update was developed in coordination with jurisdictions, agencies, and the public in order to develop regional solutions to transportation needs. Throughout the MTP update process, opportunities for public participation were available. Public participation in regional transportation planning builds from local efforts. During 2011, public participation included transportation meetings hosted by C-TRAN, the Columbia River Crossing project and by WSDOT on specific projects such as the SR-14 and SR-500 corridor projects. Local jurisdictions hosted a number of transportation meetings on projects as well as such subjects as transportation concurrency and on Aging Readiness.

Monthly meetings of the RTC Board of Directors allowed the public to comment on regional transportation issues in a formal setting. All comments at these meetings become part of the meeting record. The MTP update was a regular agenda item at 2011 RTC Board meetings. MTP information and RTC Board materials relating to the MTP were made available through RTC's website. The public was also able to provide MTP comments to RTC via e-mail, phone or mail. RTC staff sent regular updates on the MTP's development to Clark County and Vancouver neighborhood coordinators and kept small cities informed through their Regional Transportation Advisory Committee representatives. Public participation opportunities included five open houses held throughout 2011 (on May24, June 23, September 15, October 26 and November 16) and a public meeting held on November 16, 2011 during the public comment period for the Plan update.

Following RTC Board adoption of the updated MTP in December 2011, the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, in concurrence with Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Ecology and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, issued their concurrence with the MTP's air quality conformity determination in a letter dated January 12, 2012.

Under current federal law, the MTP must undergo periodic review and be updated at least once every four years. The 2011 MTP update replaces the 2007 edition (amended in 2008 to include the I-5 Columbia River Crossing Project Locally Preferred Alternative and amended in 2010 to incorporate the recommendations of C-TRAN 2030).

Chapter 1: Introduction; MTP Vision, Purpose and Goals

The MTP is introduced and its vision, goals, framework and statutory authority outlined.

Chapter 2: Transportation – It’s All About Land Uses and People

Clark County’s demographic data, development trends and regional development strategy are discussed. Existing and future land uses and development patterns are identified.

Chapter 3: The Regional Transportation System; Existing System and Future Performance

The regional transportation system is designated and defined and regional transportation system performance data provided. Regional transportation system performance is considered, levels of service discussed and transportation system capacity analyzed.

Chapter 4: Transportation Finance Plan – Investing in the Future

Financial assumptions are stated, potential revenue sources are identified and a plan for financing transportation system improvements is presented.

Chapter 5: Regional Programs and Projects

Development of a balanced transportation system is considered with descriptions of transportation programs and modes provided. Recommendations for development of the regional transportation system are made.

Chapter 6: System Performance Monitoring, Plan Development and Implementation

Performance monitoring measures, provisions for involvement of the public in development of the MTP are described and for implementation of regional transportation goals, policies and actions established by the MTP are described. The MTP review and amendment process is outlined, should changing policies, financial conditions or growth patterns warrant amendment of the Plan.

Appendices

An unabridged version of the 2011 Metropolitan Transportation Plan update is also available for download below. The unabridged version provides additional background information and a full set of MTP Appendices:

Appendix A: MTP Statutory Requirements

Appendix B: MTP Solutions, Strategies and Programs (includes a full listing of both regional and local transportation projects identified in state, regional and local plans)

Appendix C: Determination of Conformity with Air Quality State Implementation Plan

Appendix D: Funding Programs

Appendix E: Year of Expenditure Methodology and Fiscal Constraint Determination

Appendix F: Transportation Security in the Vancouver/Clark County Region

Appendix G: Consideration of the Environment and Environmental Mitigation in the MTP

Appendix H: Clark County Community Framework Plan and County-wide Planning Policies

Appendix I: The Strategic Metropolitan Transportation Plan

Appendix J: A History of MTP Update and Amendment

Appendix K: MTP List of Acronyms

Document Downloads

Appendix A:		MTP Statutory Requirements
Appendix B:		MTP Solutions, Strategies and Programs (includes a full listing of both regional and local transportation projects identified in state, regional and local plans)
Appendix C:		Determination of Conformity with Air Quality State Implementation Plan
Appendix D:		Funding Programs
Appendix E:		Year of Expenditure Methodology and Fiscal Constraint Determination
Appendix F:		Transportation Security in the Vancouver/Clark County Region
Appendix G:		Consideration of the Environment and Environmental Mitigation in the MTP
Appendix H:		Clark County Community Framework Plan and County-wide Planning Policies
Appendix I:		The Strategic Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Appendix J:		A History of MTP Update and Amendment
Appendix K:		MTP List of Acronyms

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