A Comprehensive Guide to Transportation Planning

Table of Contents

• What is Transportation Planning?
• The Transportation Planning Process
• Key Technical Terms
• The Benefits of Planning for Mobility
• How Iteris Helps our Clients Achieve Their Transportation Goals
• 5 Tips and Best Practices
• Common Questions about Transportation Planning
• Planning Challenges
• How to Secure Grant Funding
• Innovate and Plan with Confidence

Transportation planning is the first step in the development of a mobility system and infrastructure–whether in urban, suburban or rural areas. Proper transportation planning is crucial for urban and regional development, impacting how people, goods and data move within and between communities. Effective, efficient, and equitable multimodal transportation planning is essential for cities, regional transportation authorities, and metropolitan planning organizations to prioritize resources to ensure mobility, safety, and economic vitality.

This guide is for those new to the field, providing an overview of transportation planning and exploring its importance, how it works, best practices, and more.

What is Transportation Planning?

Transportation planning involves evaluating, assessing, forecasting, designing, and ultimately implementing strategies to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation. This encompasses a wide range of activities, from beginning with the assessment of existing conditions and long-term strategic planning to the day-to-day management of transportation networks. The goal is to create a balanced, equitable, and sustainable multimodal system that meets the mobility needs of all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, motorists, and goods.

Cities and regions use these strategies to properly direct and control growth, help the economy, and promote the well-being of their constituents.

Learn more about how Iteris Transportation Planning Services can help achieve these goals.

The Transportation Planning Process

Transportation planning is a multi-step process that typically involves setting a vision and goals, collecting data, engaging stakeholders, analyzing and modeling scenarios, developing a plan, implementing the plan, and continuously monitoring and evaluating the transportation system's performance.

Advanced technologies, tools and techniques, such as traffic microsimulation and travel demand forecasting, play a crucial role in the transportation planning process. These tools help planners visualize the impact of different scenarios, compare alternatives, optimize traffic flow, and make data-driven decisions.

Here’s more info on some of the necessary steps involved:

• Goal setting: Establishing objectives based on community needs, stakeholder input, and policy directives. Goals might include reducing auto travel and congestion, improving safety, enhancing public transit, or promoting sustainable transportation modes.
• Data collection: Gathering data on current transportation conditions, including traffic volumes, transit usage, pedestrian and cycling activity, and infrastructure conditions. This data provides a baseline for understanding the current state of the transportation system.
• Analysis and modeling: Using analytical tools to evaluate existing conditions and forecast future transportation needs, giving context for choosing potential solutions. Traffic microsimulation models, for example, can simulate the movement of individual vehicles and pedestrians to assess traffic flow and identify bottlenecks.
• Plan development: Creating a transportation plan that outlines strategies, projects, and policies to achieve the established goals. This plan might include multimodal infrastructure improvements, policy changes, and programs to encourage safe and sustainable transportation.
• Implementation: Executing the plan through project development, funding allocation, and construction. This step involves coordinating with various stakeholders, securing funding, and managing construction projects. It is estimated that for every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, an average of 13,000 jobs are created (USDOT, 2019).
• Monitoring and evaluation: Continuously assessing the performance of the transportation system and making adjustments as needed. This step ensures that the plan remains effective and responsive to changing conditions.

Effective transportation planning requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, businesses, and the public. By working together, these groups can develop comprehensive plans that address the diverse needs of the community.

Key Technical Terms

Understanding key terms is essential for grasping the nuances of transportation and traffic planning. Here are a few important ones:

• Multimodal transportation: Integrates different modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, public transit, auto travel, and goods movement. This approach promotes a balanced and sustainable transportation system that meets the needs of all users.
• Traffic microsimulation: A detailed modeling approach that simulates individual vehicle and pedestrian movements to analyze traffic flow. This tool helps planners identify bottlenecks and evaluate the impact of different scenarios.
• Travel demand forecasting: Predicts future travel patterns based on factors like population growth, transportation system capacity, land use, and economic trends. This tool helps planners anticipate future transportation needs and develop effective strategies.
• Corridor assessment: Evaluates a specific transportation corridor to identify needs and opportunities for improvement. A transportation corridor typically includes multimodal facilities that connect and serve generally similar origin/destinations and includes alternative routes and travel patterns. This assessment considers factors such as traffic volumes, land use, and environmental impacts.
• Project impact assessment: Analyzes the potential effects of a proposed transportation project on mobility, the environment, economy, and community. This assessment helps planners understand the broader implications of their decisions and develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts.

The Benefits of Planning for Mobility

Comprehensive transportation planning offers numerous advantages that contribute to the overall well-being and development of communities, including:

• Efficient use of resources: Proper planning in advance of funding, design and implementation of transportation improvements is the best method of distributing limited resources.
• Enhanced mobility and accessibility: Effective transportation planning ensures that all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and public transit riders, have efficient and reliable transportation options. This reduces travel times and increases accessibility to essential services and destinations.
• Improved safety: By identifying and addressing safety issues, transportation planning helps reduce the number of accidents and injuries on roads. This includes designing safer intersections, implementing traffic calming measures, and improving pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. For example, the National Association of City Transportation Officials found that cities with dedicated bike lanes saw a 44% reduction in bicycle-related injuries (NACTO, 2019).
• Environmental sustainability: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that transportation is responsible for nearly 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Sustainable transportation planning promotes the use of eco-friendly transportation modes such as public transit, cycling, and walking. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease air pollution, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
• Economic development: A well-planned transportation system supports economic growth by improving access to jobs, services, and markets. Efficient transportation networks facilitate the movement of goods and people, boosting local economies and attracting businesses.
• Equity and inclusion: Transportation planning ensures that all community members, including underserved populations, have equitable access to transportation services. This helps bridge gaps in mobility and provides opportunities for all residents to participate fully in economic and social activities.
• Community well-being: By creating more livable and connected communities, transportation planning enhances the overall quality of life. It supports healthy lifestyles, fosters social interactions, and contributes to the vibrancy and resilience of neighborhoods.

How Iteris Helps our Clients Achieve Their Transportation Goals

Here are some practical examples of transportation planning that Iteris has led and/or been a major contributor to:

Traffic Circulation & Safety Study – Santa Ynez Valley, CA: This study assessed and identified improvements for the multimodal transportation needs of the Santa Ynez Valley. Iteris conducted a quantitative assessment of travel conditions and recommended both short- and long-term improvements to accommodate increasing demand and improve safety.

Last-Mile Freight Delivery Study – Los Angeles, CA: Iteris examined urban delivery operations in Los Angeles to understand community impacts and recommended strategies to optimize curb space usage and delivery efficiency.

U.S. 101 Connected Communities Multi-Modal Corridor Study – Ventura County, CA: This study focused on reducing congestion and improving transportation options along U.S. Route 101. Iteris used advanced modeling to evaluate various improvement alternatives and their impact on mobility and land use.

Warner Center Specific Plan and Nexus Study – Los Angeles CA: Iteris provided a range of transportation planning services throughout the development of Warner Center, which is one of the largest multi-use activity centers in the City of Los Angeles. consisting of office, retail, research and development, industrial, and residential land uses.

Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study – Santa Clara County, CA: Iteris led a multi-jurisdictional two-year effort to create a shared vision for the future of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor. The study included extensive community engagement to understand the challenges and opportunities in the corridor. Those insights were used to develop a long-term vision for the corridor and an implementation plan to reach the vision.

For other case studies, visit Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB).

5 Tips and Best Practices

At Iteris, with nearly 20 years of experience in transportation planning, we’ve learned a few key strategies that make a significant difference.

1. Engaging stakeholders early ensures diverse perspectives and builds consensus, improving the quality and implementation success of your plan.
2. Accurate data is crucial, so rely on tools like traffic microsimulation and travel demand forecasting to create reliable, adaptable strategies.
3. Prioritizing sustainability by incorporating public transit, cycling, and walking reduces environmental impact and promotes healthier communities. Stay flexible by regularly reviewing and updating plans to adapt to new challenges.
4. Prioritizing safety by designing safer intersections and improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. This strategy can reduce incidents to make the community a safer place for all.
5. Clear communication with stakeholders is essential for managing expectations and fostering a sense of shared ownership.

By following these tips, you can develop effective, sustainable, and well-supported transportation plans. For additional guidance, check out NACTO’s publications for best practices.

Common Questions about Transportation Planning

What is the role of technology in transportation planning? Technology is crucial for data collection, traffic analysis/forecasting, and traffic management strategies. Tools like traffic microsimulation and travel demand forecasting help planners optimize traffic flow and predict future travel patterns.

How can transportation planning improve public transit? Effective planning optimizes routes, improves service frequency, and ensures accessibility. It helps design transit networks that connect key origins and destinations and integrates various transportation modes for seamless travel.

What are the challenges of multimodal transportation planning? Challenges include coordinating and prioritizing different modes, securing funding, and properly and equitably addressing diverse user needs. Planners must balance the requirements of pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, motorists, and freight movement. Explore the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) technical resources for additional guidance.

How do planners address environmental impacts? Planners promote sustainable transportation options and conduct environmental impact assessments to evaluate the effects of traffic on air quality, noise, and natural habitats. Mitigation strategies include designing for adequate capacity, energy-efficient systems, and preserving green spaces.

How is public involvement integrated into transportation planning? Public involvement is key! We achieve it through meetings, surveys, and workshops to gather input and build consensus. This ensures that we consider constituents’ needs and fosters shared ownership. Public outreach and involvement are required elements of planning and environmental impact assessment of all transportation projects.

What is the importance of corridor assessments? Corridor assessments evaluate specific transportation corridors to identify needs and opportunities for multimodal improvement. They help enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and improve safety, guiding resource allocation effectively.

How do transportation planners ensure equity? Equity means providing all community members with fair and affordable access to transportation services. Planners engage diverse stakeholders, identify barriers, and implement inclusive policies to ensure transportation is affordable and accessible.

What are some innovative approaches in transportation planning? Innovations include smart technologies like connected vehicle systems, real-time traffic data analytics, and adaptive traffic control. Complete streets initiatives also prioritize safe, accessible travel for all users, including transit, pedestrians and cyclists.

Transportation Planning Challenges

Community members may oppose projects due to concerns about cost, environmental impact, or neighborhood changes. Projects must comply with numerous regulations and standards, complicating planning and implementation. Incorporating new technologies into existing infrastructure can be complex and costly. However, as financial resources become strained, securing adequate funding may be one of the biggest challenges. It requires identifying and pursuing various sources, including federal, state, and local grants. Many local and regional agencies, through voter approval, have created special sales tax or other funding measures that are earmarked for transportation and are tied to specific projects. Use of innovative public/private partnership (PPP) strategies where applicable can also be effective in overcoming public funding shortages.

How to Secure Grant Funding

Iteris consulting and planning teams offer expert advice and concrete steps to help agencies tap into federal transportation grant funding opportunities. Our staff has extensive experience in finding, securing, and leveraging grant funding for transportation projects. Whether you need grant writing assistance, project planning help, or technology solutions, you can consult an Iteris grant expert.

Examples of grant programs are federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART), and Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN). These grants provide significant opportunities for projects that enhance safety, mobility, and technological innovation.

Here are some steps to help you secure funding:

1. Identify Funding Opportunities: The first step is to identify relevant funding opportunities that match your project goals. Grants such as SS4A, SMART, and ATTAIN offer substantial funding for projects that enhance safety, mobility, and technological innovation.
2. Consult with Experts: Reach out to Iteris experts for guidance on selecting the right funding programs. Our team can provide insights into eligibility criteria, application processes, and best practices for securing grants.
3. Grant Writing Assistance: Writing a compelling grant proposal is critical. Iteris offers grant writing assistance to help you craft proposals that effectively communicate the value and impact of your project, increasing your chances of securing funding.
4. Project Planning Support: Proper planning is essential for the success of any transportation project. Our experts can help with project planning, ensuring that your project aligns with funding requirements and maximizes the potential for success.
5. Implementing Funded Projects: Once funding is secured, Iteris can help implement your project by providing technology solutions, project management support, and ongoing consultation to ensure successful execution.

Innovate and Plan with Confidence

Transportation planning is a dynamic field crucial for shaping the mobility, safety, and sustainability of our communities. Local municipalities, regional transportation authorities, and metropolitan planning organizations can develop effective strategies to meet their unique transportation needs by understanding its importance, processes, and challenges. As technology and societal needs continue to evolve, so too will the approaches and solutions.

If you’re ready to improve your community's transportation systems, contact Iteris for a consultation or to learn more about our comprehensive transportation planning services.

A Few Key References

1. U.S. Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Contracting initiative fact sheet. https://www.transportation.gov/policy-initiatives/contracting-initiative-fact-sheet
2. American Planning Association. (n.d.). Transportation planning. https://transportation.planning.org/
3. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
4. U.S. Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Resource search. https://www.planning.dot.gov/resource_search.aspx?p=1
5. National Association of City Transportation Officials. (n.d.). Publications. https://nacto.org/publications/
6. Institute of Transportation Engineers. (n.d.). Transportation Planning Resources. https://www.ite.org/technical-resources/topics/transportation-planning/

If you are interested in learning more about transportation engineering, check out our Comprehensive Guide to Transportation Engineering by Monique Fuhrman, PE.

About the Authors:

Viggen Davidian, P.E. is vice president, mobility professional services at Iteris. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Sean Daly is senior manager, mobility professional services at Iteris. Connect with him on LinkedIn.