Requirements
“MAP-21 creates a streamlined, performance-based, and multimodal program to address the many challenges facing the U.S. transportation system. These challenges include improving safety, maintaining infrastructure condition, reducing traffic congestion, improving efficiency of the system and freight movement, protecting the environment, and reducing delays in project delivery.” (FHWA)
To fulfill MAP-21’s performance-management requirements, UDOT embarked on a strategic planning effort in conjunction with the state’s four MPOs. The federal performance-measure requirements are being further defined. Until the locally identified unified measures are refined with federal guidance, the 2015 Strategic Direction and Performance Measures document establishes the department’s mission statement and three strategic goals which provide overall guidance and direction for all of UDOT’s activities. Specific performance measures are provided to support each of the department’s goals and federal requirements. Please see Chapter 3 for more information.
STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
In addition to federal regulation, UDOT must adhere to the laws and guidance of the Utah State Legislature and its community planning partners.
State Laws Affecting Transportation Planning Utah Code Title 72-1-201(d) and Utah Code Title 72-1-204(5)(a), among other guidance, directs UDOT to plan, develop, construct, and maintain state transportation systems that are safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive, and serve the needs of the traveling public, commerce, and industry.
Partnerships and Coordination The state of Utah is unique in its level of collaboration with planning authorities and stakeholders across the state and, therefore, approaches long-range transportation planning differently than other states. Acknowledging that coordinated, effective projects benefit the entire transportation system, the Utah State Legislature encouraged Utah’s four MPOs, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), and UDOT to collaborate. In response, the six planning entities entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a Joint Policy Advisory Committee (JPAC). The JPAC is a forum for facilitating collaboration between policy makers. Although it was not required, the JPAC resulted in aligned planning cycles, financial assumptions, growth assumptions, and modeling approaches. Utah was the first state to compile its statewide and regional transportation plans into one document, Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan. Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan received national recognition from FHWA (source: Regional Models of Cooperation Case Study Series). The 2015 LRP and MPO RTPs will be compiled into the next Unified Transportation Plan.
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2015 UDOT LONG-RANGE PLAN