The Arizona Department of Transportation in partnership with local county departments of transportation has created a transportation infrastructure of complex roadways which not only move people but goods and services as well. They are trying to establish a long term plan to accommodate the tremendous population growth of the state. A well-planned transportation infrastructure is essential to accommodating this growth at the state, regional, and local levels (azdot.gov).  This transportation system is personal to each of us. It is how we get to work, to school, and to play (azdot.gov). It is important that it be developed with the highest levels of reliability and safety. The economic health and preservation and protection of natural resources, vegetation, and wildlife rely on the development of a transportation system that fulfills the immediate needs of residents while minimizing long term consequences to the environment. It is of utmost importance to implement plans to sustain the land for future generations.

 

According to the Department of Transportation, the current Arizona transportation infrastructure includes:

 

·         60,439 miles of public roadways

 

·         79 public-use airports

 

·         7835 bridges

 

·         1683 miles freight railroads

 

In 2009 the United States Census Bureau reported that there were 2.7 million employed persons in the state of Arizona. The data reports that 2 million or 75.9% of those workers commute to work alone each day. Only 11.8% of workers carpooled to work on a daily basis. These statistics have contributed to a ranking of 56th in the world and 19th in the nation for most congested cities as reported by the TomTom Traffic Index in 2013. Texas A&M Transportation Institute published the 2012 Urban Mobility Report which reports that population and employment growth is expected to increase congestion. Congestion is costing people time and money and the environment is being heavily impacted. Based on an average of 498 urban areas:

 

The average expense to commuters was a total of $121 billion dollars with an average of $818 per year per commuter.

• 5.5 billion hours of time
• 2.9 billion gallons of extra fuel
• 56 BILLION pounds of ADDITIONAL CO2, greenhouse gas released.
• 37% delay in the delivery in goods and services delaying the production and manufacturing efficiency for multiple industries.

In an effort to curb these damages caused by transportation daily, we are beginning to see changes being made to legislature as well as incentives being offered to promote the use of alternative means. The Federal government with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency implemented The Clean Air Act in 1970. Congress designed the Clean Air Act to reduce a number of air pollution problems and to reduce the risk of future threats of pollutants. The Act calls for local, state, and federal governments to work in partnership to clean the air. The EPA established a based national air quality standard in 1996 to protect people from common pollutants. Six of the most common air pollutants are:

 

Emissions testing is probably the most well known legislation in regards to transportation, which requires vehicles to submit to testing ensuring that the pollutants emitted by vehicles stays under a specific level. Though this particular law seems somewhat minor when considering the amount of damages done, it does keep vehicles that do emit excessive amounts of pollutant from being legally registered. If they can’t be legally driven, then they can’t contribute to the noise, air, and congestion issues that are plaguing us today.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, we are seeing so many incentives being offered encouraging participation in alternative means of transportation. Here in Arizona we see tax exemptions and credits being offered to those driving electric and alternative fuel vehicles. That is, as opposed to having to pay a licensing fee of 60% for conventional vehicles, we are seeing a tax that is considerably less on alternative fuel vehicles that will maintain a yearly 15% reduction to a minimum fee of five dollars. Though the alternative fuels offer plenty of incentive for commuters, we see electric vehicles taking the cake on both incentives and legislature. Those who install their own electric vehicle charging station in their own home are eligible for a $75 tax credit, and are guaranteed a specialized parking space thanks to laws prohibiting occupying specially designated parking spaces for these vehicles by any other potential non electric vehicle.

 

Arizona Department of Transportation (AZDOT) and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) implemented the Trip Reduction Program in the 1980s as part of the state’s effort to reduce air pollution. The legislation focuses on educating and encouraging employers and schools to reduce the number of single occupant vehicles (SOV) and promotes ridesharing and usage of public transportation. Employees and students contribute to the 80 million commuter miles driven each week which is a significant contributor to air pollution. Employers will often offer incentives for participating in the program; such as optimal parking designated for carpoolers, monetary compensation, gift cards, and reduced rates for public transportation passes.

 

The Trip Reduction Programs (TRP) requires employers with a minimum of 50 employees to reduce SOV or miles traveled to work by 10% every year for five years or until a 60% rate of SOV is reached. An annual commuter survey is used to develop and implement various strategies to reduce SOV trips and miles traveled per year. The TRP has established a task force to approve, reject, and enforce each employers TRP approved annual plan. Failure to comply with the TRP guidelines and expectation can result in civil penalties of up to $300 per day. The TRP has partnered with Valley Metro Public Transportation Alternatives to provide commuting solutions.

 

Valley Metro is a valley-wide transit system. They offer Trip Planner services to help you plan your trip around town or get you to Sky Harbor Airport to get out of town. Services provided by Valley Metro include:

 

·         Local, LINK, Express and RAPID commuter bus service

 

·         Light rail

 

·         Neighborhood circulators

 

·         Rural route

 

·         Dial-a-Ride

 

·         Vanpool service

 

·         Online carpool and vanpool matching system

 

·         Assistance to local businesses to help them meet the Maricopa County trip reduction goals through alternative modes of transportation (bus, light rail, carpool, vanpool, bike, telework, etc.)

  

Valley Metro promotes their transportation alternatives through community outreach to educate schools, residents and employers. Valley Metro provides transit presentations for community groups such as:

 

Community Outreach

 

·         Mobility training for senior citizens and persons with a disability

 

·         How to use the transit system for new residents and refugees

 

·         General presentations to any group who wants to learn more about the transit system

 

·         Transit information and assistance at community or special events

 

School Outreach Program

  

Valley Metro’s school outreach program is designed to help students learn more about the transit system. The program consists of free classroom presentations about the Valley Metro transit system and a free Group Field Trip pass for eligible groups using local bus and light rail services.

 

For more information about Valley Metro, please visit www.valleymetro.org

 

Along with boats, trains, planes, buses and trucks, America produces an excess of several billion tons of pollution each year most of which is caused by caused by vehicle emissions (Baxter, 2011). Though this rate of pollution sounds alarming, there are a number of alternatives to counter act this damage. How can we do this you ask? First we can start by using more alternative fuels, putting them as well as more electric vehicles on the road. Even though this seemed somewhat impossible only a few years ago, we are seeing an increase of these vehicles on the road as the technology is becoming more affordable, a trend we should continue in years to come. Public transportation and carpooling are the next obvious solution to this problem. Here in Arizona we are lucky to have Valley Metro services that provide not only bus routes but also metro light rail and rural services beginning at 4:40 am until 11:00 pm 365 days a year. In addition Valley Metro offers a multitude of park and ride centers that allow commuters to park in a location closer to their home in order to more effectively utilize the public transportation provided.

 

The City of Phoenix is committed to connecting Phoenix communities to existing city-health related programs and alternative transportation programs. The city has introduced a program called FitPHX which encourages activities to promote wellness. Part of the FitPHX program includes walking, biking and utilizing public transportation.  The program coordinators are hoping that this program will become a great resource for residents to live a healthy lifestyle. For more information about this program visit the FitPHX website.

 

FitPHX recognizes that the city is in need of more parks, playgrounds, community walkability, and bike lanes. AARP reports that the The Phoenix City Council will be voting this month (December 2013) on a “complete streets” initiative. This initiative would encourage residents to walk, bike, and use public transit implementing measures to keep all users safe. The new road construction would feature amenities such as:

 

·         Bike lanes

 

·         Benches for bus riders

 

·         Street lamps

 

·         Curb cuts for wheelchairs/strollers

 

The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department proposed the initiative and would like to hear your comments. Please visit www.phoenix.gov/streets to read the plan.

 

Complete Streets Plan:

 

Phoenix Complete Streets Draft Policy

 

Complete Streets Survey:

 

Complete Streets Survey

 

The future of transportation in Arizona lies in a 5 year plan designed by the ADOT board. This five year span from 2014 through 2018 is aiming to preserve the existing highway systems while expanding them further to other less developed areas in both Maricopa and Pima County (ADOT, 2013). This plan will include the expansion of the I10, US 60 and SR 89 as well as expansions connecting SR260 with the I17 amongst other areas  (ADOT, 2013) . These expansions will allow for further development of these less traveled areas, hopefully lessening the congestion in other areas of the Phoenix Metro Area. In a more long term goal, ADOT has prepared a transportation plan for 2035 that is aimed at finding a strategic plan and direction for transportation in Arizona  (ADOT, 2013). Not only does this project aim at working out travel and financial goals for the state, but is also preparing to better comply with clean air policies and create and anticipate the need for a more multimodal transportation system (ADOT, 2013). Change is the only constant in this world, which means transportation must keep up with our evolution as well. Through this plan we are seeing Arizona’s attempt at evolving with the needs of the population and the environment.

For more about his plan for 2035 click on the following link:

http://www.azdot.gov/docs/default-source/planning/lrtp-2011-1129.pdf?sfvrsn=2