Northwest Hills COG Regional Transportation Plan Study Introduction October 8. 2015 FITZGERALD & HALLIDAY, INC. Innovative Planning, Better Communities NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Agenda 1. Project Overview 2. Approach, Process and Products 3. Outreach 4. Status 5. Next Steps 6. NHCOG Visioning Exercise NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
The FHI Project Team • Ruth Fitzgerald, AICP--Project Manager › Transportation planning, quality assurance, collaboration • Carol Gould, AICP--Principal Project Planner › Community/Transportation Planning, plan preparation • Rory Fitzgerald — Project Planner › Data collection and analysis, documentation, outreach • Eric Smith — Project Planner › Documentation, mapping, graphics, technology NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Why an RTP now? • New region • Previous plans are dated • To articulate a multimodal vision • Position the region for funding • Changing landscape….. NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Why a Regional Transportation Plan? 1 . To identify the Region’s vision and needs › Rural roads/bridges › Economic sustainability › Preserve character/heritage › Historic rail service › Active tourism/recreation › State roads as Main Street › Mobility for carless/elderly › Access to essential services › Quality of life NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Why a Regional Transportation Plan? 2. To meet federal funding requirements › Multimodal approach › Guide for transportation investment › Financial plan › Performance measures › Public involvement › Environmental justice NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Project Approach • Begin with a vision › Start with the end in mind • Partner with COG and member communities › You drive plan outcomes › Municipal liaisons • Optimize stakeholder engagement › Maximize input within limited resources • Prepare plan that is: › clear › visually rich › Implementable! NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Work Plan 1: Research and Analysis 2: Discern Regional Transportation Vision 3: Community Engagement 4: Transportation Priorities and Alternative Scenarios 5: Draft Regional Transportation Plan 6: Final Regional Transportation Plan : NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Project Flow NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Project Products • Vision Statement (and goals) • Website • Flyer • Initial list of projects • Performance measures • Draft plan • Final plan NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Good planning requires an understanding of the vision and desires of those who live, work and travel in the study area. We need to listen carefully to local voices. NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Engaging Stakeholders • Reach a cross-section of stakeholders › Survey › Contact list › Website › Flyers • Member municipalities › Interviews • Encourage dialogue › E-mails, NHCOG website, flyers, forums NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Engaging Stakeholders Continued… • Three Stakeholder forums › Rail (Housatonic Rail Line) › Transit › Bike/ped • Listen well • Incorporate input and get feedback › Public forum on draft plan NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Project Schedule NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
What Have We Done So Far? • Initial meeting with NHCOG staff › Previous plans › Current TIP • Development of survey • Flyer • Municipal Liaisons — many appointments scheduled • Website • Initial meeting with NHCOG NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
NEXT STEPS Now through end of 2015 • Research Baseline conditions › Trends › Review previous plans/documents › • Survey and interviews • Draft vision statement/goals • Draft performance matrix • Initial list of projects/actions NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Northwest Hills COG Regional Transportation Plan Questions/Comments?? FITZGERALD & HALLIDAY, INC. Innovative Planning, Better Communities NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
NHCOG Opportunities?? A Vision conversation………. • Rural New England character › Cultural heritage and preservation of assets • Natural resource assets and strong communities • “Good bones” for transportation improvements › Roads/bridges › Transit › Housatonic Railroad › Strong bicycling community › Other?? NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
NHCOG Challenges??? • Aging population • Shrinking funds • Deteriorating infrastructure • Maintaining character • Economic development competitiveness • Access to jobs • Non-motorized transportation opportunities • Other?? NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
Northwest Hills COG Regional Transportation Plan Thank you!!! FITZGERALD & HALLIDAY, INC. Innovative Planning, Better Communities NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
The Products Products as part of the process, wrapped into a user friendly plan, • Vision Statement • Performance measures • Scenarios Matrix • Implementation Plan NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
The Outcomes Real world strategies.....Fiscally constrained Regional Strategies Town-by-Town recommendations NHCOG Regional Transportation Plan
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