Austin Strategic Mobility Plan

Austin Strategic Mobility Plan
Plan name	Austin Strategic Mobility Plan
Location	Austin, Texas
Agency	City of Austin
Start date	2019
End date	2025
Mode	Public transportation, Cycling, Walking

Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. The City of Austin developed the plan in collaboration with Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Texas Department of Transportation, and Federal Highway Administration. The plan aims to improve mobility in Austin, Texas, by enhancing public transportation, cycling, and walking infrastructure, while also reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. This is achieved through partnerships with organizations like University of Texas at Austin, Austin Chamber of Commerce, and Sierra Club.

Introduction

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan is a comprehensive transportation plan that outlines the City of Austin's vision for a sustainable transportation system. The plan is guided by the principles of equity, safety, and environmental sustainability, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. The plan builds on previous transportation plans, such as the 2035 Plan and the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, developed in collaboration with Austin City Council, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Texas Department of Transportation. The plan also draws on best practices from other cities, such as New York City's OneNYC plan and San Francisco's Transportation 2035 plan, as well as research from institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley.

Background

The City of Austin has experienced rapid population growth, with the population increasing by over 30% since 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau. This growth has put pressure on the city's transportation infrastructure, leading to increased traffic congestion and air pollution. The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aims to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive and integrated transportation system that meets the needs of all Austin, Texas residents, including those in low-income and minority communities, as identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The plan is informed by data and research from organizations like Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Urban Land Institute, and American Public Transportation Association.

Plan Objectives

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan has several key objectives, including improving public transportation options, enhancing cycling and walking infrastructure, and reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. The plan also aims to increase mobility for all residents, regardless of age, ability, or income, as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. The plan's objectives are aligned with the City of Austin's Climate Protection Plan and the Texas Department of Transportation's Texas Transportation Plan, as well as national initiatives like the U.S. Department of Transportation's Smart City Challenge and the Federal Highway Administration's Every Day Counts program. The plan is also guided by the principles of transportation equity, as outlined by the Congress for the New Urbanism and the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Mobility Strategies

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan outlines several mobility strategies to achieve its objectives, including expanding public transportation services, improving cycling and walking infrastructure, and promoting shared mobility options like car-sharing and ride-hailing. The plan also includes strategies to reduce traffic congestion, such as optimizing traffic signal timing and improving incident management. The plan's mobility strategies are informed by best practices from cities like Vancouver, British Columbia, and Copenhagen, as well as research from institutions like University of Michigan and Georgia Institute of Technology. The plan also draws on expertise from organizations like American Automobile Association, National Safety Council, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Implementation and Funding

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan will be implemented over a period of several years, with funding coming from a variety of sources, including the City of Austin's capital budget, federal transportation funding, and private investment. The plan will be implemented in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Texas Department of Transportation, and private developers. The plan's implementation will be guided by a project management framework, as outlined by the Project Management Institute, and will include regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the plan's objectives are being met, as required by the Government Performance and Results Act and the Federal Aid Highway Program. The plan will also be informed by data and research from organizations like Bureau of Transportation Statistics and National Transportation Library.

Impact and Evaluation

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan is expected to have a significant impact on the city's transportation system, improving mobility for all residents and reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. The plan's impact will be evaluated using a range of metrics, including travel time, mode share, and air quality. The plan's evaluation will be informed by data and research from organizations like National Center for Sustainable Transportation and Transportation Research Board, as well as expertise from institutions like Harvard University and University of Southern California. The plan's success will be measured against the City of Austin's sustainability goals, as outlined in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, and will be used to inform future transportation planning efforts, such as the 2045 Plan and the Texas Department of Transportation's 2050 Plan.

Category:Transportation plans in the United States