MTP 2022 Update

Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Priorities, Strategies, and Actions

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan’s draft Priorities, Strategies, and Actions are described below. RPC welcomes feedback on these items, and will incorporate comments received into the plan.

The MTP is guided by six overarching Priorities that will be considered throughout all levels of decision making. These priorities synthesize the MTP’s planning input data, stakeholder feedback, and RPC staff expertise. The plan further identifies a series of Strategies that describe the broad activity types that will address one or more of the Priorities. Subsequent chapters of the MTP describe specific Actions that the RPC will complete, via its programs and projects, to implement the Strategies.

The RPC is currently updating the MTPs for all four Metropolitan Planning Areas (MPAs) it serves: Mandeville-Covington, New Orleans, Slidell and South Tangipahoa. In order to achieve consistency in the planning process the RPC aims to include similar Priorities, Strategies and Actions across all four MTPs. We therefore welcome comments as they relate to any of the MPAs.

Safety & Security

No transportation investment should create a risk for its users. A priority for every project will be increasing safety on the transportation system for all users, particularly those that are most vulnerable.

Sustainability & Resilience

The transportation system should minimize negative environmental impacts while also enhancing the region’s ability to withstand and recover from natural hazards.

Equity

All residents of the region will accrue benefits from the transportation system, and no person or community will suffer disproportionately from the RPC’s transportation decisions.

Economic Opportunity

The transportation system will provide residents with access to employment, facilitate the movement of goods, and connect businesses with customers.

Reliability & Connectivity

Travel times throughout the region will be predictable, and the transportation system will be easy to use.

System Preservation & Stewardship

Emphasis should be placed on maintaining and enhancing the multimodal functionality of existing infrastructure before investing in the addition of new roadway capacity.

Strategies

The MTP’s Planning Priorities will be incorporated into the RPC’s planning process by implementing a series of Strategies. These Strategies direct the RPC to create policies, programs, and projects that will comprehensively address the needs previously identified in this plan. The MTP’s Priorities are interrelated, and as such many Strategies address more than one of the Priorities.

Each Strategy is summarized below, and they have been grouped by their overall impact into the following categories:

Human Impact Strategy

Focus on improving outcomes for the people who use and are affected by the transportation system.

Modal Strategies

Will improve the effectiveness of specific transportation modes.

System Strategies

Address the transportation system as a whole or functions of the RPC as an agency.

Each strategy includes specific Actions, which are tasks that the RPC staff will complete to implement the Strategies and thereby address the MTP Priorities.

Human Impact Strategies

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity

Actions:

Incorporate recommendations of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy into the project development process.
Identify major employment centers, educational institutions, and other major destinations, and ensure they are well-connected to affordable housing via all transportation modes.
Consider the needs of visitors and the tourism industry in the project development process.
Study the impacts of transportation network companies and micromobility solutions to increase mobility options for all.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity

Actions:

Ensure that the transportation system is sensitive to its cultural and social context.
Use data such as the Social Vulnerability Index to Identify disadvantaged communities and populations throughout the region and use these data to identify appropriate methods to garner substantive community input on projects.
Identify data and tools that can be used to assess potential project impacts to disadvantaged communities.
Ensure all staff comply with Title VI requirements and the RPC’s Title VI Policy.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Analyze past and future investments to ensure that transportation improvements and their benefits are equitably distributed throughout the region.
Use data such as the Social Vulnerability Index to identify and implement projects and programs that will benefit disadvantaged communities.
Proactively engage with the Justice 40 Initiative and seek to accomplish the program’s goals wherever possible.
Seek out meaningful public input from all of the region’s residents, particularly those whose voices have historically been minimized.
Work with relevant stakeholders to identify opportunities to implement recommendations of the Coordinated Human Services Plan.
Study the potential benefit of designating a Human Services Mobility Manager, who would help connect elderly and disabled residents with appropriate transportation services.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Continue to implement the recommendations of the 2019 Regional Resilience Study.
Create a regional Resilience Improvement Plan as outlined in the IIJA and subsequent guidance.
Use data and national best practices to assess the vulnerability of the region’s transportation system.
Identify opportunities to improve resilience during the project development process, including the incorporation of green infrastructure, flood mitigation, evacuation routes, emergency access, and social and economic impacts.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Form an environmental advisory committee that will advise the RPC on matters related to sustainability and resilience.
Prioritize projects that contribute to reduced emissions, particularly those that reduce VMT.
Use data and national best practices to consider project impact to natural systems, including watersheds, air quality, and wildlife.

Modal Strategies

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Prioritize opportunities to improve walking and biking safety during the development of all projects.
Continue to assist local transit agencies with the implementation of New Links, and identify further opportunities to enhance frequency and reliability of transit.
During project development ensure access for disabled persons is a consideration, and identify projects that will further increase ADA compliance.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Continue to monitor freight congestion and associated performance measures via the Congestion Management Process, and identify locations that require study and improvement.
Implement the recommendations of the regional Freight Mobility Plan, including identified projects and studies.
Continue to use the Freight Roundtable as a forum to learn about freight trends and industry needs.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Continue to monitor regional congestion via the Congestion Management Process, and identify opportunities for congestion mitigation.
During project development encourage the use of management and operations strategies to improve traffic movement and reliability.
Continue to support the LADOTD MAP Patrol units in the region to address roadway vehicle crashes & incidents.

System Strategies

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

During project development, identify potentially affected communities and define appropriate outreach strategies.
Define appropriate levels of engagement for all programs.
Maintain a database of community groups that can aid in outreach efforts.
Update and comply with the RPC’s Public Engagement Policy.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Identify projects that will reduce crashes, particularly those that cause serious injuries and fatalities, for all modes.
Ensure that multi-modal safety improvements are considered during the development of all projects.
Seek opportunities to implement behavior-based safety programs.
Incorporate public health best practices into RPC safety analyses.
Continue to support the Regional Safety Coalition and identify opportunities to incorporate innovative programs and policies.
Expand training for the Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program.
Include health and wellness experts in project committees and advisory boards .

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

During the project development process, analyze nearby land uses and consider opportunities to increase access to major destinations.
Identify projects that increase network connectivity for all modes.
Combine congestion management analyses with the Social Vulneratibility Index, safety data, and infrastructure condition data to create a more comprehensive understanding of local needs.

Priorities Addressed: Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Ensure transportation investments are directed towards system preservation, maintenance, and repair.
Continue to monitor infrastructure condition and proactively identify locations that will require maintenance or repair.
Implement roadway capacity increases only when detailed analysis has shown that congestion cannot be adequately addressed through operational improvements or alternative modes.
Study innovative uses for existing resources and underutilized infrastructure.

Priorities Addressed: Safety & Security, Sustainability & Resilience, Equity, Economic Opportunity, Reliability & Connectivity, System Preservation & Stewardship

Actions:

Develop subject specific white-papers around MTP programs and projects.
Incorporate MTP Priorities in LWI Regional Watershed Plan, and identify opportunities to coordinate watershed and transportation projects.
Ensure that future Brownfields studies consider upcoming transportation projects, and identify Brownfields opportunities during the transportation project development process.
Use Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership resources to identify opportunities to incorporate alternative fuels in future transportation projects.
Seek input from the Emergency Preparedness Public Private Partnership when developing transportation projects.
Ensure transportation projects are supportive of the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

We Want To Hear From You

Use the form below to send us your comments and questions. For additional information, contact Tom Haysley at [email protected] or 504-483-8510

MTP 2022 Update

Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Priorities, Strategies, and Actions

Safety & Security

Sustainability & Resilience

Equity

Economic Opportunity

Reliability & Connectivity

System Preservation & Stewardship

Strategies

Human Impact Strategy

Modal Strategies

System Strategies

Human Impact Strategies

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Modal Strategies

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System Strategies

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