TPB Vision and Federal Planning Factors

Adopted in 1998, the Vision is the policy framework guiding the development of the plan. The goals, objectives and strategies in the TPB Vision incorporate the eight federal planning factors . Each planning factor is included in the Vision goals, objectives and strategies; security is implicitly addressed by the TPB Vision. The full Vision document is available on the TPB website.

Within the regional transportation plan, the TPB established a priority area for project submissions to maintain and expand the regional transportation coordination program and related activities to benefit transportation management, safety, and security. Security has been a major focus since the 9/11 attacks. With TPB member participation, regional transportation security activities are undertaken through the homeland security committee structure of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), involving federal, state and local public safety and homeland security stakeholders.

The Vision is used to guide project submissions for the long-range plan and transportation improvement program (TIP). Each year, agencies that are submitting projects to be part of the long-range plan and TIP are asked to use the Vision as a guide for what projects should be selected. The Vision is provided in the TPB's annual “Call for Projects” and in the project database forms, agencies must describe how the project meets the goals in the Vision.

After the plan is adopted by the TPB, an analysis of how the plan relates to the TPB Vision goals is conducted.

The Vision Goals

1. The Washington metropolitan region's transportation system will provide reasonable access at reasonable cost to everyone in the region.
2. The Washington metropolitan region will develop, implement, and maintain an interconnected transportation system that enhances quality of life and promotes a strong and growing economy throughout the entire region, including a healthy regional core and dynamic regional activity centers with a mix of jobs, housing and services in a walkable environment.
3. The Washington metropolitan region's transportation system will give priority to management, performance, maintenance, and safety of all modes and facilities.
4. The Washington metropolitan region will use the best available technology to maximize system effectiveness.
5. The Washington metropolitan region will plan and develop a transportation system that enhances and protects the region's natural environmental quality, cultural and historic resources, and communities.
6. The Washington metropolitan region will achieve better inter-jurisdictional coordination of transportation and land use planning.
7. The Washington metropolitan region will achieve an enhanced funding mechanism(s) for regional and local transportation system priorities that cannot be implemented with current and forecasted federal, state, and local funding.
8. The Washington metropolitan region will support options for international and interregional travel and commerce.