Planning Factors
Under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998 (TEA-21), Congress showed support for metropolitan and statewide transportation planning by emphasizing seven distinct planning factors that metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and states should consider when developing their plans. In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), added emphasis in two areas: security and the environment. Transportation security was made a stand alone factor, increasing the total number of factors to eight and signaling an increase in importance from prior legislation. The factor relating to the environment was also expanded, to promote consistency of the long-range transportation plan with planned growth and development. The most recent authorization, Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) added two planning factors for: 1) System resiliency and reliability, and 2) Travel and tourism.Per the legislation, the planning factors must be considered in the implementation of projects and strategies and services. A representative set of goals that have one to one correspondence with the planning factors are also included in the table.
| Planning Factor | Goal |
|---|---|
| A. Support the economic vitality of the United States, the States, nonmetropolitan areas, and metropolitan areas, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency; | Improve the national freight network, strengthen the ability of rural communities to access national and international trade markets, and support regional economic development |
| B. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users; | Achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads |
| C. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users; | Improve the security of the transportation system |
| D. Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight; | Achieve a significant reduction in congestion |
| E. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns; | Enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment |
| F. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes throughout the State, for people and freight; | Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system |
| G. Promote efficient system management and operation; | Improve the efficiency of the surface transportation system |
| H. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system; | Maintain the highway infrastructure asset system in a state of good repair |
| I. Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation; | Improve the resiliency and reliability of the surface transportation system |
| J. Enhance travel and tourism. | Develop a transportation system that supports travel and tourism |