Vision 2025

A Multi-Modal Transportation Plan
for the Phoenix Metropolitan Area

2 March 1999

Governor Jane Hull has created a twenty-member committee, charged with developing a multi-modal transportation plan for the metropolitan Phoenix region for the year 2025. At the invitation of Joe Neblett of the Arizona Department of Transportation, ARPA is pleased to offer its vision with respect to the questions posed by the Committee.

1. Land Use / Transportation Integration. Alternative land use goals can require adjustments to planned transportation systems, for example master planned communities, urban villages or zoning controls. What land use pattern would you like to see in 2025, and what type of transportation system do you feel is needed to support this pattern?
   
   
   • Mixed-use developments, especially at arterial intersections and transit stations. For example, apartments above shops; or clusters of shops and offices among single-family houses. This eliminates the need for many short vehicular trips. This would be supported by neighborhood shuttles along collector streets; local and express buses and light rail along arterial streets; and commuter rail in major corridors.
   
   
2. Modal Balance. Automobile travel is the dominant mode of travel within the region, with a small share of trips by transit, bicycling and walking. Some programs are seeking to reduce travel demand. Should the automobile continue to be the dominant mode of travel within the region?
   
   
   • Automobile travel will be augmented by a wide variety of alternatives, including a greatly expanded public transport system with rail components. Spurred by planning and zoning changes which boost mixed-use development, walking, bicycling, and transit ridership will become far more prevalent.
   
   
3. Project Needs. The region is growing rapidly, and major investments are needed to maintain mobility. Major investments are planned for freeways, streets, transit and airports. List your top transportation concerns. If you had to choose one transportation problem to focus on, what would it be? What major transportation projects do you feel need to be completed by 2025?
   
   
   • Adding strong high capacity rail systems to augment the capacity of streets and highways. By 2025, our roads and highways will be completely filled, and will be at their maximum configuration. Public transportation will be a requirement for our continued mobility.
   
   
4. New Technologies. New technologies are emerging to reduce transportation demands, costs and impacts. Intelligent transportation system technologies are enhancing traffic flow and the delivery of transit service. What impacts do you think new techn
   
   
   • Between 1900 and 2000, technology has changed rail transportation far more dramatically than it has affected automobiles. The same will continue to be true in the upcoming years; we will see public transportation become increasingly more efficient, not just of fuel but also in its increased speed and convenience. As roads become increasingly congested, advanced public transportation systems will be ever more popular with the citizens of Arizona.
   
   
5. Human Service Needs. What role should government play in 2025 to meet special transportation needs?
   
   
   • Every citizen should have access to transportation. Where private enterprise cannot effectively provide access – to schools, jobs, medical needs, or recreation – that is where government must help ensure that transportation alternatives exist.
   
   
6. Funding Options. User fees (such as fuel taxes) pay for a major share of road costs. General funds support transit, while sales taxes are used for transit and freeways. Tolling options have been considered. The regional sales tax for transportation ends in 2005 and fuel taxes are being gradually eroded by inflation and more efficient vehicles. How should transportation systems be paid for in 2025?
   
   
   • Transportation should be funded by a variety of sources. Some sources are more appropriate for certain types than for others. Most important, however, will be a dedicated funding source in the State budget for all forms of transportation. As an example, the fuel tax should be changed to a percentage of the purchase price – not a fixed tax per gallon – to allow for the continuing effects of inflation.
   
   
7. Quality of Life. What role does transportation have in quality of life issues and business growth in the area?
   
   
   • Adequate transportation directly affects our economy, for without it, people cannot get to their jobs, nor can they shop; they can neither earn nor spend their money effectively. Without adequate transportation, our youth and elderly cannot be full citizens. Without adequate transportation, those who cannot drive, or do not wish to drive, are foreclosed from participating in our society. An intermodal transportation system, with sidewalks, roads, buses, and rail, is essential to a livable community.
   
   
8. Other Modes. How do we make the Valley more bicycle and pedestrian friendly? What will our aviation needs be in 2025? What role should rail have in passenger and goods movement in 2025?
   
   
   • By re-emphasizing sidewalks and public spaces over roads and parking spaces, and by planning and zoning which centers upon persons rather than automobiles, we can achieve not only better transportation but also a safer and happier society.
   • Air travel will continue to be the principal means of moving people over long distances. Passenger rail will become prevalent for moving persons over medium distances, as for between most points within Arizona. Freight will move increasingly on rails as roads become permanently congested. Airports and train stations must be seen not as destinations, but as intermodal transfer points.