Shaping Our Mobility Future!
Pima Association of Governments, the region’s metropolitan planning organization, is developing a new long-range transportation plan for the Tucson metropolitan area. The process will include public input, stakeholder input and ultimately plan approval by the PAG Regional Council, made up of every local jurisdiction in Pima County.
Overview
Pima Association of Governments is developing its new long-range transportation plan, the 2055 Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan. PAG is required, as a metropolitan planning organization for the region, to adopt a new long-range plan every four years to secure millions in federal transportation dollars for the region.
We're improving mobility in the region
Since 1970, Pima Association of Governments has worked with our regional partners to identify and implement regional transportation projects that improve the performance of our regional transportation system and has been securing federal, state, regional and local dollars for thousands of projects over the years. A reliable transportation system supports economic development and job expansion, safety and security, and improved mobility and accessibility for people and goods. This, in turn, improves our region’s livability and sustainability for everyone.
What's next?
PAG is preparing a public engagement survey to understand regional transportation priorities. PAG will use this data as part of its modeling exercises along with other information collected by transportation stakeholders and our members to draft the new 30-year plan for public comment.
The Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan is a long-range, performance-based transportation plan with a 25- to 30-year outlook that promotes a safe and efficient transportation system across the Tucson metropolitan area. Plan development considerations include accessible pedestrian walkways, bicycle transportation facilities, intermodal facilities, buses, bus facilities and commuter vanpool providers to meet the needs for the movement of people and goods in the region.
Pima Association of Governments is a metropolitan planning organization, designated by the state in 1973 to comply with federal transportation planning requirements. PAG also is the designated planning agency for air quality, water quality management and solid waste, and administers a travel reduction program. In 2004, PAG also led the establishment of the Regional Transportation Authority, a regional taxing district within Pima County. The RTA’s 20-year regional transportation plan and a half-cent sales tax were approved by voters in 2006. The plan and tax are identified as part of PAG’s Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan.
Regional Partners
PAG members include Pima County, the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Tohono O’odham Nation, and the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Federal planning factors considered for long-range plan development are to:
- Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency
- Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
- Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
- Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight
- 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 integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight
- Promote efficient system management and operation
- Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system
- Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation
- Enhance travel and tourism
Pima Association of Governments will initially engage the public through a survey to obtain input on regional transportation priorities and will reach out to other transportation stakeholders and member jurisdictions to gather data that will help inform plan development. Additional opportunities for public input will include a public comment period and public hearing on the draft plan, which is expected to be presented to the PAG Regional Council for adoption in mid to late 2024.
Transportation Modeling
Models that help predict the region’s future transportation needs are being developed. The inputs include land use information, population numbers and Census projections, travel trends and more. These are used to gauge the region’s needs and evaluate performance of projects.
Air Quality Modeling
The PAG region must stay in compliance with certain air quality standards, such as the level of ozone and other pollutants. Air quality monitoring helps determine how regional transportation improvements, as spelled out in the long-range plan, affect air quality.
Public Engagement
It is critical that the public weigh in on priorities for transportation planning. PAG will conduct a thorough public engagement process before the draft plan is complete.
Stakeholder Engagement
The region’s stakeholders include all nine members of the PAG Regional Council, who represent local government entities. Stakeholders also include interest groups such as business/industry, users of certain modes of transportation, and more.
Questions?
Through collaborative leadership and planning, PAG’s goal is to enhance our region’s livability by improving our regional mobility and sustainability.
Title VI
PAG operates its programs without regard to race, color and national origin in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
If you need translation assistance, please call (520) 792-1093 and ask for Zonia Kelley.
Si necesita ayuda con traducción, llame por favor al (520) 792-1093 y comuníquese con Zonia Kelley.
