The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is drafting its transit plan for state transportation over the next 25 years with the Texas Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan (Texas SMTP 2050).
Currently, Texas transit systems provide roughly 230 million trips across the state to ensure all riders have equal access to amenities, jobs, healthcare, educational opportunities and more. As more people move to Texas, transit systems across the state will need to accommodate projected population growth through planning and preparation.
The Texas SMTP 2050 is a pioneering document setting out the state’s vision and strategies to execute impactful actions needed to enhance connectivity, improve mobility and address congestion in transit corridors over a 25-year period. The draft – which began 2023 – is currently in the third round of public outreach and surveying.
The document’s goals are aligned with Texas’ other major transportation plans, including the Active Transportation Plan and Connecting Texas 2050. These goals include:
- Maintaining a safe and secure transit network working toward zero fatalities.
- Preserving a resilient, effective transit system that is financially stable and functions in a state of good repair.
- Advancing mobility measures to ensure all riders can access work, school, healthcare, recreational activities and essential amenities.
- Creating an interconnected local and statewide network that is coordinated, affordable, accessible, reliable and easy to use.
- Providing access to economic opportunities for long-term economic competitiveness.
- Prioritizing good stewardship through a sustainable and resilient multimodal system that preserves essential resources.
Guided by these goals and informed by public outreach, Texas has developed strategies across four categories to implement actions designed to be as impactful as possible and meet the population’s needs.
To better deliver urban and rural area transit services, the Texas SMTP 2050 outlines recommendations to identify priority corridors and estimate minimum levels of service. The information derived from this study will enable TxDOT to integrate all transit modes and mobility options with other transportation modes. Securing long-term success will revolve around promoting comprehensive workforce development through institutional and organizational partnerships.
As intercity connectivity becomes increasingly important, TxDOT will lay the foundation for improved service by identifying a statewide route and hub network. From there, it will develop a governance framework for statewide and regional intercity services. The state will further support these intercity networks by integrating technology to facilitate seamless statewide travel.
Planning and design will be critical components in ensuring these efforts are optimized and painlessly implemented. Going forward, TxDOT will research and document statewide transit benefits and integrate transit through local, regional and statewide planning. Plans will be further supplemented by incorporating transportation technology, prioritizing safety and resiliency and enhancing research, reporting and knowledge sharing to ensure the best possible results are produced.
Funding remains as the final major category used to prop up all other operations and planned initiatives. TxDOT will maximize the use of existing funding and expand sources, flexibility and levels of funding. To emphasize sustainability, the department will tie funding to growth and performance, ensuring the most deserving and impactful initiatives receive ongoing support.
The steering committee leading the effort has collaborated with multiple transit groups and entities to develop the plan, including:
- Economic development and innovation groups.
- TxDOT districts and divisions.
- Public stakeholders.
- Municipalities.
- The Public Transportation Advisory Committee.
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
- Transit operators.
- Emphasis area working groups.
Photo by RadicalBender, Public domain, from Wikimedia Commons
This story is a part of the weekly Texas Government Insider digital news publication. See more of the latest Texas government news here. For more national government news, check Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals.