REGION 2020: ALTERNATIVE MODES of TRANSPORTATION
WHAT
• To develop a region-wide coordinated,
multi-modal surface transportation system (cars, trains, buses, multi-passenger
vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians)
that reduces automobile dependency and negative environmental impacts and
allows better movement of people and goods.
WHY
• To shorten commute times.
• To reduce congestion.
• To reduce pollution.
• To comply with ozone standards.
• To improve the quality of life.
WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED
• Commuters
• Businesses and communities that will use the service
• Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)
• Regional planning commissions
• The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)
• Operation New Birmingham
• Economic development authorities
• Regional housing authorities
• Birmingham Area Regional Transit Authority (BARTA)
• Blue Ribbon Committee on Mass Transit
• Metropolitan Area Express (MAX)
WHO WILL BENEFIT
• Commuters, especially those traveling between the suburbs and downtown
• Employers
• Businesses
HOW
Strategy
Reward the use of alternative modes of transportation.
Related strategies: Transportation
Infrastructure and Facilities.
Action Steps
Specific action steps will include:
1. In the short term, promote Park and Ride lots, Vanpools, and High Occupancy
Vehicle (HOV) lanes as recommended in existing long-range transportation
plans (See the Transportation Infrastructure and Facilities
strategy).
2. In the long term, promote development that is transit-oriented
by using incentives such as Location Efficient Mortgages,
Tax Increment Financing,
Tax Abatements, and Enterprise and Development Zones.
Role of Region 2020
• To coordinate with the regional planning commissions, metropolitan
planning organizations, and regional transportation authorities
and committees
to expedite the implementation of the action steps.
• To work with jurisdictions that have potential transit nodes
to permit and encourage transit- oriented development.
Cost
To be determined
Further Information
See the Workgroup report for more information about trends,
project funding, and detailed Action Steps.
