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The Subregional Planning program encourages applicants to develop studies that follow a multi-modal approach and include a strong link between land use and transportation planning. By undertaking these planning studies at the county and subregional level, we are able to employ inter-governmental coordination to complete studies that result in compatible land use and transit options. Eligible projects will fall into one of the following categories:
Service Development Study for an Existing or Emerging Market
The planning approach and recommendations for service improvements will vary depending on the type of market (existing or emerging) that is being addressed, whether it is for rail, bus, or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.
For existing and emerging markets, this type of study can examine re-structuring of existing transit service or produce recommendations for new/increased service for markets currently emerging. For future markets, ridership forecasts can be conducted (using land use projections, census data, market research or other relevant data) to identify the potential markets for the service. In all cases, recommendations for changes to land use development patterns that will better support the transit service should be considered. Typical tasks for this type of study may include:
- Data collection
- Public participation/stakeholder involvement
- Identify existing/emerging/future transit markets
- Demographic projections/ridership forecasts
- Recommendations for transit service improvements
- Land use recommendations
- Implementation strategies/cost analysis
Transit Component of a County or Subregional Transportation Plan
The transit component of a county or Subregional transportation plan can include recommendations for transit opportunities such as new transit service, increasing or improving existing transit service, or identifying options to enhance mobility within the study area. Recommendations are generally based on mobility needs for the County or subarea as well as travel patterns both within and outside the county or subarea boundaries. Where appropriate, the plans may include land use plans/ guidelines to increase transit-oriented development and spur economic development within the study area. The following tasks are usually undertaken in creating the plan:
- Data collection
- Analysis of travel patterns
- Mobility needs assessment
- Public and stakeholder participation
- Short- and long-term phased recommendations
- Implementation strategies/cost analysis
Integrated transit and land use improvement studies (corridor or subregional level)
Corridor and subregional planning studies help counties or multiple communities assess mobility problems and identify potential solutions. These studies are a collaborative effort among one or more communities and transportation agencies to improve transit access and service in a county or local corridor that may pass through one or more communities. The goal is to encourage compatible land use development along a specific transit corridor, whether it be an existing or proposed rail, bus or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
The following tasks are usually undertaken in creating the plan:
- Data collection
- Analysis of travel patterns
- Identification of mobility needs
- Public and stakeholder participation
- Development of concept plans and alternatives
- Implementation strategies
- Cost Analysis
Transit-oriented development studies (county, subregional or corridor level)
Station area plans are based on the basic tenets of transit-oriented development; mixed land uses, higher residential densities and pedestrian-friendly environments. These plans produce recommendations for an appropriate mix of land uses and transportation improvements to support a rail station or major bus corridor. Plans also address urban design elements, including streetscape improvements, and recommend multi-modal mobility improvements to and within the station area.
The following tasks are usually undertaken in creating the plan:
- Data collection
- Residential, office, and retail market analyses
- Public participation
- Development of concept plans
- Circulation and access plans
- Implementation strategies
- Developer/funding summit
For more information visit our transit-oriented development page
Paratransit coordination studies (county or subregional level)
In October 2007, the RTA adopted Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP ) -  PDF Version (.pdf)  MS Word Version (.doc) which outlines strategies for providing transportation services in a more coordinated and efficient manner.
Paratransit Coordination Studies analyze existing non-traditional fixed route transit services throughout a township (or group of townships) or County. The types of services that these plans focus on include dial-a-ride services, human service transportation programs, subsidized taxi programs, and other township and municipal sponsored services. The plans identify gaps in service and provide recommendations to better coordinate and consolidate existing services and identify new services that can better serve the basic mobility needs of residents and workers. Typical tasks in these types of projects include the following:
- Data collection
- Analysis of travel patterns
- Identification of mobility needs
- Public participation
- Development of service plans
- Identification of potential funding sources
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