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Oregon Transportation and Highway Plans Development

Overview

ODOT is preparing a statewide Oregon Transportation Plan update, which will replace a version adopted in 2006, and a statewide Oregon Highway Plan update, which will replace a version adopted in 1999. The updates to the Oregon Transportation Plan, or OTP, and Oregon Highway Plan, or OHP will both be developed in consultation with stakeholders representing a variety of transportation interests. Your involvement is a critical part of this process.

3 image collage: sunset over a highway, people getting on a bus, bicyclists on a bike path

Why is ODOT updating these plans now?

ODOT has been continually evolving, along with the transportation sector as a whole, to meet its stated mission of providing a safe and reliable multimodal system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. The policies and strategies in ODOT’s statewide transportation plans have guided the agency’s decision-making from the difficult period of economic downturn through the enactment of HB 2017 (“Keep Oregon Moving”), the largest infrastructure package in Oregon’s history.  

Looking towards the future, ODOT is considering a range of trends, opportunities and uncertainties, as continual population growth, increasing freight volume, dramatic technological changes, and the threat of climate change impact our communities and the transportation system. The OTP-OHP Updates represent a critical opportunity to guide our strategic decision-making and shape a statewide transportation system that is resilient and that accommodates multiple users with different needs.

 

​Oregon Transportation Plan (OTP)

The OTP is the overarching policy element of the state transportation system plan. The intent of the OTP update is to provide the long-range vision for Oregon’s multi-modal system that sets a policy framework for shaping the multi-modal transportation system through the year 2050. Additional objectives for the OTP update include:

  • Focus on high-level “drivers of change” and related transportation scenarios to develop a plan that is flexible over time
  • Understand the system’s multiple users and their needs, and articulate the interrelationship of modes, jurisdictions, and regional contexts
  • Understand system conditions, needs and challenges to inform a framework for prioritizing transportation investments
  • Establish an approach for implementing the vision, goals, and policies developed in the plan

Oregon Highway Plan (OHP)

The OHP functions as a strategic element under the guiding aspect of the OTP, along with other mode, topic and facility plans. The OHP must:

  • Provide a long-range vision for the state highway system that aligns with the updated OTP
  • Understand the system's multiple users and their needs, and articulate the multi-modal nature of the state highway system
  • Provide a framework for prioritizing investments statewide and regionally on the state highway system
  • Inform tactical-level planning and management objectives for the state highway system
  • Establish an approach for implementing the vision, goals, policies, and strategies developed in the plan

​Addressing an uncertain future

While the extent of possible impacts to the transportation system in the coming decades remains uncertain, ODOT and local transportation agencies are using the scenario planning technique (see below) to explore a reange of plausible features to inform decision-making.

ODOT has been assessing trends, or “drivers of change”, related to emerging technological advancements in vehicle technology, mobility options, freight applications, and system management in order to understand potential state- and region-wide transportation policy implications. ODOT identified a set of goal areas as a way to frame the likely/potential impacts.  The eight goal areas are:​

  1. Safety
  2. Efficient freight movement
  3. Equity
  4. Mobility
  5. Transportation options
  6. Fuel efficiency/carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction
  7. Transportation funding sufficiency
  8. Land use management
Next steps
  • ​Scenario planning: ODOT is developing alternative future scenarios that explore a broader range of “drivers of change” such as demographic and employment patterns/shifts, disruptive events (e.g. climate change, Cascadia earthquake), and federal/state/local levels of transportation funding. The scenario planning process is informed by engaging both external stakeholders and ODOT staff. 
  • White papers: ODOT is developing a series of topical white papers to provide foundational knowledge for stakeholder advisory committees throughout the OTP and OHP Updates processes. These topics include equity, future demographic trends, and economic regions within Oregon.​
  • Stakeholder interviews: ODOT is conducting stakeholder interviews through 2020 to inform the OTP and OHP update processes.

The white papers and scenario planning outcomes are intended to inform assumptions about future trends and changes. These informational tools will also help ODOT and stakeholders gain a broad understanding of tradeoffs to consider in determining a vision for the future of Oregon's transportation system.

This website will be updated throughout the project, providing informational updates, materials and advisory committee meeting information.

For more information, contact Adam Argo, Project Manager for the OTP and OHP Updates or Transportation Planning Unit Manager Michael Rock​. Subscribe to our GovDelivery newsletter.

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​Public and stakeholder involvement helps ODOT shape plans and investments that reflect the needs and concerns of Oregon communities. In this way, the OTP and OHP Updates will make a real impact on Oregonians with diverse needs and interests ranging from:​

  • Safe and efficient movement of freight
  • Safe and reliable public transportation
  • Safe and reliable passenger vehicle movement  
  • Active transportation options and safe routes to school
  • Strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions​

Stakeholder interview documents

ODOT’s Policy and Planning Section recently completed interviews with stakeholders, both internal and external, representing a variety of transportation interests.  A two-sheet handout and a summary report of the interviews are now available here.

Emerging technology impact assessment

ODOT initiated the Emerging Technology Impact Assessment (ETIA) to consider how emerging transportation technologies such as connected/automated vehicles (CVs/AVs) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) could specifically transform Oregon's transportation system, address Oregon-specific transportation challenges, and evaluate the range of possible impacts for which ODOT should prepare.

ETIA main page

Whitepapers and other background research documents informing the plan updates

ODOT has completed a series of whitepapers to serve as foundational resources that inform and help guide our approach to statewide plan development. These reports address a range of key themes and trends that are important to consider throughout the plan update process. Whitepapers and associated background research sources supporting the update process are available below.

OTP/OHP update-related documents:

Other relevant background documents:

Oregon Transportation Plan Logo






Contact

 Adam Argo
Project Manager
 503-986-3510

 Michael Rock
Transportation Planning Unit Manager
 503-986-3179

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