Current Planning Projects & Studies

Our projects

The Policy, Data & Analysis division at the Oregon Department of Transportation periodically conducts projects to update statewide plans or to develop or update guidance documents affecting Oregon transportation agencies and planners.

Below are planning projects in process today. Click the accordions below to find out more, including how to get involved and provide your feedback to help make sure the documents reflect interests and concerns throughout the state.

Expressway Designation Review (2019)

Expressways are intended to give priority to the efficient movement of people and goods traveling through an area within specific segments of a highway. This is achieved by limiting access and turn movements on the highway facility, allowing for higher speeds and smooth flow.

The Expressway Designation is one of a subset of highway designations defined in the OHP. ORS 374.328 directs the OTC to review the classification of state highways every six years to ensure expressway designations are appropriate. The intent of this requirement was to ensure the designation is still appropriate given changes that may have occurred since the original designation. The last full expressway review was completed by the OTC in March of 2013.

Potential actions from the 2019 review are to:

Remove the expressway designation to a portion or the entire segment,
Retain the existing designation as is, or
Add the expressway designation to a portion of a state highway that now meets the definition and intent.

Visit the project GIS website

Oregon Transportation and Highway Plans Development

ODOT is prepareing to update both the Oregon Transportation Plan and Oregon Highway Plan. These updates will replace versions of the plans adopted in 2006 and 1999, respectively. These updates represent a critical opportunity to guide out strategic decision-making and shape a statewide transportation system that is resilient and that accommodates multiple users with different needs. Our project page better explains the two plans in detail, how the updates will impact Oregonians and how you can stay involved and informed.

OTP/OHP development main page

Oregon State Rail Plan Update and Adoption

The Oregon State Rail Plan, or OSRP, is the state’s railroad mode plan which establishes a 20-year vision and strategic frameworks for the state’s freight and passenger railroad system. This modal plan is a supporting element of the Oregon Transportation Plan, refining policy, providing system information and modal specific priorities.

At their August meeting, the Oregon Transportation Commission adopted the 2020 Oregon State Rail Plan.

If you have any questions, please contact Project Manager Roseann O’Laughlin.

Public Involvement Policy Update

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released the draft update to the Oregon Transportation Commission's (OTC) Public Involvement Policy for review and comment.

A draft of the new policy was made available for public comment until September 17, 2020. In October of 2020, the final draft of the policy was completed and made available here.

Questions or comments can be sent to Policy Coordinator Deborah Benavidez.

Public Involvement Policy final draft

Transportation Safety Action Plan

ODOT is conducting an update of the Oregon Transportation Safety Action Plan (TSAP). The TSAP serves as the unifying framework for transportation safety planning in Oregon. This update will replace the five-year plan adopted in 2016. The limited and focused update will analyze what has changed since the adoption of the 2016 plan, evaluate the progress towards achieving the elimination of fatalities and serious injuries on Oregon's transportation system, and identify solutions to address system needs for all travelers. The TSAP page explains in more detail the scope of the update and how you can stay involved and informed.

TSAP main page

Our studies

The Policy, Data & Analysis division at the Oregon Department of Transportation periodically conducts planning studies that potentially may lead to a more formal plan in the future.

Below are planning studies that may be in progress or have been completed. Click the accordions below to find out more, including how to get involved and provide your feedback to help make sure the documents reflect interests and concerns throughout the state.

Commercial Truck Parking Study

This study concluded as of July 31, 2020

Nationwide, truck drivers often can't find safe parking when they need to rest. This is especially true in Oregon where rest areas already experience heavy demand, which is expected to worsen over time. Public rest areas are intended for short-term safety breaks but are increasingly used for long-term parking. Private truck stops are also experiencing capacity shortfalls. Winter weather, safety regulations, and other factors contribute to this rising demand and recent studies have shown that factors related to weather and fatigue tend to increase the severity of injuries in crashes involving trucks.

Truck parking shortages and limits on stays in public rest areas may be forcing truck drivers to park in unsafe locations such as access ramps and roadway shoulders. Drivers may also be forced to travel longer distances without taking needed breaks.

Federal law (Jason's Law) requires an inventory and assessment of existing truck parking facilities in every state.

This study addressed the following:

Truck parking issues within seven key freight corridors.
Capacity, safety, and convenience for truck drivers and determined where additional truck parking is needed.
Prioritized projects that allow ODOT to better plan future parking infrastructure that will better serve the trucking industry while supporting Oregon's overall economy.

Oregon Transit and Housing Study

ODOT seeks a better understanding of transportation and housing connections, recognizing that better alignment of housing and transportation can help to achieve a variety of state and local goals.　This study will consider policies and actions that could improve households’ quality of life through increasing housing opportunities with easy connections to transit.　It will identify policies and actions that improve access to attainable housing and convenient, reliable transit and it will explore new tools for addressing growing transportation challenges while simultaneously tackling housing affordability.

Oregon Transit and Housing Study Main Page