Future Capacity Determination
Future capacity is determined based on an evaluation of capacity-based improvements identified in state, regional, and/or local plans as funded. Future capacity should be determined for all elements of the transportation system that were documented in the existing conditions for the jurisdiction (i.e., roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, freight, rail, air, pipeline, and/or marine) as appropriate for the jurisdiction.
Shall
At a minimum, this step shall include:
- Identify committed capacity-based improvements in state, regional, and local plans
- Committed capacity-based improvements may include system improvements identified in the State Transportation Improvement Program, Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Programs, local Capital Improvement Programs, or other improvements that have a committed funding source that are expected to be built before the end of the planning horizon. See OAR 660-012-005(6) for the definition of "Committed Transportation Facilities."
- Committed capacity-based improvements may include improvements to the roadway system or the pedestrian, bicycle, transit, or other transportation systems (e.g. urban upgrades) that do not necessarily impact roadway capacity.
- Add committed capacity to current capacity to determine baseline capacity through the planning horizon.
Should
In addition to the items listed above, this step should include the following elements when locally appropriate and when funding allows:
- Identify changes to performance measures and mobility targets in state, regional, and local plans.
- Alternative performance measures and mobility targets may be considered at this stage to determine the desired future capacity of the transportation system. These alternatives may include:
- Modifications to existing mobility standards (i.e., level-of-service and volume-to-capacity) to accept higher levels of congestion during the peak hour or over multiple hours.
- Time-based measures such as delay, travel time, or travel time reliability (assess via dynamic traffic assignment models).
- See the Oregon Highway Plan for additional information on alternative mobility targets.
- Consider potential increases in roadway capacity and throughput related to emerging technologies and trends in transportation.