Accessing the future : the intermodal transportation plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1995

252 Pages·1995·14.4 MB·English

by  Massachusetts. Bureau of Transportation Planning and Development

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Digitized by the Internet Archive
2014
in
https://archive.org/details/accessingfutureiOOnnass_0

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Accessing the Future
The Intermodal Transportation Plan
for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
cou.a^58f^ 1995
f v'SfcH ot ' Preparedby the
Executive Office of Transportation and Construction
Bureau of Transportation Planning andDevelopment
in Cooperation with
Federal Highway Administration
Federal TransitAdministration
Executive Office ofEnvironmentalAffairs
Executive Office ofEconomic Affairs
Governor's Highway Safety Bureau
Massachusetts Highway Department
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission
Massachusetts PortAuthority
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
Massachusetts Association ofRegional PlanningAgencies
Massachusetts Association ofRegional TransitAuthorities
with Assistance Providedby
Massachusetts Regional PlanningAgencies
MPO
Boston Central Transportation Planning Staff
Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE: ADVANCING THE MISSION
Chapter 1: THE MISSION OF OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 1-1
A Glimpse ofthe Future 1-1
Guiding Principles 1-2
Transportation Mission 1-2
Transportation Policies 1-5
Current Initiatives 1-6
Moving Forward 1-10
Chapter 2: POLICIES, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES 2-1
Integrated and Cooperative Planning Process 2-2
Infrastructure Preservation and System Safety 2-4
Mobility for System Users 2-8
Transportation System Access 2-15
:
Economic Development 2-17
Environment, Land Use, and Quality ofLife 2-20
Cost Effectiveness and Financing 2-24
PART TWO: FOUNDATIONS FOR PLANNING
THE MASSACHUSETTS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Chapter 3: 3-1
The PassengerTransportation System 3-1
Freight Transportation Facilities and Services 3-17
Travel Patterns and Trends 3-24
Implications forthe Future 3-29
Chapter4: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSPORTATION 4-1
ISTEA Statewide and Metropolitan Planning Rule 4-2
Management and Monitoring System Rule 4-6
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 4-7
National Environmental Policy Act 4-7
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act 4-7
Coastal Zone Management Acts 4-8
Energy Policy Act of 1992 4-8
Massachusetts Energy Plan 4-8
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 4-9
Civil Rights Act of 1964 4-9
National Transportation System Initiative 4-9
Accessing the Future 1995
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Table ofContents
PART TWO: FOUNDATIONS FOR PLANNING (continued)
Chapter 5: THE PLANNING PROCESS IN MASSACHUSETTS 5-1
Federal Agencies in the Transportation Planning Process 5-1
State Agencies and Authorities inthe Planning Process 5-2
Regional and Local Organizations in the Planning Process 5-3
Implementation ofthe Transportation Planning Process 5-6
Chapter 6: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND TRANSPORTATION 6-1
Meeting the Challenge 6-1
Clean Air 6-2
Clean Water 6-2
Hazardous Materials and Wastes 6-4
Land Use 6-4
Noise and Vibration 6-5
Energy Conservation 6-5
Historic Preservation 6-6
Transportation Programs 6-6
State Initiatives 6-9
Chapter 7: FINANCING OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 7-1
Transportation Agency Expenses 7-1
Funding Sources and Mechanisms 7-2
Flow ofState Transportation Funds 7-10
Overview ofFinancing Methods in Other States 7-21
Financing Options forMassachusetts 7-27
Chapter 8: ISTEA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 8-
Management Systems Definition 8-1
Linkage to the Planning Process 8-2
Schedule for Complinance and Possible Sanctions 8-3
Coordination, Implementation, and Operation 8-3
Conclusion 8-8
AccessingtheFuture 1995
Table ofContents
PART THREE: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANS
Chapter 9: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN SUMMARIES 9-1
Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission 9-2
Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization 9-8
Cape Cod Commission 9-16
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission 9-20
Franklin County Commission 9-23
Martha's Vineyard Commission 9-26
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission 9-29
Montachusetts Regional Planning Commission 9-33
Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission 9-38
Northern Middlesex County ofGovernments 9-43
Old Colony Planning Council 9-47
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 9-53
Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District 9-59
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Regional Plarming Agencies and Member Communities
APPENDIX B: Transit Agencies and Member Communities
APPENDIX C: Metropolitan Plaiming Organization Members
APPENDIX D: Public Participation forAccessing theFuture
Accessing the Future 1995
William F. Weld
Governor
Argeo Paul Cellucci
LieutenantGovernor
James Kerasiotes November20, 1995
J.
Secretaryand MBTAChairman
The Honorable Robert A. Havem, III, Chairman
The Honorable Thomas S. Cahir, Chairman
Joint Committee on Transportation
State House, Room 443
MA
Boston, 02133
Dear Senator Havem and Representative Cahir:
It is my pleasure to submitAccessing theFuture, theIntermodal Transportation Planfor the
Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, in fulfillment ofthe requirements ofChapter 102 ofthe Acts
of 1995, Section 3. Accessing the Future outlines a bold set of policies that will shape our
transportation system from the present to beyondthe year2020.
Accessing the Future was developed through an unprecedented cooperative effort of the
Commonwealth's transportation providers, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the
Executive Office ofEconomic Affairs, the Massachusetts Regional Planning Agencies, and the
citizens of Massachusetts. The extensive public involvement process, which included over 15
public meetings, solicited and received input from private citizens, local elected officials, the
business community, and interest groups.
Consistent with State and Federal legislation (including the Intermodal Transportation
Efficiency Act of 1991 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990) Accessing the Future
outlines an aggressive highway and transit program ofnecessary maintenance and vital system
expansions in excess of $16 billion through the year 2020, including the $5 billion remaining
commitment to complete the Central Artery/Tunnel project. This commitment to maintain and
expand the Commonwealth's transportation system is reflected in the most recently approved
State Transportation Improvement Program (covering the period of October 1, 1995 through
September 30, 1997) which programs specific highway and transit projects that total over $2.5
billion.
Accessing the Future also describes a major new initiative to develop six management
systems, scheduled to be fully operational in 1997, that will provide necessary engineering data
and assessments for the Commonwealth's roads, bridges, and transit facilities. These
management systems will provide information concerning condition, safety, and performance to
ensurethat ourtransportation system provides the quality oftravel that ourcitizens deserve.
Telephone [phone]TD9D [phone] Telefax [phone]
-2-
Finally, starting February 1, 1996, an annual report will be filed that summarizes our efforts,
specifying the actual projects undertaken and completed each calendar year, as well as funds
expended. Quarterly reports which summarize the total value ofall contracts awarded and funds
expended will also be filed.
Accessing the Future will be updated on a regular basis. Our goal is to provide a
transportation system that is a model for the country. I look forward to working with the public
officials and citizens of the Commonwealth in achieving that goal, and 1 encourage your
continued participation in setting the course for the Massachusetts transportation system. I am
sure that you will agree that by making sound investments in our transportation systems today,
all Massachusetts citizens will be able toAccess theFuture.
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