Regional Transportation Funding Priorities Poll

Electric vehicles (EVs) can reduce emissions by 75% per mile. Switching to an EV for your 20 mile round trip commute is equivalent to planting 1,800 trees. In order to promote EV deployment, drivers must be able to access reliable charging infrastructure throughout the region and along major transportation routes. Federal funding can be used to support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in park and ride lots.

Facilities like sidewalks, bike lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, and multi-use trails are a vital component of the region's transportation network. They provide transportation choices and access, especially for those who cannot or choose not to drive a vehicle. Federal funding investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure are popular and demand for these facilities continues to grow.

The movement of freight is crucial to our local, state, and national economies. To meet the increasing demands of consumers, goods must move seamlessly to, from, and through the region. A multi-modal approach, utilizing highway, rail, air, and marine transportation, is needed to accommodate the increasing volume of freight. Federal funding can be used to reduce congestion along key freight corridors, improve access to freight facilities, and to make improvements at ports and airports.

A reliable and predictable transportation system is an important goal for CDTC. Quick clearance of incidents, management of traffic during construction, and coordination between NYSDOT and emergency service providers is critical to minimizing delays. Federal funds can be used to invest in a "Smart" region that uses technology to improve the operation of signalized intersections for all users and improve the information on travel options provided to the public, allowing them to make the most efficient and economical travel choices.

The Capital District's system of roads and bridges is complex and made up of over 15,000 lane miles of roads, and over 1,400 bridges and large-culverts. Maintaining these valuable assets is critical to travelers and the continued economic success of the region. Funding programmed towards road and bridge infrastructure is typically spent on cost effective preservation projects (i.e. repaving and bridge repairs), with occasional full reconstruction of roads and bridges when needed.

Efficient and reliable public transit is essential to our region's transportation system, providing access to jobs, access to social services and reducing the need for a personal vehicle. Public transit supports compact development patterns, is more energy efficient and can help reduce traffic congestion by managing travel demand. Federal funding has been utilized to support Bus Rapid Transit systems, transit supportive roadway designs, transit priority at traffic signals and improved stations and waiting areas as bus stops.

Investing in safe roadway designs that consider all users of the transportation system is critical to saving lives and reducing injuries. Safe roadway designs consider the context of the community and reduce the risk of traffic crashes for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and truck or motor vehicle drivers. Engineering, education and enforcement strategies all work together to improve the safety of the regional transportation system.

Buses, carpools, bikeshare and carshare provide people with choices. Employer and local government programs help ensure that people are aware of and can choose from a variety of convenient ways to travel. Those who use these resources help reduce traffic. Federal funding can be used to reduce the user cost of vanpools, support the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, and promote travel modes that reduce traffic.