New Visions
New Visions is the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the Capital Region. The MTP is also known as the long-range regional transportation plan (LRTP). New Visions a blueprint for regional transportation that reflects a shared vision for the future. It is developed collaboratively with communities throughout the Capital Region and with other local, state, and federal agencies. This plan is a statement of principles, strategies, and budgetary emphasis to guide more detailed project decisions as the region invests in a next-generation transportation system. CDTC’s approach to transportation planning is comprehensive and holistic – a structured balance between actions that reduce congestion and improve safety, increase access to transportation choices like transit, walking, or bicycling, and benefit economic development efforts.
Why do we have a Transportation Plan?
As the MPO for the Capital Region, CDTC is required to maintain an MTP to be eligible to receive federal transportation funding to improve, maintain, and operate highways, public transit, trails and bike paths, sidewalks, and related facilities. The MTP is updated every five years and Transportation projects must be consistent with the New Visions principles to be eligible to receive federal funding.
Planning the Capital Region’s transportation system for the year 2050 and beyond presents vast opportunities and real challenges. How will our region grow and evolve? What type of transportation system will best meet the future needs of our residents and visitors? How do we maintain a high quality of life while expanding access to transportation choices and creating new economic opportunities? Will new technologies present opportunities, create challenges, or “disrupt” the transportation system? What kinds of projects will we be able to afford?
Investing in Our Future
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a set of transportation investments that reflect the New Visions principles and policy themes. It is the region's means of allocating important, limited resources to transportation projects and programs.
What transportation investments would you make?
New Visions Learning Series
The New Visions Learning Series includes local government training and webinars geared towards planners, engineers, and other transportation professionals. Register for a webinar or watch the webinar recordings below.
New Visions 2050 Training for Local Governments
CDTC is scheduling New Visions 2050 virtual training presentations for Town Boards, City Councils, Zoning and/or Planning Boards. Training will provide an overview to local governments on how they can play a role in implementing New Visions and creating the next generation transportation system.
September 22, Smart Communities: Leveraging Technology to Modernize the Region's Transportation System
This webinar will feature a presentation of the Municipal Smart LED Streetlight Conversion & Evolving Technology Guidebook and the Zero Emission Vehicle Plan.
Panelists:
Leni Schwendinger, Leader, International Nighttime Design Initiative
Katherine Ember, AICP, Founding Principal, Planning 4 Places
Christina Carton, Admin of Parks, Open Lands, Historic Preservation & Sustainability, Saratoga Springs
Jacob Beeman, Transportation Planner, Capital District Transportaiton Committee | Coorrdinator, Capital District Clean Communities
Watch Now: Smart Communities - Leveraging Technology to Modernize the Region's Transportation System
AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity [or many activities at this event]. When CM credits are available, they are noted at the end of an activity description. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm.
AICP members must be in attendance for the duration of the event in order to receive CM Credit.
October 20, Pedestrian Safety
This webinar will feature a presentation on New Visions 2050 principles, what it says about pedestrian safety, CDTC's Regional Local Road Safety Action Plan and what role local communities and transportation agencies can play to make streets safer for walking and crossing. It will also provide funding and technical resources that can help Capital Region cities, towns, and villages, develop and implement their own walkability and safety plans.
Panelists:
John Scavo, Director of Planning for the Town of Clifton Park
Ross Farrell, Director of Planning at CDTA
Watch Now: Pedestrian Safety in the Capital Region - Creating Safe Systems
November 17, Infrastructure
The New Visions Learning Series includes webinars geared towards local government planners, engineers, and other transportation professionals. Register Here.
November 17, 3:30 - 4:45 PM
Infrastructure
This webinar will feature an overview of infrastructure conditions in the Capital Region, where to find essential data and CDTC's ongoing data collection and maintenance activities. The highest priority and stated principle in the New Visions 2050 Plan is maintaining existing infrastructure. Find out how your local government or organization can play a role in preserving the region's network of roads, bridges, sidewalks, and other vital facilities.
Panelists:
Jacob Beeman, Transportation Planner at CDTC
Teresa LaSalle, Sr. Transportation Planner II at CDTC
Andrew Tracy, Sr. Transportation Engineer at CDTC
Tina Carton, City of Saratoga Springs Admin of Parks, Open Lands, Historic Preservation & Sustainability
AICP Certification Maintenance:
AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity [or many activities at this event]. When CM credits are available, they are noted at the end of an activity description. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm.
AICP members must be in attendance for the duration of the event in order to receive CM Credit.
December 15, Freight
The New Visions Learning Series includes webinars geared towards local government planners, engineers, and other transportation professionals. Register Here.
December 15, 3:30 - 4:45 PM
Freight & the Impact of the Growth in E-Commerce
This webinar will feature an overview of freight planning iniatives in the Capital Region and how e-commerce trends are impacting freight movement and the transportatoin system. How does the New Visions 2050 Plan help communities prepare and adapt as e-commerce grows and freight operators look for new, more efficient and sustainable ways to move goods in, out, and through communities.
Panelists:
Chris Bauer, Sr. Transportation Planner at CDTC
Gerry Bogacz, Assistance Director of Planning & Programming at NYMTC
New Visions 2050
Executive Summary
Chapters
Regional Operations & Travel Reliability (Congestion Management Plan)
Public Participation
The Draft New Visions 2050 Plan was approved to be released for public comment in early March 2020. Shortly after, New York State on Pause was implemented in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. This unexpected event resulted in a shift to a mainly online public outreach strategy. All scheduled in-person meetings and events were canceled and CDTC staff developed a number of web-based tools and strategies to collect public feedback. These changes are described in the documents below.
Meeting-in-a-Box (MIAB) was developed to provide an opportunity for individuals to host their own meetings. Below are all the materials made available:
Reference Documents
New Visions for a Quality Region Map Packet
Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations
Appendices
Bicycle & Pedestrian Action Plan
Appendix A: Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Counts
Appendix B: Bicycle & Pedestrian Network Prioritization Tool
Appendix C: TIP Project Evaluation Methodology
Appendix E: Bicycle Level of Service Analysis
Appendix F: Capital District Trails Plan
Safety
Environment & Technology
Appendix C: Smart Communities Summary Document
Appendix E: TIP Evaluation Methodology
Appendix F: Municipal Smart LED Streetlight Conversion & Evolving Technology Guidebook
Long Range Plan Archive
New Visions 2040
New Visions 2035
New Visions 2030
What does New Visions say about...
New Visions 2025
New Visions 2021
Planning & Investment Principles
| 1 | Invest in a Quality Region |
| 2 | Support economic development |
| 3 | Make investments regionally equitable |
| 4 | Preserve and manage the transportation system |
| 5 | Maintain travel reliability |
| 6 | Invest in safety |
| 7 | Invest in security |
| 8 | Invest in Complete Streets |
| 9 | Encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel |
| 10 | Move freight efficiently |
| 11 | Invest in transit |
| 12 | Provide essential mobility for all |
| 13 | Prioritize affordable and convenient travel options |
| 14 | Preserve the environment |
| 15 | Leverage technology |
