Caltrans released its view of an innovative, sustainable, and integrated transportation system Tuesday in the California Transportation Plan (CTP) 2050.
The plan details the state’s long-range transportation plan and establishes a roadmap to improve mobility and accessibility in the state while reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
“California’s transportation system connects 40 million residents to jobs, housing, vital services, and recreation. The plan sets a bold vision to foster economic vitality, protect our environment and meet the transportation needs of all Californians,” said Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director
The plan focuses on wide-ranging policies and strategies to meet key objectives instead of focusing on projects or budgets, the department said, including expanding economic opportunities; creating a low-carbon transportation system to protect public and environmental health; advancing transportation equity; enhancing safety and security on bridges, highways, and roads; fostering healthy lifestyles through walking and bicycling paths; harnessing potential changes in travel behavior to reduce our reliance on driving; and supporting sustainable growth and affordable housing.
Caltrans said California’s transportation system will need to support an estimated 45 million resident by 2050 and that they needed to do it with an integrated, sustainable network of mobility options to provide access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other services while improving the quality of life throughout the state. Additionally, it will have to achieve its goal of reducing GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 emissions.
Along with local transportation agencies, Caltrans identified safety, climate, equity, accessibility, quality of life and public health, economy, environment, and infrastructure as their top eight priorities in the CTP 2050 that will guide policy, budget decisions, and transportation planning in the coming three decades.