Go to www.semcog.org/Direction2035.aspx for additional information on the region's transportation system. You can find information on each of the transportation system components, funding priorities, public involvement opportunities, and regional survey results.

The TIP is the implementing schedule for projects included in the long-range plan. The TIP, unlike Direction2035, is a short-range program (three years) and a new TIP, based on the current long-range plan, is developed every two years.

Direction2035 is the "blueprint" for transportation in the seven-county Southeast Michigan region. It serves as a guide for developing a transportation system that is accessible, safe, and reliable and contributes to a higher quality of life for the region's citizens. Direction2035 reflects the current state of the region, identifies future transportation needs, and plans responsibly for the entire region. The long-range plan is also a federal requirement and must be in place before federal transportation dollars can flow to the region. SEMCOG is required to review the Plan every three years.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the current federal legislation controlling transportation programs, states that the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is required to develop regional transportation plans in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies. Since SEMCOG is the MPO for Southeast Michigan, it is responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of the long-range plan.

 Goal 1: Enhance accessibility and mobility for all people.
• Reduce time spent traveling.
• Increase access to public transportation, consistent with the regional transit plan.
• Increase coordinated development and use of nonmotorized facilities.
• Increase the connectivity of transportation service across the region, and provide multimodal access to major land uses.

Goal 2: Enhance accessibility and mobility for freight while maintaining community integrity.
• Improve freight movement.
• Improve intermodal operations and facilities.

Goal 3: Strategically improve the transportation infrastructure to enhance community and economic vitality.
• Preserve the existing transportation system, prioritizing highway maintenance before highway expansion.
• Focus transportation investment in areas with high concentrations of people and jobs.
• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation system.
• Increase public involvement and ensure equal access to participation in transportation decision making.
• Preserve transportation rights of way.

Goal 4: Promote a safe and secure transportation system.
• Reduce traffic crashes, particularly between modes.
• Increase transit safety and security for riders and employees.
• Improve identification and clearance of roadway incidents.
• Develop pedestrian-friendly communities and roadways.
• Encourage local communities to define safety needs and strategies.

Goal 5: Protect the environment, both natural and built.
• Minimize air and water pollution.
• Reduce per capita energy consumption.
• Minimize disruption of or damage to environmental resources (both natural and built).
• Ensure balance among all populations in the impacts of the transportation system.
• Link transportation decisions with land use decisions.

Development of Direction2035 requires a two-pronged approach, addressing both qualitative and quantitative issues. Qualitatively, SEMCOG partners with local elected officials and state and regional transportation agencies to seek input from the public, special interest groups, and business and industry representatives, and incorporates that information into the decision-making process. Quantitatively, SEMCOG develops and maintains the data and technical tools required to identify needs, analyze alternatives, and evaluate the impact of transportation improvements on the region. The end result is a list of policies, initiatives, and projects representing a long-range vision for the region.

Each county in Southeast Michigan, except St. Clair and Washtenaw Counties, has a Federal-aid Committee, charged with managing federal transportation spending at the county level. Committee members include transit officials, county-highway engineers, city engineers, and city, county, township and village officials. The City of Detroit also has its own Federal-aid Committee.

Before the long-range plan can be implemented and federal transportation funds spent, it is subject to a review and approval process at the local, regional, and federal levels. The Plan is released for public comment. SEMCOG's Transportation Advisory Council (TAC) reviews the Plan and recommends SEMCOG Executive Committee approval. The Executive Committee reviews the Plan and recommends SEMCOG General Assembly (GA) adoption. Once the GA adopts the Plan, it is submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) for review. MDOT then transmits the Plan to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to review and issue a finding of conformity with federal regulations.

To keep the Plan up-to-date and responsive to regional needs it must be flexible. Amendments to the Plan are possible up to three times a year and must be adopted by SEMCOG's General Assembly (GA). Amendments are subject to the same scrutiny as the original Plan.

It is estimated the region would need approximately $2.8 billion per year to address all identified transportation needs — to implement the regional transit vision, have all pavement and bridges in good condition, reduce delay due to congestion, decrease traffic crash fatalities, and have all people and jobs within a reasonable distance of a walking/biking facility.

Unfortunately, we anticipate having only $1.3 billion per year available — more than a 50 percent shortfall. Given current economic conditions, this shortfall will be particularly profound in the next several years making it extremely difficult to address our transportation needs in the short run. Clearly, we need to continue investigating additional and innovative revenue sources. In the meantime, we need to make sure we are using our limited funding wisely — addressing the highest priorities first, focusing on preservation of our existing system and implementation of the regional transit vision, and making transportation serve higher regional ideals.

Download the video from the Direction2035 we page, or we can mail you a DVD. Please call me at 313-324-3362 or e-mail infocenter@semcog.org  with your request.