2002_Annual_Transportion_Planning

Economic Development Considerations in Transportation Planning (2000)

The program review committee authorized a study in March 2000 of the economic development considerations in transportation planning. The study called for an assessment of how the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) responds to the strategic economic development needs of the state.

The committee found transportation investments can have an influence on the state's economic prosperity but this effect was not factored in ConnDOT's planning process or investment decisions. In addition, the interaction between ConnDOT and the Department of Economic and Community Development did not facilitate a strategic planning orientation to sustain economic growth.

The report offered a series of recommendations aimed at improving transportation planning by promoting strategic thinking and action as well as enhancing organizational response of ConnDOT. A new entity was proposed, the Connecticut Transportation Board, to develop a vision for the transportation system and a new mission for the Department of Transportation; create and update a 10-year strategic plan and financial plan for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the transportation system that emphasizes a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation system; oversee any organizational changes; and monitor the implementation of the strategic plan.

The committee's raised bill (sSB 1275) did not pass during the regular legislative session. However, Public Act 01-5 enacted during the June Special Session of the General Assembly incorporated some of the same concepts contained in the committee's recommendations, including the creation of the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board (TSB). The table below provides an update on the status of compliance with the major components of the legislation.


Summary of Compliance with Committee Recommendations
*Component*	*Recommendation/ Public Act 01-5 requirements (as amended)*	*Status*	*Comment*
Members of Board	15 voting members including five members form the private sector who have expertise in transportation, business, finance or law, one member from each Transportation Investment Area; the Commissioners of Transportation, Environmental Protection, Economic and Community Development, and Public Safety; and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management	Full	All members have been appointed to the board.
Strategic Plan	Submit to General Assembly an initial strategy no later than January 15, 2002. Update or revise strategy, if necessary, and submit report on implementation to the Governor and General Assembly on Dec. 15, 2002 and every two years thereafter.	Full	The Transportation Strategy Board (TSB) submitted its strategic plan to the Governor and the General Assembly on January 6, 2003.
Financial Plan	Develop 10-year financial plan for operating costs and capital investments	Full	TSB has presented a 10-year estimate of cost projections for recommended strategic actions and tactics. In addition, the strategy board has identified number of potential revenue options including increasing current fees and taxes, as well as identifying a few new sources of revenue.
Prioritization	Include in strategy criteria by which the board, the commissioner, and the department will prioritize existing and proposed projects	Full	TSB developed an overarching objective and five principal strategies to strengthen Connecticut's transportation system. Further, it has identified a number of strategic actions and tactics the state should pursue through 2013 to support those strategies. The Board anticipates prioritization and refinement of the proposed actions will be a continuing process as circumstances evolve.
Performance Measures	Identify tools and measures to assess transportation system performance and analyze value of projects	Partial	TSB has budgeted for and is planning to develop evaluation tools and metrics that will improve the oversight of transportation investments.
Monitoring	Monitor implementation of strategy for purposes of continued recommendation	Partial	ConnDOT is statutorily obligated to work with TSB to review capital and operating budgets and prioritize projects consistent with the strategy that has been delineated by the board.
Regional Planning	Establishes Transportation Investment Areas (TIA) that divides the state into 5 geographical areas. TIA participants are selected by the local planning agencies and are responsible for creating a strategic corridor plan for their area.	Full	TIAs were in place by mid-October 2001. The TIAs have coordinated their work with five working groups that focus on specific issues in transportation and have developed regional plans that were incorporated into the final TSB strategy document.
Staff	Utilize staff of DOT, DECD, and OPM. May request consultants from OPM within available appropriations	Full	DOT has appointed a full-time manager and has hired an outside consultant to assist the board.
Impact Statement	DECD required to submit impact statement to transportation board on each new project or new construction seeking funding from said agencies indicating whether it conforms to strategy of board	Partial	Prior to the adoption of the final strategy submitted in January, DECD had provided listings of projects on a quarterly basis to the TSB that may have impacted the Board's emerging strategy. A more formal impact statement related to the actual strategy and tactics may need to be developed.