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Who Makes Transportation Decisions?

Overview

Who Makes Transportation Decisions?

Decisions about transportation programs and infrastructure occur at all levels of government. When embarking on a safe route to school project it is important for local leaders to understand that they have many opportunities to influence transportation decisions that may not be immediately apparent. Transportation planning in California is complex. This section helps explain how individuals, agencies, departments and planning processes can be used to, and do, influence transportation infrastructure in California.

Local Government Roles

Overview

Local Government Roles

Local leaders can promote objectives of active transportation by:

  • Establishing active transportation goals within their guiding documents and plans.
  • Supporting local strategies that promote their healthy community goals.
  • Collaborating with relevant transportation-related agencies and organizations.
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Regional, State and Federal Roles

Overview

Regional, State and Federal Roles

Regional, state and federal transportation authorities address connectivity across local jurisdictions and establish area transportation plans.  Local agencies’ transportation projects, including safe routes to school improvements, need to be part of the area transportation plan to obtain priority in regional, state and federal funding programs.

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Creating Safe Walking and Bicycling Communities: Safe Routes to School Decision Maker’s Toolkit
This guide explains active transportation and the conditions in a community that support safe walking and bicycling to schools and other neighborhood destinations.

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Who Influences Transportation Decisions
Use this flow chart to help identify potential partners within your community, and as a reference as you read through "Who Makes Transporation Decisions?" at the local, regional and state levels.

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Map of California’s MPOs and RTPAs
This map of California from Caltrans (2012) will help you determine if your community is within a metropolitan planning organization or regional transportation planning agency.

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Acknowledgements

The Safe Routes to School Decision Maker Toolkit was developed by the Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership and the Institute for Local Government for the California Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Technical Assistance Resource Center (TARC).  The SRTS TARC is a program within California Active Communities, a joint Unit of the University of California, San Francisco and the California Department of Public Health, and is funded through a SRTS Non-Infrastructure award from the California Department of Transportation.

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The Limits of This Information

Although the Institute endeavors to help local officials understand technical and legal concepts that apply to their public service, these materials are not technical or legal advice.  Officials are encouraged to consult technical experts, attorneys and/or relevant regulatory authorities for up-to-date information and advice on specific situations.

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