New Oregon Transportation Options Plan

ODOT Options 

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is developing Oregon’s first Transportation Options Plan (TO Plan). The TO Plan is one of several statewide transportation mode and topic plans that further refine and implement the Oregon Transportation Plan’s (OTP) goals, policies, strategies, and key initiatives. 

Another plan for Oregon

In addition to the periodically updated Oregon State Transportation Plan, ODOT has just published a new Oregon Transportation Options Plan.  USC's first impression of the document is that it looks and feels very much like a Metro plan - long on colorful graphs and familiar babble about obesity being caused by people driving around in cars.  The TO Plan projects that obesity will go from 27% in 2012 to 49% by 2025.  But, there's no need to give up the french fries, late night video games and a hectic life, the TO Plan will save us from that horrible statistic.

Fun Facts:

• Purchasing fewer cars: From 2007 to 2011, the number of cars purchased by 18 to 34- year-olds fell almost 30 percent.

The years between 2007 to 2011 were the worst part of the Great Recession.  Young people experienced higher rates of unemployment, high levels of college debt, high percentages of people between 18 and 34 living with their parents.  Is it any wonder fewer young adults purchased fewer cars?

• If current trends continue, transportation-related emissions will increase 25 percent by 2025. 

The TOP Plan makes no mention of increasingly fuel efficient light vehicles.  How does this and other fun facts affect TO Plan scenarios?  

The shift of ODOT's mission from roads, bridges, freight and rail transportation infrastructure into bicycle and pedestrian modes of travel is concerning.  We depend upon state-level transportation spending to support large projects essential for state-wide travel.  Is fretting about obesity and switching to small scale projects that are better left to local jurisdictions, an admission of defeat and a declining future for Oregon?  

Public comment on the Transportation Options Plan ends January 30, 2015.