North-South Travel Study
The RVMPO planning area's north-south travel axis represents the region's largest population and employment centers, significant opportunity for future development and limited travel resources. Travel forecasting shows that despite recent significant investment to modernize travel routes (Interstate 5 and Highway 99) travel delays will continue to be a problem. This close examination of regional travel needs is expected to spotlight numerous issues and concerns including community expectations for maintaining levels of service, support for urban centers and land uses, and options for enhancing mobility. Work initially is focusing on the role transit can play to maintain and enhance levels of service. It includes identifying population densities and developable areas necessary to support transit service expansion and options for transit service. This project builds on perliminary work by the RVMPO on the feasibility of commuter rail on existing rail lines paralleling Highway 99 through the study area. As the study proceeeds, information will be posted here, including public meetings to review the project.
Click here to view a DRAFT document outlining results of a "study of studies" which consists of a review of existing plans, goals, policies, and other documents that apply to, or have been formulated for, the study area.
Next steps for the North-South Travel Study include creation of base maps and inventories of existing facilities throughout the study area. Base maps will be generated from the map files that were used in the 2009 update of the MPO's Regional Transportation Plan. Those maps can be viewed here.
SOUTHERN OREGON COMMUTER RAIL STUDY:
In 2001, the RVMPO conducted a preliminary study of commuter rail between Ashland and Grants Pass. An analysis of diesel rail car commuter service was completed in 2006. The RVMPO is completing an updated feasibility analysis of commuter rail service in the Bear Creek Valley. Look for it soon on this site. The RVMPO Freight Advisory Committee is also forming a new Rail Subcommittee to address passenger and freight rail issues. If you are interested, please contact Vicki Guarino at vguarino@rvcog.org or call 541-423-1338.
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