Our Recommendations

Moving Forward 2055 recommends short‐ and medium‐term strategies and actions within the context of the Shared Vision for Regional Mobility. Specifically, the Plan assesses recent trends, current conditions, and existing initiatives for each Vision Goal and corresponding objectives, as a basis for recommended approaches and actions. These recommendations were then developed using a framework informed by the goals and objectives, as well as the guiding principles that are part of the Shared Vision.

Short‐ and Medium‐Term Strategies and Actions

The Code of Federal Regulations governs the development and content of the metropolitan transportation plan and contain the following requirement:

The transportation plan shall include both long-range and short-range strategies/actions that provide for the development of an integrated multimodal transportation system (including accessible pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities) to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in addressing current and future transportation demand.

Following are several categories of short‐ and medium‐range strategies and actions recommended by NYMTC in pursuit of each goal.

Additionally, specific projects, programs and studies recommended for funding in the fiscally constrained element of Moving Forward 2055, as well as those recommended for future consideration in the speculative vision element of the Plan, appear in Appendix A.

Need 1Safety & Security
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Assess the Federal Aid roadway system using NYSDOT’s Crash Location & Engineering Analysis Repository (CLEAR) and identify safety focus locations.
  • Review security-related funding requirements, programs and funding sources.
  • The NYMTC Safety Advisory Working Group (SAWG) to develop and recommend a prioritization approach for safe streets, intersections, railroad grade crossings and shared-use right of ways, and establish road safety initiatives.
  • Undertake benchmarking research from other regions on safety management, training, education, and enforcement.
  • Undertake benchmarking research from other regions on operational safety and security; connected vehicle programs and policies; and driver assist programs.
  • Gather input from members' operational staff and undertake an operational safety review as a discretionary study.
  • Consider a comprehensive assessment of connected vehicle programs and policies, and driver assist programs based in part on New York City’s pilot program.
  • Inventory current and developing technology that can be used to improve safety-related enforcement.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Coordinate safety data collection through the Metropolitan Area Planning MAP Forum (the MAP Forum is a consortium of 10 MPOs and Councils of Government (COGs) from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania that have entered into an agreement to better coordinate planning activities in the multi-state region).
  • SAWG to develop recommendations on the enhancement of the safety data program.
  • SAWG to develop a research approach to gathering safety input from the public.
  • SAWG to develop recommendations on the collection of grade crossing safety data.
  • Collect operational safety data from all NYMTC members.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • SAWG to develop recommendations for considering safety and security in project selection.
  • SAWG to develop a more coordinated process for Highway Safety Improvement Program project selection.
  • SAWG to identify multi-agency safety initiatives.
  • SAWG to identify other relevant safety, security and enforcement agencies, and operational units, to bring into the process.
Program Recommendations
  • Implement the recommendations of the safety coordination study for the suburban counties and the safety aspects of the transit service coordination study.
Need 1Infrastructure
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Research new asphalt, tarmac and concrete technologies including less carbon intensive materials.
  • Perform benchmarking research of other reconnecting communities projects across the country (the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to advance community-centered transportation connection projects, with a priority for projects that benefit underserved communities).
  • Research techniques and technologies for improving seamless integration between transit services.
  • Research techniques and technologies for improving freight systems efficiency and environmental sustainability.
  • Research techniques and technologies for improving work zone management and maintenance & protection of traffic programs.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Build from existing agency/provider specific condition data sets to compile a central database of infrastructure conditions to use as a basis for system preservation projects.
  • Compile a database of active work zones across all modes in the planning area.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • Incorporate environmental/fiscal sustainability considerations into project selection.
  • Identify candidate infrastructure components and communities for repurposing.
  • Consideration of infrastructure conditions by the transportation coordinating committees.
  • Pursue the recommendations of the Transit Service Coordination Needs Assessment.
  • Pursue the recommendations of the Clean Freight Corridors Planning Study and the Regional Waste Movement Study.
Program Recommendations
  • Continue lifecycle replacement of existing transit fleets with low or zero-emissions vehicles.
  • Support members in competing for available federal discretionary funding sources to address candidate infrastructure.
  • Maintain system preservation emphasis in project selection for relevant federal fund sources.
  • Explore additional service integration opportunities through the Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Working Group and Metropolitan Mobility Network.
  • Explore additional freight system integration opportunities through the Program, Finance, and Administration Committee (PFAC) Freight Subcommittee and Multi-State Freight Working Group.
ResilienceGoal: Resilience
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Identify the vulnerable transportation assets across the NYMTC planning area, including within CoC.
  • Benchmarking research on protection/fortification techniques and methodologies.
  • Update previously performed extreme weather vulnerability analyses.
  • Perform a redundancy assessment for the transportation system.
  • Perform an energy vulnerability assessment for the transportation system.
  • Include key vulnerable transit interfaces in the energy vulnerability assessment.
  • Perform an assessment of public health impacts and relevant resilience strategies.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Fully develop the MAP Forum resilience data portal.
  • Update sea level rise and inundation data from the Post-Sandy Study.
  • Assess available data sources and predictive tools.
  • Assess transportation systems to identify primary redundancy needs.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • Convene a NYMTC Resiliency Working Group.
  • Pursue multi-state coordination through the Multi-State Resilience Working Group.
  • Develop an ongoing risk analysis report for the NYMTC planning area.
  • Plan appropriate public workshops and municipal meetings through the NYMTC Resiliency Working Group and Multi-State Resilience Working Group.
  • Through the Multi-State Resilience Working Group, consider key vulnerable transit interfaces.
  • Address redundancy improvements though the NYMTC Resiliency Working Group and the Multi-State Resilience Working Group.
  • Engage Communities of Concern through the Thriving Communities Network (TCN supports underserved community organizations through opportunities to participate in local transportation planning and apply for funding that supports community projects).
  • Develop various types of energy investment strategies for transportation.
Program Recommendations
  • Integrate resilience considerations into the project evaluation/selection process.
  • Program redundancy improvements as appropriate.
CongestionCongestion
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Explore connected vehicle technologies and determine feasibility of deployment in congested corridors and areas.
  • Monitor critical freight corridors throughout the planning area.
  • Prioritize grade crossing needs in the suburban subareas of the NYMTC planning area.
  • Evaluate employer-based alternative transportation incentive programs.
  • Assess integration of fare/toll payment for all modes of transportation.
  • Assess the impact of micromobility conveyances on existing bicycle lanes and greenways from an efficiency perspective.
  • Identify new mobility technologies and concepts within micromobility, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), Complete Streets.
  • Assess the enhancement of 511NY to a complete MaaS platform.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Monitor the effectiveness of the Central Business District Tolling Program in mitigating traffic congestion over time.
  • Expand the Regional Freight Data portal.
  • Monitor designated critical freight corridors and bottlenecks.
  • Expand the data program to include microtransit and micromobility.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • Develop guidance on Complete Streets implementation and curb management.
  • Continue use of the CMP Status Report as a targeting mechanism for the TSMO Working Group.
  • Review Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) architectures through the TSMO Working Group.
  • Advance programs and initiatives for the multi-state region through the Metropolitan Mobility Network.
Program Recommendations
  • Initiate micromobility pilots in suburban communities and/or activity centers.
  • Expand off-hours delivery program within and outside of New York City to minimize conflict with high volume hours for passenger vehicle traffic and ped/bike traffic.
  • Implement the recommendations of the Transit Service Coordination Needs Assessment.
  • Seek funding to support Transit Oriented Development, Complete Streets and micromobility.
Land UseGoal: Land Use
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Benchmarking research on best practices for aligning land use policies with transportation investments from other metropolitan regions.
  • Identify resources and funding programs available for advancing transit oriented development (TOD) and housing development.
  • Research linkages between transportation investments and services and land values.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Update the regional land use data base.
  • Develop and maintain a repository for county and municipal comprehensive/master plans as input for the regional land use database and for the disaggregated socio- economic/demographic (SED) forecasts.
  • Maintain an inventory of development projects for the three NYMTC subareas.
  • Produce an annual report of TOD project status.
  • Establish Key Performance Indicators that can be used to evaluate TOD progress.
  • Track zoning changes, development trends, and land use patterns in areas along transit corridors.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • Through the Community Planning Workshops (CPW) program, engage local communities and other stakeholders to identify potential TOD sites and projects using the Coordinated Development Emphasis Areas (CDEAs) and Housing Growth Areas (HGAs) identified in Moving Forward 2055 Appendix A as a strategic guide.
  • Use MTA’s First Mile Last Mile (FMLM) Toolkit for TOD projects started through the CPW program.
  • Monitor the status and development of the CDEAs and HGAs identified in Moving Forward 2055 Appendix A through the PFAC Land Use Subcommittee.
  • Expand the PFAC Land Use Subcommittee to include local municipality representatives and mobility service providers.
  • Collaborate with local governments on how transportation systems align with land use decisions.
  • Explore visioning initiatives and Planning & Environmental Linkages studies to explore alternatives for targeted TOD projects.
Program Recommendations
  • Develop illustrative zoning incentives for higher-density development near transit nodes.
  • Develop placemaking and community design guidance for local municipalities.
Equity & Access Fairness & Access
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Inventory all potential funding sources for first mile/last mile services and for accessibility.
  • Inventory current and developing technology that can be used to improve first- and last-mile service and information and accessibility.
  • Target community planning workshop offerings to key system interfaces established in Transit Service Coordination Needs Assessment.
  • Assess the level of accessibility for all transit services in the planning area.
  • Perform benchmarking research on mobility assessments in peer regions.
  • Develop a mobility index for all communities in the planning area.
  • Assess service levels relative to the identified Communities of Concern.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Annually update data for the Non-Discrimination Index and update Communities of Concern designation and assessment with each new Regional Transportation Plan.
  • Monitor the key system interfaces established through the Transit Service Coordination Needs Assessment.
  • Establish an annual scorecard of the level of accessibility for all transit services in the planning area.
  • Quantify service levels by census tract throughout the planning area.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • Plan and implement the service accessibility assessment through the Designated Recipients Working Group.
  • Consider findings of the Transit Service Coordination Needs Assessment at the transportation coordinating committees.
Program Recommendations
  • Implement recommendations of the Transit Service Coordination Needs Assessment.
  • Continue relevant project selections through the Section 5310 funding program.
Climate Environment
Planning and Research Initiatives
  • Identify core markets, emerging markets, activity centers, and underserved communities using the CDEAs, SED forecasts, and Title VI assessment to develop multimodal plans for the identified areas.
  • Identify efficient ways to serve emerging markets and underserved communities, particularly those in areas of low-density development where fixed-route bus service may not be effective.
  • Assess transit service coordination needs across jurisdictions and evaluate intermodal connections.
  • Explore technologies related to environmental stewardship.
  • Develop pilot e-bike incentive programs to lower the cost barrier to e-bike use and ownership.
  • Investigate opportunities for better integrating shared mobility and micromobility in the transportation system.
  • Continue to address congested locations identified by the CMP through planning studies.
  • Identify opportunities for new technology to improve congestion management solutions.
  • Assess the distribution of bicycle lanes, bicycle facilities, and bike sharing opportunities throughout the NYMTC planning area in terms of equity.
  • Explore feasibility and infrastructure needs related to implementing new emission-reducing technologies in communities most impacted by transportation emissions.
Data Collection, Forecasting, and Performance Assessment
  • Establish a region-wide active transportation infrastructure inventory.
  • Develop forecasts for active transportation infrastructure preservation.
  • Identify areas to target electrical grid infrastructure upgrades to accommodate future heavy-duty vehicle chargers.
  • Collect data on the number of cleaner fuel vehicles within agency fleets.
  • Encourage sharing of data to better manage truck movements throughout the region.
  • Collect data to track communities with highest concentrations of transportation emissions and related impacts, including health-related outcomes.
Planning Process Recommendations
  • Use the Moving Forward 2055 Coordinated Development Emphasis Areas and Housing Growth Areas as a targeting mechanism for a continuing program of community planning activities.
  • Include alternatives to single occupant vehicle trips in the program of community planning activities.
  • Convene interagency work groups through the Transportation Coordinating Committees to identify and address priority multimodal corridors; including exploring technological options.
  • Develop and adopt environmental stewardship guidelines for project selection.
  • Encourage suburban municipalities to adopt Complete Streets policies to accommodate transit, walking, and biking to reduce vehicle congestion and associated emissions.
  • Continue convening relevant agencies and private sector interests through the Multi-State Freight Working Group to improve the efficiency of freight delivery.
  • Develop multi-agency approaches for benchmarking and sharing low and zero-emission vehicle specification information for public fleet procurement.
  • Continue and expand a program of information sharing for local municipal vehicle fleets, through existing Clean Cities programs where feasible.
Program Recommendations
  • Develop an Active Transportation Education Program.
  • Explore reduction of commute times and improve transit speeds in low- and moderate-income communities underserved by transit.
  • Encourage development in centers and downtowns to reinforce walkable, aesthetically pleasing, and transit-accessible environments.
  • Develop innovative methods of mitigating impacts of maintaining and/or enhancing the existing transportation infrastructure.
  • Test permeable pavement and concrete; install green infrastructure on streets.
  • Encourage the continued development of pedestrian and cycling facilities throughout the NYMTC region, including the expansion of charging infrastructure for e-bikes and e-scooters.
  • Promote the development of microhubs and freight consolidation centers. Expand cargo-hub programs, and other programs that move truck freight onto other modes of transport, including smaller electrified vehicles and water-based options like barges.
  • Develop fare payment integration mechanisms between shared mobility and public transit services.
  • Increase access and availability of electric vehicle charging stations and other alternative fuels to support clean freight goals.
  • Procure either hybrid or all-electric vehicles and ferries that run with cleaner engines in transit life-cycle replacement programs.
  • Undertake initiatives that encourage use of public transit; encourage seniors to sign up for reduced fare transit services.
  • Continue and enhance model programs for use at developments such as office parks, medical facilities, and college campuses that include emerging and innovative transportation services such as shared mobility and micromobility.
  • Enhance the public visibility of the 511NY service and its various components and its use for mobility-as-a-service.

Recommended Projects, Programs, and Studies

Moving Forward 2055 recommends numerous projects, programs, and studies during the planning period, that fall into two distinct categories: programmed projects that are in the Plan’s fiscally constrained element, and aspirational projects, proposals, and studies that are in the Plan’s vision element. Programmed projects in the fiscally constrained element are sufficiently developed that estimated costs are defined. The aspirational vision projects are those projects, programs, and studies that are relatively undefined and do not have an identified source of funding. Vision projects are often moved into the constrained list of projects in the Plan when they are sufficiently defined. Moving Forward 2055 Appendix A presents a master listing of these recommended items.

Opportunities for Coordination and Investment

Moving Forward 2055’s Shared Vision is supported by strategies to further enhance the active transportation, freight, and coordinated human service transportation systems within the NYMTC planning area communities. The following Appendices identify specific action items, strategies, projects, and programs within their respective Plan elements.