What moves you, Arizona?

Twenty-five years ago, it was 1985 and Back to the Future was a hit at the box office. A flying DeLorean transported time-travelers back in time, and then into the grand future – to 2015. While we don’t have flying cars just yet, that future is near, and it’s time to begin looking out another 25 years to envision the transportation system Arizona will need and want.
 
This is the start of the state’s long-range transportation plan – also called What Moves You Arizona – to bring together all residents, visitors, drivers and anyone else who will need to get around, to create a vision for the future of transportation, be it by car, bus, bike path or sidewalk. This isn’t just a vision: it’s a process to estimate needs and available funding, and create a framework for making decisions in the years ahead.
 
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s long-range plan has three phases. We are at the first phase, creating goals and objectives for the state transportation system in 25 years. A time-traveling car might not be in the mix, but these ultimate goals will help to guide how Arizona’s limited transportation funds are allocated.
 
Preliminary goals include:

· Enhance safety and security
· Link transportation and land use
· Preserve and maintain the existing transportation system
· Protect the environment and natural resources
· Support economic development
· Improve mobility and accessibility
 
Within each of the goal areas, more specific objectives have been developed to define what the intent and vision is for the future. What do those goals mean to you? To your neighbors? Here’s how you can help:
 
Arizonans are invited to participate in the development of these goals and objectives by completing an online survey through Aug. 31. The short series of questions will help ADOT focus our shared vision. The obligation for this plan is huge: we are creating a legacy for the future, but it requires participation today. The survey is available here.

In Back to the Future, Doc Brown – and later, President Ronald Reagan – famously said, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Is that what the future of transportation holds for Arizona? Your input, and time, will help to write that next chapter.
 
More information on the long-range transportation planning process is available at www.WhatMovesYouArizona.gov. There, you will find information from community input meetings during the Building a Quality Arizona process, an offer to order a free “meeting in a box,” and ways to invite a member of the project team to your next community meeting to talk about the process and to collect input. To leave a comment, or pose a question, call 1-888-974-7526.

Staff photo