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Regional Transportation Solutions
What is it?
Today our transportation system carries 39,000 commuters into and out of Dane County from the surrounding eight counties, and that number continues to rise. We need to apply regional thinking to commuter solutions. The Transportation 2020 recommendations for a regional transportation system include bus rapid transit (BRT), commuter rail, sustained metro bus service and park and ride lots. Bicycle and motor vehicle transportation and infrastructure would also be components of an integrated regional transportation system.
Why is it important?
If Dane County could continue with exactly the number of cars on the road as we have today, significant improvement to our transportation connections might not be necessary. But trending data show that from 2000 to 2030 we can expect the Dane County population to grow by another 3/4 of the population of Madison. Good regional decisions on land use and transportation lead to a high level of environmental quality and greater opportunity for future commercial development.
What is DMI's role?
DMI has and continues to advocate for regional transportation solutions and weigh in on issues, plans and projects involving all modes of transportation. On November 20, 2012, the DMI Board of Directors issued a statement supporting bus rapid transit (BRT) and the continued investigation of BRT as a logical next step in building an integrated/multi-modal regional public transportation system. On April 16, 2013, the DMI Board also sent a letter to State Legislators advocating for state transit funding. In addition, DMI continues to advocate for the creation of a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) that would allow our region to invest efficiently in an integrated solution to current and future transportation needs.
What Can I Do?
- Join the DMI Transportation & Parking Committee
- Learn more about BRT by reading the Greater Madison Bus Rapid Transit Study
- Check out DMI's Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Fact Sheet
- Read the Plan For Transit produced by the former Dane County Regional Transit Authority
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