The Planning Process November 2006
“Strategies for a New Age: New York State’s Transportation Master Plan for 2030,” articulates a long-term, intermodal vision of the state’s future transportation system and provides policy level guidance to achieve that vision. This plan presents key transportation issues that must be addressed and identifies transportation strategies to efficiently serve the mobility needs of people and improve the movement of freight. The plan is not just for the Department of Transportation but for the entire state transportation system, and as such it includes other state transportation entities and authorities as well.
Many resources were consulted to develop the plan including the public at large, transportation interest groups, providers of transportation services such as transit operators, members of the state transportation federation, other states, other state agencies, MPO long range plans, relevant state and Federal plans and requirements and other studies. Much of the input to the plan was provided at the public hearings of the New York State Advisory Panel on Transportation Policy for 2025. The Advisory Panel consisted of a group of transportation and other professionals representing many perspectives. More than 300 citizens, interest groups, representatives of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), legislators and other stakeholders testified at one or more of nine public hearings held at various locations throughout the state and/or provided written testimony. In November 2004, the panel issued their findings and recommendations in a report, Transportation — Trouble Ahead. 
This report served as valuable input as did the original testimony and submissions.
Other valuable input included the issues and emphasis areas presented in all the MPO long range plans. Many of the issues and emphasis areas were cited in nearly all the MPO plans and were appropriate to examine as part of this plan.
An important part of the state’s planning process for developing the Master Plan was the public comment period on the draft plan. The purpose was to include the public in the statewide planning process by making the plan widely available and encouraging input. This was accomplished by direct mail outreach to more than 1,500 individuals and groups, by outreach through various transportation partners such as MPOs and counties, by posting the draft plan on the department’s Web site with an e-comment form and through numerous presentations at meetings of governments, associations and interest groups. A 75-day public comment period was offered, more than twice the Federal requirement for public comments. A wide range of comments were received. Each comment was considered and incorporated as appropriate given the intent of the plan. Comments that pertained to transportation matters outside of the plan’s intent may be considered in various other planning venues. A synopsis of the public comments will soon be available as a companion document to the plan.
Issues and Trends 
The following links offer a glimpse into transportation issues from the standpoints of both transportation provider and New York State resident. They are not intended to represent a comprehensive identification of all issues relevant to future transportation policy. Revisit us here for additional resources in the future.
| Document Title |
Download Formats |
| A Transportation Profile of New York State |
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| Satisfaction and Quality of Highway Travel for NYS Residents |
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