Every four years, OCTA develops a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) that examines changing demographics and anticipated growth in travel demand. Following extensive input from stakeholders and the public, OCTA will invest $43.4 billion in preparing for the next two decades and beyond using the LRTP as a blueprint to establish transportation priorities and analyze revenue challenges and emerging transportation issues and technologies.
“OCTA has earned a reputation for delivering a reliable state-of-the-art transportation system for Orange County,” said OCTA Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, also the county’s Fifth District Supervisor. “It is precisely this kind of planning, with input from the public and collaboration with our stakeholders, that ensures we are successful in preparing for a diverse transportation future.”
The LRTP identifies projects to improve roadways, public transit, and bike paths, while considering evolving technologies such as autonomous vehicles and on-demand ridesharing. It also addresses key issues and challenges, such as the high cost of housing, limited land for expansion of freeways and streets, challenging emissions standards, and an evolving public transit market.
Changing demographics will influence future needs. By 2040, Orange County’s population is expected to grow by 10 percent or 311,000 people, and employment is anticipated to grow by 17 percent or 275,000 jobs. Daily trips are projected to increase by 12 percent, or 1.7 million. Without implementing the plan and recommended projects, congestion from the increased population and daily trips could potentially rise by 66 percent.
Plan funding will come partially from OC Go (also known as Measure M), the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
OCTA sought and received extensive input on the draft plan from the community, including:
- An online survey completed by more than 1,200 people
- A telephone town hall with nearly 1,000 participants
- A quantitative survey with more than 2,500 respondents
Themes that emerged as transportation priorities include:
- Keeping Orange County moving by continuing to synchronize traffic signals, maintaining local roads and improving freeways
- Expanding transit by exploring innovative transit options
- Using a balanced approach to transportation funding by investing across many modes of transportation to help relieve congestion
OCTA will submit the plan to the Southern California Association of Governments, where it will serve as Orange County’s input into the Regional Transportation Plan, the guiding document for regional transportation planning in Southern California.
Review the plan here.