Thank you for participating in the Long Range Transportation Plan 2045 Draft Recommendations Public Review period. Insightful feedback from the public allows GTC to ensure that the plan’s policies and recommendations align with the desires of the community. GTC’s response to the comments and modifications to the recommendation section follow below.

Many public comments expressed concern that the recommendations support the use of hydrogen, propane, and natural gas as alternative fuels, even though these fuel types still produce greenhouse gases. The Emerging Issues and Opportunities chapter, which was not presented as part of the second public review period on the draft recommendations, expands on the discussion of alternative fuels. This chapter notes that the FAST Act identified criteria for designating Alternative Fuel Corridors along National Highway System routes. These corridors are intended to improve mobility nationwide for alternative fuel vehicles, specifically electric, hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. The recommendations are intended to support the development of the federal Alternative Fuel Corridors. Additionally, the Performance Measures chapter, forthcoming, is solely focused on measuring the success of alternative fuel adoption via the number of electric vehicle charging stations and registered electric vehicles. The performance of fossil fuels as alternative fuels is not measured.

Based on the public input received, the following revision was made to the importance statement of recommendation SR-6, Alternative Fuel Fleet Expansion:

Original:

Importance:

Alternative fuel vehicles decrease emissions, improve air quality, and strengthen the region economically by reducing fossil fuel dependency.

Revised:

Importance:

Alternative fuel vehicles decrease harmful emissions and improve air quality. During the timeframe of this plan, the automobile industry is expected to increase electric vehicle production while gradually phasing out internal combustion engines.

Additional comments received stated that the Health and Safety recommendations should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to the public health impacts of climate change. The Draft LRTP 2045 views Health and Safety recommendations from an active transportation and traditional safety planning perspective. By promoting active transportation infrastructure and services, the plan will encourage greater physical activity and will positively impact public health. An additional benefit is a reduction in travel by modes that depend on fossil fuels, although this link is not explicitly called out within the Health and Safety recommendations. Conversely, the Sustainability and Resiliency recommendations seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce the region’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Previously, the draft recommendations listed the “Priority” of each recommendation. This has been changed to “Timeline” for clarity.

The full Draft Long Range Transportation Plan 2045 will be available for review on PublicInput.com/LongRangeTransportationPlan starting on April 12, 2021. Comments will be accepted through May 11, 2021.