Intermodal Transportation Planning

As Idaho enters into the 21^stcentury, one of the greatest challenges facing our transportation systems is how to meet the needs of a rapidly growing and ever changing economy. Currently, Idaho is the third fastest growing state in the country. It is estimated that Idaho will see a 56% increase in population between 2000 and 2030. This is twice the national average. With the increase in population, we will continue to experience record numbers of vehicle registrations and vehicle miles traveled each year.

Thus, transportation planning is critical to ensure mobility for all users; compatibility with the environment; preservation of community assets; provide for flexible funding schedules; and increase flexibility and responsiveness to our users. Moreover, by integrating the current and future transportation system with land use at all levels of government, the Idaho Transportation Department aims to maintain the quality of life all Idahoans have come to expect.

What is Intermodal Planning?

The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) has defined the following as key elements of an intermodal approach to planning:

• Choice among transportation options provided by competing modes, independently or in combination. (Choice also means that decision makers need to consider alternative systems to address transportation needs before investing in infrastructure.)


• Connections that provide convenient, rapid, efficient, and safe transfer of people or goods from one mode to another (including end point, pickup, and delivery) during a single journey to provide the highest quality and most comprehensive transportation service for cost.


• Coordination and Cooperation among transportation organizations to improve transportation service, quality, safety, and efficiency across all modes or combinations of modes in an environmentally sound manner.

Simply, intermodal planning is the ability to connect various modes of transportation. Below are the are five modes of transportation. Each has a separate web page/section that describes more in depth about the mode and its contribution to the overall benefit to the transportation system.

• Aeronautics
• Bicycle/Pedestrian
• Highways
• Safe Routes to School
• Rail and Freight
• Public Transportation

There are also special programs that provide funding to local, regional ans statewide that benefit the overall transportation system. These programs are:

• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ)
• Transportation Enhancements
• Scenic Byways

• Idaho’s Transportation Vision 2034
• Ideas to Reality
• Environmental Justice
• Context Sensitive Solutions
• Land Use and Transportation Linkage (Impact Fees)

• Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
• “Horizons” in Transportation
• Forum on Transportation Investments (FTI)
• GARVEE Transportation Program