We Are Listening

Together we’ve built a great transportation system, but to keep the Valley moving forward, we have more work to do. We asked more than 10,000 Valley residents what was most important about our community and moving around the region.

We heard that getting from here to there isn’t always easy.

The ability to travel safely and efficiently means you get to spend more time doing the things that matter to you with the people you care about. An excellent transportation system can help us achieve just that.

Learn more about:

Options

Growth

Maintenance

Safety

Sustainability

What We’re Hearing

We’ve used your feedback to develop six goals that serve as the plan’s foundation.

Goal Priorities and Responses

Valley residents were asked to rank the six plan goals in order of priority. As you can see, the goals ranked equally! This tells us two things: first, that each goal is valuable to our region. Second, that the needs and desires of the region are diverse, and that there are a broad range of priorities across our communities.

Goal priorities pie chart. 16% for preservation, 17% for mobility, 17% for safety, 17% for responsiveness, 17% for livability, and 16% for prosperity

“Everything here depends on having a car - as I am getting older, driving will soon not be an option and the public transportation network here is pitiful.”

“I use public transportation as much as possible and I love having the option of the buses and the light rail at my fingertips to be more independent.”

“People should have a choice of ways to get around that are equally safe, equitable, convenient and comfortable."

“The nice wide streets we have are great for moving cars but are not the most inviting to bicycle and pedestrian users. The region will benefit by encouraging more transportation options through road design and safety improvements.”

“There have been times when I had no private transportation. When I was younger, that meant relying on family or friends. Now there are more bus stops, the light rail, bikes, and scooters available so I'm no longer stuck at home.”

“We need more bus and light rail service and development. Right now our system is planned to serve non-disabled persons and younger people. We need more accessible types of vehicles to transport persons with disabilities.”

OPTIONS

More Ways to Move Around

Valley residents are interested in expanding transportation options beyond driving a car. They want to see improved and expanded access to high-quality transit – access that is fast, frequent, convenient, and reliable. Beyond transit, participants want expanded opportunities for bicycling and walking. The lack of current options can be a burden on those without cars, and we understand that reliance on driving limits residents’ flexibility.

GROWTH

Supporting Our Economy

Many residents are thinking about growth in the Valley, both now and into the future. Participants agree that our region needs flexible and strategic investments that support sustainable growth. Equitable growth is a priority as well - people want to see the economic benefit of new development distributed fairly across the Valley.

“Unreliable public transportation is bad for my business. It cuts down on the prospective labor pool. It makes start times unreliable and forces workers to leave earlier (work less) to make buses that may not be on time.”

“I would love to be able to access safe, affordable and accessible public transportation in our area. Because I cannot, I have to drive everywhere, and this costs time and money. I don't believe we can sustain all the growth without more transportation options.”

“Having a plan to not only catch up to the current growth but support future growth is going to be critical. Traffic lights, lane expansions, and other infrastructure should be a primary budget item to ensure sustainable growth and livability.”

“[Invest in] high priority corridor developments that have economic significance, for example, making sure that goods can travel smoothly through the Phoenix metro area for out of state and in state freight vehicles. Also, regionally important corridors that can spur economic growth for the valley cities should also be considered.”

“[Invest in] wide and well-maintained roads that allow for easy access to businesses and account for future traffic growth.”

“I'm the primary caregiver to my mom, who lives on the other side of town. Because the roads are well maintained and the infrastructure is good, it takes less time to get to her and get home -- which saves time and makes it easier for me to live the rest of my life.”

“Having good freeways and highways means you can spend less time on the road and reach your destination sooner and more efficiently. [It] makes it easier to get from one side of town to the other in a fast and efficient manner.”

“The plan should take a detailed and honest look at the life cycle costs of transportation investments and see if our tax base can actually support maintaining and replacing the system we have in place over the next 100 years before expanding roads.”

"It is of utmost importance to protect and maintain the public investment put in place to develop the transportation infrastructure that the Phoenix metro region can boast of. Innovative and cost effective technologies should be tried and funding should be set aside to protect and maintain the existing transportation infrastructure that we already have built.”

"The major goal should be to maintain the current transportation system in an excellent condition. Currently the roads are in a poor to average condition, sidewalks are missing, bike lanes limited, handicapped access fair, arterial streets surface condition poor to fair.”

"Technology changes faster than we can keep up with. Having systems that are easily adaptable to consumer demands and technological improvements will be important. Additionally, having a well maintained system will benefit transportation technology companies more than trying to predict the future."

MAINTENANCE

Protecting Your Investments

Residents tell us that transportation system maintenance is important to them, especially when it comes to our roads. The vast majority of participants agree that protecting and preserving our existing infrastructure should be a priority, especially when it comes to road safety.

SAFETY

Feeling Safe

Feeling safe on freeways, roads, and transit is a top priority. We are hearing many comments focused on the need to enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians - the most vulnerable road users. Many participants make a connection between safety and speed, and support lower speeds on main roads, along with infrastructure that better separates vehicular traffic from everything else.

“I have teens who do not [drive]. They are reliant on taking the bus if they want to go "in town" since we live so far out west. It’s almost a one mile walk to the first bus stop yet there's nothing in the way of sidewalks, bike paths, or streetlights the entire way. Very dangerous!”

“Phoenix has some of the most dangerous intersections in the country. But these are not poorly designed, or due to geographic challenges. There are simply too many people driving single occupant vehicles.”

“Phoenix's infrastructure is far too car-focused, and has too many high-speed roadways with few accompanying options for bicycles and pedestrians. As Phoenix grows and becomes more dependent on transportation other than personal automobiles, we need more emphasis on PROTECTED sidewalks and bikeways.”

“Right now, our streets are designed like highways and make drivers feel safe when driving 50 mph. While yes it may be nice to get across town quickly, it works against goals to keep pedestrians safe. If we really want to look out for the safety of everyone, then we need to address how street design affects driving behavior because speed limits don't do enough.”

“The plan should not be centered around accommodating the safety needs of the motor vehicle drivers only. It should put more weight on pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users and concentrate on building a transportation system that can cater to the safety needs of these vulnerable road users.”

“When making investment decisions, the region should look at the entire system and all the users. It shouldn't focus singularly on moving cars from one side of the valley to the other. A more complete street or corridor would enhance safety.”

“I value the variety of types of transportation which may provide a way of keeping fewer individual vehicles on the road which will hopefully reduce pollution for my generation, my children's generation, my grandson's generation, and all future generations. Many choices benefit my family and others.”

“I worry that our lack of concern and commitment around changing our behavior and habits in order to support sustainability will have severe and irreversible consequences for my child and her children.”

“Using public transportation IS a lifestyle. It increases health due to the need to walk to and from forms of transportation. It also makes users more socially aware of others in their community and is a way of making people feel like they are helping the environment by simply changing the mode they use to commute.”

“Encouraging rail, foot, and bike transit over owning a private motor vehicle by making these options more accessible and more affordable than owning a private motor vehicle implicitly supports health and wellbeing and sustains the environment.”

“Make our cities more livable, that includes better public streets, improved air quality, and strategies that create cool environments through shade and reduce the urban heat island effect.”

“A transportation system that works is one that is accessible, equitable, and sustainable. This plan should be comprehensive in nature and created with an eye towards electrification.”

SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental Quality

Valley residents support investment in more sustainable transportation options that protect public health and the environment. Many residents are concerned about our reliance on cars, and would like to see other modes of transportation infrastructure grow, such as light rail and bicycle paths.