Corridor Planning Program

SCAG's 2004 Regional Transportation Plan identifies transportation needs in corridors and encourages planners and policy-makers to start preparing strategies for preserving corridors now for use in the future. Good planning can prevent losing rights-of-way needed for developing transportation facilities. Thus, rights-of-way preservation is a reasonable objective, particularly in areas where new development may block a long-range corridor.

Transportation Corridor studies, better known as Regionally Significant Transportation Investment Studies (RSTIS) determine transportation need and evaluate alternatives. SCAG, in cooperation with other stakeholders, approves the initiation and scope of these studies. Each incorporates a "purpose and need" statement, alternatives analysis utilizing a range of performance indicators, record of community involvement, a locally preferred alternative selection and preliminary environmental documentation. Before a project can be included in the RTIP for construction, the project must be one of the alternatives in a completed RSTIS, and must be included in the RTP.

Planning Studies in Progress
Recently Completed Studies

SCAG adopted policy and plans supported similar regional RSTIS and corridor planning projects in each of its published Regional Transportation Plans extending back to 1975.

Related Resources

Regionally Significant Transportation Investment Study (RSTIS) Peer Review Group

The RSTIS Peer Review Group, established by SCAG and governed by procedures adopted by the Transportation Committee, provides an interagency consultative forum for discussion of regionally significant investment alternatives, including investments to improve or expand corridors. It is composed of representatives from private and public stakeholder agencies.

Each RSTIS is required to evaluate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of alternatives in attaining local, regional, state and national goals and objectives. It evaluates each alternative's:

  • direct and indirect costs (of capital, operating and maintenance and rights-of-way)
  • mobility impacts and benefits
  • attainment of air quality requirements
  • social, economic and environmental impacts
  • safety impacts
  • operating efficiencies
  • financing sources (federal, state and private)
  • energy consumption
  • public outreach program

The results of these studies help SCAG, in cooperation with participating public and private organizations, determine the design and scope of an investment for the RTP. The preferred alternative of an RSTIS must meet the performance and financial criteria established by the RTP, and it must be approved by the Regional Council before being included in the RTP and RTIP. Once a locally approved alternative is selected through the RSTIS process, it is eligible for funds authorized under Sections 8, 9 and 26 of the Federal Transit Act, State planning funds, as well as planning and capital funds appropriated under Title 23, United States Code.

Meeting Schedule: The group meets bi-monthly on the third Thursday of the month.

Corridor Planning Links
Publications
  • 2004 Regional Transportation Plan
    SCAG, April 2004, page 190
  • Report for IPG Meeting: Corridor & Other Planning Studies
    SCAG, April 2003
  • Procedures Manual for RSTIS Studies
    SCAG, March 2001
  • Letters of Completion (RSTIS Study Completion)
    SCAG, Various dates