The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) launched a new website for Visualize 2045, the region’s long-range transportation plan: visualize2045.org.

The federal government requires that the TPB, as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, updates the plan every four years. The plan’s 2022 update is currently underway; it is the perfect time to get to know Visualize 2045 and learn how you can get involved in this process.

The plan folds together the region’s aspirations for its transportation future, in addition to identifying all regionally significant projects and programs for which funding is expected to be available over the next 20 years, and demonstrating that the plan meets federal requirements in the areas of air quality, performance, congestion, and more. At the same time, leaders are considering how to carry out coordinated transportation planning in a way that makes our region more equitable, resilient, and safe.

I invite you to visit the Visualize 2045 website, especially to:

Learn About the Process

It’s a nearly two-year long process to meet the requirements to update the region’s federally mandated long-range transportation plan. The new site describes the plan requirements and uses graphics and videos to help explain the timeline, break down different components of the plan, and lay out strategies for addressing our region’s transportation challenges.

Get Involved

Public participation is an important part of the Visualize 2045 update.

On the site, you can find the results from the first phase of public engagement for the plan update, the Voices of the Region public opinion survey. The survey asked about anticipated travel behavior in a post-pandemic environment, and opinions on transportation enhancements, climate change, and more. Feedback like this helps shape the TPB’s policy priorities. There will be additional ways to learn more about the plan and TPB initiatives through public engagement activities planned for the summer.

And, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the plan before the TPB takes it up for approval.

Visit the site often for news on these opportunities to get involved.

Explore Future Factors and strategies for addressing them

As the TPB and its partners take strides to meet regional goals and address priorities, we must consider a range of emerging, significant “Future Factors” in our planning. From emerging technologies, to equity, and climate change, visitors to the site can explore these emerging and significant challenges factoring in to Visualize 2045.

A discussion of the future factors and strategies for accommodating them in the region’s planning will be incorporated into Visualize 2045.

Today, on the website, you can also learn about some of the strategies and planning activities we’re using to realize our vision for transportation —from bike and pedestrian planning, to freight planning, and more.

These are just a few highlights of the new site and the Visualize 2045 process. On behalf of the TPB, I hope you’ll stay engaged as we continue to work as a region to develop the update to Visualize 2045. Your interest and input in our region’s transportation future is valued and makes the process better.

Kanti Srikanth is the TPB Staff Director and COG Deputy Executive Director for Metropolitan Planning