DRAFT

SECTION 2TRANSIT PLANNING AND POLICY DOCUMENTSA major component of the TDP Update is the review of transit policies and their relationship to PSTA. Thischapter reviews transit policies at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Various transportationplanning and programming documents are summarized, with an emphasis on issues which may haveimplications for public transportation in Pinellas County.FEDERAL PLANS AND POLICIESSAFETEA-LUThe Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) addresses required planning processes that must be undertaken when applying federal and state fundsto transportation projects. SAFETEA-LU addresses the many challenges facing our transportation systemtoday, such as improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, improving efficiency, increasing intermodalconnectivity, and protecting the environment. SAFETEA-LU promotes more efficient and effective federalsurface transportation programs by focusing on transportation issues of national significance, while givingstate and local transportation decision-makers more flexibility for solving transportation problems in theircommunities. SAFETEA-LU continues and/or establishes numerous funding programs for transit.SAFETEA-LU reauthorization is pending and is expected to continue into 2011. At that point, the newlegislation will be evaluated for pertinence to public transportation in Pinellas County.SAFETEA-LU reauthorization will transform the nation's surface transportation policies by clearly definingthe role and specific objectives of the Federal Government in providing resources to States to carry outprograms. The new act will focus the majority of transit funding in four core categories to bring urban andrural public transit systems to a state of good repair. These four categories are Critical Asset Investment,Highway Safety Improvement, Surface Transportation, and Congestion Mitigation and Air QualityImprovement. Additionally, the act will provide specific funding to restore transit rail systems; providemobility and access to transit-dependent individuals; and plan, design, and construct new transit lines andintermodal facilities. Additional objectives will include:Create a National Transportation Strategic Plan;Improve the safety of the surface transportation network;Bring existing highway and transit facilities and equipment to a “state of good repair”;Facilitate goods movement;Improve metropolitan mobility and access;Expand rural access and interconnectivity;Lessen environmental impacts from the transportation network;Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc.Pinellas Suncoast Transit AuthoritySeptember 2010 2-1 Transit Development Plan