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High Capacity Transit System Plan

Planning and conservation  ›  Transportation  ›  High capacity transit plan

Learn about the program to guide regional high capacity transit capital investments by evaluating and prioritizing transportation corridors for potential new projects and extensions to existing lines.

Online build-a-system tool

The new online tool lets you build your vision for the next 30 years of high capacity transit in the region.More

Studied corridors map

View the map of potential high capacity transit corridors and their travel coverage areas.Download map (1.4M)

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Since July 2008, Metro has been working with local jurisdictions and community members to identify a wide range of corridors or other high capacity transit improvements to study in planning the next 30 years of regional high capacity transit. The next phase of the plan is to prioritize the set of corridors and other improvements.

The wide range of corridors and broad set of potential improvements to the existing MAX system were identified through past planning work and an extensive public involvement process. This public process included an online questionnaire, workshops, community group meetings, and area farmers' markets and festivals. During July through November, more than 50 stakeholders were interviewed, more than 150 people attended public workshops and more than 200 people were informed about the project and offered suggestions at farmers markets and other public events. More than 200 people participated in an interactive questionnaire on Metro's web site from Aug. 12 to Oct. 1, 2008.

Feedback from residents, businesses, community organizations and elected officials identified 192 potential connections in about 55 corridors around the regions. To date, the initial screening criteria have been applied to the 55 corridors. These initial seven screening criteria include:

• ridership potential based on existing and future conditions
• cost and availability of right of way
• environmental constraints
• compatibility with regional land use goals based on the Region 2040 Growth Concept
• service to low-income, minority, elderly and disabled residents
• ability to serve corridors with congested roadways
• connectivity and benefits to the existing transit system.

Fifteen corridors along with several system improvements, such as increasing the speed of light rail through downtown Portland, have been screened for advancement and approved by regional partners and the Metro Council. From here, Metro will compare these potential investments in the high capacity transit system according to agreed-upon evaluation criteria.
Read the screening report memo (PDF 21M)

On Feb. 12, 2009, the Metro Council approved the evaluation criteria and the set of 15 corridors that will be further assessed along with several system improvements. This evaluation will be used to rank the corridors and projects in the final High Capacity Transit System Plan. The evaluation criteria generally fall into four categories: community, environment, economy and deliverability. In spring 2009, Metro will share evaluation results with the public and begin discussing tradeoffs, choices and priorities. An interactive web questionnaire and other public outreach events will happen at this time.
Read the evaluation framework memo (PDF)
View the map of approved corridors (PDF)

Background and considerations

Discover how the High Capacity Transit System Plan relates to other land-use and transportation plans, and learn about some of the regional and global considerations that make such a plan important... More

Defining high capacity transit

Find out how high capacity transit differs from local service transit. Put simply, it is more reliable, faster and carries more people... More

Project process and timeline

View the The High Capacity System Transit Plan project process and timeline, scheduled through spring 2009, and download the workplan summary... More

Meeting materials

Find links to meeting materials and presentations for the High Capacity Transit System Plan... More

Regional cooperation

The high capacity transit system plan is being developed by Metro in the cooperation with the range of interested parties:

• cities within Metro’s boundaries
• Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties
• residents of the region
• Federal Transit Administration
• Oregon Department of Transportation
• TriMet
• Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT)

Need assistance?

Metro transportation planning
503-797-1756
trans@oregonmetro.gov

Files and related materials

Files that are downloadable from this page

• High Capacity Transit System Plan fact sheet, winter 2009 312K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• High Capacity Transit System Plan fact sheet, summer 2008 672K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published September 12, 2008
• Screening results memo 21.0M Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Evaluation framework memo 219K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• High capacity transit corridors map with travel coverage 1.4M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published May 29, 2009

Related Links

Making the greatest place

Our region’s collaborative approach to planning set us on a wise course – but times are changing. Climate change, rising energy costs, economic globalization, aging infrastructure and population growth demand thoughtful deliberation and action.

2035 Regional Transportation Plan update

Learn about the region's plans for connecting and completing a multi-modal transportation system from now through 2035. Find out how transportation investments further community aspirations and to make this the greatest place.

High Capacity Transit Subcommittee

The Subcommittee is charged with reviewing public input and technical analysis to provide guidance and consensus-based recommendations that reflect the interests and priorities of local jurisdictions through the High Capacity Transit System Plan process.

Related Internet links

• TriMet Transit Investment Plan

  (http://trimet.org/tip/index.htm)

• Portland Streetcar System Plan

  (http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=46134)

• Clark County High Capacity Transit System Study

  (http://www.rtc.wa.gov/hct/)