Mapping the Future of Mobility

Where do you see yourself in 30 years and how do you envision you’ll get to wherever you need to go? Caltrans is looking that far ahead with its newly revealed view of an innovative, sustainable, and integrated transportation system called the California Transportation Plan (CTP) 2050.

The plan details ways transportation can be safer, cleaner and simpler in the years to come. By establishing a roadmap, Caltrans aims to not only improve mobility and accessibility, but work to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

A three-decade vision

This long-range look ahead focuses on wide-ranging policies and strategies to meet key objectives. These include:

  • Expanding economic opportunities through the easy, integrated movement of people, freight, and services
  • Creating a low-carbon transportation system that protects public and environmental health
  • Advancing transportation equity and improving quality of life for Californians
  • Responding to current and emerging trends and challenges, including demographic and economic shifts, land-use changes, and other factors
  • Enhancing safety and security on bridges, highways, and roads
  • Fostering healthy lifestyles through walking and bicycling paths
  • Harnessing potential changes in travel behavior, such as increased use of autonomous vehicles, shared mobility services, and the effects of increased telework, telehealth, and distance learning, to reduce our reliance on driving
  • Supporting sustainable growth and affordable housing

“California’s transportation system connects 40 million residents to jobs, housing, vital services and recreation,” Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said in a statement. “The plan sets a bold vision to foster economic vitality, protect our environment and meet the transportation needs of all Californians.” By 2050, Caltrans says the state’s transportation system will need to support an estimated 45 million residents. 

While working to create an integrated, sustainable network of mobility options that provide safe, convenient and reliable access to jobs, education, health care and other services that improve quality of life in all areas of the state, Caltrans must also concentrate on achieving its goal of reducing GHG emissions from transportation to 80% below 1990 emissions levels by 2050. 

This is not something that can be done in a silo. Thus, Caltrans has teamed with local transportation agencies to identify eight priorities. These have been integrated into the CTP 2050 to guide policy, budget decisions, and transportation planning. These include:

  • Safety – Provide a safe and secure system designed to eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries and withstand natural disasters
  • Climate – Achieve statewide GHG emission reduction targets and make the state’s transportation system more resilient to climate change
  • Equity – Eliminate transportation barriers and expand access across all communities, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color and for people with disabilities
  • Accessibility – Improve mobility across all modes of transportation, including transit, walking, biking, and vehicle travel so all Californians can safely and easily reach their destination
  • Quality of Life and Public Health – Enable vibrant, healthy communities through expanded walking and bicycling paths and convenient transit options to reduce GHG emissions and dependence on driving
  • Economy – Support a vibrant, resilient economy by improving freight movement and access to housing and jobs
  • Environment – Reduce the negative impacts of transportation by expanding low-carbon and sustainable mobility options
  • Infrastructure – Maintain a reliable transportation system that is sustainable and resilient to climate change and natural disasters

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