Transportation and Connectivity

Introduction to TC Credits

Regional planning directly impacts the character of local communities and the quality of life for the inhabitants.  Good regional planning can help to create beautiful, vibrant communities.  Beautiful, vibrant communities help ensure long-term economic prosperity and social sustainability. 

A major consideration in regional planning is transportation.  A well-planned transportation system enables all members of the community adequate access to housing, places of work, goods and services, and recreation.  It also provides regional connectivity, with alternatives to the automobile. 

Historically, the Greater Yellowstone region has been rural in nature. Residents in these rural areas have had easy commutes with little or no traffic to impede quick trips.  Gas prices have remained comparatively low to the rest of the world.  Noise and air pollution have not been an issue.  Largely unregulated land-use has enabled rural development, where residents can “escape” from traffic and congestion and live closer to natural landscapes.

But recent, unprecedented growth is creating huge challenges to the Greater Yellowstone region’s rural lifestyle.  The region has experienced anywhere from an 11% to a 185% increase in population over the past 10 years.  This has created significant traffic congestion.  Tourists, with no options other than to rent vehicles, add to the congestion during both the winter and summer seasons.  County and state road regulators have not had the time and resources to address these growth pressures.  Many stretches of highway across the region do not adequately address the traffic congestion. 

In addition to unmanaged growth, rising fuel costs and the evident threat of global warming are adding challenges to transportation in the region.   Those residents that must commute to jobs in neighboring communities are paying nearly twice as much in gas prices as they were just four years ago.  No mass-transportation options exist for these people in many areas of the region.  There has also been a decrease in visitors to the national parks.   Gas prices are listed as a major factor in visitors’ decision on where to vacation.  Since no regional mass-transportation system exists, this is very likely contributing to the decline in visitation.  The world’s leaders are pushing for mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions in the next ten years, and the Greater Yellowstone region does not yet have a plan in place for the creation of a regional transportation system to help contribute to these reductions.    

Therefore, transportation planning is a major component of decision making for developers and designers.  The main goal of this credit category is to increase connectivity and human mobility in the Greater Yellowstone Region to improve economic and social sustainability.  By working toward this goal, the region will also contribute to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. 

The prerequisite requires the development of a transportation plan for residents and users of the facilities.  This will ensure that developers consider internal and regional connectivity in their design and help identify the greatest opportunities to achieve connectivity and mobility.

Other issues addressed in this category include development of amenities that support:

•          Alternative transportation modes

•          Fleets of vehicles as alternatives to single ownership

•          Use of alternative fuels

•          Development of trails, pathways, and scenic byways

Innovation is encouraged and exemplary performance will be awarded additional points.

Infrastructure and Transportation Systems Design Team

Core Team Members

Jenny M. Grossenbacher, Montana State University Extension Program, Bozeman, MT

Edward B. Gulick, High Plains Architects, Billings, MT

Jackie Flowers, Idaho Falls Power, Idaho Falls, ID

Doug McSpadden, Transportation Volunteer, Bozeman, MT

Richard Stroh, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Falls, ID

Christina J. Thomure, Grand Targhee Resort, Driggs, ID

Dave Trosen, Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, Ashton, ID

Patrick J. White, CTA Architects Engineers, Billings, MT

Tom Wood, MSU Integrated Design Lab, Bozeman, MT

Consulting Members,

Tammy Crone, Gallatin Local Water Quality District, Bozeman, MT

Dan Stevenson, CTA Architects Engineers, Bozeman, MT

Facilitator

Susan Higgins, Natural Resource Consultant, Bozeman, MT