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Frequently
Asked Questions – CHATS Long Range Plan
Q: What is CHATS?
A: CHATS is a regional transportation
planning partnership serving the BCD metropolitan area. CHATS stands for
Charleston Area Transportation Study, a name that was chosen when the
organization was founded in the 1960’s. CHATS is a federally designated
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which means it has the
responsibility for setting priorities for federal transportation spending in
the region. In South Carolina, there are 10 MPOs, including CHATS, that
work in partnership with federal agencies, the SC Department of
Transportation, and local residents and jurisdictions.
Q: Why do regional
transportation planning?
A: Because many of the transportation
challenges facing our area are regional in nature. Roads and transit
networks do not generally stop at city or county boundaries, and growth from
one area often can create traffic in another. Working together, a regional
partnership is the best way to take a “big picture” look at these issues,
and decide what is the best way to address them.
Q: What is the Long
Range Plan and why do we need to update it?
A: The Long Range Plan describes
current and projected transportation conditions in the region, outlines
priorities and parameters for project selection, and lists specific
transportation improvement projects that need to be completed. If a project
is not included in the scope of the Long Range Plan, it is not eligible for
federal funding through the MPO. The plan needs to be updated regularly
(federal regulations say every 3-5 years) so that it accurately reflects the
changing conditions of our transportation network.
Q: What is NOT in the Long Range Plan?
A: The Long Range Plan typically does
not list specific maintenance and repair projects, such as road
resurfacing. These are prioritized on an ongoing basis in accordance with
stated policies. The Long Range Plan also does not cover improvements to
rural facilities outside of the urbanized area.
Q: How does this
plan impact me?
A: The Long Range Plan sets the
priorities for what transportation improvements happen in your community.
If you drive, walk, bicycle, or ride in the community, you interact with our
transportation network. If a specific project or improvement is important
to you – including a particular road improvement, a transit route, or a
bicycle/pedestrian facility – you need to have your voice heard.
Q: How are projects
prioritized?
A: There are a combination of
strategies used. Quantitative analysis is conducted using data on road
traffic volume, accident rates, travel patterns, and other statistics about
the functioning of the transportation system. Much of this information is
input into a computerized transportation model, which projects future
traffic volumes on area roads, and is used to analyze the relative impacts
of various proposed improvements. Public input is also very important,
identifying the priorities and needs in the community. There are a variety
of ways to get involved in the process – make sure to let us know if you
would like to be.
Q: How realistic are the priorities in
the Long Range Plan?
A: The Long Range Plan is mandated to
be a “fiscally constrained” plan. In other words, a project cannot be
included unless a means is identified to fund it.
Q: How will
projects be funded?
A: The largest source of funding for
transportation improvements in South Carolina are the state and federal gas
taxes. Other financing tools are available, but may require a special
action from either local or state level decision makers. The annual funding
program – called the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – shows the
current allocation of funding for projects in the area.
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