Central New Mexico Prepares for Resiliency in Its Long- and Short-Range Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Central New Mexico, which includes Albuquerque, currently has a population of approximately one million people. This is a growing region, where rapid population growth is expected in the coming decades.
Along with increases in the population, increases in air temperatures and more frequent droughts are anticipated in the region. The combination of population growth and more arid conditions is expected to negatively impact air quality through increased vehicle emissions and more frequent wildfires.
The Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) of New Mexico recognized the hazards and risks from changes to environmental conditions. The MRCOG consequently integrated climate considerations into transportation and land-use planning.
After identifying potential hazards and impacts and emission reduction options in Central New Mexico, officials invited local stakeholders to participate on advisory committees and attend scenario planning workshops. MRCOG collaborated with federal agencies to use the workshop results as a basis for updating MRCOG’s Long Range Transportation Plan: Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).
New Mexico’s progressive planning requires the expansion of public transportation throughout the region and has increased funding to expand service connections. The goal is that 20% of all trips along high traffic corridors occur using mass transit by the year 2040.
Additionally, the City of Albuquerque approved an ordinance requiring roadways to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, which is likely to increase foot and bicycle traffic. Finally, MRCOG is only permitting projects that are consistent with the MTP. This means that projects must take changing environmental conditions, land use management, and population growth into consideration to be funded through the region’s Short-Range Planning, Programming, and Implementation – Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
How did they do it? | Applicable EPA Tools |
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Recognized population growth and potential hazards and impacts as a vulnerability.
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Identified preparedness and resilience strategies and created local resources.
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Similar Cases and More Information
To read other similar case studies on how other communities are planning for future air quality read Salt Lake City, Utah Adapts to Improve Air Quality Through Smart Growth and California Prepares for Increased Wildfire Risk to Air Quality. For information on how air quality affects public health visit the Public Health section of the Adaptation Resource Center.
- Salt Lake City, Utah Adapts to Improve Air Quality Through Smart Growth
- California Prepares for Increased Wildfire Risk to Air Quality
- Public Health Impacts
References
The following links exit the site:
- Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MRMPO) – Long-Range Transportation Plan: Connections 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)
- Long Range Transportation Plan: Futures 2040 MTP – Central New Mexico Climate Change Scenario Planning Project (PDF)(58 pp, 2.9 MB, About PDF)
- Federal Transit Administration’s Transportation Improvement Program