Under the requirements of the federal transportation spending bill (MAP-21) states and metropolitan planning organizations are required to annually monitor performance measure progress through the statewide and metropolitan planning process for the following items:
The Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) is a plan for the incremental implementation of the long-range Regional Transportation Plan. The FTIP presents to federal funding agencies manageable components for the funding of long-term plans.
On August 16, 2018, the Kern COG Board of Directors adopted the 2019 Federal Transportation Improvement Program, 2018 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and Environmental Impact Report, and corresponding Air Quality Conformity Analysis.
The Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) is the formal presentation to the state of regionally significant projects that local agencies wish to advance within the next four years. Once projects are approved in the Regional Transportation Plan, they are incorporated into the Regional Transportation Improvement Program for ultimate inclusion into the Federal Transportation Improvement Program.
At the center of the transportation planning process is the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Updated on a 4-year cycle, the RTP is a long-term (20+ year) blueprint for the region’s transportation system, and encompasses projects for all types of travel, including freight, intermodal and aviation. The plan includes the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) designed to help reduce emissions from passenger vehicle travel. The plan is accompanied by a program level environmental document that analyzes cumulative impacts, and the regional air quality conformity analysis required by federal regulations.
At the center of the transportation planning process is the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP is a long-term (20-year) general plan for the region’s transportation network, and encompasses projects for all types of travel, including aviation and freight movement. The plan assesses environmental impacts of proposed projects, and establishes air quality conformity as required by federal regulations. The document also discusses inter-modal and multi-modal transportation activities.
The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan is a critical component in addressing the transportation needs of the region. Kern COG is developing a well needed update to the 1997 Early Deployment Plan for the Kern Region in consideration of the ITS projects being implemented by our partners, the rapid advances in technology in recent years, and to respond to specific recommendations and requirements needed to bring the MPO into compliance (23 CFR 940) with current ITS program standards set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for development of architecture and strategic plans as well as the Federal Transit Administration’s National ITS Architecture Policy on Transit Projects. The ITS Plan will provide a vision for ITS, outline a program of low, medium and high priority projects, identify a funding strategy, and establish a plan for managing, integrating, operating, and maintaining the ITS elements in the region that are to be implemented over a 20-year horizon.
“Pedestrians and bicycles” is meant to cover non-motorized means of transit. This is the most non-polluting form of transportation. Kern COG has the role of encouraging and finding funds for improvements to facilitate non-motorized transit. Kern COG has adopted a Bicycle Facilities Plan and currently is a funding conduit for improvements in non-motorized transportation.
2017 Kern Region Active Transportation Plan
Through an extensive review of existing conditions and comprehensive community and stakeholder outreach, the Active Transportation Plan establishes a regional vision complemented by stand-alone recommendations for each jurisdiction and unincorporated area. User-friendly maps and prioritized projects provide a clearly defined implementation strategy, enabling communities to put their respective plans into action.
2013 City of Bakersfield Bicycle Transportation Plan
This Bicycle Transportation Plan provides an overarching vision supported by strategies and actions for improving the bicycling environment in Bakersfield. The purpose of this Plan is to identify strategic expansion of the existing network, complete network gaps, provide greater connectivity, educate, and encourage the public, and to maximize funding sources.
The 2012 Kern County Bicycle Master Plan and Complete Streets Recommendations provides a broad vision for encouraging increased bicycle travel, as well as strategies and actions, to improve conditions for bicycling throughout the unincorporated communities throughout the county. This Plan provides direction for expanding the existing bikeway network and connecting gaps within the unincorporated communities and throughout the county as a means of bettering the bicycling environment.
The Kern County Bicycle Plan has been produced so that much of the information related to bicycling in the Kern region will be available in a single document. The purpose this serves is to simplify and clarify bicycle travel facilities planning and serve as a basis of understanding for existing facilities and identify where the system needs to be expanded.
California high-speed rail will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs and preserve agricultural and protected lands. By 2029, the system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds capable of over 200 miles per hour.
High-Speed Rail Routes
The high-speed rail system planned for California will eventually encompass over 800 miles of rail, with up to 24 stations. Because the project is so large, and will run through areas of the state with extremely different geographical, environmental and economic issues, the project has been broken into ten separate sections, two of which go through Kern County.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority understands that private property owners will be affected by the proposed construction of the high-speed rail system. In light of this fact, the Authority has committed to do everything it can to educate, inform, and work collaboratively with affected property owners.
The documents on this page provide an at-a-glance reference for frequently asked questions and an overview of the procedures for acquiring property, the right-of-way process and the Permit-to-Enter process.
Heavy Maintenance Facility
In 2009, the California High Speed Rail Authority released a Request for Expression of Interest to site a Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF) in the Central Valley. Kern COG submitted two proposals. One to be located in Shafter just north of the International Trade and Transportation Center and 7th Standard Rd and Santa Fe Way. The other located on the east side of Wasco below Highway 46. There were 15 proposals submitted statewide.
An Annual Listing of projects, including investments in pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, for which federal funds have been obligated in the preceding year.
Transportation Conformity requirements for highway and transit projects are defined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, US EPA and US DOT (FHWA) guidance, and local consultation procedures set up by Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Air Pollution Control Districts to achieve and maintain Federal air quality standards.
Regional analysis addresses the effect of all regionally significant projects in a nonattainment area. The regional analysis considers the Design Concept (what type of project it is) and scope (how long, capacity, etc.) of all projects to be implemented by various analysis years. Regional conformity must be determined not less often than every 4 years by a MPO with a nonattainment or maintenance area, and usually is analyzed more often as Regional Transportation Plan and Federal Transportation Improvement Program amendments happen.
The Kern COG Areawide Directory provides vital information on Kern COG, its member agencies, critical public agencies, and media outlets operating in the Kern Region.
