Information specific to Environmental Justice (EJ) and Title VI.
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.
A video presentation (25 min.) highlighting some of Kern’s more than 60 transformative success stories implementing California’s SB 375 greenhouse gas reductions regulations over the first decade and a half.
Notice of Preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report for the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan – April 21, 2025
Sign Up Here to get updates on the 2026 RTP/SCS development.
Learn about the Draft 2026 RTP/SCS in-person at local City Council meetings or the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting
| Date | Location |
| Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM | California City Council meeting |
| Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Maricopa Council meeting |
| Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM | McFarland Council meeting |
| Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Shafter Council meeting |
| Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Taft Council meeting |
| Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Wasco Council meeting |
| Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Ridgecrest Council meeting |
| Monday, June 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Tehachapi Council meeting |
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 3:30 PM | Bakersfield Council meeting |
| TBA | Arvin Council meeting |
| TBA | Delano Council meeting |
| TBA | Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting |
Thank you for all that provided input on our RTP/SCS in previous events! (English and Spanish Flyer Here)
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.
Please contact Raquel Pacheco with any questions or comments.
| Deliverable 1 | Project Plan | December 2016 |
| Deliverable 2 | Data Report | May 2017 |
| Deliverable 3 |
Assessment of 1997 Plan Report | September 2017 |
| Deliverable 4 |
System Inventory Summary Report | May 2017 |
| Deliverable 5 |
Vision, Goals, Objectives & User Needs Report | May 2017 |
| Deliverable 6 |
Strategies Report | November 2017 |
| Deliverable 7 |
Regional Consolidated Needs Assessment Summary Report and Table 2-1 | March 2018 |
| Deliverable 8 |
Regional ITS Operational Roles and Responsibilities Report | December 2017 |
| Deliverable 9 |
Functional Requirements Report | March 2018 |
| Deliverable 10 |
ITS Diagrams Version 2 (ITS Diagrams Version 1 for comparison) | March 2018 |
| Deliverable 11 |
ITS Architecture Maintenance Plan | April 2018 |
| Deliverable 12 | 2018 ITS Plan for the Kern Region | Regionally Approved June 21, 2018 |
| ITS Fact Sheet and contact form | November 2017 |
Kern COG TPPC Meeting powerpoint slides May 17, 2018
“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.
Kern Council of Governments was awarded an Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 grant from the California Transportation Commission to conduct the non-Infrastructure project titled “Safe Routes for Cyclists in Kern County’s Disadvantaged Communities (SR4C).” Kern COG in partnership with Bike Bakersfield, California Walks, the Kern County Library and local Bakersfield-based bicycle shops conducted the SR4C program.
Through Education, Encouragement and Evaluation activities, SR4C sought to encourage bicycling as a mode of transportation providing the tools, riding skills and safety knowledge to make it safe and easy to opt to ride a bicycle in the Cities of Arvin, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Shafter, Taft, Wasco, and the unincorporated communities of Oildale (in the Bakersfield Metro Area), Buttonwillow, Lake Isabella/Wofford Heights, Lamont, and Lost Hills.
The City of Bakersfield’s (City) Active Transportation Plan (ATP) will create safer and more enjoyable streets for residents and visitors. It provides a long-term vision for the development of a robust citywide network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Caltrans’ Mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. Enhancing bicycle access along with pedestrian and transit is instrumental and vital to accomplishing this mission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visit the California High Speed Rail Authority
