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<br /> <br />11 <br />THE CHALLEPJGE... <br />ustained e~onamic success has fueled substantial gro~~•th and prosperity in <br />the Research Triangle Region. Good mobility is one of the factors that has <br />helped make this region so attractive. But success creates new challenges. <br />Between 1995 and 2035, population is expected to increase by more than <br />110"4. Based.on existing transportation plans, vehicle-miles of travel (V.bIT) ~ ~ <br />will grow more than 140°~, while highway capaciry will expand by only 50°,~0. ~ Acceptable - <br />The two figures below graphically illustrate both new highway facilities (such <br />as the Western Wake Expressway, the Knightdale Bypass, and the Northern Moderaxe <br />Durham Parkway) and dramatic growth in traffic volumes (represented by ~ Severe <br />bandwidths) froth 1-995 to 2035. <br />The adopted Long-Range Transportation Plans for the Capital area and <br />Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro tiletropolitan Planning prganizations identify <br />highway and transit projects through the year 2U?5. ~nal~-sis of these plans <br />and ocher studies confirms several key observations: <br />• Increased capaciry is needed for all modes of travel. <br />Congestion oci freeways and other major routes will still exist during peak <br />periods.. <br />• There are practical limits to the «-idening of free~vavs. <br />• Surface street networks must be enhanced. <br />• Transit operating on its own right-of-wa_v pan provide needed ~.ipa~it}- <br />and competitive travel times. <br />• Policies to reduce travel demand (including different land use patterns) <br />are needed. <br />,air quality will Ue threatened. <br />Fzctzcre Vision <br />In order to maintain our economic <br />Competitiveness while preserving o~ <br />environment, we must shift our emp <br />from moving cars to moving people <br />We must: <br />• Minimize travel time and imp <br />reliability <br />• Maximize efficiency and Ares <br />infrastructure <br />• Reduce automobile travel d~ <br />peak periods <br />• Enhance surface street capac <br />and connectivity <br />• Provide safe, convenient opti <br />to highway travel <br />• Invest in long-term capacity <br />• Decrease tailpipe emissions <br />• Provide a framework for less a <br />dependent land use <br />