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20 Several issues were raised during the course of this study which could not be adequately addressed and are recom- mended for further research. These topics include public transit, ITS, and planning for Native American communities. Public Transit Public transportation in rural areas is a vital contributor to accessibility and quality of life, especially for those who cannot or choose not to drive. The urban connection between transit and land use is the recognition that higher densities and intensities of development provide the ridership necessary to support transit service; conversely, transit service allows higher densities and intensities of development by providing a travel choice between congested roadways or other travel modes. In rural areas, the densities and intensities necessary to support fixed-route transit service typically are undesirable. Rather, demand-responsive service, with the goal of providing coverage to a dispersed population over a large area, is more likely to be the primary transit service in rural areas. The two most significant concerns raised during the course of this study regarding transit were (1) securing funding to support transit service and (2) improving coordination between neighboring or overlapping transit services. These are absolutely valid concerns, but improved integration between transportation and land use planning is unlikely to address either directly. The one clear opportunity for land use planning to improve the ability to serve transit riders is on the destination end of the transit trip. By concentrating new jobs, healthcare, and services in existing centers and providing safe and direct pedestrian connections between destinations within those centers, there will be increased opportunities for transit riders to meet multiple needs within the center with- out needing to make additional trips. The center can also serve as a location to provide housing for those who would otherwise be dependent on transit service, thereby bypassing much of the need for transit service entirely. C H A P T E R 6 Additional Research Needed Intelligent Transportation Systems Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) can improve safety, efficiency, coordination, and information in rural areas. There are several clear ways that ITS is already being applied. For example, ITS can be used by transit providers to develop efficient routing systems based on the locations and schedules of riders, even linking multiple transit providers for enhanced coordination to avoid overlap and improving connectivity. ITS is also being used to provide drivers with information on road conditions, weather alerts, directions, and tourist information. Similar to the public transit discussion above, there is no obvi- ous link to land use planning where further integration would be mutually beneficially. Innovations in ITS are occurring rapidly with new applications constantly under development. Whether or not any strong connections with land use are developed, ITS applications will be another viable tool in the rural transportation toolbox. Planning for Native American Communities Research and interviews with Native American planners and community representatives conducted throughout the course of this project revealed a broad array of unique issues and experiences that deserve deeper examination. Demo- graphics, government structures, economic resources, problems, and opportunities differ widely among the thou- sands of tribal communities located across the U.S. land- scape. In addition, the unique status of Native American tribes as sovereign nations within the United States adds complexity to the already difficult task of communicating and coordinating with the agencies and officials that control the land use and transportation decisions made beyond tribal borders. Federal and state agencies are making increasing efforts to improve the ability to coordinate land use and transportation
decisions that affect tribal lands. For example, a series of studies and meetings conducted by the New Mexico DOT with 17 tribes across the state in the late 1990s revealed five key issues that echo many of the concerns expressed by participants in this study: sovereignty and jurisdiction; com- munication, cooperation, and participation; funding; cultural preservation and environment; and safety. In response to these issues, New Mexico has developed an executive com- mittee of representatives from the Navajo Nation, the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache Tribes, FHWA, and several state and federal agencies representing interests such as land use, energy, and Indian Affairs. The group is engaged in several areas of work, such as the adoption of principles of co- operation to recognize joint sovereignty; adopted joint con- sultation processes; a Land for Land program, which offers land swaps as an alternative to right-of-way (ROW) pur- chases; efforts to improve intergovernmental communica- tions in project planning within the federal Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) and bridge programs; and an agreement with the Department of Energy on hazardous materials (HAZMAT) spills on state highways on Native American rights-of-way.21 The FHWA tribal planning program www.planning.dot.gov/ tribal.asp features many more such case studies as well as information on relevant programs and resources. Very few tribal governments have the resources and structure for professional planners, but those who do have accomplished some highly innovative projects that integrate environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and economic vitality in holistic, principled ways. For example, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (www.cskt.org) worked with FHWA to create a plan for the expansion of US 93 through the Flathead Indian Reservation that pro- vides a creative, viable alternative to a highly controversial plan developed by FHWA. According to a report prepared for FHWA by the Iowa State University Center for Trans- portation Research and Education (www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/ tribaltrans/montsalish.htm), âthe ten-year process of devel- oping the plan led to an unprecedented Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Federal Highway Administration and the Montana Department of Transportation. Since the signing of the MOA in 2000, the process has continued with the three governments as equal partners in negotiating the design that will be used to construct a safe and efficient highway that re- spects the âSpirit of Placeâ (the cultural and physical landscape) of the Flathead Nation.â An expanded body of information on transportation and land use planning for Native American communities would offer two significant benefits: it would provide much-needed resources to tribal nations as they develop their ability to plan and collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies; and it would offer opportunities for planners and communities across the United States to consider new ideas for improving our collective ability to serve as good stewards of our coun- tryâs environment and economy while preserving the rich diversity of cultures that makes us unique. 21