SB1012 introduces amendments to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning transportation planning. The bill specifies new requirements and restrictions for the Transportation Planning Division's performance factors used in selecting projects and allocating resources. The bill mandates the use of prescribed weights for transportation and highway projects instead of allowing the Division to develop these weights. For transportation projects, it requires a minimum ridership of 70% of the system average, or 50% if the lines are contracted to a private operator. Highway projects must allocate 40% weight to congestion reduction and mobility each, and 20% to safety improvements.

The bill also adds "mobility" as a required performance factor and modifies existing factors, changing "congestion relief" to "congestion reduction" and "safety" to "safety improvements." It separates "integration and connectivity with other modes" into two distinct factors: "connectivity" and "integration with other modes." The Division is directed to develop quantitative measurement methods for each performance factor and to consider new technologies and innovations. The bill prohibits the Division from adopting policies that aim to reduce vehicle travel miles or provide differential treatment based on race, color, or ethnicity. Definitions for various terms related to transportation planning are provided, and the bill makes conforming changes to align with these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 28-501, 28-505, 28-332
Senate Engrossed Version: 28-501, 28-505, 28-332