If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes related to transportation planning in Arizona by introducing new definitions and modifying existing performance factors. Specifically, it would add "mobility" as a performance factor and change "congestion relief" to "congestion reduction," while also redefining "safety" to "safety improvements." The bill would further bifurcate the existing performance factor of "integration and connectivity with other modes" into two distinct factors: "connectivity" and "integration with other modes." Additionally, it would require the Transportation Planning Division to develop methods for quantitatively measuring these performance factors and to consider new technologies and innovations in their delivery.

The bill would also establish specific weights for evaluating highway and transit projects, mandating that 40% of the evaluation for highway projects be based on congestion reduction and mobility, and 20% on safety improvements. For transit projects, it would set a minimum ridership requirement of 70% of the system average, which could be lowered to 50% if contracted to a private operator. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the consideration of motor vehicle travel mile reduction targets and ensures that performance factors are applied equitably, without bias based on race, color, or ethnicity.

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