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      transportation demand management techniques to reduce the growth in the
      usage of the private automobile. The Department has employed techniques
      to encourage carpooling, telecommuting, flexible work hours and incident
      management to reduce highway demand.

      Although a portion of the traffic on primary highways is comprised of
      through travel and is therefore not likely to be influenced by State
      policies, the vast majority of vehicle trips in Maryland are local in
      nature and could potentially be shifted to other modes.

      Vehicle trips and vehicle miles of travel per capita have increased
      steadily, and these trends are neither fiscally nor environmentally
      sustainable. Recent studies about the long-term availability of fossil
      fuels and climate change indicate that Maryland, joined by all states
      and nations, faces an imperative to reduce the growth in usage of the
      private automobile both by substituting other forms of travel such as
      transit, and by reshaping communities to create opportunities to combine
      trips or making walking a realistic option. Concern about this issue is
      reflected in many of the goals and policies, the projects shown on the
      MTP Maps, and the proposed Implementation Measures.
       
      Goals and Policies

      The MTP is driven by goals, policies and objectives, all of which are
      organized into six "elements" that reflect broad areas of State policy.
      These statements articulate challenges for the Department and provide a
      general direction toward their resolution (goals), establish criteria to
      guide the development of programs (policies) and provide a means to
      measure MDOT's success in achieving the outcomes (objectives).

      Community Mobility Element

      Marylanders' interest in the livability of their communities led the MTP
      to address how the State's transportation system serves communities.
      Livability is not a "one-size-fits-all" concept but is instead defined
      by the history and character of a community and the preferences of its
      residents. Although transportation is hardly the only factor involved in
      defining community livability, transportation facilities that match the
      character of a community can make an important contribution to the
      quality of life of its residents.

      Specific issues include design that accommodates the unique
      characteristics of the community; landscaping and aesthetic character;
      managing traffic volumes and speeds; and safety, particularly for
      pedestrians. Communication between MDOT, community residents and
      business owners ensures that community concerns are identified and
      accommodated throughout the planning process. One technique the
      Department has successfully employed to help communities identify their
      assets and liabilities is known as a Quality Community Survey.
      Finally, a commitment to community means providing all community
      residents with access to a mix of transportation choices that may
      include transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and services in
      addition to State highways.

      Community Mobility Goal

      In light of the important role transportation plays in the livability of
      communities, MDOT will serve people, business and communities as well as
      vehicle movements.

      Community Mobility Policies
       
        MDOT will proactively seek to provide transportation projects and
        services in context with community needs and objectives.
        MDOT will, in fulfilling its mission to provide mobility for people
        and goods, consider such factors as safety, mode choice, aesthetics,
        environmental concerns, land use and accessibility of markets as well
        as accommodating vehicles.
        MDOT will consider community issues during systems planning in
        addition to project planning.
        MDOT will coordinate with State and local agencies on land use plans
        as they pertain to transportation solutions.
        MDOT will be flexible in the design of residential State highways to
        encourage motor vehicle speeds that are consistent with adjacent land
        uses.
        MDOT will make clear to citizens in its public involvement processes
        the costs and benefits of transportation alternatives.

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