Photo of Transportation Mode Throughout Illinois history, transportation has held an important role in creating and shaping the state. This is evident today as business and leisure travelers rely on the transportation system to support and enable all manner of economic, social, educational and cultural activity. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has a responsibility to ensure that the transportation system can answer these needs and address future transportation demand.

The State Transportation Plan sets forth policies and goals that guide the development of the state transportation system. The plan identifies issues and key needs that will influence transportation decision making during the next 20 years or more. Instead of a specific list of projects, the plan provides the strategic framework for the future direction of transportation in Illinois.

Challenges In Planning For the Future

Transportation Mode IDOT faces significant challenges in planning for the future. Prime among these challenges is ensuring the wise and productive use of limited funding resources to preserve the state transportation system, provide for safe travel, and enhance quality of life for all Illinoisans. To this end, IDOT must consider how transportation investments can improve opportunities for Illinois businesses, how these investments impact the environment, and how they can enhance safety for business and leisure travelers.

The State Transportation Plan provides the policy framework for the difficult decisions that must be made to address current and emerging transportation problems and concerns. IDOT faces a daunting task to preserve the complex transportation system created by past Illinois investments in highways, transit, airports, waterways and railroads. This must be achieved while enhancing the system with carefully planned highway development, improved services in intercity rail and public transportation, and enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

IDOT Considered Eight Policy Factors in the Long-Range Development of the Illinois Transportation System

Managing the existing infrastructure to ensure efficient performance
Accommodating future growth in population and employment
Ensuring global economic competitiveness
Providing transportation for underserved populations such as the elderly, children and the disabled
Protecting the environment
Ensuring safety for all transportation users
Securing adequate funding for maintaining and improving the transportation systems
Providing security measures to ensure the continued operation of the system

The plan addressed these issues through a set of special reports.