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New Report Forecasts 300,000 Population Growth – Long-Range Plan Prepares for Change

Annual Report Highlights Transportation Strategies and Projects to Grow Prosperity in East Tennessee

The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) recently published the State of Transportation in East Tennessee 2015 Annual Report. Providing insight into the work of the TPO and who is involved, the report gives an overview of the region’s network of road, transit, biking, and pedestrian options. It also looks at factors that drive the needs for investment in the system – factors like population growth, demand for housing, new employment centers, and shifting trends in travel choices. Here are a few specifics:

  • 300,000 new residents and 240,000 new jobs by 2040
  • Area residents say maintaining and fixing existing roads and bridges is the highest priority for the future
  • Nearly half of the region’s workers commute across county lines, with the average commute being 32.8 miles per day
  • 84.5% of commuters in our region drive alone to work
  • The average household in our region spends 32% of their income on transportation, compared to 18% nationally
  • The Knoxville region was the first to be re-designated an “Attainment Area” by EPA for the 2008 Ozone Standard

TPO staff are currently working on the 2017 update for the Mobility Plan 2040, and the State of Transportation report lends the facts and figures needed to prepare that plan. Updated every four years, the Mobility Plan is the region’s long-range plan calling for stronger connections between regional and local transportation investments, development, and land use. The region is expected to have 300,000 new residents and 240,000 new jobs by 2040; if current development trends continue, only about one in seven households will be within walking distance to transit, and very few new neighborhoods, shopping centers, and workplaces will be walkable.

It’s obvious that changes are coming as the region grows, and how we prepare for those changes is key to maintaining our great quality of life. TPO has been working closely with local communities, receiving input from residents, stakeholders, and elected officials to guide decision-making as the plan progresses. This ensures the plan is one that supports strategies and projects that will bring greater prosperity to East Tennessee for future generations.

Find out more about the 2015 Annual Report and the Mobility Plan 2040 as it continues to develop.

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Bike Month Success

May was National Bike Month, and Knoxville’s participation showed how eager the community is to continue growing its bike culture.

There were activities throughout the month with various events, rides, and classes that celebrated all kinds of people who ride bicycles. Several local businesses also contributed to the momentum by offering a discount to anyone displaying their I Bike KNX helmet sticker throughout the month.

Pedal along for more

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Public Review and Comment Period: Air Quality Conformity Determination

June 9, 2016 – June 22, 2016

The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) announces a 14-day public review and comment period for amendments to the 2014 – 2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Projects #2014-084 (Relocated Alcoa Hwy. (SR-115/US-129), Construct New 4-Lane from SR-162 (Pellissippi Pkwy) to South Singleton Station Rd) and #2014-085 (Western Ave (SR-62), Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes). The TPO is soliciting public comments on the Air Quality Conformity Determination made for these amendments. You are invited to comment by phone, email or during the TPO Technical Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, or at the TPO Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.  Both meetings are held at 9 a.m. in the Small Assembly Room of the City-County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN.  

The Air Quality Conformity Determination Report is available on the TPO website at: www.knoxtrans.org. If you need assistance or accommodation for a disability or would like a printed copy, please contact the TPO at 865-215-2500, contacttpo@knoxplanning.org or at MPC/TPO offices, Suite 403, City-County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN.

Learn more. Read the full report.

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Knoxville TPO Earns Accolades, Approval during Federal Review

The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization is pleased to announce the successful completion of the 2016 Transportation Management Area Certification Review.

Every four years, the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration evaluate the planning process for areas with population over 200,000. The Knoxville review included input from TDOT, Knoxville Area Transit, and TPO’s staff, Technical Committee, and Executive Board and focused on the metropolitan transportation planning process and major federal initiatives.

After an on-site visit that spanned three days and included public meetings and extensive presentations on the work and procedures of the TPO, the Federal Review Team determined that all requirements for certification review had been met.

Going above and beyond basic federal requirements, TPO received praise for their community outreach efforts, multimodal transportation focus, support for livable communities, and technical support to member jurisdictions and communities.

Recommendations for future success include continued consideration of the Americans with Disabilities Act, possibly reestablishing the Planning for Operations Committee, and reexamining the local sponsor project application for certain projects.

For more information on the federal review, please reference FHWA’s presentation and report summary.

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Walkability Advocate Returns to Knoxville

Nationally renowned advocate for walkability and health Mark Fenton spoke before a full house of about 70 local leaders in Knoxville on Friday, April 8.

Fenton spoke about the need to improve walkability through quality design of corridors, developments and communities. Community design can promote walking and physical activity in ways that encouragement and other health messages can't, Fenton told the group.

View Mark's presentation

Fenton spoke before an audience made up of elected officials, planning commissioners from around the region, local government staff, and walkability advocates at Knoxville Station Transit Center. He then led a walk audit with about 40 participants along nearby streets to discuss how improvements could be made to make walking a safer and more attractive transportation option. 

The TPO, along with the City of Knoxville and the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission, sponsored the walkability workshop.

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Walkability Advocate Returns to Knoxville

Nationally renowned advocate for walkability and health Mark Fenton returns to Knoxville on Friday, April 8, for a walkability workshop and walk audit. 

At the Friday morning walkability workshop at Knoxville Station Transit Center, Fenton will engage an invited regional audience in a discussion of the impact of pedestrian infrastructure on the health and economy of a city. In the audience will be elected and appointed officials from around the Knoxville region, as well as local government staff and walkability advocates.

Following the workshop, Fenton will lead workshop attendees on a “walk audit,” in which he will lead the group around the Civic Coliseum and Hall of Fame Drive areas to strategize pedestrian improvements that would encourage more walkability and business development.

The TPO, along with the City of Knoxville and the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission, are sponsoring the walkability workshop.

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TN Bike Summit in Chattanooga this Year

The 2016 TN Bike Summit on April 22-23 in Chattanooga, TN will feature presentations and workshops focussed on three broad topics: Public Health, Bicycle Tourism, and Infrastructure and Policy.

Our keynote lineup features nationally renowned speakers from across the country, and the breakout presentations will feature transportation professionals, officials, and advocates from across all sectors of Tennessee's bicycling ecosystem.

Day 1:

Public Health and Bicycle Tourism

Day 2:

Infrastructure and Policy.

Register today