A comprehensive and efficient transportation system is critical to Boise’s future success. As the city grows, its transportation network must evolve to meet the changing needs of the community while also sustaining high livability and a robust economy.
As part of the effort to develop a well-balanced transportation system that best serves the community, the City of Boise produced the Transportation Action Plan (TAP) in 2016. The TAP represents the city’s comprehensive vision for its transportation future, but realization of this vision requires engagement and collaboration with the community and various partner agencies.
To that end, Mayor and Council created Keep Boise Moving, which aims to create an integrated land use and transportation strategy over the next several years.
Boise Pathways Plan
A City for Everyone includes safe, reliable transportation options for people who live, work and recreate in Boise. The Boise Pathways Plan will build on the success of the Boise River Greenbelt to develop a robust system of off-street walking and biking pathways to safely connect our city and allow people to get around without relying on a vehicle.
Vision Zero
Vision Zero is a growing movement across the country to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The concept is deeply rooted in spatial and social equity, ensuring that all users on a street feel safe and like they belong. Implementation of Vision Zero utilizes a multidisciplinary lens to shift the way communities approach traffic safety. Principles include improved traffic and engineering design, data analysis and community engagement to create safer streets. The city has adopted a Vision Zero framework to guide our safety efforts and be more intentional in integrating these elements in our planning processes.
Boise’s Transportation Principles
A successful transportation strategy is founded on a shared set of core principles. Mayor and Council developed three pillars to guide Boise’s transportation vision.
Diversified
Dynamic and resilient cities make all transportation modes available. Boise’s system is currently only built for one mode: single occupancy vehicles. In focusing efforts on alternatives such as biking, walking and transit, all people will have real transportation choices that help reduce congestion and shape a more sustainable city.
Innovative
Addressing congestion in all forms requires taking existing infrastructure and making it more efficient through smarter traffic control systems, better physical infrastructure for walking, biking and transit, and more adaptable to modern technologies such as E-bikes, E-scooters and ride sharing services. By optimizing what exists today and embracing modern technologies, the city will be well positioned for the future.
Achievable
A well-rounded transportation system can only be realized if there are practical goals that lead to real changes in how people get around and in the modes they choose to use. Through working with agency partners and collaboratively planning for the future, the community’s changing transportation needs can be met.
By 2040
20,000 New Living Units Needed
Over the next 20 years, it is estimated that Boise will need 20,000 new living units to accommodate the growth we are experiencing.
200,000 New Vehicle Trips
This additional growth equates to 200,000 new vehicle trips per day in 2040.
2040 Weekday Vehicle Trips
By 2040, it is estimated that the average weekday vehicle trips will be:
- I84 West: 190,200 trips
- I84 East: 38,700 trips
- State Street: 44,500 trips
Source: COMPASS Communities in Motion 2040 Plan, 2014: City of Boise 2015 Housing Needs Analysis
Keep Boise Moving Goals
- Prioritize alternative transportation modes: Work with partner agencies to improve transportation infrastructure and services throughout the city.
- Educate, promote, and norm it: Help Boiseans better understand how to use different modes of transportation and encourage the usage of other modes throughout the city with help from neighborhoods, schools and employers.
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