VTrans Travel Markets
VTrans evaluates the Commonwealth’s transportation capacity and safety needs focused on key travel markets.
Background
Consistent with Virginia State Code § 33.2-353, VTrans evaluates three distinct travel markets: Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS), Regional Networks (RN), and Urban Development Areas (UDAs). Additionally, per the policy adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), VTrans also identifies statewide safety needs.
Importance of VTrans Travel Markets
Each travel market is associated with unique characteristics, system users, and travel patterns.
- Number
- 12
- Definition
- An integrated, multimodal network of transportation facilities that connect major centers of activity within and through the Commonwealth and promote the movement of people and goods essential to the economic prosperity of the state. These corridors include highways, rail lines, seaports, and airport facilities.
- Travel Purpose
- Inter-regional and interstate travel
- Established
- December 17, 2009 - 11 CoSS established as part of VTrans2035
- May 18, 2011 - 12th corridor added
- Characteristics
- Multimodal - must involve multiple modes of travel or must be an extended freight corridor
- Connectivity - must connect regions, states, and/or major activity centers
- High volume - must involve a high volume of travel
- Function - must provide a unique statewide function and/or address statewide goals
- Number
- 15
- Definition
- Based on designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) within the Commonwealth. If an MPO boundary includes only a portion of a county, the entire county will be included in the needs analysis area.
- Travel Purpose
- Intra-regional travel (travel within a region)
- Established
- December 9, 2015
- Characteristics
- At least 50,000 people across the space of at least two jurisdictions
- Per 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) Five-year Estimate, 87% of Virginia’s population is in the 15 RNs.
- Number
- 230, including pending (as of November 2019)
- Definition
- Designated growth areas based on local initiatives pursuant to § 15.2-2223.1
- Purpose
- To the extent possible, to direct federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding or efficient transportation infrastructure.
- Established
- Ongoing, per local government designation in Comprehensive Plan
- UDA Factsheet
- Number
- 535 (as of November 2019)
- Definition
- Locally-identified industrial and economic development sites pursuant to § 2.2-2238 and consistent with Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)’s Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP)
- Purpose
- To the extent possible, to direct federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding for efficient transportation infrastructure.
- Established
- Ongoing
- Number
- n/a
- Definition
- Safety analysis for the entire roadway network in the Commonwealth
- Purpose
- Improve roadway safety per Board’s Goals
- Established
- 2015
- Characteristics
- Risk and evidence based safety assessment
By The Numbers
Explore VTrans Travel Markets
Explore the map viewer below for additional information on the VTrans Travel Markets. There are two tabs:
- The “Corridors of Statewide Significance” tab displays the CTB designated primary and secondary Corridors of Statewide Significance.
- The “Regional Networks & Urban Development Areas” tab displays polygon areas for Regional Networks, Urban Development Areas and Industrial and Economic Development Areas.
- Clicking each layer will display additional details about the VTrans Travel Markets.
Interactive map intended for larger browser screens
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more answers to specific questions about VTrans Travel Markets? Find more information on our Frequently Asked Questions page here: https://vtrans.org/get-involved/frequently-asked-questions.