Office of Planning

GDOT's Office of Planning manages a number of planning programs to serve the state of Georgia.  These include the Governor's Road Improvement Program (GRIP), and the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).  The GRIP system is part of the Governor's Transportation Choice Initiative and will ensure that 98% of all areas within the state will be within 20 miles of a four-lane road.  The STIP is a three-year capital improvement program which contains information on all projects receiving federal funds in the state of Georgia.

The Office of Planning also manages the development of planning studies for new capital projects and the public information process.  Planning studies can range from development of need and purpose statements to specific project implementation plans.  All of these project planning activities rely on input from citizens and their elected officials, and must be in agreement with the goals and objectives of municipal, county and regional governments.

The Special Projects Branch houses four GDOT initiatives: the Georgia Scenic Byway Program, Bicycle/Pedestrian Program, Georgia's Safe Routes to School Program and Transportation Enhancements.

Scenic Byways are specially designated roadways by the Georgia Department of Transportation that showcase the culture, history, and landscapes of our state.  Scenic Byways also serve local communities as a tool for preservation, tourism and economic development.

GDOT is committed to improving bicycle and pedestrian safety and access.  Non-motorized transportation is a necessary component of the transportation system, especially for those that rely on walking and biking as their sole or primary means of transportation.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a new program created by the federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU.   The Program’s goal is to increase the number of children in grades K-8 bicycling and walking to school.  The Program’s enabling legislation guides how this will be implemented: 1) by increasing awareness; 2) developing locally driven and supported programs; 3) by improving bicycling and walking conditions near the qualifying schools; and 4) evaluation at the project and Program levels.  Benefits of the Program include: reduced congestion and increased safety near participating schools; reduced air pollution in route to and near participating schools; and increased physical activity of children.

Transportation Enhancement (TE) activities are federally funded, community-based projects that expand travel choice and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure.

The Air Quality Branch serves the state in transportation planning for those areas around the state violating national air quality standards.  This is accomplished through transportation planning assistance and coordination of the state CMAQ funding.  The goal of planning for air quality improvement is to meet national transportation conformity requirements.

Currently Active planning Studies include the Chatham Interstate Study, the I-285 Strategic Implementation Plan, the SR 400 and SR 365 Corridor studies, and the East Georgia Multi-County Transportation Study.  Recently completed planning studies include the Troup County Multi-modal Transportation Study and the Bibb-Jones Cross County Connector Study.  Information on the Statewide Transportation Plan, the Statewide Freight Plan and the Interstate Plan can be found in this section.

The SWTP (Statewide Transportation Plan) assessed the current and future performance of all major transportation modes in the state – highways, transit, air, water, rail, bicycle and pedestrian.  It also examined the linkages among modes.  Updating the SWTP provided GDOT with the technical and programmatic guidance needed to meet the transportation demands of the 21st Century.

The GDOT Office of Planning has put together noteworthy planning data sure to interest everyone.  Follow this link to the "On Target" newsletter.