FHWA- Rural and Small Community Transportation Website

Rural transportation planning is the process of examining travel and transportation issues and needs in non-metropolitan areas. It includes a demographic analysis of the community in question, as well as an examination of travel patterns and trends. The planning process includes an analysis of alternatives to meet projected future demands, and for providing a safe and efficient transportation system that meets mobility while not creating adverse impacts to the environment. In metropolitan areas over 50,000 population, the responsibility for transportation planning lies with designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations; in small communities and rural areas there is no federally designated body to do transportation planning. In some states, planning for these areas is undertaken by the State Department of Transportation. In other states these functions are performed by Rural Planning Organizations or local governments.

www.planning.dot.gov/rural.asp

World Bank: Rural Transport Website
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTTRANSPORT/EXTRURALT/
0,,menuPK:515376~pagePK:149018~piPK:149093~theSitePK:515370,00.html

Planning for Transportation in Rural Areas

This document is designed as a resource to rural planners, city and county engineers, stakeholders, local officials, and other decision-makers involved with developing rural transportation plans. It is intended to foster a better understanding of the characteristics, issues, and trends affecting rural transportation systems and the benefits of good rural system planning. It provides approaches and case study profiles for public consultation, environmental review, transit system planning, intelligent transportation system planning, and access management.
www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/rural/planningfortrans/index.html

Transportation Planning Council Awards

General Documents and Texts

Transportation Planning and Land Use

Metropolitan Transportation Planning

Transportation Demand Management

Linking Planning and Operations