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Transportation Planning
| Central Midlands Council of Governments has been
responsible for highway system planning for over a quarter of a
century, and responsibility for public mass transit planning was
added in 1985. Our work has been conducted by staff, a transportation
planning subcommittee, a transportation planning technical advisory
committee, a strong working relationship with state and federal
agencies, and a long range transportation plan known as the
Columbia
Area Transportation Study (COATS).
Click here to find out more about
COATS and other Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in South
Carolina. Despite the ever increasing traffic demands of the metropolitan
area and continuously shrinking levels of funding, the program has
been highly successful.
Among the state's 46 counties, only Spartanburg has more interstate
miles than Richland or Lexington; and only Greenville and Spartanburg
rank higher than Richland in miles of primary roads, with Lexington
ranked 11th highest in the state. Today, Lexington and Richland
counties' road networks are recognized as one of the region's most
important assets, offering over 100 miles of interstates along I-26,
I-20, and I-77 and over 350 miles of primary roads.
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Click here to view the Chapin S-48 Corridor Study Presentation
Traffic Count Maps Online
Columbia Area (COATS) Long Range Transportation
Plan
Federal Transit
Administration - Transit Data & Info
Columbia Area Transportation Study (COATS) Public
Participation Plan
2006-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
FY
2008 Rural Transportation Planning Work Program
FY
2007-08 Unified Planning Work Program
Draft Human Service Coordination Plan (June 2007)
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All of the Council's transportation planning efforts are carried
out under the guidance of the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which calls for participatory, comprehensive long-range
transportation planning and development of financially feasible local
intermodal plans. Additional information about TEA-21 and the transportation
planning process can be found in the
Transportation Planning
Process booklet.
Several Columbia area highway system improvements have moved forward,
including:
- Completion of the widening of US 1 to 5 lanes
between Lexington High School and Priceville Rd.
- Enhancement of US 378 to 5 lanes between Beech
Haven Rd and Priceville Rd.
- Improvement to the Clemson Rd. and Two Notch
Rd. interchange and the widening of Clemson Rd. to 5 lanes from Two
Notch Rd. to Winslow Way Rd is underway.
- Activity was completed on the beautification
project at the Beltline and Rosewood intersection and has been started
for the City of Columbia.
- Installation of cameras along I-26 which will
be used by SCDOT to monitor traffic conditions along the corridor
during peak traffic hours from the SCDOT command center.
- Improvement and development activities continued
on the upgrading of the metropolitan area's traffic signalization
system.
At the close of the fiscal year, the Council unanimously approved
a six year
Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) . The TIP covers the period from October
2006 through September 2012
The Council continued its expanded transportation planning activities
by continuing to contract with the S.C. Department of Transportation
for the provision and updating of socio-economic data and growth projections
for the rural areas of the central midlands region.
SHEP - State Highway Emergency Patrol
SHEP is South Carolina's first State Highway Emergency Patrol.
Introduced in April 1996, the service is maintained by the South Carolina
Department of Transportation with the endorsement and funding support
of the Federal Highway Administration and the Columbia Area Metropolitan
Planning Organization.
Four specially equipped 4X4 pickup trucks patrol I-20, I-26, I-126
and I-77. Hours of operation are as follows:
Morning: 7AM - 9AM
Noon: 12PM - 1PM
Evening: 4PM - 6PM
The vehicles are manned by SCDOT traffic personnel trained in traffic
control, basic auto mechanics, emergency communications, precision driving,
basic first aid and hazardous materials.
The trucks are equipped with equipment such as a permanently mounted
arrow board, rear-mounted strobe lights, traffic cones, portable traffic
advisory signs, sand and shovels. SHEP provides assistance to stranded
or disabled vehicles and assist other response agencies in clearing
traffic incidents.
Offered to motorists at no cost, SHEP services include providing
a limited amount of gasoline, minor auto repairs and , with the written
permission of the driver, relocation assistance for vehicles disabled
in a travel lane. SCDOT says SHEP will not do any towing or major vehicle
repairs. However, SHEP does assist emergency response agencies by providing
early detection and confirmation of accidents, as well as detailed information
about incidents.
In 1999, SHEP assisted 5,183 vehicles, of which more than 3,700 were
in some way disabled. Motorists who were aided by SHEP have been very
pleased as exemplified by the following excerpts from letters received
by SCDOT:
- I would like to commend one of your Incident Responders for assisting
us yesterday when our car broke down along the side of I-26...He and
I tried every means possible to get the car operating enough to drive
it to the mechanic. When it was apparent that our efforts were not
enough, he provided me with a telephone book and stayed until he was
certain that a tow truck was on the way. It was bitterly cold and
he even came back by to ensure we were safe before the truck arrived.
- I want to compliment the state for its SHEP program and for the
courteous and helpful assistance provided...when I foolishly ran out
of fuel last night on I-20 East...he steadfastly refused either a
tip or payment for the gasoline he placed in my tank. I was most impressed
by his actions and by the service rendered by my state.
- I am writing to thank you again for your help...I'm the lady that
was on I-20 before the 277 turn off. It was the water pump and it
was repaired that same day...I don't know what I would have done if
you hadn't come by. Thank you again for all your help.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
The Intelligent Transportation System provides South Carolina's traveling
public with accurate, real-time transportation information for use in
making informed transportation decisions. Like SHEP, the service is
maintained by the South Carolina Department of Transportation with the
endorsement and funding support of the Federal Highway Administration
and the Columbia Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The system, which originally included five blue, changeable message
signs has been upgraded to a total of eleven. These signs are placed
along the interstate system. They are managed from the DOT control center
which alerts travelers of the need for detouring or cautious driving
during accidents or unusual road conditions.
As part of ITS, SCDOT has installed five cameras along I-26 to view
traffic conditions on South Carolina's most heavily traveled interstate.
The corridor is know for its high traffic volume and accident rates.
This system will be monitored by the SCDOT during peak traffic hours
in order to respond to traffic situations in a more timely manner.
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The CMCOG
Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Plan is complete. Click here to view
the plan.
The
CMCOG Commuter Rail Feasibility Study is completed. Click here
to view the plan.
The
S-48 Columbia Avenue Corridor Study is complete. Click here to view
the plan.
View the Midlands Air Quality Report
Call For Projects (Section 5310) - Elderly & Persons w/Disabilities
CMCOG is now accepting project submissions for the FY 2008
Transportation Enhancement Program.
Click here for more information
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