In 2015, we partnered with our region’s transportation system planners, and the idea was simple: How can the public and private sectors work better together to plan for the technological advances that are changing how we get around?
We recognized the speed of change would require very thoughtful planning and coordination to be ready for it, but that change is happening faster than most Coloradans expected. In the last four years, we’ve had dockless scooters and bikes come online and Colorado’s first autonomous vehicle running at Peña Station.
We are grateful to have such strong public sector partners, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Regional Transportation District and the Colorado Department of Transportation, as we are planning for even more change and creating the Mobility Choice Blueprint.
This effort engaged residents, businesses and local leaders along with private sector companies who could share cutting-edge technology advancements and outline a map for readying our region for those changes. The blueprint’s objectives are to ensure we maximize the investments we’ve already made in our transportation systems and to be even smarter about future investments that should be made. The Mobility Choice Initiative released its 2030 Blueprint today.
It’s through collaboration and partnership across sectors and the region that we’ve taken this important step in addressing the challenges we face with our transportation system. The 2030 Blueprint is a roadmap for forward-thinking planning that can help avoid the risks of some of these changes (think about more cars on the road without drivers looking for someone to pick up) and maximize the benefits the region:
- $1.9 billion in economic benefits through shorter, safer commute times and goods moving more efficiently.
- Removing barriers for 91,000 to get around the region by offering a range of travel options thanks to technology.
- Freeing up 1.5 million hours spent in traffic.
- Increasing safety – and seeing a decline in crashes by 8,200 per year.
- Thinking green. As more electric vehicles hit the streets, they’ll emit 41 percent less carbon.
This is really just the first step, and we thank all our partners who made this possible – Adams County Economic Development, Arrow Electronics, Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor, the City of Centennial and former Mayor Cathy Noon, Colorado Association of Realtors, Denver South Economic Development Partnership, IHS Markit, Kaiser Permanente, McKinsey & Company, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Vail Resorts Management Company and Vectra Bank – and especially Don Hunt, who had led this work forward.
We’re committed to continuing to bring the private sector to the table and advocate at the Capitol for investment in our transportation system, particularly to ensure we are ready for more electric and automated vehicles – and innovations that are on the horizon.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber