2007 California Government Code Article 1. Legislative Intent

CA Codes (gov:14000-14000.5)

14000.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:
   (a) Continued growth in transport demand resulting from population
growth, concentration of population in urban areas, and increasing
mobility requirements indicate a need for innovative, as well as
improved, systems to accommodate increased demand.
   (b) The diversity of conditions in California is such as to
require a variety of solutions to transportation problems within
various areas of the state.  Differences in population levels and
densities, living patterns, social conditions, topography, climate,
environmental circumstances, and other factors should be recognized
in determining appropriate solutions to transportation problems in
the various areas.  Particular attention must be given to differences
among the metropolitan, the less urbanized, and the more rural areas
of the state.  In some cases, future demands, particularly in urban
corridors, may prove to be beyond the practical capabilities of a
highway solution; while in other cases, environmental conditions may
rule out a highway solution.  In still other cases, heavy reliance
upon highway transportation may prove to be satisfactory for the
foreseeable future.  Clearly, the appropriate mix of transportation
modes throughout California to provide economical and efficient
transportation service consistent with desires for mobility, will
vary markedly from time to time and from area to area within the
state.
   In all cases, regional and local expressions of transportation
goals, objectives, and policies which reflect the unique
characteristics and aspirations of various areas of the state shall
be recognized in transportation planning tempered, however, by
consideration of statewide interests.
   (c) A goal of the state is to provide adequate, safe, and
efficient transportation facilities and services for the movement of
people and goods at reasonable cost.  The provision of adequate
transportation services for persons not now adequately served by any
transportation mode, particularly the disadvantaged, the elderly, the
handicapped, and the young, should be an integral element of the
planning process.  Stimulation of the provision of transportation not
only for speed and efficiency of travel, but also for convenience
and enjoyment in shopping, school, cultural, and business pursuits,
leisure time travel, and pedestrian travel, is also a state aim.  It
is the desire of the state to provide a transportation system that
significantly reduces hazards to human life, pollution of the
atmosphere, generation of noise, disruption of community
organization, and adverse impacts on the natural environment.  The
desirability of utilizing corridors for multimodal transportation,
where possible to improve efficiency and economy in land use, is
recognized.  The coastal zone should be provided with optimal
transportation services consistent with local and regional goals and
plans, with the objective of conserving the coastal resource.
   (d) The responsibilities for decisionmaking for California's
transportation systems are highly fragmented.  This has hampered
effective integration of transportation planning and intermodal
coordination.  A comprehensive multimodal transportation planning
process should be established which involves all levels of government
and the private sector in a cooperative process to develop
coordinated transportation plans.
   (e) Accelerating change and increasing transportation problems
require that California take timely action to maintain viable
transportation systems. As long lead times are necessary to develop
transportation systems, the planning and development of
transportation in California should be coordinated by a Department of
Transportation.  A multimodal transportation department in state
government is in keeping with the necessities of contemporary
problems and the thrust of federal involvement.  However, there is no
intent to diminish or preempt the existing authorities and
responsibilities of regional, local, and district transportation
agencies in their handling of transportation matters which are local
or regional in nature.
   (f) The stimulation, continuance, and improvement of statewide,
regional, and local transportation planning and development are a
matter of state concern, and the state should, for this reason,
provide a portion of the financial resources and assistance necessary
to aid in preparing transportation plans, developing effective
transportation decisionmaking processes, and carrying out
implementation programs.



14000.5.  The Legislature further finds and declares that the role
of the state in transportation shall be to:
   (a) Encourage and stimulate the development of urban mass
transportation and interregional high-speed transportation where
found appropriate as a means of carrying out the policy of providing
balanced transportation in the state.
   (b) Implement and maintain a state highway system which supports
the goals and priorities determined through the transportation
planning process, which is in conformity with comprehensive statewide
and regional transportation plans, and which is compatible with
statewide and regional socioeconomic and environmental goals,
priorities and available resources.
   (c) Assist in the development of an air transportation system that
is consistent with the needs and desires of the public, and in which
airports are compatible in location with, and provide services
meeting, statewide and regional goals and objectives.
   (d) Develop a rail passenger network consistent with the needs and
desires of the public, and in which the location of rail corridors
and their service characteristics are compatible with statewide and
regional goals and objectives, except that nothing in this section
shall be construed to discourage the development of passenger rail
service by privately owned carriers.
   (e) Encourage research and development of technological innovation
in all modes of transportation in cooperation with public agencies
and the private sector.