PLAN 2040 Implementation Tools

Delivering the Transportation Plan  (PDF)
ARC’s performance-based planning approach for the PLAN 2040 Regional Transportation Plan consists of two pieces: plan development and plan management.

Aging Services
As the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), ARC serves as a focal point for older adults and caregivers in the delivery and coordination of information, resources and services. ARC collaborates with local, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and businesses to design and implement an array of programs to serve older adults and caregivers. ARC also provides information and counseling on other government programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

Air
The Atlanta region does not meet the federal standards for ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, two of the six pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. ARC provides support in meeting state and federal mandates for air quality. The Atlanta region receives Congestion Management and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for transportation projects to improve the region’s air. ARC helps select and manage the CMAQ projects.

Awards
ARC, in conjunction with the Livable Communities Coalition, annually honors trend-setting developments in the Atlanta region with the Developments of Excellence (DOE) Awards. Past winners have been honored for exemplifying urban revitalization, transit accessibility, affordable housing, conservation and sustainability. The award is given to developments in the 10-county metro region, or within LCI study areas in the 20-county region, that exemplify the policies and practices of ARC’s Regional Development Plan.

Bike/Ped Planning
Bicycling and walking are viable forms of transportation for shorter trips and are often important for people who live near transit stops. As transportation costs and congestion increase, walking and bicycling continue to grow in importance here and around the country. ARC promotes safe, functional and regional bicycle and pedestrian planning and continues to update its processes to address new needs and trends.

Community Choices
Through the Community Choices program, ARC provides cities and counties with best practices, known as “Toolkits,” training through the Community Planning Academy and technical assistance and resources to help create communities that fulfill their unique visions. 

Data and Information
ARC provides data support in a variety of formats to local government planning staff, planning partners, consultants and the general public. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology that combines database information with geographic features, such as community facilities, streets and census tracts to view, query, analyze and map our region.

Freight Planning
ARC undertakes major transportation planning work in many areas, including freight. The main objective of ARC's freight planning effort is to develop a framework for facilitating and enhancing freight mobility and goods movement in the region, improving the region’s economic competitiveness and minimizing environmental and community impacts.

Green Communities Program
The Green Communities Program is a voluntary certification program that encourages local governments in the 10-county Atlanta region to become more sustainable. Green Communities set an example by conserving energy, investing in renewable energy, conserving water, conserving fuel, reducing waste and protecting and restoring the community’s natural resources.

Human Services Transportation (HST) Planning
HST includes a broad range of service options designed to meet the needs of the region’s transportation disadvantaged population, including older adults, persons with disabilities and individuals with lower incomes. Coordinating different HST programs helps improve the efficiency of limited transportation resources and helps reduce duplication of services caused by the overlap of individual program efforts.

LCI Program
The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a program that awards planning grants on a competitive basis to local governments and non-profit organizations to prepare plans for the enhancement of existing centers and corridors consistent with regional development policies. The primary goals of the program are to:

• Encourage a diversity of mixed-income residential neighborhoods, employment, shopping and recreation choices at the activity center, town center and corridor level
• Provide access to a range of travel modes, including transit, roadways, walking and biking, to enable access to all uses within the study area
• Develop an outreach process that promotes the involvement of all stakeholders

Leadership Programs
LINK is a cross-sector, cross-country leadership exchange that brings together the region’s most influential leaders to learn how metropolitan areas throughout the country are addressing the same issues and challenges faced by the Atlanta region.

The Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) is a comprehensive leadership program designed to better prepare a diverse group of community, government, business and nonprofit leaders to work collaboratively to address regional issues. RLI is designed to provide a unique learning experience for emerging and existing leaders through an intensive one-week program that trains, empowers and supports leaders so they can create positive community change in the region.

Local Government Services
The Local Government Services division helps cities and counties optimize their performance and enhance their service delivery to residents through assistance in critical areas, including: hiring, compensation, managing, rewarding and engaging talent and enhancing HR effectiveness. ARC Local Government Services staff is also available to assist with special projects, to meet short-term, high workload demands or to provide direct professional assistance on a short-term basis. 

Regional Housing Support
ARC supports local governments and non-governmental organizations to undertake coordination of best practices and dialogue on housing needs. ARC conducts quarterly Regional Housing Forums and maintains a website with partner organizations.

Regional Resource Planning
ARC provides support to local governments and non-governmental organizations to undertake coordination of best practices and dialogue related to historic and cultural resources and greenspace needs. ARC conducts training programs and maintains a regional database of protected land areas. 

Water Resources
ARC has responsibility for on-going implementation of the Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA); providing technical assistance for multi-jurisdictional watershed protection programs; facilitating the Clean Water Campaign to address stormwater issues and conducting outreach concerning water efficiency and conservation; and providing planning staff for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (MNGWPD). ARC also supports regional activities for litigation arising from interstate water conflicts. ARC provides information to interested citizens, elected officials, the news media and other stakeholders, including information and documents about the range of issues associated with the tri-state water litigation. 

Workforce Services
As the administrator for the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board (ARWB), ARC's Workforce Development Division provides workforce solutions for dislocated workers, low-income adults and youth and for businesses seeking qualified applicants. The Workforce Division participates in the Innovation Crescent, a regional coalition of chambers of commerce and economic development entities dedicated to expanding existing life science industries, aligning education and workforce development resources to support the life science industry cluster and growing high-wage jobs. The Workforce Division also assists with G.E.M., Work Ready Connect and the Georgia Work Ready Initiative.