weMove Massachusetts (WMM) is MassDOT’s statewide strategic multi-modal plan. The initiative is a product of the transportation reform legislation and the youMove Massachusetts civic engagement process. WMM will improve how MassDOT does business, responds to customers and provides transportation services to the commonwealth. Using an analytical approach developed for the WMM process, MassDOT can now prioritize transportation investments for different planning scenarios based on national standards and available funds.

WMM sets target levels of performance for the key program components of the transportation system: bridges, roadways, buses and trains, railroad tracks and signals, sidewalks and bike paths. It establishes ways to measure performance of these critical transportation investments, now and in the future. This process is guided by our customer’s wants and goals, public health concerns, safety and service. The approach is innovate, flexible and permits MassDOT and its customers to envision a variety of ways to dedicate current and new revenues to transportation.

Our customers, elected officials and other interested parties can continue to participate in the WMM process. MassDOT is planning an informative website that will be available early in 2013. Customers can develop their own strategies to fund transportation strategies over the next decade.

BACKGROUND

MassDOT extends thanks to everyone who participated in the weMove Massachusetts transportation questionnaire over the last few months. Many of you passed the survey along to colleagues, family and friends. With your help, we received nearly 2,000 responses, capturing an immense amount of useful and constructive feedback about your transportation needs and experiences.

We are pleased to provide the completed report, WMM Stakeholder Summary Report, which catalogues the information and challenges that we learned about with your help.

The report also summarizes in-depth interviews with major stakeholders about transportation needs in their respective communities. The stakeholders represented various groups across the Commonwealth. They included councils on aging, neighborhood and family alliances, economic development agencies, community action councils, planning commissions, community health centers, homeless programs and low-income and minority groups.

Seven major components contributed to building weMove Massachusetts, and they are listed below.

1. Transportation Reform - emphasis on our customers, innovation, accountability, performance management, efficiency, stewardship and stronger collaboration across transportation divisions
2. Data and Analysis - critical to sound decision making
3. Transportation System Needs Identification – to know that we are choosing the right transportation investments
4. youMove Massachusetts Themes - ten value statements that capture the diverse values our customers
5. Customer and Stakeholder Engagement – incorporate the priorities of our customers and stakeholders
6. Statewide Transportation Plans – implement our modal plans
7. Statewide Priorities and Policies – ensure accountability