Visualize must identify all project and program investment strategies for which funding is reasonably expected to be available over a minimum 20-year horizon (now through 2050) as well as other strategies/actions that provide for the development of an integrated multimodal transportation system that considers the following factors:

• Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency
• Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
• Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
• Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight
• Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns
• Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight
• Promote efficient system management and operation
• Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system
• Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation
• Enhance travel and tourism

Visualize must demonstrate that capacity-related highway and transit projects and programs support regional air quality improvement goals. The TPB conducts an Air Quality Conformity Analysis to show that vehicle-related emissions resulting from major projects and programs will not exceed approved regional limits in the future.

To ensure compliance, Visualize must also meet many other federal requirements as found in 23 CFR 450.324. Highlights are shared below.  In addition, the plan must respond to concerns of non-discrimination and equity.

Financial Plan

Each investment strategy, including individual project and ongoing program expenditures, must be implemented using funding from revenue sources that are already programmed or reasonably expected to be available in the future.

Air Quality Conformity

Projected emissions generated by travelers using the region’s future transportation system must not exceed (or must “conform to”) the region’s future air quality standards to support people’s respiratory health.

Aiming for Future Performance Outcomes

The region’s future transportation system depends on the plans and funding programs developed today and implemented tomorrow for enjoyment years from now. The Visualize plan must communicate the region’s shared transportation performance outcomes and which priority issues and investments will help achieve them.

Managing Congestion

Congestion signifies that many people want to be somewhere, but too much travel delay is unsatisfactory. Managing traffic congestion is a key TPB planning process from which member agencies then propose strategies to improve travel time reliability.

Public Participation

The public must have the opportunity to review the Visualize 2050 plan. The TPB provides opportunities during the plan’s development for public engagement in addition to public engagement conducted by member agencies on specific transportation area and corridor plans or projects.