Ames Connect 2050 Overview

Ames Connect 2050 is the name for the latest iteration of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Ames Connect 2050 will be developed from both public input and data analysis.

What is the Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization?

The AAMPO is the organization responsible for transportation planning in the greater Ames area.

The MPO works in partnership with:

• City of Ames
• City of Gilbert
• CyRide
• Story County
• Boone County
• Iowa State University
• Ames Community School District
• Gilbert Community School District
• Ames Economic Development Commission
• Iowa Department of Transportation
• Federal Highway Administration
• Federal Transit Administration

A Growing Ames Area

Previous Plans

MTPs give community leaders the opportunity to hear from residents on what they want the future of our area to look like and allows the plan to truly reflect the values of the community.

Every five years, the AAMPO updates their MTP to adequately plan for the future. This is done to:

• Adequately plan for the future
• Fulfill federal requirements for receiving transportation funding
• Provide the community the opportunity to revisit mobility and safety goals
• Allow community leaders to hear from residents on future wants and needs

Starting with the original 2030 plan completed in 2005, the AAMPO has now completed four MTPs for the Ames area. You can read the previous plans on the AAMPO’s website.

Forward 2045

The most recent MTP, Forward 2045, was adopted in 2020. This plan identified six key goal areas for the community for the next 25 years to guide the vision and reflect the community’s values.

Accessible

Connecting people to goods and services in the Ames area, as well as providing choices for different modes of transportation (i.e. car, bike, bus, etc.)

Safe

Reducing the risk of harm to users of the Ames transportation system

Sustainable

Reducing or eliminating negative environmental impacts from the Ames transportation system and promoting financially sustainable investments

Efficient & Reliable

Providing for the efficient and reliable movement of people, services, and goods

Placemaking

Integrating the transportation system with land use to create well-designed places and complete communities

Preservation

Maintaining the existing transportation system in a state of good repair

AAMPO reached these goals based on input received during the public engagement process, state and Federal goal areas and requirements. Some of the objectives that are outlined in the Forward 2045 Plan have already been started and can be seen in the community.

Input Opportunity: Interactive Map

Thank you for your interest in Ames Connect 2050. The comment period is now closed but you can view the topics of comments left on the map below.

Comprehensive Safety Action Plan

Simultaneously, the AAMPO is also working on a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)- funded Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP).

The CSAP focuses on safety projects and strategies to reduce fatalities and serious injuries using a data-driven approach. Rather than looking out at the next 25 years, the CSAP will focus on immediate changes that can be made to save lives and eliminate fatal/serious injury crashes.

We know humans make mistakes that lead to crashes. We need to work toward a Safe System so if a crash happens, everyone can still make it home.

Next Steps

The project team will take the feedback gathered from this online meeting and the other engagement events and pair it with the technical analysis and other ongoing studies to identify goals and objectives for the Ames Connect 2050 Plan. There will be future opportunities for the community to stay involved and get updates on the Plan.