We routinely leverage our resources to meet the transportation planning needs and priorities of our member agencies and local communities. We accomplish this by completing studies internally or through consultant services. We typically pursue planning activities that address transportation safety, reliability, access to basic needs, and walking and bicycling. Many of these initiatives stem from recommendations in our countywide long-range Transportation Plan – Moving Dutchess Forward – or through a formal request by a member agency or municipality.
Visit our Planning Studies Map to easily reference the locations of our published transportation studies.
Beacon-Hopewell Rail Trail Feasibility Study
This study will determine the feasibility of constructing a rail trail along the MTA’s Beacon Line: an inactive rail corridor that runs between the Hudson River in Beacon and the hamlet of Hopewell Junction in East Fishkill. Visit the study website to learn more, and see our flyer for an overview of the study: English (.pdf); Spanish (.pdf).
Columbus Drive Redesign Study
We are excited to share the final report for the Columbus Drive Redesign Study. The report analyzed three redesign concepts for Columbus Drive (the Westbound Arterial) in the City of Poughkeepsie, with goals to improve safety, maintain reasonable traffic operations, and reconnect the community. Read the final report here (.pdf)!
Route 9 / 9D Planning
We are working on three efforts to improve traffic safety and operations along Routes 9 and 9D in southern Dutchess: 1) a truck turning movement study to evaluate safety issues at key intersections along Route 9D; 2) a freight origin/destination study to understand where trucks are coming from and going to; and 3) a traffic signal optimization study to identify locations on Routes 9 and 9D where signal timing can be adjusted to improve the flow of traffic.
City of Poughkeepsie Speed Limit Reduction Study
The City of Poughkeepsie requested an analysis to determine if its city-wide speed limit could be lowered from 30 to 25 mph. This involves looking at existing land use, travel patterns, speeds, volumes, crashes, and other factors to determine appropriate speed limits. The results of this study were presented to the Common Council in February 2025. The study materials include a Speed Limit Reduction Guidance memo, Methodology and Results memo, and associated maps.
Safety Assessments
A Safety Assessment is a formal examination of an existing or planned transportation facility (road, intersection, sidewalk, or trail) by an independent, multi-disciplinary Safety Assessment Team. Safety Assessments evaluate potential issues and identify solutions that improve safety for all types of travel. Safety Assessments answer these basic questions:
1. What elements of the facility present a safety concern? To what extent, to which types of transportation, and under what circumstances?
2. What opportunities exist to eliminate or mitigate identified safety concerns? Are there low-cost solutions or countermeasures that would improve safety?
Since 2012, we have completed a series of assessments on high-crash county and local roads and intersections (see the Safety Studies on our Publications Page). Recommendations typically address reducing vehicle speeds, stabilizing road shoulders, reducing horizontal and vertical curvatures, and improving sight distances and signage. We identify locations based on crash data and input from local agencies and municipalities. If you have a road or intersection you would like us to consider, please call or email us.
