Wasatch Choices 2040 was a partnership between Envision Utah and the two major metropolitan planning organizations along Utah's Wasatch Front. The purpose of the partnership was to involve the public through a scenario planning process and to consider the role of land use in developing the region's long-range transportation plan. Through 13 public workshops and 5 open houses held in 2005, members of the public expressed their preferences for transportation and land use in their communities. The input from the public informed the development of regional growth principles that have since been adopted by elected officials and will guide transportation and land use decisions in Wasatch Front communities. In addition, results from the public process were used to create four regional transportation and land use scenarios that ultimately led to the creation of a regional vision. Each scenario was tested by using the CentreSim forecasting model, and a vision scenario was created to depict one version of how the Wasatch Front could develop if guided by regional growth principles. Modeling of the regional vision demonstrates that it performs significantly better than the existing long-range plan for several quality-of-life measures, including traffic congestion. This process proved groundbreaking by reminding both land use and transportation professionals that futures cannot be planned in isolation. Transportation affects land use just as much as land use affects transportation. It is a circular relationship that must be accounted for. This process focuses on bringing all interests to the table concurrently to plan for a better future.

Widespread application of traditional performance metrics such as vehicle level of service has resulted in transportation networks that are often suited for only one mode of transportation to the detriment of others. Moreover, the continued investment in capacity expansion intended to meet level of service expectations increases financial burdens on transportation agencies for the capital, operating, and maintenance costs of these facilities, without regard to whether those resources are being used efficiently. Shifting focus to alternative and more comprehensive performance metrics can result in a more economical approach to transportation infrastructure, allowing communities to understand what investment combinations provide the best bang for the buck. Innovative performance metrics also allow communities to consider priorities beyond level of service, and design infrastructure accordingly. The Wasatch Front Central Corridor Study, undertaken in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, is one example of a regional application of efficiency-focused performance metrics such as person throughput, seat utilization, benefit–cost ratio, access to employment, and economic impacts. Further research opportunities could include development of best practices to standardize benefit–cost analysis for transportation projects, other methods of evaluating overall system efficiency, and the role of parking policy and land use change in maximizing use of transportation resources.

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