City Departments

Advisory Committees

City Plans, Codes and Programs

Other Government Programs

Education/Resources

Sustainability in Government:

Transportation Alternatives


City Vision
Having an efficient and multidimensional transportation system is vital for a sustainable community. Our transportation systems connect people to each other and to important services. Tucson was given a Gold rating by the League of American Bicyclists for our bicycling network. But there is still work to be done! Mayor and Council endorsed the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and on improving transportation and access to transportation alternatives. The goals in the MCPA are guiding the City’s vision for improving transportation modes. The City has invested in planning for and the implementation of transportation improvements that promote a livable community. These improvements are more environmentally sensitive in design and offer greater alternative transportation options. The City is also committed to reducing fossil fuel consumption by increasing the use of alternative fuels in the City fleet and buses and by educating the community about the need for and availability of alternative transportation options.

Transportation related elements of the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement:

    • Inventory global warming emissions, set reduction targets and create an action plan.

    • Reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable communities.

    • Increase the use of clean, alternative energy.

    • Reduce fossil fuel consumption by the municipal fleet.

This page is dedicated to providing information about the City of Tucson’s departments, codes, plans, programs, and resources related to Transportation Alternatives. Please also visit the Energy and Climate Change and the Smart Growth and Green Building pages of this section for more related information.

City Departments


Tucson Department of Transportation
TDOT keeps Tucson moving smoothly and safely. TDOT oversees the maintenance and reconstruction of nearly 4,400 lane miles of streets, and is responsible for hundreds of drainage structures, public art pieces, street lights and signs, and traffic signs and signals in Tucson.

General Services Department
Among other responsibilities, the General Services Department effectively and efficiently meets the transportation needs of Tucson City government by managing the City’s Fleet Services. The City’s fleet is diverse, utilizing alternative fuels such as B-20 biodiesel, E-85 ethanol, and hybrid vehicles.

Advisory Committees


Mayor and Council Transportation Subcommittee

Tucson-Pima Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

The Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee was established to serve in an advisory capacity to local governments on issues relating to bicycle recreation, transportation, and safety.

Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC)

Serves as an advisory and advocacy body to the Mayor and Council for transportation matters and programs.

City Plans, Codes and Programs


Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)
Voters approved a comprehensive transportation plan on May 16, 2006. The RTA’s objectives are to provide safe, efficient and quality transportation alternatives to the residents and visitors in the region; implement the 20-year, $2.1 billion regional transportation plan; to assure that projects are completed as scheduled.

Tucson Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
The Vision for the City of Tucson's Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is to increase bicycle and walking opportunities among a wide range of users including adults, the elderly and youth, and individuals with special needs. Our vision is to inspire people to get out of their cars and onto the street.

Bike Fest

Bike Fest is Tucson’s annual celebration of bicycles and bike transportation.  The main purpose is to promote bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation by hosting activities, such as bike to work day, that increase community participation and awareness of bicycling.

Bicycle Valet is a service provided by the City’s transportation department. Now you can ride your bike to many community events and conveniently park it at a bike valet location near the entrance where it will be securely locked and watched.

City of Tucson Employee City Cycle Program
The City Cycle Bike-Sharing Program offers City of Tucson employees an easy and healthy option for traveling to appointments. Three-speed KHS Manhattan Green bikes, helmets, locks and other safety equipment are available for use at designated check out locations. The bikes can also be used for wellness rides.

Major Streets and Routes Plan
The major purposes of the Major Streets and Routes Plan are to identify street classifications, the width of public rights-of-way, to designate special routes, and to guide land use decisions.

Corridor Plans
The City is currently working on improving many major transportation corridors. This page provides information about corridor improvement plans.

Oracle Area Revitalization Plan
The Oracle Corridor Project focuses on encouraging reinvestment and redevelopment in an older, high crime area of the city, including better pedestrian and transit access to downtown and the community college campus.

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
This program facilitates the addition of traffic calming devices in neighborhoods where residents have traffic concerns. Street trees and landscaping are used as part of the traffic control system.

Downtown Links

Downtown Links is a design project initiated by the Tucson Department of Transportation that will provide links between Barraza-Aviation Parkway and Interstate 10, Broadway Boulevard and the 4th Avenue shopping district, and Downtown and the neighborhoods to its north.

Bringing Transit to the City Center

The Tucson Transit study's goals are to provide a sustainable transportation investment within the central core that is able to:

    • Connect major activity centers

    • Create economic development

    • Support population and employment growth

    • Improve transit service

    • Mitigate parking constraints

Other Government Programs


Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

The goals of this program are to improve safety, facilities, and access for walkers and cyclists throughout Pima County.

Clean Fuels/Clean Cities

Pima Association of Governments manages Clean Cities, a voluntary program of the U.S. Department of Energy to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel, accelerate the use of alternative fuel vehicles and build a local refueling infrastructure for these vehicles.

Click here for information about State incentives and regulations for alternative fuel vehicles.

Pima Association of Governments’ (PAG) RideShare Program

Sharing the ride offers you a chance to save time and money, while reducing stress, traffic congestion and pollution. This program connects people to carpools and vanpools.

PAG’s Travel Reduction Program

Pima Association of Governments' Travel Reduction Program is mandatory for employers who have more than 100 full-time equivalent employees at a single or contiguous work site.

Education/Resources


Tucson Metro Bicycle Map

Pima County Department of Transportation

Arizona Department of Transportation

US Department of Transportation