A Vision to Guide Virginia’s Transportation Future
Grounded in equity, resilience, and long-term impact, the VTrans Vision shapes how we plan, invest, and connect.
The Commonwealth’s Vision
An updated vision was released in April 2025 by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
“Virginia’s best-in-class multimodal transportation system provides safe and reliable mobility, connects people and commerce, fosters economic growth and investment, embraces environmental stewardship, and enhances quality of life.”
The VTrans Vision
The VTrans Vision builds on the Commonwealth’s vision and defines how we’ll make it real—through long-range planning, policy, and implementation.
It focuses on:
- Anticipating long-term trends and risks
- Ensuring resilience, equity, and sustainability
- Guiding investment decisions with data and public input
Together, the Commonwealth Vision and VTrans Vision align policy with on-the-ground action—across modes, agencies, and communities.
On This Page
Guiding Principles
Our Guiding Principles (GP) were created from our vision. They state our beliefs and philosophy in more detail. The GPs guide VTrans actions and approaches.
1
Promote Safety, Security, and Resiliency
Provide a safe transportation system for all users that is responsive to short-term events such as weather or security emergencies and adapts effectively to long-term issues (e.g., resiliency).
2
Optimize Return on Investments
Implement the right solution at the right price to meet identified needs while advancing long-term prosperity and livability.
3
Deliver Programs Efficiently
Deliver high-quality projects and programs in a cost-effective and timely manner.
4
Implement Operational Improvements and Demand Management First
Optimize the capacity of the transportation network by managing the demand through increased use of technology and operational improvements before investing in major capacity expansions.
5
Ensure Transparency, Accountability, and Promote Performance Management
Work with stakeholders in developing transportation plans and programs. Establish performance targets, measure progress, and adjust programs and policies as necessary.
6
Enhance Coordination Between Transportation and Land Planning
Inform and advise local governments to ensure coordination between local land planning and potential impacts on transportation.
7
Ensure Efficient Intermodal Connections
Provide seamless connections between modes of transportation.
8
Maintenance First
Maintain the current system to the agreed-upon performance standards at the lowest life-cycle cost.
Goals and Objectives
VTrans Goals support our vision: they help measure progress towards it. They also help identify transportation needs as part of making the vision happen.
Goal A
Transportation System Safety
Reduce fatalities and serious injuries to make the transportation network safer for the traveling public.
Objectives
Goal A
Transportation System Safety
Reduce fatalities and serious injuries to make the transportation network safer for the traveling public.
Objectives
Goal B
System Preservation
Provide well-maintained and managed transportation infrastructure and services across the Commonwealth.
Objectives
- Meet long-term sustainable pavement and bridge performance targets adopted by the Board.
- Maintain VDOT’s special structures in accordance with the annually updated 50-year special structures plan.
- Meet routine maintenance best practices performance metrics.
Goal B
System Preservation
Provide well-maintained and managed transportation infrastructure and services across the Commonwealth.
Objectives
- Meet long-term sustainable pavement and bridge performance targets adopted by the Board.
- Maintain VDOT’s special structures in accordance with the annually updated 50-year special structures plan.
- Meet routine maintenance best practices performance metrics.
Goal C
Economic Competitiveness through Travel Time Reliability
Encourage economic competitiveness and prosperity by improving travel time reliability by minimizing congestion and considering modal options.
Objectives
Goal C
Economic Competitiveness through Travel Time Reliability
Encourage economic competitiveness and prosperity by improving travel time reliability by minimizing congestion and considering modal options.
Objectives
Goal D
Inter-Connected Systems and Services
Provide an integrated multimodal transportation system for better accessibility and travel options.
Objectives
Goal D
Inter-Connected Systems and Services
Provide an integrated multimodal transportation system for better accessibility and travel options.
Objectives
Goal E
Environmental Stewardship
Provide transportation solutions that enhance the quality of life while preserving agricultural, natural, historical, and cultural resources.
Objectives
Goal E
Environmental Stewardship
Provide transportation solutions that enhance the quality of life while preserving agricultural, natural, historical, and cultural resources.
Objectives
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more VTrans questions? Find answers on our FAQ page.