On Monday Caltrans announced a new department-wide mission, vision and goals as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize operations and improve performance and accountability across California.
“Adopting a new mission, vision and goals is a critical step toward aligning Caltrans with state transportation planning and policy goals and better serving all Californians,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This key change helps focus everyone at Caltrans on improved department performance, employee accountability and communications. The next step will be to set specific performance metrics to communicate honestly and transparently about our progress in meeting our goals.”
In coordination with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), and on the heels of an external review that called for bold reforms and a more modern department, Caltrans crafted a new mission and vision that is fully consistent with California's planning and policy objectives.
Caltrans' old mission was to “improve mobility,” which did not capture state efforts to clean up the environment, improve quality of life and strengthen California's economy:
– MISSION: Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability.
– VISION: A performance-driven, transparent and accountable organization that values its people, resources and partners, and meets new challenges through leadership, innovation and teamwork.
“Caltrans is embracing reform and transforming into a modern transportation agency, equipped to handle today's challenges and those of tomorrow,” said CalSTA Secretary Brian P. Kelly in a recent letter notifying the California State Legislature of the new mission at Caltrans. “Next, we will develop new performance measures, which will objectively measure progress toward achieving our goal of transforming into the transportation department we envision for the future.”
In order to achieve this mission and vision and give Californians the most efficient transportation system possible, Caltrans also laid out five new goals:
– Safety and health: Provide a safe transportation system for workers and users, and promote health through active transportation and reduced pollution in communities.
– Stewardship and efficiency: Money counts. Responsibly manage California's transportation-related assets.
– Sustainability, livability and economy: Make long-lasting, smart mobility decisions that improve the environment, support a vibrant economy, and build communities, not sprawl.
– System performance: Utilize leadership, collaboration and strategic partnerships to develop an integrated transportation system that provides reliable and accessible mobility for travelers.
– Organizational excellence: Be a national leader in delivering quality service through excellent employee performance, public communication, and accountability.
Adopting a new mission, vision and goals for Caltrans concludes the department's implementation of four “early action” recommendations made by the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) in January, when it called for bold reform and a more modern department:
1) Develop a new mission consistent with state planning and policy goals;
2) Organize teams to develop implementation plans;
3) Work toward successful implementation of SB 743; and
4) Modernize state transportation design guidance.
Caltrans will now work with the CalSTA to develop new performance measures, which will objectively measure progress toward achieving state goals.
STATE: Caltrans modernizes mission, vision and goals
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On