Welcome to the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Website!

Regional Transportation Plan Update

The Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking additional public comments for the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Transportation Plan update. A third public meeting has been scheduled for 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Meeting Room, 645 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis.

Comments will be received through 5:00 PM on Friday, February 3, 2012. For further information visit www.corvallisareampo.org or contact: Ali Bonakdar, Director / Email abonakda@ocwcog.org / Phone (541) 758-1911

The Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is updating the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Transportation Plan, first adopted in 2006. The Plan Update includes projects and policies for the area’s transportation system over the next 24 years. Review the (1.18.2012) Draft Plan Update and 11x17 Draft Maps. These are working drafts and may include further updates following public review, comments from our Technical Advisory Committee and Policy Board, and editorial review by CAMPO staff.

To review comments CAMPO received at the previous meeting, go to the Regional Transportation Plan webpage.

About CAMPO

CAMPO has been active in transportation planning for the Corvallis metro area since 2002. As one of six Metropolitan Planning Organizations throughout Oregon, CAMPO’s Mission is to facilitate regional transportation planning and programming and to maximize federal funding sources for local benefit.

CAMPO works with the Cities of Corvallis, Philomath, and Adair Village as well as Benton County to coordinate planning efforts in the CAMPO planning area. CAMPO also coordinates closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Primary responsibilities of the MPO are: 1) to develop a Regional Transportation Plan, and; 2) to allocate the federal transportation funds to the area's highest priority projects. The MPO also coordinates regional transit, ensures public participation in transportation planning, and oversees specialized projects such as the 9^th Street Improvement Plan. To learn more about CAMPO, go to the About CAMPO page.

To learn more about CAMPO, you may also be interested in downloading the MPO Handbook or an About CAMPO Brochure.

Regional Transportation Plan

CAMPO's Regional Transportation Plan was adopted in September 2006. In 2007 CAMPO adopted an Addendum to the Plan to comply with federal requirements of SAFETEA-LU. The purpose of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is to devise strategies and outline a path to help the Corvallis Metropolitan Area achieve its vision and goals for a future transportation system. To read more about the Plan, go to our Transportation Plan page or download the Regional Transportation Plan and Addendum.)

Transit Coordination

CAMPO works to coordinate efficient transit routes within the Corvallis area travelshed, which includes Philomath, Corvallis, Adair Village, Albany and Lebanon. This single travelshed encompasses 130,000 residents of Benton and Linn Counties travelling for work, education, and shopping. The travelshed, however, is split by several political boundaries and, as such, is served by several different transit entities. CAMPO’s transit coordination goal is to provide seamless transit rides across those jurisdictions from and to the MPO area. To read more, download the Transit Coordination Report.

Public Participation

Public involvement is a key component of the MPO transportation planning process. Federal and state laws require that MPOs adopt a process for involving the public in their planning and programming activities. Furthermore, the Policy Board of the CAMPO regards public involvement as an integral part of the MPO’s transportation planning and programming activities.

To learn more, download CAMPO’s Public Participation Plan. The purpose of this document is to outline the policies and procedures adopted by the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations for involving the general public in the MPO’s transportation decision-making processes.

Unified Planning Work Program

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines the transportation planning and programming activities of the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) in each fiscal year. To read more about the UPWP, go to our UPWP page or download the UPWP document.)

Transportation Safety Planning Activities

Policy Board & Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

Special News Item: Why Roundabouts Work

Roundabouts are circular intersections where traffic flows around a central island. Not to be confused with smaller traffic circles or European-style rotaries, they have the following characteristics:

A fairly large central island and splitter islands on each approaching roadway
A circular roadway where all vehicles travel counterclockwise. Vehicles entering the roundabout yield to those already circulating in the intersection and travel counterclockwise
Vehicles travel at slower speeds - generally 15-25 mph

Modern roundabouts are designed to meet the needs of all road users - drivers, emergency vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and and even large trucks. In contrast to many signalized intersections, roundabouts can eliminate many safety conflicts such as left turns and crossing conflicts, can improve traffic flow and intersection capacity, and can improve overall aesthetics in an area. There are currently no roundabouts in the CAMPO area, although there traffic circles such as the one on 10th Street in Corvallis. Click here to watch a 2 minute video about how roundabouts work.

What are the Benefits of Roundabouts?

Roundabouts, and especially one-lane roundabouts like the one proposed for West Hills Road and 53rd Street, have numerous benefits. These include:

Increased Safety - Slower, consistent traffic speed (15-25 mph) and elimination of dangerous left turns make roundabouts a safe option for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as drivers. Additional safety measures for pedestrians include location of cross-walks at least one car-length away from the actual roundabout and pedestrain refuge islands between lanes on approach roads.

Improved operation - Roundabouts eliminate unecessary idling at red lights and stop signs and keep traffic flowing smoothly through the intersection.

Aesthetics - Increased landscaping opportunities on the central island and splitter island can improve the overall appearance of the intersection.

Fuel Savings- Because vehicles do not have to stop uncessarily at red lights and stop signs, there is significant fuel savings over time. This is better for our pocket-books and the environment.

Better for the Environment - By eliminating uncessary stopping and traffic lights, roundabouts reduce fuel consumption and improve air quality. Fewer travel lanes and the central island allow natural features to be retained and increase landscaping opportunities.

CAMPO Policy Board supports construction of a single-lane roundabout at West Hills Rd and 53rd Street. Here are some reasons why:

A 2001 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that the conversion of 23 intersections from traffic signals or stop signs to roundabouts reduced injury crashes by 80% and all crashes by 40%.

Another study by the New York State Department of Transportation showed a 75% decrease in injury crashes and a 37% decrease in total crashes at 35 intersections that were converted from traffic signals to roundabouts.
How do I Drive through a Single-Lane Roundabout?

Driving through a Single-Lane Roundabout (click the image to drive through a virtual roundabout!)

Image from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Virtual roundabout produced by the Wisconison DOT.

Driving vehicles in a roundabout

Slow down. Watch for and obey traffic signs.
Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists as you enter and exit the roundabout.
Look to the left for traffic.
Enter when it is safe.
Keep your speed low and stay in your lane within the roundabout (do not change lanes within the roundabout).
Exit carefully to your destination. Use your right-turn signal, in front of the splitter island just prior to your exit, to indicate your intention to exit.

Driving bicycles in a roundabout

If you are riding on the shoulder or bike lane, merge into the traffic lane before the shoulder ends.
Signal your intent to move into traffic.
Once inside the roundabout, don't hug the curb.
Ride close to the middle of the lane to prevent cars from passing and cutting you off.
Watch for cars waiting to enter the roundabout, as they may not see you.
If you do not want to ride your bike in the roundabout, use the sidewalk and proceed as a pedestrian.

Where can I learn more about Roundabouts?

The Minnesota Local Road Research Board developed a great Video about Roundabouts

The City of Bend has produced a Brochure about Roundabouts and a Roundabout Brochure for Bicyclists.

The Oregon Department of Transportation has also produced a Brochure about Roundabouts.

Additional Information is also available at: The Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation, The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, and The City of Bend.

CAMPO News and Events

August 9, 2011

Car Free Day - Septmeber 22, 2011

September 22, 2011 will be World Car Free Day, a day in which people across the globe are encouraged to find alternatives methods to meet their transportation needs and re-discover buses, bikes, and their own two feet. For more information and a schedule of events, go to the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition website: http://sustainablecorvallis.org/action-teams/transportation/project-world-car-free-day-92211/

For a map of Car Free Day check in sites, click here.

For OSU Car Free activities, go to: http://oregonstate.edu/sustainability/world-car-free-day

July 18, 2011
Drive Your Bike! CAMPO launches bicyclist safety education campaign focused on following the rules of the road and taking care when driving with traffic. This campaign was made possible with a grant from the Federal Highway Adminstration (FHWA).

For bike safety tips, ideas on how to commute by bike and to find out more about the project, go to our Drive Your Bike webpage .

June 8, 2011

The Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) invites Benton County residents to provide input to the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Transportation Plan update. Residents are invited to identify transportation issues, projects and provide input into the Plan update. To review the draft existing conditions report, click here.

A public meeting will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 15th at the Market of Choice Meeting Room (922 NW Circle Blvd).

Find out more details here.

April 12, 2011 The Central Willamette Valley Regional ITS Architecture was adopted for the Corvallis Area in 2010. Learn more about the 'intelligent transportation system' in the CAMPO area here and download the document here.

March 23, 2011 FY 2011-2012 Unified Planning Work Program approved. The FY11-12 UPWP can be reviewed here, along with previous work programs.

Feb. 2, 2011
Draft Oregon Freight Plan - Available for Public Comment
The Draft Oregon Freight Plan is currently available for public comment here. Comments will be accepted through February 28, 2011. CAMPO has submitted comments to ODOT regarding the Plan. To review CAMPO's comments, click here.