Population Projections for the Metro Area |
University of New Mexico Geospatial and Population Studies (UNM-GPS) releases updated population projections for 2040 |
|
The most recent population projections released in 2020 from UNM-GPS anticipate the region growing to approximately 960,000 people by 2040. The previous 2016 release projected the region would surpass one million residents by 2040, but as the growth trends have turned downward in recent years the projections are updated to follow those most current trends. |
|
The population grows in two ways, either by natural increase (births minus deaths) or by migration. Over the last decade, natural increase has been declining as the large Baby Boom cohort ages and younger generations are having children at much lower rates or postponing having children. This trend is not unique to the MRCOG region or to New Mexico but is a national trend.
|
|
Net migration to the MRCOG region and New Mexico as a whole has been negative or relatively low during the last decade compared to the 2000s but has been positive since 2016.There have been anecdotal reports from the real estate and moving industries that the region has seen an uptick in migration during the pandemic. If that is the case, and once census data confirms it, future population projection releases will start reflecting that new trend.
|
|
Sources: Figure 1, UNM-GPS, MRCOG; Figure 2, NMDOH; Figure 3, UNM-GPS, NMDOH, MRCOG |
|
The FHWA is Updating the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) |
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is currently updating the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCH). The FHWA provides a number of resources on the MUTCD including the status on any interim approvals, policy statements, Federal Register notices, a series of recently-recorded webinars, and more.
|
The National Association of City Transportation Officials have have compiled additional recommendations for municipal officials and policymakers involved in the MUTCD update process. |
America Walks, a consortium of active transportation experts, invite you to "submit your stories" about navigating safe streets. This will inform their comments toward the MUTCD update.
|
|
Less traffic, more deadly crashes in Bernalillo County in 2020 |
KRQE News 13 reports that "Last year, traffic went down when the pandemic hit as businesses closed and people stayed home. However, data shows that deadly crashes actually went up during that time in Bernalillo County." Willy Simon, a transportation planner with the Mid-Region Council of Governments, helps make sense of the data.
|
|
Rail Runner Passenger Service Has Resumed |
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express resumed passenger service on Monday, March 8, 2021. Officials of Rio Metro Regional Transit District are following the guidelines set out by the State to reopen commuter rail service on a limited basis. The train will be running on a limited schedule which at this time will not include any weekend service. |
|
New Program Offers Free Transit Options |
The Rio Metro Regional Transit District has launched a new program called Rio Metro ACCESS, which provides free transportation options for New Mexico residents who are receiving employment, housing, personal stability assistance, and other activities. |
|
Upcoming Meetings and Events at MRMPO |
|
- Friday, April 16 (10:00-11:30 AM): Metropolitan Transportation Board Meeting.
- Friday, May 21 (10:00-11:30 AM): Metropolitan Transportation Board Meeting.
- Friday, June 18: MRCOG Offices Closed.
|
|
Please note that Travel Times is now published on a quarterly schedule with issues that align with the Fiscal Federal Year. This FFY21 Q2 edition marks the first issue of our second volume. All previous issues published on a monthly cycle comprise volume one of Travel Times. If you have any questions regarding newsletter articles or suggestions for future content, please do not hesitate to contact Jake Wolff by email at [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
