Planning Studies - Completed

Summary of Major Transportation Planning Projects and Studies Impacting Cobb County.
Last updated September 2011


 Cobb County Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan
 Austell Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)
 Chattahoochee River Trail Conceptual Master Plan & Feasibility
 Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)
 Senior Adult Transportation Study (SATS)
 2006 Transit Planning Study - Final Executive Summary
 2006 Transit Planning Study - Technical and Summary Reports (68.5 MB)



 Blueprint Cumberland/ Blueprint Cumberland II Master Plan
 Cherokee County Public Transportation Needs
 Marietta/Cobb BRT Station/Transit Oriented Development
 Marietta to Canton Commute Rail
 Town Center LCI
 Town Center Master Plan
 Transit Implementation Study

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Austell Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) - Click here to view website.

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Chattahoochee River Trail Conceptual Master Plan and Feasibility Study

The Chattahoochee River Trail Conceptual Master Plan and Feasibility Study was commissioned by Cobb County with Federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) funding. A study corridor/area was delineated to investigate the bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a specified area. The study corridor/ area eastern boundary begins at the Chattahoochee River , and extends approximately 2.5 miles inland. The northern limit of the corridor is the Willeo Creek/ Cobb-Fulton boundary, and the southern limit is Cobb Parkway (US 41) at the Chattahoochee River.

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of developing a multi-use trail within the specified study area that would serve the entire community, and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Cobb County and metro-Atlanta, and develop a conceptual Master Plan. The study identified trail safety features, trailhead design and amenities, signage, access points, on and off road connections, trail extensions, trail surfaces, and maintenance and operations guidelines.

On December 14, 2004 , the Cobb County Board of Commissioners endorsed the study findings and recommendations for staff planning purposes.

Sponsoring Agency: Cobb County Department of Transportation

Contact Person:
Laraine Vance / Cobb County Department of Transportation
770-528-1650
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Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: December 2004

Downloadable Files:

Executive Summary Fact Sheet Full Document

Appendix A Appendix B Presentation

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Comprehensive Transportation Plan

Cobb County conducted a 2 year comprehensive transportation planning (CTP) study. The CTP is a long range transportation study that will review and analyze existing transportation needs as well as future transportation (mobility, transit, multi-use trails, and sidewalks, etc.) needs. Click here for CTP website.

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Senior Adult Transportation Study

Cobb DOT has completed the Senior Adult Transportation Study - a study to improve accessibility and mobility for older adults living in Cobb County. This study helps identify ways to make better use of and improve existing transportation resources and options for Cobb County senior adults.

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Blueprint Cumberland/ Blueprint Cumberland II Master Plan

In 2001, the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) was awarded a grant to conduct a study now known as the “Blueprint Cumberland.” The Cumberland Galleria Activity Center study encompassed the core of the Cumberland area occupied primarily by office and retail facilities that included the Cumberland Mall. The purpose of the study was to identify housing opportunities for a full range of income groups, improve connectivity between those areas and the existing office and retail and provide for an efficient inter-modal transportation network. Cobb County has endorsed this study and stated the importance of this activity center for the economic health of the entire county.

In 2007, the CID completed an update of the original study, which went more in-depth into the concept of integrated land use and transportation planning.

Sponsoring Agency: Cumberland CID

Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: December 2001/ May 2007

Downloadable File:
Blueprint Cumberland II Study Document (21 MB)

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Cherokee County Public Transportation Needs Study

The Cherokee County Public Transportation Needs Study is intended to help the citizens and local officials in Cherokee County determine whether new or expanded public transit services are needed and if so, how, when, and where these transit services should be provided. Cherokee County has over 160,000 residents and expects to continue to generate strong population and economic growth well into the future. Cherokee County is located in the northern part of the Atlanta region and is located mid-way between the I-75 and GA 400 corridors, which are two of metro-Atlanta's highest value corridors in terms of economic activity. I-575 extends through the central part of the County and also provides high quality access to the region. The presence of these corridors is an important asset in the County's economic growth. However, without an effective balanced transportation system of roadways and public transit systems, increased growth can bring higher levels of traffic congestion and longer travel times. As more people live and work in the County, increasing pressure on the County's transportation system occurs and traffic congestion grows.

Providing transportation options to solo driving helps to reduce congestion and protect the environment. Public transportation also helps communities create more compact development patterns in appropriate areas which can be served by pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit systems and are less reliant on auto transportation. The study began in December 2004 and was concluded in November 2005. This study was funded through a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant, where FTA provided 80% of the cost of the study ($54,000) and Cherokee County provided 20% ($13,500).

Contact Person:
Jackie McMorris / Cherokee County Agency Community Services
678-493-6011

Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: November 2005

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Marietta / Cobb Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Station/ Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

In February 2004, the City of Marietta and Cobb County were awarded a joint grant of $80,000 to study the feasibility of a Transit-Oriented Development along Franklin Road between South Marietta Parkway and Delk Road . This study was centered on Transit-Oriented Development opportunities based on proposed alignments identified in the Northwest Connectivity Study for a Bus Rapid Transit station in an area that is poised for redevelopment and reinvestment in the community. The study area has an integral mix of commercial, residential (both multiple and single family dwellings) and transportation facilities for residents. The purpose of the study was to prepare land use and transportation recommendations that were both transit and development oriented.

Sponsoring Agency: City of Marietta and Cobb County

Contact Person:
Rusty Roth / City of Marietta Planning and Zoning Department
770-794-5670
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Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: December 2004

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Marietta to Canton Commuter Rail Study

In July 2003, the Georgia Rail Consultants began a feasibility study of implementing a 20-mile commuter rail line, to run from Canton , Georgia to Marietta , Georgia . This study is focused on improving accessibility between Cherokee County and Atlanta , in order to relieve the heavy traffic on Interstate 575. Automobile usage along the corridor generates traffic congestion that is caused by population and employment growth in Cobb and Cherokee counties. The study goal is to promote the effectiveness of commuter rail as a transportation alternative between the two destinations. The study also includes the development of a park and ride parking lot located at the Cobb County end of the rail line, in order to support regional commuters boarding the Marietta to Canton rail line. The Georgia Rail Consultants are meeting with municipal representatives and agencies that are participating in this commuter rail study.

Sponsoring Agency: Georgia Department of Transportation

Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: December 2004

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Town Center - SuPurb (LCI Study)

In January 2004, a Livable Centers Initiative ( LCI ) application was submitted by the Town Center Community Improvement District (CID). The CID was later awarded an LCI grant of $75,000. The LCI Study consisted of a comprehensive planning process focusing on the current issues surrounding the Town Center activity area. This study involved a traffic analysis, a land use survey and an economic analysis. This information, combined with an assessment of perceptions regarding current issues, and opportunities for land use, transportation, and future development, led to the development of a problem definition with clear goals and objectives and a preferred land use scenario for the Town Center Community Improvement District. This study area was a more focused view then the general master plan for the entire Town Center Area. The Town Center LCI study area included the major corridors of Interstate 75, Interstate 575, Chastain Road and Barrett Parkway.

Sponsoring Agency: Town Center Area CID

Contact Person:
Lanie Shipp / Town Center Area CID
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Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: December 2004

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Town Center Master Plan

The Town Center Master Plan was an effort to encourage quality growth in the rapidly growing Town Center Area that houses shopping, residential, office commercial complexes, and attracts many commuters. The Town Center Master Plan developed a boundary around an area of focus that included Barrett Parkway on the south, Bells Ferry Road on the east, Chastain Parkway on the north, Cobb Parkway on the west, and includes Interstates 75 and 575. The identified study area makes up the regional activity center. The study area included numerous uses (commercial and residential); which consisted of 4,000 acres of land.

The Town Center Master Plan is a study that focused on a broad area of land that addressed transportation, land use, market conditions, and implementation guidelines for the Town Center Area. This project identified current and future transportation mobility and accessibility needs of the area, existing and future land use and market demand, and implementation capabilities assuring the continued quality of life that residents and workers will enjoy.

Sponsoring Agency: Town Center Area CID

Contact Person:
Lanie Shipp / Town Center Area CID
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Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: April 2004

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Transit Implementation Study

A light rail transit line connecting the rapidly growing Town Center and Cumberland areas with Midtown Atlanta has been identified in several studies as a key component to addressing the region's transportation and air quality problems.

Downloads: (large files)
Executive Summary 19.73 MB
Final Report - Volume 1 34.66 MB
Final Report - Volume 2 19.13 MB
Master Development Approach 16.54 MB
Report: Work Element 2 9.97 MB
Appendices 20.02

Sponsoring Agency: The Cumberland and Town Center Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) sponsored the development of the Transit Implementation Study for the Northwest Corridor LIght Rail Transit System. The Study was paid for by the two CIDs at a cost of $3.8 million.

Status: Study Completed
Completion Date: The Study began in the Spring of 1999 and concluded in Summer of 2001