Bicycle and Pedestrian Considerations for Sustainable Development Best Southwest Cities Transportation Committee Luncheon June 19, 2008

North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department

Presentation Outline 1. NCTCOG Introduction 2. Sustainable Development 3. Context Sensitive Solutions 4. Bicycle and Pedestrian Considerations

North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department

What is the Council of Governments?

North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department The Regional Transportation Council (RTC), comprised primarily of local elected officials, is the independent regional transportation policy body associated with NCTCOG. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), NCTCOG and the RTC are responsible for the planning and implementation of transportation programs and projects aimed at reducing congestion, improving mobility and improving air quality. Staff support to NCTCOG and the RTC is provided by the Transportation Department.

Sustainable Development Program Area General Sustainable Development

Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordination

Demographics

Transit Oriented Development/Brownfields

Regional Population Total 16 – County 2008 Estimate

6,560,000 PERSONS 8,000,000

6,560,000

7,000,000

6,075,000

6,000,000

5,300,000

5,000,000 4,000,000 3,000,000

4,111,750 3,116,181 1980

1990

2000

2005

2008

For Transportation Improvements: Rail HOV/Managed Lanes Tollways Freeways

2007

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Demographic Changes: 2.6 million additional persons 1.6 million new jobs

2030

Growth Affects Important Assets Energy Water Supply Water Quality

Open Spaces

Air Quality Storm Water Management Urban Forest

Air Quality

Agricultural Lands

A Transportation Perspective Regional Constraints… Population Growth Congestion and Travel Times Air Quality Non-Attainment Area

…and Opportunities Promotion of Healthy Communities Sustainable Development Initiatives

The Regional Transportation Council’s Sustainable Development Policy Utilize Existing System Capacity

Single use area type, non-transit, connected to existing infrastructure

Infill rail

Infill mixed use with rail access

Infill mixed use

Promote Mixed Use

Commuter rail/light rail in single use areas

Improve Rail Mobility

Mixed use with rail

Stand alone mixed use

Improve Access Management Shared drives/parking, spacing of turns/signals

Creating Sustainable Communities Encourage Active Living Educate the public on the causes and effects of inactivity Engage multiple disciplines; health, planning, transportation, fitness, education and government Implement zoning that encourages mixed-use land development patterns and access to transit Implement Smart Growth/New Urbanism/Transit Oriented Development strategies

Context Sensitive Solutions What is it? Started in 1969 and really gained its momentum in the 1990’s. The creation of projects which improve transportation while focusing on preserving the environment, beauty, and safety of the location. Requires an early and continuous commitment to public involvement, flexibility in exploring new solutions, and an openness to new ideas.

Context Sensitive Solutions Key Principles Set and maintain goals involving mobility, safety, environment, and community. Before

Trolley construction

After

Good relationships and good communication is established between all people involved including stakeholders and transportation officials. Involve the community in the planning and assessment of all means of transportation. Both during and after the project, the construction shall remain in sync with the community and should exceed expectations of both the designers and the residents of the area.

Context Sensitive Solutions Creating Sustainable Communities

Increasing Land Use Mix Decreasing VMT/HH Illustration of a gradient of development patterns ranging from rural in Context Zone 1 (C-1) to the most urban in C-6. CSS principles are applied in relation to the specific zone in which a project is located. Source: ITE CSS Recommended Practice, pg. 45

Context Sensitive Solutions Features that Create Context Land Use Defines urban activity Major factor in design criteria Site Design Arrangement of buildings, circulation, parking and landscape Vehicle or pedestrian-orientation Building Design Height, massing shape context Create enclosure/pedestrian interest

Context Sensitive Solutions Streetscaping

Streetscape Improvements, Mountain View, CA

Before

After (including more parking, fewer traffic lanes, wider sidewalks, and landscaping)

Can include road cross sections, traffic management, sidewalk conditions, landscaping, street furniture, building fronts, and materials specifications. Leads to increased property value and increased public health (from more walking and cycling).

Corresponds with New Urbanism which is about making communities more attractive, efficient, and livable. Can be integrated with roadway maintenance, building construction projects, and special projects such as landscaping updates.

Context Sensitive Solutions Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Possible • Improvement of nonmotorized facility management and safety concerns maintenance

• Better pedestrian accessibility • More livable community/ “walkable” community

Clear routes

•Better paths, bike lanes, and parking •Safety education •Integration with transit •Multi-modal access guide (How to get to specific destinations via bike)

• More accommodations for the mobility impaired

Context Sensitive Solutions Traffic Calming Goal: To reduce traffic speed and volume.

Speed Table

Can range from minor alterations of single road to redesign of entire road network. Often involves reallocating road space. Usually implemented through local engineering departments. Result: Tends to reduce total vehicle mileage via improving walking and cycling conditions. Sample Size

Speed impacts of traffic calming measures

Avg. Speed Afterward (mph)

Avg. Speed Change

Avg. % Change

12' Humps

179

27.4

-7.6

-22

14' Humps

15

25.6

-7.7

-23

22' Tables

58

30.1

-6.6

-18

Longer Tables

10

31.6

-3.2

-9

Raised Intersections

3

34.3

-0.3

-1

Circles

45

30.2

-3.9

-11

Narrowings

7

32.3

-2.6

-4

Half Closures

16

26.3

-6.0

-19

Diagonal Diverters

7

27.9

-1.4

-0.5

Context Sensitive Solutions Location Efficient Development Residential and commercial development leading to the maximum accessibility and affordability. Example: Redeveloping inner-city neighborhoods and converting old buildings into loft apartments. Capability to provide substantial energy savings as well as reduce pollution. Consumers shift spending from transportation purposes to more general consumer goods. Benefit Summary Objective

Rating

Comments

Congestion Reduction

2

Reduces per-household automobile travel in higher-density areas.

Road & Parking Savings

3

Reduces per-household automobile travel.

Consumer Savings

3

Increases housing affordability. Reduces vehicle and parking costs.

Transport Choice

3

Improves consumer housing and transport choices.

Road Safety

2

Reduces per-household automobile travel.

Environmental Protection

3

Reduces per-household automobile ownership and use, and reduces sprawl.

Efficient Land Use

3

Encourages higher-density location choice.

Community Livability

3

Encourages urban infill by middle-class families, reduced car ownership and use.

Ratings 0 (no change) to 3 (very beneficial)

Context Sensitive Solutions Design Examples

Illustration of the elements of a context sensitive thoroughfare Source: ITE CSS Recommended Practice, pg. 56

Context Sensitive Improvements Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington

Current, 2008

Re-envisioned

Context Sensitive Design Controlled Speeds and Lane Widths

Standard DFW Design

North Richland Hills Hometown

Context Sensitive Design Facilities with Character

Standard DFW Design

State Thomas, Las Colinas

Bicycle and Pedestrian Considerations

North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department

Bicycle and Pedestrian Communities Create pedestrian-friendly land use patterns by promoting: Through Streets and Connectivity Compact Developments Short Blocks Street Grids Narrow Streets On-street Parking Pedestrian Amenities, such as crosswalks, sidewalks, lighting, seating, buffers, maintenance, signage, landscaping In a community of 100,000, if residents replaced just one car trip with one bike trip once a month for a year, each resident would reduce CO2 emissions by 3,762 tons. 3,762 tons of CO2 emission reduction is equivalent to the capacity of 2,846 acres of forest storing carbon for 1 year or 87,555 seedlings growing for 10 years. Source: Complete Streets

Regional Connectivity Regional Veloweb A 644-mile interconnected network of off-street trails designed to provide safe, efficient mobility to pedestrians, cyclists, and in-line skaters.

Design Considerations: • Concrete surface • Design speed of 25 miles per hour • Recommended width of 12 feet to accommodate a variety of users • Grade separated crossings • Few, if any, signalized or stop sign intersections • Easy access from roadways, particularly on-street bicycle routes

Creating Sustainable Communities Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Districts Within all rail corridors and all existing and planned stations, there are bicycle and pedestrian districts.

Considerations for Districts • Street Pattern–Grid street patterns allow walking and cycling for short trips • Land Use–Integrated and mixed land uses promote walking and cycling • Proximity to Rail Stations • Bicycle and Pedestrian Needs Indices ¾ Medium income 2 I ¾ Population density ¾ Employment density ¾ Percentage of transit trips ¾ Percentage of trips five miles or less

1/4 Mile

1/4 Mile #

#

2 I

Regional Veloweb Accessible Right-Of-Way Utility Corridor Rail Corridor

Cottonbelt Trail, North Richland Hills Preston Ridge Trail at McDermott Drive, Plano

Multi-Neighborhood Connectivity Katy Trail, Dallas

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations Current Conditions, Identified in Mobility 2030 1. Current infrastructure is insufficient for bicyclists and pedestrians in the region. 2. Varied knowledge levels and education programs about safe and effective habits exist among bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and law enforcement agencies. 3. There is a lack of end-of-trip facilities (showers, parking, changing facilities).

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations Sign Design

Direction, Destination, and Distance Signage

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations Divided Trail

Cedar Lake Regional Trail, Minneapolis, MN

6’ + 3’ 12 ‘

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations Divided Trail

Katy Trail, Dallas Peak Weekday Traffic Count – 2,467 trips (2002)

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations Construction Materials and Raised Pathways

Natural construction materials aid in preserving character of the surroundings. Slightly raised pathways can protect the natural habitat.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations On-Street Lanes Road Diet

Sharrow

Marked Bike Lane 1st St., Fort Worth

Morriss Road/Cross Timbers, Flower Mound

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations London Cycle Network

A 900km (560 mi) strategic network of radial and orbital routes

Bicycle & Pedestrian Considerations Divided Traffic Lanes

Divided bike lane, Copenhagen, Denmark

Shared center bus/bike lane Paris, France

MONIQUE PL

DA

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82

HI

13

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RD

LANGSTON DR

M 82 F 13 CLARK RD

ST

TZ

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US

AN

to

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Up

vd Bl

an No l

New City Hall

PHILLIP DR

67

HOOD DR

BELT LINE RD

67

MERRIFIELD DR CEDAR ST

TEXAS ST

67

CHURCH ST

Old City Hall

CARR ST

MAIN ST

HOUSTON ST

SQ

B ROA D S T

HASWELL ST

NE

WYLIE ST

W

BROAD ST

TO

BRYANT ST

Dr

CHAMBERS ST

ROBERTS RD

67

DR

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ECC A

CLARK RD

REB

ACRES ST

67

KR

RD

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HENDRICKS ST

Cedar Hill City Hall Trail Connection

CLARK RD

CINDY DR

FM

LISA LN

BRIGGS DR

What is your vision for the Southwest Cities?

67

Funding Opportunities Additional Funding Sources Safe Routes to School Program Funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). TxDOT is facilitating the distribution of a $40 million grant for the planning, development, and implementation of projects that encourage walking and bicycling to and from schools in Texas. In September, 2007, $24.8 million was awarded to Texas districts. A second call is anticipated in 2008 to program the remaining funds.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trails Fund The National Recreational Trails Fund is administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife in coordination with the FHWA. Eligible project types include: the construction of new recreational trails, improvement of existing trails, development of trailheads or trailside facilities, and acquiring property for trail corridors.

Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program (STEP) Administered by TxDOT. Funding is available for transportation-related activities contributing to quality communities, preserving the environment, encouraging multimodal travel, and enhancing the aesthetics of roadways.

Funding Opportunities NCTCOG Funding Sustainable Development Call For Projects, 2001 and 2005-2006 Eligible project types: Infrastructure, Land Banking, Center of Development Excellence, and Sustainable Development projects. More than $16.9 million awarded to projects with bicycle and pedestrian elements in 2005. The next call for projects is anticipated in 2008-2009, with a deadline of May 29, 2009.

Local Government Air Quality Program, 2006 Eligible project types: traffic signals, bicycle/pedestrian connections, park-and-ride programs, air quality outreach and marketing programs, vanpool programs, other air quality control strategy projects. Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects received more than $9 million in funding.

Regional Tollway Revenue Funding Initiative, 2007 $2.5 billion in toll proceeds from State Highway 121 will be allocated to fund roadway, transit, air quality, cost overrun, safety, sustainable development, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. 41 of the 561 projects submitted requested $ 85,487,097 in funding for bicycle and pedestrian specific projects.

Contact Information Karla Weaver, AICP [email protected] (817) 608-2376 Jen Ebel [email protected] (817) 695-9255

www.nctcog.org/trans/programs/sustdev.asp