Creating a Rural Active Transportation Plan July 24, 2019

Course Overview Webinar

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Introduction

Amelia Mansfield, AICP Planning Manager, Burton Planning Services Active Transportation Academy Roles: • Project Manager • Course Developer • Course Instructor

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Today’s Agenda • Active Transportation Academy overview • Creating a Rural Active Transportation Plan

course goals & learning outcomes • Highlighted topics • How to apply to host

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy • ATA purpose: to offer training to help communities

reach their active transportation goals • FREE trainings and workshops to communities

throughout Ohio • Open to any local jurisdiction (school, school district,

government, health department, etc.) • Professional development credits available for

attendees • Home page for more information:

ODOT>Planning>LTAP>ATA http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/LocalPrograms/LTAP/Pages/Active-Transportation-Academy.aspx

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy New Courses! 1. Creating a Rural Active Transportation Plan 2. Creating a Vision Zero Action Plan 3. Mobility Solutions: Transit’s First & Last Mile 4. On-Demand: Crossing Guard Training

Source: City of Columbus Source: Ohio.org

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy

Basic Training Courses (4 hours each)

1. Advocating for Active Transportation 2. Community Traffic Calming Programs 3. Complete Streets Implementation 4. Conducting Walk and Bike Audits 5. Health & Equity in Transportation

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy

Train the Trainer Courses (4 hours each)

1. Conducting a School Walk Audit

2. Crossing Guard Training 3. Girls in Gear Training 4. Walking School Bus

Training Source: BPS

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy Safe Routes to School Training & Implementation 1. Incorporating SRTS into Wellness, School, and

Community Policy & Planning (4 hours)

2. Non-Infrastructure Implementation (4 hours)

3. Safety in Active Transportation: School & Community Planning (4 hours)

4. SRTS School Lesson Plans (8 hours)

5. SRTS School Travel Plan Development (4 hours)

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Academy

COMING SOON – Online/On-Demand Training 1. Advocating for Active Transportation 2. Community Traffic Calming Programs

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Creating a Rural Active Transportation Plan

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Course Goals & Learning Outcomes

1. Learn about the opportunities and challenges of rural active transportation implementation.

2. Be familiar with rural active transportation best practices.

3. Be familiar with funding and resources available for implementation.

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

PART I: INTRODUCTION TO RURAL ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

• Rural Active Transportation Challenges • Rural vs. Urban Disparities

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Rural Active Transportation Challenges

Why Rural Active Transportation? • Long distances from services • Health disparities • Higher crash rates • Income disparities • And more…

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Rural vs. Urban Disparities • Safety • Funding • Health • Income • Development Patterns • Physical Barriers • Unique Users

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Unique Users • Amish

o Pedestrian, cyclist, buggies/wagons • Differently Abled

oMotorized/non-motorized wheelchairs • Agricultural Equipment

o Slow moving, wide • Livestock

o Also slow moving and wide

Source: Ohio.org

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

PART II: DETERMINING EXISTING CONDITIONS

• Socioeconomic Profile • Geographic Setting • Transportation System • Land Use

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Socioeconomic Profile & Data Sources

• Median Household Income • Population demographics

o Age o Race o Income

• Health

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Natural Environment & Data Sources

Flat v. Hilly

Source: BPS

Source: BPS

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Transportation System • The existing transportation system may

pose additional challenges: oNarrow right-of-way oHigher (40 mph+) speeds oLack of hard shoulder

• Are the existing roads paved? • Highway as “Main Street”

Source: BPS

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Transportation System Characteristics

• Speed • # of lanes • Right-of-Way • Safety • Bike and Pedestrian Facilities • Active Transportation Trip generators

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Safety: Crash Data Sources (AT-specific)

Ohio Transportation Information Mapping System (TIMS)

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Safety: Crash Data Sources (AT-specific)

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Safety: Crash Data Sources (AT-specific)

• ODOT’s GIS Crash Analysis Tool (GCAT) oSelect target years. oSelect type of crash (pedestrian/pedalcycles). oAdd “animal” or “other” to add in Amish buggies. oClick “View in Map” or “Download” to gather data.

oData can be processed using the associated Crash Analysis Module tool or entered into GIS software.

oCrash reports are available within data for additional information.

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities • Presence or lack thereof:

o Paved shoulder o Sidewalk o Sidepath o Shared-Use Path o Bike lane o Bike route oOthers

Source: Alta

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Active Transportation Trip Generators

• Employment • Education • Recreational / athletic facilities • Medical facilities • Commercial centers

• What do you have in your community?

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Activity: SWOT Analysis

What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to active transportation in your community? • Break into small groups. • The instructor will give you a map showing types of

data that we just discussed. • Mark on the map areas that are active transportation

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

PART III: FACILITIES

• Mixed Traffic • Visually Separated • Physically Separated • Unique Users - Amish

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Mixed Traffic • Yield Roadway • Bicycle Boulevard • Advisory Shoulder • Sharrow • Signage • Intersection improvements / treatments

Source: Fairbanks Cycle Club

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Mixed Traffic: Bicycle Boulevard

• For use in low speed, medium volume areas • Cyclists use full roadway • Pedestrians are separated onto sidewalk or

path • Pavement markings warn motorists

o Sharrows

• Example: Collector street in village or on a road connecting two sections of other bike trail

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Bicycle Boulevard

Source: FHWA

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Visually Separated

• Paved Shoulder • Bike Lane • Pedestrian Lane

Source: BPS

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Visually Separated: Paved Shoulder

• Use in high speed, medium/high volume areas • Shoulder is paved/widened to accommodate

cyclists outside of main traffic lanes • Widened shoulders may also accommodate

Amish buggies o 8-foot wide preferred for buggies

• Example: Along rural state highway

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Paved Shoulder

Source: FHWA

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Unique Users: Amish Buggies

• Buggies require additional width if separated from main traffic lane.

• Additional signage and education needed.

Source: BPS

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Rural AT Opportunities

• Speed management (Traffic Calming) • Connect to US and State Bike Routes • School connections • Multimodal main streets • Bridges • Access to public lands / recreational

areas

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

PART IV: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

• Surveys • Public Meetings • Stakeholder Identification

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Surveys

• Keep surveys short and concise. • Allow the public to offer suggestions

o Add an “Other” field

• Market the survey through public outreach and/or advertisement

• Utilize traditional and social media • Utilize existing direct mailings:

o Utility bills

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Public Meetings

• Host public meetings at various venues: o Libraries o Schools o Community/Recreational centers

• Ensure facility is ADA-accessible. • Stagger meeting times throughout the public

outreach period to allow for all people on all shifts to attend.

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Stakeholder Identification

• Current user groups o Biking groups, running

groups, etc.

• Landowners/tenants • Engineer • Local planner • RTPO/MPO staff • Elected officials

• Potential users • School officials • Community leaders

o Non-elected

• Parks & Recreation

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

PART V: DEVELOPMENT OF A

JURISDICTION-WIDE PLAN

• Location • Development Process • Developing Recommendations • Beginning Implementation • Sample Implementation

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Location

• Where is the project located? • Who has jurisdiction? • Is the project community/neighborhood

specific or more broad based? • Is there already evidence of need? o Goat paths o Pedestrian and bicycle crashes o Public complaints

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Development Process • Public and stakeholder outreach/engagement • Inventory of existing conditions • Determining future demands/uses • Identifying short, medium, and long term needs • Analyzing various improvements • Develop long range plans

o Add in short range projects

• Estimate cost • Pursue funding

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Developing Recommendations

• What are your current conditions? • Where are the gaps in your network? • Who are your potential/current users?

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Beginning Implementation

• Creating Active Transportation Networks o Local oCollector o Arterial oHighway

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Best Practices: Facilities By Road Type

Local Collector Highway Yield roadway Bicycle boulevard Paved shoulder

Bicycle boulevard Advisory shoulder Shared-use path & side path

Advisory shoulder Bike lane

Bike lane Shared-use path & side path

Sidewalk Sidewalk Separated bike lane Separated bike lane

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Activity: Sample Implementation

• Pretend the blank street is in your town. oWhat challenges does this street face

currently? oWhat are the trip generators along the corridor?

• Using sample active transportation pieces, how would you construct an AT facility through your town?

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

PART VI: RESOURCES

• Funding Sources • Description of Resources

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Funding Rural AT • Federal sources • State sources • Local sources • Foundations • Non-Profits • Public/private partnerships

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Federal and State Funding Sources

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Funding Sources - State • ONDR Recreational Trails Program/Clean

Ohio Trails Fund • ODNR NatureWorks* • ODNR Land & Water Conservation Fund • OPWC Green Space Conservation* • OPWC SCIP/LTIP* • ODOT Transportation Alternatives • ODOT Safety Funds* • ODOT Safe Routes to School

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Walkability Rural AT Tools & Resources Organizations: • Smart Growth America/National

Complete Streets Coalition

• American Planning Association

• US Department of Transportation

• Ohio Department of Transportation

• Safe Routes to School Nat’l Partnership

Tools: • Complete Streets Policy Atlas

One-Stop-Shops: • Federal Highway Administration – Local and Rural Road Safety Program • Smart Growth America/National Complete Streets Coalition

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Rural AT Resources Publications: • Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks, US Department of Transportation, 2016

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Resources for Engineers, Ohio Department of Transportation, 2017

• Human-Centered Mobility Principles, Rails to Trails Conservancy, 2018

• Complete Streets and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans, Safe Routes to School Nat’l Partnership, 2018

• Investing in Health: Robust Local Active Transportation Financing for Healthy Communities, Safe Routes to School Nat’l Partnership, 2019

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Activity: Resource Connection What resources do you need for planning and implementing your rural active transportation plan?

• Break into small groups. • The instructor will hand out a questionnaire

for you to work through. • The instructor will collect the questionnaire

so that they can connect you with the resources you need.

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Bring This Training to Your Town!

• 4 hours • 3 group activities • Training follow-up includes:

o Copy of presentation materials o Certificate of Participation o Connection to resources to

help you create and implement your Rural Active Transportation Plan

Source: BPS

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

How to Apply for a Course • To host a training in your community, please

apply here: bit.ly/Active-Transportation-Academy-Application • Please commit to at least 15 participants, and

have space for the training o Consider inviting school districts, adjacent communities,

etc. o We are happy to assist with recruiting or coordinating

with nearly communities and partners.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?

Creating a Rural Active Transportation Plan July 24, 2019

Course Overview Webinar

Amelia Mansfield Burton Planning Services amansfield@burtonplanning.com (614) 392-2284