mobility solutions: transit’s first and last mile€¦ · 26-06-2019 · safe routes to school...

Mobility Solutions: Transit’s First and Last Mile June 26, 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


Today’s Agenda • Active Transportation Academy overview • Mobility Solutions: Transit’s First & Last Mile

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


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


Active Transportation Academy New Courses! (4 hours each)

1. Creating a Rural Active Transportation Plan 2. Creating a Vision Zero Action Plan 3. Mobility Solutions: Transit’s First & Last Mile

Source: City of Columbus Source: Ohio.org



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



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


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)



COMING SOON – Online/On-Demand Training 1. Crossing Guard Training 2. Advocating for Active Transportation 3. Community Traffic Calming Programs


Mobility Solutions: Transit’s First & Last Mile


Course Goals & Learning Outcomes

Goals:

1. Understand concepts, trends, and components of active transportation and transit, and how they relate.

2. Identify local applications of first and last mile strategies.

3. Possess practical knowledge of how to implement a mobility solutions-based program for transit’s first and last mile.


Course Goals & Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes:

1. Have knowledge and skills needed to outline your own mobility program to address your community’s needs for connecting people to transit through biking and walking measures.

2. Be familiar with mobility-related concepts, issues, and solutions, as well as resources and funding available to guide implementation of your first and last mile solutions.


Full Course Agenda Topic Methods Time

(minutes) 1. Welcome & Introductions Discussion 15

2. Introduction to Active Transportation & Transit Presentation, Discussion 45

3. Planning & Evaluating Options Presentation, Discussion, Activities

90

7. Implementing First & Last Mile Strategies Presentation, Discussion, Activity 75

8. Class Wrap-Up Discussion 15

Total Time: 4 hours (includes breaks)


PART I: INTRODUCTION TO ACTIVE

TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT

• Related Concepts • Benefits and Challenges • Best Practices


Concepts Related to Active Transportation & Transit

• Defining Active Transportation • Active Transportation Terminology • Defining Complete Streets • Transit Service Types • First and Last Mile • Mobility Solutions



Active Transportation: • Any self-propelled, human-powered

mode of transportation, such as walking or bicycling. – Centers for Disease Control

• Includes use of mobility aids such as wheelchairs and strollers.

• Transit is often considered in active transportation planning since most trips start and/or end with walking, bicycling, or use of a mobility aid.

• Specifically excludes cars.

Source: Gotransit.com

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer



Active Transportation Terms: • Sidewalk • Multi-use path/shared-use path • Sharrow • Widened shoulder • Bike lane • Separated bike lane

• Cycle track • Bike sharing • Bicycle amenities


Sidewalk • Pedestrians separated from motorists. • Bicycle use discouraged or illegal for adults.

o Based on local ordinances

• Provides ADA-compliant area for pedestrians and persons with limited mobility to walk, jog, or run.

• Typically made of concrete, but other materials may be used.

• Located within right of way.



Source: FHWA

Sidewalk



Complete Streets Definitions: • Ensuring that streets are safe for people of all ages

and abilities, and that we balance the needs of different modes. – National Complete Streets Coalition

• Enabling safe use and support of mobility for all users. – U.S. Department of Transportation

• Ensuring that transportation agencies design and operate the right-of-way to enable safe access for everyone on the road. – AARP



Transit Terms: • Fixed route – service that runs along a set course

with set stops and schedules. Typical “bus service”.

• High capacity transit – bus rapid transit or rail service that operates in a dedicated right-of-way with high-amenity stations.

• Demand-response – service that changes availability based on demand. Commonly called dial-a-ride.



Transit Terms: • On-demand – service that is requested instantly

through call-in or an app, or pre-scheduled.

• Flex-route – service that deviates from a fixed alignment when requested. Can be a bus or smaller vehicle.

• Paratransit – service for riders who meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.



First and Last Mile: • A term used to describe the leg of a trip, and the

mode/s available for that leg, before or after the public transportation leg of a trip.

• Also known as: o FLM o First/Last Mile

• Gaps exists where public transportation is sparse or not available.



First and Last Mile: • Part of a bigger conversation of identifying mobility

options for a community. • Options – or solutions – can be:

o Service- or system-based o Infrastructure-based o Policy-based



Policy-based options examples: o Developing an ordinance that encourages ridesharing or scooter-

sharing

System- or service-based options examples: oOn-demand public transportation o Partnership with a taxi company

Environment- or infrastructure-based options examples: o Building a sidewalk o Installing bike share stations

Mobility Solutions:


Benefits and Challenges

Benefits: • Safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists

can improve with use of appropriate facilities. • Health of pedestrians and bicyclists can

improve with more physical activity and lower-stress mobility options, as well as the ability to get to medical appointments.

• Equity – providing opportunities for all people in the community to get to where they need to go safely and easily.

of Bicycle & Pedestrian Connections to Transit



Benefits: • Traffic congestion decreases, making it easier

to travel by motor vehicle. Air quality improves as a result.

• The economy benefits when people can get to work and school. Also, evidence suggests that complete streets raise property values.

Quality of life improves overall.




Challenges: • Multiple solutions are needed. There is no quick

fix. • Expertise / Technical Assistance isn’t always easy

to come by in small towns and rural communities. • Funding sources are hard to find or difficult to

navigate. • Changing habits of the people so that they use

transit and the first and last mile mobility solutions to access it.



Best Practices in First & Last Mile Solutions

King County, Washington bike and bus interaction

• King County has separated bike lanes that travel behind transit islands.

• The bike lane rises to the level of the sidewalk and transit island, crossing the pedestrian path.

• The bus and bike do not cross as the bus stops in its own lane.

Source: King County Metro Transit Facilities Guidelines


PART II: PLANNING & EVALUATING OPTIONS

• Assessing Existing Conditions and Demand for Transit and Active Transportation

• Identifying Bicycle and Pedestrian First and Last Mile Strategies


Existing Conditions and Demand: Transit

How do you assess the current conditions and need for transit in your community? • Key drivers of transit use include walkability,

density, safety, and transit stop amenities. • Conditions and demand will vary depending on

community type: rural, suburban, or urban. • Understanding the Level of Service (LOS) for

transit in your community will help you understand why many or few riders use it.


Existing Conditions and Demand: Transit

• Understand the processes and situation of transit agencies that service your community. o funding, staffing, planning, or lack there of

• Explore data sources and analysis tools to better understand transit in your community: o MPO/RTPO o Google Maps o Data directly from transit agency o Collect your own data


Existing Conditions and Demand: Active Transportation

How do you assess the current conditions and need for active transportation in your community? • Key drivers of walking and bicycling include culture,

income, health, traffic congestion, car ownership, density, and presence of transit.

• Conditions and demand will vary depending on community type: rural, suburban, or urban.


Existing Conditions and Demand: Active Transportation

• Certain land uses are considered “trip generators” for active transportation. o Schools, recreation, small-scale retail, residential neighborhoods

or apartment complexes, etc.

• Explore data sources and analysis tools to better understand active transportation in your community: o MPO/RTPO o Google Maps o WalkScore o Strava o Collect your own data – walk and bike audit, sidewalk inventory


First/Last Mile Strategies • First and Last Mile strategies can follow any of

the following approaches: o Policy-based o System-based (programs and providers) o Environment-based (infrastructure and design)

• Community/user buy-in is essential, so involve the public early on. oWho currently uses transit? oWho currently walks and bikes? oWho are potential users of the first/last mile solutions and

transit?


First/Last Mile Strategies • Strategies can be implemented in both short-term

and long-term timeframes.

• Strategies can be implemented by a variety of entities: o Transit-providers oMunicipalities/local jurisdictions o Regional governments o Private companies o Residents/volunteers/grassroots organizations


First/Last Mile Strategies • Strategies will vary based on community type

and land use. It is best for decision-makers, implementers, and users to work together to select the appropriate options. o Urban, suburban, rural o Special uses such as educational institutions/campuses,

employment centers, etc.

Source: Clevelandgatewaydistrict.com Source: investwithviolet.com Source: utoledo.edu


First/Last Mile Strategies

• Need connection to commuter transit within residential areas. Can connect to transit options like park-and-ride facilities.

• Need connection to/within office and industrial parks. • Common challenges include long distances,

circuitous street network, lack of sidewalks, lack of on-street lighting, and limited fixed-route transit service.

Considerations for suburban communities:


First/Last Mile Strategies

• Policy: o Adopt a Complete Streets Policy

• System/Service: o Implement walking school bus and bike

train programs • Environment / Infrastructure /

Design: o Shared-use or multi-use paths connect

to transit stops

Appropriate solutions for suburban communities:

Source: Mead & Hunt

Source: Twitter


Activities: Activity 1: Identify first/last mile gaps in your community.

Activity 2: Identify strategies to address a first/last mile gap in your community. Builds off of Activity 1.


PART III: IMPLEMENTING FIRST AND

LAST MILE STRATEGIES

• Project Prioritization • Design • Partnerships • Funding • Other Resources


Project Prioritization • Now that you know how to identify your

community’s first and last mile needs, you can prioritize alternatives.

• Prioritize projects based on: o Location o Cost o Resources needed o Timeline (short v. long term)

• Prioritization examples


Project Design • For infrastructure-based strategies, you’ll need to

be familiar with bicycle and pedestrian facility design.

• Design resources: o NACTO oODOT o Local transit provider

• Design examples


Project Partners • Project partners are key to successful

implementation.

• Potential partners oMPO/RTPO o Transit agencies oODOT o Consultants o Staff from other departments within your entity

• Partner roles o Lead o Support o Advise

o Local decision-makers o General Public


Funding Funding sources:

o Federal o State o Regional / MPO / RTPO o Local oGrants o Private o Public Private Partnerships

Funding examples: o Transportation

Improvement District (TID) o Bonds o Property Assessments o Transportation Alternatives

Program funding via MPOs

Funding applicants: o Transit agencies o Local municipalities o Private entities o Others

ODOT Active Transportation Funding Matrix

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/bicycle/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/bicycle/Pages/default.aspx


Other Resources • Making the case for first/last mile mobility

solutions o Complete Streets resources, National League of Cities

• Planning, evaluation, and project prioritization o ODOT Active Transportation Guide o Rural Transportation Toolkit, Rural Health Information Hub

• Design o Transit Street Design Guide, NACTO

• Funding o Key Funding Options for Local Transportation Investment,

Transportation for America

https://www.nlc.org/resource/complete-streets

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/bicycle/Documents/Final%20ODOT%20Active%20Transportation%20Plan%20Guide%2011-24-14.pdf



https://nacto.org/publication/transit-street-design-guide/transit-system-strategies/network-strategies/pedestrian-access-networks/

http://t4america.org/maps-tools/measuring-up/local-funding-finance-options/

http://t4america.org/maps-tools/measuring-up/local-funding-finance-options/


Activity 3 Identify the “who, when, and how” for implementing your first and last mile mobility solutions. Builds off of Activities 1 and 2.


Bring This Training to Your Town!

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

o Copy of presentation materials o Certificate of Participation

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?

Mobility Solutions: Transit’s First & Last Mile June 26, 2019

Course Overview Webinar

Amelia Mansfield Burton Planning Services [email protected] (614) 392-2284