alta northampton pedestrian and bicycle comprehensive plan proposal

7/24/2019 Alta Northampton Pedestrian and Bicycle Comprehensive Plan Proposal

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PREPARED BY:

Alta Planning + Design

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

WatsonActive

November 30, 2015

CITY OF NORTHAMPTON:

PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROPOSAL


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transportation|recreation |innovation


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Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Sustainability

City of Northampton210 Main St #11

Northampton, MA 01060

RE: City of Northampton Pedestrian and Bicycle Comprehensive Plan Proposal

Dear Mr. Feiden and Members of the Selection Committee:

Northamptons focus on increased connectivity, Complete Streets that improve safety for pedestrians and

bicyclists, and a vibrant public realm illustrates the Citys commitment to bettering the lives of Northamptons

residents. Alta Planning + Design (Alta) specializes in pedestrian and bicycle planning, streetscape design, and

roadway engineering with the mission to create active and healthy communities. This project in an exciting

opportunity to partner with Northampton and the surrounding communities to build on the terrific efforts already

completed, and to launch the next generation of active transportation policies, programs, and facilities.

Alta is a national leader in developing implementable pedestrian and bicycle-related comprehensive plans. Our

team for this effort includes Project Manager Phil Goff who has deep experience developing plans throughou

New England, engineering and landscape architecture staff who are national leaders in innovative streetscape

and roadway design, and policy and programs specialists who work specifically with best practices throughout

the Commonwealth and the U.S. For the latter, we are proud to partner with David Watson from WatsonActive

who has worked closely with Mass in Motion and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and understands

the community dynamics in Hampshire County.

Our team is uniquely qualified to create a cutting-edge comprehensive plan because we bring Northampton:

Collaborative public engagement techniques that engage diverse community groups with events such as

pop-up demonstration projects that allow participants to experience temporary streetscapes in full scale and

interactive workshops that allow people to contribute their ideas to design solutions.

Visually compelling GIS-based mapping and analysis that synthesize important data and present it in an easily

understandable format for use in identifying infrastructure needs and recommended improvement projects.

Stateof-the-practice knowledge on pedestrian and bicycle facility design in urban, suburban, and rura

contexts to give you cutting-edge public realm coding recommendations and a Complete Streets Design

Manual that is appropriate to the suburban and rural areas of Northampton and the surrounding communities

A thorough understanding of local and national policy precedentsthat will enhance the Citys Vision Zero

effort and other goals for livability, sustainability, and equity.

Alta has a passion for our work. Our experience developing over 500 community plans gives us the ability to

create successful active transportation and urban design policies, achievable mode-share and safety goals, and

infrastructure recommendations that get implemented. The results will be an improved pedestrian environment

in all commercial districts, a rail-trail network that is an even-more important part of the transportation system

and improved livability in the towns outside of Northampton.

If you have any questions or comments about our approach to this exciting opportunity, please contact

me at (704) 255-6200 or [email protected] or Project Manager Phil Goff at (617) 945-2251 or

[email protected]. Our proposal is valid for 60 days, and we look forward to the next steps in the

selection process.

Sincerely,

John Cock, Principal, Alta Planning + Design

November 30, 2015

722 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02141

(617) 945-2251

www.altaplanning.com


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Table of Contents

Project Understanding, Scope of Services, and Tasks List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Organizational Chart, Level of Effort,and Project Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Team Qualifications and Project Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Relevant Work Samples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51


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PROJECT

UNDERSTANDING,

SCOPE OF SERVICES,

AND TASKS LIST


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City of Northampton | Alta Planning + Design

The Alta team understands that the primary goal of

the Pedestrian and Bicycle Comprehensive Plan effort

is to make Northampton one of the most walkable

and bikable small cities in New England. One advan-

tage is that the city does not have a long way to go,

as it currently has status as both a Bronze-level Walk

Friendly Community and Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly

Community. A well thought-out Comprehensive Plan

will set the Citys trajectory to Gold-level status in both

categories, shift modal travel away from motor vehi-

cles, and reduce crashes and fatalities involving pedes-

trians and bicyclists. It will also enhance the quality of

life and work to fulfill the Citys Vision Zero goal.

Walkable NorthamptonThe heart of Northamptons walkability is the down-

town area and the older neighborhoods that surround

it. The retail environment and generous sidewalks

along Main Street and its side streets create a strong

sense of place that draws shoppers, diners, and music

lovers throughout the region. This commercial inten-

sive environment also draws vehicle traffic and circu-

lation issues as people try to secure precious parking

spaces. This creates challenges for pedestrians and

bicyclists and frustrates drivers, creating unsafe condi-

tions for all road users. By developing coding and

design guidelines for the public realm, a successful

pedestrian environment that replicates downtown can

be created. This will extend the downtown feel to other

commercial corridors along Locust, King, Pleasant,

Conz, and Market streets.

The new Public Realm Coding document and guidelines

will mesh well with the concept-level planning for the

redesign of Main Street. Given the streets 80 to 120

width, various options will need to be explored to

understand the trade-offs between improvements to

the sidewalk and public realm and traffic flow, transit

access, bicycle mobility, and stormwater impacts. The

coding document will also help to inform recommen-

dations related to the Citys Complete Streets policy

and subdivision regulations to promote walkability inall zones throughout the city.

Project Understanding

Businesses along the King Street corridor exhibit a mix of auto and pedestrian orientation that would be enhanced with a

revised streetscape and, potentially, new bike facilities.

Between Pleasant and Crafts Street, the excessive width

of Main Street provides a key opportunity to enhance

downtowns walkability, bikability, and sense of place.


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Pedestrian and Bicycle Comprehensive Plan | Alta Planning + Design

The rail-trails provide an important network of infra-

structure for both recreational and utility bicycling

and walking in Northampton. They link many of the

Citys neighborhoods and tie Northampton to the

surrounding communities. The trails are also the

ideal amenity that helps to connect four of the Five

Colleges to one another and their neighbors.

The integration of the growing bike share program wil

further Northamptons goals to become a more bike-

friendly city. Given the Citys supportive demographic

make-up, the existing and planned bike facilities, its

density, and the active street life downtown, bike share

is expected to be successful. If well promoted and

managed, bike share will help promote the safety in

numbers effect by bringing dozens of new bikes onto

Northamptons streets. The additional bike traffic wil

increase visibility of cycling and help motorists become

more accustomed bicycles. In other cities, bike shareengages new riders, resulting in additional demand

and political support for investments in new bike infra

structure and programs. Bike share can also address

mobility issues in lower-income areas and fill in gaps

in the transit system. Strategically-located station sites

Bikeable NorthamptonThe heart of Northamptons bikability is the extensive

rail-trail network. A trio of trails connect downtown

to the neighborhoods to the northwest, southwest,

northeast, and beyond to Florence, Hadley, Amherst,

Southampton, and Williamsburg. Complementing

the rail trails, bike lanes along the Elm Street corridor

provide basic connectivity to Smith College, Childs

Park, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and Northampton

High School. Better integration of the rail trails into the

adjacent neighborhoods is an important objective of

the Comprehensive Plan and includes the following:

The completion of the planned tunnel under the

rail embankment at the current terminus of the

Norwottuck Trail at Woodmont Road

On-street spur trail connections to provide a better

link from the rail trails to downtown, Smith College,

Childs Park, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and the

areas around the Jackson Street and Bridge Street

schools

Negotiating easement rights across National Grids

utility corridor along the Norwottuck Trail to provide

stronger connections to the commercial destina-

tions along the King Street corridor

Easements within National Grids utility corridor will help to institutionalize spur connections from the Norwottuck Trail to theKing Street Corridor.


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Rural Street Design Guide. The lessons learned and

successful design strategies developed as part of this

guide will be used to complement the work Alta does

for the communities in rural portions of Hampshire

County.

in the under served neighborhood near the Jackson

Street School, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Union

Station (Amtrak), Stop & Shop, and elsewhere can

improve access to jobs, transit, and to the only full-

service grocery story within inner Northampton.

Walkable CommunitiesOutside of NorthamptonFinally, the Alta team understands that planned

improvements in Northampton will not occur in a

vacuum. Development of a more walkable and bikable

region increases the likelihood that people from the

towns outside of Northampton will walk and bicycle

when visiting downtown. They may also be more

cognizant and courteous to other walkers and cyclists

when driving in the city. As such, we applaud the

scope of works tasks related to developing realistic

policy and mode shift goals, along with programs and

infrastructure improvements in Belchertown, Amherst,

Williamsburg, and surrounding areas. Along the Maple/

State/Route 202 corridor in Belchertown, pedes-

trian access and safety improvements could create

a model for other towns to enhance their walkability.

Alta is currently working with Minnesota Blue Cross/

Blue Shield and FHWA to develop the Small Town and

One of the Elm Street bus stops adjacent to the SmithCollege campus is an ideal location for a bike share station.

Though some portions of the Route 202 corridor through Belchertown are pedestrian friendly, needs elsewhere include new

sidewalks, improved crosswalks, narrower travel lanes and more bikable shoulders.


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The following approach is based upon our under-

standing of Northamptons needs and the teams

experience with successfully completing other

comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle plans. We are

flexible in our approach and look forward to refining

this based on the Citys feedback.

Ongoing Task: ProjectAdministration

PROJECT MANAGEMENTPROCEDURESProducing a high-quality comprehensive plan that

meets Northamptons financial and schedule needs

requires an understanding of the community, the

improvement-program elements, stakeholder goals,

and existing conditions. To manage a project effec-tively requires communication skills so that each team

member has a common expectation of the project

outcome. A key piece of communication is to main-

tain an accurate project schedule that highlights our

proposed Project Advisory Committee meetings and

other meetings with the general public.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONThroughout the planning process, Altas Project

Manager Phil Goff, will be in regular contact with the

Citys Project Manager and other Office or Planning

and Sustainability (Planning) staff to keep themapprised of the project effort and to seek their input

at key decision points. This will include regular project

coordination conference calls, e-mails, telephone calls,

and written documents. Monthly invoices and prog-

ress reports will highlight work completed to-date and

see that the City is aware of funds left in the working

budget.

Alta will produce detailed meeting summaries covering

the discussion items and will include a list of follow-up

tasks. At the completion of each major work task, Alta

will produce a Technical Memorandum with accompa-

nying maps, graphics, and analysis. These Tech Memos

will help participants involved with the planning process

stay on the same page and will serve as the basis of the

final comprehensive plan report. Alta will work with the

Planning staff to see that interim materials, agendas,

meeting notes, and other announcements are posted

on the Citys Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan web site. We

will also provide a Dropbox or BOX site for the sharing

of large documents between parties.

QUALITY CONTROLAltas Project Manager Phil Goff will assign staff

oversee the subconsultant and review technical work

Key submittals and interim work products defined

in our project approach will go through a structuredseries of reviews. Altas quality assurance process

includes mandatory review of all products, election

of the appropriate reviewer for the product, good

decision making about when and who to engage for

review, and scheduling the time required for review in

advance of the product due date. Our Project Manage

and Principal-in-Charge are responsible for quality

control. The project manager will submit deliverables

to Planning staff and will take the lead on revising

documents in response to feedback.

Task 1: Public EngagementThe proposed public engagement effort is designed to

provide meaningful input to the Alta teams planning

and design efforts. The comprehensive plan is predi-

cated on an effective public involvement and outreach

campaign that cultivates collaboration and embraces

diversity by promoting participation from walking

and bicycling advocates, college students, business

owners, and other community members who may not

typically attend public meetings related to transporta-

tion planning. Our process will include:

Coordination with PVPCs outreach, surveys, anddata collection

Project kick-off meeting

Project advisory committee meetings

Two public forums

A Main Street community workshop

A meeting with community members and Town

staff in Belchertown

TASK 1.1: PROJECT KICK-OFF MEETINGMembers of the Alta team will attend and facilitate

a kick-off meeting with City and Regional officials

The intent of the kick-off meeting is to introduce key

members of the Alta team and to set the stage for the

subsequent stages of the planning effort. The agenda

will include:

A summary of the scope and schedule

Identification of PVPCs available data and what

else may be needed

A vision and goals exercise to inform the ongoing

planning effort

Scope of Services and Task List


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For the remainder of the comprehensive planning

process, the PAC will play a critical role in providing

direction on project goals, feedback on draft deliver-

ables, helping to promote the public meetings, guiding

the priority evaluation methodology, and refining

final recommendations. We anticipate that PVPC, in

particular, will play an active role on the PAC, brining

to the group findings from their various data collecting

efforts.

TASK 1.3: PUBLIC FORUMSTwo public forums are the heart of the public engage-

ment effort. They are designed to be engaging: oppor-

tunities for substantive input, opinions, and ideas. Alta

will develop the agenda, presentation, and any neces-

sary handouts for the workshops. We assume that

City staff will assist in securing a meeting location,

advertising the meeting, and notifying stakeholders.

Following the meeting, we will prepare meeting

notes documenting the discussion and community

involvement.

The pair of two hour forums will solicit community

input to complement to feedback already gathered

by the PVPC. Alta staff will lead a small group exer-

cise to discuss opportunities and challenges. After the

exercise, the groups will reconvene and report back

to the larger group. Each group leader will summarize

the discussions and explain their ideas for facility treat-

ments, policies, and programs for a more walk and bike

friendly Northampton.

The internal team kick-off can either be held in conjunc-

tion with the first project advisory committee meeting,

or scheduled to occur immediately before. If the latter,

we will develop an agenda that includes specific items

for client-consultant discussion within the first half of

the meeting and hold the vision and goals exercise and

more detailed summary of the scope of work for the

second half, when the full committee arrives.

TASK 1.2: PROJECT ADVISORYCOMMITTEE MEETINGSThe Alta team will work closely with Planning staff to

schedule and facilitate monthly meetingsin person

and via conference callof the City-appointed project

advisory committee (PAC). Per the Planning Directors

discretion, the PAC will comprise of current members

of the pedestrian and bicycle sub-committee, Planning

staff, other City departments staff, and representatives

from regional agencies such as Pioneer Valley Planning

Commission (PVPC) and Pioneer Valley Planning

Commission Transit Authority (PVTA), as desired.

Depending on weather, during the second meeting of

the PAC, we propose a bus and walking tour to visit

areas in Northampton which will:

Allow the committee to gain close-up, first-hand

knowledge of the study area and associated issues,

enabling the group to provide valuable input to the

Alta team

Provide an on-site forum for identifying oppor-

tunities and challenges, and to discuss potential

improvement options as a groupThe AltaModes board game helps forum attendees

understand the economic costs of different modes of

transportation and is a hit at public meetings.

Alta will lead a tour of infrastructure needs and potential

solutions via walking and bus tours.


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tree-lined medians, bike lanes, travel lanes, bus lanes

landscape/stormwater strips, and street furniture

that participants will be able to test out alternative

cross-sections within Main Streets wide right-of-way

The mix of map mark ups and the streetscape cut-outs

will inform Altas concept designs moving forward.

Task 1 Deliverables:

Data needs memo from kick-off meeting

Summary notes from public forums and othe

meetings, including meaningful responses to

relevant comments and questions from the

community

PowerPoint presentations, boards, and handouts

for the two public forums

PowerPoint presentations, boards, and handouts

for Main Street workshop

Task 2: Existing ConditionsInventory and Assessment

TASK 2.1: DATA COLLECTION (BASEMAPS, TRAFFIC COUNTS AND PED/BIKE CRASH INCIDENTS)Working from the Data Needs memo developed fo

the project kick-off meeting, Alta will work closely with

the appropriate City departments and PVPC to gather

the necessary data. This includes GIS shapefiles fo

the development of base maps, traffic counts where

available (motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle)

survey results, and data related to crashes that involve

pedestrians and bicyclists. We will develop a series of

illustrative maps that illustrate key takeaways from the

data collection including:

City base map featuring existing trails, on-street

bike facilities, sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike racks

Map showing roadway widths and traffic volumes

highlighting roads in which space exists for on-street

bike facilities or volumes on four lane roads, which

could justify a road diet

Map showing pedestrian and bicycle crash locations

TASK 2.2: ANALYSIS OF CURRENTPOLICIES, REGULATIONS, ANDCONCURRENT STUDIESUnderstanding existing city policies, programs, and

plans for improving bicycling and walking is critical

With help from WatsonActive, the Alta team will review

The theme of each Forum will include:

Forum #1: Visioning, Goals, and Opportunities and

Challenges (March)

Forum #2: Draft Recommendations and Priorities

(May)

At both forums, we will provide a table that is oriented

towards families with young children (an important

constituent group that does not always attend meet-

ings). The family table will feature snacks, arts, and

game activities for children to keep them engaged

with the theme of walking and bicycling. A highlight

will be the AltaModes, the board game developed by

Alta to teach kids (and adults) about the relative costs

and speeds of different modes of transportation and

the trade-offs between them.

TASK 1.4: MAIN STREET COMMUNITYWORKSHOPWe propose to conduct the Main Street Community

Workshop on the day after the second public forum.

Coming in quick succession, the two meetings are

intended to build off of each other and generate a high

level of media interest and community excitement.

Scheduled for the same week of May, they could be

featured events of Bay State Bike Week, if desired. The

workshop is expected to delve into design and engi-

neering issues at a higher level than the public forums,

but similarly will include a PowerPoint presentation andbreak-out groups. In true workshop format, the smaller

group sessions will be highly interactive with maps of

the corridor at various scales and foam cut-outs of

the full range of streetscape elementssidewalks,

Streetscape cut-outs to scale will help the community

understand what can fit within Main Streets right of way and

the trade-offs.


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roadway widths, traffic signals, sidewalks/crosswalks,

on-street bike facilities, and public transit stops. Based

on the assessment, we will develop:

Gap Analysis map that highlights primary gaps

(corridor length) and secondary gaps (intersectionsand missing links between trails or other facilities)

Opportunities and Challenges map that graphically

illustrates key opportunities for enhanced walking

and bicycling in Northampton, along with elements

that will present challengestraffic volume, narrow

street width, existing and proposed parking lots and

garages, or steep slopesto improved conditions


Technical Memorandum #1, Existing Conditions

Assessment to feature:

Base maps showing existing conditions, roadway

width, traffic volumes, and crash locations

A compendium of relevant items found in existing

plans, policies, and reports that will help inform

the planning process

Gap Analysis and Opportunities and Challenges

maps and narrative

NOTE: All of the maps and graphic described above will

be used at Public Forum #1, scheduled to occur imme-

diately after the completion of Task 2.

and summarize the Citys various plans and reports

that are relevant to our efforts, including the Complete

Streets policy section of the Sustainable Northampton

Comprehensive Plan, the Northampton Open Space,

Recreation and Multi-use Trails Plan, Complete Streets

requirements in the Subdivision Regulations and

Zoning, the Main Street/King Street Transportation

Charrette report, the Downtown Northampton Parking

Study and PVPCs Bike Share Study report and quan-

tification of health impacts due to changes to active

transportation systems in Northampton. In addition,

we will work will Planning and Department of Public

Works staff to make sure we are familiar with the

impact of winter snow-clearing policies.

TASK 2.3: WALK, BIKE, ADAINFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT ANDANALYSIS MAPPINGUtilizing the Citys GIS data, along with field work and

online map analysis, Alta will inventory, evaluate, and

map the network of existing pedestrian and bicycle

infrastructure with a keen eye towards gaps in ADA

accessibility. This includes existing multi-use paths,

Altas deliverables will include highly graphic analysis maps of Northampton, similar to the Opportunities and Challenges map

above from Plattsburgh, NY.


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implementation. The project goals help guide the city

towards fulfilling the Vision Statement and provide

criteria in which to evaluate the policy, program, and

project recommendations developed during the study

Another methodology for measuring the success othe recommended policies, projects, and programs

is to utilize the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) or

Walk Friendly Community (WFC) scorecards avail

able from the League of American Bicyclists and the

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, respec-

tively. Northampton could aspire to go beyond its

current Bronze-level BFC and WFC status as bench-

marks for progress over the medium- and long-term

Task 3: Network, Policy andProgram Recommendations

TASK 3.1: PROJECT VISION, GOALS,

AND EVALUATION CRITERIABased on input from Planning staff, members of thePAC, and from the community at-large at Public

Forum #1, Alta will develop the projects vision and

goals. A vision statement outlines what the City of

Northampton wants to be from a walking and bicycling

perspective and how it can achieve its Vision Zero of

no pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. It concentrates

on the future and provides a source of inspiration for

Altas bike network master plan for Buffalo has designated routes for different types of bicyclists. It includes low stress routes

for people who may otherwise avoid riding due to concerns about traffic and lack of seamless bike infrastructure.


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corridors, at critical intersections, and within neigh-

borhoods of the city. Recommendations will include

projects related to trails, sidewalks, crosswalks, ADA

connectivity, new and upgraded traffic signals, and

special intersection treatments designed for safety

and accessibility. Combined with Northamptons

existing sidewalk system, the recommended proj-

ects will fill in gaps and form a city-wide network that

offers logical connections to schools, parks, commer-

cial districts, the rail-trail network, and transit stops.

The resulting recommendations will be presented in a

highly-graphic, pedestrian network map.

TASK 3.4: CROSSWALKIMPROVEMENTS AND DESIGNSTANDARDSAs an outgrowth to Task 3.3, we will look carefully at

existing crosswalk locations and designs throughout

the city, noting particular deficiencies and needs. We

will present a detailed set of design standards for

improved crosswalks and new crosswalks. Standards

will include recommendations related to:

Crosswalk width

Paint vs. unique material treatments (where appro-

priate, where not appropriate)

Horizontal deflection (e.g.: median islands and

chicanes)

Vertical deflection (e.g.: speed table, raisedcrosswalk)

Design of bump outs

Signage needs

Altas team includes Jeff Olson who helped to develop

the BFC rating and designation system through the

American League of Bicyclists. He will help identify the

ways Northampton can move to Silver, Gold, and even

Platinum-level designations.

TASK 3.2: BICYCLE FACILITYNETWORK AND DESIGNRECOMMENDATIONSUtilizing the existing conditions analysis, public

outreach, and comments from the City and the PAC,

Alta will prepare recommendations for bicycle infra-

structure improvements along key roadway corridors,

at critical intersections, and within neighborhoods

of the City. Recommendations will include projects

related to on-street bicycle facilities, shared-use paths,

new and upgraded traffic signals, and special intersec-

tion treatments designed for safety and accessibility.

Combined with Northamptons existing facilities, the

recommendations will fill in gaps and form a city-wide

network that offers logical connections to existing bike

facilities, schools, parks, commercial districts, trails,

transit stops, and key destinations. The network will

feature a hierarchy of treatments aimed at tapping into

the latent demand that exists in nearly all communities

in the US. As such, bike routes can be designated as

strong and fearless (shared roadways with minimal

facilities), enthused and confident (standard bike

lanes) or interested but concerned (separate bikelanes, trails, and neighborhood-based bike boule-

vards) to correspond to the three predominant types

of bicyclists and potential bicyclists in Northampton.

The resulting recommendations will be presented in a

highly-graphic, bicycle network map.

An important aspect of bicycle infrastructure is bike

parking. Based on locations and designs of existing bike

racks and where current and future demand exceeds

supply, we will recommend end-of-trip facilities such

as bike racks, maintenance stands, and Bicycle Secure

Parking Areas (Bike SPAs). A Bike SPA could be an

ideal option for downtown, featuring secure parking,

lockers, wash rooms, and perhaps a caf or small bike

shop component.

TASK 3.3: PEDESTRIAN FACILITYNETWORK RECOMMENDATIONSUtilizing the existing conditions analysis, public

outreach, and comments from the City and the PAC,

Alta will prepare recommendations for pedestrian

infrastructure improvements along key roadway

l l

Parallel markings are the

most basic crosswalk

marking type

Marked Crosswalks

Description

A marked crosswalk signals to motorists that they must

stop for pedestrians and encourages pedestrians to cross

at designated locations. Installing crosswalks alone will notnecessarily make crossings safer especially on multi-lane

roadways.

At mid-block locations, crosswalks can be marked where

there is a demand for crossing and there are no nearby

marked crosswalks.

Guidance

At signalized intersections, all crosswalks should be

marked. At un-signalized intersections, crosswalks may be

marked under the following conditions:

At a complex intersection, to orient pedestrians in

finding their way across.

At an offset intersection, to show pedestrians theshortest route across traffi c with the least exposure to

vehicula r traffi c and traffi c conflicts.

At an intersection with visibility constraints, to

position pedestrians where they can best be seen by

oncoming t raffi c.

At an intersection within a school zone on a walking

route.

High visibility markings are more

conspicuous than parallel lines

The crosswalk should be locatedto align as closely as possible with

the through pedestrian zone of the

sidewalk corridor


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make changes to the four PVPC site plans, and develop

the other three sites to the same level of detail. We can

also be available to study up to three alternative sites

as back-up locations in the event that any of the initia

seven sites do not work out.

TASK 3.7: MODE SHIFT GOALS ANDPROJECT PRIORITIZATIONAlta will work with the PAC to understand current

transportation mode splits and discuss realistic goals

for downtown-focused and city-wide mode shifts ove

5, 10, and 20 year periods. Combined with the project

goals and evaluation criteria from Task 3.1, the Alta

team will rank potential pedestrian and bicycle infra-

structure projects. The evaluation criteria will describe

impacts and benefits and are likely to include:

Improved pedestrian and bicyclist safetyespe-cially for children and seniorsby decreasing

conflicts with motor vehicles

Ability to connect to existing trails, bikeways, or

sidewalks

Probability of shifting mode split from driving to

walking and bicycling

Linkages to key destinations (parks, schools

campuses, business districts, and bus stops)

Community support, as shown at both Public

Forums

Order-of-magnitude costs and engineering

challenges

Ability to implement quickly, or be piloted as a

demonstration project

Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure recommenda-

tions will be presented in two separate matrices with

accompanying evaluation scores. Based on the results

of the evaluation, we will develop a ten-year Capita

Plan that outlines a prioritized list of project recom-

mendations. Each project will include rough, planning-

level cost estimates and analysis of the possibility to

implement the project quickly and/or as a temporarypilot project. The results of the evaluation will also feed

into a phasing plan, which incorporates elements more

difficult to incorporate into an evaluation matrix, such

as funding availability, elimination of a critical safety

hazard, and seeing that the system grows rationally

rather than as a series of disconnected pieces over

time. The phasing plan and accompanying map wil

also give Planning staff a visual reference for how the

Citys pedestrian and bicycle network will grow and

improve over time.

TASK 3.5: POLICY AND REGULATORYFRAMEWORK RECOMMENDATIONSThe Alta team understands that becoming a more

walkable and bike-friendly city takes more than the

development of new infrastructure. Changes to citypolicies and the regulatory framework for develop-

ment projects, along with Four Es programs are critical

as well. For this task Alta has brought in David Watson

from WatsonActive to provide additional assistance.

With David taking the lead, the team will present an

analysis of the Task 2.2 summary along with a table

of recommended revisions to, or newly created, poli-

cies, development regulations, local roadway-design

standards and Four Es (education, encouragement,

enforcement, and evaluation) programs. We will

schedule a special meeting with permitting staff within

the Office of Planning and Sustainability and other Citystaff, as necessary, to coordinate development and

zoning recommendations with the City staff that will

be responsible for implementing them.

TASK 3.6: BIKE SHARE SYSTEM PLANAND STATION DESIGNAlta will work with Planning staff and PAC represen-

tatives to review recommendations made during our

bike share system planning and station design work

for PVPC in the summer-fall of 2015 and see that they

remain acceptable to the City. Per the PVPC report,

seven conceptual station sites were identified withfour developed to a higher level of detail (zoomed-in

station location maps and station footprint wire frame

graphics). We will review all of the seven potential sites,

Altas bike share planning work typically includes photo

simulations of stations at potential sites, such as one at the

Norwottuck Trail intersection at Pleasant Street.


18/5712


Separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) to provide a low-

stress environment for beginner bicyclists, elderly

riders, and families

Green street treatment using additional landscaping

and stormwater management features

The Alta team proposes to work closely with City

staff to investigate the opportunity to create a

short-term demonstration project on Main Street for

a summer weekend. The event will complement the

community meeting planned for May, as described in

Task 1.4. This would likely entail closing off the north

half of Main Street from Craft Street to Center Street

and putting two-way traffic on the south half of the

street. Alta will work with the PAC to recruit volunteers

to assist with the demonstration project using low-

cost, temporary materials such as spray chalk, traffic

cones, planters, and temporary signs.


Technical Memorandum #2, Recommendations to

feature:

Summary of vision and goals for the project

Maps featuring recommendations for the city-

wide pedestrian and bicycle networks

Guidelines and standards for crosswalk locations

and designs

Policy, development regulations, and active

transportation program recommendations

Bike share station planning revisions, as necessary

Project prioritization matrix with evaluation of

each recommended pedestrian and bicycle

facility project

NOTE: Maps and graphic described above will be usedat Public Forum #2, scheduled to occur near the end

of Task 3 (with time left to make changes based on

community input).

Task 4: Main StreetConceptual Design

TASK 4.1: CONCEPTUAL DESIGNDEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATIONPROJECTAfter the completion of the draft pedestrian and

bicycle facility networks, Alta will develop concept-

level designs for the stretch of Main Street between

the Elm/West Street intersection and Hawley Street.

These blocks are arguably the most vibrant and active

anywhere in the Pioneer Valley and the opportunity

to create a Great Street is a powerful incentive for a

careful design. We will incorporate Complete Streets

principles and guidance from the NACTO Urban

Bikeway Design Guide, the NACTO Urban Streets

Design Guide, the ITE Manual to Walkable Urban

Thoroughfares, the MassDOT Separated Bike Lane

Planning and Design Guide,and others. After analyzing

traffic volumes and speeds, and demands for turning,

we will create up to four design options that study:

Opportunities to put Main Street on a road diet and

various ways to re-envision the new-found space for

walking, bicycling, and greenery

Expedited transit service by incorporating a dedi-

cated bus lane with more-prominent bus stops and

potentially moving the current pulse point to the

east

Alta will develop conceptual designs and show

recommendations through photo simulations, like the before

and after images shown above from the City of BuffaloBicycle Master Plan.


19/5713


The goals for the optional demonstration project are

to:

Further engage the community in a fun and

visionary event

Sustain momentum for the city-wide Comprehensive

Plan and build support for implementation

Help businesses, residents, and other stakeholders

envision Altas concept plans for Main Street

The demonstration project can also serve as an open

house for the Main Street conceptual design process.

Alta will have boards for event attendees to view the

final design alternatives and to make comments. (In

the event of inclement weather, Alta will be available

for the open house portion of the event inside of City

Hall.) We will evaluate the design options with direct

input from Planning staff, the PAC, and use commu-

nity comments received during the open house and

demonstration project to narrow them down to a

preferred alternative.

TASK 4.2: ENGINEERINGCONSTRUCTABILITY REVIEWIn order to ensure the preferred design alternative

for Main Street is constructable, Altas engineers

will perform a constructability review to confirm the

proposed roadway geometry, the lane configuration,

the bicycle accommodations, pedestrian crossings,

changes to signals, and bus operations are imple-

mentable. Our Senior Engineer will develop a third

Alta implements demonstration projects throughout the country, such as the pop-up bike lane and parklet, shown above, in

Yonkers, NY last summer.

technical memorandum that analyzes the traffic issues

comments on engineering or permitting challenges of

the preferred alternative, and discusses the benefits to

all roadway users. The memorandum will include an

order-of-magnitude cost estimate as well.


Up to four design optionspresented in cross

section and plan viewfor Main Street

Materials required for short-term demonstration

project and open house event

Preferred conceptual design alternative for Main

Street presented in section, plan and 3-D views

Technical Memorandum 3, Engineering

Constructability Review

Task 5: Public Realm Design

TASK 5.1: SIDEWALK AND PUBLICREALM DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOSAs authors of city-wide pedestrian and bicycle facility

design guides. Alta has deep experience developingthe appropriate guidelines that promotes active

communities where walking and bicycling are more

prevalent forms of transportation. For this effort, Altas

urban designers will develop a richly-detailed design

coding for the public realm that reflects the prevailing

urban context and zoning districts in Northampton. We

will include key elements for a walkable environment


20/5714


that propagates a strong business environment and

provides opportunities for social intersection:

Hierarchy of public realm zones (pedestrian thru

zone, building frontage zone, landscape/green

streets zone, and the furniture zone)

Safety and functionality of the pedestrian way

Strong sense of place created by material choice

and lighting

Areas for community interaction

Interaction with adjacent land use

A brief Public Realm Design Guide will be developed

for City officials to incorporate into Northamptons

development review protocols for projects proposed

in the Central Business, General Business, Entrance

Way Business, and Highway Business zoning districts.


Draft and Final Public Realm Design Guide

Altas design guidelines illustrate improvements for all modes of transportation along with enhancements to the public realm.

Alta developed Complete Street typologies for different types of streets to create the Cleveland, OH Complete and Green

Street Design Manual.

| l l

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Property Line

Frontage ZonePedestrian Through ZoneFurnishing ZoneParking Lane/Enhancement Zone

Edge

Zone

The Frontage Zone

allows pedestrians

a comfortable

shydistance

from the building

fronts. It provides

opportunities for

window shopping,

to place signs,

planters, or chairs.

Not applicable

if adjacent to a

landscaped space.

The furnishing zone

buffers pedestrians

from the adjacent

roadway, and is also

the area where ele-

ments such as street

trees, signal poles,

signs, and other

street furniture are

properly located.

The through zone is the

area intended for pedes-

trian travel. This zone

should be entirely free of

permanent and temporary

objects.

Wide through zones are

needed in downtown

areas or where pedestrian

flows are high.

The parking lane can act as a

flexible space to further buffer

the sidewalk from moving

traffi c. Curb extensions and bike

corrals may occupy this space

where appropriate.

In the edge zonethere should

be a 6 inch wide curb.

l l

l l |

Street ClassificationParking Lane/Enhancement

Zone

FurnishingZone

PedestrianThrough Zone

FrontageZone

Total

Local Streets Varies 2 - 5 feet 4 - 6 feet N/A 6 - 11 feet

Commercial Areas Varies 4 - 6 feet 6 - 12 feet 2.5 - 10 feet 11 - 28 feet

Arterials and Collectors Varies 2 - 6 feet 4 - 8 feet 2.5 - 5 feet 8 -19 feet

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Six feet enables two pedestrians

(including wheelchair users)

to walk side-by-side, or to pass

each other comfortably

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Areas that have significant

accumulations of snow during

the winter may prefer a wider

furnishing zone for snow storage.


21/5715


transforms it into a document that is more relevant

for small towns and rural communities. Currently Alta

is developing a similar manual for rural communi-

ties in Minnesota and will soon begin a national-leve

guide for FHWA. While the quality and legibility of the

graphics will remain, the content will take into account

the differing needs of Hampshire Countys towns and

villages. Those differing needs include but are not

limited to:

A minimal need for sidewalks on both sides, or even

one side, of the street in some cases

Minimal maintenance funds for unique landscape

features

Street cleaning and snow clearing needs that may

minimize the ability to build separated bike lanes

Lack of on-street parking and street typology thatprecludes bump outs and some other traffic calming

features

Low volumes of utility bicyclists and pedestrian

traffic that limits the need for certain bike facilities

and sidewalk treatments more typically desired in

urban areas

Alta will develop a draft and final design manual for

review by the City of Northampton, along with their

partners at PVPC, and the towns of Belchertown

Amherst, Williamsburg, and other rural stakeholders

in Hampshire County. Its format will be similar to theNACTO Urban Streets Design Guideand will include an

appropriate level of detail for use by town engineers

and Departments of Public Works when implementing

roadway projects.

TASK 7.2: MODE SHIFT GOALS ANDPRIORITIZATION IN COMMUNITIESOUTSIDE OF NORTHAMPTONThe Alta team will alter the mode shift goals and priori-

tization methodology in Northampton for the smaller

more rural communities of Belchertown, Williamsburg

and Amherst. Goals will be more modest with theunderstanding that in communities with different

demographic and economic makeups have different

needs. While some goals used for project evaluation

are universalpedestrian safety or ability to connect

to existing trailsothers will be less relevant.

Task 6: Draft And FinalPedestrian and BicycleComprehensive Plan Report

TASK 6.1: IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULEA project timeline and implementation plan will be

developed so that the preferred projects and poli-

cies identified through this planning process proceeds

forward to construction. The implementation plan will

identify specific funding sources and a recommended

approach to phasing. The project timeline will account

for the potential funding source availability and will

accommodate anticipated project phasing.

TASK 6.2: DRAFT AND FINALCOMPREHENSIVE PLAN REPORT AND

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYUpon the Citys approval on the recommended network,

Main Street preferred alternative, and the Public Realm

Guide, Alta will create the Draft Pedestrian and Bicycle

Comprehensive Plan report. It will take into account

the comments provided by the City, the Project

Advisory Committee and the general public (from the

two Public Forums, Main Street workshop, and via the

Citys designated project website). The City will aggre-

gate comments on the draft report from internal staff

and the PAC and provide them back to the Alta team

to incorporate into the final report. The final report will

summarize the engagement process and amalgamate

the Technical Memoranda and graphics. The docu-

ment will bring to Northampton the core elements

necessary to improve accessibility, walking and bicy-

cling conditions in the city, and enhance the quality

of life.


InDesign and PDF versions of the draft and

final Northampton Pedestrian and Bicycle

Comprehensive Plan document, including

the Public Realm Guide and Engineering

Constructability Review memo as attached

appendices

Task 7: DevelopComprehensive Plan Annex

TASK 7.1: RURAL AND SUBURBANCOMPLETE STREETS DESIGN MANUALAlta will draft a Complete Streets style design manual

that builds off of the two existing NACTO guides, but


22/5716


changes. Depending on turn out, we may break into

multiple groups and then reconvene as a larger group

and discuss the outcomes from the small groups.

Each group leader will summarize the discussions and

express the favored option and why it was chosen.

Similar to the meetings in Northampton, we will provide

a table that is oriented towards families with young

children. The family table will feature snacks, arts and

game activities for children to keep them engaged

with the theme of walking and bicycling. A highlight

will be the AltaModes, the board game developed by

Alta to teach kids (and adults) about the relative costs

and speeds of different modes of transportation and

the trade-offs between them.


Draft and final Rural and Suburban CompleteStreets Design Manual

Draft and final report for the Town of Belchertown

featuring existing conditions analysis of the Route

202 corridor and the recommended concept-

level design in section, plan, and 3-D views. The

reports summary will include the cost estimate,

an implementation schedule and the realistic

mode shift expectations expected to come with

implementation.

TASK 7.3: DATA COLLECTION ANDEXISTING CONDITIONS ASSESSMENTOF THE MAPLE/STATE/RT. 202CORRIDOR

Alta will work with PVPC and Town of Belchertownstaff to obtain digital files of the Maple Street/State

Street/Route 202 corridor. We will supplement these

with online information, either from Google or the

states MassGIS websites data layers, and create a base

map for the corridor. Alta will build on the priority gap

map and analysis developed by PVPC and supplement

it with an opportunities and constraints map to assist

our understanding of the corridor and provide the

transition to the development of design alternatives.

TASK 7.4: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAPLE/STATE/RT. 202 CORRIDORThe focus of our design concepts will be pedestrian

access and safety with improvements for bicyclists

considered secondarily. Alta will develop up to three

conceptual design concepts for the mile-long corridor

that takes into account pedestrian access along and

across Route 202, motor vehicles thru traffic and

turning, parking areas, bicycle access, landscaping,

and lighting. Options will be presented in cross-

section and plan views with order of magnitude costs

provided. Besides safety, another overall goal of the

trio of options is to enhance the aesthetic environmentfor this corridor that acts as Belchertowns Main Street,

and to create a stronger destination for the those living

or visiting the southeast corner of Hampshire County.

TASK 7.5: TOWN OF BELCHERTOWNSTAFF AND COMMUNITY MEETINGAlta will work closely with Belchertown Planning

Department and Public Works staff so there is a high

level of comfort with Altas three conceptual design

options for the corridor. After that is achieved, we will

work with them to schedule a community meeting to

present the teams analysis, project goals, and designoptions.

At the community meeting, Alta will start the event

off with a slide presentation that summarizes the goals

for the project and the relevant Complete Streets

elements for a rural community that were looked at

when developing the three options. After a general

Q&A session, Alta will facilitate a hands-on work-

shop where attendees are able to mark-up draw-

ings of the three options and make suggestions for

Alta will work with Town of Belchertown staff and other

stakeholders to create options for a more walkable and

bikable Route 202 corridor.


23/57

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

LEVEL OF EFFORT, ANDPROJECT BUDGET

You [Phil Goff, Project Manager] and everyone else on this feasibility studyteam is doing a great job of introducing our residents to the concept of bikeshare, managing expectations of how bike share might work in St. Louis, andlistening to new ideas and suggestions.

-Elizabeth Simons, Great Rivers Greenway Bike Share Project Manager, St.Louis, MO


24/5718


and to deliver a superior Pedestrian and Bicycle

Comprehensive Plan to the community we have

assembled a team of highly-experienced bicycle

and pedestrian planners, designers, engineers, and

program specialists. John Cock will serve as Altas

Principal-in-Charge, with responsibility for overall

project leadership and quality control. He has led

over 50 bicycle and pedestrian plans and regularly

works with code and policy development. Project

has dedicated his career to making

communities more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly

result in design guidelines and implementation plans.

He will be responsible for overall communications, task

assignments, project budgeting, and coordination.

will serve as an Walk and Bike FriendlyCommunity Advisor.

This management team will be supported by task

leaders Tom Tavella, PLA, FASLAand Mike Respch,

PEwho have a long history of working together to take

conceptual Complete Street Plans to implemented

projects. Principal and Programs Department

Lead Jessica Roberts will lead encouragement,

programs and goal development, working closely

with our esteemed teaming partner David Watson of

WatsonActive. Additionally, Sam Piper will provide

GIS analysis, Nick Fablowill be the point person for

streetscape design and graphics, and Lindsay Zefting,

PE will provide additional planning and engineering

support. Please see the Team Qualifications Section

for full resumes and project experience.

Organizational Chart

ENGINEERING

ALTA PLANNING + DESIGN

John Cock, Principal-in-Charge

Project Manager

Walk and Bike

Friendly Community Special Advisor

PED/BIKENETW

ORKPLANNING

PUBLICREALM

DESIGN

Mike Repsch, PE,

Senior Transportation

Engineer (Alta Task Lead)

Lindsay Zefting, PE,

Project Manager/Senior

Planner (Alta Task Lead)

Sam Piper,

Planner/GIS Specialis t

(Alta) POLICY,PROGR

AMS,ANDEQUITY

Tom Tavella, PLA, FASLA

Senior Landscape

Architect (Alta Task Lead)

Nick Falbo,

Streetscape/Graphic

Designer

Jessica Roberts,

Senior Programs

Specialist

(Alta Task Lead)

David Watson,

Policy/Equity Advisor

(WatsonActive)ENGINEERING

PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEECity of Northampton

WATSONACTIVE

David Watson, Policy/Equity Advisor


25/5719


Project Budget

Watson

Active

JohnCock,

Principal-in-Charge

Ph

ilGoff,

ProjectManager

JeffOlson,

RA,

Walkand

BikeFriendly

Commu

nitiesAdvisor

MikeRepsch,

PE,

Sr.Transpo

rtationEngineer

Lindsay

Zefting,

PE,

TrafficEngineer

SamPiper,

Project

Planner/GIS

Sp

ecialist

TomTavella,

PLA,

FASLA,

Sr.LandscapeArchitect

Nic

kFalbo,

Streetscape/Graphic

Designer

JessicaRoberts,

Sr.ProgramsSpecialist

DavidWatson

2016 Hourly Rate* $175 $152 $195 $160 $130 $98 $185 $115 $165 $125

124 $

1.1: Project Kick-off Meeting 2 4 2 2 2 2 4 18

1.2: Project/Technical Advisory Committee Meetings (Monthly) 4 12 4 4 8 4 2 8 46

1.3: Public Forums 12 4 12 12 40

1.4: Main Street Community Workshop 6 4 6 4 20

74

2.1: Data Collection (Base Maps, Traffic Counts, and Ped/Bicycle

Crash Incidents)2 2 12 2 18

2.2: Analysis of Current Policy/Regulations and Concurrent

Studies2 2 8 4 12 28

2.3: Walk/Bicycle/ADA Infrastructure Assessment and Analysis

Mapping 2 4 4 16 2 28

224 $

3.1: Project Vision, Goals, and Evaluation Criteria 4 2 4 2 12

3.2: Bicycle Facil ity Network and Design Recommendations 2 16 2 12 7 31 8 78

3.3: Pedestrian Facility Network Recommendations 1 4 2 2 16 4 29

3.4: Crosswalk Improvements and Design Standards 1 2 4 12 4 23

3 .5 : Polic y and R eg ulatory Fr amewor k R ecommend at ions 1 4 2 4 20 31

3.6: Bike Share System Plan and Station Design 2 10 24 36

3.7: Mode Shift and Project Prioritization 1 4 2 8 15

93 $

4.1: Conceptual Design Development and Demonstration Project 2 10 6 20 8 4 24 74

4.2: Engineering Constructability Review (Including Cost

Estimates)1 2 16 19

68 $

5.1: Sidewalk/Public Realm Development Scenarios and Coding 2 18 4 8 20 16 68$

74

6.1: Implementation Schedule 1 5 8 2 16

6.2: Draft and Final Comprehensive Plan Report and Executive

Summary4 12 2 4 2 40 2 2 6 74

148 $

7 .1 : Rural and S ubur ban C ompl ete S tr ee ts Des ig n M anual 2 8 2 24 2 16 54

7.2: Mode Shift Goals and Prioritization in Communities Outside

of Northampton4 2 2 8 2 4 22

7.3: Data Collection and Existing Conditions Assessment of

Maple/State/202 Corridor2 2 8 12

7.4: Conceptual Design Recommendations for Maple/State/202

Corridor2 6 2 16 12 4 2 44

7.5: Town of Belchertown Staff and Community Meeting 6 4 6 16

Total Staff Hours 30 159 14 60 85 263 48 68 14 80 805

Subtotal $5,250 $24,168 $2,730 $9,600 $11,050 $25,774 $8,880 $7,820 $2,310 $10,000 $1

Reimbursable Expenses and Travel $800 $500 $200 $200 $200 $450

Project Total $5,250 $24,968 $2,730 $10,100 $11,250 $25,974 $9,080 $7,820 $2,310 $10,450 $1

Alta Planning + Design

TASK

HOURS

TA

BUTASK DESCRIPTION

* These are fully burdened rates t hat include salary, benefits, firm overhead charges, administrative fees and profit

Task 3: Network, Policy and Program Recommendations

Task 1: Public Engagement

Task 2: Existing Conditions Inventory and Assessment

Task 4: Main Street Conceptual Design

Task 5: Public Realm Design Guide

Task 6: Draft/Final Pedestrian and Bike Comprehensive Plan Report

Task 7: Develop Comprehensive Plan Annex


26/57




27/57

SCHEDULE

Phil [Goff, Project Manager], your work is wonderful. I can almost cut andpaste the route safety paragraphs just as they are! Your voice is dead on! Andthe full report is perfect, informative but not so dense you cant read it - justperfect. Thanks so much.-Lisa Halbower-Fenton, Chair of the Community Preservation Act Committee,

Scituate, MA


28/57




29/5723


Schedule

1.1: Project Kick-off Meeting X

1.2: Project/Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

(Monthly)X X X X X X X X

1.3: Public Forums X X

1.4: Main Street Community Workshop X

2.1: Data Collection (Base Maps, Traffic Counts, and

Ped/Bicycle Crash Incidents)

2.2: Analysis of Current Policy/Regulations and Concurrent

Studies

2.3: Walk/Bicycle/ADA Infrastructure Assessment and

Analysis Mapping

3.1: Project Vision, Goals, and Evaluation Criteria

3.2: Bicycle Facility Network and Design

Recommendations

3.3: Pedestrian Facility Network Recommendations

3.4: Crosswalk Improvements and Design Standards

3.5: Policy and Regulatory Framework Recommendations

3.6: Bike Share System Plan and Station Design

3.7: Mode Shift and Project Prioritization

4.1: Conceptual Design Development and Demonstration

Project X

4.2: Engineering Constructability Review (Including Cost

Estimates)

5.1: Sidewalk/Public Realm Development Scenarios

5.2: Public Realm Coding Recommendations

6.1: Implementation Schedule

6.2: Draft and Final Comprehensive Plan Report and

Executive Summary

7.1: Rural and Suburban Complete Streets Design Manual

7.2: Mode Shift Goals and Prioritization in Communities

Outside of Northampton

7.3: Data Collection and Existing Conditions Assessment

of Maple/State/202 Corridor

7.4: Conceptual Design Recommendations for

Maple/State/202 Corridor

7.5: Town of Belchertown Staff and Community Meeting X

Task Progress

Meeting/Event X

Task 2: Existing Conditions Inventory and Assessment

Task 3: Network, Policy and Program Recommendations

Task 4: Main Street Conceptual Design

Task 5: Public Realm Design Guide

Task 6: Draft/Final Pedestrian and Bicycle Comprehensive Plan Report

AugustMay

Task 1: Public Engagement

January February March April JulyJune

Task 7: Develop Comprehensive Plan Annex


30/57




31/57

TEAM QUALIFICATIONS

The [Campus Bike Master Plan] draft report itself is extraordinarily thoroughand well thought-out; no stone was left unturned, no notion unconsidered.And the presentations were the analogous- they provided well-statedevidence of the comprehensive work done by your team studying bicycling atBuffalo State.

-Lisa Krieger, Assistant Vice President, Finance and Management, BuffaloState University


32/57




33/5727


OFFICE LOCATIONS

Alta provides a full range of services including:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master plans Complete Streets

Bike share station location, station design, and

feasibility studies

Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Guidelines

Landscape architecture and project design

Traffic engineering

Greenway and corridor plans

Bicycle and pedestrian integration with transit

Bicycle and pedestrian facility design guidelines

Counts, surveys, and demand analysis

Bicycle parking design

Trail safety and sustainability audit

Signage and wayfinding plans

GIS and mapping services

Construction documentation and administration

Safe Routes to School studies and plans

Public involvement

Technical assistance and training

Education, encouragement, and marketing services

2008-2015 Alta Firm Profile

Altas mission is to create active

communities.Alta Planning + Design is North Americas leading

multimodal transportation firm that specializes in the

planning, design, and implementation of bicycle, pedes-

trian, park, and trail corridors and systems. Founded in

1996, Alta has more than 170 staff in 29 offices across

North America and an international workload. On any

given day, most staff walk, bike, or take transit to work.

We are committed to transforming communities, one

trip at a time, one step at a time, and one street, inter-

section, and park at a time.

EXPERIENCEWe have experience working in all size communities,

from a few thousand to millions, from rural to moun-

tain and desert to suburban and urbanized areas. We

strive to tailor each project to the communitys unique

setting, history, and culture through an active public

participation process. Alta staff are proud to have

designed and implemented over 8,000 miles of bike-

ways, walkways, and trails.

DEDICATION

Alta staff are at the forefront of the sustainable

transportation movement. We are active in theAssociation of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professional

(APBP), the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the

Transportation Research Board, the Complete Streets

Coalition, and have conducted national studies for the

U.S. Department of Transportation. Alta is proud to

be a co-author of the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design

Guide, and a founder of the Initiative for Bicycle &

Pedestrian Innovation at Portland State University.


34/5728


WatsonActive fosters healthy communities by

providing consulting, community engagement, and

government relations services for active transportation.

It is a core value of WatsonActive that every engage-

ment is the beginning of a sustainable program, policy,

or project that will continue long after the engagement

is concluded. Working at the intersection of transpor-

tation, public health, the environment, and economic

development, WatsonActive assists communities

to identify context-sensitive active transportation

goals, and supports their efforts to achieve those

goals. Alta is proud to team with WatsonActive to

provide analysis support of current policies and regu-

lations to help inform recommendations.

WatsonActive has extensive experience working with

state and local agencies on policies that promote bicy-

cling and walking and enhance the safety of all road

users; building capacity in local communities to effec-

tively pursue active transportation goals; educating

COMPLETE STREETS

Making core areas and streets more livable and

pedestrian and bicycle-friendly is a priority for many

communities. Alta Planning + Design offers a unique

blend of skills to produce an effective and high

quality Complete Streets solution, from concept to

implementation. Our staff have specialized expertise

in land-use planning, traffic calming, context-sensitive

design, Main Streets, transit corridors and access, multi-

modal design, urban design, and many other aspects

of creating livable communities. Alta is the national

leader in creating plans that support sustainable

community strategies and Complete Streets policies.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

Alta regularly develops user-friendly local and

national guidelines for the implementation of bicycle

and pedestrian facilities based on our 17 years of

experience planning, designing, and implementing

these facilities. We develop visual descriptions of

how to implement traditional and progressive bicycle

and pedestrian improvements based on a review of

existing bicycle and pedestrian master infrastructure

and policy recommendations, existing conditions, and

our best practices knowledge. Alta staff develop site-

appropriate cross-sections, enlarged plans, and 3D

visual simulations to clearly layout guidelines tailored

to districts, cities, regions, states, or countries. Recent

examples of our work include the NACTO Urban

Bikeway Design Guide, an interactive document that

provides state-of-the-practice solutions for on-street

bicycle facilities, based on the best national and

international practices, policies, and programs. In

addition we have included design guidelines in over

500 bicycle and pedestrian master plans we have

developed.

police, bus drivers, motorists, children, and adults

about safe interactions among road users; changing

laws and regulations to protect vulnerable road users;

advising on the design of bicycle facilities; and bringing

disparate stakeholders together to work collabora-

tively on biking and walking solutions.

Recent projects include mode share/mode shift

research for the Massachusetts Department of Public

Health, Active Transportation training for the Boston

Public Health Commission, and legislative support for

the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition.


35/5729


PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Client: City of Buffalo

Year: 2014-2015

Contact: Michael Finn, City of

Buffalo Department of Public

Works, (716) 851-5636,

[email protected]

Working with the City of Buffalo, and local advocacy organization,

GObike Buffalo, Alta Planning + Design led the update of the Citys

Bicycle Facilities Master Plan. Altas efforts included GIS-based equity

mapping analysis, a review of existing and currently-planned bikeways,

development of a revised city-wide bike facilities map, recommended

designs for the ten prioritized bikeway corridors, new guidelines for bike

parking, and an implementation strategy for prioritized projects. Helping

inform the recommendations is a robust public engagement process

where the team will host public meetings and workshops in all corners of

Buffalo. Supplementing the direct outreach is a project web site, online

surveys, and crowd sourcing tools so the public can give Alta direct,

geographic-based comments in real time. With the recent completion

of the project, the City is now moving forward with the implemen-

tation of many of the key priority projects identified by Alta in the

master plan.

City of Buffalo Bicycle Facility Master Plan, NY


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Alta led the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan component of the overall

Transportation Master Plan project for the City of Pittsburgh. Alta staff

utilized unique modeling techniques, including Cycle Zone Analysis,

Bikeway Quality Index, and StreetPlan, to develop a city-wide network of

bike facilities, new riverfront trails, connections to bridges, priority loca-

tions for sidewalks, and intersection enhancements to enhance safety for

pedestrians and bicyclists.

These efforts were supported by a robust public outreach effort that

includes a project website, social networking applications, and stake-

holder and neighborhood meetings and workshops.

One of the critical challenges in developing a more bicycle and pedes-

trian-friendly environment in Pittsburgh was the steep topography that

surrounds downtown on three sides. Connectivity to the neighborhoodsat the tops of the hill or the other side will be met with a combination of bike

facilities and way-finding that allow bicyclists to bypass the most steeply-

sloped streets. With seamless connections in the future, Pittsburgh will

have one of the worlds great inner-city greenway networks.

A year into the planning process, the City and a non-profit brought in

Alta to plan a bike share system. Alta developed the 50-station plan,

wrote a business plan and created the fully-permitted bid package. The

program was launched in early 2015 and has experienced great success.

Client: City of Pittsburgh

Year: 2012-2014

Contact: Stephen Patchan, Former

City of Pittsburgh Bicycle and

Pedestrian Coordinator, Current

Active Transportation and Special

Programs, Southern California

Association of Governments,

(213) 236-1923,

[email protected]

Patrick F. Hassett, Assistant

Director, Bureau of Transportation

and Engineering, City of Pittsburgh,

(412) 255-2883,

[email protected]

MOVEPGH, Citywide Multi-modal TransportationMaster Plan, Pittsburgh, PA


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Client: Massachusetts Department

of Transportation (MassDOT) and

the Department of Conservation

and Recreation (DCR)

Year: 2012-2014

Contact: Dan Driscoll, Department

of Conservation and Recreation,

(617) 626-4974,

[email protected]

Amy Getchell, MassDOT,

(617) 973-7000,

[email protected]

Altas work along the Charles River Basin included thorough site analysis

and conceptual design for enhanced connections to adjacent neighbor-

hoods, transit stations, commercial districts, and open spaces. The team

worked with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to develop a

plan addressing the needs of pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists along an

eight-mile stretch of the river. The three-year effort included oversight,

recommendations for path improvements along the river, and review and

comment of current final design efforts for enhanced pedestrian and

bike connections to and across the multiple bridges within the Basin.

Helping to inform some of this design work are bi-annual Alta-led counts

of pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists at 23 locations along the entire

bridge and pathway system during weekday afternoons and weekends.

These efforts began in the fall of 2009 and ended in the fall of 2014.

The ten counts total yielded valuable data that will inform DCR and

MassDOTs efforts to make a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly envi-

ronment along the Basin.

Charles River Basin Connectivity Study, Boston,Cambridge, Newton, and Watertown, MA


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Client: Pioneer Valley Planning

Commission

Year: 2015

Contact: Christopher Curtis, Chief

Planner, Pioneer Valley Planning

Commission, (413) 781-6045,

[email protected]

Alta was brought in by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to provide

assistance with the future implementation of a bike share program in thecities of Northampton, Springfield, Holyoke, the Town of Amherst and the

UMass Amherst campus. Altas scope of work included the refinement

of a regional governance structure, development of a five-year financial

pro forma, selection of a preferred equipment model and assistance with

recruitment of corporate sponsor(s) to fund on-going operations.

Additionally, Alta developed preliminary site plans for bike share stations

for the first phase of the program. This required an understanding of

demand for bike share within the four municipalities and working with

city and town staff to narrow down the top four preferred sites. Bike

share station mock-ups on several of the sites (see graphic above) were

used in sponsorship presentations to build enthusiasm for bike share in

Northampton and surrounding communities.

Pioneer Valley Bike Share Study, Amherst,Holyoke, Northampton, Spingfield, MA


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Client: Williams College

Year: 2013-2014

Contact: Todd Holland, PE, Energy

Efficiency Project Engineer,

(413) 597-3131,

[email protected]

Alta worked with Williams College, a private four-year undergraduate

college, to improve the campus landscape and infrastructure to promotehealthier and sustainable transportation options. Alta led the devel-

opment of the Bicycle Master Plan to support active commuting and

improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians. It also promotes efficient

circulation, engagement, and healthy activities.

Alta prepared an assessment of the current state of walking and cycling

on campus and a schematic plan for bicycle and pedestrian pathways for

the campus. Recommendations included:

Improvements to current problem locations

Integration with current building projects

Location and type of additional bike shelters, bike racks, and bike

storage

Encouragement programs

The plan also included an implementation timeframe and high-level cost

estimates for priority projects and programs. Alta solicited input from

campus stakeholders through information kiosks on campus and focus

group meetings.

Williams College Bicycle Master Plan,Williamstown, MA


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Client: City of Portsmouth

Department of Public Works

Year: 2010

Contact: Juliet T. H. Walker, AICP,

Transportation Planner, City of

Portsmouth, (603) 610-7296,

[email protected]

Alta developed an innovative Safe Routes to School plan for Portsmouth

that provided recommendations based on the 5 Es: Engineering,

Encouragement, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation. The city is

currently using the plans recommendations to apply for Federal Safe

Routes to School grant money. Alta will bring our comprehensive SRTS

planning to the Hampton Safe Routes to School Travel Plan.

The plan was developed to increase the number of children walking and

biking to Portsmouths five elementary and middle schools, four of which

reside in historic neighborhoods close to downtown. Funding is being

gathered for building new sidewalks, bike paths, and traffic-calming proj-

ects identified in the plan.

Public outreach included monthly meetings with the stakeholder advisory

committee and one community workshop at each of the four elementary

schools and at Portsmouth Middle School (five total).

Deliverables included a summary of the teacher and student survey,

existing conditions analysis, and final report with prioritized list of 5 Es

projects and programs.

Portsmouth Safe Routes to School, NH


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Client: City of Watervliet and

Capital District Transportation

Committee

Year: 2013

Contact: Mark Gleason, General

Manager, Commissioner of Public

Safety, and Commissioner of Public

Works, (518) 270-3800 ext. 122,

[email protected]

Watervliet boasts both on-road and off-road portions of the nation-

ally renowned Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail and is in an ideal loca-

tion to become an active recreation and transportation destination. Alta

worked with the Capital District Transportation Committee and the City

of Watervliet to develop a Bicycle Master Plan for the City, with the intent

of creating a more complete and safe bicycle transportation network.

The project was broken out into two sections - a city wide bike plan and

a master plan for the regional trail system that runs along the Hudson

River through the City.

The Citywide network identified potential bike corridors, identified types

of accommodations for each, and provided short and long term network

recommendations. The regional plan considered four alternatives for

improvements to the existing Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail that was

a signed bike route with a narrow shoulder. The short term recommen-

dation identified a cycle track, while the long term recommendation

detailed a shared use path along the river.

The Bicycle Master Plan is a strategic guide for key enhancements that

will make Watervliet more bikeable and more attractive to economic

investment and improve overall quality of life.

Watervliet Bicycle Master Plan, NY


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Client: Council of Governments of

the Central Naugatuck Valley

Year: 2009

Contact: Sam Gold, Executive

Director, Lower Connecticut River

Valley Council of Governments

(Former Interim Director, Council

of Governments of the Central

Naugatuck Valley), (860) 518-8554

ext. 706, [email protected]

Alta developed a regional greenway routing plan for this 22-mile-long

corridor along the Naugatuck River. The proposed greenway passes

through the municipalities of Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, Watertown, and

Thomaston and connects with Altas planned seven-mile greenway trail

through Waterbury. Key issues included solutions for topographical

alta northampton pedestrian and bicycle comprehensive plan proposal

Documents