ct bike walk summit 2013 mike morehouse

Introduction to Complete Streets CT Bike-Walk Summit 2013

1

Michael Morehouse, PE Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.

What are Complete Streets?

2

Complete Streets are safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel for everyone, regardless of age or ability – motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation riders.

55% of Americans would rather drive less & walk more.

Transit use is growing faster than population or highway travel.

Nearly one-third of Americans don’t drive:

• 21% of Americans over 65.

• Children under 16.

• Many low income Americans do not have access to automobiles.

Who wants Complete Streets?

3

Incomplete Streets are Unsafe

4

More than 40% of pedestrian deaths in 2007 and 2008 occurred where no crosswalk was available.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Reporting System

Incomplete Streets are Unsafe

5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Represent 12% oftrips

Suffer 13% offatalities

Receive 1% offederal funding

Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Streets Are Inadequate

6

One quarter of walking trips take on place on roads without sidewalks or shoulders.

Bike lanes are available for only about 5% of of bicycle trips.

National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors, 2003

Streets are places too!

How do you view capacity?

Source: Federal Highway Administration & New York Times

Trip Type % By Trip Type ---------------------- -------------------- Work 18.0% Work Related 2.6% Shopping 20.2% Doctors & Dentist 1.5% Family & Personal 24.2% Church & School 8.8% Social Recreational 24.5% Other 0.2% 100.0%

Why we choose to travel…

How we choose to travel…

Changing Demographics in CT

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1990 2010

20-34

65+

Why is this relevant?

• ULI’s Residential Neighborhood Development Council has noted a growing interest in walkable neighborhoods. They have found that homebuyers are willing to pay 20 to 30 percent more for homes in transit-oriented, walkable communities.

• Consumer surveys published by the National Association of Realtors shows a rising preference for mixed-use neighborhoods, where residents can walk to stores or restaurants or just walk. And this preference appears to be the most pronounced among gen Y.

According to a recent study put out by the AARP, older adults chose public transportation for a greater share of their trips

Why is this relevant?

We know how to build right

14

Yet too many roads still turn out like this:

15

Or like this:

16

Gateway to a community?

What does this communicate?

What does this communicate?

We have a responsibility to do better!

20

Michael Morehouse, PE

FHI | Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. Innovative Planning, Better Communities

72 Cedar Street Hartford, CT 06106

mmorehouse@fhiplan.com

www.fhiplan.com

Thank you!

Extra slides

Complete Streets Policies

23

A complete streets policy ensures that the entire right of way is planned, designed, and operated to provide safe access for all users.

Why have a policy?

24

To change practice, integrating the needs of all road users into everyday transportation planning and design practices.

1. Sets a vision.

2. Includes all modes.

3. Emphasizes connectivity.

4. Applies to all phases of all applicable projects.

5. Specifies and limits exceptions, with management approval required.

6. Uses latest design standards is flexible.

7. Is context-sensitive.

8. Sets performance standards.

9. Includes implementation steps.

Elements of a Policy

25

Streets Can Benefit Communities

26

Increase capacity

Improve safety

Better health

Economic growth

Lower emissions

Reduce costs

Smarter growth

Provide choices