Mayor Karl Dean, Chairman

Incorporating Health in Regional Transportation Planning

Leslie A. Meehan, AICPPro Walk Pro Bike

September 16, 2010

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Support for Active Transportation and Walkable Communities

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Provide a comprehensive inventory of existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 

Demonstrate how improving walking and bicycling connectivity increases individual mobility, enhances transit options, and promotes active living.

Recommend policy and funding strategies for the Regional Transportation Plan.

Serve as a framework for identifying and selecting bicycle/pedestrian projects for the Regional Transportation Plan.

Provide guidance for engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation activities to help improve the safety of walking and bicycling.

Regional Study: Purpose & Objectives

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What We Learned – Safety Analysis

These data are for planning purposes only and are protected by USC 409.

• 2,076 reported crashes within the MPO between 2003-2007

• 107 resulted in a fatality (99 pedestrian & 8 cyclist)

High Crash Corridors include:• Nolensville Road• Dickerson Pike• Murfreesboro Road• West End Ave• Charlotte Ave

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What We Learned – Health Analysis

There is a strong link between the lack of physical activity and health (e.g. heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions).

Research has also shown certain population groups have a higher disparity.  These groups include:

There is a strong link between the lack of physical activity and health (e.g. heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions).

Research has also shown certain population groups have a higher disparity.  These groups include:

‐ Low Income

‐ Minority

‐ Older Adults (over 65)

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5 Key Components:

Regional Sidewalk & Bikeway Recommendations

Project Evaluation System

Policies & Programs

Funding for Sidewalk and Bikeway Improvements

Design Guidelines

What We Accomplished

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What We Accomplished: A Regional Vision

Bikeways Sidewalks

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What We Accomplished: Prioritization Tools

7 Criteria and 48 total points

Level of Service – 12 pts

Potential for Walking/Bicycling – 12 pts

Safety – 6pts

Connectivity – 6pts

Health Impact – 6pts

Congestion – 6pts

Local Plans – 3pts

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What We Accomplished: Funding Strategies

Key Highlights

Recommendations Cost

Funding Gap & Recommended Funding Level

Funding Level Annually 25 Year Horizon Study Recommendations Funding Gap

Current $14.37 Million $359 Million $793 Million $433 Million

2.21 Times Current Level $31.70 Million $793 Million $793 Million ‐

$149 Million – Sidewalk Recommendations

$644 Million – Bikeway Recommendations

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New Regional Policy & Strategies 

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Regional Goals

Maintain and Preserve the Efficiency, Safety, and Security of the Region’s Existing Transportation Infrastructure;Manage Congestion to Keep People and Goods Moving;Encourage Quality Growth and Sustainable Land DevelopmentPractices;Protect the Region’s Health & Environment;Support the Economic Competitiveness of the Greater Nashville Area;Offer Meaningful Transportation Choices for a Diverse Population including the Aging;Encourage Regional Coordination, Cooperation, & Decision‐Making; andPractice Thoughtful, Transparent Financial Stewardship by Ensuring that Transportation Improvements meet Regional Goals.

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MPO’s Urban STP Investment Strategy

15% minimum investment in Active Transportation & Walkable Communities

Sidewalks, bicycle lanes, greenways, transit stops, amenities – MPO BPAC PRIORITIZATION!

10% minimum flexed to TransitCombined with FTA funds to help implement regional vision for mass transit

5% minimum reserved for stand‐alone ITS/ Incident Management Upgrades

Support for smaller projects that make our system smarter and more efficient

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Remainder (approx. 70%) to Location Specific Roadway Improvements

System Preservation & Enhancement – 15%

Quality Growth and Sustainable Development – 15%

Multi‐Modal Options – 15%

Health & Environment – 10%

Safety & Security – 10%

Freight & Goods Movement – 10%

Congestion Management – 10%

State & Local Support/ Investment – 15%

MPO’s Urban STP Investment Strategy

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Roadway Project Candidates

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Support for Active Transportation

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More to come: Linking Transportation & Health 

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The Future of Transportation Planning

Future MandatesTransportation projects will be held accountable for impact on personal health as they are already held accountable for impact on environmental health (air and water quality).

Wide‐Spread Adoption of Complete Streets Concept Transportation projects will be required to provide transportation choices that include active transportation and serve all ages/ability levels of users.

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Being Aware of Our Health

What We Eat and How We Move

•Access to Healthy Foods

•Physical Activity through Active Transportation

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Linking Health and Transportation

Food Access and Transportation

Physical Activity Travel Study

Health Impact Assessment project

Agency Collaboration – Policy and Education

Education – Safe Routes to School,  Regional Symposiums

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Food Access and Transportation10 grocery stores and 1 emergency food source located within one mile of project12 schools within 2 milesCommunity and religious centersCorridor has planned bike/ped facilities but road widening project does not include those facilities.

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Data will show which mode of travel allows for most energy expenditure and physical activity

Physical Activity/ Travel Behavior

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Health Impact AssessmentHealth Impact Assessment of proposed Transit  Oriented Development (2‐year project)

Includes active transportation, environmental assessment and food access recommendations

Collaboration with CPPW grant to create HIA criteria as part of land development project review process

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Agency Collaboration

TN Strategic Highway Safety Plan – first bike/ped language

Bicycle-friendly Rumble Strip PolicyBicycle/Ped Laws included in Drivers License Manual and Test

Training law enforcement officerson bike/ped laws

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Safe Routes to Schools

Safe Routes to Schools P.E. Teacher Training Program for all P.E. Teachers in MPO Region

SRTS multi‐year Data Collection Effort with MTSU

Partner with SRTS State Network Project for Tennessee

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Regional Symposiums

Complete Streets Symposium2‐Day WorkshopNational Experts from Complete Streets CoalitionKeynote Luncheon – Mayor Floyd, Decatur, GAJanuary 2010

School Siting Symposium 1‐Day WorkshopNational Experts from EPA and UNCPublic Decision Makers and Private FirmsJanuary 2010

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Tennessee Obesity Taskforce

MPO and YMCA Co‐Chairs 2011‐2012

Advocacy

Breastfeeding

Built Environment/Transportation/

Parks & Recreation

Early Childhood

Evaluation

Food Systems

Health Systems

Schools

Vulnerable Populations

Worksites

Coordinated School HealthTennessee Cancer CoalitionHealthy Memphis Common TableCommunity Food Advocates/Food TrustKnoxville Childhood Obesity CoalitionChattanooga Partnership for Healthy Living NetworkYMCA Pioneering Healthier Communities (in 6 jurisdictions of Tennessee)Metropolitan/Rural Planning OrganizationsECO – Every Child Outdoors

Livability. Sustainability. Prosperity. Diversity.