Transcript Item 11: Review of Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the National Capital Region Michael Farrell TPB Staff Presentation to the Transportation Planning Board May 17, 2006

Item 11: Review of Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
for the National Capital Region
Michael Farrell
TPB Staff
Presentation to the
Transportation Planning Board
May 17, 2006
1
Overview
• This presentation
will
– Highlight major
features of the
draft plan
– Show some
examples of plan
projects
2
TPB Involvement in
Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities
•
“Street Smart” Safety Campaign
•
Commuter Connections
–
–
–
Guaranteed Ride Home
Bike to Work Guide
Bike to Work Day
•
ADC Regional Bike Map (2004)
•
Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
–
–
ADA, intersection design workshops
Development of this new plan
3
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
• Identifies major bicycle and pedestrian projects
the region wishes to carry out by 2030
• Proposes best practices
• First regional bicycle plan since 1995
• First-ever regional pedestrian plan
• Builds upon:
– 1999 TPB Vision
– 2001 Greenways and Circulation Systems Reports
• Contains both funded and unfunded projects
4
Plan Development
• Oversight
– Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee of the TPB
Technical Committee
• Project listings
– Submitted by state and local jurisdictional staffs
• Criteria for including projects:
–
–
–
–
Of a size and scope to be regionally significant
Regional connectivity
Access to transit
Inclusion in jurisdictional plans
5
Project Listings
(Chapter 6 and Appendix A)
• Approximately 400 projects
• If every project in the plan were implemented, in
2030 the region will have added:
– Over 200 miles of bicycle lanes
– Over 400 miles of shared-use paths
– Hundreds of miles of signed bicycle
routes
– More than 50 pedestrian intersection improvements
– Pedestrian/bicycle bridges or tunnels
– Major streetscaping projects
• Estimated cost: $580 million
6
7
8
Why a Regional Bicycle and
Pedestrian Plan?
• TPB Vision calls for
– Mixed-use, walkable regional activity centers
– Reduced reliance on the automobile
– Safe, convenient walking and biking
• TPB Regional Mobility and Accessibility Study
– More jobs and housing in walkable activity centers would
Walking and Biking
Driving and Congestion
• To support the TPB Vision, priority should be given to projects that:
–
–
–
–
Serve regional activity centers
Provide access to transit
Improve regional connectivity
Improve safety
• Examples
9
#1: Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
• A Priorities 2000
Greenways priority
project
• Build 20 miles of trails
along Anacostia River
• Goals: Economic
development,
transportation,
recreation
• Cost: $20 million
10
#17: College Park Trolley Trail
• A Priorities 2000
Greenways priority
project
• Cost: $250,000 (Phase
3)
• 4 miles along Rhode
Island Ave ROW
– Built in phases
• Alternative to congested
US 1
• Serves a major activity
center, Metro stations
11
#23: Bethesda Bikeway and
Pedestrian Facilities
• Includes bike lanes,
pedestrian
intersection
improvements
• Part of Bethesda
CBD Plan to provide
for increased
development
• Cost: $3.3 million
• Complete: 2008
12
#171, 226: Woodrow Wilson Bridge
• Will connect Old Town
Alexandria to Prince
George’s County,
National Harbor
• Serves commuters,
recreation, economic
development
• Example of
“Complete Streets”
13
#349: Plaza America
• In Reston, along Sunset Hills Road east of Reston
Parkway
• A 27-acre shopping center and office development
• Trails, sidewalks, pedestrian signals, crosswalks, bus
stop improvements
– Connection to W&OD Trail
– Increased Fairfax Connector service
• Cost:
– $1.5 million
– Paid 100% by developer proffer
• Prepares for rail service
• Enhances walkability in Reston
14
#392: Rosslyn Circle Crossing
• A Priorities 2000
Circulation Systems
priority project
• Safety
– A high-crash location
– Conflicts with turning
vehicles
– Connects two major
trails and the Key
Bridge
• Cost: $1 million
• Complete: 2008
15
Additional Sections
in the Plan
• Planning context of federal, state, and local
bicycle/pedestrian activities (Chapter 1)
• Demographic and geographic overview of
bicycling and walking in the region (Chapter 2)
• Safety (Chapter 3)
• Overview of existing facilities (Chapter 4)
• Best practices (Chapter 5)
• Appendices with supporting information
16
Highlights from the Plan
• The region already enjoys
– Almost 200 miles of shared-use paths (bike trails)
– More than 300 miles of side paths
– More than 60 miles of bike lanes
• Walking is the most common mode of accessing transit (60-80%)
• Walking and Bicycling are concentrated in the urban core and in
mixed-use activity centers
• Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is a serious problem
– About ¼ of all traffic deaths
– Issue is throughout the region
• Federal and State Policies – towards “Routine Accommodation” for
“Complete Streets”
17
Schedule and Outlook
• May 17 first presentation of draft plan to TPB
• Formally release June 15 for public comment
• Reviews by TPB Technical Committee,
Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee, and Citizens
Advisory Committee
• Asking TPB approval of the plan on July 19
• An on-line version of the plan will be produced
subsequent to the approved print version
18