transit and pedestrian safety - 2014 public transportation & universities conference

Transit and Pedestrian Safety

Cynthia Hoyle, FAICPChampaign-Urbana Mass Transit District

Transportation Planning ConsultantUrbana, IL

MTD…..Leading the way to greater MTD…..Leading the way to greater mobilitymobility

• MTD will encourage the use of alternative (active) transportation services to promote mobility in our community.

• First and last mile of transit trips - riders are pedestrians and/or cyclists.

• Safe, convenient and well designed infrastructure is necessary for mode shift

COMMUNITY OVERVIEWCOMMUNITY OVERVIEW

Over 30% of Urbana Residents Walk, Over 30% of Urbana Residents Walk, Bike, or Ride Bus for Trips to WorkBike, or Ride Bus for Trips to Work

American Community Survey 2008-2012 data

C-U Trips to Work Increasingly Active C-U Trips to Work Increasingly Active ModesModes

(U.S. Census & ACS)

Transport Mode

Public Transit

Bicycle Walking

2000 Census

6.8% 2.5% 11.6%

2010 ACS 7.3% 3.6% 13.1%

2011 ACS 9.1% 3.5% 13.0%

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Community Characteristics

145,000 population

44,520U of I students

12,897U of I employees

145,000 population

44,520U of I students

12,897U of I employees

PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLIST PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLIST SAFETY SAFETY

Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate

Traffic jams on arterialsToo many crashes

Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate

No sidewalks make ittoo dangerous to cross on foot

Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate

Uninviting for bus riders

Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate

No room for people!

Higher speeds increases chance of injury & death

Speed MattersSpeed Matters

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Wide Roads Increase Vehicle SpeedWide Roads Increase Vehicle Speed

• Speed increases crash severity for all users

• Over 35 MPH reduces roadway capacity

HOW HAVE WE INCREASED SAFETY IN C-U?

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We know how to build rightWe know how to build right

We Have to Advocate for Complete Complete Streets PoliciesStreets Policies

Complete Streets ensure that the entire right-of-way is designed for all users

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What are Complete Streets?

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US Access BoardUS Access Board

Complete Streets policies provide forComplete Streets policies provide forALL USERSALL USERS

CS changes the built CS changes the built environmentenvironment

CS changes intersection designCS changes intersection design

Transit Stops = Ped CrossingTransit Stops = Ped Crossing

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Successful Road Diets Successful Road Diets

Four Lanes

Two Lanes w/ center turn lanes, bike lanes, ped refuge island at bus stop

Pedestrian and Transit UpgradesPedestrian and Transit Upgrades

Upgrading pedestrian infrastructure

Upgrading transit infrastructure

Bike and Pedestrian ImprovementsBike and Pedestrian Improvements

Bike lanes – calm trafficPedestrian priority – ped scramble

Municipal and Regional Municipal and Regional PlansPlans

Champaign Moving Forward Transportation Master Plan

Urbana Bicycle Plan

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Long Range Transportation Plan 2035

Community PartnershipsCommunity Partnerships

Campus Area Transportation Study - first transportation study that all agencies worked together on to address campus area transportation problems starting in 2000. Three phases to date.

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http://www.ccrpc.org/CATS/index.php

Current Transportation PlansCurrent Transportation Plans

Sustainable Choices 2040-LRTP In progress 2012-2015

University District Traffic Circulation Study- In progress

Transit has to be at the table!

High Frequency Network - High Frequency Network - ImplementedImplemented

High frequency transit service between two downtowns , campus , and Country Fair = service every 10-15 minutes during academic year. Total network miles = 18

Coalitions and Networks Coalitions and Networks

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Get Public Input Get Public Input We Got Clear & Consistent Messages We Got Clear & Consistent Messages

Improved bicycle infrastructure/routing

Better street lights Additional sidewalksLater evening service

Additional direct

routes along major arterials

SRTS Program – C-U SRTS Project SRTS Program – C-U SRTS Project

www.cu-srtsproject.com

RESULTS

Safety ImpactsSafety Impacts

Still Work to Do

ConclusionConclusion

Pedestrian-Transit SafetyPedestrian-Transit Safety

• Transit needs to advocate for safe roadway design

• Provide input to local plans, processes, and designs

• Advocate for Complete Streets policies, road diets, better design, change procedures

• Partnerships are key!

Complete Streets = best practicesComplete Streets = best practices

Cynthia Hoyle, FAICP choyle@cumtd.com

Questions?Questions?

References:http://www.cumtd.com/about-us/publicdocuments www.ihavemiplan.com www.ccrpc.org/transportationwww.cu-rtsproject.comhttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets