Localized Programming Models for Small Cities: A Case Study of Tehachapi, CA

1. Localized Programming Models for Small Cities: A Case Study of Tehachapi, CA 2012 ITE Western District Annual Meeting Santa Barbara, CA June 27, 2012 Tim A. Erney, AICP/PTP AECOM – Orange, CA

2. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Presentation Overview • Introduction • Background • History • Approach • Results • Conclusions

3. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Introduction • Three key questions: • What is a local programming model? • Where is Tehachapi? • What are we doing here this early in the morning on the last day of the conference?

4. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Localized Programming Model (LPM) • Based off Regional travel demand model • Short-cut as compared to a sub-regional model • Used to determine short-term infrastructure needs • Used to facilitate site-specific traffic studies

5. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Basic Approach • Aggregation of travel characteristics to create sTAZ • Consider the three primary trip types • Create city-wide TRAFFIX model • Test different levels of improvements

6. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model City of Tehachapi • Located in Kern County, at southern end of California’s Central Valley • 135 miles northeast of LA • 35 miles southeast of Bakersfield

7. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model City of Tehachapi • Current population: 8,000 (plus 5,000 at the adjacent California Correctional Institute) • Limited regional access: one state highway and one intercity bus route • Trivia: home to famous “Fullerton Loop”

8. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Background • City commenced General Plan update process in 2008, including traffic study • Higher than expected future traffic forecasts • Recommendation for a series of substantial infrastructure improvements

9. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Future Problems

10. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model City’s Issues • Concerned that projected growth and need for new facilities were not consistent with historic growth patterns • Desire to maintain its “small town” feel and current neighborhood-based roadway network • Need to address funding and timing requirements if improvements needed

11. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Solution • Focus on the anticipated 5-10 year growth • Identify improvements needed to maintain acceptable near-term roadway operations • Establish a phasing plan • Format for customization / easy updating

12. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Future Volume Development • Background growth: • Intracity (trips with origin or destination outside city) • Intercity (trips with both origins and destinations within city) • Series of planned/approved projects

13. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Model Network

14. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Analysis Networks

15. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Study Findings • Relatively modest short-term (5 year and 10 year) growth, considering both background growth and approved projects • Majority of streets have sufficient capacity to accommodate growth • Limited need for roadway and intersection improvements

16. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Evaluation Matrix

17. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Study Results

18. City of Tehachapi Short-term Programming Model Conclusions • Relatively inexpensive approach • Allowed better management of transportation infrastructure • Provided cost-effective and consistent solutions • Updateable and flexible

19. Century Boulevard Questions