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in collaboration with: + STV/Ralph Whitehead Associates. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE (NECI) BICYCLE FACILITIES STUDY 1 st Public Meeting 01.18.2011. Agenda. Introductions Project Understanding/Process Overview Presentation of Facility Types and Case Studies Existing Conditions
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in collaboration with: + STV/Ralph Whitehead Associates NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE (NECI) BICYCLE FACILITIES STUDY1st Public Meeting01.18.2011
Agenda • Introductions • Project Understanding/Process Overview • Presentation of Facility Types and Case Studies • Existing Conditions • Facilitated Discussion/Break Out Groups • Vision for Bike Facilities • Goals/objectives for facility types & users • Opportunities/Constraints • Outreach • General Questions/Next Steps • Process/Schedule, etc.
Introductions • Joe Frey, EP&M, Project Mgr. • Ken Tippette, Bike Program Mgr. • Jim Keenan, NECI PM • Kathy Cornett, Planning • Dick Winters, Mecklenburg County • Stakeholder Group • John Cock & Maya Agarwal, Alta Planning + Design • Scot Sibert, STV/RWA
City of Charlotte • Involved Organizations • CABA • BAC • Neighborhood Groups • UNCC • Charlotte Bike Commuters • University City Partners • Carolina Thread Trail • Etc. • Public Agencies • Charlotte Engineering & PM • CDOT • Planning • CATS • County Park & Recreation • NCDOT • CMU Alta Planning + Design Bicycle facility planning and design Project management Stakeholder Engagement Public Involvement STV/RWA Public Involvement Conceptual design Engineering Review Stakeholder engagement (NCDOT, Railroads, CATS) Project Team and Partners
Overview of NECI project • (NECI = Northeast Corridor Infrastructure) • Voter approved bond funding • Multi-modal access improvements • Supporting economic development goals • Highest needs in station areas, with some focus on corridor connectivity • Public input process upcoming • No implementation yet
Project Purpose “. . .generate a long term vision plan for corridor-length (Uptown to UNCC/University City Area) bicycling routes and facilities . . ..”
Alta: leaders in bike/ped/trail planning Experience in planning bike facilities in RR ROW Implementation of 5,000+ miles bikeways & walkways STV: NE Corridor LRT lead engineering firm On-going relationships with railroads SCIP & other City plan and implementation Consultant Team: Alta & STV
Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Charlotte Center City Partners UNCC Cyclists CATS Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department Charlotte Economic Development Department Bicycle Advisory Committee Mecklenburg County Safe Routes To School Program Stakeholder Group • Carolina Thread Trail • YMCA • University City Partners • UNCC • Bike Shop Owners (Bike Line, Espada) • Charlotte Bike Commuter Group • Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance • North End Partners • Greenways Advisory Committee
“Someday we’ll look back on this and it will all seem funny. . .” http://everythingisjaded.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/fat_american_walking_dog_from_car.jpg
Major Questions • Vision for corridor? • Design users? • Facility types? • Destinations? • Routes? • Other considerations?
Types of Cyclists(Which category are you?) A B C D • A - Strong and fearless (<1%) • Will ride regardless of facilities.Often ride long distances. • B - Enthused and confident (7%) • Comfortable in traffic with appropriate facilities. • C - Interested but concerned (60%) • Not comfortable in traffic. Prefer low-volume, low-speed conditions (neighborhood streets, off-street). • D - No way, no how (33%)
Who are “design” cyclists? Strong and fearless Enthused and confident “No way, no how” Interested but concerned
How do we attract “Interested but Concerned”? Develop Facilities and a Network that focuses on: • Comfort • (incl. minimize complexity) • safety • attractiveness • direct routes • connected system (Dutch design principles)
Types of Bikeways • Bike Lane • Cycle Tracks • Signed Shared Roadway • Wide outside lane • Bicycle Boulevard/Bike Route • Multi-Use Path • Rail-with-Trail • Shoulder Bikeway • Bike/Ped Connectivity
Bicycle Lane (Photo: City of Charlotte)
Cycletrack 17
Shared Roadways • Wide outside lanes • Other unique solutions (Shared Lane Markings) • Calm traffic • Alternate routes (Photo: City of Charlotte)
Shared Roadways • Most common type of bikeway: Appropriate on 85% of streets in a city • Great for getting around neighborhoods: low speed, low volume • Not as practical for longer distances
Shared Roadways: “Quiet Streets” Bentonville, Arkansas Portland, Oregon
Multi-use Pathways/Trails (Photo: City of Charlotte)
Sidepaths E. Faris Road; Greenville Tech Trail (Photo: City of Greenville)
Bike/Ped Connections Photo: City of Charlotte, NC
Case Studies and Examples NECI Bicycle Facilities Study
14.2 mile Bus Rapid Transit corridor Dedicated lane built on a former rail right-of-way 14-mile bike path and 8-mile pedestrian walkway 79% of riders utilizing these facilities to get to their bus stop Bicycle facilities within and outside of the rail right-of-way Metro Orange Line, Los Angeles
Under construction (Phase 1) LA to Culver City Planned series of paths, bikeways, and bike routes along future LRT corridor Exposition LRT Line: Los Angeles (FTA grants can be used for bicycle/ped facilities and access to transit: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/bkepedtble.htm)
Parallels Hiawatha LRT line 12 mile LRT line The intersection of Midtown Greenway and Hiawatha Trail sees 4,000 users per day.* Hiawatha Trail, Minneapolis *Source: Shaw, J. and Steve Moler. Bicyclist- and Pedestrian-Only Roundabouts. Federal Highway Administration: Public Roads. Jan/Feb 2009.
Path built in 70’s with interstate LRT came later Currently, upgrading path TriMet has adopted motto: “when you can’t bike the whole way, take TriMet” Portland: 1-205/Max Path *Source: Portland Platinum Bicycle Master Plan, Existing Conditions Report: Bicycling and Transit Integration. 2007
Complements Green Line rapid transit subway and sections of commuter rail Combination of: separated path, on-street designated bikeway, and on-street recommended bike route Connection to Boston College Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
Grade-separated Crossings • When a grade crossing between a trail and street may not be desirable: • Traffic > 25,000 vehicles/day • Speeds > 45 mph • Motorists typically will cross at grade; trail routed over or under the roadway Grade-separated undercrossing
Trail/Cedar Lake Regional Trail, Minneapolis Bassett Creek Trail/Cedar Lake Regional Trail, Minneapolis 34
Eastbank Esplanade, Portland Eastbank Esplanade, Portland 35
Previous Planning Efforts Recommendations • Centers, Corridors, and Wedges Growth Framework • City Transportation Action Plan • Charlotte Bicycle Plan • County Greenway Plan Update • CTT Alignments for Mecklenburg • Charlotte Connectivity Study • NCDOT Planned Projects • Planned Rail Facility Projects • Northeast Area Plan (2000) • Eastside Strategy Plan (2001) • North Charlotte Area Plan (1995) • Newell Area Plan (2002) • Belmont Area Plan (2003) • North Tryon Area Plan (2010) • Optimist Park Plan (2002) • Rocky River Road Area Plan (2006) • University City Area Plan (2007) • University Research Park Area Plan (2010) • UNCC Campus Plan (Draft 2009)
Obstacles/Challenges Structures/grade separations N. Tryon: daunting bike environment Multiple RRs (5) Railroads’ expectations NCDOT expectations Overview: Challenges
Opportunities Potential partners along the corridor Tie into greenways Tie to neighborhood/area plans Bike/ped access to stations Preliminary Opportunities
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways • Proposed Greenways
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways • Proposed Greenways • Existing Bike Lanes
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways • Proposed Greenways • Existing Bike Lanes • Proposed Bike Lanes and Striped Shoulders
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways • Proposed Greenways • Existing Bike Lanes • Proposed Bike Lanes, Striped Shoulders, and Shared Lane Markings
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways • Proposed Greenways • Existing Bike Lanes • Proposed Bike Lanes, Striped Shoulders, Shared Lane Markings, and Shared Neighborhood Roadways
Existing/Proposed Facilities • Blue Line Extension • Existing Greenways • Proposed Greenways • Existing Bike Lanes • Proposed Bike Lanes, Striped Shoulders, Shared Lane Markings, and Shared Neighborhood Roadways • Proposed CTT
Regional greenway and trail system Connecting 15 Counties 11 NC Counties, 4 SC Counties Estimated 2.3 million people Carolina Thread Trail
Breakout Instructions • Introduce selves and location on corridor • Review map markings, legend • Answer questions on handouts in group discussion • Allow everyone to speak • Mark on maps and take notes • Report back