Complete Streets Implementation

Complete Streets Implementation Daniel Pass, P.E. GDOT Division of Engineering • Bicycle Topic Roundtable, 2013 Georgia Bike Summit • Holiday Inn Roswell – October 18, 2013

Presentation Outline • Statewide Overview • When to Add Bike Facilities? • Accomplishments (the first 12 Months?)

Overview – A Good Beginning • Transportation Board Resolution • Sept. 20, 2012 • “Now, Therefore, be it resolved that the State Transportation Board supports the advancement of accessibility for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit modes of transportation along streets and roadways in Georgia with the goal of reducing congestion, improving mobility, and enhancing quality of life for all users.”

Overview – Compelling Needs • Reducing congestion – making commute times more reliable and more flexible. • Enhancing quality of life – for health, recreation, access to employment, providing travel alternatives, safety. • Improving mobility – for those who do not drive, who do not own a car, individuals with disabilities. This includes creating a complete and integrated transportation network which provides connectivity between modes. • Increasing Safety – Including appropriate facilities where none currently exist can be expected to reduce bicycle and pedestrian crashes.

Overview – Catching Up With Our Neighbors Georgia is the 28th state to adopt a Complete Streets policy And the 8th of 12 in the southeast. - - 2004 2009 2010 - 2003 2012 - 2010 Number of Completes Streets Policies Nationwide 2010 500 1984 0 The strength of Georgia’s policy ranks 3rd in the Southeast after LA and NC – National Complete Streets Coalition, 2012. 2005 2012

Overview – Moving Public Need to Construction • Funding Programs Transportation Projects Engineering advocacy bike facilities local governments complete networks planning organizations multimodal connection

When to Add? – GDOT Design Policy

When to Add? – Foundational Principles ….integrated into roadway new construction and reconstruction projects through design features appropriate to the context and function of the transportation facility. …anticipate likely demand for bicycling and pedestrian facilities within the design life of the facility. …addresses the need for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross roadways, as well as travel along them. …should not preclude the future…bicycle and pedestrian access along and across corridors. …resurfacing…opportunities to provide or enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists should be considered….

When to Add? – A Compelling Need? Standard Bicycle Warrants if the project is on a designated (i.e., adopted) U.S., State, regional, or local bicycle route; where there is an existing bikeway along or linking to the end of the project corridor (e.g., shared lane, paved shoulder, bike lane, bike boulevard, or shared-use path); along corridors with bicycle travel generators and destinations (i.e. residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, schools, colleges, scenic byways, public parks, transit stops/stations, etc.); on projects where a bridge deck is being replaced or rehabilitated and the existing bridge width allows for the addition of a bikeway without eliminating (or precluding) needed pedestrian accommodations; and where there is an occurrence of reported bicycle crashes which equals or exceeds a rate of five for a 1-mile segment of roadway, over the most recent three years for which crash data is available.

When to Add? – 1. Designated Bike Route? South Carolina Augusta State University Savannah River Georgia Standard Warrant #1: if the project is on a designated (i.e., adopted) U.S., State, regional, or local bicycle route;

When to Add? – 2. An Existing Bicycle Facility? • Urbanized Areas • bike lanes • cycle tracks • bike boulevards • shared lanes • shared-use paths • Rural Areas • wide paved shoulders • shared-use paths Standard Warrant #2: where there is an existing bikeway along or linking to the end of the project corridor (e.g., shared lane, paved shoulder, bike lane, bike boulevard, or shared-use path);

When to Add? – 3. Generators/Destinations? SR 49 in Jones County, NE of Macon Residential 0.5 miles SR 49 Residential Mattie Wells Elementary Recreational Park Standard Warrant #3: along corridors with bicycle travel generators and destinations (i.e. residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, schools, colleges, scenic byways, public parks, transit stops/stations, etc.);

When to Add? – 4. Bridge Deck Replaced/Rehabilitated? Northridge Drive over SR 400, Sandy Springs nti Bike Lanes Standard Warrant #4: on projects where a bridge deck is being replaced or rehabilitated and the existing bridge width allows for the addition of a bikeway without eliminating (or precluding) needed pedestrian accommodations; and

When to Add? – 5. High Crash Rates? Standard Warrant #5: where there is an occurrence of reported bicycle crashes which equals or exceeds a rate of five for a 1-mile segment of roadway, over the most recent three years for which crash data is available.

When to Add? – Guideline Bicycle Warrants • Guideline Bicycle Warrants within close proximity (i.e., 3 miles) of a school, college, university, or major public institution (e.g., hospital, major park, etc.,…); where a project will provide connectivity between two or more existing bikeways or connects to an existing bikeway; where there is an occurrence of bicycle crashes; along a corridor where bicycle travel generators and destinations can be expected prior to the design year of the project; any location where engineering judgment, planning analysis, or the public involvement process indicates a need. • For maintenance projects, where requested by local governments.

Accomplishments – Performance Measures • More frequent coordination – policy and guidance to engineers emphasizes need to coordinate with planners and local government officials. • Consistent Application – consideration is concept reports is near 100%. • Reduction in crash rates– will soon have reporting system to allow routine consideration on projects and to identify high risk locations. • City/County adoption of Complete Streets – about 12 to date, others considering • Education/Training – a great many classes/workshops have been sponsored by local governments, advocacy groups, planning organizations, and GDOT.

Accomplishments – Bicycle Facilities Added to Projects? Complete Streets Old Bike/Ped Policy 41% 33% 27% 19%

Questions? For more information contact: Division of Engineering: Joe Carpenter, P.E., Mr. Brent Story, PE or Mr. Dan Pass, PE jcarpenter@dot.ga.gov, bstory@dot.ga.gov; dpass@dot.ga.gov GDOT Design Policy Manual http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/PoliciesManuals/roads/designpolicies/Pages/DesignPolicyManual.aspx

Complete Streets Implementation