HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B: Update on Transportation System Plan
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: Update on the Transportation System Plan
Meeting Date: April 18, 2012 Agenda Item Number: B
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Kurt Yeiter
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-8379
ISSUE STATEMENT
This work session will provide a status report on the Transportation System Plan update. The last
council work session on this project was July 11, 2011. No action is requested at this meeting.
BACKGROUND
The Eugene Transportation System Plan (TSP) is being updated to replace TransPlan as Eugene’s local
comprehensive transportation strategy. The TSP will support the Envision Eugene vision for future
growth and mobility over the next 20 years or more. The TSP will provide goals and policies to direct
future changes to the transportation system and a list of projects that are needed to implement these
changes. The Transportation System Plan will weave together direction from the Airport Master Plan,
Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, Lane Transit District’s long range transit plan (not yet completed),
and other plans. In addition to the Eugene Transportation System Plan, there will be two regional
transportation plans as required by state and federal regulations.
Work on the TSP has been informed by a community dialogue through the Transportation Community
Resource Group (TCRG), which invites all original members of the Envision Eugene Community
Resource Group (CRG), the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan project advisory committee (PAC), the
City’s standing Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), and others to participate. TCRG
meetings usually attract about 40 people, with many regular attendees. The purpose of this work session
is to share some insights gleaned from the TCRG discussions to-date.
What have we learned? For more than a year, the Transportation Community Resource Group
studied Envision Eugene, the Climate and Energy Action Plan, the Oregon Sustainable Transportation
Initiative (OSTI) and greenhouse gas reduction strategies, transit planning, the Pedestrian and Bicycle
Master Plan, projected state and federal funding, and street design. One workshop used the Sustainable
Transportation Analysis and Rating System (STARS) to help the TCRG shape the TSP in a “triple
bottom line” framework. While it cannot be said that every member of the TCRG agrees on every point,
the following themes seem to be emerging to guide the Transportation System Plan:
•
The Metro Plan, TransPlan, and Growth Management Policies provide a good foundation for the
future, but the TSP should be updated to explicitly address climate change, energy uncertainty,
and sustainability.
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•
The TSP should do its best to meet the goals set forth in the local Climate and Energy Action
Plan and Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative.
•
Increases in fuel prices create increased demand for alternatives to single-occupant automobiles,
such as public transit, safe and convenient bike facilities, and housing located nearer stores and
employment.
•
Money not spent on transportation is money spent locally.
•
There will be significantly less state and federal money available in the future for transportation
projects. ODOT will focus its spending on maintaining and preserving the highway system.
•
Transit funding fluctuates. When revenues go down, demand goes up.
•
Envision Eugene’s “Key Transit Corridors” are both the most vibrant and congested commercial
areas.
•
Successful transit depends on the character of the built environment (e.g., connectivity, mix of
uses, design, and amenities).
•
The streets are not wide enough to accommodate all travel modes all the time, for everyone.
•
Freight movement is important.
•
Equity and access matter.
•
Congestion is probably unavoidable, and consideration should be given to tolerance for more
congestion.
•
The transportation future may be very different due to new technologies and trends.
•
True sustainability is very difficult to achieve, but sensible steps should be taken soon.
•
Resiliency to rapid changes is very important.
Where is the community now? Based on these lessons, the TCRG has released draft goals,
objectives, and policies for public review and feedback (see Attachment A). The goals and objectives
will eventually be used as criteria for evaluating potential transportation projects and programs,
winnowing down a universe of potential projects to those recommended for funding in the TSP. It is
therefore important that the goals and objectives truly reflect community values.
The City is also currently accepting recommendations of potential transportation projects to be
considered for further study. Already included on the list are projects in TransPlan and the new
Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and other ideas generated in the TCRG meetings. The draft goals
and objectives, and a summary project list were featured at all six community forums sponsored by
Envision Eugene and are available with feedback forms and interactive maps on the project website:
www.EugeneTSP.org. The website surveys will remain active through April 30.
The Lane Council of Government’s regional traffic model has been updated to better reflect the land use
and potential development studies from Envision Eugene’s technical resource group. Once approved to
move forward towards adoption, the Envision Eugene vision for future land use and growth will be
integrated into the traffic model to inform future transportation decisions.
The Transportation System Plan was funded by ODOT in phases. Phase One provides an evaluation of
existing conditions, review of current policies, crafting of draft goals and objectives, and coordination
with Envision Eugene’s land use analysis. Phase One will be completed mid-2012. Phase Two will
identify the preferred package of transportation projects for adoption, implementation strategies, and
cost estimates.
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RELATED CITY POLICIES
The City is obligated to update its Transportation System Plan by HB 3337 and the Oregon
Transportation Planning Rule. All existing City policies are being considered as the plan is updated.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
For discussion only. No action is required.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
No action is required on this item. Therefore, no recommendations are offered by the City Manager.
SUGGESTED MOTION
No action is required on this item. Therefore, no motions are suggested.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft goals, objectives, and policies
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Kurt Yeiter, Senior Transportation Planner
Telephone: (541) 682-8379
Staff E-Mail: Kurt.M.Yeiter@ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
DRAFTGoals,Objectives,andPolicies
Thefollowingframeworkofdraftgoals,objectives,andpoliciesfortheEugeneTransportation
SystemPlan(TSP)havebeendraftedbasedonareviewofexistingadoptedandcompletedlocaland
regionalplans,theSustainableTransportationAccessRatingSystems(STARS)draftguidance
documentforplanningprocesses,andinputfrom ƵŐĞŶĞ͛ƐTransportationCommunityResource
Group(TCRG),anopengroupofinterestedcitizensandagencystaffthathavebeenproviding
guidanceonthesystemplan.Thegoals,objectives,andpolicieswillbediscussedwiththeEugene
communityinwinter2012andwillbeusedasapointofreferenceagainstwhichpotential
transportationprojectandprogramideaswillbeevaluated.
DraftGoals
Agoalisabroadstatementofphilosophythatdescribesthehopesofthecommunityforthefuture
ofEugene,asitrelatestotransportation.Agoalmayneverbecompletelyattainablebutitisusedas
apointtowardswhichtostrive.PursuitofthesestatementsunderpinsalloftheWůĂŶ͛Ɛobjectives,
policies,andprojects.
'ŽĂůϭ͗Createanintegratedmultimodaltransportationsystemthatissafeandefficient;
supportslocallanduseandeconomicdevelopmentplans;reducesrelianceonsingle
occupancyautomobiles;andenhancescommunitylivability.
'ŽĂůϮ͗Advanceregionalsustainabilitybyprovidingatransportationsystemthatimproves
economicvitality,environmentalhealth,socialequity,andwellbeing.
'ŽĂůϯ͗Strengthencommunityresiliencetochangesinclimate,increasesinfossilfuel
prices,andeconomicfluctuationsthroughadaptationstothetransportationnetworks.
'ŽĂůϰ͗Distributethebenefitsandimpactsoftransportationdecisionsfairlyandaddressthe
transportationneedsandsafetyofallusers,includingyouth,theelderly,peoplewith
disabilities,andpeopleofallraces,ethnicitiesandincomes.
EugeneTSP_GoalsObjectivesPolicies_ToTCRG.docx1
EugeneTransportationSystemPlan:RevisedDraftGoals,Objectives,andPolicies
DraftObjectives
Anobjectiveisanattainabletargetthatthecommunityattemptstoreachinstrivingtomeetagoal.
Anobjectivemayalsobeconsideredasanintermediatepointthatwillhelpfulfilltheoverallgoal.
ObjectivesaregroupedwithSTARSgoalcategoriesthattheysupport.
SafetyandHealth
1.Doublethepercentageofpedestrian,bicycle,andtransittripsbytheyear2031.
2.Improvecommunityhealthbyincreasingphysicalactivityaspartofthetransportation
system.
3.Reduceexposuretoautorelatedairpollutants.
4.Supportthereductioninquantitiesofharmfulairbornepollutantsassociatedwith
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transportation.
5.Improvesafetyandsecurityforallusers,especiallyforthemostvulnerable;striveforzero
fatalities.
SocialEquity
6.Usefuturetransportationinvestmentstoreduceoreliminatedisparitiesbetween
neighborhoodsinaccess,economicbenefits,safety,andhealth.
AccessandMobilityforallmodes
7.Fosterneighborhoodswhere90percentofEugeneresidentscanmeetmostdailyneeds
withoutrelyingheavilyonanautomobile.
8.Improvethecomfortandconvenienceoftravel,especiallyforwalking,bicycling,carpooling,
andridingtransit.
9.Improvetripreliabilityforthemovementoffreight,andothertripswherearrivingontime
isofthehighestimportance.
CommunityContext
10.Ensureconsistencybetweentransportationinvestmentsandallrelevantadoptedand
acceptedlocalplans,suchasEnvisionEugene,ACommunityClimateandEnergyActionPlan
forEugene,AirportMasterPlan,andthePedestrianandBicycleMasterPlan.
11.MaintainbroadcommunityandpoliticalsupportforthisTransportationSystemPlan.
EconomicBenefit
12.Supportredevelopmentprioritiesbypromotingcompatibletransportationinvestments
alongkeytransitcorridorsandincorecommercialareas,includingdowntown.
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Suchasacetaldehydeandbenzene,twopollutantsassociatedwithmotorvehicleoperationthatĚŽŶ͛ƚyetmeetOregon
benchmarks.
EugeneTSP_GoalsObjectivesPolicies_ToTCRG.docx2
EugeneTransportationSystemPlan:RevisedDraftGoals,Objectives,andPolicies
13.Promoteaccesstojobs,services,education,andshoppingforresidentsandvisitorsof
Eugene.
14.Encourageinfrastructureandprogramsthatallowresidentstoreinvestinthelocaleconomy
byreducingexpendituresonfuelandvehicleuse.
CostEffectiveness
15.Optimizebenefitsrelativetopublic,private,andsocialcostsovertheƉůĂŶ͛Ɛtimehorizon.
16.Maximizethelifeofthecurrenttransportationsystem.
ClimateandEnergy
17.Focusontransportationprogramsandprojectsthathelpto:
a.reducetotalcommunitywidefossilfueluseby50%by2030;
b.reducevehiclemilestraveledpercapitaby10%bytheyear2020;and
c.reducecommunitywidegreenhousegasemissions10%below1990levelsby2020.
EcologicalFunction
18.Improvewaterqualityandlowertherateofstormwaterrunoffasitrelatestonew
transportationinfrastructure.
2
19.Reducetheurbanheatislandcausedbydarksurfaces,suchasasphalt,thatabsorbandre
radiatingheat.
20.Fostertransportationinvestmentsthatavoiddamagingandimprovehabitatareas,where
possible.
DraftPolicies
Apolicyisastatementadoptedtoprovideaconsistentcourseofaction,movingthecommunity
towardsattainmentofitsgoals.
PoliciesaregroupedwiththeSTARSgoalscategoriesthattheysupport.
SafetyandHealth
1.Reducethenumberandseverityofcrashesthroughdesign,operations,maintenance,
education,andenforcement.
2.Designtransportationfacilitiestoavoidpedestrianandbicyclistfatalitiesandinjuries.
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3.MaintainanetworkofEmergencyResponseStreetstofacilitatepromptemergencyresponse.
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Theterm"heatisland"describesbuiltupareasthatarehotterthannearbyruralareas.Heatislandscanaffect
communitiesbyincreasingsummertimepeakenergydemand,airconditioningcosts,airpollutionandgreenhousegas
emissions,heatrelatedillnessandmortality,andwaterquality.Source:U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,
http://www.epa.gov/hiri/(lastaccessedFebruary6,2012).
3
BestpracticesforemergencyresponsestandardscanbefoundintheCongressforaNewUrbanism(CNU)/Instituteof
TransportationEngineers(ITE)ProposedRecommendedPractice,DesigningWalkableUrbanThoroughfares:AContext
SensitiveApproach.
EugeneTSP_GoalsObjectivesPolicies_ToTCRG.docx3
EugeneTransportationSystemPlan:RevisedDraftGoals,Objectives,andPolicies
4.Provideaninvitingenvironmentwheretravelersfeelanadequatelevelofsafetyandsecurity
whiletraveling.
SocialEquity
5.Ensurethattransportationfacilitiesareprovidedforalldemographics,includingpeopleof
differentages,races,ethnicities,abilities,incomes,anddifferentneighborhoods.
AccessandMobilityforallmodes
6.Usestreetdesigntoencouragelowerspeedsonkeymultimodalstreets.
7.Completesafe,comfortable,anddirectsidewalkandbikewaynetworksbetweenkey
destinations,transitstops,andresidentialareas.
8.SupportLaneTransitŝƐƚƌŝĐƚ͛Ɛeffortstoprovidehighcapacity,frequenttransitservice,
includingbusrapidtransit(EmX),onthePrimaryTransitNetwork.
9.WithLaneTransitDistrict,analyzecollectorandarterialroadsfortheirpotentialasaPrimary
TransitNetwork,andadoptsetbacks,design,andoperationalstandardstorealizethe
potentialforhighcapacity,frequenttransitservice.
10.ExpandTransportationDemandManagement(TDM),carshare,andbikeshareprogramsto
reducethenumberofsingleoccupantvehicles.
11.Preservecorridors,suchasrailrightsofway,andeasementsthatmaybeneededforfuture
transportationuses.
12.Promoteconnectionsbetweenmodesoftransportation,suchasbyprovidinggoodbicycle
facilitiesatbusandtrainstations,andtruckloadingfacilitiesattrainyards.
13.Improvetraveltimesandtraveltimereliabilitybetweenkeyoriginsanddestinationsfor
transitandregionalfreightmovement.
14.Encouragetheuseofrailformovementoffreightandlongdistancepassengertrips.
CommunityContext
15.UsethePedestrianandBicycleMasterPlanastheguideforimprovementsofpedestrianand
bicyclefacilitiesandservices.
16.Designmajortransportationfacilitiesandincludeamenitiesinallprojectdesignsinwaysthat
retainorimprovethecharacterofresidentialneighborhoods.
17.Targetpubliclyfinancedinfrastructureextensionstosupportdevelopmentforhigher
densities,infill,mixedusedevelopment.
EugeneTSP_GoalsObjectivesPolicies_ToTCRG.docx4
EugeneTransportationSystemPlan:RevisedDraftGoals,Objectives,andPolicies
18.SupportpublicinvestmentintheEugeneAirportasaregionalfacility,usingtheEugene
AirportMasterPlanastheguideforimprovementsoffacilitiesandservicesatandnearthe
airport.
19.SupportrailrelatedinfrastructureimprovementsaspartoftheCascadiaHighSpeedRail
Corridorproject.
20.Maximizepublicsupportforthetransportationplanandindividualprojectsthroughopen
information,publicparticipation,andregularpublicacknowledgementandreassessmentof
theƉůĂŶ͛Ɛdirectives.
EconomicBenefit
21.Designstreetstoimprovespeedconsistencyandoptimizefuelconsumption.
22.Increaseaccesstoemploymentcentersviafoot,bike,andtransit,whileimprovingthequality
ofthetravelingexperience.
23.Favortransportationinvestmentsthatsupportindustriesandemploymentsectorsspecifically
targetedforthisregion.
24.Facilitateefficientaccessforgoods,employees,andcustomerstoandfromcommercialand
industriallands,includingfreightaccesstotheregionaltransportationnetwork.
CostEffectiveness
25.CoordinatewithLaneTransitDistricttostabilizesufficientfundingfortransitservicestomeet
thisgrowingĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͛Ɛneeds.
26.Coordinatewithpartneragenciestoensureefficientplanning,design,operation,and
maintenanceoftransportationfacilitiesandprograms.
27.Favortransportationinvestmentsthathavepotentialfundingforbothimplementationand
ongoingmaintenance.
28.Prioritizeenhancement,improvedsafety,andmaintenanceoftheexistingroadwaynetwork
overroadwayexpansion.
29.Operateandmaintaintransportationfacilitiesinawaythatreducestheneedformore
expensivefuturerepair,totheextentpracticalandaffordable.
30.Consideramechanismthatalignstransportationinfrastructurecostsingreenfieldareaswith
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.
thenewdevelopmentandrequiresnewdevelopmenttofundneededincreasestocapacity
ClimateandEnergy
31.Encouragetheuseofelectricandnonmotorizedvehicles.
___________________________________
ϰ
TheCitywillexaminewaystosubsidizethecostsofprovidinginfrastructureorofferotherincentivesthatsupporthigher
density,infill,mixeduse,andredevelopment.
EugeneTSP_GoalsObjectivesPolicies_ToTCRG.docx5
EugeneTransportationSystemPlan:RevisedDraftGoals,Objectives,andPolicies
EcologicalFunction
32.Reducestormwaterpollutionandminimizehydrologicimpactsassociatedwithstreetsand
multiusepathsinamannerprescribedby ƵŐĞŶĞ͛ƐComprehensiveStormwaterManagement
Plan.
33.Maintainorenhancethetreecanopyalongkeytransportationcorridorstoreducetheurban
heatislandeffect.
34.Careforfederal,state,andlocallydefinedsensitiveorimperiledspeciesorhabitatby
minimizingoravoidingnegativeimpactsassociatedwithtransportationprojects.
35.Lookforopportunitiestorepairandenhancehabitatinalltransportationprojects.
EugeneTSP_GoalsObjectivesPolicies_ToTCRG.docx6