BRIDGING THE GAP:

APRIL 17, 2015

INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Economic, Health, and Transportation Impacts from Completing a Critical Link in a 22‐mile Rail Trail

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STUDY AREA

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Research MethodsMinimize outside factors and influences  “Before” and “After” approach

Constrained timeline 

Limited Study Area

Data collection at same sites* and same time of year

Short time elapse between bridge opening and YR 2 data collection (3 months)

*with exception of new bridge site in 2014 to capture localized change

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Study Timeline

• ‘Before’ Data CollectionMay/June 2013

• ATT Bridge OpensFebruary 2014

• ‘After’ Data CollectionMay/June 2014

• Final ReportDecember 2014

Impacts

Health

Transportation

Economy

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Data Collection

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Data Collection

Intercept Survey Trip Origins and Destinations Access Points and Turn Around 

Point on Trail Trip Purpose Frequency of Trail Use Duration of Active Part of Trip Economic Data Mode Demographic Information

Count Data Mode Demographic Information

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Data Collection

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Raw Data Collected

2013 2014 % ChangeCountsWeekday 3,946 6,813Weekend 5,320 14,552Total Counts 9,266 21,365 + 131%SurveysWeekday 546 839Weekend 755 1,406Total Surveys 1,301 2,245 +  73%

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Estimating Annual Trips

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Impact of the Bridge on the Economy

An increase of $3.7 Million in direct expenditures

 $‐

 $500

 $1,000

 $1,500

 $2,000

 $2,500

 $3,000

Grocery Retail Restaurant

2013 2014D

irec

t Exp

endi

ture

s (T

hous

ands

)

Economic Impact on Businesses

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Impact of the Bridge on the EconomyTrail users’ expenditures supported An additional:

43 jobs

$1.3 million in employee compensation

$4.9 million in gross business revenues

 $‐ $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000 $7,000 $8,000 $9,000

GrossRevenue

EmployeeCompensation

2013 2014

(Tho

usan

ds)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Jobs

Total Impacts:  Direct, Indirect, and Induced

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Impact of the Bridge on Transportation

2013 By Bicycle

22%

2013 By Foot28%

2014 Increase in Active Travel to ATT 4%

2014 By Car46%

Round Trip90%

2013 Through Trip8%

2014Through Trip 

Increase 2%

Change in Trip Type on Trail

Change in Mode Used to Access Trail

Shift in Non-Recreational Trips

More opportunities for active transportation

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Bike Walk Jog/Run All Modes

Avg. Distance Traveled

 In M

iles

2013 2014

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Impact of the Bridge on Transportation

Distance Traveled by Activity on Trail

average trip distancesincreased by 27%

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Impact of the Bridge on Health

48

53

58

63

68

All Modes All Modes

Male Female

Average Trip Duration (M

in.)

2013 2014

Average Trip DurationAverage travel duration increased to 162 minutes per week.

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Impact of the Bridge on Health

0 50 100 150

All Bicycle, Male

All Bicycle, Female

All Walker, Male

All Walker, Female

All Jogger/Runner, Male

All Jogger/Runner,…

Thousands of Calories

2013 2014

Calories Burned By Users of TrailTrail users are estimated to burn 175 million more calories annually.

(or 19,000 more cheese burgers per week)

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TO ACCESS FULL REPORT:

WWW.ITRE.NCSU.EDU/PUBLIC/BIKEPED.HTML

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PROJECT SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

Thank You!

KRISTY JACKSONBicycle and Pedestrian Programknjackso@ncsu.edu / 919.515.8771

INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH & EDUCATION

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