Active Transportation, Public Health, and the 2012 MTP

Teri H. Duarte, MPH Executive DirectorWALKSacramentoDecember 13, 2011

Walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly community design is a

strategy for improving health

• One solution reduces many problems: – Inactivity– Obesity – Related disorders such

as diabetes– Traffic injuries

• Creates less air pollution per person

The Good News:

• SACOG is “doing better with less.” While overall plan spending is down by 5%, total funding for bicycle and pedestrian investments has the smallest decrease of any category – just 1%.

Per capita funding in bicycle and pedestrian investments is up by 7%

Funding for bicycle and pedestrian investments is 7.9% of total budget, much greater than other MPOs in the state.

1. Set a timetable to

achieve Complete Streets in 12 years.

2. Establish a 20% target for all non-commute walk

and bike trips.

Focus on bike lanes in local circulation rather than regional bikeways to get the most use.

Pedestrian deaths are greater in sprawling areas, where there are fewer pedestrians.

Ewing R, Schieber RA, Zegeer CV. Urban sprawl as a risk factor in motor vehicle occupant and pedestrian fatalities. Am J Public Health. 2003 Sep;93(9):1541-5.

Howe Ave at Alta Arden

3. Incorporate performance measures or targets for pedestrian and bicycle

safety

SAFETY1. Map annual number of pedestrian and bicycle collisions (and severity of injury/fatality): Per capita, per geographic area, by daytime population

2. Track total number of vehicle, bike and pedestrian collisions per capita, broken down by injury type: Fatalities and injuries

SB375 Health& Equity Metrics

4. Incorporate plan performance measures that

assess health outcomes associated with

transportation-related physical activity and air

pollution.SB375 Health& Equity MetricsDaily amount (in minutes) of work trip and non‐work trip related physical activity.

4. Incorporate plan performance measures that

assess health outcomes associated with

transportation-related physical activity and air

pollution.

Estimate premature mortality attributed to traffic related ambient PM 2.5, and estimate asthma incidence and asthma exacerbations attributed to traffic related NO2.

SB375 Health& Equity Metrics

Most air pollution in Sacramento is generated by cars and trucks

Hwy 99 southbound from downtown Sacramento

5. Work to provide greater protection of residents from

the risks of exposure to high-volume roadway toxic

air contaminants.

Separate heavy traffic and homes, or implement adequate mitigation measures

Many car trips are short… 25% are less than one mile

J St at 56th

Sacramento

.

6. Incorporate the promotion of walking and bicycling into the greenhouse gas reduction strategies

7. For future plans, complete a full analysis of area trip-

making, especially the home-to-school trips.

Thank you!

Teri Duarte, MPHExecutive DirectorWALKSacramento

909 12th Street, Suite 122Sacramento, CA 95814

916-446-9255

Tduarte@walksacramento.orgwww.walksacramento.org