EX-1 executive summary | OVERVIEW In January 2009, the Spartanburg Area Transportation Study (SPATS), Spartanburg County, the City of Spartanburg, and Partners for Active Living (PAL) began developing a countywide comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan. The planning effort was funded by the Mary Black Foundation, SPATS, Spartanburg County, and the City of Spartanburg. This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan represents a continuation of the bicycle and pedestrian planning, programming, and development efforts that have occurred over the past five years. This Plan seeks to build upon what has already been accomplished and create action towards implementation, project, program, and policy development. The plan addresses the entire county, including incorporated areas and non-incorporated areas. VISION STATEMENT Vision statements and project goals were collected through public workshops, project steering committee meetings, municipality meetings, and an online survey of local residents. The statement (presented below) expresses the desired outcome of the plan: •More people will choose to walk or bicycle to their destination instead of driving. •Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity (through sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, multi- use paths, etc.) will be improved by removing gaps in the current system and connecting neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers, schools, employment centers, bus stops, greenways and regional destinations throughout the Spartanburg area. •Bicycle and pedestrian routes will connect and be more comprehensive, thereby reducing overall motor vehicle traffic congestion and improving air quality. •Spartanburg area citizens will connect with the outdoors and live healthier, more active lifestyles. •A more walkable and bikable Spartanburg area will help connect people and build community. •Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will not simply be built, but built properly with safety as a priority in all cases, providing adequate and safe separation of space for bicyclists and pedestrians. •Further bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will support users of all types including recreational, utilitarian, and commuter users. •The Spartanburg area will achieve greater economic vitality through walkable and bikable spaces. •Bicycle and pedestrian policy will be integrated into City and County codes, and a bicycle and pedestrian culture will be integrated into Spartanburg area life. •Education programs will increase safety and build courtesy between drivers and cyclists. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY for the SPARTANBURG BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN spartanburg county, south carolina | 2009
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EX-1e x e c u t i v e s u m m a r y |
OvErviEwIn January 2009, the Spartanburg Area Transportation Study (SPATS), Spartanburg County, the City of Spartanburg, and Partners for Active Living (PAL) began developing a countywide comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan. The planning effort was funded by the Mary Black Foundation, SPATS, Spartanburg County, and the City of Spartanburg. This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan represents a continuation of the bicycle and pedestrian planning, programming, and development efforts that have occurred over the past five years. This Plan seeks to build upon what has already been accomplished and create action towards implementation, project, program, and policy development. The plan addresses the entire county, including incorporated areas and non-incorporated areas.
visiOn statEmEntVision statements and project goals were collected through public workshops, project steering committee meetings, municipality meetings, and an online survey of local residents. The statement (presented below) expresses the desired outcome of the plan:
•More people will choose to walk or bicycle to their destination instead of driving.
•Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity (through sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, multi-use paths, etc.) will be improved by removing gaps in the current system and connecting neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers, schools, employment centers, bus stops, greenways and
regional destinations throughout the Spartanburg area.
•Bicycle and pedestrian routes will connect and be more comprehensive, thereby reducing overall motor vehicle traffic congestion and improving air quality.
•Spartanburg area citizens will connect with the outdoors and live healthier, more active lifestyles.
•A more walkable and bikable Spartanburg area will help connect people and build community.
•Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will not simply be built, but built properly with safety as a priority in all cases, providing adequate and safe separation of space for bicyclists and pedestrians.
•Further bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will support users of all types including recreational, utilitarian, and commuter users.
•The Spartanburg area will achieve greater economic vitality through walkable and bikable spaces.
•Bicycle and pedestrian policy will be integrated into City and County codes, and a bicycle and pedestrian culture will be integrated into Spartanburg area life.
•Education programs will increase safety and build courtesy between drivers and cyclists.
EXECUtivE sUmmarY for thesPartanBUrG BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLANspartanburg county, south carolina | 2009
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PUBLiC inPUtAppendix A summarizes the various avenues of public outreach that were employed to gather input during the planning process, including the comment form, two public workshops and other forms of outreach. Below are some key findings, according to the 1059 people who submitted comments through the online comment form:
• 76% said that improving walking and bicycling conditions in Spartanburg County is“very important.”
• The top three factors that discouraged walking were lack of sidewalks and trails, automobile traffic and speed, and pedestrian-unfriendly streets and land uses.
• The top three factors that discouraged bicycling were lack of bicycle facilities, high-speed traffic, and inconsiderate motorists.
• 89% of respondents said they would walk more if more sidewalks, trails, and safe roadway crossings were provided for pedestrians.
• Main Street (US 29/WO Ezell Blvd.) was identified as the top roadway corridor in need of improvements.
• The top three walking destinations people would most like to get to are trails/greenways, parks, and libraries/recreation centers.
EXistinG COnditiOns Spartanburg County features over 400 miles of sidewalks and crosswalks, many of which are found in pedestrian-friendly downtown cores of the City of Spartanburg and municipalities across Spartanburg County. A number of greenways and trails, including the Mary Black Pride Rail Trail, provide excellent transportation and recreational opportunities. Yet, there are many opportunities for improvement including crossing enhancements, curb ramp improvements, additional bicycle lanes, improved connectivity, driveway access management, and traffic calming. A Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) was conducted and results showed that 72% of state-maintained roadways in Spartanburg County scored a “D” or lower grade for bicycle conditions. Bicycle and pedestrian crashes were mapped and analyzed and public input provided additional information. These efforts and other plans and studies are summarized in Chapter 2.
BEnEfits Of BiCYCLE and PEdEstrian transPOrtatiOnCommunities across the United States and throughout the world are implementing strategies for serving the walking and bicycling needs of their residents, and have been doing so for many years. They do this because of their obligations to promote health, safety and welfare, and also because of the growing awareness of the many benefits of walking. Bicycling and walking help to improve people’s health and fitness, enhance environmental conditions, decrease traffic congestion, and contribute to a greater sense of community. Scores of studies from experts in the fields of public health, urban planning, urban ecology, real estate, transportation, sociology, and economics have supported such claims and have acknowledged the substantial value of supporting walking and bicycling as it relates to active living and alternative transportation. See Chapter 1 for details.
Spartanburg County Bicycle Recommendations Recommended Bicycle Facilities
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(Proposed)
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rECOmmEndatiOnsA variety of sources were consulted to develop recommendations: previous plans and studies, existing conditions, a fieldwork inventory, public input, committee and municipality input, and local destinations. The recommendations consist of sidewalk projects, crossing improvements, bicycle lanes, shared-lane markings, and off-road greenways. Detailed recommendations were developed for 100 intersection crossings. Together these facilities should be developed or improved to create a safe and connected bicycle and pedestrian network throughout the County. For details on this process, see Chapters 4 and 5 (Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommendations).
Recommendation project pages were also developed for each municipality. Maps, top priority projects, and key destinations are described. For more details, see Chapter 6 (Municipality Project Pages).
fUndinGImplementing the recommendations of this plan will require a combination of funding sources that include local, state, federal, and private money. Appendix E defines and describes dozens of possible funding sources that could be used to support the planning, design and development of bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway improvements.
PrOGrams + POLiCiEsMeeting the goals of the Spartanburg County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will require more than construction and installation of recommended facilities. It will also require the initiation and continued support of bicycle and pedestrian-related programs from the local officials, local residents, and community organizations. In addition, the implementation of these facilities and programs will require the adoption and enforcement of new bicycle and pedestrian-related, Complete Streets policies. Chapter 7 outlines key policy statements and recommended policy language updates to key ordinances and documents throughout the county. Chapter 8 highlights the programs occurring in the City of Spartanburg and provides a menu of additional programs to implement in Spartanburg County, including high priority programs.
Photo visualizations provide a means of communicating recommendations throughout the region. Above: Main Street in Reidville. Below: Church St. in Spartanburg.
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KEY aCtiOn stEPsImplementation is critical to ensure the recommendations of this Plan become a reality. A detailed action steps table is provided in Chapter 9, page 200. Key action steps are below:
1) Adopt this Plan.2) Establish Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). 3) Begin Top Priority Projects.4) Consider a full-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator at the Spartanburg County and City of Spartanburg level.5) Improve and Enforce County and City Ordinances.6) Begin semiannual meetings with project partners (SCDOT, Spartanburg County, City of Spartanburg, PAL).7) Take Advantage of All Opportunities.8) Seek Multiple Funding Sources and Facility Development Options.9) Publish Bicycling/Walking maps for municipalities.10) Develop a Palmetto Trail Master Plan and Greenways Master Plan for Spartanburg County.11) Publish annual performance reports.12) Conduct a bicycle parking study and ensure bicycle parking is provided at key destinations.13) Apply for increased level status as a Bicycle-friendly Community and apply for
new Walk Friendly Community status in 2010.
CasE stUdiEs and PrOjECt CUt sHEEtsBicycle and pedestrian projects within the City of Spartanburg were prioritized by network segment in a prioritization matrix. Projects within other municipalities were prioritized based on input from local staff and citizens. Project cut sheets were developed for the top projects and are found in Appendix B. A series of case studies with maps and project details is provided in Appendix J. An example cutsheet is below:
EXECUtivE sUmmarY for thesPartanBUrG BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN
spartanburg county, south carolina | 2009
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN
B-11Appendix B: Prioritization and Phase One Cut-Sheets |
