Mayor Karl Dean, Chairman

Incorporating Health in Regional Transportation Planning

Leslie A. Meehan, AICPPro Walk/Pro Bike

September 14, 2010

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Nashville Area MPOCity of BrentwoodCity of FairviewCity of FranklinCity of GallatinCity of GoodlettsvilleCity of HendersonvilleCity of LaVergneCity of LebanonCity of MillersvilleCity of Mt. JulietCity of MurfreesboroCity of PortlandTown of SmyrnaCity of Spring HillCity of SpringfieldCity of White HouseMetropolitan NashvilleRutherford CountySumner CountyWilliamson CountyWilson CountyTennessee DOTGreater Nashville

Regional Council

Regional Transportation AuthorityMetropolitan Transit AuthorityFranklin Transit AuthorityMurfreesboro Public TransportationMetro Nashville Airport AuthorityTN Dept of Environment & ConservationFederal Highway AdministrationFederal Transit Administration

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Growing Issues to Address

Unmanageable Congestion

Longer Travel Times & Trip Lengths

Increasing Energy Consumption / Costs

Declining Air & Water Quality

Aging Population/ Dispersed Families

Worsening Personal Health / Increasing Costs

Lost Habitat / Natural Areas

Unsustainable Costs/ Revenue Sources

Lack of Housing Choice

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How Should We Invest in Our Future?

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Three Major Policy Initiatives

#1A Bold, New Vision for Mass Transit

#2Support for Active Transportation & 

Walkable Communities#3

Preservation & Enhancement of Strategic Roadways

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#2 Support for Active Transportation and Walkable Communities

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Why a Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Study?

To establish a comprehensive vision and strategies for bikeway and pedestrian accommodations that enhance mobility through connectivity and accessibility, improved safety, and quality of life.

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Provide a comprehensive inventory of existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 

Demonstrate how improving walking and bicycling connectivity increases individual mobility, enhances transit options, and promotes active living.

Recommend policy and funding strategies for the Regional Transportation Plan.

Serve as a framework for identifying and selecting bicycle/pedestrian projects for the Regional Transportation Plan.

Provide guidance for engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation activities to help improve the safety of walking and bicycling.

Regional Study: Purpose & Objectives

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What We Learned – Potential Demand

The proximity of land uses such as residential housing, employment, shopping, schools, transit, parks, and other activities influence walking and bicycle travel demand.

The Nashville Regional Non‐Motorized Model accounts for eight trip types for both walk & bicycle travel:

The proximity of land uses such as residential housing, employment, shopping, schools, transit, parks, and other activities influence walking and bicycle travel demand.

The Nashville Regional Non‐Motorized Model accounts for eight trip types for both walk & bicycle travel:

‐ School ‐ Shop

‐ Work ‐ Recreation

‐ Transit (to) ‐ Transit (from)

‐ Errand ‐ Parking (CBD)

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What We Learned – Safety Analysis

These data are for planning purposes only and are protected by USC 409.

• 2,076 reported crashes within the MPO between 2003-2007

• 107 resulted in a fatality (99 pedestrian & 8 cyclist)

High Crash Corridors include:• Nolensville Road• Dickerson Pike• Murfreesboro Road• West End Ave• Charlotte Ave

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What We Learned – Health Analysis

There is a strong link between the lack of physical activity and health (e.g. heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions).

Research has also shown certain population groups have a higher disparity.  These groups include:

There is a strong link between the lack of physical activity and health (e.g. heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions).

Research has also shown certain population groups have a higher disparity.  These groups include:

‐ Low Income

‐ Minority

‐ Older Adults (over 65)

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What We Learned – Public/ Stakeholder Input

Potential Solutions

Facilities

Connectivity

Awareness, Support, & Collaboration

Policies & Programs

Mapping & Information

Education & Enforcement

Potential Solutions

Facilities

Connectivity

Awareness, Support, & Collaboration

Policies & Programs

Mapping & Information

Education & Enforcement

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5 Key Components:

Regional Sidewalk & Bikeway Recommendations

Project Evaluation System

Policies & Programs

Funding for Sidewalk and Bikeway Improvements

Design Guidelines

What We Accomplished

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What We Accomplished: A Regional Vision

Bikeways Sidewalks

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What We Accomplished: Prioritization Tools

7 Criteria and 48 total points

Level of Service – 12 pts

Potential for Walking/Bicycling – 12 pts

Safety – 6pts

Connectivity – 6pts

Health Impact – 6pts

Congestion – 6pts

Local Plans – 3pts

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What We Accomplished: Policies/ Programs

Policy and Programs Goals:

Regional Bikeway Network

Regional Sidewalk Accommodations Policy

Maintenance & Spot Improvement Program

School Siting Policy

Website & Maps

Annual Regional Summit on Walking & Biking

Annual Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Program 

Complete Streets Policy

Outreach, Training, & Enforcement Programs

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What We Accomplished: Funding Strategies

Key Highlights

Recommendations Cost

Funding Gap & Recommended Funding Level

Funding Level Annually 25 Year Horizon Study Recommendations Funding Gap

Current $14.37 Million $359 Million $793 Million $433 Million

2.21 Times Current Level $31.70 Million $793 Million $793 Million ‐

$149 Million – Sidewalk Recommendations

$644 Million – Bikeway Recommendations

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New Regional Policy & Strategies 

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Guiding Principles

Livability ‐MPO plans and programs shall work to enhance the quality of life in the region by supporting initiatives that increase opportunities for affordable housing, education, jobs, recreation, and civic involvement without increasing the burden on citizens to enjoy their community.

Sustainability – MPO plans and programs shall strive to support growth and prosperity without sacrificing the health, environment, natural and socio‐cultural resources, or financial stability of this or future generations.

Prosperity – MPO plans and programs shall contribute to the continued economic well‐being of the greater Nashville area by investing in transportation solutions that increase access to education, jobs, and amenities, reduce the cost of living and doing business, and attract new investment to the region.

Diversity – MPO plans and programs shall recognize the multitude of needs and the variety of perspectives and backgrounds of the people that live and work in the greater Nashville area by promoting a range of transportation choices that are designed with sensitivity to the desired context.

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Regional Goals

Maintain and Preserve the Efficiency, Safety, and Security of the Region’s Existing Transportation Infrastructure;Manage Congestion to Keep People and Goods Moving;Encourage Quality Growth and Sustainable Land DevelopmentPractices;Protect the Region’s Health & Environment;Support the Economic Competitiveness of the Greater Nashville Area;OfferMeaningful Transportation Choices for a Diverse Population including the Aging;Encourage Regional Coordination, Cooperation, & Decision‐Making; andPractice Thoughtful, Transparent Financial Stewardship by Ensuring that Transportation Improvements meet Regional Goals.

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Regional Goals

Maintain and Preserve the Efficiency, Safety, and Security of the Region’s Existing Transportation Infrastructure;Manage Congestion to Keep People and Goods Moving;Encourage Quality Growth and Sustainable Land DevelopmentPractices;Protect the Region’s Health & Environment;Support the Economic Competitiveness of the Greater Nashville Area;Offer Meaningful Transportation Choices for a Diverse Population including the Aging;Encourage Regional Coordination, Cooperation, & Decision‐Making; andPractice Thoughtful, Transparent Financial Stewardship by Ensuring that Transportation Improvements meet Regional Goals.

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MPO’s Urban STP Investment Strategy

15% minimum investment in Active Transportation & Walkable Communities

Sidewalks, bicycle lanes, greenways, transit stops, amenities – MPO BPAC PRIORITIZATION!

10% minimum flexed to TransitCombined with FTA funds to help implement regional vision for mass transit

5% minimum reserved for stand‐alone ITS/ Incident Management Upgrades

Support for smaller projects that make our system smarter and more efficient

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Remainder (approx. 70%) to Location Specific Roadway Improvements

System Preservation & Enhancement – 15%

Quality Growth and Sustainable Development – 15%

Multi‐Modal Options – 15%

Health & Environment – 10%

Safety & Security – 10%

Freight & Goods Movement – 10%

Congestion Management – 10%

State & Local Support/ Investment – 15%

MPO’s Urban STP Investment Strategy

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Roadway Project Candidates

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Support for Active Transportation

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More to come: Linking Transportation & Health 

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The Future of Transportation Planning

Future MandatesTransportation projects will be held accountable for impact on personal health as they are already held accountable for impact on environmental health (air and water quality).

Wide‐Spread Adoption of Complete Streets Concept Transportation projects will be required to provide transportation choices that include active transportation and serve all ages/ability levels of users.

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Three Themes

How can we make the Health Choice

the easy choice?

Streets Are for Communities

….Not Just for Cars

Everyone is a Pedestrian…

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Being Aware of Our Health

What We Eat and How We Move

•Access to Healthy Foods

•Physical Activity through Active Transportation

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Linking Health and Transportation

Food Access and Transportation

Physical Activity Travel Study

Health Impact Assessment project

Agency Collaboration – Policy and Education

Education – Safe Routes to School,  Regional Symposiums

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Food Access and Transportation10 grocery stores and 1 emergency food source located within one mile of project12 schools within 2 milesCommunity and religious centersCorridor has planned bike/ped facilities but road widening project does not include those facilities.

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Data will show which mode of travel allows for most energy expenditure and physical activity

Physical Activity/ Travel Behavior

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Health Impact AssessmentHealth Impact Assessment of proposed Transit  Oriented Development (2‐year project)

Includes active transportation, environmental assessment and food access recommendations

Collaboration with CPPW grant to create HIA criteria as part of land development project review process

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Agency Collaboration

Bicycle/Ped Laws included in Drivers License Manual and Test

Training law enforcement officerson bike/ped laws

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Safe Routes to Schools

Safe Routes to Schools P.E. Teacher Training Program for all P.E. Teachers in MPO Region

SRTS multi‐year Data Collection Effort with MTSU

Partner with SRTS State Network Project for Tennessee

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Regional Symposiums

Complete Streets Symposium2‐Day WorkshopNational Experts from Complete Streets CoalitionKeynote Luncheon – Mayor Floyd, Decatur, GAJanuary 2010

School Siting Symposium 1‐Day WorkshopNational Experts from EPA and UNCPublic Decision Makers and Private FirmsJanuary 2010

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Tennessee Obesity Taskforce

MPO and YMCA Co‐Chairs 2011‐2012

Advocacy

Breastfeeding

Built Environment/Transportation/

Parks & Recreation

Early Childhood

Evaluation

Food Systems

Health Systems

Schools

Vulnerable Populations

Worksites

Coordinated School HealthTennessee Cancer CoalitionHealthy Memphis Common TableCommunity Food Advocates/Food TrustKnoxville Childhood Obesity CoalitionChattanooga Partnership for Healthy Living NetworkYMCA Pioneering Healthier Communities (in 6 jurisdictions of Tennessee)Metropolitan/Rural Planning OrganizationsECO – Every Child Outdoors

Livability. Sustainability. Prosperity. Diversity.