Transit and Pedestrian Safety
Cynthia Hoyle, FAICPChampaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
Transportation Planning ConsultantUrbana, IL
MTD…..Leading the way to greater MTD…..Leading the way to greater mobilitymobility
• MTD will encourage the use of alternative (active) transportation services to promote mobility in our community.
• First and last mile of transit trips - riders are pedestrians and/or cyclists.
• Safe, convenient and well designed infrastructure is necessary for mode shift
COMMUNITY OVERVIEWCOMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Over 30% of Urbana Residents Walk, Over 30% of Urbana Residents Walk, Bike, or Ride Bus for Trips to WorkBike, or Ride Bus for Trips to Work
American Community Survey 2008-2012 data
C-U Trips to Work Increasingly Active C-U Trips to Work Increasingly Active ModesModes
(U.S. Census & ACS)
Transport Mode
Public Transit
Bicycle Walking
2000 Census
6.8% 2.5% 11.6%
2010 ACS 7.3% 3.6% 13.1%
2011 ACS 9.1% 3.5% 13.0%
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Community Characteristics
145,000 population
44,520U of I students
12,897U of I employees
145,000 population
44,520U of I students
12,897U of I employees
PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLIST PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLIST SAFETY SAFETY
Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate
Traffic jams on arterialsToo many crashes
Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate
No sidewalks make ittoo dangerous to cross on foot
Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate
Uninviting for bus riders
Streets are inadequateStreets are inadequate
No room for people!
Higher speeds increases chance of injury & death
Speed MattersSpeed Matters
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Wide Roads Increase Vehicle SpeedWide Roads Increase Vehicle Speed
• Speed increases crash severity for all users
• Over 35 MPH reduces roadway capacity
HOW HAVE WE INCREASED SAFETY IN C-U?
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We know how to build rightWe know how to build right
We Have to Advocate for Complete Complete Streets PoliciesStreets Policies
Complete Streets ensure that the entire right-of-way is designed for all users
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What are Complete Streets?
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US Access BoardUS Access Board
Complete Streets policies provide forComplete Streets policies provide forALL USERSALL USERS
CS changes the built CS changes the built environmentenvironment
CS changes intersection designCS changes intersection design
Transit Stops = Ped CrossingTransit Stops = Ped Crossing
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Successful Road Diets Successful Road Diets
Four Lanes
Two Lanes w/ center turn lanes, bike lanes, ped refuge island at bus stop
Pedestrian and Transit UpgradesPedestrian and Transit Upgrades
Upgrading pedestrian infrastructure
Upgrading transit infrastructure
Bike and Pedestrian ImprovementsBike and Pedestrian Improvements
Bike lanes – calm trafficPedestrian priority – ped scramble
Municipal and Regional Municipal and Regional PlansPlans
Champaign Moving Forward Transportation Master Plan
Urbana Bicycle Plan
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Long Range Transportation Plan 2035
Community PartnershipsCommunity Partnerships
Campus Area Transportation Study - first transportation study that all agencies worked together on to address campus area transportation problems starting in 2000. Three phases to date.
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http://www.ccrpc.org/CATS/index.php
Current Transportation PlansCurrent Transportation Plans
Sustainable Choices 2040-LRTP In progress 2012-2015
University District Traffic Circulation Study- In progress
Transit has to be at the table!
High Frequency Network - High Frequency Network - ImplementedImplemented
High frequency transit service between two downtowns , campus , and Country Fair = service every 10-15 minutes during academic year. Total network miles = 18
Coalitions and Networks Coalitions and Networks
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Get Public Input Get Public Input We Got Clear & Consistent Messages We Got Clear & Consistent Messages
Improved bicycle infrastructure/routing
Better street lights Additional sidewalksLater evening service
Additional direct
routes along major arterials
SRTS Program – C-U SRTS Project SRTS Program – C-U SRTS Project
www.cu-srtsproject.com
RESULTS
Safety ImpactsSafety Impacts
Still Work to Do
ConclusionConclusion
Pedestrian-Transit SafetyPedestrian-Transit Safety
• Transit needs to advocate for safe roadway design
• Provide input to local plans, processes, and designs
• Advocate for Complete Streets policies, road diets, better design, change procedures
• Partnerships are key!
Complete Streets = best practicesComplete Streets = best practices
Cynthia Hoyle, FAICP [email protected]
Questions?Questions?
References:http://www.cumtd.com/about-us/publicdocuments www.ihavemiplan.com www.ccrpc.org/transportationwww.cu-rtsproject.comhttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets
