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Item 11: Review of DraftBicycle and Pedestrian Plan

for the National Capital Region

Michael FarrellTPB Staff

Presentation to theTransportation Planning Board

May 17, 2006

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Overview

• This presentation will– Highlight major

features of the draft plan

– Show some examples of plan projects

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TPB Involvement inBicycle and Pedestrian Activities• “Street Smart” Safety Campaign

• Commuter Connections – Guaranteed Ride Home– Bike to Work Guide – Bike to Work Day

• ADC Regional Bike Map (2004)

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-committee

– ADA, intersection design workshops– Development of this new plan

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The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

• Identifies major bicycle and pedestrian projects the region wishes to carry out by 2030

• Proposes best practices

• First regional bicycle plan since 1995

• First-ever regional pedestrian plan

• Builds upon:– 1999 TPB Vision

– 2001 Greenways and Circulation Systems Reports

• Contains both funded and unfunded projects

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Plan Development

• Oversight – Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee of the TPB

Technical Committee

• Project listings – Submitted by state and local jurisdictional staffs

• Criteria for including projects:– Of a size and scope to be regionally significant– Regional connectivity– Access to transit– Inclusion in jurisdictional plans

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Project Listings(Chapter 6 and Appendix A)

• Approximately 400 projects

• If every project in the plan were implemented, in 2030 the region will have added:– Over 200 miles of bicycle lanes– Over 400 miles of shared-use paths– Hundreds of miles of signed bicycle

routes – More than 50 pedestrian intersection improvements– Pedestrian/bicycle bridges or tunnels– Major streetscaping projects

• Estimated cost: $580 million

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Why a Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan?

• TPB Vision calls for – Mixed-use, walkable regional activity centers– Reduced reliance on the automobile– Safe, convenient walking and biking

• TPB Regional Mobility and Accessibility Study – More jobs and housing in walkable activity centers would

Walking and Biking

Driving and Congestion

• To support the TPB Vision, priority should be given to projects that:– Serve regional activity centers– Provide access to transit– Improve regional connectivity– Improve safety

• Examples

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#1: Anacostia Riverwalk Trail

• A Priorities 2000 Greenways priority project

• Build 20 miles of trails along Anacostia River

• Goals: Economic development, transportation, recreation

• Cost: $20 million

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#17: College Park Trolley Trail

• A Priorities 2000 Greenways priority project

• Cost: $250,000 (Phase 3)

• 4 miles along Rhode Island Ave ROW– Built in phases

• Alternative to congested US 1

• Serves a major activity center, Metro stations

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#23: Bethesda Bikeway and Pedestrian Facilities

• Includes bike lanes, pedestrian intersection improvements

• Part of Bethesda CBD Plan to provide for increased development

• Cost: $3.3 million

• Complete: 2008

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#171, 226: Woodrow Wilson Bridge

• Will connect Old Town Alexandria to Prince George’s County, National Harbor

• Serves commuters, recreation, economic development

• Example of “Complete Streets”

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#349: Plaza America

• In Reston, along Sunset Hills Road east of Reston Parkway

• A 27-acre shopping center and office development• Trails, sidewalks, pedestrian signals, crosswalks, bus

stop improvements– Connection to W&OD Trail– Increased Fairfax Connector service

• Cost: – $1.5 million– Paid 100% by developer proffer

• Prepares for rail service• Enhances walkability in Reston

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#392: Rosslyn Circle Crossing

• A Priorities 2000 Circulation Systems priority project

• Safety– A high-crash location– Conflicts with turning

vehicles– Connects two major

trails and the Key Bridge

• Cost: $1 million• Complete: 2008

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Additional Sectionsin the Plan

• Planning context of federal, state, and local bicycle/pedestrian activities (Chapter 1)

• Demographic and geographic overview of bicycling and walking in the region (Chapter 2)

• Safety (Chapter 3)

• Overview of existing facilities (Chapter 4)

• Best practices (Chapter 5)

• Appendices with supporting information

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Highlights from the Plan

• The region already enjoys– Almost 200 miles of shared-use paths (bike trails)– More than 300 miles of side paths– More than 60 miles of bike lanes

• Walking is the most common mode of accessing transit (60-80%)

• Walking and Bicycling are concentrated in the urban core and in mixed-use activity centers

• Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is a serious problem– About ¼ of all traffic deaths – Issue is throughout the region

• Federal and State Policies – towards “Routine Accommodation” for “Complete Streets”

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Schedule and Outlook

• May 17 first presentation of draft plan to TPB

• Formally release June 15 for public comment

• Reviews by TPB Technical Committee, Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee, and Citizens Advisory Committee

• Asking TPB approval of the plan on July 19

• An on-line version of the plan will be produced subsequent to the approved print version