BRIDGING THE GAP:

APRIL 30, 2015

INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Economic, Health, and Transportation Impacts from Completing a Critical Link in a 22-mile Rail Trail

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STUDY AREA

Start of ATT

South to Bridge

End of ATT

North to Bridge

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Research Methods

Minimize outside factors and influences

“Before” and “After” approach

Constrained timeline

Limited Study Area

Data collection at same sites* and same time of year

Short time elapse between bridge opening and YR 2 data collection (3 months)

*with exception of new bridge site in 2014 to capture localized change

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Study Timeline

• ‘Before’ Data Collection May/June

2013

• ATT Bridge Opens February

2014

• ‘After’ Data Collection May/June

2014

• Final Report December

2014

Impacts

Health

Transportation

Economy

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Data Collection

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Data Collection

Intercept Survey Trip Origins and Destinations

Access Points and Turn Around Point on Trail

Trip Purpose

Frequency of Trail Use

Duration of Active Part of Trip

Economic Data

Mode

Demographic Information

Count Data Mode

Demographic Information

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Data Collection

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Raw Data Collected

2013 2014 % Change Counts

Weekday 3,946 6,813

Weekend 5,320 14,552

Total Counts 9,266 21,365 + 131%

Surveys

Weekday 546 839

Weekend 755 1,406

Total Surveys 1,301 2,245 + 73%

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Estimating Annual Trips

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Impact of the Bridge on the Economy

An increase of $3.7 Million in direct expenditures

$-

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

Grocery Retail Restaurant

2013 2014

Economic Impact on Businesses

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Impact of the Bridge on the Economy Trail users’ expenditures supported An additional:

43 jobs

$1.3 million in employee compensation

$4.9 million in gross business revenues

$-

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

$6,000

$7,000

$8,000

$9,000

GrossRevenue

EmployeeCompensation

2013 2014

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Jobs

Total Impacts: Direct, Indirect, and Induced

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Impact of the Bridge on Transportation

2013 By Bicycle

22%

2013 By Foot

28%

2014 Increase in

Active Travel to ATT 4%

2014 By Car 46%

Round Trip 90%

2013 Through

Trip 8%

2014 Through

Trip Increase

2%

Change in Trip Type on Trail

Change in Mode Used to Access Trail

Shift in Non-Recreational Trips

More opportunities for active transportation

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2

4

6

8

10

12

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Bike Walk Jog/Run All Modes

Avg

. Dis

tan

ce T

rave

led

In M

iles

2013 2014

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Impact of the Bridge on Transportation

Distance Traveled by Activity on Trail

average trip distances increased by 27%

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Impact of the Bridge on Health

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53

58

63

68

All Modes All Modes

Male Female

Ave

rage

Tri

p D

ura

tio

n (

Min

.)

2013 2014

Average Trip Duration Average travel duration increased to 162 minutes per week.

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Impact of the Bridge on Health

0 50 100 150

All Bicycle, Male

All Bicycle, Female

All Walker, Male

All Walker, Female

All Jogger/Runner, Male

All Jogger/Runner,…

Thousands of Calories

2013 2014

Calories Burned By Users of Trail Trail users are estimated to burn 175 million more calories annually. (or 19,000 more cheese burgers / week)

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TO ACCESS FULL REPORT:

WWW.ITRE.NCSU.EDU/PUBLIC/BIKEPED.HTML

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Summary of Impacts

Health

Calories Burned: 175 m More

PA Duration: 162 min/week

Transportation

2% increase in Thru Trips

4% increase in Active Travel to ATT

27% increase in Trip Distance

Economy

Jobs: 43

Employee Compensation: $1.3 M

Gross Business Revenues: $4.9 M

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PROJECT SPONSORS

AND

PARTNERS

Thank You!

SARAH O’BRIEN

Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

skworth@ncsu.edu/ 919.515.8703

INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH & EDUCATION

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