183 North Mobility Project Community Survey Report

Transcription

1 183 North Mobility Project Community Survey Report Conducted in conjunction with the Open House #3 March, 1, 8 p.m. Westwood High School During the Open House and concurrent Virtual Open House, the study team provided participants with the option to provide additional input through a community survey. The survey is not a scientific poll. The results only reflect the view of those Open House and Virtual Open House participants that chose to participate.

2 Summary Twenty-nine 183 North Mobility Project Community Surveys were submitted between March 6 th and March th, 1. Sixteen surveys were submitted in writing at the Open House. The remaining 13 surveys were submitted online through the Virtual Open House. When asked what they liked about the Express Lanes Alternative, respondents reported that they liked the added capacity, the ability to bypass traffic and the ability for public transit to have predictable and dependable travel times. Six respondents shared that they did not like the Express Lanes Alternative due to the tolling component. When asked how the Express Lanes Alternative could be improved, several respondents suggested the addition of non-tolled general purpose lanes. Others felt that mass transit improvements should be the regional focus for transportation improvements. Several shared location-specific improvements like the suggestion to provide an exit to the Riata area. Fifteen respondents expressed support for bicycle and pedestrian improvements planned for the corridor. Several expressed a desire for more bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. Ten respondents offered specific suggestions for improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, including increasing lighting, providing buffers and expanding the proposed shared use path. Eleven respondents reported being unaware that a fourth general purpose lane would be extended where only three exist now. Ten were unaware that all non-tolled travel lanes available today will remain so in the future. Respondents were very aware that emergency services, public transit busses and registered vanpools would not pay tolls to use the Express Lanes. Most respondents live in northwest Austin. Most respondents work in central Austin. When asked about their interest in specific issues related to the project, 17 respondents reported that they were interested in transit improvements. Eight respondents indicated an interest in each of the following: bicycle/pedestrian improvements, aesthetics and the environment. 1

3 Question 1: What do you like about the Express Lanes Alternative? 1 No more taxes, and the solution could improve traffic conditions. I'm glad we are looking to the future and building roads! A big thanks to the 183 mobility project team! 2 The NW Austin area is continuing to grow exponentially and this option provides for road capacity expansion for this ongoing growth. 3 Nothing 4 I appreciate that work is being done to alleviate congestion on 183. I like the idea of variable toll pricing. Nothing, you are further entitling rich people. The haves verses the have nots. 6 I like that it's purpose is to help alleviate heavy traffic. 7 Nothing. 8 Could make travel time for Cap Metro bus schedules predictable and dependable. It could then draw more people to take the bus. 9 I'd only like them if they were toll free. I do not like the alternative at all. 11 Provides ability to bypass traffic. 12 It is a viable option to ease congestion at peak traffic times for commuters. More affordable housing is available North in the suburbs, but if commute times continue to be as unbearable as they are and get worse, our economic growth will stagnate. 13 A concept that supports alleviating traffic and travel time while giving the user an option depending on their patience. 14 less traffic 1 It will HELP traffic flow between Anderson Mill/6 and downtown ATX 16 Everything except the tolls 17 Meets purpose and need 18 Lots of lanes 19 Would reduce congestion. People who could afford the tolls would use the lanes. Should help ease congestion (duh!) 21 Let's see how the MoPac scheme works 22 Helps improve traffic flow and reduces drive times 23 Faster commute 24 Priority travel time for transit, bicycle/pedestrian improvements construction provides jobs 2 Reduced travel time and extended planning for further population growth 26 I would like to see alternatives - maybe get big companies to encourage ride-sharing (even pay them). Alt. work start/stop times - maybe - four day work week - hrs day 27 Provides feasible alternative to help reduce congestion on mainlanes while providing a viable source of revenue to help construct/maintain proposed infrastructure. Also, minimal ROW impacts. 28 N/A 29 I'm highly appreciative that the express lanes will not take away existing non-toll lanes 2

4 Question 2: What suggestions do you have for improving the Express Lanes Alternative? 1 As a resident of Williamson county and a commuter, bike lanes are useless to me, please focus on improving transportation for drivers first, as traffic is getting worse. Also, what if we added a fourth general lane and one express lane? Finally, is there anyway to provide better connection Mopac south and 183 north? Right now Braker or the 36 interchange is the only connection, and it is terribly backed up. 2 Eliminate the toll requirement for the lanes. 3 Build general purpose lanes instead of tolled express lanes. The whole point of spending money on the highway is to reduce traffic. A variable tolled express lane will have a limited effect on reducing traffic on the rest of the highway. And as far as response times for emergency vehicles, they can use the shoulder now to avoid traffic. A better solution would be to add 2 general purpose lanes and only 1 express lane. 4 Toll lanes don't reduce traffic appreciably. Look at Los Angeles, for example. Instead, we should be focusing on improving mass transit infrastructure to make public transit a viable alternative to driving. This still encourages single occupant vehicles. We should be considering encouraging carpooling and transit, such as with HOV lanes. 6 Eminent domain and widen all Austin roads to 8 lanes in both directions 7 Not really a suggestion, more of a question. What would happen if we just made another lane, without having to make it an "express" lane? 8 Make them HOV lanes not toll lanes. Stop asking questions about "what you like" with no corresponding "what you don't like" question. 9 Vary any tolls to the time of day, when traffic is heavy to light. No tolls, build HOV lanes. 11 If you want to build a new toll road somewhere else, it is OK, but do not downgrade the current 183 highway. 12 These express lanes should be for HOV use also to incentivize carpooling as alternative to singledriver trips. 13 No semi trucks 14 Typically the price for express lanes are steep around the country which keep not as many users on the lanes unless there is a emergency. Simply, I suggest the price to travel on the lanes to not overwhelm users keeping them on the general purpose lanes. 1 don't use tolls, TXDOT recently was given more money for road projects. use that. 16 Remove the tolls, put a tax up for vote instead. 17 An exit to get to high growth Apple campus and Riata businesses without going to Braker and turning around when headed south. Keep 12 ft. lane width and go down to only one express lane in each direction. 18 None 19 Would rather they not be tolled. I really like Monorails! 21 Better access points at high volume entry points 22 safer 23 Have a plan for improvements beyond 3 24 I would like to better understand how the merging traffic from the express lanes to the old 3

5 highway will not become a logjam 2 Less roads - more public transportation 26 Make sure transitions are adequate for anticipated design speed and identify high volume weaving locations with advanced warning signage. 27 Sorry, no clue raise property taxes in Williamson to keep the expansion/population from growing? [joke] 28 N/A Question 3: What do you like about the bicycle and pedestrian accommodations proposed as part of this project? 1 Not much, bikes and pedestrians have no business being on a freeway. 2 This will help provide and improve access in the region. 3 They're a great idea 4 It gets people out of cars and provides safe alternatives to driving. Love that you are including bicycle options. 6 Nothing make it like a new age video game. 7 I think it's good that we are keeping in mind people who don't drive. Thumbs up! :) If we had more people walking and riding their bikes that would definitely alleviate traffic. 8 They are a good start. 9 Not important to me. A feel good thing, not going to really reduce congestion. Sidewalks are needed badly and I approve of them. 11 I can like those accommodations as long as they are not part of a new toll road in Very excited - please follow through with this aspect! 13 n/a 14 Under intersections 1 I didn't see them, but love as much accomodation for pedestrians and bikes as possible. Can you increase budget above $M? 16 I like that they are included in the plan. They should help reduce (by a little bit) # of cars on road because some people would ride or walk if safe place to do so. 17 No suggestions. 18 Very good - can not have enough of them 19 Won't use Building out the pedestrian/bicycle network - providing an alternative to cars 21 Don't need them. Concentrate on roads. 22 Seems like a good way to integrate b/p traffic that may increase non-vehicular mobility and reduce vehicular congestion for short trips. 23 Love this. If there was a way of having secure bike racks at a few spots where one might catch a bus, that would be cool 24 N/A Question 4: What suggestions do you have for improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations proposed as part of this project? 1 Direct bikers and pedestrians to less trafficked roads! 4

6 2 None. 3 Ensure that they are as protected as possible from the highway, including noise, smells, and flying debris. 4 Encouraging people to do it. :) Expand the shared use paths to extend the length of the project. This is a difficult area to bike in, so a shard use path along the length of the project would be huge for regional connectivity. some of the existing bike lanes may not feel safe to all levels of cyclists, so a shared use path is the best bet for getting the largest amount of use from cyclists (for transportation as well as recreation). 6 None, just don't do it. 7 Additional sidewalks on connecting streets 8 We need to improve the bicycle safety in Austin, building a safe lanes for bikes would be a good option. 9 nothing More seperated bicycle lanes wherever possible, connect bike network to transit 11 Provide some shade and landscaping 12 Well-lit area, curbs or short barriers between road and sidewalk 13 Follow the leads of some other metropolitan areas ie: Denver, CO, Madison WI, and Minneapolis, MN. 14 None 1 Bike-share program, lighting 16 Leave it out. 17 I like shared pathways. Increased lighting and make sure there are adequate buffers from vehicles. Prefer off-curb path locations. 18 Physical barriers now and then to remind car drivers that the green lanes are out of bounds Question : State law dictates that the same number of taxpayer-funded, non-tolled travel lanes that are available today will remain so in the future

7 Question 6: There is a local transportation agency called the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Question 7: The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is a local agency, with a Board appointed by Travis and Williamson counties and the Governor

8 Question 8: Gas taxes are the primary source for funding roadway improvements Question 9: The gas tax, which is the primary way we pay for roads, has stayed the same since

9 Question : TxDOT has identified an annual $ billion gap in statewide transportation improvement needs for new road construction, maintenance of existing roads, and repair of roads in the energy sectors Question 11: In this last election, voters approved a statewide Proposition 1 bond that will provide an estimated $1.7 billion for TxDOT to use in fiscal year 1. Of that amount, the TxDOT Austin District, which is comprised of 11 counties including Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Gillespie, Hays, Lee, Llano, Mason, Travis and Williamson, expects to receive approximately $1 million in funds

10 Question 12: Drivers would always have a choice whether or not to use the Express Lanes Question 13: Emergency services, public transit buses, and registered vanpools would NOT pay tolls to use the Express Lanes

11 Question 14: A fourth general-purpose lane would be extended where only three exist now - southbound from north of McNeil Dr. to MoPac and northbound from Braker Ln. to McNeil Dr Question 1: Where do you live? 3% 6% 9% 13% 16% 44% Cedar Park Northwest Austin Central Austin RM 6 Leander Round Rock Other 9%

12 Question 16: Where do you work? 3% 3% 18% 6% 9% 1% 46% Cedar Park Northwest Austin Central Austin Round Rock Other Northeast Austin Retired Question 17: How did you hear about this Open House? 2% 8% 8% 36% 183 North /Website Traditional media Roadway Signage % Friend/Neighbor/Relative/Coworker Neighborhood or Organization 26% 11

13 Question 18: If you are particularly interested in specific issues or topics related to this study, please indicate your top area(s) of interest Bicycle/Pedestrian Aesthetics/Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Environment/Water Quality Transit 12