Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan

Transcription

1 North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan Prepared For: North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (NCPRPDC) By: October 2000

2 NCPRPDC BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN OCTOBER 2000 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gannett Fleming, Inc. wishes to thank the members of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission s Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee and its guests for their insights, knowledge, and ongoing participation as we conduct this study. We appreciate your constructive dialog, active review of materials, and attendance at the meetings. Dave Bachman PennDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator Barry Beere PennDOT District Eric Carlson Headwater RC&D x4 Linda Devlin Allegheny Nat l Forest Vacation Bureau Rick Esch University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB) Pete Filo PennDOT Dist A.D. Flanagan PennDOT Dist Dan Freeburg Elk Co. Planning Mike Heitzenrater Jefferson Co. Dept. of Development Bob Imhof NCPRPDC Amy Kessler NCPRPDC Mark Kulich DCNR, Northwest Field Office Dale Lauricella Tri-County Rails to Trails Deborah Lunden McKean Co. Planning Patti Marshall PennDOT Assistant Bike/Ped Coordinator Mike Mullaney City of St. Marys Bill Orzechowski Ofc. Of Human Services Randy Pekarski Potter Co. Planning Rick Viglione Area Transportation Authority Steve Wingate Allegheny Nat l Forest Gannett Fleming Staff: Brian Funkhouser Myke Ferraro x x2007 Rails to Trails Conservancy Staff: Tom Sexton Jamie Bridges I

3 NCPRPDC BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN OCTOBER 2000 Table of Contents 1 BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN OVERVIEW INTRODUCTION...1 Vision Statement GOALS/OBJECTIVES EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES/ASSETS ACTION PLANS...9 Action Plan Format CONCLUSION IMPLEMENTATION...15 II

4 North Central PA Bicycle/ Pedestrian Transportation Plan 1 Bicycle/Pedestrian Overview The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission s Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee began meeting in October The NCPRPDC began the effort to bring together knowledgeable and interested individuals to look at both on and off road bicycling/pedestrian opportunities throughout the region and how these opportunities can be facilitated, supported and promoted. Having a regionally developed and adopted bicycle/pedestrian transportation plan establishes a solid policy direction for the North Central PA region and its member counties. Biking and walking are bona fide transportation modes that can strategically improve the overall performance of our transportation system, if they are not overlooked in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the overall transportation system. The regional plan must not only be technically strong from a planning and design standpoint, but the planning process must be developed and carried out in ways that:?? Develop and sustain interest and appreciation for bicycle and pedestrian modes.?? Result in a set of regional priorities and projects that generally reflect a unified regional consensus.?? Build bridges and relationships among organizations and agencies that before now have not constructively interacted on these issues.?? Mainstream bicycle and pedestrian concerns as part of the transportation planning and programming process at both the regional and state levels. In this Report:?? Overview?? Introduction?? Goals & Objectives?? Action Plan?? Opportunities/Assets?? Conclusion 2 Introduction As with any planning effort, the North Central Pennsylvania Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan begins with a vision statement, followed by a list of goals and objectives that support the intent of the planning vision. These planning goals and objectives are in turn followed by a list of strategies, or action steps that must be taken by a variety of agencies and organizations in meeting the plan s objectives. 1

5 Vision Statement The region values the importance of a variety of methods for transporting people for transportation, recreation, health and wellness, and will actively plan and provide for the safe integration of bicycle and pedestrian projects and other forms of transportation such as all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles into the tourism, recreation and transportation system. 3 Goals/Objectives Committee members developed a list of planning goals that, if realized, would make the North Central Pennsylvania bicycle/pedestrian plan a success. Goals were revised to those listed below (with plan objectives sub-bulleted): Clarion/Little Toby Rail Trail?? Involvement of local governments (especially the cities, boroughs and more developed townships) in bike/ped planning o Public involvement/outreach of plan stakeholders o Involvement of officials from Bradford, St. Marys and DuBois in regional effort o Regional in focus o Input vision of regional trail groups o Higher involvement by private sector?? Identified projects o Quality projects o From 1999 TIP and county comprehensive plans o Implement a shoulder-paving program in each PennDOT District o Better accommodation for disabled citizens o Combine development to accommodate heels and wheels o Identify high priority projects that alleviate existing problems?? Promotion of existing successes and low-cost issues that can solve problems locally?? Loops in boroughs o Interconnectivity between trailheads and downtowns o Interconnections within National Forests o Interconnections with tourism areas 2

6 ?? Asset inventory and mapping o Recreational o Ecological o Historical o Projects (existing and potential) o Existing rail network and potential for abandonment Committee members were asked to vote on the goals they felt were the most important potential functions of the bike/ped committee. From this brainstorming session, the goals were combined where applicable, then prioritized, with the top three planning goals for the region being:?? Involvement of local governments in the bike/ped planning process?? Identification of projects?? Asset inventory and mapping. Involvement of Local Governments in the Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Process Local government engagement is critical. Working with local communities in the planning and design of facilities is important for two different purposes to: 1) engage those who do not understand the needs and may react negatively, and 2) to embrace those who do understand the needs and solicit their ideas/input. Some key issues for the plan related to local government involvement are as follows:?? The plan should build off the LDD s existing long-range transportation plan and other state agency policy documents, such as PennPlan.?? Plan goals must be developed with specific and measurable targets.?? The bicycle/pedestrian component in the annual work plan for the LDD should be developed based on the strategic plans goals and the local priorities.?? A systems process to monitor implementation and refine the plan should be developed, such as annual bicycle/pedestrian report card, which can be based on accomplishments of the annual work plans. 3

7 ?? The regional plan should be maintained through an interactive facilitated process with NCPRPDC and the member county planning commissions.?? The plan should address bicycle/pedestrian-related elements, including tourism, economic development, recreation, employers, community involvement, transit and other stakeholders.?? The plan must be multimodal maximizing opportunities to improve bicycle/pedestrian vis a vis highways, transit, intercity bus/rail and airports. Identification of Projects As part of the planning process, the NCPRPDC Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee, through a process of inventorying existing and proposed bicycle/pedestrian facilities, identified existing regional deficiencies and potential future bicycle/pedestrian projects. Cameron County?? Improved shoulders on PA 120?? Improved pedestrian linkages from Front Street Park in Emporium to the fairgrounds Clearfield County?? A proposed trail along Clearfield Creek between Clearfield Borough and the Cambria County line?? A proposed trail from the City of DuBois to Curwensville Borough along Anderson Creek and the Clearfield Mahoning Railway?? A proposed trail from the City of DuBois to the Elk County line along the Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad line?? Connect the Falls Creek Rail-trail to City Park trails in DuBois?? Improved shoulders on PA 153 between Penfield and Gulch Township Elk County?? Improved bicycle/pedestrian facilities along PA 555 and PA 120?? A rail/trail from Ridgway Borough to Johnsonburg Borough and north to the Twin Lakes Federal Recreation Site/Black Cherry Interpretive Trail Jefferson County?? Proposed trail: River Road Trail from Cook Forest to Ridgway Proposed Rail-trail from Brookville to Clarion?? Proposed trail from Brookville to Brockway using Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad bed 4

8 NORTH C ENTRAL LDD B ICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN???????? OCTOBER 2000 Improve trail access problems in Brockway Proposed trail from Brockway Borough to Falls Creek Borough Connection needed to Ghost Town Trail in Indiana County Completion of Mahoning-Shadow trail in Punxsutawney McKean County?? Deficient shoulders on roadways linking the City of Bradford with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford?? Pave and widen shoulders on U.S. 6?? Improved pedestrian linkages between Zippo/Case Visitor s Center to downtown?? Proposed bicycle trail from Kinzua Bridge and Smethport Borough to Allegheny National Forest?? Proposed bicycle trail between Mount Jewett Borough and Kinzua Bridge?? Proposed bicycle route along a widened PA 321 from Kane Borough to PA 59?? Improved connections for snowmobiles to PA 321 and SE Allegheny National Forest area north of Kane Borough?? Greater/improved connections to Allegheny National Forest?? Greater/improved connections to the second-most popular tourist destination in New York State: Allegany State Park.?? Completion of West Tuna Creek Trail and Marilla Reservoir Trail?? Owens Way to Lewis Run?? Lewis Run to Kinzua Bridge State Park?? West Washington street to Allegheny State Park Kane Borough Potter County?? Improved deficient shoulders on U.S. 6?? A proposed snowmobile trail along Sartwell Creek Road and Reed Run Road?? Proposed trail from Coudersport Borough to Eulalia Township Asset Inventory and Mapping The identification of a bicycle/pedestrian network is an essential component of any bicycle and pedestrian plan. Network links should include roadway and nonroadway facilities, greenways and/or hiker-only trails. The network should consider point-to-point travel within the region, as well as intra- and interregional bike/ped travel. Planning for these routes should be a cooperative planning effort among planning jurisdictions so that logical routes are Members of the North Central PA Bike/Ped Committee develop a bicycle/pedestrian network for the 6-county region. 5

9 not left incomplete. The network will serve not as an LDDrecommended bicycle route guide, but rather as a planning tool to be used by NCPRPDC, PennDOT, and local municipalities in their capital improvement and maintenance programs. Mapping is one of the important end products of bicycle/pedestrian planning and can be used for a wide variety purposes. The key to developing good maps is to clearly define the purpose and intended audience. As previously noted, there is a significant difference of needed information between a map developed as a planning and programming tool versus one developed to provide touring route information. The essential purpose of map design and development is for improved planning and programming. 4 Existing Opportunities/Assets TEA-21 In June 1998, a new federal surface transportation funding act was signed into law. The Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21 st Century, or TEA-21 was landmark legislation, in that it not only continued the visionary policies of its predecessor, ISTEA, but it provided more funding than ever before for non-motorized transportation modes, specifically, bicycle and pedestrian modes. Under the new law, Pennsylvania will receive nearly $1.3 billion in transportation funding, a significant increase over ISTEA levels. TEA-21 has extended the visionary legislation of its predecessor by continuing the multimodal emphasis of transportation planning and programming on non-motorized modes of travel, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians. Bike/ped planning is no longer the unwanted stepchild of transportation planning. In fact, there is a greater realization and even a greater receptivity among transportation professionals to improve the bike-ped modes and in so doing improve the overall transportation system. Bicycle/pedestrian planning is neither generic, nor cookie cutter in its application. In less than a decade, bicycling and walking have gone from being described as "the forgotten modes" to becoming a serious part of our national transportation system. Kenneth Wykle, FHWA Federal Highway Administrator The Transportation Enhancements Program The Transportation Enhancements Program continues under the new law, providing more funds for a greater variety of projects. Pennsylvania is expected to receive $120 million over the six-year life of TEA-21 for Transportation Enhancements. A few of the more popular projects that are funded include:?? The provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, 6

10 ?? Provision of safety and education activities for pedestrians and bicycles, and?? Preservation of abandoned railroad corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails. The NCPRPDC region saw 13 applications during the first round of the program in 1998 and received a total of 8 in (There is one more funding round to submit projects during the life of TEA-21 until it expires in 2003.) Individual applicants present their projects to the North Central Pennsylvania Rural Transportation Planning Committee. All Enhancement projects are then reviewed and prioritized by the Committee. The North Central Executive Committee then reviews the prioritized list before being forwarded to PennDOT s District and Central offices for final review and finally adoption by the State Transportation Commission Revisions to the State Vehicle Code In December 1998, Title 75 of the state vehicle code was amended to allow for more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly policies. Some of the highlights of the bill include:?? The legalization of installing bicycle racks on buses?? Motorized wheelchairs are no longer considered motor vehicles?? Both motorized as well as hand powered wheelchairs are now permitted on sidewalks but are not considered pedestrians?? The mandatory use of available bike paths and lanes has been eliminated. Prior to this amendment to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, a bicycle was required to use a bicycle path or lane if one were available and useable adjacent to the road on which the bicyclist was traveling.?? The subsection authorizing use of shoulders for bicycle travel was amended to require that all turns be made in accordance with Section 3331, which specifies the required lane position and method for making turns. These changes went into effect in February In addition, an earlier law deleted the problematic language that required bicyclists to travel as far to the right as practicable, and replaced it with a statute that requires bicyclists that are traveling at slower than the prevailing speed of traffic to keep to the right, while permitting bicyclists to make movements consistent with their intended travel route. 7

11 4.1.4 Bicycle PA Bicycle PA, the movement to sign and designate six intra-state bicycle routes in Pennsylvania, continues. The Bicycle PA effort includes one route through the NCPRPDC region, the Northern East- West Route (U.S. 6) through Potter and McKean Counties. Approximately one million dollars was approved in Transportation Enhancement money to fund the signing portion of this project. Acceptance of this application means that the six initial routes in the state will be furnished with Bicycle PA signs during the year This effort has been designed for the Type A (touring) cyclist (long distance tourer, racer, or fitness rider) Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan The Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan for Pennsylvania was created in 1996 as an update to the 1976 Bicycling in Pennsylvania Plan. The Master Plan sets policy for integrating bicycles and pedestrians into the current multimodal transportation system by creating a series of goals and objectives that can be used as a guide to improve existing roads to create a better bicycling and walking environment for the future. As part of the Master Plan, the state adopted the goals of the National Bicycling and Walking Study published by the U.S Department of Transportation to double the percentage of trips by foot and bicycle, from a national average of 7.9 percent to 15.8 percent of all trips and to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities suffered by bicyclists and pedestrians by 10 percent. As part of the implementation of its Master Plan, PennDOT sponsored Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety and Accommodation training sessions in five locations around the state. Also, PennDOT provided a consultant to assist Pennsylvania s planning regions in the creation of bicycle and pedestrian plans. Copies of the Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan for Pennsylvania and the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety and Accommodation training manual are available by contacting Dave Bachman, PennDOT Pedestrian/Bicycle Coordinator, at (717) AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities In 1999, AASHTO (American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials) published the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities to provide information on the development of facilities to enhance and encourage safe bicycle travel. By presenting sound guidelines that will be valuable in attaining good design sensitive to the 8

12 needs of both bicyclists and other highway users, the Guide aims to accommodate bicycle traffic in most riding environments Other As part of the implementation of its statewide bicycle/pedestrian master plan, PennDOT recently sponsored free training sessions in five locations around the state, which were an outstanding success. PennDOT believes that every designer should be able to recognize what the needs are, when to include them, what type of facility is best, how to design that facility, how it meshes safely with other modes, and the potential to provide intermodal connections and multimodal options. The courses received a 95 % approval rating from attendees. Designers and representatives from NCPRPDC and PennDOT Districts 2-0 and 10-0 participated in the training sessions. 5 Action Plans The Committee also developed a prioritized list of strategies that could be implemented in reaching the plan s goals. Action plans were developed for each of the four top strategies. The action plan outlines implementation steps and related issues. Action Plan Format Each action plan consists of several elements as follows:?? Issue Area The name of the planning goal, listed in bold across the top of the action plan.?? NCPRPDC Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee Objectives NCPRPDC s stake in implementing the recommendation?? Strategies and Actions Steps that may be necessary to implement the recommendation.?? Coordination Issues A list of the stakeholders who will play a role in the implementation process.?? Resource Issues and Timing Examines the additional resources and time that may be required to implement the recommendation.?? Progress and Performance Measurement and Monitoring Suggested procedures that can be used to judge the effectiveness of the recommendation after it is implemented. 9

13 Goal 1: Consistent PennDOT Shoulder Paving Program North Central Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee Objectives?? PennDOT Districts 2-0 and 10-0 will conduct periodic inspections of the state-owned roadway-based portion of the bikeway network to identify areas in need of repairs and improvements.?? Provide appropriate pavement markings.?? Shoulder widening and signage on Bicycle PA Route U.S. 6. Strategies and Actions?? The NCPRPDC will promote the evaluation of most roadway projects for bicycle/pedestrian compatibility.?? North Central Bike/Ped Committee will identify and prioritize a list of shoulder improvement projects for PennDOT, with 3 prioritized routes in each of the 6 counties?? PennDOT will implement a consistent shoulder-paving program in each District.?? North Central PA Bike/Ped committee will designate a contact person in each county to coordinate data collection/monitoring efforts. Coordination Issues??NCPRPDC and PennDOT will monitor and maintain a list of high priority bicycle/pedestrian projects and/or maintenance issues for placement on Betterment Programs, regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and PennDOT Twelve Year Program.??County planning commissions will monitor progress in their respective county. Resource Issues Results/Benefits/Impacts Performance Monitoring??Meet objectives during routine and ongoing PennDOT maintenance efforts.??additional resources may be needed to fund/implement these strategies.??mainstreaming nonmotorized modes in the transportation planning process.??increased potential for congestion reduction and safety improvement.??good maintenance practice (less maintenance needed)?? Number of miles of new shoulders paved?? Number of bike/ped projects on region s TIP and statewide 12YP. 10

14 Goal 2: Better Links of Enhancement Projects to Population Centers North Central LDD Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee Objectives:?? Mt. Jewett to Kinzua Bridge; Ridgway to Cook Forest; Mahoning-Shadow trail link to Ghost Tour trail; connect Clarion/Little Toby to Brookville Historic District; Ridgway, St. Marys, Emporium Corridor utilizing Route 120; Trail from St. Marys to Truman; Trail from DuBois to Curwensville Borough; Clarion/Little Toby missing links; Smethport to Kinzua Bridge to Allegheny National Forest. West Tuna Creek Trail and Marilla Brook Reservoir Trail connector; Owens Way to Lewis Run; Lewis Run to Kinzua Bridge State Park; West Washington Street to Allegheny state Park. Strategies and Actions?? North Central Bike/Ped Committee will identify and prioritize individual projects Coordination Issues?? Need to identify a lead agency for each project, and a steering committee representing all involved agencies?? Funding cycles and the availability of matching funds Resource Issues?? Large number of stakeholders, including:?? Municipalities?? Trail groups?? Game Commission?? ANF?? Utilities?? Game/Fish Commission?? PennDOT?? DCNR/DCED/DEP?? Business and industry?? Universities?? Economic development groups?? Property owners?? Tourist associations Results/Benefits/Impacts Performance Monitoring?? Improved quality of life for major population centers of the region?? Brings tourism dollars into population centers and boroughs?? Encourages regional cooperation?? Relieves vehicle congestion?? Can increase property values?? Better access to public lands for hunting/fishing?? Aids downtown revitalization efforts?? Number of trail miles developed?? Number of projects on TIP?? Return on investment (cost/benefit)?? Data collection for utilization and economic impact 11

15 Goal 3: Development of Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Plans North Central LDD Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee Objectives?? Support the development of municipal bicycle and pedestrian plans in the region s largest communities (St. Marys, DuBois and Bradford) and in other areas where community support is evident.?? Require documented support from local level and county planning departments for regional programming Strategies and Actions?? Develop individual plans and prioritize potential projects.?? Pedestrian safety enforcement.?? Tie Transportation Enhancement Program applications to municipal plans.?? Require documentation/input from local level and county planning departments supporting regional programming initiatives Coordination Issues?? City/borough officials?? Schools?? Major employers?? Senior Centers?? PennDOT?? NCPRPDC?? Bike clubs?? Local/County planning?? Developing public support?? ANF Resource Issues?? B/P plans prepared during development of municipal comprehensive plan.?? Additional resources may be needed to implement these objectives. Results/Benefits/Impacts Performance Monitoring?? Coordinated approach to bike/ped planning and programming, in harmony with regional goals and objectives, as opposed to discrete project suggestions.?? Number of new municipal bike/ped plans developed?? Number of new projects and/or policies. 12

16 Goal 4: Connections from Allegheny National Forest to Local Communities North Central LDD Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee Objectives?? Suggested Bike/ped connections include -?? ANF to Marilla Brook, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB) to Bradford Borough?? ANF Ridgway Clarion/Little Toby Brookville Punxsy Strategies and Actions?? NCPRPDC Bike/Ped Committee, with ANF, will identify future links and loops?? Complete missing links?? Identify and develop route for a multi-use trail Coordination Issues?? Community involvement?? State Game Commission?? Municipalities?? ASF, ANF, DCNR, DCED?? Tourism agencies?? PennDOT Districts Resource Issues?? Funding?? Staff?? Liability?? Ownership and maintenance Results/Benefits/Impacts Performance Monitoring?? Economic development through tourism?? Better accessibility to the Forest, historic sites and diverse recreation opportunities?? Increased length of stay for multiple-stop trip (up from current 3.8 day average)?? Number of new trails?? Tourism dollars spent in region?? Increase length of stay and number of visitors?? New tourism-supported businesses?? NCPRPDC will identify funding sources 13

17 6 Conclusion The North Central Pennsylvania Bicycle/ Pedestrian Transportation Plan represents a significant first step for the region in mainstreaming bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation into the transportation planning process. The action steps of the Plan should be dynamic and ongoing in nature, and subject to periodic review and revision by the North Central Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. This Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan should be considered as both an amendment to and element of the region s overall Long Range Transportation Plan. This larger plan serves as the umbrella or planning framework for all other related transportation plans in the region. As such, the region s bicycle/pedestrian transportation plan should be reviewed and revised in step with each update afforded to the overall plan. It is the desire of the North Central Pennsylvania Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee that this plan will provide the planning framework necessary to achieve the four planning goals. It should be viewed as a policy tool that municipalities, NCPRPDC and PennDOT together can use to encourage and support these non-motorized modes of transportation. A well-planned bicycle/pedestrian network will answer the challenges of providing the proper linkages connecting people with major tourist destinations. Kinzua Bridge Viaduct Continuation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force One of the Committee s chief concerns is ensuring that this plan continues to guide transportation decisions in the future. In order to address this concern, the Committee has agreed to continue to meet on a regular basis. These meetings would be held to accomplish the following:?? Ensure the plan remains relevant and helpful?? Provide information to update the maps, as roads become either more or less accessible to bicycles and pedestrians 14

18 ?? Share ideas for new ways to promote bicycle and pedestrian transportation?? Be advocates for the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in transportation improvements instituted by any of the following: North Central PA Transportation Improvement Program Local Municipalities PennDOT Districts 2-0 and Implementation 7.1 Adoption of this plan One of the most important aspects of adopting this plan is the public comment period. Through public comments, the North Central Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee can ensure that the plan addresses the needs and concerns of the region s citizens and municipalities. To ensure that the public s voice is heard, a full effort will be made to distribute the draft plan to the public and solicit comments and ideas. The final version of the plan will be presented to the Rural Transportation Planning Committee for endorsement. It will then be forwarded to the Rural Transportation Executive Committee for its approval. Once approved, the plan will be distributed to the region s municipalities through the member county planning commissions, who will be asked to support the plan. In the final step of the process, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan will be made a part of Long Range Transportation Plan. As a part of the Long Range Transportation Plan, the goals and action plans of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan must be considered whenever improvements to the transportation system are designed. 15