SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION, VISION STATEMENT AND GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Transcription

1 1.1 INTRODUCTION SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION, VISION STATEMENT AND GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The George Washi ngton Region (Virginia Planni ng District 16) i s the fastest growi ng region in Virgini a. This increase in popula tion brings with it a tremendous amount of stress on the supporting infrastructure of the region, most notably, the roadway system. Taking into account the population forecasts for the next 30 y ears, the traffic problem is only going to get worse. Table 1, on the following page, indicates the forecasted population for the GWRC Region until Within the next 30 years the population of the George Washington Region is projected to double to well over 500,000 people. To accommodate this expected increase, elected officials, state, regional and local government employees will have to start thinking about and planning provisions to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as integrating bicycle and pedestrian travel with other m odes of transportation now. The provision of bicycle and pedestri an facilities in the George Washington Region will play an essential role in the future transportation network by prov iding a variety of modal ch oices; reducing local traffi c volumes; providing inc reased access to transi t facilities, employment/commercial centers, historical and cultural areas, recreational facilities, residential areas, and generally improving the overall quality of life in the Region. Under the current conditions, the George W ashington Region i s not conducive to bicycle and pedestrian travel. With the exceptio n of the City of Frederi cksburg, l ack of facilities, ancillary amenities, and ever increasing traffic volumes on local roads all contribute to the poor cycling and walking conditions in the area. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, approximately 2% of the 121,988 pe ople sampled in the George Washington Regi on reported walking or cycl ing to work, this is below the national average of about 3.3% of the population walking or cycling to work. A safe, comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian circulation system is an essenti al component to every tran sportation network. Asi de from the health benefi ts associated with bicycling and walki ng, these acti vities can be used as a viable form of transportation especially in urban environments and wit h the proper planning and roadway desi gn; in suburban areas also. This Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan represents a coordin ated approach between the George Wa shington Regional Commission ( GWRC)/ The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) and its local jurisdictions to provide information and guidance, as well as to encou rage and facilitate the development of a safe, interconnected, regional network of on-road as well as off-road bicycle and pedestrian corridors and related facilities. To help guide the planning process, FAMPO has created a Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, composed of the staff of local governments, VDOT Staff, staff from local school districts, the U.S. National Park Service, i nterested organizations (Sierra Club, Fredericksbu rg Pathway Partners, Fredericksbu rg Cycling Club, the P otomac National Scenic Heritage Trail Associati on, etc) and i nterested citizens. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee act s as an advi sory board to hel p guide the planni ng process and to review recommendations made by GWRC staff. C-6

2 Table 1 George Washington Region Total Population Estimates Virginia GWRC % of State GWRC Caroline King George Spotsylvania Stafford City of Fredericksburg ,708, % 241,044 22,121 16,803 90,395 92,446 19, ,567, % ,560 20, , ,784 20, * 7,670, % 309,853 26,268 21, , ,289 21, * 8,080, % 343,754 29,088 23, , ,307 22, * 8,593, % 390,492 32,390 25, , ,132 23, * 9,121, % 437,230 35,692 28, , ,956 24, * 9,671, % 477,575 36,300 29, , ,600 25, * 10,255, % 519,763 39,950 32, , ,850 26, * 10,850, % 540,775 41,775 34, , ,475 26,500 *Population Estimate Source: GWRC 2006 C-7

3 1.2 PURPOSE This Plan will become a component of FAMPO s 2035 Constrained Long Range Pl an (CLRP) Update as required by Section 217 of Title 23 of the U.S. Code, which calls for the integration of bicycling and walking in to the transportation mainstream. More im portantly, it enhances the ability of commu nities to invest in projects that can improve the safety and practicality of bicycling and walking for everyday travel. The 2035 CLRP will build upon the planning policies identified in FAMPO s 2030 CLRP, as well as previous versions of the CLRP. This plan takes a comprehensive approach to bicycle and pedestrian planning by: Identifying existing facilities/ conditions within the region, making specific roadway improvement recommendations that will link users to destinations/services they need. Identification of Bicycle User Groups. A proposed regional primary system that w ill act as a connector between the localities in the region as well as other PDC s an d the east cost as a whole (i.e. the East Coast Greenway, Interstate Bike Route 1, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail), A comprehensive set of VDOT and AASHTO (American Association of State Highway Transpiration Officials) design guidelines, An implementation schedule Strategies for improving bicycle and pedestrian safety, A complete account of funding sources available, A cost estimate plan and A sample maintenance schedule for current and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities. C-8

4 1.3 STUDY AREA The Study Area of this plan is the enti re George Washington Region. The Region includes Caroline, King George, Spotsyl vania, and Stafford Counties, as well as the C ity of Fredericksburg. The region is located in northern Virginia, approximately 50 miles south of Washington DC and 50 mil es north of Richmond. Inte rstate 95 bisects the region from north to south and runs through Stafford, Spotsyl vania, and Caroline Counties, as well as the City of Fredericksburg. Please refer to Map 1, to the left, for a visual representation of the study area. The George Washington Region is bounded to t he north by the Northern Virginia Planning Commission (PDC 8) and the Rappahannock-Rapidan Planning Commission (PDC 9); to the South by the Richmond Regional Pl anning C ommission (PDC 15), and the Middl e Peninsula Planning Commission (PDC 18); to the east by the Potomac River and the N orthern Neck Planning Commission (PDC 17); and to the west by the Thomas Jefferson Planning Commission (PDC 10). C-9

5 1.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT As a part of the public involv ement process, the GWRC developed a survey to gat her public input. T he survey was designed for a targeted audience (cycli sts, pedestrians, community minded active persons). The purpose of the survey was to provide public input for the bicycle and pedestrian planning process by: Determining where cyclists and pedestrians live Rating bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the region Determining what kind of funds residents would like to see used for bicycle and pedestrian facilities What would encourage residents to bike/walk more often What types of bicycle/pedestrian facilities are typically used What types of facilities are wanted by residents Determining bicycle/pedestrian trip purposes How often bicycle/pedestrian facilities are used Reasons residents do not bike/walk more often. GWRC Staff distributed the survey in areas where the targeted audience would likely see it and left the survey at these locations for approximately three months (March 2007 through June 2007). The surveys were colle cted periodically and more surveys were le ft when suppli es depleted. Overall 1,720 su rveys were distributed and 428 were returned, which represents 25% of all surveys. The survey was al so distributed by the local chapter of the Sierra Club at the E arth Day Celebration in Alum Springs Park. A complete list of all of the di stribution points are found i n Table 2, below. The findings of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey can be found in Appendix A of this Document. The GWRC also held a public input meeting i n each of the five localities. These meetings were aimed at gaini ng citizen input on where they like to ride/walk, defici encies in the network and where they would like bicycle and pedestrian facilities implemented in the region. These meetings were held in June of Table 2 City of Fredericksburg Caroline King George Spotsylvania Stafford GWRC Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey Distribution Locations Bike Works Bicycle Shop Bodyworks Downtown Athletic Club Olde Town Bicycles Rappahannock Central Library Caroline Community Center Caroline Library Ladysmith Public Library L.E. Smoot Memorial Library King George Parks and Recreation Citizens Center American Family Fitness C. Melvin Snow Memorial Library Salem Church Library Spotsylvania Branch Family YMCA John Musante Porter Library Rappahannock Area YMCA Revolution Cycles C-10

6 1.5 VISION STATEMENT The Vision of the George Washington Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is to develop a comprehensive, destination oriented, network of safe, interconnected bicycle and pedestrian amenities. This will promote the George Washington Region as an area with a wide array of transportation choices to accommodate all pedestrians and all levels of bicyclists; while integrating them with other modes of transportation in confidence and comfort. 1.6 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 1: Develop a complete network of walking and bicycling facilities throughout the George Washington Region. Ensure the George Washington Region s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and bicycle and pedestrian plans from GWRC s member localities are consistent with each other. Provide bicycle and pedestrian access to and from destination areas (i.e. residential, commercial, recreational, historic/cultural areas, etc.) throughout the region. Provide direct access to destination areas. Provide ancillary facilities to support the bicycle and pedestrian transportation network. Mitigate existing barriers along the identified routes. Incorporate provisions for bicycle and pedestrian facilities in all roadway construction/improvement, and land development projects, where applicable. Provide bicycle and pedestrian access to transit facilities. Determine which types of improvements (shared use paths, wide lanes, etc.) are best suited for each route. Ensure that regional connectivity to surrounding regions and the east coast are addressed accordingly. GOAL 2: Ensure the network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities is widely accessible and safe for all users. Maintain and improve existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities to ensure safety. Provide a system that accommodates all skill levels of its users. Minimize conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles. Develop a network of on-road improvements t hat meets or exceeds American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and VDOT design standards. Develop a set of design standards for off-road facilities that will not inhibit construction of the proposed projects. Research, develop, and install traffic calming techniques. C-11

7 Provide the proper signage, markings and signalization to assure safe and easy usage of the network. Keep bicycle and pedestrian facilities free of obstructions. Encourage localities and law enforcem ent to keep det ailed records of accident data involving bi cyclists and pedestrians so tha t we can accuratel y address problem areas in the network. Design a network that addresses the needs of utilitarian and recreational users alike. Ensure the system is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant GOAL 3: Develop strategies to increase public awareness of bicycling and walking as viable, safe transportation alternatives, as well the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Involve the public in the bicycle and pedestrian facility planning process through visioning sessions, public surveys, etc. Increase public awareness of cyclists and pedestrians through, brochures, transportation/tourism maps of the region, etc. Encourage the enforcement of posted speed limits on all roads. Work with law enforcement to hold educat ional programs and develop a public awareness campaign for children and adults al ike focusing on traffic laws that affect bicyclists, pedestrian, and motorists. Work with private organizations to facilitate public outreach as well as facility maintenance, and to seek private sector funding opportunities. GOAL 4: Assist the George Washington Region s localities and private orga nizations in the implementation, design, finance and construct ion of the rec ommended facilities. Identify federal, state and local legislation, programs, and policies that affect bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Develop a prioritized short, medium and long term listing of bicycle and pedestrian projects based on a regional consensus. Develop a cost estimate plan with realistic, specific cost estimates for each improvement that coincides with the implementation timeline. Develop a comprehensive list of funding programs from both private and public sector entities. Maintain the flexibility to implement any segment of the network if funding for a particular project type becomes available. Devise a maintenance schedule for current and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities that will identify funding sources and a definition of recommended responsibilities by jurisdiction. Continuously amend FAMPO s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to include bicycle and pedestrian projects. C-12