Bicycling, Walking, and the MoDOT Funding Crisis

Transcription

1 Bicycling, Walking, and the MoDOT Funding Crisis

2 Overview: MoDOT is facing a funding crisis We want to be able to support the funding MoDOT needs We can t do that unless MoDOT makes some changes What do we want? Integrated whole transportation & land use outlook Routine accommodation of bicycling & walking (Complete Streets) Why? Bicycling & Walking = most economical solution Equal treatment; safety; changing travel needs MoDOT roads are necessary to create a complete bike/ped network What would a MoDOT Complete Streets Policy look like?

3 MODOT FUNDING MoDOT s funding will run dangerously low very soon going from about $1.4 billion annually in 2009 to about 400 million annually by MoDOT estimates it takes $650 million per year just to maintain the current system over 32,000 miles of state and federal roads in Missouri.

4 MODOT FUNDING So MoDOT will need a whole new funding source and perhaps a new philosophy to go with it very soon. We would like to move MoDOT towards adopting policies and a transportation funding system that could be supported by a wide variety of bicycling, walking, transit, environmental, health, business, and citizen s groups. And we would like to move towards a transportation system that is better, healthier, and safer for all Missourians.

5 MODOT FUNDING Missouri s fuel tax, set in the early 1990s is 17.6 cents per gallon. The average of state fuel taxes in the U.S. is about 44 cents per gallon. Amendment 3, passed in 2005, created a temporary increase in MoDOT spending shifting money around and allowing for bonding but didn t increase taxes at all.

6 MODOT FUNDING At this point it seems reasonable to think about a reasonable increase in funding for MoDOT if that can be used to create a truly sustainable transportation system for Missouri. Most Missourians seem dead set against fuel tax increases, so future funding may come from several different sources. The overall cost is not that high proposals have been in the range of $25-$100 per Missourian per year.

7 MODOT FUNDING People who walk and bicycle know the value of good roads. And there is truth in that old adage You get what you pay for.

8 HIGHWAY-ONLY FUNDING Automobile-only -- current state funding for MoDOT funding Oppose? Pedestrian groups Bicycle groups Transit groups Planners Architects Environmental groups Climate change groups Disability rights groups Older/retired citizens groups Smart Growth Realtors Health/fitness groups Safe Routes to School supporters Support? * State Road Fund auto-only, rarely/never used for bicycle/pedestrian State Transportation Fund airports, ports, transit, etc. but no bike/ped

9 INCLUSIVE FUNDING Include walking, bicycling, transit a balance Oppose? Support? Pedestrian groups Bicycle groups Transit groups Planners Architects Environmental groups Climate change groups Disability rights groups Older/retired citizens groups Smart Growth Realtors Health/fitness groups Safe Routes to School supporters

10 INCLUSIVE FUNDING Over 60 groups like these Include walking, bicycling, transit a balance have signed on to support Oppose? Support? routine accommodation of Pedestrian groups Bicycle groups Transit groups Planners Architects Environmental groups Climate change groups Disability rights groups Older/retired citizens groups Smart Growth Realtors Health/fitness groups Safe Routes to School supporters bicyclists, pedestrians, & transit users in MoDOT projects -

11 INCLUSIVE FUNDING Over 60 groups like these Include walking, bicycling, transit a balance have signed on to support Oppose? Support? routine accommodation of Pedestrian groups Bicycle groups Transit groups Planners Architects Environmental groups Climate change groups Disability rights groups Older/retired citizens groups Smart Growth Realtors Health/fitness groups Safe Routes to School supporters bicyclists, pedestrians, & transit users in MoDOT projects - Complete Streets

12 We want to be able to support needed funding for MoDOT

13 But we can t support new funding if it continues our current unbalanced, automobile-only transportation funding system

14 What do we want? Fund transportation, not just automobiles; create an integrated transportation system not just a road system Fully coordinate and integrate planning for land use and transportation State clearly that funds can be used for bicycle & pedestrian accommodations along & across MoDOT roads Insure that planning, training, maintenance, measurement always consider & include bicycling, walking, transit In and near cities and built-up areas and where appropriate, include bicycling & walking routinely in MoDOT projects

15 How could these 5 points be adopted? OK: As part of a referendum or initiative In Missouri law (Missouri General Assembly) Adopted by Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission Official, published policy with a written commitment to continue and improve it Not OK: Vague, general promises We ve learned our lesson about vague, general promises from previous campaigns 2002, 2004, etc. MoDOT has to earn trust and right now that means more than promises are needed.

16 Why? Livability Safety Price of gas Economic development Tourism Pollution Congestion Sprawl Smart growth Transportation choice Obesity Childhood obesity Community Climate change Health & fitness Children Elderly People with disabilities Parking Mental health Environment Equity Good neighborhoods Safe Routes to School Etc....

17 Why? Livability Safety Price of gas Economic development Tourism Pollution Congestion Sprawl Smart growth Transportation choice Obesity Childhood obesity Community Climate change Health & fitness Children Elderly People with disabilities Parking Mental health Bicycle & walking are the most economical solution to these problems Environment Equity Good neighborhoods Safe Routes to School Etc....

18 Columbia, MO 1 Year Installed 13 miles new bicycle routes (40 mile total system) Promoted bicycling & walking Bicycle & pedestrian education In one year: Walking up 60% Bicycling nearly tripled Drive alone trips down 15% Why? It works! No other transportation solution can make such large reductions in congestion, emissions, and pollution so quickly and for such a small investment. White = 2007, Blue = 2008

19 Why? Equal treatment Children Older adults Disabled Non-drivers

20 Why? Equal treatment Children 16 & under can t drive; are safer bicycling & walking than driving Older adults On average we live 7-10 years longer than we can drive Disabled 18% of Missourians have disabilities; many can t drive Non-drivers No car: 8.3% of MO households No driver s license: Over 25% of Missourians

21 Why? Older adults Older adults drive less while walking and bicycling more. Baby boomers reaching retirement age means a large increase in this age group over the next ~20 years. Graph: The Future Isn t What It Used To Be, Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, p. 13

22 Why? - Safety Pedestrians and Bicyclists Receive 1% of Federal Funding Represent 10% of Trips Suffer 13% of Fatalities Sources: FMIS, NHTS, FARS federal databases Note that percent of state transportation & road funding spent on bicycle & pedestrian accommodations is even lower than the federal percentage.

23 Why? Changing Travel Needs Vehicle miles traveled has grown by 3-4% per year over the 20 th century This super-growth in miles traveled was driven by a similar super-growth in vehicles owned. Vehicles owned has now leveled off: Graph: The Future Isn t What It Used To Be, Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, p. 4

24 Why? Changing Travel Needs Now essentially everyone who wants an automobile has access to one. Future growth in miles driven will likely be closer to overall U.S. population growth: 0.9% annually This has dramatic ramifications for transportation planning.

25 Vehicle Miles Traveled Dramatic changes have started already, About half the decline in vehicle miles traveled becomes new walking, bicycling, or transit trips A small % reduction in motor vehicle trips equates to a large % increase in walking, bicycling, and transit trips during Missouri had 20-30% annual increases in bicycling & walking trips The amount of bicycling, walking, and transit use in Missouri is likely to more than double over the time frame of a few years. Actual miles driven. Source: FHWA

26 Before the oil crisis of the 1970s, Germany was like the U.S. is now. In the next years, U.S. is likely to become more like Germany is now.

27 Bicycling, Walking, & Transit in the U.S. vs Other Industrialized Countries Germany is just one example the U.S. is an outlier among all industrialized nations. As the price of fuel rises and carbon restrictions kick in, the U.S. is likely to become more like these other countries where higher fuel prices are already a fact of life. Chart: Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia, David R. Bassett, Jr., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2008, 5,

28 Vehicle Miles Traveled Transportation planning typically assumes the green line (3-4% annual growth) That s the lesson planners learned the hard way during in the 1900s This rate of growth just can t continue indefinitely actual data showed declines in miles driven (~ -3.5% annually, see dip in red line) Future growth is likely to be close to 0.9% annually (red line) Miles (billions) Illustration of past miles, future projections. Source: Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation

29 Vehicle Miles Traveled Compound growth makes the planning gap huge: If our planning is based on the green line we are building twice the capacity we will actually need in 20 years and it gets even worse from there on out. If fuel prices rise and/or restrictions are put on carbon emissions, even the red line may be optimistic. Illustration of past miles, future projections, in billions of Vehicle Miles Traveled. Source: Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation

30 Why? Changing Travel Needs Are we planning our transportation system for twice the motorized traffic that will really exist in 20 years?

31 Why? - Complete the Network 80-90% of streets are OK for walking and bicycling now. But the last 10-20%...

32 Why? - Complete the Network 80-90% of streets are OK for walking and bicycling now. But the last 10-20%... are (more often than not) MoDOT roads

33 Why must MoDOT roads accommodate bicycling & walking? Let s start with the 80% of roads that are already good for bicycling & walking. All the small neighborhood streets on this map are already quite good to bicycle & walk on. With all those thousands of miles of bicycle & pedestrian friendly roads, why don t we have a good bicycle & pedestrian system? The reason: Certain roads form barriers to safe bicycle & pedestrian travel. (We have chosen Kansas City as a typical city but the same issues face all Missouri cities, large and small.)

34 Why? Barriers: #1-Freeways Freeways are difficult barriers to bicycling and walking. There are only a few places to cross them and those tend to be complicated, dangerous interchanges where bicycle & pedestrian accommodations are often omitted.

35 Why? Barriers: #1-Freeways #2-Bridges To cross major barriers like rivers, MoDOT roads are often the only option. For that reason, MoDOT bridges must accommodate bicycling & walking. There are currently 9 Missouri River crossings in the Kansas City area, all controlled by the DOTs and none really safe for bicycling & walking.

36 Why? Barriers: #1-Freeways #2-Bridges #3-Other state & federal roads These other state & federal roads are not freeways but are important main roads, and people need to bicycle and walk along them and across them. They are part of MoDOT s system.

37 Why? Barriers: #1-Freeways #2-Bridges #3-Other state & federal roads The result of these barriers (and others, like major city streets) is there are pockets where people can get around by walking and bicycling, but also very distinct barriers to travel. These barriers, for purposes of bicycling & walking, effectively divide a city into little islands. Why not just say everyone walk & bicycle to your heart s content on the good roods, and just stay away from MoDOT roads?

38 Why? Barriers: #1-Freeways #2-Bridges #3-Other state roads The reason we can t just say, No bicycling or walking on or near MoDOT roads is simple: MoDOT roads are destinations. Each red dot indicates a school, park, restaurant, shopping places people want and need to go by bicycle or on foot. Notice that these cluster around the main roads MoDOT roads in most cases. They also cluster around freeway interchanges which typically lack any bicycle or pedestrian accommodation.

39 Why must MoDOT roads accommodate bicycling & walking? MoDOT roads: green MoDOT roads are even more important in many small towns

40 Why must MoDOT roads accommodate bicycling & walking? MoDOT roads: green Destinations: red dots. In a small town, major destinations are within easy walking & bicycling distance. But almost all are on MoDOT roads.

41 Conclusion You cannot build a complete bicycle and pedestrian system in any Missouri city, large or small, unless you also include MoDOT roads in the system. Bicyclists and pedestrians need to be able to safely cross and travel along MoDOT roads.

42 What do we want? In and near cities and built-up areas and where appropriate, include bicycling & walking routinely in MoDOT projects

43 What do we want? In and near cities and built-up areas and where appropriate, include bicycling & walking routinely in MoDOT projects Complete Streets

44 Just what is a Complete Street? Some people have misconceptions about what a Complete Street is. Following are examples of what Complete Streets are and aren t

45 Incomplete Street City This street has sidewalks. But would you like to walk here? Cross the street on foot? Bicycle here?

46 Better street - City

47 Complete Street - City

48 Complete Street - City This is a great kind of street for certain places in a city. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists all have a higher level of service on this road than on the original. The number of collisions goes down and adjoining property values go up. If intersections are designed right, the street can carry a lot of traffic meaning that this treatment can be used on many, many existing roads. More info at

49 Complete Street - Country Some have tried to claim that Complete Streets means putting this same kind of street way out in the countryside so horses can have a sidewalk to walk on and cows can use the bike lane. Is this really what a Complete Street is? Will MoDOT be forced to build sidewalks out in the middle of nowhere and bike lanes that only cows will use?

50 Complete Street - Country

51 Complete Street - Country Short answer: No.

52 The Many Types of Complete Streets Following are some examples of what real Complete Streets look like in different contexts from rural to urban

53 The Many Types of Complete Streets Many low-traffic rural roads are fine for walking and bicycling just as they are. Such roads are already used for bicycling and walking in many cases. Extra cost = $0 Rural Missouri

54 The Many Types of Complete Streets Low Traffic Rural Roads

55 The Many Types of In this setting, shoulders are all a bicyclist or pedestrian needs. Complete Streets Luckily, MoDOT and motorists also want shoulders in this setting. Extra cost = $0 Rural Missouri Highway

56 The Many Types of In many rural settings or near the edge of towns, a few feet of paved shoulder provide space for bicyclists and pedestrians to operate safely. Complete Streets (The bicycle stencil is optional!)

57 The Many Types of Complete Streets Not every location needs full bike lanes. Just a foot or two of shoulder (or a slightly wider curb lane) gives bicyclists room to operate.

58 Isn t It Expensive? By fully considering the needs of all non- motorized travelers (pedestrians, bicyclists, and persons with disabilities) early in the life of a project, the costs associated with including facilities for these travelers are minimized. Jeff Morales, former Director, CalTrans

59 National & State Complete Streets Coalitions Complete Streets is a national coalition of widely diverse organizations, groups, and individuals with a common aim.

60 National Complete Streets Coalition Steering Committee AARP Active Living by Design America Bikes America Walks American Council of the Blind American Planning Association American Public Transportation Association American Society of Landscape Architects Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals City of Boulder Institute of Transportation Engineers League of American Bicyclists McCann Consulting National Center for Bicycling and Walking Smart Growth America Surface Transportation Policy Project Thunderhead Alliance

61 Missouri Groups Supporting Complete Streets (so far) Missouri Organizations, Businesses, Agencies, Municipalities (60) Paraquad (St. Louis) Missouri PTA (Statewide) Trek Bicycle Corporation Jim Tobias, President Lion's Choice Restaurant Corp. (St. Louis) Prairie Gateway Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (Kansas City) Les Sterman, Executive Director, East-West Gateway Council of Governments (St. Louis) Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, East-West Gateway Council of Governments (St. Louis) St Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization (St. Joseph) Great Rivers Greenway District (St. Louis metro area) City of St. Joseph (St. Joseph) Dwayne T. James, PE, Council Member - Ward 2 (City of Ferguson) Mac Vorce Director of Parks And Recreation (Warsaw, MO) Missouri Council for Activity & Nutrition (MOCAN) (Statewide) Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod Think.Work.Inspire.Grow.(TWIG).(TWIG) (Kansas City) Missouri Votes Conservation (Statewide) American Planning Association, Missouri Chapter (Statewide) Missouri Public Transit Association (Statewide) Missouri Coalition for the Environment (Statewide) Missouri Chapter, Sierra Club Thomas Hart Benton Group of the Sierra Club (Western Missouri) Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club (Cape Girardeau) Osage Region Trail Association (Mid-Missouri) Missouri) The Healthy Youth Partnership (St. Louis) John Regenbogen, Scenic Missouri (Statewide) TrailNet (St. Louis) Ozark Greenways (Springfield) Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation (Statewide) Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling (Kansas City) Warsaw Parks and Recreation (Warsaw) Jay Thomas, co-founder, Trek Bicycle Stores - Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis (Statewide) Gary L. Smith, owner, à bloc cycles (St. Louis) BikeSource Bicycle Shop (Kansas City) Parkland Cyclists Bicycle Club (Parkland) Mark Reynolds Memorial Bicycle Fund (St. Joseph) Conservion (Ferguson) Health Options (Columbia) KC Rogues Rugby Club Daniel Pilliard, Pilliard and Luebbering (Sedalia) Warsaw Trails Advisory Board (Warsaw) PedNet Coalition (Columbia) Earth Riders Trails Association (Kansas City) Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling Truman Lake Bicycle Club (Warsaw) Osage Region Trail Association (Jefferson City) Let's Go KC Alliance for Transportation Choice (Kansas City) Kevin Klinkenberg, 180 Design Studio (Kansas City) Kansas City Bicycle Club (Kansas City) Joplin Trails Coalition (Joplin) Farmington Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee (Farmington) EarthRiders Mountain Bike Club (Kansas City) Midwest Cyclery (Kansas City) Bruce Adib Yazdi, SpringBike Bicycle Club Advocacy Committee Chair (Springfield) Nonmotorized Solutions (Jefferson City) Health Options (Columbia)

62 Missouri Groups Supporting Complete Streets (so far) Ozark Greenways (Springfield) Missouri Organizations, Businesses, Agencies, Municipalities (60) Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation (Statewide) Paraquad (St. Louis) Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling (Kansas City) Missouri PTA (Statewide) You and your organization Warsaw Parks and Recreation (Warsaw) Trek Bicycle Corporation Jay Thomas, co-founder, Trek Bicycle Stores - Kansas City, Jim Tobias, President Lion's Choice Restaurant Corp. (St. Louis) Omaha, St. Louis (Statewide) Prairie Gateway Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Gary L. Smith, owner, à bloc cycles (St. Louis) Architects (Kansas City) BikeSource Bicycle Shop (Kansas City) can Les Sterman, Executive join Director, East-West Gateway the Council of list of Complete Parkland Cyclists Bicycle Club (Parkland) Governments (St. Louis) Mark Reynolds Memorial Bicycle Fund (St. Joseph) Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, East-West Gateway Council of Governments (St. Louis) Conservion (Ferguson) St Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization (St. Joseph) Health Options (Columbia) Streets supporters Great Rivers Greenway District (St. Louis metro area) KC Rogues Rugby Club in City of St. Joseph (St. Joseph) Daniel Pilliard, Pilliard and Luebbering (Sedalia) Dwayne T. James, PE, Council Member - Ward 2 (City of Ferguson) Warsaw Trails Advisory Board (Warsaw) Mac Vorce Director of Parks And Recreation (Warsaw, MO) PedNet Coalition (Columbia) Missouri: Missouri Council for Activity & Nutrition (MOCAN) (Statewide) Earth Riders Trails Association (Kansas City) Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling Think.Work.Inspire.Grow.(TWIG).(TWIG) (Kansas City) Truman Lake Bicycle Club (Warsaw) Missouri Votes Conservation (Statewide) Osage Region Trail Association (Jefferson City) American Planning Association, Missouri Chapter (Statewide) Let's Go KC Alliance for Transportation Choice (Kansas City) Missouri Public Transit Association (Statewide) Kevin Klinkenberg, 180 Design Studio (Kansas City) Missouri Coalition for the Environment (Statewide) Kansas City Bicycle Club (Kansas City) Missouri Chapter, Sierra Club Joplin Trails Coalition (Joplin) MoBikeFed.org/CompleteStreets Thomas Hart Benton Group of the Sierra Club (Western Missouri) Farmington Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee (Farmington) Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club (Cape Girardeau) EarthRiders Mountain Club (Kansas City) Osage Region Trail Association (Mid-Missouri) Missouri) Midwest Cyclery (Kansas City) The Healthy Youth Partnership (St. Louis) Bruce Adib Yazdi, SpringBike Bicycle Club Advocacy Committee John Regenbogen, Scenic Missouri (Statewide) Chair (Springfield) TrailNet (St. Louis) Nonmotorized Solutions (Jefferson City) Health Options (Columbia)