Leveraging Active Transportation & Recreation for Economic Development in Rural VT Vermont Bike Walk Summit

Transcription

1 Leveraging Active Transportation & Recreation for Economic Development in Rural VT 2018 Vermont Bike Walk Summit

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11 MRV Moves Active Transportation Plan Scope & Purpose Watershed-wide long-range vision for active transportation Cohesive & collaborative framework for realizing the vision Communicates the importance of a connected network of active transportation & recreation facilities Future Opportunities Map for the MRV Guidance for: Trail and facility design & management Implementation Funding

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13 DO YOU RIDE A BIKE FOR RECREATION OR TRANSPORTATION IN THE MRV? No, I don't ride a bike 37% Yes, for recreation 41% Yes, for both 21% Yes, for transportation 1%

14 Destinations you bike or walk to The most common destinations included the village centers, trailheads and recreation areas, work and school.

15 WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENGAGE IN ON TRAILS IN THE MRV? WALKING 88% JOGGING 36% HIKING 75% WALKING PETS BICYCLING 45% 50% HORSEBACK SNOWMOBILING 5% 4% SKIING 58% SNOWSHOEING 64% HUNTING OTHER 7% 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

16 MRV Commuting Barriers to walk/bike: Hills, Hills, Hills Dangerous traffic/unsafe roads Too many "close calls" on Rt. 100 Need to bring the dog Difficult to carry gear Commuting with young children Destinations too far apart WHAT MODE DO YOU MOST FREQUENTLY USE TO COMMUTE TO WORK WHEN IN THE MRV? Foot 1% HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY GET TO THE TRAILHEAD? Walk 18% Not applicab le 14% I don't commute 21% Bike 3% Car 61% Other - Write In 5% I would have to walk on Route 100 to get there! Bike 13% Car/Van/ Truck

17 How can we improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians? A dd a tr ail, b i k e way o r s i dewalk t o c lose a c r i t i cal gap E ducation for m otorists, b i c yclis t s and p e des t r ians I m p rov e s afety E ncour agem ent e f for t s t o increase walking and b i k i ng A dd a tr ail, b i k e way o r s i dewalk t o directly access a des t i nation I ns tall way f inding s i g nage O t h e r P rov ide b e t t e r e nforcement for m o t o r i s ts, b i c yclis t s and pedes t r ians I ns tall b i k e p arking ( i. e. b i k e r acks and b i k e s t or age) and/or r es t rooms and B e t t er m aintain t r a i l, b i k e way o r s i dewalk R e m ov e or m anage t h e s now f rom b i k e p at h s o r tr ails for w i nt e r u s e

18 Existing Conditions Points of Interest Conservation Lands Sidewalks/crosswalks Trails Alpine skiing Nordic skiing Backcountry skiing Mountain biking Hiking/snowshoeing Snowmobiling Multi-use

19 Future Opportunities What are nodes? Village Centers Schools Trailheads Recreation Areas What are connections? On-road Major Minor Off-road Major Minor

20 Connection Typology MRV MOVES ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE MAD RIVER VALLEY Future Opportunities Connection Typologies Bike Lane Bike lanes are a portion of the roadway designated for preferential use by bicyclists. One-way facilities striped on streets that carry bicycle traf c in the same direction as motor vehicles Terrain Suitability MINOR CONNECTIONS ON ROAD CONNECTIONS OFF ROAD CONNECTIONS Major Paved Road Connections Minor Paved Road Connections Minor Unpaved Connections Major Of Road Connections Most appropriate and needed on arterial and collector streets Require proper roadway placement through intersections to minimize conficts with motor vehicles May include NACTO treatments such as bike boxes, colored pavements, bike lane pockets, and innovative intersection design Paved Shoulder Paved shoulders are used on rural roads to extend roadway maintenance life, provide space for temporary storage of disabled vehicles, and improve bicyclist accommodation. May use Share-the-Road warning signs Should not use longitudinal rumble strips; may use bicycle-tolerable rumble strips (with periodic gaps) if 4 min. width between rumble strip and pavement edge Paved shoulders may also be used to accommodate pedestrian use in rural and less developed areas Shared Lane All streets and roadways, unless specif cally prohibited by law, shall permit use by both bicycles and motor vehicles. No designation is needed for bicycle use unless street is a key corridor in bicycle system May be identif ed by Bike Route signing and/or use of shared pavement marking symbols (sharrows) Most cyclists will prefer to ride on lower volume streets and corridors with traf c calming measures Higher speed roadways may use Share-the-Road warning signs instead of Bike Route wayf nding signs Sidewalk Sidewalks are separated from the motor vehicle travelway by a landscape planting strip or buf er zone. Sidewalks that are 8-10 wide are typically considered sidepaths (multi-use paths parallel to and within street rights-of-way) and may be used by cyclists and other non-motorized users in addition to pedestrians Signed Route Signed routs are found along paved or unpaved roadways most often on lower volume roads. A bicycle and walking wayf nding system consists of comprehensive signing and/or pavement markings to guide users to their destinations along the route. Signs are typically placed at decision points along the routes typically at the intersections of two or more routes and at other key locations leading to and along the routes. Natural Surface Trails In general, natural surface trails are characterized as: Narrow mountain trails designed as sustainable, rolling contour trails that have minimal impact on natural systems Trail treads should include benching, outsloping, grade reversals, armoring, switchbacks, and other techniques to minimize erosion and wear by trail users Frequently smooth and f owing, with features like banked turns, rolling terrain, and consistent and predictable surfaces Tend to wind around obstacles such as trees, large rocks and bushes If intended for singletrack mountain biking, may also exhibit technical sections with features such as roots, logs and rocks, or man-made technical features such as elevated bridges, jumps, teetertotters, and drop-of s Mowed Path Mountain Biking Tread Width narrow trail tread for singletrack experience Corridor Width 5-7 Average Grade <10% grade desired for sustainable trails Hiking Tread Width Corridor Width 4-6 Average Grade <10% grade desired for sustainable trails Equestrian Tread Width Corridor Width 8-12 Average Grade <10% grade desired for sustainable trails A mowed path is a soft surface trail that is light on the land and can accommodate a limited number uses. These paths typically serve as a recreation oriented facilities and are generally suitable for providing access to natural areas and some rural connections. Unpaved Graded Path Multi-use or shared use paths are physically separated from motor vehicle traf c. They have a graded gravel f nes treadway and provide accessible outdoor recreation and transportation opportunities for many user groups. adult bicyclists child bicyclists horseback riding walking jogging/running wheelchair use baby strollers dog walking snowshoeing cross country skiing Local facilities connect local destinations such as: schools shopping employment Paved Path Regional facilities are longer distance, multi-jurisdictional paths that may be used for a variety of recreation and non-motorized transportation needs. Similar to the list above. Are often located in the vicinity of linear features such as: river and stream corridors roads railroad grades utility corridors irrigation canals CONSULTING TEAM:

21 IONS ON ROAD CONNECTIONS MRV MOVES Major Paved Road Connections Minor Paved Road Connections ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE MAD RIVER VALLEY Future Opportunities Connection Typologies Bike Lane Bike lanes are a portion of the roadway designated for preferential use by bicyclists. One-way facilities striped on streets that carry bicycle traf c in the same direction as motor vehicles Most appropriate and needed on arterial and collector streets Require proper roadway placement through intersections to minimize conficts with motor vehicles May include NACTO treatments such as bike boxes, colored pavements, bike lane pockets, and innovative intersection design Paved Shoulder Paved shoulders are used on rural roads to extend roadway maintenance life, provide space for temporary storage of disabled vehicles, and improve bicyclist accommodation. May use Share-the-Road warning signs Should not use longitudinal rumble strips; may use bicycle-tolerable rumble strips (with periodic gaps) if 4 min. width between rumble strip and pavement edge Paved shoulders may also be used to accommodate pedestrian use in rural and less developed areas Shared Lane All streets and roadways, unless specif cally prohibited by law, shall permit use by both bicycles and motor vehicles. No designation is needed for bicycle use unless street is a key corridor in bicycle system May be identif ed by Bike Route signing and/or use of shared pavement marking symbols (sharrows) Most cyclists will prefer to ride on lower volume streets and corridors with traf c calming measures Higher speed roadways may use Share-the-Road warning signs instead of Bike Route wayf nding signs Sidewalk Sidewalks are separated from the motor vehicle travelway by a landscape planting strip or buf er zone. Sidewalks that are 8-10 wide are typically considered sidepaths (multi-use paths parallel to and within street rights-of-way) and may be used by cyclists and other non-motorized users in addition to pedestrians Signed Route Signed routs are found along paved or unpaved roadways most often on lower volume roads. A bicycle and walking wayf nding system consists of comprehensive signing and/or pavement markings to guide users to their destinations along the route. Signs are typically placed at decision points along the routes typically at the intersections of two or more routes and at other key locations leading to and along the routes. Terrain Suitability

22 MINOR CONNECT Minor Unpaved Connections Natural Surface Trails In general, natural surface trails are characterized as: Narrow mountain trails designed as sustainable, rolling contour trails that have minimal impact on natural systems Trail treads should include benching, outsloping, grade reversals, armoring, switchbacks, and other techniques to minimize erosion and wear by trail users Frequently smooth and f owing, with features like banked turns, rolling terrain, and consistent and predictable surfaces Tend to wind around obstacles such as trees, large rocks and bushes If intended for singletrack mountain biking, may also exhibit technical sections with features such as roots, logs and rocks, or man-made technical features such as elevated bridges, jumps, teetertotters, and drop-of s Mountain Biking Tread Width narrow trail tread for singletrack experience Corridor Width 5-7 Average Grade <10% grade desired for sustainable trails Hiking Tread Width Corridor Width 4-6 Average Grade <10% grade desired for sustainable trails Equestrian Tread Width Corridor Width 8-12 Average Grade <10% grade desired for sustainable trails OFF ROAD CONNECTIONS Major Of Road Connections Mowed Path A mowed path is a soft surface trail that is light on the land and can accommodate a limited number uses. These paths typically serve as a recreation oriented facilities and are generally suitable for providing access to natural areas and some rural connections. Unpaved Graded Path Multi-use or shared use paths are physically separated from motor vehicle traf c. They have a graded gravel f nes treadway and provide accessible outdoor recreation and transportation opportunities for many user groups. adult bicyclists child bicyclists horseback riding walking jogging/running wheelchair use baby strollers dog walking snowshoeing cross country skiing Local facilities connect local destinations such as: schools shopping employment Paved Path Regional facilities are longer distance, multi-jurisdictional paths that may be used for a variety of recreation and non-motorized transportation needs. Similar to the list above. Are often located in the vicinity of linear features such as: river and stream corridors roads railroad grades utility corridors irrigation canals

23 Photo Credit: VMBA

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26 Plan Recommendations VILLAGE CENTERS Streetscape Improvements Complete Streets Active Transportation Tourism and Bike/Ped Friendly Communities Local Control of State Highways in Village Centers EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorists Dogs DESIGNATION OF THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Unified Signage and Wayfinding System Consistent Mapping Branding

27 Where are we today? Identified Needs 1. Signage 2. Mapping 3. Funding 4. Construction/main tenance

28 MRV Branding Effort

29 Unified Trailhead Kiosk & Mapping Project

30 Kristine Keeney mrvpd.org mrvmoves.org