II. PROJECT INFORMATION. The City of Coalinga (population 16,789) requests $240,000 in Active Transportation funds to

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1 II. PROJECT INFORMATION (Please read the ATP instructions document prior to attaching your responses to all of the questions in Sections II. Project Information, Section III. Screening Criteria and Section IV. Narrative Questions - 20 pages max) 1. Project Location: The project is located in the City of Coalinga, California 2. Project Coordinates: Latitude: ; Longitude: Project Description: The City of Coalinga (population 16,789) requests $240,000 in Active Transportation funds to develop an Active Transportation Plan. The purpose of the project is to develop a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan (AT Plan) that will provide the recommended actions to: 1) increase biking and walking in the City, 2) provide non-motorized travel infrastructure to support the projected population growth, and 3) provide safer, walkable streets for the 7,898 students (kindergarten through college) who travel to school each day in Coalinga. The City of Coalinga is in desperate need of a comprehensive plan to make our streets more complete, with safer conditions for alternative modes of transportation. The City has unique conditions that, with the right plan, will be ideal for recreational and practical infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. The City will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and execute a contract with an experienced Planning Consultant. The consultant will work with the City to: develop an aggressive community outreach strategy; host community-based planning meetings; develop an Active Transportation Plan based heavily on community input and aligned with the regional Fresno County Active Transportation Plan; and provide concept-level site plans for priority projects (identified through extensive community outreach). The City s Active Transportation plan will meet the criteria of the Active Transportation guidelines and will be suitable to include into a General Plan update of the City s Circulation Element. The project is estimated to take 24 months. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 13

2 4. Project Status: The City is ready to proceed with the planning project immediately after the grant is awarded. The City will hire a qualified Planning Consultant to execute the steps necessary to develop the robust, comprehensive Active Transportation Plan that directly aligns with the forthcoming Fresno Council of Governments (COG) Active Transportation Plan. III. SCREENING CRITERIA 1. Demonstrated Needs of the Applicant The City of Coalinga is located in the San Joaquin Valley, at the base of the Coast mountain range, on the western side of California's Central Valley. It is considered a rural area approximately 100 miles northwest of the City of Bakersfield, and 60 miles southwest of the City of Fresno. The City is considered a disadvantaged community, with median household income of $46, Coalinga also meets disadvantaged community status because over 75% of the students at each of the City s six public schools qualify for free or reduced price meals (between 76% and 84%), according to the California Department of Education. The developed area of Coalinga covers approximately 4.5 square miles, and includes elementary, intermediate, high school, and college facilities; residential areas; parks; libraries; and commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas. (Please see Exhibit 1 Project Map.) The required daily commute within the City is generally short and could be easily accomplished by alternative transportation such as walking or biking. However, the existing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure does not support widespread non-motorized vehicle travel within the City. U.S. Census data from the 1 U.S. Census, American FactFinder, American Community Survey. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 14

3 American Community Survey shows us that of 5,473 workers age 16 or older in the City, less than 4% walk. In fact, it is reported that 92.8% of these workers drive to work each day. We believe that this car culture is, in part, due to fears about safety, because of a lack of pedestrian and bicycle amenities. The City is bisected by Highway 198 (Average Daily Traffic 13,600) and State Road 33 (Average Daily Traffic 13,300). 2 Highway 198 also doubles as Elm No crosswalk or ADA-compliant ramp No sidewalk Avenue, and is the main street in Coalinga s City Center. To travel virtually anywhere within the small city, one must cross a major state Fig. 1: Photo of Hwy 198 /Elm Street and Truman Street; an example of unsafe pedestrian and bicycle conditions on the City s main thoroughfare. highway, which poses a safety problem for non-motorized traffic. All of the community s public schools, including the community college, are located within a four-block area to the northeast of these busy thoroughfares. According to Saferoutesinfo.org, over 30% of parents in the U.S. drive their children to school because of traffic-related danger. This proves to be true in Coalinga, and with good reason. From 2003 to 2012, there were 21 accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, including four fatalities. 3 Additionally, the population of Coalinga has already exceeded 2016 projections for growth (projected to be 16,583 in 2016; now 16,789) 4. The City maintains a small-town feel, but continues to grow due to its prime location (near the larger, more expensive Fresno), affordable real estate, and local oil production at the Coalinga Oil Field. (The field has approximately 58 million barrels of 2 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes taken from Caltrans 2012 Traffic Volumes on California State Highways. 3 Transportation Injury Mapping System, University of California, Berkley. 4 City of Coalinga General Plan Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 15

4 reserves, and is still being pumped for heavy crude by oil-giant Chevron.) Coalinga also offers stable employment opportunities at the Coalinga State Hospital and Pleasant Valley State Prison. As the City has utilized piece-meal infrastructure projects to support growth, there has not been a comprehensive, city-wide plan to build sustainable, complete streets for Coalinga s growing needs. The infrastructure simply has not kept up with the growth. The City had a 2009 Bike Plan that primarily planned for Class II bicycle lane striping, most of which has been completed. We are essentially starting from ground zero in terms of an Active Transportation Plan. 2. Consistency with Regional Transportation Plan (100 words or less) The Coalinga Active Transportation Plan project is consistent with the Fresno Council of Government s Draft 2014 Regional Transportation Plan ( in the following ways: 1. Non-motorized Transportation: Page By developing attractive, convenient pedestrian and bicycle environments, the number and percentage of trips made by bicycle or on foot should increase. 2. Planning Goal: Page The recognition and integration of bicycling and walking as valid and healthy transportation modes in transportation planning activities. 3. Physical Facilities Goal: Page Safe, convenient, and continuous routes for bicyclists and pedestrians of all types that interface with and complement a multimodal transportation system. IV. NARRATIVE QUESTIONS 1. POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED WALKING AND BICYCLING, ESPECIALLY AMONG STUDENTS (0-30 POINTS) A. Describe how your project encourages increased walking and bicycling, especially among students. The proposed project will encourage increased walking and biking, especially among Coalinga s 7,898 students, in the following ways: Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 16

5 1) The AT Plan will evaluate infrastructure deficiencies and opportunities city-wide including, but not limited to: curb and sidewalk repair; closing gaps in sidewalks; installing ADA-compliant ramps and curbs; installing signalized crossings where needed; adding street lighting; and rehabilitating gutters and valleys in the existing street gutter system. The improvements identified in the AT Plan will make walking and biking to school less intimidating for Coalinga students when implemented. 2) The AT Plan will identify routes for constructing multi-use paths, including trail networks that bypass the busiest thoroughfares in the City, and provide access to the northern Coalinga corridor where six public schools and West Hills College are located. 3) The proposed project will provide guidelines for required easements or Right of Way for sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure in all future development projects. New subdivisions will be planned with sidewalks to support new neighborhood schools planned by the Coalinga-Huron Unified School District. The City of Coalinga is unique in that many independent elements support a walking and biking culture. For example, the majority of the City s employment, school, and leisure destinations are located within a 2-mile radius (see Exhibit 2 Two-Mile Radius Map), and adjacent to concentrated residential neighborhoods, making it easy to reach nearly any location by taking a twenty-minute walk. The average temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and the City experiences just 8.27 inches of rain per year, 5 providing a mild climate year-round that is ideal for walking and biking. Coalinga Transit provides bus service from Hwy 198 in the City Center to multiple employment areas, and the Fig. 2: Baker Street and Durian. A common example of missing sidewalk portions. 5 Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 17

6 nearby Cities of Huron and Fresno. A quick walk to the bus stop would allow residents to forgo any vehicle miles in their own cars. The City has natural amenities such as parks and creeks that are wellsuited for recreational activities like walking or biking. The website gives the City a rating of 83 out of 100 for walkability, calling Coalinga very walkable. The problem is that residents are not walking. The idea of crossing major thoroughfares by foot or on bike can be a barrier to walking. Large gaps in sidewalks (sometimes entire streets lack sidewalks) and aging curbs present safety hazards as well. Two creeks, Los Gatos and Warthan, run along the northeast and southeast edges of the City, partially defining the boundaries of the urban area. This provides an excellent opportunity for waterway trails that can provide safe, alternative routes for non-motorized traffic that bypass the two main highways. (Please see Exhibit 1 Project Map for possible multi-use trail location.) The City will utilize its natural boundaries and waterways in the AT Plan, which may include a multi-use trail loop to encircle the City. A comprehensive AT Plan will guide land use and circulation, prioritize infrastructure projects, and provide plans for non-motorized, multi-use trail networks. Interestingly, nearly 48% of the City s residents are students. Improved road conditions and new multi-use trail networks may shift behavior patterns to create life-long habits of walking and bike-riding, and encourage families to become less car-dependent. B. Describe the number and type of possible users and their destinations, and the anticipated percentage increase in users upon completion of your project. Data collection methods should be described. The AT Plan is designed to make non-motorized travel in Coalinga a real option. As stated above, there are over 7,898 students residing in Coalinga with their families. The proposed project will outline a community outreach strategy to actively seek CHUSD and West Hills College students and Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 18

7 families input from at least three public workshops. These meetings will provide the City s residents an opportunity to engage in a process to identify priority projects. The City will circulate informational pamphlets, newsletters, attachments in school hand-outs, materials for parents, and social media pushes to capture the Coalinga student voice for the AT Plan workshops. We anticipate that students and their families will utilize safe sidewalks, roadways, and multi-use paths for recreation and as travel to school, after-school activities, work, and home. School Grade Enrollment Annie E. Cheney Kindergarten K 101 Henry F. Bishop Elementary K-1st 346 Nell Dawson Elementary 1st-3rd 438 Sunset Elementary 4th-5th 431 Coalinga Middle School 6th-8th 617 Coalinga High School 9th - 12th 1,105 West Hills College Post HS 4,860 Total 7,898 Fig. 3: Student Enrollment in Coalinga Schools Employees will also benefit. The proposed plan will make it easier for residents who work within the area to walk or bike to work. Commercial activity in Coalinga is largely located along Elm Avenue (Hwy 198) and Polk Street (SR 33) which are the two main corridors in Coalinga. Connected multi-use trails and added pedestrian and bicycle amenities will allow residents to easily walk or bike to this area, also considered the City Center, which has dozens of shops, restaurants, public buildings, and the Coalinga Transit bus stop. Coalinga Transit can carry employees to the Coalinga State Hospital (employs 1,600), the Pleasant Valley State Prison (employs 1,416), or further to the Cities of Huron or Fresno. Ideally, Coalinga residents will be able to travel to work without ever needing to use their car or fill up their gas tanks. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 19

8 Recreational trail runners and cyclists will benefit from a comprehensive AT Plan. Along with its flat, valley terrain, and mild climate, the City of Coalinga is situated just miles from Los Gatos County Park. The City is also connected to the planned Fresno County regional Class I and Class II Bicycle Trails, which span from west to east across the county (the fifth largest county in California). In April of 2014, West Hills College partnered with the Fresno Cycling Club to host the first annual West Hills Metric Century ride, and had over 100 participants. The City is eager to expand cycling and outdoor recreation opportunities. Finally, the AT Plan will provide the framework to develop a walkable, bike-friendly City. Coalinga residents will be able to choose alternate forms of transportation when heading out for errands, to pick up their children from school, or taking a trip to the one of the City s parks. As the City of Coalinga experiences growth, bicycle and pedestrian trips to these locations and future locations are expected to increase substantially. The AT Plan will include methodology to determine pre- and postusage figures, once infrastructure is designed as a result of the Plan. C. Describe how this project improves walking and bicycling routes to and from, connects to, or is part of a school or school facility, transit facility, community center, employment center, state or national trail system, points of interest, and/or park. The proposed plan will improve walking and bicycling routes to Coalinga s six public schools and West Hills College; the Coalinga Transit stop; the City s Center that includes numerous stores and restaurants; the police and fire stations; parks and residential neighborhoods; and regional trail systems. The plan will evaluate the feasibility of a multi-use path that runs along the Los Gatos and Wathan Creeks, and potentially along the City s other borders to create a continuous circular path that will run along the two-mile radius radiating from the City Center. The AT Plan will also identify and prioritize infrastructure repair and safety measures that will increase non-motorized travel along busy thoroughfares that currently intimidate walkers and cyclists. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 20

9 D. Describe how this project increases and/or improves connectivity, removes a barrier to mobility and/or closes a gap in a non-motorized facility. The largest existing barrier to non-motorized travel in our City is the lack of a comprehensive AT Plan. The City has implemented piece-meal projects to correct portions of cracked/missing sidewalks and install ADA-compliant ramps and curbs. The City needs a plan that will provide the framework for complete streets, connected multi-use trails, and connections to the region s trail network. The proposed plan will remove barriers to pedestrian and bicycle travel by implementing safety measures like Class II bicycle lanes, ADA-compliant curbs and ramps, and signalized crossing areas along Hwy 198 (Elm Avenue) and SR 33 (Polk Street). The project will remove barriers for students traveling to existing and future Coalinga public schools by implementing the safety measures mentioned above, and by providing guidelines to develop a future multi-use trail loop that will bypass the City s busiest streets. Finally, the proposed project will close the gap in the planned regional trail network. The City will work in concert with Fresno County Council of Governments as it develops a county-wide Active Transportation Plan. This will ensure the regional network of trails connects with planned multi-use trail systems in Coalinga. The AT Plan will include all of the following required elements: A B C D Figure 4. Elements to be Included in AT Plan The estimated number of existing bicycle trips and pedestrian trips in the plan area, and the estimated increase in the number of bicycle trips and pedestrian trips resulting from implementation of the plan The number and location of collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities suffered by bicyclists and pedestrians A map and description of existing and proposed land use and settlement patterns include locations of residential neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, public buildings, major employment centers, and other destinations A map and description of existing and proposed bicycle transportation facilities Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 21

10 Figure 4. Elements to be Included in AT Plan E F G H I J K L M N O P A map and description of existing and proposed end-of-trip bicycle parking facilities A description of existing and proposed policies related to bicycle parking in public locations, private parking garages and parking lots and in new commercial and residential developments A map and description of existing and proposed bicycle transport and parking facilities for connections with and use of other transportation modes A map and description of existing and proposed pedestrian facilities at major transit hubs including rail and transit terminals A description of proposed signage providing way-finding along bicycle and pedestrian networks to designated destinations A description of the policies and procedures for maintaining existing and proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities A description of bicycle and pedestrian safety, education, and encouragement programs conducted in the area included within the plan A description of the extent of community involvement in development of the plan, including disadvantaged and underserved communities A description of how the active transportation plan has been coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions, including school districts within the plan area, and is consistent with other local or regional transportation, air quality, or energy conservation plans, including, but not limited to, general plans and a Sustainable Community Strategy in a Regional Transportation Plan A description of the projects and programs proposed in the plan and a listing of their priorities for implementation, including the methodology for project prioritization and a proposed timeline for implementation A description of past expenditures for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, and future financial needs for projects and programs that improve safety and convenience for bicyclists and pedestrians in the plan area A description of steps necessary to implement the plan and the reporting process that will be used to keep the City of Coalinga and residents informed of the progress being made in implementing the plan Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 22

11 Q Figure 4. Elements to be Included in AT Plan A resolution showing adoption of the plan by the city 2. POTENTIAL FOR REDUCING THE NUMBER AND/OR RATE OF PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST FATALITIES AND INJURIES, INCLUDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF SAFETY HAZARDS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS. (0-25 POINTS) A. Describe the potential of the project to reduce pedestrian and/or bicycle injuries or fatalities. Between 2003 and 2012, the City of Coalinga recorded 21 pedestrian and bicycle collisions, four of which were fatalities (19%). 6 The proposed project has tremendous potential to reduce these types of pedestrian and bicycle injuries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reports that traffic calming-measures like medians and speed-bumps can reduce the number of automobile crashes with pedestrian injuries by up to 15%. 7 The Planning Consultant will perform a comprehensive analysis of safety needs along City roadways through collection of collision data and evaluation of collision causes. The analysis will be aligned with the safety analysis outlined in the Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Manual, (2013). The consultant will then provide formal recommendations to address these needs, including traffic-calming measures and the various measures listed in Part B of this question. B. Describe if/how your project will achieve any or all of the following: o Reduces speed or volume of motor vehicles o Improves sight distance and visibility o Improves compliance with local traffic laws o Eliminates behaviors that lead to collisions o Addresses inadequate traffic control devices o Addresses inadequate bicycle facilities, crosswalks or sidewalks The proposed AT Plan will address all of the issues listed above through thorough investigation of pedestrian, cyclist, and driver behaviors, and potential causes for pedestrian and bicycle collisions (including spatial analysis, gender and age of involved parties, and environmental conditions). This will 6 Transportation Injury Mapping System, University of California, Berkley. 7 Growing Healthy in the San Joaquin Valley. Presentation by the American Lung Association. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 23

12 involve evaluation of collision history, field observations, collaboration with community members, reviewing police reports, and academic research. The Planning Consultant will develop a list of safety priorities, and provide recommendations for countermeasures including education, engineering, and enforcement measures. These will include awareness and education programs for students, community members, and law enforcement officials that will improve compliance with local traffic laws; and initiatives that will: reduce speed and volume of motor vehicles; improve sight distance and visibility; eliminate behaviors that lead to collisions; improve traffic control devices, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, and sidewalks. C. Describe the location s history of events and the source(s) of data used (e.g. collision reports, community observation, surveys, audits) if data is not available include a description of safety hazard(s) and photos. Please see Exhibit 3 Injury Accidents Map provided by the Traffic Injury Mapping System (TIMS) from the University of California, Berkley. This map represents 20 of 21 injury accidents involving pedestrian or bicycles in Coalinga from January 1, December 31, Please note that 14 of these collisions occurred along Hwy 198 (Elm Street) and SR 33 (Polk Avenue), as well as three fatalities. Please also see Exhibit 4 Photos of Project Area for photos of safety hazards along these roadways. Of the 21 collisions, 16 collisions involved pedestrians (76.2%), five involved bicycles (23.8%), and four involved fatalities (19%). Three incidents involved severe injuries (14.3%), seven involved visible injuries (33.3%), and seven involved injuries that led to complaints of pain (33%). 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION and PLANNING (0-15POINTS) A. Describe the community based public participation process that culminated in the project proposal or plan, such as noticed meetings/public hearings, consultation with stakeholders, etc. In 2009, the City of Coalinga solicited community feedback to update its 2025 General Plan. As part of the strategic planning, the City emphasized the importance of community input in the planning process. The community and City leaders identified improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure as Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 24

13 a top priority. The proposed AT Plan will also engage community residents to identify needs and priority projects for implementation. The City will work with the Planning Consultant to develop a robust outreach plan that will publicize at least three community meetings. The Planning Consultant will distribute flyers, utilize direct mail, and publish information in local news outlets including the Coalinga Post and the City s website ( Most importantly, stakeholders at the CHUSD and West Hills College will help plan for the workshops. The workshops will include walkability audits, hands-on mapping exercises and identification of priority projects for implementation. B. Describe the local participation process that resulted in the identification and prioritization of the project: Please see Exhibit 5 Stakeholder Participation. These agendas and notes are from meetings to discuss improvements to city infrastructure and develop an AT Plan, and resulted in the prioritization of this grant application. This request for planning funds is designed to engage residents in an interactive, well-attended, series of workshops. Community input and identification of priorities will lead to critical next steps. The Planning Consultant will then prepare preliminary designs and cost estimates for the priority projects to bring them one step closer to implementation. C. Is the project cost over $1 Million? Y/N No, the project will not cost over $1 Million. 4. COST EFFECTIVENESS (0-10 POINTS) A. Describe the alternatives that were considered. Discuss the relative costs and benefits of all the alternatives and explain why the nominated one was chosen. The alternatives that were considered to developing a City-wide, comprehensive Active Transportation Plan were: 1) develop no plan ($0); 2) develop a plan for increasing only pedestrian infrastructure; 3) develop a plan for increasing only bicycle infrastructure; 4) develop a Safe Routes to Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 25

14 Schools plan. The latter three alternatives would be approximately 60% less in cost. The City chose instead to develop a comprehensive, multimodal AT Plan. The City seeks a comprehensive bicycle/pedestrian network with connectivity to destinations city-wide and in the County. During the General Plan update, City Leaders noted a significant need for a multi-faceted, comprehensive AT Plan to achieve a safe, walkable, bike-able City. The City also feels that the timing for creating a city-wide AT Plan is ideal as the Fresno COG will be developing a similar AT Plan for the entire County. This will allow the two entities to collaborate and ensure that the final AT Plans are comprehensive and complementary. Coalinga s plan will provide greater depth and detail, especially for the priority projects. It will also provide for synergy with the County s plan. B. Calculate the ratio of the benefits of the project relative to both the total project cost and funds requested (i.e., BBBBBBBBBBBBBB and BBBBBBBBBBBBBB ). TTTTTTTTTT PPPPPPPPPPPPPP CCCCCCCC PPPPPPPPPPPPPP FFFFFFFFFF RRRRRRFFBBCCBBBBFF The proposed Benefit/Cost Ratio for the Coalinga AT Plan directly relates to the ATP Program goal: Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking. We project that the improvements to pedestrian infrastructure and overall mobility in the City of Coalinga will result in double the amount of pedestrians, aged 16 and older, walking to work, over a 20-year time-span. To calculate the monetary benefit of this goal, we utilized the World Health Organization s (WHO) Health Economic Tool Assessment (HEAT). The HEAT analyzes the economic impact an intervention (such as the AT Plan) has on adults within a study area. The tool provides an estimate of the economic benefits accrued from walking as a result of lower death rates. 8 We used a baseline of current data from the 8 The tool is based on relative risk data from published studies such as leisure-time physical activity as well as the usual socioeconomic variables (age, sex, smoking, etc.). The tool uses these relative risks and applies them to the amount of walking or cycling entered by the user, assuming a log-linear relationship between walking/cycling and mortality. The HEAT then uses population-level mortality data to estimate the number of adults who would normally be expected to die in any given year in the target population. Next, it calculates the reduction in expected deaths in this population that cycle or walk at the level by the user, using the adjusted relative risk. Finally, the tool produces an estimate of economic savings from this calculated reduction in deaths, as well as discounted and average savings. ( Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 26

15 U.S. Census. Of 5,697 workers in Coalinga aged 16 and above, 4%, or 205, of those workers walked to work in We then incorporated the following data into the HEAT: Length of average trip for walker (1.5 miles); Baseline number of people who walk (205); Proportion of new walkers caused by intervention/at Plan improvements (50%, as suggested by HEAT instructions for projects that will benefit a mix of newly induced walkers and will implement interventions that make it easier to walk); The time it will take for walking behaviors to change and benefits to be realized (15 years from now to implement policies and new infrastructure); Mortality rate as defined in the United Kingdom (U.S. Data not available for HEAT tool); The Value for a Statistical Life (VSL), which is listed as by the WHO as $2,159,370; Twenty-year time period for analysis; Number of people who benefit from the AT Plan improvements (205 x 2 = 410 people); and Cost of AT Plan ($240,000). Utilizing the HEAT tool, we find that doubling the number of people walking over a twenty-year time period will result in: A total savings of $1,124,958 over 20 years ($109,752 averaged annually) for a Cost/Benefit Ratio of 4.69:1. $1,124,958 (Total Savings) $1,124,958 (Total Savings) = 4.69 = 4.69 $240,000 (Project Cost) $240,000 (ATP Funds Requested) 5. IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH (0-10 points) A. Describe how the project will improve public health, i.e. through the targeting of populations who have a high risk factor for obesity, physical inactivity, asthma, or other health issues. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 27

16 The City of Coalinga is located in Fresno County, which is ranked 46 out of 57 California counties for level of Health based on factors including health behaviors, obesity, air quality, education, and income. 9 The proposed AT Plan will provide guidelines for policies that will increase opportunities for physical activity, reduce vehicle miles driven in the City, and decrease risks for the City s students to walk and bike to school, thereby increasing health factors and behaviors, and leading to a healthier environment. The City of Coalinga is situated in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin, defined by the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the east, and the Coastal Ranges to the west. The topography and geography result in weak air flow that becomes trapped in the region, and is therefore highly susceptible to air pollution accumulation. High traffic volumes on Highway 198 (ADT 13,600), State Road 33 (ADT 13,300), and Interstate 5, 10 miles to the east (ADT 37,500 at Hwy 198) 10, cause dangerous levels of ozone and transportation-related air pollution. The State of the Air 2013 Most Polluted Cities Report named nearby Fresno as the fourth most polluted city in the nation, and the American Lung Association reports that 1,500 premature deaths occur annually in the San Joaquin Valley due to pollution-related health risks (including asthma, heart attacks, strokes, infections, lung cancer, and premature births). 11 The American Lung Association also reports that the populations most vulnerable to pollution-related health risks include children, seniors, low-income communities, communities of color, and outdoor workers. The U.S. Census American Community Survey shows us that Coalinga is at risk: more than half of the City s 9 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 10 All Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) volumes taken from Caltrans 2012 Traffic Volumes on California State Highways. 11 Growing Healthy in the San Joaquin Valley. Presentation by the American Lung Association. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 28

17 population is Hispanic (53.5%), 12.2% of Coalinga s workers are in agriculture or similar industry, and 8.3% are in the construction industry. As stated previously, nearly 48% of the City s residents are students, and the City qualifies as a low-income, disadvantaged community. The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) concluded that in 2013, 642,000 residents in the San Joaquin Valley were diagnosed with asthma, including 184,000 asthmatic children. 12 The San Joaquin Valley diabetes rates are also alarming: 10.7% of the Valley s population suffer from diabetes compared to the statewide average of 8.4%. 13 Obesity is also a problem in the San Joaquin Valley. The CHIS reports that 63.7% of teens and adults in the Valley are overweight or obese, compared to the state s average of 55.5%. The proposed AT Plan will outline policies that will provide more opportunities for children and adults to walk and ride their bikes to their preferred destinations, and target students and parents for education through school-related handouts and community meetings. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (2008) estimates that even modest increases in walking/biking can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3-8 percent. The American Heart Association recommends 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity for children and adolescents, and residents will have more opportunities to fulfill that daily goal with the policies that will be proposed in the AT Plan. In addition, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine claims that people who live in neighborhoods with sidewalks on more streets are 47% more likely to be active at least 30 minutes per day. 14 These increased opportunities for physical activity combined with less traffic related air pollution will increase the City s overall health and improve the City s Health rating, reflecting an increased quality of life for Coalinga residents. 12 Growing Healthy in the San Joaquin Valley. Presentation by the American Lung Association Growing Healthy in the San Joaquin Valley. Presentation by the American Lung Association Growing Healthy in the San Joaquin Valley. Presentation by the American Lung Association. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 29

18 6. BENEFIT TO DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES (0-10 points) A. I. Is the project located in a disadvantaged community? Y/N YES II. Does the project significantly benefit a disadvantaged community? Y/N YES a. Which criteria does the project meet? (Answer all that apply) o Median household income for the community benefited by the project: $ 46,712 o o California Communities Environmental Health Screen Tool (CalEnvironScreen) score for the community benefited by the project: For projects that benefit public school students, percentage of students eligible for the Free or Reduced Price Meals Programs: 80.1 % b. Should the community benefitting from the project be considered disadvantaged based on criteria not specified in the program guidelines? If so, provide data for all criteria above and a quantitative assessment of why the community should be considered disadvantaged. B. Describe how the project demonstrates a clear benefit to a disadvantaged community and what percentage of the project funding will benefit that community, for projects using the school based criteria describe specifically the school students and community will benefit. The proposed AT Plan will benefit the City of Coalinga, which meets the ATP criteria for a disadvantaged community. According to U.S. Census data, the City of Coalinga qualifies as a disadvantaged community (DAC) with median household income (MHI) of $46,712. This MHI is 75.3% of the state median household income of $61,632. A city is considered a DAC at 80% or less of the state MHI. Over 3,000 Coalinga residents are students attending six public schools in the Coalinga- Huron Unified School District. Eighty percent of CHUSD students qualify for free or reduced price meals under the national School Lunch Program. As mentioned above, disadvantaged communities are at a higher risk for vulnerability to transportation pollution-related disease. Dr. Kelly Clifton from Portland State University also shows that the transportation disadvantaged, including communities of color, the poor, older adults, youth Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 30

19 and people with disabilities, are at a significant disadvantage without access to convenient, safe, well integrated transportation alternatives. All of these groups are often without easy access to cars and live in locations without convenient, safe transportation alternatives, which severely hampers their ability to function as productive members of society. 15 According to Jana Lynott of the AARP, not having safe and viable transportation alternatives can contribute to increased isolation and decline. The Coalinga AT Plan will accommodate all users by identifying safety issues and prioritizing projects that will provide daily access to safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities. As the population of Coalinga continues to grow, the AT Plan will support policies that will encourage a more walkable environment, implement complete streets infrastructure to grow with the population, and ensure the safety and health of our City s students and most vulnerable residents. 7. USE OF CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC) OR A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CORPS (0 to -5 points) A. The applicant has coordinated with the CCC to identify how a state conservation corps can be a partner of the project. Y/N YES a. Name, , and phone # of the person contacted and the date the information was submitted to them Virginia Clark, Region Deputy, Region 1, California Conservation Corps, , Virginia.clark@ccc.ca.gov. Information was submitted on May 2, B. The applicant has coordinated with a representative from the California Association of Local Conservation Corps (CALCC) to identify how a certified community conservation corps can be a partner of the project. Y/N YES a. Name, , and phone # of the person contacted and the date the information was submitted to them Cynthia Vitale, CALCC, , cynthia@csgcalifornia, and calocalcorps@gmail.com on May 2, The Path to Complete Streets in Underserved Communities. Dr. Kelly Clifton, Portland State University. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 31

20 C. The applicant intends to utilize the CCC or a certified community conservation corps on all items where participation is indicated? Y/N awaiting response from Cynthia Vitale I have coordinated with a representative of the CCC; and the following are project items that they are qualified to partner on: I have contacted Virginia Clark, and received a response that the Coalinga AT Plan is not a fit. I have coordinated with a representative of the CALCC; and the following are project items that they are qualified to partner on: I have contacted Cynthia Vitale and am awaiting a response. Please see the contact submitted with this application. 8. APPLICANT S PERFORMANCE ON PAST GRANTS ( 0 to -10 points) A. Describe any of your agency s ATP type grant failures during the past 5 years, and what changes your agency will take in order to deliver this project. Not applicable; Coalinga has not had any ATP-type grant failures during the past five years. Coalinga Active Transportation Plan 32