MEETING NOTICE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BPAC) Mark McHenry, MO Co-Chair & Michael McDonald, KS Co-Chair

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1 MEETING NOTICE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BPAC) Mark McHenry, MO Co-Chair & Michael McDonald, KS Co-Chair Kansas City Regional Safe Routes to School Summit USD 500 Central Office, 2010 N. 59 th Street, Kansas City, KS Wednesday, September 13, :30 PM to 3:00 PM Agenda 1) Welcome/Introduction (3 min, ) 2) Draft: July BPAC Summary* (2 min, Bartlett) 3) Region Pedestrian Policy Plan (40 min, Bartlett) a) Stakeholder Listening Session Handouts b) Poll Everywhere Exercise and Results c) Next Steps 4) Clean Air Action Plan (20 min, Norsby) 5) Summit Take a ways (25 min) Next meeting November 8, 2017 at 1:30 pm. * Action Item Getting to MARC: For information on transportation options to the MARC offices, including directions, parking, transit, carpooling, and bicycling, visit If driving, visitors and guests should enter the Rivergate Center parking lot from Broadway and park on the upper level of the garage. An entrance directly into the conference area is available from this level. Special Accommodations: Please notify the Mid-America Regional Council at (816) at least 48 hours in advance if you require special accommodations to attend this meeting (i.e., qualified interpreter, large print, reader, hearing assistance). We will make every effort to meet reasonable requests. MARC programs do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color or national origin, according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see or call

2 Item 2 Summary Notes Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) July 12, 2017 MARC Broadway Room Members/Alternates & Visitors Amy Terreros Children s Mercy Hosp. Art Gough Cycling KC Beth Wright City of Olathe Brian Anderson City of Leawood Brian Shields PE Overland Park Public Works Danielle Sitzman City of Mission DuJuan Hord Safe Kids Metro KC Eva Steinman MoDOT KC District Garima Bhandari KC Healthy Kids Greg Ruether Overland Park Parks & Rec James Kraatz City of Lenexa John Hornbeck Movement Katie Bushong BHC Rhodes Maggi Priesmyer BikeWalkKC Matt Davis Rock Island Rail Corridor Authority of Jackson Co. Matthew Messina KDOT Bike Ped. Michael Latka City of Olathe Michael McDonald PE City of Leavenworth Public Works* Noel Challis Platte Co. Parks & Rec. Paul Plotas KC ITE Samuel Swearngin Cycling KC Tom Worker Braddock Olsson & Associates *Co Chair MARC Staff Aaron Bartlett Senior Transportation Planner Beth Dawson Senior Land Use Planner 1) Welcome/Introduction (3 min) Michael McDonald, Co Chair, called the meeting to order and requested introductions from those present. 2) Draft: May BPAC Summary* (2 min, Bartlett) Brian Shields provided a copy of corrections, and there were no other revisions. The summary notes were approved, unanimously. 3) Update: Regional Pedestrian Policy Plan (30 min, Bartlett) Aaron Bartlett provided brief overview of the purpose of the project. Presentations were provided in March and May. Mr. Bartlett s presentation focused on project progress and developments. To date, MARC s project team has met to discuss the purpose of the assessment and intended outcomes. Programs are being assessed through a pedestrian lens to determine how each programs overlaps pedestrian issues. Mr. Bartlett provided two draft sections of the program summaries (the Greater Kansas City Regional Bikeway Plan and the AirQ program). More summaries of the MARC s programs are under development, focused on a pedestrian viewpoint. The MARC project team is working to complete their portions of the draft document by the end of August, but recognizes that some portions may take additional time. During this time, other parts of the draft document will also be under 1

3 development, and the assessment will consider peer MPO examples where appropriate. Work is expected to continue through August and beyond. Mr. Bartlett identified next steps. On August 24, MARC will hold a stakeholder engagement listening session to address preliminary recommendations coming out of the assessment. Recommendations will be made at both regional and local levels. In September, BPAC will receive feedback from this stakeholder engagement, and a high level summary will be provided. MARC will hold a public engagement on October 12 from 4 6 pm, and will work to incorporate feedback into a final draft document to share with BPAC and TTPC in November. Before the full draft document is released, MARC Public Relations and other members of the project team will review it. Mr. Bartlett focused on three questions to generate discussion. 1. Are there are other MARC programs that should be included in the assessment? (A list of MARC programs was provided based on information shared in May.) Mr. McDonald requested that BPAC be given time, in advance of the meeting, to review the draft document. He suggested that this would give BPAC members the opportunity to provide comments ahead of the meeting. Mr. Bartlett agreed that a draft of the document would be circulated as soon as possible. While, the plan would only be presented at a summary level focusing on outcomes during meetings, BPAC members would need time to review the plan outside of the meeting to provide comments prior to accepting the plan. Mr. McDonald asked if during the review there are any areas that BPAC should focus attention on, and Mr. Bartlett responded that MARC is developing preliminary recommendations as the draft document takes form. It is important that we focus on these recommendations to get feedback to see if we are moving in the right direction on issues. 2. What distinctions would you make between regional and local pedestrian matters? What are the roles of an MPO and local governments? Danielle Sitzman suggested that MARC should provide best practices for local governments. Mr. Bartlett indicated that best practices at the local level would focus on areas of greatest need. Local government s responsibilities include, but are limited to, identification of needs 2

4 followed by the prioritization of local investments. Limited resources require local governments develop strategies for investment. Mr. Bartlett said that MPOs sometimes develop pedestrian inventories to address regional significant investments. The sharing of data between state, local and regional authorities is advantageous for everyone. Some MPOs have been able to combine multiple local sidewalk pedestrian inventories into regional datasets and these datasets are useful for a variety of applications. MPOs may provide GIS tools that incorporate crash data, sidewalk data, and other spatial datasets for planning, prioritization and programming. 3. Can you provides examples of regional or local best practices that should be considered? Are these they types outcome based recommendations that you expected to see? Mr. McDonald suggested that recommendations coming from the regional level should be focused on arterials and collectors rather than local streets. You should also consider how often the sidewalk inventory should be updated in order for it to be useful. It would be helpful to provide examples of collection methodologies. He suggested that anything more than 5 years old is too old to be reliable. There was consensus that data collection should be institutionalized into city best practices; and that, if possible, should be part of the general roadway asset management process. The group also discussed sidewalk construction policy through new roadway construction and reconstruction. Residential sidewalks on local streets were identified as a particularly difficult issue because in many cases, if not almost all, the responsibility of maintenance falls on the property owner for both reconstruction and snow removal. Sidewalks are part of compete streets, yet they are often treated differently than the rest of the roadway. We have not viewed sidewalks as part of the public maintained roadway, and that has caused many unmet needs. Maggie Priesmeyer also suggested that education & encouragement best practices be included under local best practices, and that it would be helpful to include local and regional partners as well. Mr. Bartlett agreed. 4) SRTS Regional Summit (10 min, Priesmeyer) Maggie Preismeyer reported on the 1 st SRTS Regional Summit. The event will be held at 2010 N. 59 th Street in Kansas City, KS at the USD 500 Central Office on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 from 9 am to 3 pm with breakfast and lunch. The Summit is geared to educate and empower adults working on SRTS programs. There is a $25 registration fee; although we will 3

5 not charge anyone that is coming to attend the BPAC meeting only. If you are planning to attend the full event, we need your registration fee to cover expenses. We will have vendor tables, as well as sessions to discuss and share information. The impetus for this event is to create more awareness of good practices across the region. This will be a venue to share information among community champions, and will work to address a number of topics on and around a set of questions. How do we stream data collection and share best practices and resources? We recognized that there are already many great examples. How do we get schools to work with cities to apply for funds? How are communities collecting data, and are there opportunities to streamline efforts? What are the pedestrian & cycle related programs and any challenges? We want to have conversations around these types of topics. BPAC was asked to provide feedback to make the Summit permeant and relevant. Plan Development Matt Messina shared that plan development is needed before KDOT can accept implementation plans. Phase 1 (plan development), and Phase 2 (implementation) are mostly infrastructure. They are not focusing on the education, encouragement or enforcement aspects of SRTS. It is also important for communities to interpret data collected. Are Phase 1 projects through KDOT still eligible? Yes, at the statewide level. Funding Options Where are the sources for funding? Changing the Culture The problem seems to be a culture perception that it is unsafe for students to walk, even when the facilities are present. Some schools are overcoming the cultural fear with a walking school bus or bicycle train. Networking and Capacity Building It is important to build a network of local champions, and to link people together to build grassroots momentum. The torch needs to be passed from one generation of parents to the next. Policy Issues Sprinklers running in the morning block sidewalk use. Snow is also an issue for students walking to school. The next BPAC meeting will be held at the SRTS Summit venue, and you will not be charged if you attend only the BPAC meeting. This is the first year, and registration is open to Missouri and Kansas participants; however we only have capacity for 120 attendees. 5) Update: Regional Wayfinding (5 min, Bartlett) 4

6 Mr. Bartlett provided a one page summary to remind BPAC of the goals and objectives of the project. This project would be carried over to begin in 2018 through the MARC UPWP draft. We will engage the stakeholders at the August 24 th event. Local and federal funding will be sought to leverage the cost of the project. Wayfinding is an essential component of bikeway and trails serving utilitarian purpose. MARC has identified a set of work objectives to frame a future scope of work, and we have estimated hours for each work objective. How much will MARC need? The budget for 2018 has not been set. We may need to raise more local funding to meet the budget requirements for the proposed work objectives. 6) Update: Regional Bikeway Network (10 min, Bartlett) Built into the Greater Kansas City Regional Bikeway Plan is a process to update the Regional Bikeway Network (map) prior to the call for projects. We recognize that new plans are under development, and additionally communities plans are fluid. We want to ensure that revisions at the local level be assessed at the regional level to determine if corridors need to be redrawn. The adoption of the Regional Bikeway Plan provided overland roadway connect for the MetroGreen railroad ROW, roadway, and steamway Corridors. A few modifications to the current Regional Bikeway Network have been identified that met the intent of the RBN. Mr. Bartlett provided a few examples of proposed revisions. We would envision sharing the revision as they make their way through stakeholders, BPAC and TTPC review. The plan is intended to provide direction at the local level to achieve regional connections. Are there many changes proposed or is the number of revisions minor. The number of changes are pretty minor. 7) Local Round Table Reports (20 min) Aaron Bartlett reported that MARC has requested data for bikeway and trails, and the information will be used to publish a new map in We also included a request for park data. Mike McDonald reported that Eisenhower Rd will have sidewalks. The creek trail has been closed for 2 years, but we are working on banks of the creek to reopen the trail by October. Brian Shields reported that the city is receiving new bids for the bikeway stripping for construction in 2018 (30 miles in downtown area). Brian Anderson reported that the city is working on a 30 mile m/l north and south loop using roadways with, low traffic volumes and low speeds. The north loop will not have any trails, 5

7 and the south loop may incorporate both road and share use path dual facility options. Greg Reuther reported that 4 interruptive, educational panels were installed in Overland Park along Indian Creek, with the help of author and historian Henry Fortunato. Henry is also working with Kansas City, MO to discuss additional signs. Overland Park will add 7 additional panels in the future. Matt Davis reported on the Rock Island Trail project. Preliminary engineering is complete corridor wide, and MoDOT is reviewing those plans. We anticipate breaking ground this winter on the south section, and this coming spring on the north section. We are working to get through historic and cultural review on the south section. We are developing a Greenwood Connector Work Group to address the gap between Cass Co. and the end of the south section. Samuel Swearngin reported that Cycling KC will host the Louisburg Cider Ride on July 23 rd. John Hornbeck reported that work is progressing on the section of 10/12 th Street bike lanes in late June between Metropolitan Ave to Quindío Ave. The sharrows on Central have been corrected, which intersects with the 10/12th Street bike lanes, and goes within a ½ mile of 12 parks. We are looking to study 5 streamway corridors for trails in the next 90 to 120 days. Topography is a key feasibility factor, as some will work and some may not work. Noel Challis reported that the Prairie Greenway Loop is complete. A future piece will be open in the fall. Mike Latka reported that the bike share feasibility study is underway, and Olathe is working to proceed with land acquisition for the Meadowland Trail. We anticipate construction to begin in August or September. Eric Rogers reported that BikeShare expanded three new stations north of the river last month. One is north of the river in North Kansas City, MO, which was a local project. The week of August 7, we are installing 8 more stations south of the river. River Market and UMKC are a few locations. SRTS program is adding Independence School District. Next Meeting September 13, 2017, at 1:30 pm. The meeting adjourned. 6

8 Item 3-1 of 4 Regional Pedestrian Policy Plan What is a Regional Pedestrian Policy Plan? MARC recognizes the essential role walkability plays in a regional multimodal transportation system. Walkability affects our access to transit, how we get to work and school, our health through exercise for both transportation and recreation, the quality of the air we breathe, our economic vitality, and our safety as vulnerable transportation users. This plan will: Synthesize a regional vision to improve walkability across jurisdictional boundaries through policies, plans and programs. Coordinate planning efforts at the regional level and provide best practices to address walkability at the local level. Provide recommendations to enhance regional and local efforts. Why is a Regional Pedestrian Policy Plan needed? MARC has many regional plans, policies and programs that address the pedestrian mode. However, we have not performed a comprehensive review to provide a regional vision for a walk-friendly region. How will the Regional Pedestrian Police Plan be developed? Phase 1 Develop and conduct Local Government Pedestrian Inventory Phase 2 Conduct review of MARC s plans, policies and programs using a pedestrian lens Research best practices for local governments Phase 3 Deliverables: Recommendations to enhance MARC s regional efforts Recommended best practices for local efforts Phase 1 Local Pedestrian Government Inventory. This work began in January of 2016 when MARC staff and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) began to assess pedestrian plans, policies and programs at the local level. A Local Government Pedestrian Inventory (LGPI) was developed and patterned after the comprehensive nature of the Walk-Friendly Communities assessment tool 1. Beginning in August of 2016, MARC issued the LGPI to cities in the region. This inventory closed in January of The results of LGPI will guide further research surrounding best practices for local governments throughout Phase 2 of this plan. Phase 2 Conduct Review and Research. This work began in February and will end in September of this year. The BPAC serves as the steering committee for the plan development process. The project manager will lead a team of MARC staff through the review of MARC documents and the development of local government best practices. The BPAC will receive updates along with drafts of the document throughout Phase 2. In addition, presentations will be provided to other MARC planning and programming committees as needed. MARC will facilitate public review of the draft document to gain valuable feedback. Phase 3 Project Deliverables. The project will produce the final draft document for adoption. This document will include: A review of MARC s existing plans, policies and programs with a pedestrian lens, accompanied by recommendations to strengthen regional policy, technical work and best practices at the regional level. Recommendations for policy, technical work and best practices at the local level based on findings of the Local Government Pedestrian Inventory. 1

9 Item 3 2 of 4 Regional Pedestrian Policy Plan - Outline I. Executive Summary & Introduction II. III. IV. Regional Assessment a. MARC Policy Framework, TO2040, UPWP, TIP, PPP b. MARC Programming Process, Active Transportation Programming Committee, Missouri STP, KS STP c. Active Transportation Program: KC Regional Bikeway Plan, Walk Friendly Communities, Explore KC Walk to School Campaign, Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts, Trails Map d. Complete Streets Policy, Complete Streets Handbook e. Safety Planning Program: Destination Safe, 2013 Ped Crash Analysis, Ped Road Safety Audits, STEP Geographic Information Systems f. Transit Planning Program: SM3.0, Transit Accessibility Study g. Land Use Planning Program: PSP, TOD h. Green Infrastructure Planning i. Traffic Operations Program (Operations Green Light) j. Communities for all Ages k. MARC Rideshare l. Air Quality Program m. Regional Economy Local Government Assessment a. Walk Friendly Communities b. Local Government Peer Review c. Survey Analysis and Research Peer MPO Assessment V. Conclusions VI. VII. VIII. Recommendations a. Regional i. Policy ii. Technical iii. Best Practices b. Local i. Policy ii. Technical iii. Best Practices References Appendices a. Plan Development Process b. Local Government Ped Inventory (LGPI) c. Transportation Outlook 2040: Chapter 6 Active Transportation

10 Item 3 3 of 4 VI. Recommendations a. Regional i. Policy 1. Prioritize pedestrian investments in proximity to activity centers, mobility hubs, transit corridors and schools and address barriers across major rivers and freeways. 2. Revise scoring scale in STP/TAP/5310 Programs to elevate pedestrian system and/or operational improvements. 3. Increase amount of resources directed towards sidewalk improvements in activity centers, mobility hubs, transit corridors, and schools. ii. iii. Technical 4. Active Transportation Program: Provide assistance to local jurisdictions that are working to achieve Walk Friendly Community designation. 5. Active Transportation Program: Promote and expand participation in Walk to School events. 6. Active Transportation Program: Through the Regional Counting Program provide support to local governments setting up non-motorized counting through loan of equipment, the development of standardized data collection methodologies, and sharing of data. 7. Active Transportation Program: Continue to provide professional training to planners, engineers and others through free monthly webinars. 8. GIS Develop GIS regional sidewalk schema for data collection in proximity activity centers, mobility hubs, transit corridors and schools. 9. GIS MARC technical capacities a. Perform Sidewalk Gap Analysis b. Explore adaptation of MARC WalkScore using sidewalk data. c. Perform pedestrian crash analysis 10. GIS Update the regional level bridge pedestrian inventory 11. Traffic Operations Program: Intergrate pedestrian considerations into the next Operation Green Light Strategic Plan by developing model context sensitive pedestrians signal timing best practices. 12. Safety Planning Program: Facilitate future training opportunity for the development of Pedestrian Road Safety Audits. 13. Transit Planning Program: Support recommendations of Smart Moves 3.0 to improve pedestrian connectivity to mobility hubs and transit corridors Best Practices 14. GIS: Create regional sidewalk clearing house from local generated datasets 15. GIS: Develop performance measure for sidewalk presence and condition along major corridors/activity centers 16. GIS: Regional Prioritization Sidewalk Collection and Investment Activity Centers Transit Bus stops Mobility Hubs

11 Item 3-4 of 4 b. Local i. Policy 1. Consider sidewalk construction and replacement prioritization plan with dedicated in multiyear Capital Improvements Program (CIP) 2. Prioritize sidewalk improvement in close proximity to activity centers, mobility hubs, transit corridors and schools. 3. Develop plans and regulatory zoning tools to ensure pedestrian connectivity. ii. iii. Technical 4. Collect local data on sidewalk mileage and condition. Sidewalk inventories. 5. Map areas where pedestrian infrastructure is publicly and/or privately maintained. Best Practices 6. Establish a local government citizen advisory committee to address pedestrian citywide issues. 7. Adopt Complete Streets Policy to include considerations of all users and all modes in roadway improvement projects. 8. Adopt Traffic Calming Policy to include considerations of roadway design that slows vehicle speeds to improve safety and comfort for all users. 9. Complete a Walk Friendly Communities Assessment Tool application to institutionalize pedestrian into local plans, policies and programs. 10. Develop Pedestrian Master Plans with ADA Title II Transition Plan for public-ofways. 11. Develop a toolkit of all available financing tools for pedestrian improvements 12. Complete a citywide pedestrian infrastructure inventory that includes sidewalks cross walks, curb ramps and signals. 13. Develop prioritization construction and reconstruction implementation plan using Non existing and non-compliant ADA sidewalks and ramps Width, year built, condition, curb ramps Public along all Arterial and collector roadways Integrate in municipal roadway cross sections Within Activity Overlay Districts Within ½ miles of Elementary Schools. 14. Develop residential sidewalk construction policies, with fair and practical financing programs for construction and replacement of residential sidewalk systems. 15. Adopt functional class design standards for roadways a. 6 foot sidewalks on both sides of arterials roadways b. 6 foot sidewalks on one side of collectors roadways c. 6 foot sidewalks on one side of locals roadways. 16. Develop public pedestrian safety education outreach program. 17. Practice routine enforcement of traffic laws to protect pedestrians in activity centers and schools zones. 18. Develop active transportation traffic counting program to monitor and evaluate trends.