Modern traffic mitigation for development in cities: Moving beyond LOS October 29, 2018 Modern traffic mitigation for development in cities: Moving beyond LOS
State Smart Transportation Initiative Practical Solutions to Move America Forward A network of reform-oriented state DOTs, founded in 2010 and jointly operated by the University of Wisconsin and Smart Growth America. Executive-level Community of Practice Technical assistance Resource for the transportation community October 29, 2018 Modern traffic mitigation for development in cities: Moving beyond LOS 2
Today s Speakers Eric Sundquist Director State Smart Transportation Initiative Ramses Madou Transportation Planner San Jose Dept of Transportation October 29, 2018 Modern traffic mitigation for development in cities: Moving beyond LOS 3
Modern Traffic Mitigation: Changing The Lens October 29, 2018 Ramses Madou Transportation 4 America State Smart Transportation Initiative
Agenda Changing the Lens of Analysis Implementation Challenges
Land Use Transportation
Space Efficiency
What is Transportation Level of Service (LOS)? Measures car congestion at signalized intersections Intersections are assigned an A F rating depending on how long vehicles are delayed at an intersection. Does not measure a location's vibrancy, walkability, bikeability, etc.
What is Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)? Measure of how far people will typically travel by vehicle Low VMT projects & areas: People don t have to travel by car as much or as far to get what they need High VMT projects & areas: People have to go far to get what they need People have few viable options other than to drive
Measure what you value LOS VMT F A A F
Implementation team Department of Public Works Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Long range planning Environmental team Housing Department Office of Economic Development City Attorney s Office Department of Transportation
VMT Mitigations Project Infrastructure Parking TDM
VMT Mitigations Project Project Density Land Use Diversity Project Design Affordable Housing
VMT Mitigations Infrastructure Internal pedestrian/bike network Accessibility to and quality of external pedestrian/bike network Neighborhood traffic calming improvements Accessibility to and quality of transit network
VMT Mitigations Parking Project parking supply Unbundled parking Internal bike facilities Bike parking Working parking pricing
VMT Mitigations TDM Transportation Management Associations Ride-sharing Telecommuting and alternative schedules Commute trip reduction marketing/education Car-sharing
Implementation Tool
Challenges Modeling Tools Nexus Consistency
Modernizing mitigation A demand-centered approach Oct. 29, 2018
21 Available at ssti.us
A supply-based-system 22
A history of exactions for roadway supply L.A. County Master Plan of Roads, 1941 (via Michael Manville, Automatic street widening: Evidence from a highway dedication law. Journal of Transportation and Land Use, 2017.) 23
Problems (partial list) Cost of construction, operation, maintenance Personal transportation costs Reduced ability to travel by other modes Last one in issue Increased cost of infill (and hence rents) Reduced livability Degraded environment NIMBY opposition to infill Outcomes not consistent with policy 24
Roots of a more balanced, modern approach Employer-based TDM programs (1970s) Demand measures rather than supply Mitigation may or may not address VMT Arlington County, VA (1990) Mitigation requirements apply to buildings, run with the land Cambridge, MA (1998) Mitigation based on parking stalls requested Pasadena, CA (2014) Mitigation based on forecast VMT from development 25
Pasadena program Large developments: Must not exceed VMT per capita of 22.6 daily Must not exceed vehicle trips per capita of 2.8 daily Must not reduce service population located within one-quarter mile of levels 1 and 2 bicycle facilities below 31.7 percent Must not reduce the service population located within one-quarter mile of levels 1 and 2 of transit facilities below 66.6 percent Must not decrease the citywide Pedestrian Accessibility Score below 3.88 LOS addressed separately for high trip generators, mitigated through TDM. 26
San Jose program 27
San Francisco program https://sfplanning.org/transportationdemand-management-program 28
San Francisco program 29
Generic program The developer of an applicable project enters basic information use, size, and parking capacity being sought into an online tool or spreadsheet. The tool calculates the amount of mitigation required. This may be in terms of VMT or more simply in terms of TDM points. The applicant reviews the options available and the points for each, and selects enough measures to meet the requirement. The locality reviews the plan and includes it in the file of other building obligations that run with the land. The building owner implements the required measures. Periodically, the building owner recertifies that the required measures are still in place. Larger projects must provide more frequent and detailed reports, including outcomes. 30
Parking is key 31
Parking-based mitigation 32
Results (Pasadena) Adjustment in land use mix, resulting in a better balance Less pressure to reduce scale of projects Lower regulatory burden, especially on small projects Substantial burden in model development/operation Need for more data on TDM measures in combination 33
Download the report at ssti.us 34
35 THANK YOU! A recording of this webinar will be on the SSTI web site tomorrow. To find out about future SSTI webinars, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter. www.ssti.us @SmartTransp October 29, 2018 Modern traffic mitigation for development in cities: Moving beyond LOS