Multimodal Connectivity: Walking & Wheeling to Transit Joanne Waszczak FTA Office of Budget & Policy APTA Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop August 4, 2014
Walking and Wheeling to Transit Transit riders access their stops and stations in a variety of ways: By foot By bike By wheelchair, walker or other mobility device By stroller By skateboard, scooter or rollerblades By car, motorcycle, or other motorized vehicle All of these trips should be safe and simple. 2
Sustained efforts Federal Perspective on Walking & Wheeling to Transit Partnership for Sustainable Communities U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Policy Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Policy Existing Funding Opportunities for Bike-Ped 3
Emerging efforts Federal Perspective on Walking & Wheeling to Transit Ladders of Opportunity Bike-Ped Safety: A DOT Priority Building connected bike-ped networks A New Era Integrating Bike-Ped Infrastructure into Transit Projects Bikesharing Emerging Trends: Group Rides and Walks DOT-wide and government-wide efforts 4
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Quality of Life in Communities Continued collaboration: DOT, HUD and EPA Livability Principles Provide more transportation choices Promote equitable, affordable housing Enhance economic competitiveness Support existing communities Lots of great resources at www.sustainablecommunities.gov 5
DOT Policy on Bike-Ped Accommodation DOT encourages transportation agencies to: Go beyond minimum requirements / design standards Proactively provide convenient, safe, context-sensitive facilities that foster increased use by bicyclists Improve non-motorized facilities during maintenance projects Remove snow from sidewalks and shared-use paths 6
FTA Policy on Bike-Ped Access to Transit Transit stop / station Ped funding eligibility = 1/2 mile Bicycle funding eligibility = 3 miles De-facto, functional relationship to transit Eligible project expense 7
Federal Transit Law Definition of a Capital Project A public transportation improvement including...pedestrian and bicycle access to a public transportation facility This means key FTA capital programs can fund, for example Planning for bike-ped-transit integration Access to a public transportation station or stop Sidewalks, multi-use path, etc. Parking at a public transportation station or stop Bicycle racks, lockers, etc. Storage on a transit vehicle Bike hooks on trains, bike racks on buses, etc. 8
Existing Funding Opportunities for Bike-Ped FTA FHWA Metro and Statewide Planning (Joint FTA- FHWA program) Urbanized Area Formula Grants Formula Grants for Rural Areas Fixed Guideway CIG Bus & Bus Facilities Formula Enhanced Mobility of Seniors/Persons with Disabilities Bus Livability TOD Pilot Planning Grants More info available on FTA s and FHWA s websites. ATI: Associated Transit Improvement CMAQ: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program HSIP: Highway Safety Improvement Program NHPP/NHS: National Highway Performance Program (National Highway System) STP: Surface Transportation Program TAP: Transportation Alternatives Program RTP: Recreational Trails Program SRTS: Safe Routes to School Program 402: State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program FLH: Federal Lands Highway Program
Ladders of Opportunity The three-legged stool of sustainability = Social + Environmental + Economic Secretary Foxx encourages communities to: Prioritize transportation equity Increase access and opportunity for all users Remove barriers (physical and functional) Address environmental justice Check out the 2014 White House Champions of Change! 10
Bike-Ped Safety: A DOT Priority Secretary Foxx has identified bike-ped safety as one of his top priorities Recent increases in bike-ped injuries and fatalities Compelling reports re: bike-ped travel and equity DOT encourages communities to: Connect their bike-ped networks Improve Road Safety for Transit Patrons Pilot assessments 11
Integrating Bike-Ped Infrastructure into Transit Projects Silver Line in Metro DC Reston-Wiehle East Station Enclosed, secure bike parking for 200+ including oversized bikes and trailers Two fix it stations Tucson Streetcar (Sunlink) Designated areas to stand with bike SunRail in Central Florida Six bikes per passenger car Stations link to bike-ped trails 12
Bikesharing Biking and transit go hand in hand Bikeshare systems provide better access to transit (first and last mile solution) Bikeshare systems sometimes provide an alternative to public transportation Suited to short trips, late night/weekend trips, service disruptions Popularity / use growing quickly 13
Emerging Trends: Group Rides Recurring group rides Detroit Slow Roll: weekly, up to 3,000 cyclists DC & Baltimore Bike Parties: monthly, 500-1,500 cyclists Broadens the cycling constituency Diverse participation: age, race/ethnicity, gender, skill level Focus on fun, safety, etiquette, infrastructure Venue for education, advocacy, organizing 14
Emerging Trends: Audits / Assessments Walk audits and bike audits Wide range of tools available Evaluate infrastructure: safety, access, comfort, convenience Identify strengths, challenges, alternatives, solutions Experiential: walk/ride the route during peak travel times Democratic: Facilitated by nonprofit staff, community leaders, young people, older people Train the trainer model Opportunity for experts and users to interact Often incorporated into health impact assessments Conducted at various scales: neighborhood, corridor, transit station area 15
DOT-wide and government-wide efforts FHWA bike-ped initiatives NHTSA bike-ped initiatives DOT / DOJ Joint Technical Assistance re: curb ramps Access Board Technical Assistance re: Public Rights-of- Way: Sidewalks and streets including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, pedestrian signals, parking GROW AMERICA: Administration reauthorization proposal would provide $302 billion to rebuild transportation infrastructure including transit 16
Questions? Visit www.dot.gov/bicycles-pedestrians www.fta.dot.gov/bikesandtransit www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/ www.nhtsa.dot.gov/pedestrians Write to me at: Joanne.Waszczak@dot.gov 17