Comprehensive Transportation Plan - March 2019

ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL MODES

INTRODUCTION Communities with successful transportation networks balance multimodal accommodations for different types of trips – recreational and utilitarian. In order to plan for multimodal elements that would enhance the Town’s overall livability, the Town of Morrisville Comprehensive Transportation Plan explores ways to enhance the existing transportation network to truly serve all community transportation users. This alternative travel focus embodies how local decisions can enhance the overall mobility and safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. The plan for bicyclist, pedestrian, and transit recommendations coordinates closely with other elements, notably through an emphasis on projects tied to roadway recommendations presented in Chapter 3 and regional planning efforts through the Wake County Transit Plan . Benefits of Active Travel The option to bike, walk, or take transit is a key element to any healthy community’s transportation system. When an environment is conducive to active transportation, these modes offer a practical transportation choice that provides benefits for both individuals and their communities. The potential for increased walking, in particular, is large since 25% of all trips in the United States are less than one mile in length. Features that contribute to making transportation more active include a healthy mix of land uses, appropriately sized and located facilities, accessibility features such as curb ramps, buffers between vehicular and non-motorized modes, and transit shelters. Slowing traffic, reducing unnecessary exposure to vehicles, and incorporating active transportation features (e.g. signage, crosswalks, and adequate pedestrian phasing at signals) into future roadway design plans also enhance the viability of active travel in the Town. The bicycle, pedestrian, and transit recommendations in this chapter emphasize the creation of a functional active transportation network throughout the Town. This focus recognizes the variety of benefits of active transportation and how it contributes to the community. These benefits include: • Health – Regular physical activity helps prevent or reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases, obesity, and mental health problems such as depression. • Transportation – Many streets carry more traffic than they were designed to handle, resulting in congestion, wasted time, pollution, and driver frustration. Many of the trips that Americans make every day are short enough to be accomplished on foot or bike, and longer trips made by bus reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles. • Environmental – Motor vehicles create substantial air pollution. According to the EPA, mobile transportation sources (cars, trucks, buses, and off-road equipment such as marine engines and construction equipment) are responsible for nearly 80% of carbon monoxide emissions in the U.S. • Economic – Car ownership consumes a major portion of many family incomes. When safe facilities are provided to walk, bike, and take transit, more people can rely on active travel and spend less on transportation. • Quality of life – The availability of active travel in a community is an indicator of its livability, which helps attract businesses and grow tourism-related activity. Providing bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities contributes to a healthy sense of identity and place. • Social justice – For those without the option to drive, such as adolescents, elderly, those unable to afford a car, and people with certain disabilities, these facilities provide travel choice and break down barriers to accessing jobs, health care, education, and recreation. SIDEWALK NETWORK Walking is a key element to a healthy community’s transportation system. Every trip begins and ends as a walking trip, yet walking often remains a lower priority mode during the planning process. The availability of pedestrian facilities and amenities plays an important role in encouraging the use of alternative modes of travel to the automobile. The success of transit greatly depends on the functionality of pedestrian facilities and amenities. While this Plan does not directly recommend stand-alone sidewalk projects, it is emphasized that all roadway projects in Chapter 3 adhere to complete street concepts and should include accommodations for pedestrians. However, as roadways are improved and developments are built the Town should continually strive to close gaps in the pedestrian network.

BENEFITS OF ACTIVE TRAVEL

Health

Transportation

Environmental

Economic

Quality of Life

Social Justice

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