Comprehensive Transportation Plan - March 2019

TRAVEL MODE POLICY OR PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION

GUIDING PRINCIPLES ADDRESSED

Bicycle & Pedestrian Prioritize the construction of greenway connections between existing facilities and adjacent neighborhoods. The construction of short connections has the ability to greatly improve connectivity through cost-effective minor improvements, rather than major investments. Increased connections to the greenway system can provide crucial recreational connections, as well as increased functional mobility throughout the community for neighborhoods built in a curvilinear development pattern (characterized by streets with multiple curves, typical of many modern subdivisions), encouraging active transportation for short trips. Revisit the non-motorized recommendations within the Comprehensive Transportation Plan to determine if adjustments should be made to better accommodate the vision of the 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Amend or update the plan’s recommendations to reflect the priorities of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan if necessary, including greenway connections, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and prioritizing connectivity to community parks. Advance the recommendations of the Active Kids Strategic Plan. Support development of strategies such as creating a Safe Routes to School Program, walk and bike to school days, and safety audits. Also promote the concept of complete streets through better coordination between Town staff. Evaluate Church Street cross-section to provide 14' lanes with shared lane markings. Review the existing conditions along Church Street to determine if revising the recommended cross-section to include 14-foot wide lanes with sharrows would be appropriate. Develop a standard cross-section for greenways designed to accommodate emergency vehicles. As the greenway network continues to expand in Morrisville, it will be important to ensure that emergency vehicles can efficiently access the greenway in the event of an emergency. Develop a plan for implementation and sign template(s) for signage to inform and educate the community about the purpose and rules of a sidepath, greenway, etc. Education and enforcement is a major component of promoting active transportation throughout the community. Informational signage and events to introduce the basics of greenway rules and etiquette will create a confident community that takes pride in their active transportation system and encourages others to do the same. Create wayfinding signage that details the trip length to community destinations by bike or on foot to encourage travelers to step outside their vehicle. This popular way to promote active transportation is a cost-effective measure that can be completed by Town staff, in collaboration with a community advocacy group, or with the cooperation of a local business organization. Similar signage is currently in place along greenways in portions of Raleigh and Charlotte. During road projects, develop a methodology to determine appropriate crossings to enhance with marked crosswalks, pedestrian signal phasing, and ADA-compliant accessibility features. Completing safety improvements at the same time as a major roadway project is less costly and disruptive than funding it as a standalone project, and designing the pedestrian facility in tandem with the roadway can ensure they work together safely for improved mobility. However, not every intersection benefits equally from these improvements. Town Planning and Public Works staff should collaborate to determine how best to identify locations needing bicycle and pedestrian crossing improvements to help more effectively allocate Town resources. Develop an Intersection Safety Improvements Study Program for all intersections in Town. In order to address smaller intersections throughout Town that are not specifically identified in the CTP, develop an Intersection Safety Improvements Study Program that can be used by staff to prioritize and study street intersections in Town for additional safety improvements, including but not limited to signalization, crosswalks, clearing vegetation from sight lines and additional signage. Complete a study of transportation-related green infrastructure opportunities. Incorporating green infrastructure in transportation planning can yield significant environmental and cost benefits, as well as direct impacts to human well-being and quality of life. Examples of green infrastructure in the transportation sector include elements such as permeable pavement, bioswales, planter boxes, trees, and ecosystem services (climate regulation, water purification, etc.). Review the Engineering, Design, and Construction Manual (EDCM) and UDO to account for recommendations made in the Plan for multi-use paths. Updating the Town of Morrisville Comprehensive Transportation Plan provides staff an opportunity to review the EDCM and UDO for potential amendments based on recommendations in the Plan. Roadway Develop an access management strategy for Morrisville Parkway. Conduct a study for the Morrisville Parkway corridor to evaluate current curb cuts, intersection safety, and multimodal connectivity. Emphasize network connectivity during the review of all development proposals for consistency with the approved collector street recommendations and section 5.8.5 of the Town’s UDO. Collector street recommendations are intended to primarily focus on the location of connection points rather than specific alignments through a proposed development. Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Roadway Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Roadway Roadway Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle & Pedestrian Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Roadway

GUIDING PRINCIPLES LEGEND

Culture & Environment Enhance the Town’s quality of life by preserving and promoting its valued places and natural assets. Growth & Development Make travel more efficient by coordinating transportation investments with land use decisions. Safety & Security Promote a safe and secure transportation system by reducing crashes and improving emergency response.

Economic Vitality Support the local economy by making it easier to move people and freight around and through the Town. Mobility & Accessibility Provide a balanced transportation system that makes it easier to walk, ride a bike, and take transit. System Preservation Improve the transportation system’s longevity by emphasizing maintenance and operational efficiency.

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