Transportation Plan - 2009, amended

5.4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Network, cont’d

While this statement has become more integrated into the everyday operations of NCDOT over time, there are still some notable discrepancies, such as local governments being required to pay a portion of pedestrian facili- ties ancillary to a roadway improvement. NCDOT funds projects that are independent of a roadway improvement project and incidental to roadway projects, including pedestrian overpasses/underpasses; on- and off-road facilities; signage; and mapping projects. NCDOT has developed policies on Traditional Neighborhood Development Street Design Guidelines (August, 2000) and guidance on the policies and laws affecting bicyclists and pedestrians (www.ncdot.org/transit/bicy- cle/laws/laws_intro.html). Based on the review of these policies, the following changes are recom- mended to improve the cycling and walking potential of the Town. These recommendations are based upon existing research into bicycling and walking safety and encouragement practices; more information can be obtained from national resources such as www.pedbikeinfo.org, which contains information and links to other sources. Program Recommendations. Programs should be designed with the resources, issues, and characteristics of individual communities in mind, but their importance in obtaining safety and promotional goals for walking and cycling are hard to overstate. Often, partnering agencies like schools, law enforcement agencies, health centers, gardening clubs, and business communities support or participate in these programs. • Work with other small towns in the Capital Area MPO to petition CAMPO to desig- nate a full-time bicycle/pedestrian coordinator for the MPO whose sole function is to maintain the planning documentation for the long-range transportation plan and metropolitan transportation improvement program, as well as work closely with partnering agencies in the MPO and local governments to develop, finance, and implement programs. This action will greatly aid all of the small towns in the MPO planning area in developing program and policy changes. There are oppor- tunities to link and expand bicycle and pedestrian networks with neighboring ju- risdictions, such as collaborating with Durham County to place a greenway along Triangle Parkway. • Create School-Based Education and Safety Programs. Working with Cedar Fork and Morrisville elementary schools and the Montessori school, develop a one-week study curriculum of bicycle and pedestrian safety like that shown in Figure 5.19. Each day would take one class period (or less) to perform, but would optimally have some assistance from the Town to provide guidance, materials, and support.

Safe Routes to School “Walk-to-School Day” at Highlands Elementary.

Figure 5.19 Sample One-Week Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Curriculum Day Exercise Purpose Monday Diagram the school grounds and ¼-mile vicinity

Identify places where walking and cycling could be made safer, like intersections, curb ramps, signals, traffic speeds, aesthetics, etc. Provide disposable digital cameras to at least two students in each class to help document the findings. Notify parents of walk-to-school day, and send an educational flyer home in advance of the event to explain the purpose and note how many calories are burned, safety issues, etc. (see also: www.walktoschool.org). Provide inexpensive buckets of colored chalk to students to create cartoons and illustra- tions cautioning drivers in pickup/drop-off areas of the school to practice safe behavior. (The chalk comes off after a couple of days.) Use the diagram and pictures from Monday and found on the internet to illustrate improve- ments that could be done to behaviors and physical conditions to make biking and walking safer, as well as good things that are there now that make the experience better. Have students write one paragraph on what they’ve learned and their ideas for making biking and walking better. Celebrate with a pizza party, and invite their parents to show- case what has been accomplished. Taking pictures of the activities throughout the week is important.

Tuesday

Conduct a Walk-to-School Day

Wednesday

Sidewalk and Parking Lot Art

Thursday

Create School Diagrams

Friday

Report and Celebrate

5.5 Connection to Town Center Plan Recommendations The Morrisville Town Center Plan, adopted in 2007, sets out a number of transportation recommendations as part of its strategies to improve circulation, safety, amenities, and overall quality of life in the Town Center. The recommendations of this Plan recognize and take into account the Town Center Plan recommendations in many ways, including the following: • Narrowed cross-sections for NC 54, Morrisville-Carpenter Road, and Church Street as they enter the Town Center area to reduce impacts on existing development. Proposed roundabout on Church Street at Jeremiah Street as recommended in the Town Center Plan. • The emphasis on a safe, linked pedestrian network with on- and off-road facilities to accommodate a range of users on all major roadways. • The Town Center Plan explicitly discusses and prioritizes transit options. This Plan identifies several viable short-term and potential long-term transit options to serve residents and employees. Discussions held during the planning process with sev- eral transit agencies furthered the groundwork laid by the Town Center Plan and advanced the overall timeline for improving transit options.

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5 Recommendations