CACC Transportation

Plan 1.0

Transportation Planning School of Planning

April 18, 2013

Acknowledgments

• Councilman Bob Ashbrock – City of Reading

• Zak Bradley – Engineering Technician, City of Blue Ash

• Don Burrell – Senior Planner, OKI Regional Council of Governments

• Andy Dobson – Senior Planner, Hamilton County Planning & Development

• Jennifer Eismeier – Executive Director, Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities

• Dr. Michele Gottschlich – Village of Evendale

• Dr. Jenny Kilgore – Village of Glendale

• Richard Osgood – Director of Building, Planning, and Zoning, City of Sharonville

• Ryan Noland – Project Manager, City of Blue Ash

• Charles G. Skidmore – City of Wyoming

• Vice Mayor Stiney Vonderhaar – Village of Evendale

Outline of Presentation

• Objectives

• Recap of Phase 1 -Demographics -Facilities -Case Study • Recap of Phase 2 -Road Network -Transit Network -Bicycle Network -Pedestrian Network • Recommendations • Conclusions

Main Objectives

1. Provide recreational opportunities for residents & employees 2. Provide connectivity to other trails 3. Provide alternative way of transportation 4. Enhance business development opportunities 5. Optimize community health and quality of life

Issues and Needs Within CACC

Issues

• Connectivity

• Multi-jurisdictional coordination

• Need for alternative modes of transportation

• Aging Population

• Declining Population

Needs

• Wayfinding

• ADA infrastructure

• Bicycle Infrastructure

• Civic Engagement

• Funding

• Connectivity- East to West and intermodal

Phase 1 CACC Transportation Plan 1.0

• Projected decline in population

• Largest population groups are 0-19 and 40-64

• School aged population is important for facilities design and safe routes to school

Demographics for CACC Communities

Commuting Demographics

• Over 76% of commuters in the CACC had a travel time of less than 30 minutes.

• Predominate mode of travel is single passenger automobile

• Alternative transportation makes up less than 5% of commuters

• Demographics suggest increases in alternative transportation

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

• Bike lanes provide comfort, safety, and efficiency for riders. Sharrows provide a cost effective alternative

• Signage is important for the network, altering cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists

• Proper branding and availability of amenities, like bike racks, make the system more attractive to users

Other Cycle Opportunities

Green Infrastructure

• Streetscaping provides both scenic views and speed control

• Bioswales and rain barrels improve storm water runoff and plant life

• Cycle Hubs provide amenities for commuters and causal cyclists

• Amenities include: showers, lockers, and possible bike share programs

Case Study: Los Angeles Greenway

• 26.2 miles of trails along the Los Angeles River, with goal of 51 by 2020

• Route intersects multiple political jurisdictions

• Paths can be expensive, costing on average $2.64 million per mile.

• The similarities in terrain and jurisdictions serves as a model for the Mill Creek Trail

CACC Transportation Plan 1.0 Phase 2

Road Network

Introduction • The integration of the road system into a cohesive bicycle and pedestrian plan

is determined by the various geographical and demographic attributes

• Common thread is the highway system

• Roads are classified based on their function and capacity.

• The street classifications within the CACC communities are:

- Freeways (Interstate System)

- Arterial

- Collector

- Local

Roads with the greatest AADT counts: Reading Road/42 Glendale Milford Springfield Pike/Congress Montgomery Road Reed Hartman

Road Network

Utilization of the high AADT count highways for bicycle/pedestrian travel will

• Necessitate the extensive development and use of bicycle facilities

• Ensure the safety of bicyclist, pedestrians, and the motoring public

Recommendations

1). Limit the use of high-traffic count intersections for bicycle/pedestrian travel 2. Crosswalk reconstruction projects to improve safety of intersections 3. Maximize the use of bicycle and bus facilities at all of the listed

intersections/roads. 4. Incorporate bike and pedestrian facilities into new construction project.

Transit Network

Benefits (non-riders benefit too…)

• Encourages daily exercise

• Supports safer streets

• Enhances personal opportunities

• Reduces gasoline consumption & carbon footprint

• Reduces congestion

• Aids conservation of air & water quality

US Census-2010

Observations from Census Report:

• About 50% of the total population commutes daily to their destinations, but only an average of 1% of them use the public transportation.

• A majority of the population drives their own vehicles, while a smaller percentage, about 10% van or carpool.

• Reading, Woodlawn and Blue Ash have the highest percentages of people using public transportation.

• Sharonville, Glendale and Evendale have the least number of people using Transit.

Suggestions for a Safe and Reliable Transit Facility

• Manage transit streets for fast, reliable bus operation

• Implement priority treatments for transit on key corridors

• Site bus stops at safe, efficient, and convenient locations

• Locate bus stops appropriately within the right of way

• Create safe, functional and legal bus stops with needed amenities

7 Steps Help Creating a TOD

1. Know your educational landscape

2. Engage school stakeholders

3. Create a shared vision linking community, regional, and educational prosperity

4. Support a family-friendly complete community through comprehensive services and desirable amenities

5. Align bricks-and-mortar investments in community assets

6. Maximize access to opportunity through affordable transportation options

7. Institutionalize ongoing innovation

Connecting with Metro • Teaming up with Metro’s educational programs: teach kids the safety and the

routes

• Using the transit benefit plan to help create solutions for employees transportation needs.

• Create bike lanes/paths to bus stops making it easier for commuters use non-automobile options

Recommended Bus Route: Wyoming to Blue Ash

But in actual it takes just 16 minutes which is depicted in the below screenshot.

Bicycle Network

• Mill Creek Trail utilizes natural surroundings and existing infrastructure • Western portion connects parks and communities through existing and

proposed bike paths • Eastern portion proposes trails directly alongside the creek • Provides connections to GE, Gorman Heritage Farm, parks, and a boat launch

site

1. Mill Creek Route

• Connects Princeton Middle and High School , Glenwood Gardens, and OKI Path

• Bike lanes, or combination of sharrows and increased signage • Upgrades to Glendale-Milford : elevated crosswalk and median bike lane

2. Chester Road / Greenwood Avenue

3. Glendale-Milford Road / Chester Road

• Links Evendale to Woodlawn

• Creation of separate bike lanes because of high traffic volume

• Suggest that route be marked for experience riders

4. Cornell Road

• Links Sharonville to Blue Ash

• Cornell Road has sufficient space for a bike lane

• Because of incline, reduce speed limit and widen road for separate bike lane

5. Hunt Road

• Links UC Blue Ash to Koening Park

• Provides pedestrians, cyclists and commuters access to UC Blue Ash

• Create exclusive bike lane through Reading and connect to Rail to Trail Path

6. Cornell Road and I-71 Overpass

• Connects Blue Ash to Montgomery using Cornell Road

• Create sharrows on Deerfield and Cornell Roads

• Signage along I-71 overpasses for motorists not to pass cyclists

7. Creek Road

• Creation of recreational trails between Johnson Nature Preserve and Rail to Trail Bike Path

• Creation of commuter path between Blue Ash, Montgomery, and Sharonville

• Use of sharrows and signs

8. Cooper Road

• Serve as a collector path for residents, with outlets on Reading Rd and Plainfield Rd

• Sharrows and increased signage along Cooper Road

Pedestrian Network

The Pedestrian Network

The Pedestrian Network

Walk Score Highest: Blue Ash- 85, lowest: Woodlawn- 52 Smart Street Score Highest: Reading- 84, lowest: Evendale Average Block Length Longest: Evendale- 928 ft., shortest: Wyoming- 397 ft. Number of Intersections Most per sq mi: Reading- 144, fewest per sq mi: Evendale- 23

Recommendations

Recommendations

• Upgrade of infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists

• Bike lanes are preferred, but sharrows and signage can be an adequate and cost effective substitute

• Cooperation amongst local governments and communities

• Consistent branding and signage for the broader network

• Explore funding options: partnerships, grants, local funders, state and federal programs

• Identify staff member, or contract firm, to oversee implementation

• Civic Engagement through social media, website, and educational programming

Conclusions

• Large study area and varying topography requires upgrade in infrastructure

• Alternatives to auto centric routes • Safety and connectivity is an issue

• Create connectivity between Eastern and

Western corridors

• Cooperation amongst multiple jurisdictions

• Greater connectivity will bring communities closer together

• A better transportation network creates opportunities for economic development and attracting new residents

Thank you!