Wheels and Heels - November 2005

Email news from MoDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Caryn Giarratano

Greetings Windbenders,

The federal transportation bill: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation, Equity Act-a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), has kicked off a positive direction for bicycle and pedestrian programs in our state.

The Safe Routes to School Coordinator position has been posted. The application deadline is December 7. Dr. Leanna Depue, Director of Highway Safety at MoDOT, will supervise the position. The annual salary range is $49,416 - $66,948. Call 1-888-ASK-MODOT or see: http://www.modot.state.mo.us/asp/request_information.shtml?application, http://www.modot.state.mo.us/jobs/Central_District_and_Headquarters/inde...

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program has been elevated in status. The position has been upgraded (I received a promotion!) and given more responsibility. I received a new job title and two new programs added to my duties: the Scenic Byway Program and the Columbia Pilot Program.

Scenic Byway Program--The Missouri Scenic Byway Program was created April 3, 1996. An advisory committee oversees the program and makes final recommendation to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for Scenic Byway Designation. The factors considered in designation are: highway design that preserves and protects the natural beauty or scenery of the area; significant scenic, natural, historical, cultural or recreational resources in the area; adequate land area to accommodate safe enjoyment of scenic attractions; compatibility of the scenic byway with recreational, aesthetic and environmental management needs of the area; or presence of existing protected areas near or adjacent to the scenic byway such as national forests or federal/state parkland. See: http://www.modot.state.mo.us/services/community/scenicbyways.htm

Pilot Project--SAFETEA-LU provides an earmark of $100 million to create the four pilot projects in four communities: Columbia, MO; Sheboygan County, WI; Marin County, CA; and Minneapolis, MN. Shift in mode share, congestion reduction, energy use, frequency of bicycling and walking, better health and a cleaner environment are to be measured and reported. The core team members from the Columbia Pilot Projectare: Brad McMahon (FHWA), Caryn Giarratano (MoDOT), Darwin Hindman (mayor), John Glascock (city), Tim Teddy (city) and Ian Thomas (PedNet). I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with federal folks and representatives from the four communities to receive direction on how to implement this program. See: http://www.house.gov/rules/109textTEALU.htm (go to Title I, Subsection D to H, then see page 25 for Safe Routes to School, page 40 for BP Safety Grants and page 116 to see the Columbia earmark).

Trailmap--The strategic plan, Missouri's Trailmap for Nonmotorized Transportation, is approaching final draft form. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has been hard at work to set Missouri's direction for these modes of travel. The Trailmap is a guiding element for BPAC and potential partners. It is a fluid document designed to meet the needs of customers and the environment. It is designed to make visible the bike/ped direction needed for the state, enhance understanding of this direction and build support with regular updates planned.

Vision: To make Missouri a world-class state in which to bike and walk.

Mission: Promote a higher quality of life for all Missourians through safe and accessible nonmotorized transportation.

Values:
Community--Enhancing the livability of Missouri communities through bike/ped programs and facilities. BPAC values community by promoting safe, livable environments that support a strong economy through partnership, education, awareness and accountability;
Freedom of Choice--Giving Missourians the ability to choose to walk or bike to destinations. BPAC values giving all Missourians the freedom to choose nonmotorized transportation by providing access, connectivity, encouragement, and opportunity;
Safety--Providing a safe bike/ped experience. BPAC promotes safe, nonmotorized systems because we value the well being of our customers; and
Health--Promoting the health of Missourians by increasing walking and bicycling. BPAC values good health and believes that all should be educated about the benefits provided by a healthy, active lifestyle.

Goals:
Engineering--Create and maintain more bike/ped facilities that meet or exceed the recommended level of service provided by best practices guidance;
Enforcement--Advocate better laws, policies, practices and enforcement;
Education--Provide bike/ped safety information, technical advice and educational resources; and
Encouragement--Promote bicycling and walking.


Bike Maps Make News-- The Columbia Daily Tribune reported the news about the first MoDOT bicycle maps. See: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Oct/20051006News001.asp.

TAT--Representatives from all four southern MoDOT districts (D7, D8, D9 and D10) and I have been assigned to a TransAmerica Trail Task Force to begin the process of identifying the best location for this east-west, national bicycle route across the southern part of our state.

State Statutes--We have updated copies of Missouri State Statutes regarding bicyclists and regarding pedestrians that are printed on tyvek paper. Email me to request copies or see my website to download an electronic copy:http://www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/BikePedPolicyandLegislation.htm

Tour de Missouri???--If you would like to be involved in the discussion stage regarding a professional bicycle race in Missouri, please contact Jody Larison in Governor Blunt's office at 573-751-2829 or email her at jody.larison@mo.gov.

Innovative Program in Springfield--The Pace Car Program, a public education and involvement program implemented in October, has been created to reduce speeding on residential streets. The proactive neighborhood plan encourages obeying the posted speed limits, awareness that motoristsshare the road with bicyclists and pedestrians and demonstration of courtesy to road users. See: http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/publicworks/traffic/pdfs/PaceCarPro... and http://www.mobikefed.org/2003/02/moving-speed-bumps.html.

MoDOT Award--The Missouri Department of Transportation, on behalf of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, received a national 2005 Roadway Safety Award for Missouri's Blueprint for Safer Roadways. The Blueprint received recognition for its unique approach to making the state's roads safer. Through this partnership effort the coalition is working to meet the goal of 1,000 or fewer deaths on Missouri roadways by 2008. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety was formed in April 2001 and is comprised of hundreds of safety partners including law enforcement, local/city planning, not-for-profit organizations, state agencies, civic groups, private businesses and other safety advocates. The Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway Safety Foundation present the bi-annual Roadway Safety Awards to programs and projects across the nation exhibiting excellence in roadway design, operations and planning.

MoDOT Long-Range Plan - The Missouri Advance Planning (MAP) initiative is the beginning of a statewide dialogue on what our transportation system could and should do for its citizens and how best to fulfill those expectations and that potential. This initiative will produce Missouri's transportation vision and will provide the building blocks for developing a shared plan of action that identifies the role we all play in creating the transportation system we all want and deserve. The second round of regional meetings will be held the week of December 5. See: http://www.mapourfuture.org/.

Amendment 3 Progre ss - Most (88 percent) of the Smooth Roads Initiative projects, which will bring the 2,200 miles of most heavily traveled highways up to good condition, are already under contract. Half of the program's second element, which accelerates high-priority projects already in the construction program, is under contract as well. And Element 3 includes 38 additional projects worth $1.6 billion that were added to the statewide construction program as well.

MoDOT's largest-ever five-year construction program - 866 projects worth about $7.3 billion - was approved. This year more than 1,000 work zones have been active, again the largest-ever total. About 250 of them included working nights and other off-peak times, and 250 included incentives for early completion. MoDOTwill average more than $1.4 billion a year in construction for the next five years, but beginning in 2011 that figure will drop to about $800 million a year. The Practical Design Program shaved nearly $400 million off construction costs. MoDOT is also progressing on installation of median cable barriers on many interstates, as well as improved pavement markings that will improve visibility and safety.

MoDOT Receives High Marks In Audit - A representative from an independent auditing firm hired to review MoDOT's financial practices reported the sixth straight year MoDOT has received a high rating from external auditors. MoDOT is required to report its operations and finances to the state legislature in November of each year. See: http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/reports/2005AccountabilityReport/index.htm .

Case Study Report--An economic impact analysis of MoDOT's Smooth Roads Initiative (SRI) has been completed. SRI, funded from Amendment 3 proceeds, will provide 2,200 miles of smooth roads on Missouri's more heavily traveled highways at a cost of $210 million in fiscal year 2005. The $210 million invested in SRI in 2005 means: 1,770 new jobs paying an average wage of $28,265 per job; $4.6 million in new net general revenues; average increase of $58.7 million in new personal income; average increase of $97.4 million in new value-added to the economy; and $170.8 million in new economic activity. In short: Every $1 invested in SRI will generate a $4 return to the state of Missouri.

NATIONAL NEWS

National SR2S Web Site - The Federal Highway Administration's Office of Safety has a Web site dedicated to the new, federally funded, Safe Routes to School Program. See: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/. For more info on FHWA, see:http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm and for info on SR2S guidelines from Bikes Belong, see: http://www.bikesbelong.org. Q&A; on the hiring of a SR2S Coordinator, see: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/faq.htm. Tim Arnade is FHWA's new Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program manager. John Baxter is the acting director for FHWA's Office of Safety (where this new position is housed), and John Fegan is the FHWA/USDOT bicycle and pedestrian program manager.

Complete Streets - Complete streets sessions will be offered at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in Washington D.C. in January. "Complete Streets: Balancing User Needs In Suburban Design" will start with a panel discussion led by former Director of Caltrans Jeff Morales on how to implement complete streets policies. "Agency Challenges While Implementing "Complete Streets" Design," will feature international, state, MPO and local perspectives, including a presentation by Elizabeth Mabry, the executive director of the South Carolina DOT, which is in the process of implementing a statewide complete streets policy. See: www.trb.org and http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Transportation/Urban+Street+Design+G... .

BP Expert Directory - The Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) Web site has implemented a new online directory of experts who can assist neighborhoods and communities in their efforts to make more bicycle friendly and walkable environments. If you are knowledgeable in the bicycle and pedestrian field, you're encouraged to add your name to the ALRC Directory. To add a name to the ALRC Experts Directory, see: http://www.activelivingresources.org/new_expert.php. To use the Experts Directory, see: http://www.activelivingresources.org/experts_directory.php

Increase Biking Report--The Bicycle Transportation Alliance recently published the Blueprint for Better Biking, 40 Ways to Get There. The report provides a strategy to increase bicycling in the Portland metro area. Also offered are strategies to improve bicycling conditions in any community. Contact Scott at scott@bta4bikes.org or Evan at evan@bta4bikes.org. See: http://www.bta4bikes.org.

OTHER NEWS

MRT Listserv--All who are interested in discussing the Mississippi River Trail are welcome to join. The purpose is to unite and leverage the power of bike trail advocates and users in the regions served by the MRT. See:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mississippirivertrail/ and http://mississippirivertrail.org.

Foot Factoid - According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, for every mile we walk, we shift approximately one hundred tons, the weight of a blue whale, just to move our own body forward. See: http://tinyurl.com/9pt2o.

BPC Contact Info--For a listing of the state bicycle and pedestrian coordinators, see: http://www.bikewalk.org/contacts_links/state_bikeped_coord.htm.

Bike Sales Are High - Americans purchased more bicycles than new cars and trucks combined in the past year. See: http://tinyurl.com/7l697.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Adventure Cycling: http://www.adventurecycling.org

American Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals: http://www.apbp.org/

Bikes Belong Coalition: http://www.bikesbelong.org

Channing-Bete Company: www.channing-bete.com

Columbia PedNet Coalition: http://www.pednet.org

Complete the Streets: www.completestreets.org

Institute of Transportation Engineers: http://www.ite.org/

League of American Bicyclists:http://www.bikeleague.org, bill@bikeleague.org

Missouri Bicycle Federation: www.mobikefed.org, brent@brenthugh.com

National Center for Bicycling & Walking: http://www.bikewalk.org, info@bikewalk.org

Rails to Trails Conservancy: http://www.railtrails.org/, membership@railtrails.org

Traffic Safety Center: http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/

Transportation Research Board: http://www.trb.org, rhouston@nas.edu

Victoria Transport Policy Institute: litman@vtpi.org, http://www.vtpi.org

CALENDAR

March 1-3, 2006: National Bike Summit, Washington, D.C. See: http://tinyurl.com/b92du

March 28-30, 2006: Transportation and Economic Development 2006, Little Rock, AR. Contact: Mark Norman at MNorman@nas.edu, http://tinyurl.com/am3hk.

May 9-11, 2006: Thunderhead Training, Washington, D.C. See: http://www.thunderheadalliance.org.

May 17, 2006: Ride of Silence at 7 p.m. to honor bicyclists killed or injured while riding on the road. See: www.rideofsilence.org.

June 1-4, 2006: Congress for New Urbanism, Providence, RI. See: http://www.cnu.org.

September 5-8, 2006: ProWalk/ProBike, the 14th International Conference on Bicycling and Walking in Madison, WI. See: http://www.mononaterrace.com/.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please tell me!

Tailwinds, Caryn

Caryn Giarratano, Ph.D.
MoDOT Transportation Planning Coordinator
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program/Scenic Byways
573-522-9297, caryn.giarratano@modot.mo.gov
P.O.Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270, 573-526-8052 (fax)
www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/Bikepedprogramintro.htm