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Perspectives on Complete Streets and Green InfrastructureFocus North Texas Planning Symposium

January 24, 2014

Bud Melton, V.P./Sr. Planner Bowman-Melton Associatesw w w . B o w m a nw w w . B o w m a n -- M e l t o n . c o mM e l t o n . c o m

Session 1a: John Muir had it right… …Everything is connected!

The Big picture requires a global perspective.Green Infrastructure provides a margin of public safety during major storm events and enhancessafety during major storm events, and enhances quality of place within the built environment.Innovative thinking onthese fronts can result in positive economic outcomes! Community

Security

Property Values

Safety

Mobility

Drainage

Public Health

Air

Quality

All photos copyright BMA© 2014All photos copyright BMA© 2014

Past emphasis doesn’t necessarily Past emphasis doesn’t necessarily reflect current & future needs. reflect current & future needs.

People who live in pedestrianPeople who live in pedestrian-- friendly friendly neighborhoods…neighborhoods…

make 4-times more walking and bicycling trips.make 3-times as many transit trips.take fewer car tripstake fewer car trips.drive fewer miles.

Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality (LUTRAQ) studies

(Portland, OR 1991-97)

What sorts of green infrastructure are What sorts of green infrastructure are emerging?emerging?

a bit of background:

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1985 Dallas Bike Route System1985 Dallas Bike Route System

early effort for mobilityequity

Mobility 2012 (adopted 1993)

Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton & beyond?- 250 miles of contiguous trails

- 14 cities and three counties have an adopted alignment

- More than 100 miles completed or in design

- complements the region’s air quality and mobility initiatives.

Dallas County Trail Plan

Dallas County Trail PlanDallas County Trail Plan

I N I T I A L P R I O R I T I Z A T I O NI N I T I A L P R I O R I T I Z A T I O N

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Updated 2000

Mobility 2030 Bike Plan Update

PlanPlan

to Implement!to Implement!

Determine implementation priorities . . Determine implementation priorities . . with public involvementwith public involvement

Demand– Needs Assessment

SafetySafetyEase of implementation

– Signs, paint, spot improvements

Cost Efficiencies – Include with other projects

Benefits/Quality of Life– Consider both internal and

external values.

Develop prioritization criteriaDevelop prioritization criteria

Safety considerationsRoadway classificationsclassificationsPedestrian usageProximity to destinationsCostFeasibilityEnvironmental impacts

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Keys for developing contiguous Keys for developing contiguous bicycle and pedestrian connectionsbicycle and pedestrian connections

Connect between off-road trail segmentsSpurs to schools, parks, shopping, workTurn utility green space into dynamic greenway connections

Key groups servedKey groups served

transit userspeople with di bilitidisabilitieschildren walking to schoolpeople commutingnearby shoppingpeople exercising

Quantifying benefits of integrating physical Quantifying benefits of integrating physical activity into built environmentsactivity into built environments

Physical health/well-being of communitiesAggregate reductions in air pollutiongg g pIncreased personal convenience/mobilityEnhanced public safety and securityGreater likelihood for sustainability & growth

Support ive Bicycle and Support ive Bicycle and Pedestr ian StrategiesPedestr ian Strategies

Compact and mixed land usesPedestrian permeability Access to transitSafe routes to schoolsGreen Infrastructure Systems.

City of DallasTrail Network Master Plan

Wyl ie Tra i l s Concep tua l Tra i l Network P lan

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Prototypical ExamplesPrototypical Examples

What does Green Infrastructure What does Green Infrastructure look like?look like?

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Trail/roadway interfaceIntersection Location AlternativesIntersection Location Alternatives

Mid-Block eliminates some motorized intersection turning conflictsAt-Intersection can complicate crossing due to potential conflicts with turning and straight through motorist movementsGrade Separation facilitates seamless connections.

Historic bridges connect major gapsHistoric bridges connect major gaps Trail to Trail ConnectionTrail to Trail Connection

DEFINE ECONOMIC BENEFITSDEFINE ECONOMIC BENEFITSINCLUDE QOL VALUESINCLUDE QOL VALUES

Community Priorities - "Active Transportation" infrastructure

Associated development at 1400 Hi Line Drive Associated development at 1400 Hi Line Drive

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Economic Economic ImpactsImpacts

AREA MAP AREA MAP SHOWING SHOWING ½½--MILE PROXIMITY MILE PROXIMITY TO TO TRANSITTRANSIT

What value parks and greenways?What value parks and greenways?

41%63% 76%

Properties within 100 feet of public open space have a 23% Premium.There is a measurable premium for up to a quarter mile.Three Minute Walk Accounts for 85% of Total Premium.

76% 85% 91%

Source: Valuing Open Space: Land Economics and Neighborhood Parks, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center For Real Estate, and School Of Architecture. Based on MLS Data for 3,400 Home Re-sales Near 15 Neighborhood Parks Across DFW

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Green Green at what Scale?at what Scale?

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Neighborhood ConnectorsNeighborhood Connectors

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OnOn--Road Bikeway TransectsRoad Bikeway Transects

a work in progress…a work in progress…

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Finding

Space

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Trai l TransectsTrai l Transects

T1 – Natural Zone T2 – Rural Zone

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T3 – Suburban Zone

T5 – Urban Center T6 – Urban Core

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Make clear who your intended users are…

…or aren't!

Thank you!Thank you!

Bud Melton, Senior Planner

Bowman-Melton Associatesw w w . B o w m a n - M e l t o n . c o m _