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Home My WebLink AboutIR 9674 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9674 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 14, 2014 h�T�i7 Page 1 of 2 �i �i7 Y *a SUBJECT: PROPOSED WALK FORT WORTH PLAN #qrF rn f e'?5 The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information on the proposed Walk Fort Worth Plan, which is scheduled for adoption by the City Council on October 21 . Walk Fort Worth is a comprehensive pedestrian transportation plan intended to create a more pedestrian friendly environment throughout Fort Worth for those who wish to walk for their health or for transportation to local destinations. The plan is also intended to improve mobility options for people who rely on wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or other mobility aids to get around. Research demonstrates that people want to live in neighborhoods that are safe and walkable, while cities with vibrant walkable places attract tourists as well as visitors from nearby communities. Locally, some of the most successful business districts in Fort Worth rely on the high levels of foot traffic afforded by well-designed pedestrian facilities. Walking is the only mode of transportation universally affordable to everyone, but it is not always safe or accessible due to lack of appropriate pedestrian infrastructure. Since 2012, the U.S. Census has ranked Fort Worth last of the 52 largest cities in walking trips to work, due in part to a lack of pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity. Investing transportation funds in sidewalks, traffic-calming devices, pedestrian friendly intersections, trails, and public transit makes it easier for people to walk to destinations or to reach those destinations more easily and safely using mobility aids. The Walk Fort Worth Plan establishes two important goals and identifies corresponding performance measures as follows: Goal One: Create a Safe and Accessible Pedestrian Network x Reduce 5-year average pedestrian fatality rate by 50% by 2025 using TxDOT Crash Records. The 2005-2010 average is 16 fatalities per year. x Increase pedestrian trips from 1 .2% in 2012 to 3.2% by 2025 using the five-year estimates from the American Community Survey. Goal Two: Improve the Walking Experience for a Healthier Community. x Increase adults meeting recommendations for physical activity from 47.4% in 2009 to 60% by 2025. Decrease obesity from 19% in 2009 to 9% in children ages 2 to 14 by 2025. Major plan recommendations include: x Safety o Design streets for safer speeds. o Initiate crash prevention campaigns. o Consolidate and redesign commercial driveways. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9674 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 14, 2014 h�T�i7 Page 2 of 2 �i �i7 Y *a SUBJECT: PROPOSED WALK FORT WORTH PLAN #qrF rn f e'?5 x Complete Streets o Update the Complete Streets Policy. o Increase the minimum sidewalk width. o Implement pedestrian zones. o Build sidewalks in commercial developments. x Connectivity o Improve pedestrian connectivity in new and existing developments. o Encourage walkable land uses. Staff has received comments from over 1,600 residents, conducted eight public meetings, and briefed 15 City boards and committees during the Walk Fort Worth planning process. The City Council's Infrastructure and Transportation Committee received a briefing on September 9. The City Plan Commission voted unanimously on September 24 to recommend to the City Council adoption of the plan and incorporation into the City's Comprehensive Plan. City Council action on the Walk Fort Worth Plan is scheduled for October 21 . For your reference, an overview of the Walk Fort Worth Plan is contained in the attached PowerPoint presentation. The plan may be viewed on the City's website at http://fortworthtexas.gov/walkfw. kfw. Should you have any questions, please contact Randle Harwood, Planning and Development Director, at 817-392-6101 or Julia McCleeary, Senior Planner, at 817-392-2593. David Cooke City Manager Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS 09/30/2014 Walk! Fort Worth Pedestrian Transportation Plan FORTWORTH Presented by the Planning and Development Department City of Fort Worth Purpose t Review Needs and Purpose of Pedestrian Plan t Review Walk Fort Worth Content and Next Ste ps � 1 1 1 09/30/2014 Relationship with Other Plans ThoroughfareMaster Plan Bike Plan (Bike FW) Pedestrian Plan - Need 3t High pedestrian fatality and crash rates If k Poor air quality * Lack of mobility options for all residents and visitors k Lack of physical activity due in part to built environment 2 09/30/2014 Pedestrian Plan - Purpose x Recommend appropriate pedestrian infrastructure and improve design standards x Identify highest priority needs to direct limited funding =h x Recommend targeted policies mom Plan Vision. To promote and provide a safe, efficient, equitable and accessible comprehensive pedestrian network to facilitate healthy behaviors and a livable community. N ® J KGs ■ 3 09/30/2014 Barriers to Walking What factors limit you from walking in Fort Worth?(ranked) 1) No sidewalks and/or poor sidewalk surface qualities 2) Heavy/high speed traffic 3) Places I need to go are beyond walking distance 4) Dangerous or inattentive drivers 5) Drivers not yielding or stopping for pedestrians 6) Weather(heat,rain,wind etc...) 7) Worries about personal safety � y 8) Intersections are too wide and/or not enough , A :t time to cross intersections 9) Inadequate accommodations for people with mobility limitations 10) Physical ability Pedestrian Crashes and Fatalities as One in four traffic fatalities in Fort 7 26 121 Worth is a " pedestrian. - 3 -TxDOT reportable crashes 2005-2010 yy izi 183 8o1, / i187, 77 983' \ / 8 Density of Pedestrian Crashes Jy 2oo3-211115ource:MedStar 4 09/30/2014 Pedestrian Crashes and Fatalities (cont...) • Fort Worth is an FHWA focus city for pedestrian fatalities • Identified if: 9 — >20 annual pedestrian fatalities (avg/year) — Or, pedestrian fatality rate greater than 2.33 per 100,000 population • FHWA provides technical resources High Priority Sidewalk Inventory High Priority Corridors Linear Miles Existing Sidewalk 698 No Sidewalk 1,064 Repair Needed 19 rRepair 1% ' Existing OA — Sidewalk No 39% Sidewalk . 60% Existing Sidewalk(Fair-Good Condition) Existing Sidewalk(Repair Required) No Sidewalk 5 09/30/2014 Health Indicators t 2009 Tarrant County Public Health Conducts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) * Physical Activity " — Over 50%do not meet recommendations for physical activity * Obesity — Estimated 19%of children 2-14 are obese r — Estimated 28%of adults 18 and over are obese — Statewide,obesity related health care is over$5.7 billion annually Implementation Measures Pedestrian Crashes — Reduce 5-year average pedestrian fatality rate by 50% by 2025 x Increase Pedestrian Trips — Increase pedestrian trips from 1.2% in 2012 to 3.2% by 2025 x Improve Healthy Behaviors — Increase adults meeting recommendations for physical activity from 47.4% in 2009 to 60% by 2025 — Decrease obesity from 19% in 2009 to 9% in children ages 2 to 14 by 2025 6 09/30/2014 Major Plan Recommendations Safety — Design streets for safer speeds — Initiate a crash prevention campaign — Consolidate and redesign f commercial driveways Complete Streets — Update Complete Streets Policy *1 — Increase the sidewalk width — Implement pedestrian zones — Build sidewalks in commercial developments Connectivity — Improve connectivity in new and existing developments — Encourage walkable land uses Safety: Design for Safer Speeds Vehicle speed is a major factor in fatalities for all road users: Street Classification 7E 61%of pedestrian fatalities were on roads with a speeds >40 mph ' SWL'LL•� 45 x 9% of pedestrian fatalities were 40 on roads with speed > 30 mph R 32%of motor vehicle fatalities are 45 from speeding 40 35 35 Current Design Speeds For Fort Worth Streets 7 09/30/2014 Safety: Crash Prevention Campaign A campaign targets a Hit Hit at specific community a . problem such as speeding, choa.ce 11A die, chance I'll lim unsafe pedestrian behavior, 3Q or drivers not yielding in NEW YORK CITY crosswalk What's the Let's 241 work 09MW to rn*0 ow�tmem sale wh�5� SAN FRANCISCO ' Safety: Consolidate and Redesign Driveways t Consolidate medians and _ === driveway openings reduce crashes x Decrease turning radius at driveways to encourage slower speed rr. ic Slower speed gives time for vehicles to react to pedestrians crossing 9nveway ORE o ow ur and Increase Pedestrian Safety(Photo Credit:Dan Burden) 8 09/30/2014 Complete Streets: Adopt a Complete Streets Policy Complete streets mean the Park Place:Before entire right of way is FLO - r routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of - Park Place:After transportation Complete Streets: Increase Sidewalk Width Proposed Minimum Standards(in feet) Minimum Desirable Local Residential Streets 5 6 6 6 6 10 minimum unobstructed pedestrian pathway width Mixed-Use, Urban Villages,and Transit-Oriented Development Sidewalk and Furniture Zone" Minimum Desirable 8 12+ 12 16+ 16 20+ *'minimum 6-foot clear unobstructed pedestrian pathway width 9 09/30/2014 Complete Streets: Implement Pedestrian Zones t Ensures needs of pedestrians are prioritized t Organized into 4 zones: - - Curb {j~ PEDESTRIAN ? — Furniture and Utility 26hE F¢° — Pedestrian = ` — Frontage i Complete Streets: Sidewalks in Commercial Developments x Access easements generally provide automobile circulation only x Provides pedestrian safety and access walking from parking to shopping * Sidewalks provide ` pedestrian access to and between businesses 20 10 09/30/2014 Connectivity: Improve Connections from Neighborhoods * Safer roads for all road - users t Better emergency vehicle response times t Reduction in time and distance travelled for all road userswig w� Connectivity: Encourage Walkable Developments Average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 6-10 pounds less than in a sprawling Conventional Development neighborhood. _ (American Journal of Preventative Medicine) STUDIES SNOW PEOPLE WILL WALT(TOI]FSTINATIONS: •� ��,�• ■ asf cnarcnZ� '• 1m,le arSchool � 41' chDO • 3-d miles n�or Sch or chaal smileMa Wadc 7�•f I: • Traditional Neighborhood Development ma J 3-d miles Work' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2012 22 11 09/30/2014 Major Plan Recommendations Safety - - Design streets for slower speed — Initiate a crash prevention D campaignLt — Consolidate and redesign VIII f commercial driveways Complete Streets — Update a Complete Streets Policy *1 — Increase the sidewalk width — Implement pedestrian zones — Build sidewalks in commercial developments Connectivity — Improve connectivity in new and existing developments — Encourage walkable land uses Healthy Behaviors and Related Initiatives City Initiativesc , — Blue Zones Project — Walking Town Halls — Fit15/Fit Worth ■ QX BLUE ZONES PROJECT' . by HU&THWAYS . M F t HEALTHY CITY WORTH INITIATIVE F III5 12 09/30/2014 Estimated Sidewalk Costs 2014 Citywide Sidewalk - . Arterial Roadways $26,465,000 Collector Roadways $41,300,000 Estimated Total Need $67,765,000 Does not include curb ramps,traffic signal modifications,signage,midblock crossings,engineering,utility relocation,driveway reconstruction,right-of-way, or other infrastructure or engineering,or utility costs Funding Sources 2014 Capital Improvement Program Bicycle Infrastructure $ 1,260,000 Bridges $ 10,000,000 Enhanced Public/Private Community Facilities Agreements $ 2,000,000 Intersections $ 9,000,000 Pedestrian Street Enhancements in Urban Villages $ 6,000,000 Railroad Crossings $ 5,000,000 Sidewalks $ 10,000,000 Street Lights $ 5,000,000 Traffic Signals $ 10,000,000 Transit Oriented Development(TOD) $ 4,500,000 Transportation Grant Matches $ 6,400,000 Public Art $ 2,175,700 Street Construction/Reconstruction/Rehabilitation $ 148,404,300 Total Transportation Bond $ 219,740,000 13 09/30/2014 Next Steps Informal Report to City Council - October 14 City Council Action - October 21 FORT WORTH Questions or Comments? http://fortworthtexas.gov/walkfw 14