TC - Item 3A - "SMART" Streets PresentationROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: CHRIS MARCARELLO, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: April 3, 2014
SUBJECT: "SMART" STREETS PRESENTATION
SUMMMARY
"SMART" (Safe Mobility And Reliable Transportation) streets help to provide for improved
vehicle and pedestrian safety, encourage multi -modal transportation opportunities, and help
to enhance community livability through public amenities (benches, street trees,
landscaping, lighting, etc.) in public right -of -way areas. The development of a SMART
Streets Policy would help to establish guiding principles and practices so that transportation
improvements are planned, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to encourage
safe and accessible walking, bicycling and transit use. This item was included as a work
plan item for the Traffic Commission and included in the City's recently adopted Strategic
Plan.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the Traffic Commission review and provide input related to a SMART
Streets Policy for the community.
DISCUSSION
Late last year, the Traffic Commission met to discuss the progress of the previous year's
goals, objectives and accomplishments. In addition, the Commission collectively came up
with a list of priorities and potential projects for review and discussion to include in the
Citywide Strategic Plan for 2014 -15. This Strategic Plan provides guidance and direction
for the City's Commissions, Committees, and Departments through the framework of a
long -term vision statement, key organizational goals, strategies, and action plans. As a
result, the Commission showed interest in exploring the possibility of adopting a citywide
SMART streets policy.
Traffic Commission Meeting
ApH 3, 2016
"SMART" (Safe Mobility And Reliable Transportation) Streets
A SMART Streets Policy will allow the City to accomplish its goal of providing and improving
pedestrian access and mobility throughout Rosemead while fostering walkability, bicycle
access, and physical activity. The adoption of a SMART streets policy will provide a key
framework for the current and future development of the City's public rights -of -way. A goal of
SMART streets is to improve the access and mobility for all users of streets in our community
by improving safety through reducing conflict and encouraging non - motorized transportation
and transit.
is What are SMART Streets? SMART Streets are designed and operated to enable safe
access for ALL users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation
users of ALL ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a street.
• What does a SMART Streets Policy do? SMART Streets policies direct transportation
planners and engineers to consistently design with all users in mind including drivers,
public transportation riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists as well as older people,
children, and people with disabilities.
is Is there a standard model? There is no one design model or prescription for SMART
Streets. Components including: sidewalks, bike lanes (or wide paved shoulders),
special bus lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent
crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions,
and more can be integrated into SMART Streets plans.
The benefits of SMART Streets are
Economic Vitality., A balanced transportation system that includes SMART Streets can
boost economic growth and stability by providing accessible and efficient connections
between residences, schools, parks, public transportation, offices, and retail destinations.
is Improved Safety: Collisions can be reduced through safety improvements.
• Enhanced Walkability and Bicycle Activity: Public health experts encourage walking and
bicycling as a response to the obesity epidemic. Active commuters actually double the
amount of their total physical activity ", and as a result, cities with lots of "active"
commuters tend to be healthier. Research shows that the extra physical activity that
people get from walking and biking to work or school is not offset by less recreational
activity.
is Reduced Vehicular Congestion: Streets that provide travel choices give people the option
to avoid traffic jams, and increase the overall capacity of the transportation network.
• Healthier Children: Streets that provide room for bicycling and walking help children get
physical activity and gain independence.
• Better Air Quality: Reduction in fuel - burning transit can help alleviate the poor air quality in
Traffic Commission Meeting
April 3, 3010
our urban areas that is linked to increases in asthma and other illnesses.
Cost - effective Sustainability: Integrating sidewalks, bike lanes, transit amenities, and safe
crossings into the initial design of a project spares the expense of retrofits later.
SMART Streets Policy
This proposed SMART Streets Policy will accomplish the City's desire of providing and
improving pedestrian access and mobility throughout Rosemead as well as continued efforts
to improve the pedestrian and bicycle circulation systems as identified in the City's General
Plan. The adoption of the SMART streets policy will foster walkability and physical activity
through physical changes of the public right -of -ways, which will ensure safe access to and
from schools and public parks, while providing overall sustainability.
A comprehensive SMART Streets Policy involves the following ten (10) elements:
1) Sets a Vision
Sets the tone for the policy.
2) Identifies what users will be covered by the policy
The policy will provide for the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and transit users
and of all ages and abilities.
3) Emphasizes the creation of a SMART streets network
The City will design, operate and maintain a transportation network that provides a
connected network of streets and facilities accommodating all modes of travel.
4) Adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads
The policy will cover all street improvements within the city and focus on regional
connectivity. It requires all City departments, developers, utilities and transportation
agencies to comply with the policy.
5) Applies to all transportation Proiects and phases
The policy will apply to all roadway projects including those involving new construction,
reconstruction, retrofits, repaving, rehabilitation or changes in the allocation of
pavement space on an existing roadway. This also includes new privately built roads
and easements intended for public use.
6) Specifies and limits exceptions and how they are approved
Typical policy exceptions could include the following:
- ordinary or emergency maintenance activities designed to keep assets in
serviceable conditions such as mowing, cleaning, sweeping, spot repair, concrete
joint repair, pothole filling or when interim measures are implemented on temporary
detour or haul routes.
Traffic Commission Meeting
ApHi 3, 2014
- If there is an excessive or disproportionate cost
- A determination is made by the Director of Public Works that the construction is
not practically feasible or cost effective because of significant or adverse
environmental impacts or impacts on neighboring land uses, including impact from
right -of -way acquisition.
7) Uses the latest design standards and is flexible
The policy requires the City to adopt new SMART Streets Design Guidelines and apply
those principles to all City plans, manuals, rules, regulations and programs as
appropriate.
8) Is context sensitive to adiacent land use
Streets will be planned in harmony with adjacent land uses and neighborhoods and
designed with a strong sense of place.
9) Sets Performance Measures
The policy could be evaluated using the following measures. This allows the city to
track our progress, showcase our wins and monitor performance.
✓ Total miles of bikeways with clearly marked or signed bicycle accommodation
✓ Total miles of streets with pedestrian accommodation (Goal — all)
• Number of missing or non - compliant curb ramps along City streets
(Goal — 0)
• Number of new street trees planted along city streets
• Percentage of new street projects that are multi -modal
• Number and severity of pedestrian - vehicle and bicycle - vehicle - involved crashes
• Number of pedestrian - vehicle and bicycle - vehicle - involved fatalities
(Goal — 0)
• Track fitness data of Rosemead Unified School District students
• Sales tax revenue
10)lncludes Implementation Steps
The City will establish an informal advisory committee to oversee the implementation
of the policy and to ensure the following:
• A comprehensive inventory of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
• Capital Improvement Project Prioritization
• Revisions to existing plans and policies
• Storm Water Management techniques
• Staff Training
• Inter - departmental coordination
• Adoption of the SMART Streets Design Guidelines
• Actively seek sources for appropriate funding
In summary, adherence to this policy creates a safe and efficient transportation system that
promotes the health and mobility for the entire community. This would be accomplished by
Traffic Commission Meeting
April 3, 2011
providing high quality pedestrian, bicycling and transit access to all destinations throughout
the City, and streets designed for people, with public enhancements and amenities. Through
the adoption of this policy, the City would help to enhance the safety, access, convenience
and comfort for the entire community.
Su miffed by:
Chris Marcarello
Public Works Director