Connections to Transit

The Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program
Columbia, MO - Marin County, CA - Minneapolis, MN - Sheboygan County, WI
Preliminary Observations and Experiences

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One goal of the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) and its pilot communities is to develop a network of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure facilities that connect directly with transit stations and community activity centers. These connections are a vital component of a multi-modal transportation system, enhance community livability and accessibility, and promote walking and bicycling as viable options for recreational and utilitarian trips.

In selecting projects to fund through the program, the communities carefully consider opportunities to improve access to transit. The chart below shows the percentage of program funds spent on projects that provide at least one connection to transit or otherwise improve access to transit. In many cases, the same project includes multiple transit connection improvements.

Percent of Program Funds* Spent on Connections to Transit

* funds programmed as of December 2010, across all four communities

Good access to transit can significantly increase the range of destinations accessible by walking or bicycling, allowing many more trips to be shifted from automobile to walk/bike and transit. Example projects include:

• Installation of bicycle racks at multiple locations including transit stops and stations.
• Roadway improvements on major transit routes to provide wider sidewalks and safer areas around transit stops.
• The first bike boulevard project in Columbia, with connections to the bus station.
• Several projects in Marin County that provide path connections to transit centers as well as improved directional signage and circulation to access the sites.
• A Transit Bike/Pedestrian Improvements Study for the Metro system in the Twin Cities to assess the safety, accessibility, and convenience of cycling and walking to major transit hubs and bus stops in the neighboring communities to Minneapolis.
• The installation of bike racks on all Sheboygan Transit buses as well as education and training for bus riders and bus drivers on procedures for safe bike rack use.

For more information, contact:

• Ted Curtis at GetAbout Columbia ctcurtis@gocolumbiamo.com
• Dan Dawson at Walk Bike Marin ddawson@co.marin.ca.us
• Aaron Brault at Sheboygan County Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program braulacb@co.sheboygan.wi.us
• Tony Hull at Bike Walk Twin Cities tonyh@tlcminnesota.org

December 2010 -- Prepared by the USDOT/Volpe Center for the Federal Highway Administration and NTPP Pilot Communities

Section 1807 of the Safe, Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users established the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) in August 2005. Over the span of four years (2007-2010), the legislation authorizes $25 million for each of the NTPP's four pilot communities to construct and invest in nonmotorized transportation infrastructure and programs. The purpose of the NTPP is "to demonstrate the extent to which bicycling and walking can carry a significant part of the transportation load, and represent a major portion of the transportation solution, within selected communities."

* This research has been funded by the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Planning, Environment and Realty's Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP).