FLORIDA-ALABAMA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION 2017 PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE MASTER PLAN UPDATE Scope of Work Project Name: Purpose: Florida-Alabama TPO 2017 Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan Update To provide a resource for Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and Baldwin County citizens, planners, developers, and political leaders to use for the establishment of pedestrian and bicycle friendly communities. Project Manager: Project Team: Internal Consulting Team: Assistance from Others: Mary Beth Washnock, WFRPC Staff Brittany Ellers, WFRPC Staff Jessica Paul, WFRPC Staff Jill Lavender, WFRPC Staff Jenny Cook, WFRPC Staff Gary Kramer, WFRPC Staff Advocacy Working Groups Local Government Planners Local Government Engineers Florida Department of Transportation Alabama Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Concerned Citizens Deliverable(s): Florida-Alabama TPO Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan Update Proposed Schedule: Project to be initiated in February 2017 and completed within 15 months of Notice to Proceed Date 1 P age
BACKGROUND SCOPE OF WORK A network of complete streets improves the safety, convenience, efficiency, and accessibility of the transportation system for all users. The TPO has a history of planning for complete streets that dates back well before the creation and popularity of the term. The 2005 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan was centered on providing transportation choices by integrating bicycle and pedestrian facilities in transportation planning activities. The 2010 Bicycle Pedestrian Plan centered on identifying potential bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements and prioritizing them for future construction. In addition, the Florida Department of Transportation adopted the Complete Streets policy in September 2014, which promotes safety, quality of life, and economic development in Florida. INTENT Given the many bicycle and pedestrian improvements over the past five years as well as the addition of the Complete Streets policy, the TPO will undertake an effort to incorporate the improvements and Complete Streets policy into an updated Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. The ultimate goal of this plan is to develop a non-motorized system that addresses the needs of all users and encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation. By providing alternate modes of transportation, citizens benefit not only with their own physical health but increased prosperity for themselves and the community as a whole. The purpose of the Florida- Alabama TPO Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan Update is to: Develop a shared vision for all communities through public input. Develop strategies that support integration of safe and well-connected pedestrian and bicycle networks into the overall transportation system. In providing a comprehensive evaluation of the existing network of pedestrian and bicycle connections, the following objectives should be met: Identify existing federal, state, and local legislation policies and plans that affect pedestrians and bicyclists. Formulate a public involvement plan to be used throughout the development of the plan. Take into account the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of local communities. Develop an inventory of existing and proposed pedestrian and bicycle facilities, including opportunities and constraints in the network. Identify a methodology for prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle projects. Develop an implementation process by which the identified goals and objectives of the plan can be attained. Develop and maintain channels for educating/informing the public on planning efforts. 2 P age
Task 1.0 Public Involvement Plan and Plan Marketing A. The WFRPC staff will utilize the Florida-Alabama TPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) throughout the development of the pedestrian bicycle plan. The PPP shall identify the specific public involvement procedures to be used throughout the project, including public outreach procedures, meeting formats, presentations to the TPO and steering committees, and the utilization of feedback and comments throughout the project. Specifically, the WFRPC staff will utilize feedback from the Advocacy Working Group to develop the vision statement, goals, and objectives. B. The PPP shall identify specific outreach efforts to inform and involve the traditionally underserved (such as limited English proficiency, disabled, minority, and low-income populations) in this plan. The plan shall involve the participation of a variety of interested parties including recreational pedestrian and cycling organizations, law enforcement, parents, students, school safety officials, university safety officials, and underserved communities, as well as the general public. C. The WFRPC staff will solicit public input by using social media, outreach materials, and online presence for the planning effort. The WFRPC staff will also continuously monitor and update online media. Ø Facebook page, Ø Webpage will be hosted on the West Florida Regional Planning Council website, Ø And outreach materials including but not limited to, plan logo, handouts, maps, surveys, flyers, and graphics. Task 2.0 Data Inventory A. The WFRPC staff will provide a comprehensive summary of legal documents, plans, and ordinances that may influence any dimension of the pedestrian and bicycle master plan. The following information will be included: Municipal and County comprehensive plans, local government master plans, previous bike/ped plans, current neighborhood plans and studies, the congestion management process plan, current TIP, priority projects report, the TPO Long Range Transportation Plan, and the current Transit Development Plan. Legal ordinances and policies relevant to the completion and implementation of the pedestrian and bicycle master plan. This will include any local, state, and federal legislation which bears an impact on pedestrian and bicycle travel networks. State legislation on greenways and trails including research of the current state greenways and trails program. B. The WFRPC staff will collect and present all appropriate demographic, socioeconomic, land use, transportation, and comprehensive plan data necessary for assessing the TPO area s pedestrian and bicycle transportation needs. The plan network will coincide with, but not be limited to, the TPO s most recent Congestion Management Process (CMP) Plan and consist of arterial and collector roadways. The data to be collected will include, but not be limited to, the following: Demographic and socioeconomic data for the TPO area. This will also include information on automobile ownership and commuting trends describing mode splits for the area. Inventory of existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle networks and facilities as needed. Pedestrian and bicycle crash data. Neighborhood and land use characteristics which will include locations of schools, parks, playgrounds, and other recreational and cultural areas which are destinations for pedestrians and bicyclists. Ø Summary report of existing policies and plans within TPO area, Ø Community profile with demographic and socioeconomic data, 3 P age
Ø And GIS data/mapping as required through the course of the plan. Task 3.0 Civic Engagement The plan will be conducted in a collaborative atmosphere, with public participation integrated into the process of the technical evaluation and prioritization. The plan will incorporate the following civic engagement efforts: TPO presentations: The WFRPC staff will provide three sets of presentations to the TPO board and committees and report the progress. Advocacy Working Group: An Advocacy Working Group will be formatted to help provide guidance on the plan, and will be responsible for reviewing and providing comments on key deliverables, development of vision statement, goals, and objectives, and providing input on plan recommendations. It is anticipated that the Advocacy Working Group will have a minimum of three (3) meetings. The Committee may include representation of stakeholder groups such as recreational pedestrian and cycling organizations, law enforcement, citizens, school safety officials, university safety officials, transportation planning and design professionals, and other groups as determined. Public meetings: The WFRPC staff will hold three (3) public meetings which may be in the form of open houses and/or charrettes. Targeted outreach: The WFRPC staff will use various methods of targeting stakeholders, such as surveys, focus group meetings, social media outreach, and neighborhood pop up events. Ø Three sets of TPO presentations, Ø Three Advocacy Working Group meetings, Ø Three public meetings, Ø And targeted outreach. Task 4.0 Prioritization Methodology The WFRPC staff will work with the Advocacy Working Group to develop criteria and a methodology for prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle projects. The methodology will include consideration of the following: Level of Service (LOS) standards consistent with the standards established by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Previously identified needs and improvements from other plans. Feedback from civic engagement efforts that determines specific deficiencies and community perceptions. Potential demand for pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Ø Technical memorandum describing the prioritization methodology, Ø And summary of major pedestrian and bicycle trends, issues, needs constraints, and opportunities within the TPO area. Task 5.0 Identification of Vision, Goals and Objectives The WFRPC staff will identify the vision statement and a series of logical and realistic goals and objectives for the plan based on public input and the analysis of existing conditions. Objectives set specific, measurable milestones to be completed that will enable progress toward reaching the community vision. The objectives will be system and performance oriented and will provide quantitative direction towards the attainment of goals. Ø Vision statement, goals, and objectives. 4 P age
Task 6.0 Identification of Funding Sources and Best Practices Review The WFRPC staff will provide a summary of existing funding sources available for the construction and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities. The summary will also include the review of best practices for funding opportunities and improvements. Ø Summarization of existing and potential funding sources and review best practices for funding improvements. Task 7.0 Development of Plan and Selection of Improvements The WFRPC staff will develop a Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan Update built upon the task descriptions and results. The analysis of possible improvements will be conducted to assess the implications to the study area, the ability to address identified issues, trends, needs, conflicts, and problems and opportunities, as well as potential funding sources and revenue. The plan and all of the information shall be in a concise, organized, and understandable format for public consumption. Based on the results of the previous task, possible improvements will include the following elements: Locations and types of facilities to be built for different communities. Strategies for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, such as safety education programs and improvement of roadway signage. A system for maintenance and management of current and future pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Design and safety standards for the provision of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Policies for realization of the plan s specified goals and objectives of the plan. Strategies for monitoring and evaluating the success and implementation of the plan. A post-plan public meeting to introduce the final plan to the public. The format and the content of materials shall be suitable for public consumption. Ø Final plan delivered in ten (10) hard copies and electronic format (MS Word and Searchable PDF format), Ø And one post-plan meeting. 5 P age
Summary of Deliverable Deliverable 1: Public involvement plan, Facebook page, Website may be hosted on the West Florida Regional Planning Council website, And outreach materials including but not limited to plan logo, handouts, maps, surveys, flyer, and graphics. Deliverable 2: Summary report of existing policies and plans within TPO area, Community profile with demographic and socioeconomic data, And GIS data/mapping as required through the course of the plan. Deliverable 3: Three sets of TPO presentations, Three Advocacy Working Group meetings, Three public meetings, And targeted outreach. Deliverable 4: Technical memorandum describing the methodology of prioritization, And summarization of major pedestrian and bicycle trends, issues, needs constraints, and opportunities within the TPO area. Deliverable 5: Vision statement, goals, and objectives. Deliverable 6: Summarization of existing and potential funding sources and review best practices for funding improvements Deliverable 7: Final plan delivered in ten (10) hard copies and electronic format (MS Word and Searchable PDF format), And one post-plan meeting. 6 P age