Transportation. Sustainability Plan Transportation. Help Us Create a Sustainable Lakewood: Work Group Challenge. Topics. Vision

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1 Plan 1 Help Us Create a Sustainable Lakewood: Work Group Challenge The work group will be comprised of City staff, industry experts, interested citizens, and other community stakeholders. The work group will be asked to develop goals and action steps including identifying key community partnerships, potential programs and policies. Specifically, the work group will try to answer the following questions: How can Lakewood promote diverse transportation modes including cars, walking, bicycling, and transit that are safe and low-cost? How can Lakewood reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles? How can Lakewood enhance regional air quality through transportation policies? How can Lakewood reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled by residents? What types of goals should Lakewood establish related to sustainability and transportation? Topics Modes of transportation, alternative fuels/vehicles, fuel efficiency, street maintenance, transportation infrastructure, transportation costs, air quality Vision The City of Lakewood and its residents recognize the importance of multimodal and energy efficient transportation choices in order to foster a healthy and thriving community. Lakewood envisions a future with an accessible and resilient transportation system that makes our streets safer, our air cleaner, and our community better connected. How can Lakewood measure sustainability related to transportation?

2 Plan 2 2 I thought about it while riding my bicycle -Albert Einstein on the Theory of Relativity

3 Plan 3 Contents Sustainable 4 State and Regional Agencies and Organizations 4 in Lakewood Citizen Survey 6 Open House Survey 7 Comprehensive Plan Update: Lakewood Moves 9 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 10 Sustainable Choices and Infrastructure 11 Multi-Modal System 11 Sustainable Fuel Use 12 Fuel Efficiency 12 Alternative Fuels 13 Infrastructure and Operations 14 Other Benefits of Sustainable 15

4 Plan 4 4 Sustainable A sustainable transportation network is one that: Cost of Today s System 1 : Limits emissions, waste, and consumption of resources; Meets peoples needs in a safe and equitable way; and Is affordable and efficient, supporting a vibrant economy. State and Regional Agencies and Organizations Greenhouse gas emissions, Global climate change, Nonrenewable fuel depletion and energy insecurity, Local air quality, Fatalities and injuries, Congestion, Noise pollution, Low mobility, Ecosystem damage, and Lack of equity. 1. Integrating into the Planning Process. Conference Proceedings 37. Research Board

5 Plan 5 in Lakewood Top 5 Commuting Destinations by Workers Living in Lakewood 2 : 1. Denver 2. Lakewood 3. Jefferson Unincorporated 4. Wheat Ridge 5. Arvada Top 5 Residential Locations of Workers Commuting to Lakewood 2 : Vehicle Miles Traveled per Person per Day (Household travel only) 2 : 1. Lakewood 2. Denver 3. Jefferson Unincorporated 4. Arvada 5. Aurora Lakewood: 14.6 Region: Lakewood Community Profile. Denver Regional Council of Governments DRCOG Focus Travel Model 2010 (Cycle ).

6 Plan Citizen Survey The Lakewood Citizen Survey was conducted in April of City of Lakewood residents had the opportunity to rate their satisfaction with the quality of life in the City, the community s amenities and local government itself. 76% of respondents rated Infrastructure (streets, sidewalks) as essential or very important Aspects of within Lakewood: Rated very good or good Condition of City streets: 65% 66% of respondents rated Reducing traffic congestion on streets as essential or very important Ease of car travel in the City: 64% Condition of state highways: 61% Ease of public transit in the City: 54% Ease of bicycle travel in the City 53% Ease of travel by foot in the City: 49%

7 Plan 7 Open House Survey A series of open houses were held between September and November in 2013 to prepare for the development of the Comprehensive Plan Update and Plan. Those who attended the Lakewood Sustains open house had the opportunity to complete a survey that addressed priorities and behaviors regarding the natural environment.

8 Plan 8 8 Open House Survey

9 Plan 9 Comprehensive Plan Update: Lakewood Moves The City of Lakewood is updating its 10-year-old Comprehensive Plan, which lays out the vision for the City s future. The Plan is divided into four sections: Lakewood Lives, Lakewood Moves, Lakewood Innovates, and Lakewood Sustains. Lakewood Moves lays a strong foundation for a sustainable transportation system. The Plan will build upon Lakewood Moves by assigning targets and metrics to the goals and diving deeper into special topics, such as alternative fuels and street maintenance. Lakewood Moves Guiding Principle Lakewood will support connectivity through a variety of transportation options and encourage residents to utilize multiple transportation modes. Lakewood Moves: Key Topics and Goals Multi-Modal System Bicycle and pedestrian environments Transit connections Shared transportation Multi-modal education and outreach Street maintenance Future System Connectivity Equity and accessibility Congestion relief Public transit options Regional cooperation Land use planning Minimizing negative impacts Complete Streets Safety Urban design character Transit expansion Wayfinding & Informational Sign Opportunities

10 Plan Greenhouse Gas Emissions One of the ways the Plan will measure sustainable transportation is through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The transportation sector is a significant contributor of GHG emissions in Lakewood from vehicles, fuels, infrastructure, and operations. GHG emissions have serious impacts on our health, our environment, and our overall ability to thrive in the future. By trapping heat in the atmosphere, the emissions are changing our climate, which affects weather patterns, temperatures, ecosystems, and other systems that sustain our society. From 1990 to 2006, transportation emissions increased 27%, accounting for 1/2 of the total increase of U.S. GHG emissions. 1 City of Lakewood Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2007 Emissions by Sector Emissions by Source Type 1. s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 1. Report to Congress. U.S. Department of

11 Plan 11 Sustainable Choices and Infrastructure Multi-Modal System Conventional transportation planning focuses on a limited amount of impacts, including travel times, vehicle operating costs, and per-mile crash risk. Other impacts tend to be overlooked because they are difficult to quantify, such as health impacts, equity, and vehicle ownership costs. This outlook supports dependency on the personal automobile. However, in recent years transportation planning has expanded to consider various modes and their connections, referred to as multi-modal planning. This approach integrates pedestrian, bicycle, automobile, and public transit travel, which reduce far less GHG emissions than personal automobile travel. 1 Induced Demand: An Economist s View of Congestion Traffic congestion tends to maintain equilibrium. As road are widened, those who were avoiding the road will take more trips, leading, once again, to congestion Bicycle and Walking in the United States 2014 Benchmarking Report. Alliance for Bicycle and Walking Litman, T. Generated Traffic and Induced Travel. Victoria Transport Policy Institute

12 Plan Sustainable Fuel Use Fuel Efficiency On-road passenger travel accounts for 2.5 trillion vehicle miles traveled per year. 1 Beyond improved vehicle technologies, there are several strategies to improve fuel efficiency: Idle reduction: Ten seconds of idling wastes more fuel than restarting. 2 Parts and equipment upgrades Vehicle maintenance Driving behavior: Fleet rightsizing: This includes reassigning, replacing, or eliminating vehicles and choosing efficient engines, lighter vehicles, or alternative fuels/vehicles. demand management: This includes multi-modal transportation choices, commuting alternatives, ridesharing, and other strategies that reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled. City of Lakewood employees participate in the state of Colorado s Engines Off Program, which promotes idle reduction, reducing exposure to toxic vehicle exhaust and saving drivers money. Other jurisdictions have banned idling by government employees and community-wide. 1. Strategies to Conserve Fuel. Alternative Fuels Data Center. U.S. Department of Energy Turn It Off Campaign. Sustainable America

13 Plan 13 Sustainable Fuel Use Alternative Fuels An alternative fuel is any fuel other than gasoline and diesel. There are several ways that alternative fuels can reduce GHG emissions: Greater efficiency in converting stored energy into vehicle propulsion energy; Less carbon per unit of stored energy; and Lower GHG emissions during extraction, production, storage, distribution, and use. More than a dozen alternative fuels are in production or development; however the most common include: biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane. The state of Colorado provides several incentives, laws, and regulations related to alternative fuels 1 : State Incentives Private Incentive Laws and Regulations Alternative Fuel, Advanced Vehicle, and Idle Reduction Technology Tax Credit Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Infrastructure Grant Program Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grants Biofuels Research Grants Ethanol Infrastructure Grants Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Sales Tax Exemption Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption Idle Reduction Weight Exemption Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Weight Limit Exemption Biogas Production Sales Tax Exemption Natural Gas Fueling Station Air Quality Permit Exemption Electric Vehicle Charging Incentive - Xcel Energy Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Multi-Unit Dwelling Installations and Access Alternative Fuel Tax Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Fee Alternative Fuel Resale and Generation Regulations Vehicle Fleet Maintenance and Fuel Cost-Savings Contracts Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Registration Low-Speed Electric Vehicle (EV) Access to Roadways Natural Gas Fueling Station Regulations Renewable and Alternative Fuel Storage Tank Regulations State Agency Alternative Fuel Use and Vehicle Acquisition Requirement Alternative Fuel Definition Gasoline and Diesel Gallon Equivalent Definition 1. Colorado Laws and Incentives. Alternative Fuels Data Center. U.S. Department of Energy

14 Plan Infrastructure and Operations The types of materials used in transportation construction and management have large economic and environmental impacts. Through reuse, recycling, and resource-efficiency, transportation systems can not only save money, but also improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions. Examples of sustainable infrastructure and operations include: Reclaimed asphalt pavement, Energy efficient and renewable energy street lighting, Timed traffic signals, and Local materials sourcing. The 189 traffic signals timed in 2012 in the Denver region reduced GHG emissions by 77,342 pounds per day. 1 City of Lakewood Highlights: 100% of asphalt is recycled during street maintenance projects % of new asphalt used on City streets is made from recycled material. Lakewood is one of the first municipalities in the country to use a new warm-mix asphalt which reduces the amount of heat, and therefore energy, necessary to lay new asphalt. In 2005, the City began replacing all 400- watt streetlamps with 250-watt lamps, saving an estimated $53,000 per year. The City has replaced all 12-inch traffic signal light bulbs with energy saving LED lights. Since 2003, the City s diesel fleet has been running on a blend of 10% biodiesel to meet renewable energy requirements. 1. Lakewood Community Profile. Denver Regional Council of Governments

15 Plan 15 Other Benefits of Sustainable Improving Lakewood s transportation system strongly relates to many other sustainability issues, including: Health: Walking and biking are important sources of physical activity. Safety: Traffic-calming measures can lower traffic injury rates. Energy-Efficiency: LED lights can decrease energy by 60% from traditional sodium lights. Economic Strength: The movement of goods and services are reliant on efficient transportation systems. Air Quality: One minute of idling produces more carbon monoxide than the smoke from three packs of cigarettes 3. Equity: Walking, biking, and transit are more accessible to various ages. People who live in neighborhoods with sidewalks are 47% more likely to be active at least 30 minutes a day. 1 Public transit users take 30% more steps per day than people who rely on cars. 1 In Portland, OR, bicycle commuters ride 49% of their miles on roads with bike facilities, even though these are only 8% of road miles Active. Active Living Research Bicycle and Walking in the United States 2014 Benchmarking Report. Alliance for Bicycle and Walking Engines Off Colorado

16 Plan Affordability: Multimodal transportation systems offer walking, biking, transit, and other less expensive travel options. Center for Neighborhood Technology Housing + Affordability Index Traditional Affordability: Housing < 30% of household budget. However, transportation is the 2nd largest household expense. H+T Affordability Index: Housing + < 45% of a household budget. Housing Affordability in Lakewood H+T Affordability in Lakewood Not Affordable Affordable

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