Complete Streets in Minnesota

Transcription

1 Complete Streets in Minnesota MnDOT Updates on Flexibility in Design & Some Other Efforts For The Complete Streets External Advisory Group Meeting # 4 Marshall Ave 3-Lane Conversion in St. Paul Hwy 61 Reconstruction along Lake Superior Scott Bradley MnDOT Director of Context Sensitive Solutions September 28, 2011

2 Complete Streets in Minnesota Some Selected Topics for Updates & Discussion Introducing David Larson & Mary Jackson and their Roles Revisiting our Charge & Direction Towards Articulation of a Complete Streets Vision & Policy Flexibility in Design Evaluation (13 CC) and Initiative Status Status of Revisiting MnDOT Cost Participation Policy Next Report to the Legislature Due in January 2012 A Funding Need / Collaborative Opportunity Comprehensive Summarization & Analysis of Federal and State Laws and Rules

3 Complete Streets in Minnesota Added MnDOT Resourcing & Support Introducing Mary Jackson, David Larson and the Program and Project Solutions Unit from the Office of Environmental Stewardship and their Roles Mary Jackson ( ) David Larson ( )

4 Complete Streets in Minnesota Some 2009 Complete Streets Feasibility Study Findings The goal is not all modes on all roads it is a balanced transportation system that integrates all modes via planning inclusive of each mode (motorists, freight, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians) Complete Streets implementation is easier if all levels of government are involved and policy is developed with stakeholders Complete Streets is inherent to applying the philosophy & principles of CSS and flexibility in planning & design is critical

5 Complete Streets in Minnesota Subsequent MnDOT Direction & Commitment MnDOT made a commitment to partner with a broad coalition to build upon its approach to Context Sensitive Solutions in developing and implementing a Complete Streets Vision & Policy for its road system. MnDOT s State Aid Division was initially designated to provide the leadership. An external advisory group was set up to advise MnDOT on Complete Streets work planning and implementation efforts.

6 Complete Streets in Minnesota 2010 MN Complete Streets Legislation Complete Streets legislation was also part of a transportation policy bill signed into law in Minnesota on May 15, The legislation supports MnDOT s efforts to lead a statewide partnership approach for implementing Complete Streets. The commissioner shall implement a complete streets policy after consultation with stakeholders, state and regional agencies, local governments, and road authorities. The commissioner shall address relevant protocols, guidance, standards, training and requirements and shall integrate related principles of context sensitive solutions.

7 Complete Streets in Minnesota Visioning & Policy - Homework for You One articulates a desired future and what we are trying to achieve (but not how we will do it) The other helps us answer the question of how will we do it?

8 Enabling & Sustaining Change Management Visioning & Policy Are Important Ingredients Accountability Communication Case for Change Incentives Action Plans Skill Building Sustained Change Visioning Processes Training Resources

9 FHWA Promotion of Flexibility in Design Provocation & Guidance To Think & Act Differently Growing out of ISTEA 1991 and NHSDA 1995, this 1997 FHWA Guide explored and illustrated flexibilities and opportunities that already exist to balance community, environmental, safety, and mobility objectives in our transportation projects... and consistent with AASHTO s Green Book guidance

10 Design Flexibility vs. Standards AASHTO Green Book A series of guidelines and geometric design concepts and criteria with ranges of flexibility used to help establish physical features of a roadway not intended as design standards Sufficient flexibility permitted to encourage independent designs tailored to particular situations

11 Flexibility in Design It s Difficult To Balance Competing Objectives Within Overly Conservative Design Approaches & Standards

12 MnDOT Flexibility in Design Forum Learning From Ourselves & Others - February, 2009 www. dot.state.mn.us (Search A to Z for Context Sensitive Design / Solutions)

13 Learning From The Forum & Advisory Group Brainstormed Next Steps With Highest Vote-Getting Frequency Emphasize Purpose & Need & Scoping Processes Expand Training & Resources Review & Update Design Standards & Criteria for Flexibility start with AASHTO s 13 critical design elements Develop & Define the Vision Involve the Right People & Perspectives Develop Policy & Guidelines Research, Document & Disseminate Case Studies State-Aid Rules & Standards should be addressed

14 MnDOT Flexibility in Design Initiative Ongoing Flexibility in Standards Review & Approval Process Focused on 13 Controlling Design Criteria 1. Design Speed 2. Lane Width 3. Shoulder Width 4. Bridge Width 5. Horizontal Alignment 6. Superelevation 7. Vertical Alignment 8. Grade 9. Stopping Sight Distance 10. Cross Slope 11. Vertical Clearance 12. Lateral Offset To Obstruction 13. Structural Capacity Frames PAC & TAC Roles

15 MnDOT Flexibility in Design Initiative My Own Performance Based Definition A broadly informed and structured decision making process that explores and evaluates design options and trade-offs what might be gained and what might be lost to determine the best solutions and risk management approaches for balancing competing objectives and for optimizing the ratio of benefits to costs consistent with system level needs and goals and the clearly defined purpose, need, objectives, and scope for a project as agreed to by a full range of affected stakeholders.

16 Revisiting Cost Participation Policy Current Direction & Approach: Work scope to fall in between a) policy and guidance review with addition of new process and procedural updates and b) full policy review and revision Timeline (from today) includes develop and put out an RFP, execute a consultant contract and anticipate a 1.5 to 2 year duration for the work Goals Include: Guidance and policy clarification related to new initiatives Consistency in application across all funding initiatives Conformance to statutes, rules, policies and FHWA Stewardship Plan

17 Next Complete Streets Report to Legislature By January 15, 2012: Summarize the results of the collaboration under MN Statutes, Section , Subdivision 3 Identify modifications made to or recommended for protocols, guidance, standards, or other requirements to facilitate CS implementation Report status of development of CS performance indicators Outline other work planned related to CS policy Identify statutory recommendations to facilitate CS policy implementation

18 A Funding Need / Collaborative Opportunity Comprehensive Summary & Analysis of Federal & State Laws & Rules The non-profit Public Health Law Center (housed at the William Mitchell College of Law) started a comprehensive identification, summary, and analysis of Federal and State of Minnesota laws and rules related to bicyclists, pedestrians, and ADA from a legal context two weeks before the end of FY 2010 and then the SHIP grant funding ran out $15, 000 in grant funding would enable completion of the basic scope of work (30 days of attorney time plus research assistance) with basic userfriendly formatting

19 MnDOT Complete Streets Points of Contact Julie Skallman Mn/DOT State Aid Division Director ( ) Scott Bradley Mn/DOT Context Sensitive Solutions Director ( ) Mn/DOT CS Website