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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Packet October 2023Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Transportation Advisory Committee meeting is encouraged to do so. If you wish to speak, please rise and, after you have been recognized by the Chair, give your name and City for the record. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair. TTRRAANNSSPPOORRTTAATTIIOONN AADDVVIISSOORRYY CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE OOccttoobbeerr 1199,, 22002233 AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM, Meeting held virtually via Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96161760895?pwd=SmVMRFJBNkx6UkhpeDN0N2w2MXgxdz09 II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of September 21, 2023 Minutes IV. PUBLIC FORUM (6:05-6:20) V. REPORTS FROM OTHER CITY COMMITTEES (6:20-6:30) VI. NEW BUSINESS A. None VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. North Mountain Avenue – Council Information (6:30-7:00, action required, review and comment on the staff report to be presented to Council at the November 7th Business Meeting regarding the recommendations for parking elimination and protected bike lane installation) B. Transportation Advisory Committee Works Plan (7:00-7:45, action required, discuss work plan and prioritize activities moving forward) VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. Safe Routes to School Plan B. Faith Avenue Traffic Calming C. Legal-Committee Training IX. AGENDA BUILDING – Future Meetings X. ADJOURNMENT: 8:00 PM Next Meeting Date: November 16, 2023 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please email scott.fleury@ashland.or.us. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 21, 2023 Transportation Advisory Committee September 21, 2023 Page 1 of 5 CALL TO ORDER: 6:00pm Members Present: Mark Brouillard, Corinne Vièville, Linda Peterson-Adams, Holly Christiansen, Dylan Dahle, Dave Richards, Nick David Staff Present: Scott Fleury Liaison Present: Eric Hansen, Dylan Bloom Guests Present: Gary Shaff ANNOUNCEMENTS October 2nd – 8th is the National Week Without Driving, which challenges participants to travel without using a car so that they can understand the experience of those who need to use other modes of transportation to get around. On Saturday September 23rd a Cars of Summer Show will be hosted by the Ashland Elks Lodge. The Social Equity and Racial Justice Committee still has multiple openings for new members. To apply, visit the city’s website. Residents of Faith Avenue are still interested in participating in the Traffic Calming Program. CONSENT AGENDA Dahle motioned to approve the minutes as written. Christiansen seconded. All ayes. REPORTS FROM OTHER CITY COMMITTEES Gary Shaff reported on news from the Climate and Environment Policy Committee. At their last meeting they discussed advancing community involvement/engagement, citing the movement to electrify Ashland by not allowing gas appliances in new construction buildings. They also forwarded a letter of support to the Transportation Committee for the addition of bike lanes on North Mountain Ave. Christiansen reported on news from the Planning Commission. They are currently working on amendments to parking requirements for the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rules. Bike parking recommendations and requirements will be linked to square footage instead of car parking spots, pending approval in December. Hansen reported that on September 30th the Ashland Mountain Challenge bike race will be held in upper Lithia Park. Bloom reported that on October 2nd there would be a council meeting to talk about and plan out the emergency homeless shelter. NEW BUSINESS North Mountain Avenue Public Hearing Fleury explained that N Mountain is classified as an avenue in the TSP. The city is currently in the design phase for the N Mountain Ave Rehabilitation Project, which includes the corridor that starts at E Main St and extends to the I-5 overpass. Currently, there are bike lanes on the majority of N Mountain Ave, and the discussion for this meeting was to be about the inclusion of protected bike lanes, meaning lanes that are 5 feet wide with a 2 foot buffer on each side and candle-type delineators. Fleury explained further that the parking bays on N Mountain would not be impacted, but curbside parking would need to be removed. From Hersey St to the bridge crossing and up to Fair Oaks Ave, there is not enough street width to add a protected bike lane, so a regular 5 foot wide bike lane would be there. For this project, the city is also looking into improving ADA access, traffic calming, and lighting. The design phase is almost complete except for the striping plan, which is contingent on the Transportation Committee’s recommendation ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 21, 2023 Transportation Advisory Committee September 21, 2023 Page 2 of 5 to City Council and their approval. Several written comments were received, and multiple members of the public attended the meeting and voiced their opinions. Bridgette Riley stated that they’ve lived on N Mountain for 9 years, and they’ve experienced a rise in fast traffic that is unsafe for pedestrians as well as people trying to get out of their driveways. They were in favor of removing parking and adding a bike lane, as it could improve the safety of the street, but not in favor of a protected bike lane with delineators. They also asked that the Transportation Committee consider adding crosswalks and other traffic calming measures. Barb Settles, a member of Streets for Everyone and the Ashland Climate Collab, supported efforts to get people out of their cars. As an 8 year resident, Settles expressed that biking has not been a safe experience and they are almost hit at least once a week. They especially don’t feel safe biking from the Lithia Park/Plaza area, as well as on N Mountain. Brett Miller of 311 N Mountain Ave questioned the priority level of the issue at hand, particularly because a pedestrian crossing for people trying to go to and from N Mountain Park is also needed. Miller expressed that poor driving was the main issue for the street, and protected bike lanes would not address that problem. Michael Orndurf, who lives on Parkside Drive and participates in Streets for Everyone and the Ashland Climate Collab, stated that there are multiple benefits to protected bike lanes and they are necessary to keep people safe from cars. They cited reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of congestion, and less noise pollution as benefits. They stated that the most common reason that people don’t ride their bikes is fear, and the poor driving along with the construction that is currently on N Mountain Ave doesn’t help. They also cited multiple statistics supporting their reasoning. Aaron Michaelson stated they grew up in Ashland but moved away and returned 3 years ago. They recently got rid of their car in favor of an e-bike. Michaelson previously worked in Portland promoting more sustainable commute options and has seen how alternate modes of travel can improve people’s lives. They also stated that the current conditions of the road are not safe due to cars speeding, and adding protected bike lanes would reduce parking encouraging people not to drive. Protected bike lanes would also be safer for children walking to school. Julia Summer of Village Square Drive, who also submitted a written comment prior to the meeting, supported protected bike lanes and sidewalks. Summer stated that car and truck travel seems to have quadrupled, especially with all the construction. They bike up and down N Mountain twice a day and it’s daunting due to traffic and construction. They stated that adding protected bike lanes would give residents and visitors a safe alternative to get downtown. Further, speed bumps would also be a good idea, and there should be a flashing beacon where the bike path crosses N Mountain. Bob Alteras, who strongly supported bike lanes, stated that they bike N Mountain every day, and they feel they’re taking their life into their hands every time because N Mountain is a mess. They stated that the flaggers for the current construction have mentioned the number of bikers. Alteras also has witnessed kids riding their bikes on sidewalks because they’re scared of the bike lane. Peterson-Adams stated that City Council approved and set as policy to put in protected bike lanes where feasible. An example of this is the Ashland Overlay Project slated for this fall. Peterson-Adams explained the duty of the ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 21, 2023 Transportation Advisory Committee September 21, 2023 Page 3 of 5 Transportation Committee to make decisions not based on feelings or fears or self-interest, but on community rules that have been established. Richards asked Fleury that since the synagogue nearby would be losing parking for their events, how many cars can fit on N Mountain? And how many spaces would be lost versus how many would remain? Fleury responded that all parking bay spaces would remain, but that it’s difficult to give an exact number for spaces lost due to the spots not being marked. Generally, the rule for a parking spot is 20 feet long with a 4 foot gap in between, but in some places people can park bumper to bumper. Brouillard stated that 20 spots from the railroad tracks to the corner can fit. Fleury also added that the intersection locations also need to be taken into consideration as there is no parking 20 feet back from crosswalks due to visual clearance issues. Also marked crosswalks are to be put in at Village Green Drive so there will be a loss of parking no matter what at that location as part of the safety portion of the project. Residents with driveways are also allowed to mark their curb 6 feet on either side to discourage parking. Vièville inquired if the driving lanes would be narrowed for the project. Fleury responded that it was going to vary, like on Ashland Street. Nominal traffic lane width would be 10 feet wide. Ashland Street has 10-11 feet, and N Mountain is currently 11-12 feet. Fleury recalled that the group had talked about bus and emergency vehicle width, and a 10 foot travel lane could accommodate those. Also, the turn radius for trucks turning from Hersey Street onto N Mountain is not an issue due to the width of the intersection, but the protected bike lane barriers would have to end near the intersection. Vièville then asked how easy the barriers for the bike lane are to remove. Fleury explained that they can be bent if ran over, and they’re usually attached with asphalt tape, so they can be replaced and moved. The typical spacing of the barriers is 20 feet. Vièville mentioned that N Mountain is one of the evacuation roads. Peterson-Adams responded that when speaking with the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Kelly Burns, he was pleased that the city would be getting rid of some of the parking on N Mountain, but was not pleased about the barriers going in, because wider roads are safer. Fleury added that the road is still within the appropriate width for evacuations, and there are multiple other evacuation routes in the area. Dahle asked if there was a possibility of reducing the speed limit on the street since the roadway would be narrowed. Fleury responded that currently there is no way to reduce it from 25 mph to 20 mph due to the state rules, but there is a lot of discussion about letting local networks make their own decisions in that regard. Brouillard inquired if Fleury had conferred with USPS about taking away parking, because they consider N Mountain a “deliverable route” meaning that they won’t park the mail truck and walk. Also, USPS won’t deliver packages if there’s nowhere for them to park. Fleury said that he sees them park and block the road often. Brouillard also expressed concern that with the narrowing of the road more cars will be going over the lane line resulting in more traffic tickets. Graf asked how the bike lanes would affect the area between B Street and Main Street. Fleury responded that there are 2 parking bays that fit the cross section between B Street and the railroad tracks. The bike lane would extend all the way up and terminate just below the parking bay edge at the last lot at N Mountain and Main Street. Fleury clarified that the schematic map that was presented to the group is not a final design, it’s just for layout purposes to show feasibility. Graf asked if that meant there would be no bike line from that spot to the corner. Fleury explained that there would be transitional striping. ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 21, 2023 Transportation Advisory Committee September 21, 2023 Page 4 of 5 Fleury told the group that he reached out to Recology regarding trash pickup but has not heard back. He is expecting that the garbage truck’s arm will be able to reach over to get resident’s trash cans still but he isn’t sure how that structure works. Peterson-Adams suggested the option of leaving the garbage cans in the driveways. Graf inquired how much obligation the city has to provide street parking to meet resident’s needs/desires, as the expected code change that would absolve developers of putting in parking would eliminate even more of the parking in that area, and there’s already a lot of cars that need to be parked somewhere. Fleury stated that per the Division of Land Development, parking is market driven. David asked if the protected bike lanes would follow the curb into the parking bays and if so would cars have to cross over the protected bike lanes to get into the parking bays? Also, when would the proposed layout be less conceptual and more permanent? Fleury responded that drivers would need to cross over the bike lane to get to the parking bays. Also, the idea needs to be approved before the plans can be finalized, and a change order would need to be done with Dowell with striping patterns fully completed and a decision made on that basis. Fleury also stated that the striping could be moved to the other side of the street on the high school side. Currently the project limit is to E Main Street but Fleury doesn’t think there’d be an issue establishing transitional striping and some signage, without looking at the road rehab and other components. Brouillard motioned to recommend to City Council that the parking be removed as shown on the schematic on the west part of North Mountain. David seconded. Graf asked if that meant no parking from B Street to the corner. Brouillard responded that it would be from the parking bay to the corner. Richards asked why the motion was just for removing parking and not the protected bike lanes as well. Brouillard explained that it’s easier to do it in parcels, as putting in protected bike lanes is a larger discussion, but removing parking would at least widen the road and make it safer. Richards responded that if the parking is removed but the protected bike lanes aren’t put in then it would be removing parking for no reason. Brouillard responded that it would be City Council’s decision and then the TAC could talk about what to do with that new space. Dahle asked if the parking bay on E Main Street would be removed, as mentioned in the public comment letter from the owner of 1081/1079 E Main Street. Brouillard responded that those spaces have to stay there legally. Fleury advised that he had responded to their letter and let them know that the parking there wouldn’t be impacted. Vièville asked if the synagogue could make a bigger parking lot. Brouillard responded that they have more room to pave in the back and the Beach Creek community could let them park there. Peterson-Adams did a roll call vote for the previous motion to recommend to City Council that the parking on N Mountain Ave be removed as shown on the schematic on the west part of N Mountain Ave. All ayes, unanimous. Brouillard made a second motion to recommend to City Council that buffered bike lanes be installed on both sides of the road from E Main Street to the highway, meaning 5 foot wide green painted lanes with 2 foot buffers from one point to the other, with candle-type barriers. Richards seconded. Vièville asked if the candle barriers take up 2 feet. Brouillard explained that they go between the bike lane and the street, and Fleury added that they’re 4 inches wide and reflective. Brouillard asked if green paint would be permissible, and Fleury said he would need to clarify that with the traffic engineer, Dowell, and DKS. ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 21, 2023 Transportation Advisory Committee September 21, 2023 Page 5 of 5 Brouillard motioned to use separated (according to the Federal Highway Administration) bike lanes painted green with cross hatches, candle type barriers, and 2 foot wide buffers from E Main Street to I-5. Richards seconded. Richards asked what space that would leave with the 2 foot buffer and the gutter pan, as a bike can’t use the approaching curb. Fleury explained that you almost get the gutter pan back. Dahle inquired about the type of candle barrier that would be used, and Fleury responded that the group hadn’t specified yet but generally it would be the kind that tapes to the street with asphalt tape. Peterson-Adams thought that for ADA purposes the candle could be yellow. Fleury responded that they’re generally white or yellow, and traffic control ones are orange. Vièville expressed concern that the group wasn’t ready to make this motion because issues like garbage, mail, and package delivery hadn’t been resolved. Brouillard responded that if the candles are laid out in such a way that could avoid the mail boxes then it could work, and the delivery trucks would block the road for about 15 minutes a day. Richards suggested that large cluster type mail boxes be put in that would be large enough for packages, and added that he has seen the Fed Ex drivers deliver while parked in the road so blocking the road is already happening. Dahle added that the delineation of how it is now versus what would happen is that the bike lanes would be more visible so bikers could be more aware and make informed decisions, and if it’s working in other places and it just annoys some people for a little bit then it should be a straightforward decision. Graf expressed concern about making a motion to put the protected bike lanes in wherever feasible as he remembered Fleury saying that it isn’t possible. Fleury explained that he was saying a green area through there would be possible but not candles. Graf said he is unsure that this could work at the Main Street intersection. Graf amended Brouillard’s motion to say that the protected bike lane only be put in where the cross section is physically possible. Brouillard seconded. All ayes. Brouillard asked if the TAC could define what type of candle would be used, and Fleury explained that it was not possible because it would put liability on the TAC, so that decision would need to be run through the traffic engineer. If there’s a preference of white or yellow then Fleury could make a recommendation. His preference would be white with yellow reflective tops. Peterson-Adams did a roll call vote for the motion to use separated (according to the Federal Highway Administration) bike lanes painted green with cross hatches, candle type barriers, and 2 foot wide buffers from E Main Street to I-5 where the cross section is physically possible. All ayes, unanimous. OTHER Brouillard went on a ride along with an Ashland Police Department officer. He commented on how overwhelming it was and how many bad drivers there are on the road for all modes of transportation. For example, they witnessed someone on an e-bike going 50 mph, and that is a regular occurrence. Brouillard explained that the officers have to prioritize what they do, and they are doing a commendable job. He also recommended that everyone (TAC members and City Council members) go on a ride along to see what our police department does. ADJOURNMENT: @ 7:23 PM Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Beckerich, Administrative Assistant **Full Video Available by Request** [EXTERNAL SENDER] *** FORM FIELD DATA*** Full Name: Ambuja Rosen Subject: CommentsMessage: I heard that here's a woman in your commission who chooses not to drive. Besides me, she's the only one in Ashland that I know of. The people that I know who don't drive would buy a car if they had the money. I'd like to pass these two thoughts on to her: 1. Car-free is carefree. 2. When people don't drink and drive, they deserve a silver medal for making the world a safer, better place. But the best prize--the gold medal--goes to people who don't drink OR drive. Truly, they've cast their blessing on us all. To the rest of the commission: I applaud your efforts to get bike lanes on Mountain Avenue. But that won't affect me, because 90 percent of the time, I ride on the sidewalk. This is lega,l except in the few blocks downtown where signs forbid it. If you ever get a chance, I'd like for you to spread the word to cyclists about ethical and safe practices. On the bike path and other places, cyclists often whiz by me without announcing that they're passing. Unlike cars, we cyclists don't have clearly marked lanes. If I move a little bit to the side, a cyclist like that might collide with me. This is especially scary when electric bikes go at car-like speeds where I'm biking. Bicyclists, for ethical and safety reasons, should announce, "Bicycle on your left (or right)," when passing a pedestrian or other cyclist. As far as bikes riding on the sidewalk, I found it best to stop when I'm about 20 feet from pedestrians, and let them pass before I get on my bike again. Otherwise, it causes them stress to share a narrow space with a bicyclist. And I don't pass a pedestrian who has his back facing to me. I'd love to see a downtown that is partly car-free. For example, a place for people to park their cars and take a shuttlebus to the downtown area. Thank you for your efforts to make Ashland an even more pedestrian-, bicyclist-, and bus-friendly place. Ambuja Rosen Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 8 November 7, 2023 Agenda Item North Mountain Avenue Protected Bike Lane From Scott Fleury PE Public Works Director Contact Scott.fleury@ashland.or.us Item Type Requested by Council ☐ Update ☐ Request for Direction ☒ Presentation ☐ SUMMARY Before the Council is review of a recommendation from the Transportation Advisory Committee to convert the existing bike lanes on North Mountain Avenue to protected bike lanes and eliminate curbside parking on the west side between East Main Street and 100’ south of the Avista Gas regulator station. POLICIES, PLANS & GOALS SUPPORTED VISION STATEMENTS for Success: • Ashland is a resilient, sustainable community that maintains the distinctive quality of place for which it is known • We will continue to be a unique and caring city that stresses environmental conservation, fosters artistic expression, and is open to new ideas and innovation • We will plan and direct our efforts to fulfill this Vision for the long term with a constant view toward being an open, welcoming community for all with a positive economic future VALUE STATEMENTS for Success that Support the Vision: COMMUNITY • Community affordability, including in available housing and childcare • Belonging through mutual respect and openness, inclusion and equity • Quality of life that underpins the City's economic vibrancy • Environmental resilience, including addressing climate change and ecosystem conservation • Regional cooperation, including in support for public safety and homelessness ORGANIZATION • Respect for the citizens we serve, for each other, and for the work we do • Excellence in governance and city services • Sustainability through creativity, affordability and rightsized service delivery • Public safety, including emergency preparedness for climate change risk • Quality infrastructure and facilities through timely maintenance and community investment Transportation Advisory Committee Mission: "Ashland has a vision - to retain our small-town character even while we grow. To achieve this vision, we must proactively plan for a transportation system that is integrated into the community and enhances Ashland's livability, character and natural environment...The focus must be on people being able to move easily through the city in all modes of travel, Modal equity then is more than just Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 8 a phase. It is a planning concept that does not necessarily imply equal financial commitment or equal percentage use of each mode, but rather ensures that we will have the opportunity to conveniently and safely use the transportation mode of our choice, and allow us to move toward a less auto-dependent community." Transportation System Plan: Goal #1 Create a “green” template for other communities in the state and nation to follow. • Expand active transportation infrastructure to include features that encourage non-auto travel. Potential features include bicycle boulevards, bicycle lanes, wider bicycle trails, and improved lighting for bicycles and pedestrians. Goal #2 Make safety a priority for all modes of travel. • Strategically plan for safety and operational improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians. Goal #3 Maintain small-town character, support economic prosperity and accommodate future growth. • Consider modal equity when integrating land use and transportation to provide travel options for system users. Goal #4: Create a system-wide balance for serving and facilitating pedestrian, bicycle, rail, air, transit, and vehicular traffic in terms of mobility and access within and through the City of Ashland. In addition to the TSP goals and mission the Transportation Planning Rule (TPR) was recently updated to reflect the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) framework. BACKGROUND AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION There has been some discussion by the Council on upgrading current bike facilities along Ashland Street and North Mountain Avenue to buffered/protected facilities. Ashland Street is classified in the City’s Transportation System Plan as a Boulevard and North Mountain is classified as an Avenue. At the January 31st, 2023 Special Meeting, the Council moved to provide staff direction to bring to the Transportation Advisory Committee information for a recommendation regarding protected bike lanes and crosswalks on Ashland Street, with specific attention to YMCA Way and Washington Street. The intersections of YMCA Way and Washington Street are within the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) jurisdiction and they are currently in the design phase to upgrade the ADA ramps and install crosswalks with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at these locations. Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 8 The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) supported the upgrade from a standard bike lane to a protected bike lane on Ashland Street and this upgrade was included in the final construction documents. The Ashland Street rehabilitation project is currently in the construction phase and will wrap up in spring of 2024. Public Works is also working to procure a micro street sweeper that will be able to sweep and remove debris from this and future buffered/protected bike land corridors. At the same time the discussion about protected bike lanes was happening, the North Mountain Avenue rehabilitation project was being designed and staff requested the engineer to determine the feasibility for installation of protected bike lanes along the corridor. The engineer developed a schematic layout for installation of protected bike lanes. Based on the right of way width it was feasible to install protected bike lanes along a majority of the corridor, but it would require the removal of on-street parking for a portion of the corridor length, see breakdown below. Right of Way (width) Analysis (reducing to 10’ travel lane): • All on-street parking from East Main Street to top of hill adjacent to the Avista regulator station would need to be eliminated to allow for a protected bike lane. • Top of the hill to Bear Creek bridge appears to be wide enough to allow for the separated bike lane. • Bear Creek bridge to Fair Oaks Drive is too narrow for the entire length to allow for a separated bike lane. • Fair Oaks Drive to E Nevada Street appears to be wide enough to allow for the separated bike lane. • E Nevada Street to I-5 bridge is too narrow to allow for a separated bike lane Since the removal of parking would be required to support installation of the protected bike lane it was determined the best course of action would be to hold a public hearing at a TAC meeting and notice the public along the corridor to take public comment and bring back and recommendation to the City Council with the Council making the final decision about parking removal and protected bike lane installation. Staff provided written notice to all residents within 200’ of the centerline of North Mountain Avenue along the section of roadway where parking was proposed to be eliminated. The public hearing was held on September 21, 2023 at the Council Chambers with written and oral testimony taken by the TAC. All if this information is included in the attachment section. The TAC had a robust discussion and deliberation regarding a recommendation to be brought forward to the City Council. Transportation Advisory Committee Recommendations: Brouillard motioned to recommend to City Council that the parking be removed as shown on the schematic on the west part of North Mountain. David seconded. All ayes Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 8 Brouillard motioned to use separated (according to the Federal Highway Administration) bike lanes painted green with cross hatches, candle type barriers, and 2 foot wide buffers from E Main Street to I-5. Richards seconded. All ayes. Graf amended Brouillard’s motion to say that the protected bike lane only be put in where the cross section is physically possible. Brouillard seconded. All ayes. North Mountain Avenue General Info: Mountain Avenue classified as an avenue in the TSP. Mountain Avenue has a 60 foot right of way Mountain Avenue generally has continuous sidewalk and a bike lane facility in place (missing sidewalk sections will be infilled with the construction phase) Mountain Avenue has sections of on-street parking provided for in bays P22 Project in the TSP recommends sidewalk infill along North Mountain Avenue Estimated Parking Space Loss: Staff estimated the total curb frontage for parking lost to create the protected bike lane along the upper portion of North Mountain Avenue (East Main to 100’ North of Village Green) is 960 feet. The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides design parameters for curbside parking and the spacing layout is 22’ to 26’. 960’/22’ = 43 total spaces Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 8 Figure 1: MUTCD Parking Detail Delivery (package and post): There was discussion about parcel and post delivery along with trash pickup along the corridor in relation to parking elimination and the delineator cone installation. There are approximately 17 driveway approaches along the section of roadway where parking would be eliminated for the protected bike lane. The installation of the delineators along the corridor should not impact parcel/post delivery nor trash pickup as the delineators will not be installed near the driveway access points in order to allow vehicular movements for ingress and egress. Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 8 Figure 2: Protected Bike Lane Installation Detail Figure 3: Protected Bike Lane Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 8 Figure 4: Protected Bike Lane-Green Paint Installation FISCAL IMPACTS The primary fiscal impact is associated with the cost to purchase and install the delineators and additional markings for the protected bike lane. Staff estimates the cost of markings and delineators will add $100,000 to the overall project. Staff will be working to obtain full funding for the project through the Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Bank (OTIB) or other debt service provider. Staff will also be looking at grant opportunities to partially fund some of the improvements including the bike lanes and other safety improvements planned for the corridor. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Does the Council have any questions about the TAC’s recommendations? ACTIONS, OPTIONS & POTENTIAL MOTIONS  I move to approve the removal of parking along North Mountain Avenue and install a protected bike lane where feasible as recommended by the Transportation Advisory Committee  I move to keep parking along North Mountain Avenue and re-install the typical bike lane section as part of the rehabilitation project Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 8  I move to take no action SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS Next steps include finalizing the design and construction documents to bid in spring of 2024. Staff will also need to search funding mechanisms for the project, which will be covered by the Food and Beverage Tax allocation. REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS 1. Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes and Public Comment 2. North Mountain Schematic Layout-PBL 3. North Mountain Traffic Count Data 4. North Mountain Bike Count Data 5. P22 Fact Sheet Memo Date: October 12, 2023 From: Scott A. Fleury To: Transportation Advisory Committee RE: Transportation Committee Workplan Outline 2023-2025 Biennium BACKGROUND: The TAC discussed the outline workplan draft developed by staff multiple times recently and the City Council has also disused Committee workplans at the October 3rd, 2023 Business Meeting. The Council confirmed the Council Liaisons at the meeting and requested the workplans be updated if any of the advisory committees had made changes to what was provided in the packet. The TAC did make changes to what was provided in the packet and they are reflected below. Staff will provide the updated workplan to administration for future discussions by Council. Eric Hansen – Council Liaison Dylan Bloom – Council Liaison Staff would like to discuss the workplan and prioritize items moving forward in order to assist in developing future agenda items and background information required. Workplan Draft Outline: 1) Transportation System Plan Update (Planned 2024) a) Vision Zero Resolution and Action Plan 2) Capital Improvement Projects (Protected Bike Lanes/Multimodal Analysis) a) Ashland Street Rehab (In-Progress) b) North Mountain Rehab (In-Progress) c) B Street Bike Boulevard (Planned fall 2023) i) Safety Analysis ii) Design d) Oak Street Rehabilitation (Planned 2024 – Design) 3) Traffic Safety, Parking, Signage, Striping, etc. – Continuous 4) Public Education and Outreach Program (Continuous) a) Collaboration with Council, CEPAC, Housing Committee and Planning Commission b) Traffic Calming Program (Continuous) c) Traffic Crash and Near Miss Review (twice annually) d) Bike Parking Inventory (downtown) (In-Progress) e) Transit Support as needed (RVTD) (Continuous) 5) Council Directed Projects for Review a) Bird Scooter Program Review (In-Progress) b) Parklet Program Review (In-Progress) c) Downtown Revitalization Grants (Continuous) d) ODOT Collaboration (Continuous) CONCLUSION: The Committee should discuss and prioritize work items. Staff also reached out to ODOT for an updated on the anticipated Transportation System Plan update and we are still on track to begin in 2024. Memo Date: August 11, 2021 From: Scott A. Fleury To: Transportation Commission RE: Vision Zero Action Plan Development BACKGROUND: The Transportation Commission over previous meetings has discussed and developed a Vision Zero Resolution that will be brought before Council with a recommendation to approve. Part of the resolution focuses on development of a Vision Zero Action Plan. Staff has scheduled the Vision Zero Resolution and Transportation System Plan Update on the Council look ahead for August 17, 2021. The link below is for “Guidelines for an Effective Vision Zero Action Plan” to be used as a baseline reference for starting development of a comprehensive action plan. Moving from Vision to Action The Foundational Elements of a Vision Zero Action Plan include: 1. Robust Data Framework 2. Actionable Strategies 3. Implementation 4. Evaluation Staff has also included a template format document with some basic information that can be utilized as the starting point for plan development. Links below are for other jurisdictions developed and adopted action plans for reference purposes. Sacramento Vision Zero Action Plan Eugene Vision Zero Action Plan City of Alexandria Vision Zero Action Plan Somerville Vision Zero Action Plan Watsonville Vision Zero Action Plan As the Commission and Public Works staff move forward with the Transportation System Plan Update process, there will be a direct connection to development of strategies, goals, projects and timelines that can be utilized to construct the formal action plan. Discussion Questions: 1. How does the Commission wish to address the framework of a Vision Zero Action Plan? a. Vision Zero Task Force i. Transportation Commission ii. Others b. Community Input (Engage Ashland) i. Communities of Concern (equity) c. Data Sources & Framework i. ODOT ii. City of Ashland iii. Census Information iv. Planning/Zoning d. Goals & Timelines i. What does success look like ii. Who is primarily responsible for achieving goals in associated timeframe? iii. What are the conditions and limitations for success? e. Strategies & Accountability i. Fundable f. Transparency i. Website ii. Continuous Feedback iii. Regular Meetings iv. Assessments g. Project List development based on Community Input 2. How do we tie in the Transportation System Plan Update? a. Community Input (Public Involvement Plan) i. Communities of Concern b. Project List development based on Community Input i. Prioritization process ii. Funding scenarios/options CONCLUSION: Action required: Commission should discuss and work on development of a Vision Zero Action Plan. A template is attached for reference along with the Vision Zero Action Plan Guidelines. Discussion should also include how developmental elements can be incorporated into the Transportation System Plan Update, specifically community engagement and outreach through the TSP Public Involvement and Communication Plan (see below). From TSP Update Scope: 1.4 PICP Consultant shall prepare draft and Final Public Involvement and Communications Plan (PICP) with input from the City to gain input throughout the duration of Project and at key milestones. Elements of the PICP must include, but are not limited to, the following: • Public involvement goals for the Project; • Identification of key populations and stakeholder groups for the plan; • Identification of City and Consultant roles and responsibilities for public involvement; • Strategy for accomplishing inclusive public outreach, including Title VI/Environmental justice community outreach and reporting; • Description of methods used to reach various stakeholders; • Recommendations for engaging key existing committees; and • Schedule for public involvement activities that are consistent with the Refined Project Schedule. Consultant shall submit Draft PICP to PMT for review and make revisions to address comments. City of Ashland Vision Zero Action Plan Acknowledgements City of Ashland Council Mayor Julie Akins Shaun Moran Paula Hyatt Gina DuQuenne Stef Seffinger Tonya Graham Stephen Jensen City of Ashland Transportation Commission Derrick Claypool-Barnes Corrine Vievielle Joseph Graf Linda Peterson Adams Katharine Danner Mark Brouillard Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 Section 1.1 Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 4 Section 1.2 Vision Zero Resolution ............................................................................................ 5 Section 2: Guiding Principles ......................................................................................................... 5 Section 2.1: Equity ...................................................................................................................... 5 Section 2.2: Data Driven Decision Making ................................................................................ 6 Section 2.3: Coordination and Accountability ............................................................................ 6 3.0 Transportation in Ashland ......................................................................................................... 6 3.1 High Crash Network .............................................................................................................. 6 3.2 Communities of Concern ...................................................................................................... 6 Section 1: Introduction Section 1.1 Purpose “Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all”. Vision Zero starts with the ethical belief that everyone has the right to move safely in their communities, and that system designers and policy makers share the responsibility to ensure safe systems for travel. Vision Zero is a significant departure from the status quo in two major ways: 1. Vision Zero recognizes that people will sometimes make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or fatalities. This means that system designers and policymakers are expected to improve the roadway environment, policies (such as speed management), and other related systems to lessen the severity of crashes. 2. Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse and necessary stakeholders to address this complex problem. In the past, meaningful, cross-disciplinary collaboration among local traffic planners and engineers, policymakers, and public health professionals has not been the norm. Vision Zero acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility -- including roadway design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies -- and sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries. The Vision Zero Program and Action Plan outline the City of Ashland’s commitment and long- term strategy for eliminating deaths and serious injuries from the transportation system with a focus on equity. Section 1.2 Vision Zero Resolution A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OREGON SETTING AS OFFICIAL POLICY THE VISION ZERO GOAL THAT NO LOSS OF LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY ON OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS ACCEPTABLE. RECITALS: A. The life and health of the City of Ashland’s residents are our utmost priority. B. No one should die or be seriously injured on our transportation system. C. Communities of Concern face a disproportionate risk of traffic injuries and fatalities. D. Vision Zero is an approach to transportation safety that accepts no loss of life or serious injuries on the transportation system. THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Ashland City Council sets as official policy Vision Zero’s goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on our transportation system. SECTION 2. The Ashland City Council supports efforts by the City of Ashland and our regional partners to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our transportation system, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable users. SECTION 3. The Ashland City Council supports efforts by the City of Ashland’s Transportation, to develop a Vision Zero Action Plan that develops and prioritizes safety improvements for people walking, bicycling, using mobility devices and driving motorized vehicles. SECTION 4. This Resolution takes effect upon signing by the Mayor. This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this day of (Month) 2021. Section 2: Guiding Principles Section 2.1: Equity The City’s Vision Zero Action Plan shall be equitable and acknowledge the disproportionate burden of traffic crashes on people of color, low-income households, people with limited English proficiency, persons with disabilities or other mobility impairments, and other vulnerable groups. It will prioritize safety improvements for these populations. The action plan will focus on filling gaps in transportation infrastructure where injuries and fatalities occur and where missing links limit transportation options, particularly for the underserved communities. It will employ enforcement strategies that focus primarily on the most dangerous behaviors like speeding, impairment, and distraction. It will not result in racial profiling. Section 2.2: Data Driven Decision Making Crash, speed and volume data will be regularly gathered and uipdated to identify the locations, behaviors, and other conditions related to deaths and serious injuries on our streets. Demographic data will be used to prioritize underserved communities. The impacts and effectiveness of actions taken will be evaluated and publicly reported. Section 2.3: Coordination and Accountability Actions will have clearly defined roles, responsibilities and expectations among the departments working on implementation. The City will work local and regional partners to maximize the impact of the Vision Zero Action Plan. 3.0 Transportation in Ashland 3.1 High Crash Network 3.2 Communities of Concern RESOLUTION NO. 2024 - XX A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OREGON SETTING AS OFFICIAL POLICY THE VISION ZERO GOAL THAT NO LOSS OF LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY ON OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS ACCEPTABLE. RECITALS: A. The life and health of the City of Ashland’s residents are our utmost priority. B. No one should die or be seriously injured on our transportation system. C. Communities of Concern face a disproportionate risk of traffic injuries and fatalities. D. Vision Zero is an approach to transportation safety that accepts no loss of life or serious injuries on the transportation system. THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Ashland City Council sets as official policy Vision Zero’s goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on our transportation system. SECTION 2. The Ashland City Council supports efforts by the City of Ashland and our regional partners to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our transportation system, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable users. SECTION 3. The Ashland City Council supports efforts by the City of Ashland’s Transportation, to develop a Vision Zero Action Plan that develops and prioritizes safety improvements for people walking, bicycling, using mobility devices and driving motorized vehicles. SECTION 4. This Resolution takes effect upon signing by the Mayor. This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this day of (Month) 2024. Dana Smith, Pro-Tem City Recorder SIGNED and APPROVED this day of (Month) 2024. Reviewed as to form: Tonya Graham, Mayor David Lohman, City Attorney Revised draft June 2021 G:\pub-wrks\eng\dept-admin\TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION\2023 Staff Memos\October 19\Vision Zero\Vision Zero Resolution (June).doc Memo Date: October 12, 2023 From: Scott A. Fleury To: Transportation Commission RE: Vision Zero Resolution BACKGROUND: At the May 20, 2021 the Commission discussed the draft Vision Zero Resolution developed and recommended changes to the resolution. Staff has captured the requested changes and updated the resolution including the formatting which is consistent with adopted Council resolutions. The updated resolution is attached for discussion. The Commission should also discuss and develop the process for moving the resolution through various Commission’s. This process should include development of background documentation or a “staff report” that can be provided to each Commission as part of the recommendation process. Concern has been expressed by the Climate Policy Commission and the Climate Outreach and Conservation Commission about potentially not including reference to greenhouse gas reductions as part of the Vision Zero Resolution. Shown below are the focused goals for GHG reduction in the CEAP. Although not directly related to “safety” within the transportation network it is an ancillary benefit of Vision Zero and 20 Is Plenty and could generally be referenced in the resolution or accounted for in the Action Plan that needs to be developed. In addition, Chapter 13 of the current TSP document is the Sustainability Plan and references GHG reductions. Sustainability Plan: This section presents the Sustainability Plan for the City of Ashland. The key elements of the sustainability plan discussed below are transportation demand management (TDM), reduction of Ashland’s carbon footprint, climate change, environmental impact to transportation benefit matrix, private sector sustainability solutions, and other relevant policies, goals, and objectives. These elements contribute to the City’s goal of creating a green template for other communities to follow. Climate Energy Action Plan Goals and Targets: The plan’s overarching goals and targets focus on addressing climate change risks by reducing Ashland’s emissions of climate pollution (“climate mitigation”) and preparing the city for unavoidable impacts (“climate adaptation”): 1. Reduce Ashland’s contribution to global carbon pollution by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with City, residential, commercial, and industrial activities. a. For the Ashland community: Reduce overall Ashland community greenhouse gas emissions by 8% on average every year to 2050. b. For City of Ashland operations: Attain carbon neutrality in City operations by 2030 and reduce fossil fuel consumption by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. G:\pub-wrks\eng\dept-admin\TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION\2023 Staff Memos\October 19\Vision Zero\Vision Zero Resolution (June).doc 2. Prepare the city’s communities, systems, and resources to be more resilient to climate change impacts. Next Steps: 1. Finalize Resolution 2. Climate Policy Commission recommendation on Resolution 3. Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission recommendation on Resolution 4. Planning Commission recommendations on Resolution 5. Draft Council Report 6. Schedule Council discussion on look ahead 7. Incorporate Vision Zero into the Transportation System Plan Update Previous Background: At the April 15, 2021 Transportation Commission meeting the group discussed development of a 20 Is Plenty Program and the Vision Zero Network Program. “Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe — and now it’s gaining momentum in major American cities”. A New Vision for Safety Vision Zero starts with the ethical belief that everyone has the right to move safely in their communities, and that system designers and policy makers share the responsibility to ensure safe systems for travel. Vision Zero is a significant departure from the status quo in two major ways: 1. Vision Zero recognizes that people will sometimes make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or fatalities. This means that system designers and policymakers are expected to improve the roadway environment, policies (such as speed management), and other related systems to lessen the severity of crashes. 2. Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse and necessary stakeholders to address this complex problem. In the past, meaningful, cross-disciplinary G:\pub-wrks\eng\dept-admin\TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION\2023 Staff Memos\October 19\Vision Zero\Vision Zero Resolution (June).doc collaboration among local traffic planners and engineers, policymakers, and public health professionals has not been the norm. Vision Zero acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility -- including roadway design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies -- and sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries. CONCLUSION: Commission should discuss the draft resolution and provide comments/feedback in an effort to finalize the language and move towards bringing the resolution before Council for discussion and adoption. Page 1 of 3 Council Business Meeting August 17, 2021 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2021-21 Setting the Vision Zero Goal for the Transportation System From Scott Fleury PE Linda Peterson-Adams Public Works Director Transportation Commission Chair Contact Scott.fleury@ashland.or.us; 541-552-2412 SUMMARY Before the Council is a resolution establishing a Vision Zero Goal. A Vision Zero Goal for the community sets the standard that no loss of life or serious injury on a transportation system is acceptable. The City of Ashland Transportation Commission has taken the lead to discuss and develop the resolution and if approved is looking forward to beginning the development of a Vision Zero Action Plan in conjunction with working on the Transportation System Plan Update. POLICIES, PLANS & GOALS SUPPORTED Council Goals: Essential Services • Streets* Value Services • Multi-Modal Transportation • All-Age Friendly Community • Downtown Parking *The Transportation Commission defines “streets” as the complete street including curb, gutter, sidewalk, parkrow and the paved travel lanes. Current Transportation System Plan: • Create a green template for other communities in the state and nation to follow. • Make safety a priority for all modes. • Maintain small-town character, support economic prosperity and accommodate future growth. • Create a system-wide balance for serving and facilitating pedestrian, bicycle, rail, air, transit, and vehicular traffic in terms of mobility and access within and through the City of Ashland. Department Goals: • Maintain existing infrastructure to meet regulatory requirements and minimize life-cycle costs. • Deliver timely life cycle capital improvement projects. • Maintain and improve infrastructure that enhances the economic vitality of the community. • Evaluate all city infrastructure regarding planning management and financial resources. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION N/A BACKGROUND AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The City of Ashland Transportation Commission Mission: “Ashland has a vision - to retain our small-town character even while we grow. To achieve this vision, we must proactively plan for a transportation system that is integrated into the community and enhances Ashland’s livability, character and natural environment. The focus must be on people being able to Page 2 of 3 move easily through the City in all modes of travel. Modal equity then is more than just a phase. It is a planning concept that does not necessarily imply equal financial commitment or equal percentage use of each mode, but rather ensures that we will have the opportunity to conveniently and safely use the transportation mode of our choice, and allow us to move toward a less auto-dependent community.” To meet the mission, the Transportation Commission has worked with Public Works staff over multiple meetings to develop a Vision Zero Resolution with a mind that the City of Ashland becomes a Vision Zero Community. “Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.” At the July 15, 2021 Transportation Commission meeting the group motioned: Danner motions to recommend City Council approve the Vision Zero Resolution. Graf seconds. All Ayes, Motion Carries. If approved by the City Council, the Transportation Commission and Public Works staff will begin development of a Vision Zero action plan and ensure appropriate elements of Vision Zero are incorporated into the Transportation System Plan Update. Vision Zero Background: A New Vision for Safety Vision Zero starts with the ethical belief that everyone has the right to move safely in their communities, and that system designers and policy makers share the responsibility to ensure safe systems for travel. Vision Zero is a significant departure from the status quo in two major ways: 1. Vision Zero recognizes that people will sometimes make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or fatalities. This means that system designers and policymakers are expected to improve the roadway environment, policies (such as speed management), and other related systems to lessen the severity of crashes. 2. Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse and necessary stakeholders to address this complex problem. In the past, meaningful, cross-disciplinary collaboration among local traffic planners and engineers, policymakers, and public health professionals has not been the norm. Vision Zero acknowledges that many factors contribute to Page 3 of 3 safe mobility -- including roadway design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies -- and sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries. In addition to development of the Vision Zero Resolution, the Transportation Commission has been working with Public Works staff to vet and update the Transportation System Plan scope of work developed by Kittelson Associates. The goals and objectives scope items for the TSP update include recognizing Vision Zero goals along with others developed since the 2012 TSP. A professional services contract with Kittelson Associates is presented before the City Council as a separate request. The Vision Zero program will help guide development of an updated Transportation System Plan. Transportation System Plan Update: Goals and Objectives (from scoping document): The purpose of this task is to review state, regional and local planning documents relevant to a TSP update, articulate a vision for the community’s transportation priorities, define how the system should function, and form the basis for criteria to select preferred improvements. The goals in the current TSP will be updated to reflect the goals in more recent planning documents, including the Ashland Climate Energy Action Plan and the Evacuation Time Estimate Study. They will also be updated to reflect more recent initiatives, such as 20’s Plenty and Vision Zero Program goals. The goals will be used to guide the development of the TSP and ensure that all aspects of the plan help the City move toward meetings their goals of reducing Ashland’s contribution to global carbon pollution, preparing the City to be more resilient to climate change and its impacts, and ensuring Ashland continues to be an “all ages and abilities” community. If the resolution is approved by Council, the Transportation Commission will begin working on development of the Vision Zero action plan in conjunction with the TSP update. The Commission’s intent is to engage various stakeholders through development of the action plan including the City’s Planning, Climate Policy and Climate Outreach Commissions and community input. Once the draft action plan is developed the Transportation Commission and staff will schedule presentation update before Council for discussion. FISCAL IMPACTS Fiscal impacts associated with resolution approval include the staff time necessary to work with the Transportation Commission, other City Commissions, and community stakeholders to develop a Vision Zero action plan. Part of this work will be incorporated into the Transportation System Plan update process. STAFF RECOMMENDATION The Transportation Commission and Public Works staff recommend approval of the Vision Zero Resolution ACTIONS, OPTIONS & POTENTIAL MOTIONS 1. I move to approve Resolution No. 2021-21 titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Ashland, Oregon setting as official policy the Vision Zero Goal that no loss of life or serious injury on our Transportation System are acceptable.” 2. I move to take no action. REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Resolution No. 2021-21; a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Ashland, Oregon setting as official policy the Vision Zero Goal that no loss of life or serious injury on our Transportation System is acceptable RESOLUTION NO. 2021-21 Page 1 of 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-21 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OREGON SETTING AS OFFICIAL POLICY THE VISION ZERO GOAL THAT NO LOSS OF LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY ON OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS ACCEPTABLE RECITALS: A. The life and health of the City of Ashland’s residents are our utmost priority. B. No one should die or be seriously injured on our transportation system. C. Communities of Concern face a disproportionate risk of traffic injuries and fatalities. D. Vision Zero is an approach to transportation safety that accepts no loss of life or serious injuries on the transportation system. THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Ashland City Council sets as official policy Vision Zero’s goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on our transportation system. SECTION 2. The Ashland City Council supports efforts by the City of Ashland and our regional partners to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our transportation system, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable users. SECTION 3. The Ashland City Council supports efforts by the City of Ashland’s Transportation, to develop a Vision Zero Action Plan that develops and prioritizes safety improvements for people walking, bicycling, using mobility devices and driving motorized vehicles. SECTION 4. This Resolution takes effect upon signing by the Mayor. This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this day of August 2021. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-21 Page 2 of 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ADOPTED by the City Council this day of , 2021. ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Huhtala, City Recorder SIGNED and APPROVED this ______ day of _______________, 2021. _____________________________ Julie Akins, Mayor Reviewed as to form: ___________________________ Katrina L. Brown, Interim City Attorney CITY OF ASHLAND WALKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL BELLVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRAILS OUTDOOR SCHOOL HELMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILLOW WIND COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER AUGUST 2023 ASHLAND Safe Routes to School Plan A Plan to make walking and rolling to school a safe and fun activity. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The following key people and their organizations participated in the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan efforts. Their creativity, energy, and commitment were critical to the success of this Plan. SCOTT FLEURY City of Ashland ERIKA BARE Ashland School District JENNIFER PARKS TRAILS Outdoor School DEBRA SCHAEFFER-PEW Willow Wind Community Learning Center SAMUEL BOGDANOVE Ashland School District ARIEL L. DANIEL Streets for Everyone JACQUELINE SCHAD Ashland School District JOHN LAZUR Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS City of Ashland Ashland School District Oregon Department of Transportation ALTA PLANNING + DESIGN STAFF Katie Selin Isooda Niroomand TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ........................ii Table of Contents ...........................iii INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . .IV What is Safe Routes to School? ...............1 Student Benefits of Safe Routes to School .....3 Community Benefits of Safe Routes to School .4 City of Ashland SRTS PIP ....................5 The Ashland SRTS Plan Process ..............5 Using this Plan .............................6 VISION AND GOALS FOR SRTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Introduction ...............................9 Vision ....................................9 Goals, Objectives, and Actions ..............10 SAFETY ..................................11 EQUITY ..................................11 HEALTH .................................12 ENVIRONMENT ...........................12 A Community-Driven Planning Process .......13 EXISTING CONDITIONS . . .16 Introduction ...............................17 Ashland Middle School Safety Assessment ....18 TRAILS Outdoor School Safety Assessment ...19 Walker Elementary School Safety Assessment .21 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory ...... 22 Helman Elementary School Safety Assessment 26 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory ......28 Bellview Elementary Safety Assessment .....30 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory ......32 Ashland High School Safety Assessment ....34 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory ......36 Willow Wind Center Safety Assessment ....40 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory ......42 NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . .44 Introduction ..............................45 Construction Project Recommendations .....46 Education and Encouragement Program Recommendations ........................56 Education and Encouragement Program Descriptions ..............................64 IMPLEMENTATION . . . . . . . .68 Introduction ..............................69 Project Prioritization Process ................60 High Priority Construction Projects ...........61 Education Implementation Next Steps .......62 Next Steps ................................63 APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Appendix A. For More Information ..........66 Appendix B. Planning Process ..............67 Appendix C. Existing Conditions ............69 Appendix D. Funding and Implementation ....78 Appendix E. Funding and Implementation ....101 iiiTABLE OF CONTENTS 01 INTRODUCTION WHAT IS SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL? Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a comprehensive program to make school communities safer by combining engineering tools and engagement with education about safety and activities to enable and encourage students to walk and roll to school. SRTS programs involve partnerships among municipalities, school districts, transit districts, parks and recreation districts, public health agencies, community members, parent volunteers, and community groups. The benefits of implementing a SRTS Plan include improving safety, increasing access, encouraging physical activity, and reducing traffic congestion and motor vehicle emissions near schools. Implementing SRTS programs and projects benefits adjacent neighborhoods, as well as students and their families, by reducing traffic conflicts and enabling walking and rolling trips for all purposes. Learn more at www.oregonsaferoutes.org. iNTrOduCTiON 1 Why Safe Routes to School? Within the span of one generation, the percentage of children walking or bicycling to school has decreased 73%. SRTS programs and activities help overcome obstacles to walking, biking, and skating by improving safety and making these activities fun and convenient for everyone. SRTS education and encouragement programs can result in a 25% increase in walking and biking over five years. When education and encouragement programs are combined with infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks and safe crossings, SRTS can result in a 45% increase in walking and biking. One mile of walking each way to school equals 2/3 of the daily recommended 60 minutes of physical activity. Sources: McDonald, Noreen, Austin Brown, Lauren Marchetti, and Margo Pedroso. 2011. “U.S. School Travel 2009: An Assessment of Trends.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine. + Centers for Disease Control. www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm; McDonald, N., Steiner, R., Lee, C., Rhoulac Smith, T., Zhu, X., and Y. Yang. (2014). Impact of the Safe Routes to School Program on Walking and Bicycling. Journal of the American Planning Association. Children and adolescents should have 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily. Roads near schools are congested, decreasing safety and air quality for children. This movement away from active transportation is a self-perpetuating cycle. 48% 13% 1969 2009 MINUTES THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION Fewer students walking and biking to school Rising concerns about safety of walking and biking More parents driving children to school Increased trac at & around school INCREASE 25 ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM2 Student Benefits of Safe Routes to School Numerous studies have documented that Safe Routes to School projects and programs can lead to increased walking and bicycling activity among students. But why is it important for communities to make it safer and more convenient for students to walk and bike to school? INCREASED SAFETY FOR STUDENTS Even if some caregivers choose to drive their students to and from school, many families don’t have this option. Some families have no access to a vehicle, and others have work schedules that don’t allow them to drop their students off or pick them up at school. When we provide critical SRTS improvements and education to our communities, we make it safer for these (and all) students to to get to school. REDUCTION IN ABSENCES AND TARDINESS Especially in historically disadvantaged communities, lack of transportation can be a considerable barrier to attending school consistently. Programs such as Walking School Buses and Bike Trains, which offer supervision and structure for walk or ride to school, provide alternative options for students to arrive on time and ready to learn.1 HEALTHIER STUDENTS Because SRTS programs make it easier to walk, bike, skate, and scoot to school, they directly support increased physical activity for young people.2 Walking even one mile to school and one mile home gives a student about 40 minutes of physical acitivity - two-thirds of the recommended amount! 1 Attendance Works. “Springfield: Walking School Bus - Atten- dance Works.” Accessed August 22, 2016. http://www.atten- danceworks.org/what-works/springfieldwalking-school-bus/. 2 Cooper et al., Commuting to school: Are children who walk more physically active? Amer Journal of Preventative Medicine 2003: 25 (4) IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE Staying healthy and getting regular exercise have been shown to improve students’ academic performance. In one study, researchers found that after walking for 20 minutes, students responded to test questions with greater accuracy and had more brain activity than students who had been sitting. They also learned tasks faster and more accurately following this physical activity.3 CLEANER AIR, FEWER EMISSIONS Increasing the number of students walking and biking to school means decreasing the number who have to rely on private vehicles. This improves air quality near schools, decreasing students’ exposure to pollution generated by idling vehicles and heavy traffic. “If half of the school district’s 4,000 students switch to walking, biking, or rolling, this change would result in an average driving distance reduction of 5 vehicle miles traveled by day. Over a 180-day school year, this would result in 1.8 million fewer vehicle miles traveled per year, or about 0.75% of the county’s total passenger vehicle miles traveled of 240 million miles per year.4 GREATER CONFIDENCE When young people are able to navigate their neighborhood on their own, they build self-confidence and independence. They may also learn to read signs, monitor time, keep track of their belongings, and gain other valuable skills. STRONGER SOCIAL CONNECTIONS Arriving to school via Walking School Bus, Bike Train, or even just with a friend or sibling fosters community and builds social bonds. Especially when so many students face challenges like bullying and isolation, this opportunity to make connections can be extremely beneficial. 3 Hillman CH, Pontifex MB, Raine LB, Castelli DM, Hall EE, Kramer AF. The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children. Neuroscience. 2009;159(3):1044-1054. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.01.057 4 Ashland County Energy Council 2022 Letter of Support iNTrOduCTiON 3 Community Benefits of Safe Routes to School Students and their families are not the only ones who benefit when we encourage and enable young people to walk or bike to school safely. In many ways, Safe Routes to School benefits the whole community. Communities that prioritize active transportation can see the following improvements: REDUCED TRAFFIC CONGESTION Reducing the number of families commuting to school in private vehicles reduces traffic around the school. This means improved circulation for people driving, as well as safer conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. As more people feel comfortable walking and bicycling, this can also foster an environment where community members see active transportation as a viable option and a priority, leading to additional shifts from driving to active modes. STRONGER SENSE OF COMMUNITY Opportunities for social connection and a greater sense of community increase as students and parents participate in collective active transportation (such as Walking School Buses) or get to know neighbors while out walking or biking. Additionally, the common goal of improving conditions for walking and bicycling can bring families, neighbors, school officials, and community leaders together. SAFER STREETS As the use of private vehicles increases, crash rates tend to increase1. Conversely, when higher numbers of people are able to walk and bike safely, communities can see a decrease in crashes. More people engaged in active transportation can also improve personal security and the perception of safety by providing more “eyes on the street.” 1 Litman, Todd and Fitzroy, Steven (2021), Safe Travels: Evaluating Transportation Demand Management Traffic Safety Impacts, Victoria Transport Policy Institute LOWER COSTS Encouraging and enabling bicycle and pedestrian trips reduces costs for families, communities, and school districts. Families save on gas, while communities spend less on building and maintaining roads. Meanwhile, school districts spend less on busing students who live within walking distance of schools. IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY When communities prioritize infrastructure improvements and make walking and biking to school safer, all community members benefit. Improved facilities make it easier for all people to get around, including parents with strollers, senior citizens, residents without cars, and residents with temporary or permanent mobility impairments. ECONOMIC GAINS Studies show that businesses in neighborhoods that are walking and bicycle friendly see more business and higher sales.2 2 Rodney Tolley (2011), Good For Busine$$ - The Benefits Of Making Streets More Walking And Cycling Friendly, Heart Foundation South Australia ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM4 City of Ashland SRTS Project Identification Program The City of Ashland, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Region 3 representatives, Ashland School District, Streets for Everyone and the school community worked with ODOT’s SRTS Technical Assistance Providers— Alta Planning + Design—to complete this SRTS Plan. This SRTS Plan supports Oregon’s statewide SRTS construction (infrastructure) and education/ engagement (non-infrastructure) efforts. The Project Identification Program (PIP) process is an ODOT technical assistance program that helps communities identify needs and opportunities near one or more schools, focusing on streets within a quarter mile of the school, as well as critical issues within a mile of the school.* This process did not include schools outside City boundaries. The goals of the PIP process are: • To engage school partners in identifying and prioritizing projects that will improve walking and bicycling routes to schools. • To identify and refine specific projects that are eligible for the ODOT SRTS Infrastructure Grants and prepare jurisdictions to apply for the funding. The Ashland SRTS Plan Process** *For more information on the PIP program, visit www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/Pages/SRTS-Project-Identification-Program.aspx. **A detailed summary of the planning process is included in Appendix B. ***Final SRTS Plans can be found at www.OregonSafeRoutes.org. Project Initiation - Background data collection - Existing conditions review School Safety Assessment - Community outreach - Walk audit - Facility inventory Review Process - Project Management Team (PMT) review of draft recommendations - Draft SRTS Plan - Public comment on Draft Plan Final SRTS Plan*** FALL/WINTER 2022-2023 SPRING 2023 SPRING/SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 iNTrOduCTiON 5 Plan Audience This Plan lays the foundation for local public agency staff, schools, the community, and ODOT to work together on reducing barriers for students walking and biking to school. Because of the many people involved in this planning process, this Plan is written in a way that attempts to speak to several different audiences at once: • School, district, and local public agency staff: The PIP process is usually initiated by a combination of these groups, which generally make up the PMT and have both a technical and experiential understanding of issues and needed improvements. At the same time, these stakeholders may or may not have an engineering background. The majority of this Plan is written to be read and understood by these important contributors. • Interested community members: Because the success of any SRTS effort depends on engagement with the people who will ultimately use these routes, facilities, and programs, key sections of this Plan are intended to be understandable to the general public, including the school community and residents in general. In particular, the Existing Conditions section (which takes inventory of barriers and issues) is important for interested community members to review and add to. Recommendations are written in more technical language... • Planners, engineers and public works staff: Ultimately, many of these recommendations involve highly specialized and technical processes, as well as competitive funding applications, which is why the Recommendations chapter is written with this audience in mind. • Local decision makers: Elected officials, such as councilmembers, commissioners, and tribal governance bodies, are also a critical component of shaping active transportation. The Goals, Objectives, and Actions listed in the Vision and Goals Chapter will be particularly relevant for this group, as well as the Recommendations chapter. However, the majority of this Plan is written to be accessible to this group. Student submission to Oregon Safe Routes to School Walk + Roll Art Contest, 2021 ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM6 How to use this Plan Each partner has a key role to play in contributing to this Plan’s success. This section provides some ideas for how different groups can take part in advancing SRTS goals in their community. WHO ARE YOU? I AM A STUDENT • Practice and encourage safe walking and rolling to, from, and near school. • Participate in a Walking School Bus or another education/encouragement idea identified in Chapter 4. • Promote SRTS activities through artwork or school projects. I AM A CAREGIVER • Understand the conditions at your student’s school (see Chapter 2) to plan a walking/rolling route or advocate for improvements. • Help implement the educational and encouragement programs suggested in Chapter 4. • Support fundraising for projects and programs (see Appendix D). I WORK FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT • Distribute information about walking and rolling safely and SRTS talking points to caregivers and the school community. • Tackle the SRTS objectives and actions from Chapter 2 that are relevant to the school district, and develop Chapter 4 programs that educate and encourage students and caregivers to seek alternatives to single family commutes to school. • Prioritize facility improvements on District property. • Work with multiple schools, sharing information and bringing efficiencies to programs at each school working on SRTS. • Incorporate bike and pedestrian safety lessons into P.E class and offer trainings for P.E. teachers to learn about available curricula. I AM A TEACHER OR OTHER STAFF MEMBER • Include bicycle and pedestrian safety in lesson plans and school curriculum • Arrange field trips within walking distance of school and teach lessons about safety along the way. • Be positive and encourage students and families to try walking and rolling! I AM A COMMUNITY MEMBER • Learn about walking and bicycling conditions in your neighborhood and how an SRTS program can improve them (see Chapter 2). • Participate as an advocate to support education and encouragement programs (see Chapter 4). I WORK FOR THE CITY OR COUNTY • Identify city- or countywide issues and opportunities related to walking and bicycling, prioritizing construction improvements provided in Chapter 4. • Pursue funding for improvements, using sources listed in Appendix D. I WORK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT • Raise awareness of traffic rules, focusing on key SRTS locations that have a history of crashes. • Focus on traffic safety education, rewarding positive behavior, and supporting school walk and bike events. Be mindful of strategies that may disproportionately and negatively affect children and families of color, low wealth, or marginalized populations. I WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH • Identify specific opportunities to collaborate with schools and local governments to support safety improvements and encourage healthy behaviors (see Chapter 4). iNTrOduCTiON 7 VISION AND GOALS FOR SRTS02 VISION AND GOALS This chapter includes an overall vision as well as specific actions that city and school leadership can take to support SRTS. It also includes an overview of the public input process that shaped this Plan. Community Vision for SRTS The Ashland community envisions a future where students and their families safely, comfortably, and conveniently walk and bicycle as part of the daily school commute and a healthy lifestyle. viSiON ANd gOALS FOr SrTS 9 Goals, Objectives, and Actions The ODOT SRTS PIP team developed goals to support SRTS in the areas of health, safety, equity, and the environment. Participants in the Ashland PIP process selected safety and equity as the main priorities for the community. A summary of community engagement activities is included in the following section. The following section lists specific recommended objectives and actions based on the community- identified goals, as well as community input from the walk audit and data collected throughout the PIP process. Actions may relate to achieving more than one goal, but each action is only listed once. SAFETY Goal: Increase safety for students and families traveling to school, particularly those who walk and bike out of necessity. Objective 1: Students are able to walk and bike to and from campus, between schools, and to homes within a quarter mile of the school. • Action: Ashland School District will integrate on-campus infrastructure improvements into their ongoing planning processes and maintenance. • Action: The City of Ashland will consider applying to the ODOT Competitive SRTS Infrastructure Grant in 2023 for infrastructure improvements, outlined in Chapter 4. • Action: The City of Ashland will begin implementing recommendations as funds for capital improvements become available, particularly lower cost improvements within a quarter-mile of each school. Objective 2: Safe walking or biking access is available to all families within one mile of the school. • Action: The City of Ashland will adopt the long- term infrastructure recommendations in Chapter 4 as a part of its planning processes including the upcoming Transportation System Plan update. • Action: The City of Ashland will coordinate with Ashland Police Department to address enforcement issues near school campuses, such as: • Parking in reserved ADA parking without a permit. • Parking in bike lanes • Speeding on neighborhood streets Objective 3: Pedestrian and bicycle safety education is available to students in Ashland and Ashland County School District. • Action: Walker Elementary School, Ashland Middle School, Ashland High School, Bellview Elementary School, TRAILS Outdoor School, Helman Elementary School, Willow Wind Community Learning Center will encourage families to walk and bike to school by distributing information regarding safety and suggested routes. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM10 • Action: Ashland School District and City of Ashland will coordinate with school leadership and the Phoenix-Talent School District to apply for the SRTS Education grant to fund a SRTS coordinator position. This coordinator will organize safety, education, and encouragement activities across both school districts. EQUITY Goal: Increase access and opportunity to walk and bike to school for all residents, with a particular focus on transportation-disadvantaged populations. Objective 1: Engage with families from historically disadvantaged groups such as the Latino community, to hear and learn about their barriers to students walking or biking to school. • Action: Ashland School District and City of Ashland will provide SRTS information and educational materials in English and Spanish. • Action: Ashland School District and City of Ashland will partner with existing groups and organizations that serve particularly the Latinx community, low-income households, and other historically disadvantaged groups to help disperse information and better understand needs and barriers. • Action: Ashland School District schools will consider how to overcome barriers such as parent work schedules and transportation limitations to enable all parents to participate in SRTS programs and activities. Objective 2: Prioritize infrastructure and non- infrastructure improvements that connect underserved or low-income communities to schools and improve access for students walking, biking, and taking transit to school campuses. • Action: The City of Ashland will implement infrastructure recommendations with a consideration for improvements that serve underserved and low-income communities. HEALTH Goal: Increase student access to physical activity, recreation, and mental wellness while reducing emissions near schools. Objective 1: Students have increased physical activity before, after, and during the school day. • Action: Ashland School District will look for areas of overlap between SRTS efforts and other health initiatives and PE class. Objective 2: The school community supports families using active and shared transportation to access school and reach nearby destinations. • Action: Ashland School District will share relevant health statistics and messages in school newsletters, back-to-school night or through other communication channels. • Action: The City of Ashland will coordinate with local public health agencies to share information about SRTS and coordinate around shared wellness goals. ENVIRONMENT Goal: Increase environmental health near schools, including air and water quality Objective 1: Reduce congestion and air pollution near the school campus. • Action: Ashland School District will provide parents with education and encouragement materials providing information on carpooling, walking, biking, and school buses. viSiON ANd gOALS FOr SrTS 11 A Community-Driven Planning Process The vision, goals, objectives and actions provided here, as well as the detailed construction project and programmatic recommendations to follow in Chapter 4, were shaped by the Ashland community. Community-group representatives, parents and other community members had the opportunity to participate in the SRTS planning process and provide feedback in the following ways: • Participation in walk audits at each school and a community meeting • Virtual feedback using the Online Public Input Map and survey The City of Ashland, Ashland School District, Streets for Everyone and school leadership from Walker Elementary School, Ashland Middle School, Ashland High School, Bellview Elementary School, TRAILS Outdoor School, Helman Elementary School and Willow Wind Community Learning Center worked diligently to spread the word about the walk audits, community meetings and the Online Public Input Map and survey by sending them out to all families and posting them on the school websites. The project team conducted a series of five walk audits in Ashland over three days (April 10-12, 2023), with the following schedule: • Ashland Middle School, Walker Elementary School and TRAIL Outdoor School on the morning of April 10 to observe student arrival • Ashland High School on the afternoon of April 10 to observe student dismissal • Helman Elementary School on the morning of April 11 to observe student arrival • Bellview Elementary School on the afternoon of April 11 to observe student dismissal Members of the PMT and schools’ staff participated in the walk audits. They provided feedback on specific barriers and challenging locations near the schools. In addition to the walk audits, the project consultant team conducted a comprehensive facility inventory review for all focus schools, assessing existing conditions and identifying areas for improvement. This thorough evaluation ensured that the needs of each school were taken into account in the planning process. Project team members also presented the SRTS planning process and project progress to the School Communities on April 11 at a public meeting at Ashland Middle School’s Library and collected 30 comments during the public comment period on the draft plan. School community members and agency staff participating in Ashland school walk audits in April 2023. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM12 as well as the Draft City of Ashland SRTS Plan Public Comment Period, included: • Improving efficiency for parents by enabling students to safely walk or bike to school, rather than being dropped off or waiting for a bus • Ensuring safety for visually-impaired pedestrians and other vulnerable users • Reducing vehicle congestion on roads and near schools • Reducing busing needs • Requests for further development of a connected citywide active transportation network to build on SRTS routes • Improving safety of main intersections along the popular school routes When asked through the Public Input Map about the most important goal for a Safe Routes to School Plan for Ashland, survey respondents indicated that safety was their top priority, followed by equity, health, and environment. PREVIOUS SRTS EFFORTS OR WALKING/ BIKING ENCOURAGEMENT ACTIVITIES The City of Ashland as the road authority has not worked directly with the school district on Safe Routes to School educational programs to date. The City has generated a Safe Routes To School network within its Transportation System Plan and identified missing links, but has not coordinated the priority of these missing links with the School District. The School District has done very little with respect to the educational component of walking, biking, and rolling to school. The City of Ashland has coordinated with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department to offer a bicycle education and safety course at local schools, but that program is currently on hold due to the pandemic. Infrastructure Improvement The City of Ashland has sidewalk infill projects defined in the adopted Transportation System Plan that are part of the safe routes system and has applied for grant funding, but to date have been unsuccessful. The City has installed RRFB’s at crossing locations adjacent to numerous schools in the district to date and is working towards ADA ramp access improvements near schools. DEMOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION To determine who was being reached through Online engagement, the project team collected information about respondents the Public Input Map using a short survey. Of the 80 respondents who filled out the survey, 83% were parents or caregivers of students who attend schools in the study area. Another 12% identified as community members. 4% of respondents indicated that they were School or District staff, and 1% were City staff. 86% of respondents to the map were white, and only 5% of survey respondents selected Hispanic/Latino. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT KEY THEMES The comment heat maps on the following pages illustrate specific locations of concern and interest that emerged through the Online Public Input Map. The map on page 14 indicates areas where participants recorded comments at specific points, while the map on page 15 shows the locations of comments about routes. Particular areas of the Public Input Map received high numbers of comments, indicating that parents and caregivers were more concerned with addressing barriers at these locations: • Central Bike Route • Walker Ave • Helman St • E Main St • A St • Oak St • W Hersey St • W Nevada St • Laurel St Based on the feedback received through all engagement methods, it is clear that the Ashland community values active, healthy lifestyles and seeks to make it safer and more comfortable for all students to walk and bike. Participants who engaged with the SRTS planning process want to see more protected, continuous SRTS routes. Themes from the Online Public Input Map and survey, viSiON ANd gOALS FOr SrTS 13 Siskiyou School,The BellviewElementarySchool Helman Elementary School SouthernOregonUniversity Walker ElementarySchool AshlandMiddleSchool Ä66 Ä99 WIG HTM AN S T BE A C H S T FAIROAKSAVE TO L M A N C R E E K R D GR E S H A M S T JA Q U E L Y N S T OA K ST BR I D G E S T NO R M A L A V E R O G U E VA L LEYHWY GA R F I E L D S T WA L K E R A V E FO R D Y C E S T SC E N I C D R MO U N T AIN A V E ORA N G E A V E GL E N D A L EAV E WAT E RST JACKSONRD GRANT ST HER S E Y S T MAINST ASHLAND ST SIS K I Y O U B L V D SHERIDAN S T HOLLYST WA L N U T S T PIONEERST LAUR E L S T WIMER ST CLA Y S T FIF T H S T FO U R T H S T PINE C RES T TRL OXFORDST CRESTVIEWDR CHURC H S T PA R K S T HEL M A N ST VIS TAST STRA W BERRYLN A L M O N D S T RANDY ST FIRS TST HA R M O N Y L N WINDSOR ST G R A NI TE ST IOWA ST CH E S T N U T S T SEC O N D S T ABBOTTAVE CAMBRIDGE S T TE R R A C E S T C S T TUCKER ST OTIS ST LIB E R T Y S T GRA N D V IEW D R NEPENTH E R D B ST MAPLE S T AV E R Y S T WOODLANDDR EL K A D E R S T ALMEDAD R GU T H R I E S T NUTLEYST ME A D E S T RO C K S T TH I R D S T SE V E N T H S T MOR T ONST PILOT VIEWDR BUSH S T RA Y L N FO X ST CLINTONST HIL L V I E W D R LO R I L N HA R R I S O N S T GLEN V I EW D R OHI O S T HIG H S T A S T LIN D A A V E TE R R A A V E F ORKST WE STWO O D S T CA R O L S T SK Y C REST DR GREEN SPRINGS HWY PR I M ST EAG LEMILL R D TAYL O R S T CA LIF O R N I A S T BE S W I C K W A Y PIN E ST AL I D A S T AS HLAN DLOOP RD FA I T H A V E RO C A S T AL T A A V E GA R D E N W A Y PA C I F I C H W Y KENTST MC B E T H L N IVYLN AS H LAN D A C R E S R D NEVADA ST POMPA DO U R DR WILDCAT L N LIN C O L N S T JENSENLN WINBURN WAY RI D GE R D D IT CHR D L I THIA L OO P RD PUBLIC INPUT MAP ASHLAND SRTS ASHLAND CONTEXT Railroad City Boundary Parks Water School Property POINT COMMENTS Low Density of Comments High Density of Comments 0 0.95 1.9Miles 43 POINT COMMENTS145 ENGAGEMENTS (LIKES, DISLIKES) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM14 Siskiyou School,The BellviewElementarySchool Helman Elementary School SouthernOregonUniversity Walker ElementarySchool AshlandMiddleSchool Ä66 Ä99 WIG HTM AN S T BE A C H S T FAIROAKSAVE TO L M A N C R E E K R D GR E S H A M S T JA Q U E L Y N S T OA K ST BR I D G E S T NO R M A L A V E R O G U E VA L LEYHWY GA R F I E L D S T WA L K E R A V E FO R D Y C E S T SC E N I C D R MO U N T AIN A V E ORA N G E A V E GL E N D A L EAV E WAT E RST JACKSONRD GRANT ST HER S E Y S T MAIN ST ASHLAND ST SIS K I Y O U B L V D SHERIDAN S T HOLLYST WA L N U T S T PIONEERST LAUR E L S T WIMER ST CLA Y S T FIF T H S T FO U R T H S T PINE C RES T TRL OXFORDST CRESTVIEWDR CHURC H S T PA R K S T HEL M A N ST VIS TAST STRA W BERRYLN A L M O N D S T RANDY ST FIRS TST HA R M O N Y L N WINDSOR ST G R A NI TE ST IOWA ST CH E S T N U T S T SEC O N D S T ABBOTTAVE CAMBRIDGE S T TE R R A C E S T C S T TUCKER ST OTIS ST LIB E R T Y S T GRA N D V IEW D R NEPENTH E R D B ST MAPLE S T AV E R Y S T WOODLANDDR EL K A D E R S T ALMEDAD R GU T H R I E S T NUTLEYST ME A D E S T RO C K S T TH I R D S T SE V E N T H S T MORTONST PILOT VIEWDR BUSH ST RA Y L N FO X ST CLINTONST HIL L V I E W D R LO R I L N HA R R I S O N S T GLEN V I EW D R OHI O S T HIG H S T A S T LIN D A A V E TE R R A A V E F ORKST WE STWO O D S T CA R O L S T SK Y C REST DR GREEN SPRINGS HWY PR I M ST EAG LEMILL R D TAYL O R S T CA LIF O R N I A S T BE S W I C K W A Y PIN E ST AL I D A S T AS HLAN DLOOP RD FA I T H A V E RO C A S T AL T A A V E GA R D E N W A Y PA C I F I C H W Y KENTST MC B E T H L N IVYL N AS H LAN D A C R E S R D NEVADA ST POMPA DO U R DR WILDCAT L N LIN C O L N S T JENSENLN WINBURN WAY RI D GE R D D IT CHR D L I THIA L OO P RD PUBLIC INPUT MAP ASHLAND SRTS ASHLAND CONTEXT Railroad City Boundary Parks Water School Property LINE COMMENTS Low Density of Comments High Density of Comments 0 0.95 1.9Miles 32 LINE COMMENTS32 ENGAGEMENTS (LIKES, DISLIKES) viSiON ANd gOALS FOr SrTS 15 EXISTING CONDITIONS03 EXISTING CONDITIONS This chapter summarizes the key challenges and opportunities faced by families and students walking or bicycling to school. The following pages provide contextual information for each of the schools, as well as key themes documented during the walk audits and through community and partner input. A detailed summary of the planning process and activities that took place to support this Plan is included in Appendix B. Previous planning processes and additional data informed the existing conditions documented in this chapter. ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 17 SCHOOL CONTEXT: Ashland Middle School 100 WALKER AVE, ASHLAND, OR 97520 PRINCIPAL: Steve Retzlaff ENROLLMENT: 481 GRADES SERVED: Public 6-8 EQUITY: 35% percent of students are below poverty line* DEMOGRAPHICS* • White, non-Hispanic, 71% Hispanic, 14% • American Indian/Alaska Native, 1% • Black / African American, 1% • Asian, 1% TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT** English 2,372 Spanish 61 Total Languages Spoken: 14 Ashland Middle School School Safety Assessment Date: April 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT Ashland Middle School is a public school located in the center of Ashland. The school is on the east side of Walker Ave between Iowa St and E Main St (see map on next page). The school has one main entrance and one parking lots on Walker Ave. The parking lot is right in front of the school building and there is a sports field is on the east side of the building. SITE CIRCULATION Vehicles and school buses: Vehicles and school buses pick up and drop off in separate loops in the main parking lot. They enter from Walker Ave, make a large loop, and load in front of the main entrance. Pedestrians: Students walking and cycling arrive via Walker Ave and make their way to the main entrance. There is a crossing guard is posted on Walker Ave, right in front of the school to help students cross the road. Transit: The Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. The bus stop at Ashland and Walker is the nearest stop to Walker Elementary School (0.2 miles from the school), Also, the 1x bus which runs every hour Monday through Friday and Sunday stops 0.7 miles from the Walker Elementary School. *Source: Oregon Department of Education 2020-2021 school year **Source: Oregon Department of Education 2018-2019 school year ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM18 SCHOOL CONTEXT: TRAILS Outdoor School 158 WALKER AVE, ASHLAND, OR 97520 PRINCIPAL: Jennifer Parks ENROLLMENT: 113 GRADES SERVED: Public K-8 EQUITY: 50% percent of students are below poverty line* DEMOGRAPHICS* • White, non-Hispanic, 77% Hispanic, 15% • American Indian/Alaska Native, 0% • Black / African American, 1% • Asian, 1% TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT** English 2,372 Spanish 61 Total Languages Spoken: 14 TRAILS Outdoor School Safety Assessment Date: April 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT TRAILS Outdoor School is a public school centrally located in Ashland, next to Ashland Middle School campus. The school is on the east side of Walker Ave between Iowa St and E Main St (see map on next page). The school has one main entrance and a parking lots fronting Walker Ave. The parking lot is right in front of the school building and there is a sports field on the south side of the building. SITE CIRCULATION Vehicles and school buses: Vehicles and school buses drop-off and pickup in the parking lot loops. They enter from Walker, make a large loop, and load and unload in front of the main entrance. Pedestrians: Students walking and cycling arrive via Walker Ave and make their way to the door. Transit: The Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. The bus stop at Ashland and Walker is the nearest stop to Walker Elementary School (0.2 miles from the school), Also, the 1x bus which runs every hour Monday through Friday and Sunday stops 0.7 miles from the Walker Elementary School. *Source: Oregon Department of Education 2020-2021 school year **Source: Oregon Department of Education 2018-2019 school year ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 19 Ashland Middle School MAIN ST YW S U P M A C IOWA ST EVA RE K L AW TRAILS Outdoor School SITE PLAN ASHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL and TRAILS OUTDOOR SCHOOL 0 0.1 MILES School BusLoading Visitor Parking Main entrancefor studentswalkingand biking Pedestriantravel path Bus travel path Car travel path Crossing Guard Sports Field ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM20 SCHOOL CONTEXT: Walker Elementary School 364 WALKER AVENUE, ASHLAND, OREGON 97520 PRINCIPAL: Tiffany Burns ENROLLMENT: 278 GRADES SERVED: Public K-5 EQUITY: 41% percent of students are below poverty line* DEMOGRAPHICS* • White, non-Hispanic, 65% Hispanic, 18% • American Indian/Alaska Native, 1% • Black / African American, 4% • Asian, 1% TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT** English 2,372 Spanish 61 Total Languages Spoken: 14 Walker Elementary School Safety Assessment Date: April 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT Walker Elementary School is a public school located in the center of Ashland. The school is on the east side of Walker Ave between Iowa St and Homes Ave. The school was under construction so the SRTS PIP planning team was not able to document site circulation. Transit: The Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. The bus stop at Ashland and Walker is the nearest stop to Walker Elementary School (0.2 miles from the school), Also, the 1x bus which runs every hour Monday through Friday and Sunday stops 0.7 miles from the Walker Elementary School. *Source: Oregon Department of Education 2020-2021 school year **Source: Oregon Department of Education 2018-2019 school year ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 21 Newly constructed drop-off and pickup loop at Ashland Middle School. Newly constructed sidewalks at TRAILS Outdoor School. Key Observations Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory • All three schools have new campuses with improved pedestrian and bike access and well-designed bike parking. (See photos a,b,c,d & e). However TRAILS Outdoor school can benefit from a crosswalk or watch for pedestrian signs across the entrance and exit. • Walker Ave is an important bike route for students and other community members traveling north/south and accessing the college campus. Speeding, parking in the bike lane, and failing to stop for students in the crosswalk were observed during the walk audits in front of Ashland Middle School and TRAILS Outdoor School. The area is a designated school zone. • The Walker Ave and Homes Ave intersection lacks ADA-compliant curb ramps and is impacted by utility poles limiting access to the sidewalk. (See photo g and h.) • With the new school campus construction, more of student arrival and dismissal will take place along Homes ave and Hunter Ct. • At Ashland Middle School, caregivers park perpendicularly across all of the disabled parking spots. a b ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM22 Covered bike racks at Ashland Middle School. Central Bike Lane, just south of TRAILS Outdoor School. Improved Railway-crossing just south of TRAILS Outdoor School. Bike lane on Walker Ave. c e d f ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 23 The Walker Ave and Homes ave intersection lacks ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalk is not accessible. (See photos g and h.) g h ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM24 This page intentionally left blank. ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 25 SCHOOL CONTEXT: Helman Elementary School 705 HELMAN ST PRINCIPAL: Michelle Cuddeback ENROLLMENT: 289 GRADES SERVED: Public K-5 EQUITY: 25% percent of students are below poverty line* DEMOGRAPHICS* • White, non-Hispanic, 73% Hispanic, 13% • American Indian/Alaska Native, 1% • Black / African American, 1% • Asian, 2% TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT** English 2,372 Spanish 61 Total Languages Spoken: 14 *Source: Oregon Department of Education 2019-2020 school year **Source: Oregon Department of Education 2018-2019 school year Helman Elementary School Safety Assessment Date: April 11, 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT Helman Elementary School is a public school located on the north side of Ashland on Helman St, just south of W Nevada Street (map on the next page). The school building is positioned at the corner of Randy St and Helman St surrounded by quiet neighborhood streets and close the the Bear Creek Greenway Path. There is a playground and sports fields on the south of the school building. SITE CIRCULATION Vehicles: Parents drive through the parking lot on the east and get through one entrance make a loop and get to the main entrance for drop-off and pickup. School Buses: Buses use the parking lot on the east side for loading and unloading students. Pedestrians and Bicyclists: Students who walk or bike to school from north of the school, use Randy Street as their route to reach the main entrance. Students walking along Helman St pass through the parking lot to reach the entrance. Transit: She Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. The bus stop on N Main St north of Maple St is only 0.4 miles from the Helman Elementary School. This route also stops at N Main St north of Grant St, which is 0.5 miles from the school. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM26 Helman School ElementaryRAN D Y S T TS L E R U A L MOUNTAIN VIEW DR TS NA M L E H SITE PLAN HELMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 0 0.1 MILES Playground School BusLoading Bike Parking Staff Parking Visitor Parking Main entrancefor studentswalkingand biking Pedestriantravel path Bus travel path Car travel path Crossing Guard Vehicle Loading ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 27 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory Covered bike parking at Helman Elementary School. The curb at the corner of Randy St and Helman St poses a challenge for students who want to bike to the sidewalk and reach the school entrance. Currently, students have to bike through the school driveway. Key Observations • Helman Elementary has covered, u-shaped bike parking and accessible sidewalks. There is a curb on the north side of the school on Randy St that prevents students from being able to bike or roll easily onto the sidewalk without going into the school driveway (See photos a and b.) • During the walk audit participants shared concern about visibility crossing W Nevada St to access the Bear Creek Greenway trailhead. (See photos c and d.) • Walk audit participants reported issues with people parking too close or blocking their driveway on Nevada St for school access. • Existing curb extensions on Helman St lack truncated domes for ADA accessibility. (See photos e and f.) • Walk audit participants reported concerns about speeding along Helman St. a b ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM28 Bear Creek Greenway trailhead. The curb extensions on Helman St lack truncated domes for ADA accessibility. Intersections of W Nevada St and Helman St. Curb extensions on Helman St. c e d f ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 29 SCHOOL CONTEXT: Bellview Elementary School 1602 MAY ST PRINCIPAL: Lindsay Gates ENROLLMENT: 257 GRADES SERVED: Public K-5 EQUITY: 25% percent of students are below poverty line* DEMOGRAPHICS* • White, non-Hispanic, 75% Hispanic, 14% • American Indian/Alaska Native, 2% • Black / African American, 1% • Asian, 2% TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT** English 2,372 Spanish 61 Total Languages Spoken: 14 *Source: Oregon Department of Education 2019-2020 school year **Source: Oregon Department of Education 2018-2019 school year Bellview Elementary School Safety Assessment Date: April 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT Bellview Elementary School is a public school located in the east end of Ashland in the corner of Tolman Creek Rd and Siskiyou Blvd. The school has one main building and two parking lots. There is also a sports field on the east side of the building. (map on the next page). SITE CIRCULATION Vehicles: Drivers access the parking lot from Tolman Creek Rd and use the drop-off and pickup loop to reach the entrance, Subsequently exiting through the north exit to Tolman Creek Rd. During the pandemic, the school provided a secondary drop-off and pickup loop on Siskiyou Blvd (located south of the school site), which parents use for picking up students. School Buses: Buses follow the same entrance route as vehicles but do not proceed through the loop designated for drop-off and pickup. Pedestrians and Bicyclists: Most students who walk or bike to school follow Tolman Creek Rd and enter the school site through the south parking lot entrance. Transit: She Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. • The bus stop on Tolman Creek Road north of Siskiyou is only 0.1 miles from Bellview Elementary School. There are other stops within one mile of the school as well, such as Tolman Creek Rd south of Dianne St. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM30 Bellview Elementary School DR K E E R C N A M L O T EAGLE CREEK LN MI S T L E T O E R D ROGUE VALLEY HWY SITE PLAN BELLVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 0 0.1 MILES School BusLoading Visitor Parking Main entrancefor studentswalkingand biking Pedestriantravel path Bus travel path Car travel path Crossing Guard Sports fields Auxiliary vehicle pickup location ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 31 \ Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory Intersection of Siskiyou Blvd and Tolman Creek Rd is is challenging for students to cross because of high volumes of traffic and high speeds., Students crossing at Tolman Creek Rd and Siskiyou Blvd. Key Observations • The intersection of Siskiyou Blvd and Tolman Creek Rd experiences congestion and becomes challenging to navigate, particularly during rush hour and school arrival and dismissal times. A crossing guard is also stationed at the intersection in the morning and in the afternoon. (See photos a, b and c.) • As vehicles enter the city limits, the first thing they encounter is the school zone and a speed reduction zone coming into Ashland. • Many students live on Tolman Creek Rd or in the surrounding area and walk to and from school, Tolman Creek Rd, south of Siskiyou Blvd, lacks sidewalks. (See photo e.) • Walk audit participants raised concerns about the lack of visibility caused by overgrown bushes at the intersection of Eagle Creek Ln. (See photo f.) a b ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM32 \ Intersection of Siskiyou Blvd and Tolman Creek Rd. No sidewalks on Tolman Creek Rd, South of Siskiyou Blvd. Intersection of Eagle Creek Ln and Tolman Creek Rd. c e f ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 33 SCHOOL CONTEXT: Ashland High School 201 S MOUNTAIN AVE PRINCIPAL: Benjamin Bell ENROLLMENT: 903 GRADES SERVED: Public 9-12 EQUITY: 33% percent of students are below poverty line* DEMOGRAPHICS* • White, non-Hispanic, 73% Hispanic, 12% • American Indian/Alaska Native, 2% • Black / African American, 1% • Asian, 2% TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS IN DISTRICT** English 2,372 Spanish 61 Total Languages Spoken: 14 *Source: Oregon Department of Education 2019-2020 school year **Source: Oregon Department of Education 2018-2019 school year Ashland High School Safety Assessment Date: April 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT Ashland High School is a public school located in the center of Ashland, north of Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland High School’s main entrance is off of Mountain Ave, which is a narrow, busy street that directly connects Siskiyou Blvd and E Main St. School campus take up most of the area between E Main St and Siskiyou with large sports fields and multiple large school buildings. (map on the next page). SITE CIRCULATION Vehicles and School Buses: Student parking lots are located to the east and south of campus. Students also park along Morse Ave and on other neighborhood streets. School buses load along the west side of Mountain Ave, for school days and for sports games hosted at the field on the north side of campus. Pedestrians and Bicyclists: Students walking and biking to school filter in from all directions. In particular, they travel down Alida St, Blaine St, and Morse Ave to connect from the Center Bike Path and Rogue Valley Roasting coffee shop Transit: She Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. The bus stop on Siskiyou Blvd south of Morse St, is adjacent to Ashland High School. Other stops near this school are Siskiyou Blvd and Palm, St Siskiyou Blvd south of Morton St, and Siskiyou Blvd south of Sherman St. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM34 Ashland High School BLAINE ST BEACH ST EVA NI A T N U O M IOWA STSISK I Y O U B L V D EV A E S R O M TS A D I L A SITE PLAN ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL 0 0.1 MILES School BusLoading Bike Parking Student Parking Staff ParkingP Main entrancefor studentswalkingand biking Pedestriantravel path Bus travel path Car travel path Crossing Guard P Sports fields Transit Stop ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 35 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory Key Observations • Bike parking is located on the edge of the school campus and school leadership has reported issues with bike theft. (See photo a.) • Walk audit participants observed congestion issues during student dismissal. Parents or other vehicles picking up students stop and wait in many different parking lots and double park along Mountain Ave and Morse Ave. (See photo b.) • Walk audit participants raised issues with speeding in some of the school parking lots • There is congestion at the main entrances during drop-off and pickup times with particular conflict between students walking and the volume of vehicle traffic coming and going from the school. The school and district leadership are seeking more structured and improved procedures. • Many students cross Mountain Ave mid- block north of the Iowa St intersection to travel from a student parking lot to the main school entrance. (See photo c.) • There are not sidewalks along the east side of Mountain Ave, between Siskiyou Blvd and E Main St. (See photo d.) • School district leadership report issues with speeding and high volumes of through traffic along Mountain Ave. Mountain Ave is a designated school zone. • Morse Ave is heavily used for student parking, particularly north of the track entrance. Many students access the High School from the north by crossing E Main St at the crosswalk at 8th St, then traveling on Alida St and Blaine St. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM36 Bike parking on Mountain Ave. Students cross mid-block on Mountain Ave, just north of Iowa St, at the exit of the student parking lot to access the school. a c Traffic congestion on Mountain Ave during the drop- off and pickup. b ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 37 There is no sidewalk on the east side of Mountain Ave, between Siskiyou Blvd and E Main St. d ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM38 This page intentionally left blank. ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 39 SCHOOL CONTEXT: Willow Wind Community Learning Center 1497 EAST MAIN ST . PRINCIPAL: Debra Schaefferpew ENROLLMENT: 194 GRADES SERVED: K-8 Equity, Demographic and Language data is not available for Willow Winds Learning Center on Oregon Department of Education website. Willow Wind Community Learning Center Date: April 2023 SCHOOL LAYOUT Willow Wind Community Learning Center is a public school located on the north side of City of Ashland, just outside of City limits.. It is located north of E Main st and closest intersection to school is E Main St and Campus Way. The school has one main building and one parking lot on the south of the building Campus includes a large garden and playground.. (Refer to the map on the next page). SITE CIRCULATION Vehicles and School Buses: Drivers use the access route from E Main St to get to school. Willow Wind is not currently served by school bus service. Adding bus service is being considered for the 2023-24 school year. Pedestrians and Bicyclists: Students walking and biking to school walk along the path from E Main St to get to the building entrance or from the west through a gate that connects to the adjacent neighborhood. Transit: She Rogue Valley Transportation District serves the City of Ashland and Jackson County. The 10 bus route runs every 20 minutes every day. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM40 Willow Winds Learning Center EV A r e k l a W TS n a m t h g i W Ca m p u s W Y Main ST Ma l l a r d S T SITE PLAN WILLOW WINDS LEARNING CENTER 0 0.1 MILES Bike Parking Visitor Parking Main entrancefor studentswalkingand biking Pedestriantravel path Car travel Playground ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 41 Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Inventory Students walk and bike on the gravel path along the access road. Key Observations • Students biking to school are asked to ride on a crushed gravel path and then to a sidewalk that wraps around the parking lot. Walk audit participants report issues with conflict with students walking along the path and the lack of a curb cut to access it from the bike lane. (See photo a.) • Walk audit participants and school leadership observe conflict between students traveling down the school path (west side of the road) then crossing the school driveway to reach the existing marked crosswalk on the west side of campus way. • Many students currently travel to reach school from south of the school and east by bike and use Campus WayDriveway as a cut through path. • During the walk audit we observed vehicles failing to yield to people walking and biking along the shared use path near California St. • Along E Main St speeding and high volumes of traffic were observed during the walk audit. ( See photo b.) a High volumes of traffic on E Main St, in front of the school access road. b ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM42 This page intentionally left blank. ExiSTiNg CONdiTiONS 43 RECOMMENDATIONS04 RECOMMENDATIONS This chapter outlines recommendations for construction projects, as well as education and encouragement programs that address the issues identified in Chapter 3. Changes to the street-scape are essential to making walking and rolling to school safer and more comfortable. Infrastructure improvements benefit students and families who walk and bike to school, as well as everyone who travels through the school area. In addition, education and encouragement programs are a necessary component of any successful SRTS Program. Often, programs that get more students walking and rolling lead to increased public support for infrastructure projects. So, programs can be an important first step toward building out the physical improvements to walking and rolling infrastructure. Also, relative to many construction projects, most education and encouragement programs are less costly to implement. The recommendations for construction projects and education and encouragement programs outlined in this chapter were informed by existing conditions and input from school and district staff, as well as city and county staff. They are tailored to meet the needs and interests of the school community. rECOmmENdATiONS 45 Construction Project Recommendations This section describes recommended construction projects within two miles of the focus schools.The maps on the following pages are guide to the location of these recommendations, which are described in detail in Table 1. This Plan does not represent a comprehensive list of every project that could improve conditions for walking and bicycling in the community. Instead, it calls attention to key conflict points and potential improvements near the schools. Recommendations range from simple striping changes and signing to more significant changes to the streets, intersections, and school infrastructure. All construction projects need to be reviewed and designed by engineers and approved by the local road authority. It should be noted that not all of these projects and programs need to be implemented right away to improve the environment for walking and bicycling to school. Some projects will require more time, support, and funding than others. It is important to achieve shorter-term successes while laying the groundwork for progress toward some of the larger and more complex projects. Each recommendation is flagged with implementation next steps to provide guidance about how to move them forward: • Requires Additional Traffic Analysis • Requires More Detailed Design • ODOT Community Paths Grant Eligible • Quick Build Compatible • Roadway Maintenance Issue • Demonstration Project Opportunity • ODOT SRTS Construction Grant Priority Implementation takes place continuously over time, with cooperation among partners and, often, new sources of funding. Appendix D also lists a variety of funding sources that can be used to implement the recommendations outlined in this section. as well as a table outlining more detailed cost estimates for the priority improvements. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM46 Ashland SD 5 Southern Oregon University yn o m r a H NL ne d r a G YW A ST Allis o n ST Pa l m e r RD S T Lynnnn A TS sp l e h P TS TS k r a P STUnion Emma ST Lis a LN Iowa ST Go l d e n S p i k e WY Lee ST Six t h S T Altamont ST TS y t r e b i L no s i r r a H TS Siski y o u B L V D Holly ST Woodland DR Prospect ST YW t i L Pleasant WY Pracht ST Normal AVE BlaineST Clar k A V E Village GreenDR EV A r e k l a W Euclid AVE C ST WebsterST Henry ST Ashland ST Pennsylvania AVE Fielder ST Village Square DR Orchid ST Elms ST kc i w s e B YW Park Ridge PL Hersey ST Br i d g e S T Evan LN Main ST Oregon ST TS a n a i d n I Windsor ST Se v e n t h S T eo r n o M TS mu i d a t S TS Le o n a r d S T Mil l Po n d R D Fo u r t h S T Eig h t h S T TS n a m t h g i W SeenaLN Quincy ST TS h c a e B Sh e r m a n ST NL s e c n a r F su p m a C WY F a i r v i e w S T H e m lock LNClear Creek DR es i r n u S TS Siski y o u BELT L I N E Rog u e V a l l e y H W Y Waterlin e RD Ca l i f o r n i a S T Rose LN W Y Williamso n ts e r o F TS TS ad ilA EV A es roM EV A n i a t n u o M AVE Sh erwood Ni n t h S T Lilac CIR we i v l l i H RD oh a d I TS Ke a r n e y ST De w e y S T Homes AVE Mallard ST El k a d e r ST Well e r LN Russell ST D R Glenwood EV A m l a P NL y a R retn u H CT ma D e t a g A AC C Ro c a S T Parker ST Av e r y S T YW y t i s r e v i n U TS n l o c n i L S TMorton Ashland High School Walker Elementary School Ashland Middle School TRAILS Outdoor School Willow Winds Learning Center ASHLAND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS MAP LEGEND Railroad School Property Water Parks City Boundary 0 0.25 0.5 MILES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IMPROVEMENTS On-Street Facilities Off-Street Trail Crossing Signage 15 1617 18 19 20 20 21 22 ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL, ASHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOLTRAILS OUTDOOR SCHOOL & WALKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL rECOmmENdATiONS 47 ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM48 rECOmmENdATiONS 49 Table 1. Infrastructure Needs and Recommendations Rec #Recommendation Implementation Next Steps TRAILS Outdoor School Grounds 01 Recommendation: Stripe a crosswalk or watch for pedestrian signs across the TRAILS school entrance and exit. Ashland School District School district building operations and maintenance Walker Ave 02 Issue: Speeding, parking in the bike lane, and failing to stop for students in the crosswalk were observed during the walk audits in front of Ashland Middle School and TRAILS Outdoor School. The area is a designated school zone. Recommendation: Install traffic calming elements based on need and engineering analysis along Walker Ave between Homes Ave and E Main St, including a raised crosswalk at the Ashland Middle School entrance. Refer to Appendix E for examples of traffic calming elements City of Ashland ODOT SRTS Construction Grant Priority Requires additional Engineering analysis 03 Issue: Drivers fail to yield to students in the crosswalk, particularly when the crossing guard is not present. Recommendation: Install an RRFB at this location to help with driver compliance and improve safety for students crossing. City of Ashland Long-term improvement Requires additional traffic analysis 04 Issue: Drivers fail to slow down in the school zone in front of Ashland Middle School and Walker Elementary School. Recommendation: Install “School” pavement markings and End School Zone signs. City of Ashland Quick build compatible 05 Issue: Walker Ave is an important bike route for students and other community members traveling north/south and accessing the college campus. Recommendation: Install additional No Parking or No loading/unloading signs along Walker Ave, particularly north of the railroad tracks. Consider performing a parking study to potentially remove parking and narrowing traffic lanes to create protected or buffered bike lanes along Walker Ave, between E Main St and Ashland Ave. City of Ashland Requires additional parking study 06 Issue: The Walker Ave and Homes intersection lacks ADA-compliant curb ramps and is impacted by utility poles limiting access to the sidewalk. Recommendation: At Walker Ave and Homes Ave intersection, install curb ramps and high visibility continental crosswalks at all legs of the intersection. Consider utility relocates on the southern side of the intersection if feasible. City of Ashland Long-term improvement Requires additional study 07 Recommendation: Repair sidewalk uplift on south of Iowa St.City of Ashland Long-term improvement East Main St 08 Issue: A bike park and pump track are planned for the south side of East Main St, outside of City limits. Recommendation: Install a side path along the south side of E Main St to reach the bike park. Also Consider adding flashers to alert drivers to walkers and bikers wanting to cross N Mountain at the ‘bike path’ crossing. This is an arterial for many families commuting to several schools. Jackson County Long-term improvement ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM50 Rec #Recommendation Implementation Next Steps Homes Ave 09 Issue: With the new school campus construction, more of student arrival and dismissal will take place along Homes and Hunter Ct. Recommendation: Stripe a high visibility continental crosswalk across the north leg of the Homes Ave and Hunter Ct intersection and across the north leg of the Normal Ave intersection to reach the park. City of Ashland Quick build compatible Ashland High School Grounds 10 Issue: School leadership reports issues with bike theft. Repeated bike theft is keeping some students from biking to school. Recommendation: Move most existing bike parking inside the school campus, so that it is more protected for all day bike storage. Families have indicated that RVTD and Ashland Devo Mountain bike team members and board members (which have students at APS) are great resources to help with implementing bike security. Ashland School District School district building operations and maintenance 11 Issue: During the walk audit, participants observed congestion issues during student dismissal. Parents or other vehicles picking up students stop and wait in many different parking lots and double park along Mountain Ave and Morse Ave. Recommendation: Consider closing the Siskiyou Blvd entrance into the Oregon Oncology Clinic parking lot to prevent cut-through traffic and school drop-off and pick-up. Ashland School District and private business Oregon Oncology Clinic. School district building operations and maintenance 12 Issue: School leadership reports issues with speeding in the parking lot just south of the track, near the gym. Recommendation: Install speed bumps or other traffic calming through the parking lot to reduce vehicle speeds. Refer to Appendix E. Ashland School District Long-term improvement 13 Issue: School and district leadership are looking for more structured places to stage vehicle pick-up and drop-off to alleviate congestion at main entrances. Recommendation: Consider developing a driving loop around the staff parking lot at the southwest corner of campus. Timing of staff arrival and parents is staggered so it could still be used as staff parking and drop-off. Ashland School District Long-term improvement School district building operations and maintenance Mountain Ave 14 Issue: Many students cross Mountain Ave mid-block north of the Iowa St intersection traveling from a student parking lot to the main school entrance and walk along Mountain Ave to the north and south. Recommendation: Stripe a mid-block, high visibility crosswalk and a pedestrian path into the student parking directly across from main school entrance, in addition to the Iowa St crossing. City of Ashland and Ashland School District Quick build compatible Requires more detailed design 15 Recommendation: Install about 1600 ft of sidewalk along the east side of Mountain Ave between Siskiyou Blvd and E Main St. City of Ashland Long-term improvement rECOmmENdATiONS 51 Rec #Recommendation Implementation Next Steps 16 Issue: School district leadership report issues with speeding and high volumes of through traffic along Mountain Ave. Mountain Ave is a designated school zone. Recommendation: Consider installing traffic calming elements based on need and engineering analysis along Mountain Ave, between Siskiyou Blvd and E Main St. Refer to Appendix E for examples of traffic calming elements City of Ashland Long-term improvement Requires additional Engineering analysis Morse Ave 17 Issue: Morse Ave is a lower volume and lower speed street that is heavily used for student parking, particularly north of the track entrance. Many students access the High School from the north by crossing E Main St at the crosswalk at 8th St, then traveling on Alida St and Blaine St. Recommendation: Designate the route from the Central Bike Path, along 8th St, Alida St, and Blaine St an official SRTS route and neighborhood greenway. Install stop signs at each leg of the Blaine St and Alida St intersection. Stripe continental, high visibility crosswalks and corner ramps at all legs of the Morse Ave and Blaine intersection. Install school zone signage. City of Ashland Add to long-range planning 18 Issue: The City is considering a north/south bike route near the high school. Recommendation: Consider designating Morse Ave as a neighborhood greenway and installing sharrows and traffic calming elements based on need and engineering analysis. Refer to Appendix . City of Ashland Add to long-range planning Willow Wind Learning Center campus 19 Issue: Currently, students biking to school ride on a crushed gravel path and then to a sidewalk that wraps around the parking lot. Walk audit participants report issues with conflict with students walking along the path and the lack of a curb cuts to access it. Recommendation: Install a wider side path along the school access and build an improved path around the outside of the sidewalk for bikes to reach the bike parking area. Alternatively, consider moving the path to the east side of the school driveway and moving the existing driveway to the west to align with the proposed new location of the RRFB across E Main St. Consider continuing to staff a crossing guard at the school entrance intersection during student arrival and dismissal. Ashland School District Long-term improvement ODOT SRTS Construction Grant Priority East Main Street 20 Issue: Walk audit participants and school leadership observe conflict between students traveling down the school path (west side of the road) then crossing the school driveway. E Main St is a proposed protected bikeway. Many students currently travel to reach school from south of the school and east by bike and use the Science Works Driveway as a cut through path. Recommendation: Install buffered or protected bike lanes along E Main St. Relocate the RRFB on the east leg of the E Main St at Campus Way intersection to the west leg of the intersection on the east side of the school driveway. As outlined in recommendation 21, move the path to the east side of the road and move driveway to the west to align with the new crosswalk and RRFB location. City of Ashland Long-term improvement ODOT SRTS Construction Grant Priority ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM52 Rec #Recommendation Implementation Next Steps 21 Issue: During the walk audit we observed vehicles failing to yield to people walking and biking along the shared use path near California St and Mountain Ave. Recommendation: Stripe a green conflict marking crosswalk across East Main near California Ave and Mountain Ave trail crossing.. Install appropriate trail crossing signage (W11-15, W16-7P, W16-9P) to alert vehicles to the crossing. City of Ashland Quick build compatible 22 Issue: Speeding and high volumes of traffic were observed during the walk audit, along E Main St Recommendation: Install speed feedback signs and rumble strips with school zone signage for eastbound and westbound traffic (eastbound priority). City of Ashland Quick build compatible Helman Elementary School Grounds 23 Issue: Helman Elementary School was rebuilt several years ago, with covered, u-shaped bike parking and accessible sidewalks. However, there is a curb on the north side of the school on Randy St that prevents students from being able to bike or roll easily onto the sidewalk without going into the school driveway. Recommendation: Install a curb cut to align with the sidewalk and bike parking area to improve safe access for people biking or using a wheelchair. Ashland School District Add to school district long-term planning Nevada St 24 Issue: Walk audit participants and public comments reported issues with visibility crossing W Nevada St to access the Bear Creek Greenway trailhead on the north side and desire to access Helman Elementary by bike from the west.. Recommendation: Stripe a high-visibility, continental crosswalk and appropriate signage (S1-1, W16-7P, W16-9P) across Nevada St at the trailhead. City of Ashland Quick build compatible 25 Issue: Walk audit participants reported issues with people parking too close or blocking their driveway for school access. Recommendation: Stripe “No Parking” within 20 feet on both sides of each driveway in areas with specific issues. Conduct a school communications campaign reminding parents not to block driveways, as well as other safe travel tips and encouragement to walk, bike and ride the school bus. City of Ashland, Ashland School District Quick build compatible 26 Install sharrows to indicate a bike boulevard facility.City of Ashland Add to long-range planning rECOmmENdATiONS 53 Rec #Recommendation Implementation Next Steps Helman Street 27 Issue: Existing curb extensions lack truncated domes (yellow tactile bumps) for ADA accessibility. Recommendation: Install truncated domes on the curb extensions along Helman St at the crosswalks adjacent to campus. City of Ashland Long-term improvement 28 Issue: Walk audit participants reported speeding along Helman St. Recommendation: Consider installing traffic calming elements based on need and engineering analysis to reduce vehicle speeds. Refer to Appendix E. City of Ashland Long-term improvement Bellview Elementary School - Siskiyou Blvd 29 Issue: The intersection of Siskiyou Blvd and Tolman Creek Rd is notorious among the school community for being congested and difficult to cross during rush hour and school arrival and dismissal. A crossing guard is stationed at the intersection in the morning and in the afternoon. As of April 2023, ODOT is nearly finished with a project at the intersection. During the walk audit, a few issues with roadway striping and sign installation were observed. The pavement markings on the north leg of the intersection are mis-aligned with the curb. The westbound stop sign appears to be installed too high to be properly visible to traffic. ODOT plans to move the westbound stop sign into the buffer between the bike lane and the travel lane, to improve visibility. Recommendation: Install rumble strips or other traffic calming elements based on need and engineering analysis for westbound traffic approaching the intersection. For ODOT to implement this improvement, the request would need to come from the Ashland Transportation Commission and a public process would need to occur to address the noise concern of rumble strips near a residential area. Refer to Appendix E. In the long term, consider a speed reduction study (from previous TSP), a roundabout, or traffic signal if future volumes meet the necessary engineering warrants and requirements. ODOT Add to long-range planning Requires additional speed reduction study 29 Issue: As vehicles approach City limits, the first thing they reach is the school zone. In the long-term, complete placemaking and traffic calming efforts to make it feel more like you are entering a city and need to slow down. Recommendation: Reconfigure sidewalks on north side of OR-99 to be more pedestrian- friendly by narrowing driveway widths, straightening alignment for walking routes, and including trees in the furnishing zone. Reinstall the original buffered bike lane pavement markings and conflict markings through the intersection for the westbound bike lane. ODOT Long-term improvement ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM54 Rec #Recommendation Implementation Next Steps Tolman Creek Rd 30 Issue: Many students live on Tolman Creek Rd or the surrounding area and walk to and from school. Recommendation: Install approx. 2000 ft of sidewalk on the east side of Tolman Creek Rd from Siskiyou Blvd to Green Meadows Way. Alternatively, consider installing a sidewalk on Bellview Ave. City of Ashland and Jackson County Long-term improvement 31 Issue: Parents report concerns with lack of visibility at the Eagle Creek Ln intersection. Recommendation: Trim bushes at the south corner of Eagle Creek Ln and Tolman Creek Rd intersection. City of Ashland Roadway maintenance issue rECOmmENdATiONS 55 The programs outlined in this section are intended to increase awareness, understanding, and excitement for walking and rolling to school among families and students. Table 2 includes details about each recommended program including a brief description, suggested leads, timeline, and resources. Suggested walking routes were also developed with project partners, based on community input and findings from the bike and pedestrian facility inventory. The Suggested Route Maps on the next pages provides current routes for students and families to consider when walking and biking to school. The maps also provides an aspirational vision for a more complete SRTS network for future investments and improvement. These future network additions are shown as dashed lines. Check out the ODOT SRTS Menu of Services here: https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/ about-oregon-safe-routes-to-school/ Education and Encouragement Program Recommendations In addition to planning support provided through this process, the ODOT SRTS Program also offers technical assistance to support local SRTS efforts in education and encouragement. This support includes: 1. Coordination between practitioners through Regional Hubs (see call-out below) https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/contact 2. Trainings and resource guides, which can be found on the Oregon SRTS website https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/resources/ 3. Incentives, activities, and messaging for monthly Walk+Roll events https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/walkroll/ 4. Bicycle and pedestrian safety trainings and a loaner bike fleet https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/train-the-trainer/ Learn more and keep in touch by signing up for the ODOT SRTS Newsletter: https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/ CONNECT WITH YOUR ODOT SRTS REGIONAL HUB COORDINATOR The ODOT SRTS Program can provide free resources, materials, and guidance to implement education and encouragement programs. The ODOT SRTS Education team is working in parallel with the Construction team to help communities across the state implement education and encouragement efforts. The team holds Regional Hub meetings to discuss statewide and regional SRTS strategies and efforts. Regional Hub Coordinators are a resource for local SRTS coordinators and regions without a coordinator to help create and sustain successful SRTS programs. Learn more about the SRTS Regional Hubs and how they can support your SRTS Program here: https:// www.oregonsaferoutes.org/oregon-safe-routes-to-school-local-coordinators/. Review Table 2 to identify educational and encouragement priorities and discuss with the Regional Hub Coordinator. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM56 Southern Oregon University yn o m r a H NL ne d r a G YW A ST Allis o n ST Pa l m e r RD S T LynnnnA TS sp l e h P TS TS k r a P STUnion Emma ST Lis a LN Iowa ST Gol d e n S p i k e WY Lee ST Six t h S T Altamont ST TS ytr e b i L no s i r r a H TS Siski y o u B L V D Holly ST Woodland DR Prospect ST YW t i L Pleasant WY Pracht ST Normal AVE Blaine ST Clar k A V E Village GreenDR EV A r e k l a W Euclid AVE C ST Webster ST Henry ST Ashland ST Pennsylvania AVE Fielder ST Village Square DR Orchid ST Elms ST kc i w s e B YW Park Ridge PL Hersey ST Br i d g e S T Evan LN Main ST Oregon ST TS a n a i d n I Windsor ST Se v e n t h S T eo r n o M TS mu i d a t S TS Le o n a r d S T Mill Po n d R D Fo u r t h S T Eig h t h S T TS n a m t h g i W SeenaLN Quincy ST TS h c a e B Sh e r m a n ST NL s e c n a r F su p m a C WY F a i r v i e w S T H e m l ock LNClearCreek DR es i r n u S TS Siski y o u BELT L I N E Rog u e V a l l e y H W Y Waterlin e RD Ca l i f o r n i a S T Rose LN W Y Williams o n ts e r o F TS TS a d i l A EV A e s r o M EV A n i a t n u o M AVE S herwood Ni n t h S T Lilac CIR we i v l l i H RD oh a d I TS Ke a r n e y ST De w e y S T Homes AVE Mallard ST El k a d e r ST W ell e r LN Russell ST D R Glenwood EV A m l a P NL y a R re t n u H CT ma D e t a g A AC C Ro c a S T Parker ST Av e r y S T YW y t i s r e v i n U TS n l o c n i L S TMorton Ashland High School Walker Elementary School Ashland Middle School TRAILS Outdoor School Willow Winds Learning Center ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL, ASHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL, WALKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, TRAILS OUTDOOR SCHOOL & WILLOW WIND LEARNING CENTER PRIORITY SRTS ROUTES LEGEND Priority Routes Railroad School Property Water Parks City Boundary 0 0.25 0.5 MILES rECOmmENdATiONS 57 LAU R E L S T NESS AVE VAN R O G U E V A L L E Y H W Y TS S P L E H P TS L O R A C MILL RD EAGLE TS H G I H SUSAN LN WIMER ST NURSERY ST HEL M A N S T STSKIDMORE COOLIDGE ST STONERIDGE AVE PATTERSON ST ED I S K R A P DR R DBRIGGS CLINTON S T PEROZZI ST L O R I L N ORAN G E A V E OAK L AWN AVE GLENN S T HERSE Y S T GLENDOWER ST OHIO S T OA K S T RAN D Y S T COFFEE LN K E S T R E L P K W Y HT E B A Z I L E EV A ALMEDA DR OTIS ST MOUNTAIN VIEW DR WY EAST BROOK DUN N CRK DR SLEEPY HOLLOW ALDER ST YORK ST TU D O R S T NEVADA ST OXF O R D S T SANDER WY JE S S I C A LN CO V ENTRY PL WIL L O W S T TS R E G A R D C R ISPIN ST KENT ST CAMBRIDGE ST PAC I F I C H W Y Helman Elementary School HELMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUGGESTED ROUTES LEGEND Priority Routes Railroad School Property Other School Property Water Parks City Boundary 0 0.25 MILES ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM58 Lithia Springs School P A C I F I C H W Y CL A Y CR E E K WY WINE ST TS Y A L C CANYON PARK D R MOHAWK ST YW S W O D A E M N E E R G JEFFERSON AVE ROG U E V A L L E Y H W Y DR K E E R C N A M L O T CROW S O N RD SPRING HILLDR CHAPMAN LN EV A A D N I L D R CRE S T V IE W NOVA DR WYTAKELMA MORADA LN BLACK OAK WY YW E L P P A EV A E L A D N E L G RANCH RD EA G L E CR E E K L N F R O N T A G E R D W A S H I N G T O N S T. JAQUELYN ST L NCHITWOOD OLD MILL WY BARBARA ST DIANE ST L NBLACKBERRY TS N O T G N I H S A W EV A W E I V L L E B EV A E N A J Y R A M MIS T L E T O E R D Bellview Elementary School BELLVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUGGESTED ROUTES LEGEND Priority Routes Railroad School Property Other School Property Water Parks City Boundary 0 0.25 MILES rECOmmENdATiONS 59 Table 2. Ashland School District Education and Encouragement Recommendations Activity Responsible Party Description (Additional details provided on following page)Resources Needed Inclusion Considerations Measures of Success Safe Routes to School Coordinator Position City, County, Parks + Rec, Public Health, School District, Economic Development District, Community-Based Groups Ashland SD could apply jointly with Talent-Phoenix SD for a Safe Routes to School Coordinator through the ODOT Competitive Education Grant. Determine the advisory group for this position consisting of staff from different agencies or groups in the community. Example job description and application materials Include funds for translation of materials in the scope of this grant and programs where necessary. Receipt of funding from ODOT, hiring of a SRTS Coordinator, meeting established goals and objectives Free Transit passes for students School District/ Rogue Valley Transportation District Implementing a program offering free transit passes to middle and high school students would promote sustainable transportation options, reduce traffic congestion around schools, encourage active transportation habits among students, alleviate financial burdens on families, and help create a more environmentally friendly community. Sufficient funding to cover the costs, collaboration with the local transit agency, a comprehensive public awareness and education campaign, mechanisms for data collection and evaluation, and adequate administrative support for program management. Ensure outreach to underrepresented communities, provide multi-language communication, make transportation facilities and services accessible for individuals with disabilities, implement an equitable distribution system for transit passes, regularly solicit user feedback to address barriers, and provide education and training to transit staff. Number of students using the passes, number of trips Bike Club City, Parks + Rec, Public Health, School District, Streets for Everyone Given the popularity of recreational biking in Ashland, establish a bike club for elementary, middle, and high school students. Bike Club City, Parks + Rec, Public Health, School District, Given the popularity of recreational biking in Ashland, establish a bike club for elementary, middle, and high school students. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM60 Activity Responsible Party Description (Additional details provided on following page)Resources Needed Inclusion Considerations Measures of Success Crossing Guard Program School District, schools, City, police department, public health Work through after-school programs or within existing education curriculum (where possible) to provide pedestrian and bicycle safety education to students. Place a particular emphasis on safe crossing behavior and route planning. Sufficient funding to cover the costs, dedicated team of volunteers or staff members, a comprehensive public awareness and education campaign Promoting diversity and representation among crossing guards, considering gender, race, age, and language diversity. Also, ensuring physical accessibility for individuals with disabilities by providing proper training and accessible infrastructure Monitoring indicators such as a reduction in pedestrian accidents or incidents at crossing locations, increased compliance with traffic regulations and awareness of safe crossing practices among pedestrians Pedestrian and Bike Safety Education SRTS Coordinator, Schools Work through after-school programs or within existing education curriculum (where possible) to provide pedestrian and bicycle safety education to students. Place a particular emphasis on safe crossing behavior and route planning. Travel safety hand-out, messaging, curriculum Focus on walking and biking safely in students’ neighborhoods or on field trips, even if not near the school. Number of students participating, feedback from families, observations from school leadership Bike and/or Bus Fairy School Administration or SRTS Coordinator Collect little treats and place them on student's bus seats or bikes during a celebration day. Gift bags, pencils, stickers, erasers Wings or Wand for Bike/ Bus Fairy may add to the fun. Number of students participating Train-the- Trainer Bike and Pedestrian Education Teachers/ School Staff Provide training for Physical Education teachers to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian education in schools. Free education with the potential to include bike fleets and helmets for student use. Consider how students with disabilities could participate Number of students participating, skills learned, number of volunteers Walk+Roll to School Day (one of four options listed below) ODOT SRTS Team, SRTS Coordinator, Schools Organize a Walk + Roll to School Day to encourage and celebration of walking and biking at the school. Participate in International Walk+Roll to School Day in October to encourage and incentivize walking and rolling. The ODOT SRTS team can provide materials and activities to help support the event including flyers, activity sheets, stickers, and more. Food, music, decorations, printer, incentives or prizes for students (could be solicited from local businesses or ordered for free through ODOT), volunteers to pass out incentives Ensure that students who live too far to walk or bike can participate on campus. Consider locations to hold a remote drop-off site. Number of students and community members participating rECOmmENdATiONS 61 Activity Responsible Party Description (Additional details provided on following page)Resources Needed Inclusion Considerations Measures of Success Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day SRTS Coordinator, Schools The perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today’s collective efforts for change. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day gives children the opportunity to celebrate Ruby’s courage by walking to school. Food, music, decorations, printer, incentives or prizes for students (donations from local businesses or incentives ordered free from ODOT), and volunteers to pass out incentives. Ensure that students who live too far to walk or bike can participate on campus. For example, consider locations to hold a remote drop-off site, such as a park or other landmark, where students can meet and walk to school together. Number of students and community members participating Earth Month - Oregon Safe Routes to Schools SRTS Coordinator, Schools As part of an Earth Month celebration, host Walk + Roll events and encourage students to learn more about how they can be kind to the Earth. Plant seeds at your school or around your community, write a thank you card to the Earth, create a collaborative mural at your school about biking and walking to school, or invite students to make posters about why they love the Earth. Food, music, decorations, printer, incentives or prizes for students (donations from local businesses or incentives ordered free from ODOT), and volunteers to pass out incentives. Ensure that students who live too far to walk or bike are able to participate on campus. Consider locations to hold a remote drop-off site. Number of students and community members participating Winter Walk to School Day SRTS Coordinator, Schools Winter Walk to School Day encourages kids to walk and roll to school even in winter and all year round! As an accompanying activity, invite students to play bingo, take part in an art activity, organize a clothing swap, or have a fashion show, and be sure to share the event on social media. Food, music, decorations, printer, incentives or prizes for students (donations from local businesses or incentives ordered free from ODOT), and volunteers to pass out incentives. Those who have disabilities may have trouble moving through the snow. Consider options for a remote drop-off and suggested travel route that is accessible for all students considering the weather conditions. Number of students and community members participating The Walk+Roll May Challenge SRTS Coordinator, Schools This annual event encourages kids and families to walk, bike, and roll to school and to stay active and healthy. Food, music, decorations, printer, incentives or prizes for students (donations from local businesses or incentives ordered free from ODOT), and volunteers to pass out incentives. Ensure that students who live too far to walk or bike can participate on campus. Consider locations to hold a remote drop-off site. Number of students and community members participating ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM62 Activity Responsible Party Description (Additional details provided on following page)Resources Needed Inclusion Considerations Measures of Success Walk Around Campus Event (AKA walk-a-thons) Teachers/School Staff When students arrive at school, have them do a quick lap around the school campus to get their energy up for a day of learning. Walking around the school campus is also a great addition to encouragement events. Music, Incentives, punch cards. Speak with teachers about adding events into curriculum. This event is inclusive of all students, including those who ride the bus or are dropped off by an adult. Number of students participating Walk + Roll Anywhere Teachers/ School Staff Schools can organize Walk + Roll encouragement days that involve walking and rolling around the community. To further incentivize participation, on walks in local parks or along popular trails, families could scan a QR code to log their trip and be entered into a contest to win great prizes. This event allows students and families to explore other beautiful trails, parks and places that may be less car-centric. QR code to enter, raffle for winners Routes to schools may be along busy, high- speed highways, making daily biking and walking difficult for students. Number of students participating, skills learned, number of volunteers Parent Education and Outreach Schools Provide travel safety tips for parents aimed at people walking, biking, driving, or riding the bus. Emphasize proper vehicle circulation procedures, safe routes for students, and traffic reduction at arrival and dismissal times, including the option to park and walk with students Seasonal travel tips for school communications, flyer Provide materials in Spanish and/or other languages as needed. Feedback from families; observations from school leadership rECOmmENdATiONS 63 Education and Encouragement Program Descriptions PARENT EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Parents are the primary decision-makers when it comes to how their students get to school. Informing parents about their options for walking and bicycling, as well as communicating the benefits of active transportation, can encourage more families to walk and bike. This can happen through school e-news or announcements, and other informational resources. After high-priority construction recommendations are implemented, suggested route maps can show parents the best walking or biking route to the school and help overcome concerns and barriers. Resources include the following: • The Oregon SRTS website has a host of safety tips for parents who are interested in their student Safety Tips Walking and Biking Use the CrosswalkAlways cross at corners or at a marked crosswalk. This is where drivers expect to see you. Look and Listen before You CrossLook left, right, and left again before crossing a street or driveway. Look over your shoulder for turning cars. Listen for oncoming cars that may be behind a parked car, tree, or other obstacle. Make Eye ContactDon’t assume that people driving see you. Make eye contact with people driving before leaving the curb or edge of the street. Be VisibleWear bright colored clothing or reflective gear. Bright colors are more visible during the day and light colors are more visible in the evening and night. Carry a flashlight to be sure you’re seen. Be aware of seasonal time changes. Use Sidewalks when AvailableWalk facing oncoming traffic if there is no sidewalk so you can see what is coming toward you. Follow the RulesFollow directions from crossing guards and pay attention to traffic signs and signals. Be PredictableObey all stop signs, traffic signals, and guidance from crossing guards. Never ride against traffic. Use hand signals to tell other road users where you’re going. Decide as a family or group whether to ride on the street or sidewalk. Be AlertWatch out for people driving turning left or right, or coming out of driveways. Avoid car doors opening in front of you and yield to pedestrians. Don’t wear headphones or use a cell phone while biking. Wear Your HelmetMake sure that it fits properly: snug and level on your head, just above your eyebrows. Be VisibleWear bright colored clothing or reflective gear. Bright colors are more visible during the day and light colors are more visible in the evening and night. Use a front bike light and rear reflector to be sure you’re seen. Make Eye ContactMake sure drivers see you, especially at intersections and driveways. Lock Your BicycleWhen you get to school, lock your bike to a bike rack on school grounds. Lock both your front wheel and the bike frame to the rack. for walking and biking to school. Also, sign up for the newsletter to get current materials and seasonal safety tips. • The National Center for SRTS offers tools and training to provide communities the technical support they need to make community-enhancing decisions. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL COORDINATOR POSITION A designated individual who is tasked with coordinating and championing Safe Routes to School can greatly increase the likelihood of program success. A SRTS coordinator is usually charged with scheduling, publicizing, and administering SRTS programming, including encouragement events, educational activities, safety campaigns, Walking School Buses and Bike Trains for students and their families. This person is also responsible for coordinating between various involved jurisdictions, community groups, and community stakeholders to promote SRTS as a priority. The SRTS coordinator position is best housed at an agency that can work across the whole school district. Funding for SRTS Coordinators is available through ODOT’s competitive Education Grant process, as well as some regional and local governments. This grant can also provide technical assistance with hiring a coordinator, developing a work plan, and getting the program off the ground. TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMPAIGN A school traffic safety campaign can share simple safety messages and increase the visibility of the school zone and families traveling in the area. Focus outreach during back-to-school time, as the weather turns and time changes in the late fall, and during the early spring months, to address seasonal visibility issues. Resources include the following: • The Oregon SRTS website has a host of banners, brochures, and other materials that schools can use to raise drivers’ awareness of students traveling in a school area. Order materials from the ODOT Storeroom and check the ODOT SRTS website for current incentives and outreach materials available. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM64 • The Drive Like It campaign offers yard signs, safety kits, and other materials with a simple, clear message. PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE SAFETY EDUCATION Pedestrian and bike safety education teaches students basic traffic laws and safety rules. Lessons are usually during PE classes or after school and may be one-time Bike Rodeos or multi-day courses. Resources include the following: • The Oregon SRTS Team is available to train PE teachers to deliver bicycle and pedestrian education in classes through the new Jump Start program! You can sign up for training or to borrow a bike fleet for an event such as a Bike Rodeo by visiting the Jump Start Program page of the ODOT SRTS website. • Oregon SRTS provides curriculum for activities and lessons that teach the knowledge and skills necessary to be safe road users, including bike and pedestrian education videos. • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a child pedestrian safety curriculum and Cycling Skills Clinic Guide to help organizations Plan bike safety skills events. WALKING SCHOOL BUS/BIKE TRAIN In a walking school bus, a group of students walks together to school, accompanied by one or two adults (usually parents or guardians of the students on the “bus”). As the walking school bus continues on the route to school, they pick up students at designated meeting locations. Similar to walking school buses, bike trains involve a group of students biking together with adults. Bike trains and walking school buses for elementary school students are typically led by a parent, however, middle school students can become leaders, act as role models, and practice and teach safe bicycling behaviors. Bike trains may be more appropriate for middle school students, as they enable students to feel independent in their mobility, while also providing the safety and comfort of riding in a group. ODOT’s SRTS Website has resources and tips to get started, including a 2021 webinar on the topic rECOmmENdATiONS 65 a designated central location and walking together from there. Coffee and breakfast can be provided, and students can dress up or hold posters to make a fun, parent-supervised parade to school. Walks could also take place as a part of another health- related event or to benefit a cause. Resources include the following: • Schools in Oregon can order incentives to support and promote Walk + Roll to School Day. • King County Metro in the Seattle area has a Tool Kit with resources to plan a Walk + Roll to School Day event. • Walk and Bike to School suggests event ideas and planning resources for encouraging active transportation at schools. • The National Center for SRTS maintains a national database of walk and bike to school day events, as well as event ideas and planning resources. WALK + ROLL TO SCHOOL DAYS Walk+Roll events encourage and celebrate students walking and rolling to school. Keep the momentum going year-round with ODOT SRTS’ monthly themes: September: Back to School October: International Walk to School Day November: Ruby Bridges Walk to School February and March: Winter Walk+Roll April: Earth Month May: Bike Month Parents can set up a table on the event day to provide refreshments and small rewards for families who participate, as well as maps, lights, and safety information to encourage more students and families to join in the fun. Even families who live too far from school to walk and bike can participate by driving to ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM66 This page intentionally left blank. rECOmmENdATiONS 67 IMPLEMENTATION05 IMPLEMENTATION This chapter identifies high priority projects and provides guidance for implementation, including information about the ODOT SRTS Competitive Grants. One of the goals of the PIP process is to identify and refine specific projects that are eligible for the ODOT SRTS Infrastructure Grant and prepare jurisdictions to apply for the funding. This chapter describes the community- driven process to prioritize recommendations for the Competitive ODOT SRTS Infrastructure Grant Application, as well as additional project-related details that will be needed to complete the application. impLEmENTATiON 69 Project Prioritization Process Walk audit and community meeting participants provided feedback on how actions and recommendations should be prioritized in their community, ranking various criteria (see sidebar on this page) on a sliding scale of “Not Important” to “Very Important”. This exercise requires thinking about trade-offs between different goals and actions. Participants generally felt that most of the prioritization measures were quite important to consider for SRTS projects in the community. Prioritization Criteria How should we prioritize projects in your community? SAFETY Projects should be prioritized based on how unsafe a road is, looking at factors such as speed, traffic volumes, number of lanes, crossing distance or history of crashes. EQUITY Projects should be prioritized based on their ability to support walking and biking for all students regardless of age, ability, race, language, or income. PROXIMITY TO SCHOOL Projects should be prioritized based on their distance from a school. COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED NEED Projects should be prioritized because they were identified through school or community engagement, parent/caregiver feedback, or during another planning process. STUDENT DENSITY Projects should be prioritized based on their proximity to current and future students and families. FEASIBILITY Projects should be prioritized based on their location on or along a street that is already planned for improvements, their cost, or other feasibility measures that make them most achievable in the short term. Prioritization criteria identified as the most important to the community ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM70 High Priority Construction Projects Table 3 lists the top-priority improvements recommended for the Competitive ODOT SRTS Infrastructure Grant Application. These projects were chosen due to their emphasis on safety, proximity to school, and ability to serve a large number of students walking and biking both to and from and between schools. The table also provides a planning-level cost estimate for each project. Table 4 (page 62) provides additional project-specific information needed for ODOT grant applications. The City of Ashland will be the relevant agency to prepare the Competitive ODOT SRTS IN Grant. Table 3. City of Ashland Implementation Priority Projects PROJECT DESCRIPTION PLANNING-LEVEL COST ESTIMATE Mobilization $32,500 Traffic Control $48,700 Erosion Control $6,500 Clearing and Grubbing $2,100 Traffic Calming along Walker Ave INSTALL RAISED CROSSWALK $10,000 INSTALL ASPHALT SPEED HUMP $24,000 INSTALL BUMPS AHEAD SIGN $2,000 INSTALL CROSSWALK WARNING SIGN $2,000 INSTALL ADA DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACE $1,600 INSTALL MARKED CROSSWALK $1,000 Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon(RRFB)on Walker Ave INSTALL SET OF RRFBs $35,000 INSTALL CROSSWALK WARNING SIGN $1,000 Install Pavement Markings for School Zone on Walker Ave INSTALL "SCHOOL" PAVEMENT MESSAGE $1,500 INSTALL SCHOOL ZONE SIGN $1,000 Additional Signage along Walker Ave INSTALL NO PARKING SIGN $2,100 INSTALL FLEXIBLE DELINEATOR $13,500 INSTALL LANE LINE STRIPE $26,984 INSTALL BIKE LANE SYMBOL AND ARROW MARKING $1,750 Relocate RRFB at Main Street REMOVE LANE LINE STRIPE $15,840 RELOCATE RRFB $17,000 INSTALL ADA CURB RAMP $66,000 INSTALL ADA DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACE $400 INSTALL LANE LINE STRIPE $21,120 INSTALL FLEXIBLE DELINEATOR $5,250 INSTALL BIKE LANE SYMBOL AND ARROW MARKING $1,250 INSTALL ASPHALT PAVEMENT $73,400 INSTALL 1' WIDE STOP LINE $240 INSTALL STOP HERE FOR PEDESTRIAN SIGN $700 Additional Costs $386,400 TOTAL PROJECT COST $800,834 impLEmENTATiON 71 Table 4. Project Details for ODOT Competitive Infrastructure Grant PROJECT DESCRIPTION RESPONSE FOR CITY OF Ashland Relevant Right of Way ownership Right of Way does not appear to be an issue for any of the recommendations. Utility implications Minor to no utility impacts. Environmental resource implications Construction for recommendation 5 could have minor environmental impacts in regard to the field to the west of the Willow Wind Learning Center driveway. Stormwater management implications No Near a railroad? Or bridge, tunnel, retaining wall affected? Yes, Walker Ave has an at-grade railroad crossing. AADT Under 5,000 vpd (can’t find information) Priority Safety Corridor1 No 1 Priority Safety Corridor is a road where the posted speed or 85th percentile speed of traffic is 40 miles per hour or greater, OR if any two of the following apply: • Posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or greater; • More than 2 lanes or a crossing distance greater than 30 feet; • 12,000 or greater annual average daily traffic; • Has a demonstrated history of crashes related to school traffic Implementation Next Steps The immediate next step for the implementation of the education recommendations is to apply for the ODOT SRTS Education Grant to fund a district SRTS coordinator position. To accomplish this, Ashland School District and the Talent School District plan to collaborate on a joint application. Additionally, it is crucial to involve the City of Ashland and Talent in supporting roles for the application and position. The strategies identified in this Plan may seem overwhelming at first. Just remember that anything you can do to make walking, biking, and rolling to school safer, easier, and more fun for students is a step in the right direction. START SMALL Small actions can have a big impact, especially when it comes to building support, interest, and momentum for bigger initiatives. FOCUS ON EQUITY Not everyone has equal opportunities to walk and bike to school. Identify and prioritize strategies to address and overcome barriers that disproportionately impact the most vulnerable students. BUILD PARTNERSHIPS Look for opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones. Reach out to caregivers, community members, local agencies and community organizations, and other partners to expand capacity and support for SRTS initiatives. EMPOWER STUDENTS AS LEADERS Student-led initiatives can generate enthusiasm and improve social conditions for SRTS. Empower students to take ownership of programs to raise awareness, build excitement, and expand opportunities for their peers to walk and bike to school. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM72 TRACK PROGRESS Continue to track trips and survey caregivers and students about their experiences walking, biking, and rolling to school. Conducting regular evaluation will help your team understand what works and what doesn’t work and allocate resources accordingly. Consider reporting annually on progress. CELEBRATE SUCCESS Take time to recognize efforts and celebrate progress. Whether it’s changing travel habits, achieving a major milestone, implementing an infrastructure improvement, launching a new program, or hosting a successful event, recognize and celebrate success. Empower students as leaders Student-led initiatives can generate enthusiasm and improve social conditions for SRTS. Empower students to take ownership of programs to raise awareness, build excitement, and expand opportunities for their peers to walk and bike to school. impLEmENTATiON 73 APPENDICES06 APPENDICES Appendix A. For More Information ..........66 Appendix B. Planning Process ..............67 Appendix C. Existing Conditions ............69 Appendix D. Funding and Implementation ....78 Appendix E. Funding and Implementation ....101 AppENdiCES 75 NATIONAL RESOURCES Safe Routes to School Data Collection System http://www.saferoutesdata.org/ Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center http://www.pedbikeinfo.com/ National Center for Safe Routes to School http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/ Safe Routes to School Policy Guide http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/sites/default/ files/pdf/Local_Policy_Guide_2011.pdf School District Policy Workbook Tool https://www.changelabsolutions.org/product/ safe-routes-school-district-policy-workbook Safe Routes to School National Partnership State Network Project http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/network Bike Train Planning Guide http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/walking_school_bus/ bicycle_trains.cfm 10 Tips for SRTS Programs and Liability http://apps.saferoutesinfo.org/training/walking_ school_bus/liabilitytipsheet.pdf Tactical Urbanism and Safe Routes to School http://www.saferoutespartnership. org/resources/fact-sheet/ tactical-urbanism-and-safe-routes-school APPENDIX A. FOR MORE INFORMATION This appendix provides contact information for state and national SRTS program resources as well as school partners. STATE RESOURCES The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) SRTS Program provides technical assistance to support local SRTS efforts. This support includes: 1. Coordination between practitioners through Regional Hubs that meet monthly https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/contact 2. Trainings and resource guides, which can be found on the Oregon SRTS website https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/resources/ 3. Incentives, activities, and messaging for monthly Walk+Roll events https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/walkroll/ 4. Bicycle and pedestrian safety trainings and a loaner bike fleet - coming in 2022 Learn more and keep in touch by signing up for the ODOT SRTS Newsletter: https://www.oregonsaferoutes.org/ ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM76 Project Initiation The first step in the Planning process was to collect data and information to support evaluation of existing conditions. This included two meetings with the PMT to identify issues and opportunities related to SRTS. Existing Conditions information is included in Chapter 3 and Appendix C. School Safety Assessment The School Safety Assessment included the walk audit observations, community meetings, and a bike and pedestrian facility inventory. WALK AUDIT During each walk audit, the PMT and community participants observed traffic conditions, travel patterns, and behaviors for all modes of travel during arrival or dismissal at each school. Before each walk audit, the team gathered to identify key routes and locations for observation. APPENDIX B. PLANNING PROCESS BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITY INVENTORY The bike and pedestrian facility inventory documented existing infrastructure, focusing on all streets within a quarter mile of all schools. The inventory collected the following information about general infrastructure deficiencies and needs: • Sidewalk deficiencies – lack of continuity, insufficient width, poor surface condition, non- compliant cross-slopes and driveways, lack of separation from the travel lane, and obstacles (utility/light poles, signs, and vegetation) • School area signs and pavement markings – presence, placement, and condition • Paths – formal or informal, surface material • Bike lanes – lack of continuity, insufficient width or markings, presence of on-street parking, speed and volume of traffic, poor pavement condition • Bicycle, scooter, and/or skateboard parking – presence, location, visibility, degree of security, and The Ashland SRTS Plan Process Project Initiation - Background data collection - Existing conditions review School Safety Assessment - Community outreach - Walk audit - Facility inventory Review Process - Project Management Team (PMT) review of draft recommendations - Draft SRTS Plan - Public comment on Draft Plan Final SRTS Plan*** FALL/WINTER 2022-2023 SPRING 2023 SPRING/SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 AppENdiCES 77 utilization • Drop-off/pick-up areas – designated areas, curb paint, and signs • Visibility – insufficient pedestrian lighting, line of sight obstacles (parked cars, vegetation, signs, and poles) The bike and pedestrian facility inventory collected the following information about street crossings: • Traffic signals – pedestrian signals, push-button location and reach distance, signing, countdown feature, accessible pedestrian signal feature, and sufficient crossing time • Marked crosswalks – condition, type, signs, visibility, and whether ramp is contained within crosswalk markings • Curb ramps – presence at corners, ADA-compliant design (tactile domes, ramp and flare slope, level landing) • Connections with neighborhood trails or paths - signage, bike parking, ease of connection to transit hubs, parks, or schools Deficiencies and needs identified in the bike and pedestrian facility inventory inform the infrastructure recommendations described in Chapter 4. Review Process Following the School Safety Assessments, initial recommendations were prepared and shared with the PMT for review. The PMT met to discuss the recommendations, and to identify priority projects for the Competitive ODOT SRTS Infrastructure Grant. Once this was complete, a Draft SRTS Plan was prepared and underwent both PMT review as well as Public Review in the form of an online interactive PDF document. Walk audit at Helman Elementary School ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM78 Plan Review CITY OF ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PLAN 2012, ALL BIKE SHEETS AND ALL PEDESTRIAN SHEETS Ashland Transportation System Plan (2034 TSP) is used to implement the community’s transportation goals. The process to develop the 2034 TSP was initiated in 2010 and completed in 2012. As the primary transportation planning document for the City of Ashland, the 2034 TSP documents an inventory of existing pedestrian and bicycle systems and provides an overarching structure for proposed infrastructure improvements and changes in the areas surrounding the focus schools. In the summer and fall of 2010, the City updated its transportation goals and objectives in collaboration with the City’s Transportation Commission and Planning Commission. Below is a summarized list of goals and objectives relevant to this study. Goal #1: Create a “green” template for other communities in the state and nation to follow. Objectives relevant to this study: • Create a prioritized list of active transportation green projects that reduce the number of auto trips, auto trip length, and vehicle emissions. • Expand active transportation infrastructure to include features (e.g., bicycle boulevards, bicycle lanes, wider bicycle trails, and improved lighting) that encourage non-auto travel. • Establish targets for increasing active transportation over the next 5, 10, and 20 years. • Develop plans for pedestrian-oriented, mixed land-use activity centers with an active transportation focus and green infrastructure. • Identify ways to reduce carbon impacts through changes to transportation choices to make travel by bicycle, as a pedestrian and by transit more viable. APPENDIX C. EXISTING CONDITIONS Goal #2: Make safety a priority for all modes of travel. Objectives relevant to this study: • Coordinate with Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plans for local schools • Strategic plan for safety and operational improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians. • Reduce the frequency of bicycle and pedestrian- related crashes in the City of Ashland by 50% in the next 20 years. Goal #3: Maintain small-town character, support economic prosperity and accommodate future growth Objectives relevant to this study: • Develop an integrated land use and transportation plan to increase the viability of active transportation. • Identify opportunities, guidelines and regulations for bicycle, pedestrian and transit-supportive land uses within the City of Ashland. Goal #4: Create a system-wide balance for serving and facilitating pedestrian, bicycle, rail, air, transit, and vehicular traffic in terms of mobility and access within and through the City of Ashland. Objectives relevant to this study: • Identify ways to improve street connectivity to provide additional travel routes to the state highways for bicyclists, pedestrians, and autos. • Upgrade pedestrian facilities to ADA-compliant standards. EXISTING PEDESTRIAN NETWORK In general, the city’s higher-density areas, including the downtown and surrounding residential streets, are well-served with a comprehensive network of sidewalks and crossings. Sidewalk coverage declines as you travel further from downtown and the primary traffic corridor (E Main Street – Siskiyou Boulevard), although a number of the newer residential developments on the outskirts of the city have been constructed with sidewalks on both sides of all streets. AppENdiCES 79 EXISTING BICYCLE NETWORK Overall, approximately 26% of all major roadways (i.e., neighborhood collectors, avenues and boulevards) have on-street bicycle lanes and 22% are signed as shared roadways or have shoulder bikeways. The local street network has not been included in this analysis, but it is likely many local streets provide a comfortable environment for bicyclists and could form part of a future network of bicycle boulevards. The TSP identifies the following active transportation improvement projects in the vicinity of the focus schools: Sidewalk Priority Projects STREET LOCATION PRIORITY Wightman Street From 200' north of E Main Street to 625' south of E Main Street High (0-5 Years) Walker Avenue 950' north of Iowa Street to Ashland Street (High priority High (0-5 Years) From Oregon Street to Woodland Drive High (0-5 Years) From Woodland Drive to Peachey Road Low (15-25 Years) Frances Lane From Siskiyou Boulevard to Oregon Street High (0-5 Years) California Street From E Main Street to Iowa Street High (0-5 Years) Garfield Street From E Main Street to Siskiyou Boulevard High (0-5 Years) Faith Avenue From Ashland Street to Siskiyou Boulevard High (0-5 Years) Park Street From Ashland Street to Siskiyou Boulevard High (0-5 Years) Ashland Street From S Mountain Avenue to Morton Street High (0-5 Years) From Morton Street to Guthrie Street Low (15-25 Years) N Mountain Avenue From 100' south of Village Green Way to Iowa Street High (0-5 Years) Lincoln Street From E Main Street to Iowa Street High (0-5 Years) Liberty Street From Siskiyou Boulevard to Ashland Street High (0-5 Years) Clay Street From Faith Avenue to Siskiyou Medium (5-15 Years) From Siskiyou Boulevard to Mohawk Street High (0-5 Years) From Mohawk Street to the southern terminus Low (15-25 Years) Barbara Street From Jaquelyn Street to Tolman Creek Road Medium (5-15 Years) Diane Street From Jaquelyn Street to Tolman Creek Road High (0-5 Years) Tolman Creek Road From Siskiyou Boulevard to City Limits (east side)High (0-5 Years) From Siskiyou Boulevard to City Limits (west side)Low (15-25 Years) Bellview Avenue From Green Meadows Way to Siskiyou Boulevard Medium (5-15 Years) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM80 Planned Bikeway Network STREET LOCATION PRIORITY Walker Avenue From Siskiyou Boulevard to Peachey Road Bicycle Boulevard, High (0-5 Years) Iowa Street From Terrace Street to road terminus and from S Mountain Avenue to Walker Avenue Bike Lane, High (0-5 Years) Indiana Street Siskiyou Boulevard to Oregon Street Bicycle Boulevard, High (0-5 Years) Morton Street From E Main Street to Ashland Street Bicycle Boulevard, Low (15-25 Years) Oregon/Clark Street Indiana Street to Harmony Lane Bicycle Boulevard, High (0-5 Years) S Mountain Ave From Ashland Street to Siskiyou Boulevard Bike Lane, High (0-5 Years) Ashland Street From Morton Street to University Way Bicycle Boulevard, Medium (5-15 Years) Wightman Street E Main Street to Siskiyou Boulevard Bicycle Boulevard, High (0-5 Years) From Road terminus to E Main Street Bicycle Boulevard, Low (15-25) Years) Clay Street From E Main Street to Ashland Street Road Bicycle Boulevard, High (0-5 Years) From Siskiyou Boulevard to Mohawk Street Bicycle Boulevard, Medium (5-15 Years) From the rail line to Siskiyou Boulevard Bicycle Boulevard, Low (15-25) Years) Tolman Creek Road From Siskiyou Boulevard to Green Meadows Way Bike Lane, Medium (5-15 Years) Normal Avenue From E Main Street to Siskiyou Boulevard Bike Lane, Low (15-25 Years) Northside Trail From Orchid Avenue to Tolman Creek Road Multi-use Path, High (0-5 Years) AppENdiCES 81 PEDESTRIAN PLACES N Mountain Avenue/E Main Street • Create a neighborhood center that encourages the growth of an arts community to complement the civic uses, school uses, and the historic neighborhood that surrounds the center. The neighborhood center needs a more complete and more continuous grid of walking routes connecting people to Pedestrian Place. Those routes are not necessarily new local streets. They could be multi-use pathways for pedestrians, bikes, or alleys that are part of new in-fill housing plans. Walker/Ashland • Create a complete and compact university district ‘hub’ that complements the SOU Master Plan for additional student housing. Elements of the hub could be greatly enhanced streetscape for both Walker Avenue and Ashland Street, and redevelopment that ultimately results in a well- designed cluster of retail and entertainment uses with affordable housing choices. PLANNED INTERSECTION AND ROADWAY PROJECTS (SUPPORTING AT) Normal Avenue Extension • Balance Mobility and Access • Extend Normal Avenue to E Main Street consistent with the IAMP Exit 14 Access Management on Ashland Street (OR 66); (Medium Priority (5-15 Years)) Ashland Street Streetscape Enhancements (Siskiyou Boulevard to Walker Avenue) • Improve Safety, Balance Mobility, and Access • Widen and reconstruct sidewalks with street trees, stormwater planters, and bus shelters. Ashland Street/Walker Avenue intersection enhancements to include concrete crosswalks, paving, and ornamental lights (Medium priority (5-15 Years)) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM82 Ashland Street/Tolman Creek Road Streetscape Enhancements • Support Pedestrian Places Planning • Widen and reconstruct sidewalks with street trees, stormwater planters and bus shelters. Ashland Street/Tolman Creek Road intersection enhancements to include concrete crosswalks, paving, and ornamental lights (Development Driven) Ashland Street Streetscape Enhancements (Walker Avenue to Normal Avenue) • Improve Safety, Balance Mobility, and Access • Widen and reconstruct sidewalks with street trees, stormwater planters, and bus shelters (Priority is Development Driven) Walker Avenue Festival Street (Siskiyou Boulevard to Ashland Street) • Support Pedestrian Places Planning • Street reconstruction with flush curbs and scored concrete roadway surface. Sidewalk treatments to include decorative bollards to delineated pedestrian space, street trees, LID stormwater facilities, and ornamental lights (High priority (0-5 Years)) E Main Street/N Mountain Avenue Streetscape Enhancements • Support Pedestrian Places Planning • Widen and reconstruct sidewalks with street trees, stormwater planters and bus shelters. E Main Street/N Mountain Avenue intersection enhancement with concrete crosswalks and paving, and ornamental lights (Priority is Development Driven) Siskiyou Boulevard (OR 99)/Park Street Intersection Improvements • Reduce Conflicts, Improve Street Continuity • Realign Park Street approach to eliminate offset (Development Driven) Siskiyou Boulevard (OR 99)/Tolman Creek Road Intersection Improvements • Conduct a speed study. Identify and install speed reduction treatments on northbound approach (High priority (0-5 Years)) Tolman Creek-Mistletoe Road Streetscape Enhancements • Facilitate Economic Growth, Balance Mobility and Access • Widen and reconstruct sidewalks with street trees, stormwater planters and bus shelters consistent with the Croman Mill District standards (Development Driven) ROGUE VALLEY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN, 2021 The Rogue Valley Active Transportation Plan (RVATP) is a long-range, strategic framework that identifies the regional networks for active transportation within the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) boundary. This plan sets the direction for the design and implementation of the regional active transportation network over time. For people biking and rolling, the plan identifies a regional network of bicycle routes. For people walking, the plan focuses on walking access for short trips and transit access for longer regional connections. Vision “The Rogue Valley’s active transportation network of streets and multi-use paths is comfortable, convenient, and attractive for walking and biking, connecting communities and people around the region. Coupled with transit, all users, regardless of age, ability, need, or interest can safely access destinations, employment, and schools via these networks.” AppENdiCES 83 Gap in the Pedestrian Facility • Crowson Rd between Siskiyou Blvd and Green Spring Hwy, on both sides • Green spring Hwy between Crowson Rd and around Oak Knoll Dr, on both sides • Tolman Creek Rd between E Main St and Ashland St, on the east side • E Main St between Tolman Creek Rd and Walker Ave, on both sides • Walker Ave, between Ashland St and Siskiyou Blvd, on the west side • Siskiyou Blvd between Walker Ave and Tolman Creek Rd, on Northside Barriers to Walking and Biking Potential Barriers on Regional and Connector Routes: • Potential barriers located on the Rogue Valley’s active transportation network were mapped to identify existing locations that limit the opportunity for people to walk and bike due to perceived or experienced safety risks. • Intersections along the active transportation network were flagged as potential barriers when one or more of the following attributes was found to be present at a given intersection: • Presence of Uncontrolled Right-Turn • Shared Right-Turn or Bike Lane on Right • side of Right-Turn • Community Identified Barrier Locations: • E Main St and Tolman Creek Rd, Uncontrolled Right-Turn • Ashland ST and Pacific Hwy, Shared Right-Turn or Bik e Lane Right of Right-Turn • Ashland St and Tolman Creek Rd, ≥4 Lanes without Refuge Island • Siskiyou Blvd and Ashland St, Shared Right-Turn or Bik e Lane Right of Right-Turn • Walker Ave and Ashland St, ≥4 Lanes without Refuge Island ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION EXPANSION FEASIBILITY STUDY, 2018 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT The City of Ashland Public Transportation Feasibility Study (2018) assessed how public transportation can help create a transportation system to best serve residents, workers and visitors. The purpose of the Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment technical memorandum was to understand local conditions, trends, resources, and needs of people living, working, or visiting Ashland. Pedestrian/Cycling • Centrally located streets downtown and in surrounding residential areas are well-served by pedestrian crossings and sidewalks. • Study of Ashland crosswalks conducted in 2009 counted pedestrian and traffic volumes during the afternoon weekday peak (3:15 – 4:15 PM) at 31 intersections. Five signalized intersections observed the highest vehicular/pedestrian conflicts: OR 99 (NB)/Oak Street; OR 99 (SB)/ Oak Street; OR 99/Wimer Street/Hersey Street; Walker Avenue/Iowa Street; and South Mountain Avenue/Iowa Street. • The fiscally constrained plan in the TSP describes 39 pedestrian-related projects over the next 25 years to improve connections throughout the city. Projects located on designated Safe Routes to School, streets with higher traffic volumes and speed, and adjacent to land use destinations are high priority (relevant project covered and map included in the previous section). • The City’s planned bicycle facility projects included 24 projects over the next 25 years. One project will aim to encourage biking and retrofit the bike program by establishing funds and processes for installing off-street bicycle racks at existing businesses and establishments. • One project is to create a TravelSmart Education Program to inform and encourage walking and ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM84 biking in Ashland. Public Transport • RVTD provides two types of bus pass programs to employers and schools: the U-Pass and the Fare Share. • The U-Pass program: requires at least 10 employees or students for participation. Participating Schools can purchase monthly passes for $1.95 per month. • The Fare Share program: requires at 100 employees or students. Schools can provide access to reduced monthly passes for employees at $10 per month and students at $5 per month • Existing bus stop amenities • Ashland East of Walker Ave, no space for shelter, no sitting • Ashland St, east of Siskiyou, Space for shelter, Simmi seating • Ashland St - East of Lit Wy, no space for shelter and no sitting TDM Services • Rideshare • People in Ashland can find a carpool or vanpool through Oregon’s rideshare matching and trip logging service, Drive Less. Connect. (DLC). • Bikeshare • The Rogue Bike Share program has eight stations, seven of which are throughout Ashland. STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION The purpose of the Strategy Development and Evaluation technical memorandum was to introduce and evaluate public transportation projects, investments, and programs that will support the transportation needs of people living in, working in, and visiting Ashland. Bike and Ped Infrastructure • This memo proposes eight strategies under Capital Strategies that support pedestrian and bicycle access. These strategies focus on providing safe and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure that improves access to public transportation, including sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, bike lanes and bicycle parking. • Sidewalk infill where sidewalks are missing (0.5 miles of sidewalk infill annually) – Potential Phase, Near • Add marked crossings to improve access to stops along high volume and/or high-speed roadways (four new high visibility crosswalks per year) - Potential Phase, Near Public Transit • The route proposed in L-1 would provide local service within Ashland between Asante Community Hospital and Tolman Creek Road, via Main Street, Laurel Street, Hersey Street, Mountain Avenue, East Main Street, Walker Avenue and Ashland Street • Service would operate every 60 minutes Action Plan • Develop a comprehensive active transportation project list or plan. The assessment can include a citywide asset and program inventory. Historical pedestrian and bicycle collision data can help identify high-risk areas, and illustrate correlations between collision frequency, severity, location type, and person movements. Include locations with sidewalk gaps, needed pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and other investments to respond to non-motorized transportation safety. • Coordinate bicycle and pedestrian investments with Safe Routes to School funding opportunities. Coordinate with the Ashland School District and RVTD to identify projects that provide safe access for students to local schools, while also meeting local transit access needs. Examples include sidewalks and crosswalks. AppENdiCES 85 Crash History Examining the recent history of collisions in the area around the school is one component of understanding the potential hazards for students walking and biking to school. Locations with single or multiple crashes can indicate issues with infrastructure or behavior that could be addressed through SRTS improvements. However, it’s important to note that these data to not tell the whole story, as it does not account for near-misses or crashes that may have occurred since 2020. Local knowledge of past incidents and reports of perceived discomfort or danger is essential to understanding existing SRTS issues. PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST COLLISIONS Between 2016 and 2020, there were forty-seven (47) reported vehicle collisions involving people walking and biking within one mile of Ashland Highschool (map in Figure 3 shows these collisions within half a mile of this school). Notable information about pedestrian- and bicycle-involved collisions is outlined below: • There were twenty-one (21) pedestrian collisions and twenty-six (26) bicycle collisions within a mile of the school during this period • The majority of these collisions resulted in minor injuries. No fatal collision was reported • Eight (8) collisions happened on Siskiyou Blvd from which Seven (7) were at or very close to intersections • Three (3) locations had pedestrian collisions due to darkness and lack of lighting: o E Main St & Walker Ave o E Main St & 2nd St o Ashland St & Normal Ave • One bicycle collision happened at the intersection of Oak St & Van Ness Ave that was on a rainy day due to darkness and lack of street lighting Within one mile of Ashland Middle School, Walker Elementary School, Willow Wind Learning Center and TRAILS outdoor school (map in Figure 4 shows these collisions within half a mile of these four schools), there were thirty reported vehicle collisions involving people walking and biking from which fourteen (14) were pedestrian collisions and sixteen (16) were bicycle collisions. Notable information about pedestrian- and bicycle-involved collisions is outlined below: • The majority of these collisions resulted in minor injuries. No fatal collision was reported • Seventeen (17) collisions happened at the intersections and during daylight • Six (6) intersections had pedestrian collisions: o Beach St & Siskiyou Blvd o E Main St & 8th St o Garfield St & Siskiyou Blvd o Ashland St & Walker Ave o Iowa St & Wightman St o Peachy Rd & Walker Ave Within one mile of Bellview Elementary School, there were five (5) reported vehicle collisions involving people walking and biking. None of these collisions took place within half a mile of the school (map in Figure 5 shows the collisions within half a mile of this school). • Of the five (5) total collisions, four (4) were bicycle collisions and only one had pedestrians involved • The pedestrian collision happened at the intersection of Peachy Rd & Walker Ave where there is a stop sign during daylight • All other four (4) collisions happened at intersections during daylight at the following locations: o Hillview Dr & Siskiyou Blvd o Normal Ave & Siskiyou Blvd o Ashland St & Indian Memorial Rd o Ashland St & Tolman Creek Rd ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM86 Within one mile of Helman Elementary School, there were twenty-one (21) reported vehicle collisions involving people walking and biking. Three (3) of these collisions occurred within half a mile of the school (map in Figure 6 shows these collisions within half a mile of this school). No fatal collision was reported. Of all collisions, fifteen (15) involved a cyclist and seven (7) happened at intersections during daylight. Locations reported for these collisions are: o Fair Oaks Ave & Plum Ridge Ct o Lithia Way & 1st St (4 collisions at this location) o Hersey St & Oak St o Helman St & Randy St All pedestrian collisions (six (6)) happened at intersections: o Grant St & Main St o E Main St & Oak St (2 collisions at this location) o Lithia Way & 2nd St o A St & Pioneer St o E Main St & Pioneer St AppENdiCES 87 Collisions between vehicles and people walking and biking within half a mile of Ashland Highschool (2016-2020) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM88 Collisions between vehicles and people walking and biking within half a mile of Ashland Middle School, Walker Elementary School, TRAILS outdoor School and Willow Winds Learning Center (2016-2020) AppENdiCES 89 Collisions between vehicles and people walking and biking within half a mile of Bellview Elementary School (2016-2020) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM90 Collisions between vehicles and people walking and biking within half a mile of Helman Elementary School (2016-2020) AppENdiCES 91 VEHICLE-ONLY COLLISIONS The following crash maps (See Figures,7, 8, 9, and 10) illustrate the locations of vehicle-only crashes. While these crashes did not involve pedestrians and bicyclists, they may indicate areas of potential danger for all road users. According to the reported data for the years 2016 through 2020: There were 1307 vehicle-only collisions reported within one mile of Walker Elementary School, Ashland Middle School, TRAILS Outdoor School, Ashland High School, Bellview Elementary and Helman Elementary and Willow Wind Learning Center from which: • 537 happened at intersections. • 106 were caused by Speeding, reckless driving or driving too fast for the conditions. • 102 happened at night in locations with no street lighting. Summary of these locations: o Walker Ave o Mae St o Ashland St o Normal Ave o 2nd St o Van Ness Ave o Main St o Hersey St o Oak St o Carol St o Grant ST • 182 happened at Walker Ave and Siskiyou Blvd ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM92 Vehicle-only collisions within half a mile of Ashland High School (2016-2020) AppENdiCES 93 Vehicle-only collisions within half mile of Ashland Middle School, Walker Elementary School, TRAILS Outdoor School and Willow Winds Learning Center (2016-2020) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM94 Vehicle-only collisions within half a mile of Bellview Elementary School (2016-2020) AppENdiCES 95 Vehicle-only collisions within half a mile of Helman Elementary School (2016-2020) ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM96 This page intentionally left blank. AppENdiCES 97 APPENDIX D. FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION This section lists a variety of funding sources that can be used to implement the recommendations outlined in Chapter 4. These funding sources are accurate as of July 2021, but may change over time. Please refer to ODOT or other funding jurisdictions website for the most up to date information. This section also includes a graphical flowchart of the ODOT SRTS Competitive Infrastructure Grant eligibility process, to help guide partners in the application process. Finally, this section includes a detailed construction recommendations table building on Table 1 in Chapter 4, and includes: needs identified at each location and ensuing construction recommendations, the relative priority of the recommendation, a high- level associated cost, the agency responsible for implementing the recommendation, and any potential funding source for construction. The final table includes detailed Planning-level cost estimates for the High Priority Projects identified in Chapter 5. Statewide Funding Opportunities ODOT SRTS GRANTS ODOT currently offers Safe Routes to School specific funding pools for local jurisdictions interested in improving walking and biking conditions near schools, including a competitive infrastructure grant program, a rapid response infrastructure grant, and an education (non-infrastructure) grant. COMPETITIVE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT ODOT’s SRTS Competitive Infrastructure Grant program funds roadway safety projects located within a one-mile radius of an educational facility that improves walking and biking conditions for students on their way to school. Funding requests may range between $60,000 and $2 million, with a 40% local match (special circumstances may allow a 20% reduction in match requirements). These funds are awarded on a competitive application basis to cities, counties, transit districts, ODOT, any other roadway authority, and tribes are in compliance with existing jurisdictional Plans and receive school or school district support. Learn more about the 2021- 2022 grant cycle at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/ Programs/Pages/SRTS-Competitive-Infrastructure- Grant.aspx. RAPID RESPONSE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT Up to 10% of state SRTS funding will be reserved for projects that can demonstrate serious and immediate need for safety improvements within a one-mile radius of schools. This funding would be awarded outside of the Competitive Infrastructure Grant cycle as a Rapid Response Infrastructure Grant. Eligibility requirements for Rapid Response Infrastructure grants can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ odot/Programs/Pages/SRTS-Rapid-Response-Grant- Program.aspx. EDUCATION GRANT In addition to funding construction improvements for Safe Routes to School programs, ODOT reserves approximately $300,000 annually for funding of SRTS Education programs and projects that encourage students in grades K-8 to walk and roll to school. This competitive grant program distributes funding to a project over the course of two to three years with a 12% match requirement. Grant funds are traditionally used for capacity building and innovation. For more information, visit https://www. oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/Pages/SRTS.aspx. SMALL CITY ALLOTMENT PROGRAM (SCA) The Small City Allotment Program is available to communities with less than 5,000 residents. One application may be submitted per city per year, and successful projects may receive up to $100,000. Successful applicants may request an advance of up to 50% of their award and will receive the remainder of their award upon submission of project invoices. An awardee may not have more than two active SCA projects at any given time; if the awardee has two active projects, another application cannot be submitted until one is completed. SCA funds can be used as a match for SRTS grant funding, but the SRTS grant has to have already been awarded prior to the request for SCA funds as match. SCA projects must be completed within two years from the agreement execution date. For example, if a community receives a SRTS grant award and an SCA ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM98 grant for matching funds, chances are they may need to extend the SCA grant to coordinate with the SRTS project work. This is permitted, but the SCA award would be considered an open project until the SRTS project was closed out. Also important to note, the SCA program does not require any matching funds. The state cannot reimburse for any right of way or utility costs, and all work must be performed within the public road right of way. For more information, visit https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/LocalGov/ Documents/SCA-Guidelines.pdf OREGON COMMUNITY PATHS PROGRAM The Oregon Community Paths Program (OCP) is funding 21 off-road Active Transportation projects totaling $15 million in 2021. Through the OCPP, ODOT strives to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle transportation projects including the development, construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, or other capital improvement of multi-use paths, bicycle paths, and footpaths that improve access and safety for people walking and bicycling. The program is funded through FHWA Transportation Alternatives funds, and state Multimodal Active Transportation funds. For more information visit https://www. oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/Pages/OCP.aspx TRANSPORTATION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT (TGM) FUNDS TGM supports community efforts to expand transportation choices by linking land-use and transportation planning.. TGM services include an annual competitive grant program for Planning work leading to local policy decisions for transportation facilities and services or for land uses with supportive transportation changes. The grant application period opens in the Spring and closes in the Summer. In addition to grants, TGM provides several other non-competitive services to help resolve land-use and transportation planning issues: Quick Response to bridge the gap between long range Planning and development of specific properties, Code Assistance to identify and remove barriers to smart growth, Transportation System Plan (TSP) Assessments to evaluate local TSPs, and Education and Outreach projects to move community conversations forward. For more information visit https://www.oregon.gov/ lcd/TGM STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FUND (STIF) Walking and biking connections to transit are eligible under ODOT’s STIF Discretionary and Statewide Network Program, a new fund for transit started in 2018. STIF formula and discretionary funds may be used to support projects that connect pedestrians and bikers to public transit. This fund program was created in response to HB 2017 and funds are dispersed every two years. For more information visit https://www.oregon.gov/odot/RPTD/Pages/Funding- Opportunities.aspx CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) PROGRAM The CMAQ program is jointly administered by the FHWA and FTA, with projects selected by local jurisdictions designated as high pollution areas. Bike/ pedestrian projects make up a significant portion of the funded projects, which must focus on air quality improvement. For more information visit www.fhwa. dot.gov/environment/air_quality/cmaq/ Federal Funds Some federal funding sources may be available to certain communities and can be used for Safe Routes to School projects. Such as: • Community Development Block Grant Program, https://www.orinfrastructure.org/ Infrastructure-Programs/CDBG/ • Rural Development Grant Assistance Program, https://www.usda.gov/topics/farming/ grants-and-loans AppENdiCES 99 Local Funding Opportunities POTENTIAL SCHOOL BOND OPPORTUNITIES Localities can leverage school bonds to collect funding for transportation educational programming and school zone pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure improvements. School bonds may be sufficient to cover the cost of low- to mid-cost projects or could be utilized to collect local match dollars for state awarded grants. SRTS PROJECTS AND THE TSP Cities and counties undergoing transportation system Plan updates should consider including a section on their Plans and priorities for Safe Routes to School infrastructure upgrades and programming to identify project expenses well in advance and allow ample time to gather project funding. QUICK BUILDS Quick Builds are temporary roadway improvement installments that utilize temporary barriers (such as traffic cones, Planters, hay barrels, etc.) to test and demonstrate how a street would operate with bicycle and/or pedestrian infrastructure improvements. These low-cost Quick Build projects can serve as an immediate term temporary solution to traffic issues while local jurisdictions build support and funding for permanent infrastructure improvements. Depending on specific site conditions and the nature of materials used, Quick Builds can last for several hours to several months. APPENDIX E. TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES A wide range of traffic calming measures may be used alone or in combination near school zones to address vehicular speeds and/or volumes. All measures should be properly designed, with appropriate spacing and use of signs, striping, lighting, and vertical elements where necessary to improve visibility. Traffic calming measures CURB EXTENSIONS Curb extensions are installed to reduce the roadway width from curb to curb at an intersection, shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians and making it easier for motorists to see pedestrians. ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM100 SPEED HUMPS Speed humps are raised sections of pavement placed across the street to force motorists to reduce speeds. They are effective in reducing traffic speeds and are relatively low cost. RAISED CROSSWALKS Raised crosswalks are similar to speed humps, except they include a flat section on top, sometimes constructed with decorative surface material. Raised crosswalks are speed tables marked as pedestrian crossing, which allows pedestrians to cross without stepping down and up between the curb and the road. Speed tables permit slightly higher motorist speeds and smoother transitions than speed humps. REDUCED CORNER RADII There is a direct relationship between the size of the curb radius and the speed of turning motor vehicles. A large radius may easily accommodate large fire trucks and other large trucks and school buses, but it also allows other drivers to make high-speed turns and it increases the crossing distance for pedestrians. The reduction of a corner radius to produce a tighter turn results in decreases in turning speeds and improved motor vehicle and pedestrian site distances, and a shortened pedestrian crossing distance. LANE REDUCTION The narrower lanes can reduce motor vehicle speed, which may reduce total pedestrian crashes. They also reduce the lengths of pedestrian crossings. There are several ways to narrow a street. Paint is a simple, low-cost, and easy way to narrow the street or travel lanes. PAVEMENT MARKINGS Pavement markings define vehicle spaces and contribute to reducing speed by providing clear visual cues to drivers, enhancing safety on the roadway. AppENdiCES 101 by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling transmitted through the wheels into the vehicle interior. RADAR SPEED DISPLAY SIGN Speed feedback signs, equipped with electronic displays, are effective tools for encouraging drivers to slow down. By providing real-time feedback on their vehicle’s operating speed, these signs alert drivers and promote self-awareness, ultimately improving road safety. They can be installed either permanently or temporarily, depending on the specific needs and objectives of a particular location or situation. RUMBLE STRIPS Rumble strips (also known as sleeper lines or alert strips) are a road safety feature designed as a traffic calming, speed reduction and driver alert system. It aims to alert inattentive drivers of potential danger ODOT SRTS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM102 This page intentionally left blank. AppENdiCES 103 Temporary Traffic Circle Implementation Permanent Traffic Circle Implementation