Active Transportation Campaign, 2010

Attention CCCP Friends and Members:

During the last CCCP meeting it was mentioned that Paul Niehoff is part of the Active Transportation Campaign. I thought it might be good to inform all of you of this project and what it means. I've posted the information from Paul below.

Please keep in mind that there is an Active Transportation Public Meeting on Monday, February 25th from 6 to 8:30 pm at the East End Community School for those of you who are interested in attending. For more information, please email Paul Niehoff at pniehoff@gpcog.org. We thank Paul, and all the others involved for their work in this campaign.

In his work with this campaign, Paul and others are doing a study of the worst intersections in the Portland area and would like you to vote, using the poll to the right. ---------------------->

If there is another intersection you feel should warrant attention, please email that information to Paul.

Active Transportation Campaign, 2010

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is working to expand upon the current federal transportation bill’s Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program in the next federal transportation reauthorization. They envision a program serving at least 40 communities, with $50 million per community over six years, to promote active transportation (trails, biking and walking) for urban mobility. RTC is mobilizing communities to lead this effort. Portland Trails is leading the effort for greater Portland.

“Active Transportation” is travel powered by human energy—walking and biking, etc. Part of Portland Trails’ mission is to encourage the use of our trail network. To accomplish this we aim to work with community partners to create a complete transportation network of trails, sidewalks and bike facilities.

Plan of Action

Many local groups are already studying these issues—we will build on past research to create a detailed vision for greater Portland. We have identified a team to work as the Steering Committee with us:

• City of Portland Planning Department

• City of Portland Public Works

• Portland Bike/Ped Advisory Committee

• Maine Department of Transportation

• City of Portland Parks and Recreation

• Growsmart Maine

• GPCOG/PACTS
  

The team has committed to 5 meetings over the next 6 months. A larger group of Advisors will review our ideas, they include METRO, Portland DOT, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Mountain Division Alliance, East Coast Greenway, Healthy Portland, Maine Track Club, neighborhood organizations, and many more. A third tier of 30 or more “Partners” will be kept informed of our work (City Councilors, State Senators and Representatives, our representatives on Capitol Hill, etc).

Between October 2007 and April 2008, our team will draft a comprehensive plan for building new trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes, and connecting that infrastructure with public transportation hubs in one seamless system. We will then have two years to develop those projects, so that we are ready to begin construction as soon as the next Transportation Bill is authorized in 2010. Objectives include:

• Portland’s network of trails will be expanded to include critical connections between trails within Portland and those that complete links to networks in other communities.

• Portland’s network of sidewalk and bike lanes will be improved and augmented.

• Public transportation will better integrate with sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails.

• An educational outreach program including such things as a website, speaker’s bureau, and publications will be created to help residents learn to use the new system.

Commitment

We will approach this effort in at least three phases.

Phase I: Creating the vision/case statement. Portland Trails will facilitate 5-6 meetings with our steering committee (plus additional meetings with advisors, partners, and the public) over the next 6 months. Nan and members of the committee will then craft the input into a written and illustrated document.

Phase II 2008-2009, Advocacy. Once our case statement is submitted to the RTC, they will begin to lobby in DC. We will lobby here. RTC will advise us on how extensive our efforts need to be. When appropriate, committee members can help with this advocacy.

Phase II 2010, Implementation. Carrying out the $50,000,000 Plan will require additional staffing for at least 5 years. Preparation for implement is part of the work we’re doing now.