Share the Road . . . With Sharrows!

I've been giving some thought to bicycling in urban traffic. I just completed the excellent StreetSmarts Road One course offered by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB), and it gave me a different perspective on the various options being discussed in urban planning and bicycling circles. In addition to expanding the terrific web of recreational trails we have in this area, there is serious discussion about adding bike lanes downtown as well as considering the installation of "Complete Streets" throughout the urban core. It's good that this discussion is finally taking place in earnest, but we need to be careful what we wish for. Bike lanes, for example, if not properly engineered could be more dangerous than not having them at all. Complete Streets can be expensive and may not be appropriate in all circumstances. Another alternative, less costly and more in tune with treating bikers as vehicle drivers and not as pedestrians, is the concept of "sharrows."

Become a "Street Smart" Urban Cyclist!

You may not be thinking of cycling just yet, but Spring will be here before you know it. For those of you who enjoy bicycling in the urban environment as well as on the trails, the following course might be of interest to you. This is a course on urban bike riding offered by two "League of American Bicyclists"-certified instructors to be held at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, 16 S. Williams St., on two Saturdays, April 5 and 12.

A 2008 Wish List for Dayton

The week between Christmas and New Years is usually a time for reflection, goal setting, and dreaming. In that spirit, I've put together a 2008 "wish list" for Dayton. Granted, I don't expect many of these things to happen in 2008; but, hey, you gotta start somewhere. Feel free to add to the list.

Light Rail in Norfolk VA

Norfolk, Virginia (population approximately 234,000) is going light rail, and the attached article may  have some lessons for Dayton. Thanks to "noozer" at UrbanOhio for providing the info!

More Complete Streets

Here are some more Complete Streets examples.  If city leadership is looking for something to get behind, this is it.  This is the kind of thinking that allows other cities to grow and succeed.  Is Dayton ready to do the same?

From the DECEMBER 2007 issue of New Urban News

Cities redo streets for pedestrians, cyclists, transit

“Complete Streets” movement presses a growing number of cities to plan for multimodal transportation.

In 2003, bicyclists intent on obtaining safer routes for cycling concluded that they needed a slogan — one that would communicate their goal to the public clearly and forcefully. Instead of continuing to appeal for “routine accommodation” — the bureaucratic phrase they’d been relying on up to that point — they started demanding “Complete Streets.”
This new catchphrase — and the coalition that united behind it — are helping to usher in benefits for cyclists and pedestrians alike. In the four years since the program was approved by the advocacy group American Bikes, “Complete Streets” has been endorsed or promoted by CNU, AARP, the American Planning Association, the Active Living by Design Program and others.
“A lot of cities have recognized the problem and are trying to create real change,” says Jeffrey Tumlin of Nelson\Nygaard, a transportation consulting firm based in San Francisco. The emphasis varies from one locale to another, but the central goal, as defined by Barbara Gray and Grace Crunican of the Seattle Department of Transportation, is “policies and actions aimed at producing streets that are safe, accessible, and convenient for all users.”

Is the Trolley Idea Gaining Traction?

There are two items on the DDN opinion page concerning the construction of a trolley system in the urban center connecting Dayton's historic sites and amenities. Obviously, this isn't something new. There have been several studies done, but nothing has come of them as yet. Money is always a challenge; i.e., is it the best place to put the scarce development/transportation funds the region has?

A growing answer to that question could be "yes." Perhaps investment in infrastructure connecting what we already have would be better use of funds than building another attraction. There are some examples around the country showing that economic development follows these kinds of projects.

RTA is downplaying the "Historic Trolley" proposal of 16 miles and suggests a minimalist approach, starting with a three-mile line connecting UD with downtown via the Oregon District. If that proves successful, add additional trackage to Carillon, Wright-Dunbar, etc. There's to be a meeting on the subject at the Dayton Convention Center on Thursday, at 2:30 pm.

MVRPC & Dayton City Leadership - please take notes...

As a follow-up to a previous post about what Dayton can do to improve our urban landscape and attract more people to visit and live here, this is a perfect example of a city doing it right...

Indianapolis - known more to be auto-oriented (think Indy 500) than pedestrian or bicycle-oriented - is undergoing a huge downtown street project that will actually REMOVE automobile lanes and replace them with what is called the Indianapolis Cultural Trail - "a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system."

According to the website, this fantastic project is made possible by a large public and private collaboration led by Central Indiana Community Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and several not-for-profit organizations devoted to building a better city.

Here are some pre-construction and mid-construction photos - as well as post-construction renderings of what it will look like when completed.

How Dayton can attract more residents

Yes, there are MANY things that the City of Dayton needs to work on to attract residents.  Problems with crime, public schools, quality of life - these all must be addressed.  But since the city is already working on possible two-way street conversions downtown, now is the time to be a leader in one nationwide trend instead of missing another opportunity.

Although Dayton's suburbs are continuing to grow despite a current national trend of people moving back into cities, Dayton does have a few advantages over the burbs.  One of the biggest is the fact that you can get around without the need for a car.  No, we are not Manhattan or Chicago, but our city's downtown was built for pedestrians while the suburbs are built for automobiles.  And in a time when $5.00 gasoline is very foreseeable and progressive people are cognizant of the environment and their impact on it - it makes sense for Dayton to capitalize on this advantage and build on it.

In Dayton we already have one of the best bicycle trail systems in the state, and it goes right through downtown.  We should be looking at adding bicycle lanes to all of our major streets when converting to two-way - not just one bike lane on one side of the street, but both sides.  By doing this, we will see even more bikes in and around downtown than we already do, and we may see more new residents who enjoy the fact that they can bike to work (if not walk).  And if the next phase of Riverscape does indeed come to fruition (and I'm told it will), we will see a new bicycle station complete with lockers, showers, bike rentals and bicycle repair services.  Imagine if you could get to this bike trail hub from any urban neighborhood in Dayton by using any number of bike lanes that go through downtown...  and imagine seeing Dayton as one of the cities with progressive "Complete Streets" programs.  Yes, the Wright Brothers (who perfected airplane designs in their bicycle shop) would certainly be proud.

Link: 'Complete streets' program gives more room for pedestrians, cyclists - USATODAY.com.

A growing number of states and local governments are rejecting a half-century of transportation practice and demanding that streets accommodate all types of travel, not just automobiles.

The concept of "complete streets" — with bike lanes, sidewalks and room for mass transit — has attracted a diverse national alliance of supporters, including advocates for senior citizens and the disabled.

Drive Less, Live More (and make "One Less Trip")

The following is an update from our friends at the "Drive Less, Live More" organization here in Dayton (thanks Brenda!)...

Drive Less, Live More saves more than 11,200 miles in 14 days...
Participants surprised how easy it is

Two weeks into the Drive Less, Live More campaign, and area residents have cut their driving by nearly 11,250 miles (that's like driving from New York City to Los Angeles and back twice), saving more than 239 gallons of gas, and preventing more than 11,000 pounds of greenhouse gases (CO2) from going into the air.

"This is a great start, and it comes at an important time of the year", says Don Spang, executive director of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, one of the four partnering agencies in the campaign. "Given the heat wave we've seen over the last few weeks and the number of Air Pollution Advisories we've issued, every little bit helps in reducing vehicle emissions."

Dayton Not Alone with Bus Stop Removals...

The Dayton RTA's decision to change bus routes and move all Main Street bus stops to their future hub at the location of the recently demolished Admiral Benbow Hotel has not been without controversy.  The over-hyped melee at the corner of Third & Main a few years ago (no folks, it was not a riot despite what you might think) is certainly a factor in these changes; One reason for the change is that RTA can control security better on their private property than on public property on the city sidewalks & streets.  But is removing bus stops from Main Street the answer?  it is valuable to check out what is happening in other cities, and here is a similar story from Minneapolis...

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
By Chris Serres and Terry Collins
Link: Will 3 blocks make a difference?.

police say crime has gotten so out of hand at transit stops along 7th Street that the Minneapolis Police Department, Downtown Council and Mayor R.T. Rybak has begun pushing Metro Transit to move bus stops from 7th Street downtown three blocks away to 4th Street. The proposal comes as violence has intensified on Metro Transit buses. A fatal shooting Sunday of a 16-year-old boy in St. Paul was the second homicide and third violent attack on Metro Transit buses since early March.

So what do you think about the bus stop changes in Downtown Dayton?

Dayton Street Grid - Are we changing to Two-Ways? (UPDATE)

Today is the day that consultants unveil the "new & improved" plans for converting one-way streets to two-way.  The new plans are to be seen on the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission website by 10am today, but the DDN has the scoop in this morning's paper...

Dayton Street Grid - Are we changing to Two-Ways?

As a follow-up to our previous entry about the plans to convert Downtown's one-way streets to two-way, here is the latest news...

RTA's major route redesign will go into effect Sunday

The RTA has announced that the major route changes they have planned are going into effect this Sunday.

New Edwin C. Moses Bridge - which do you prefer?

The City of Dayton is soliciting feedback on the design of the Edwin C. Moses bridge.  The bridge type, lighting, railing, and color options for the new Edwin C. Moses Bridge over Wolf Creek are presented here.

Please indicate which design options you prefer.  The City would like feedback by mid-February; it should be sent to Keith Steeber.  Also, we'd like to hear your thoughts here as well - please comment below...

(Photos below - click to enlarge)

Cities rediscover allure of streetcars

There has been much talk about Dayton's electric trolleys as of late.  And though the local media has reported that the RTA is considering the possibility of getting rid of the trolleys because of their maintenance expense, RTA officials insist that this is not necessarily true, and that they are simply analyzing all aspects of their operations to determine how best to manage their budget.

This is happening at a time that cities elsewhere in the country are rediscovering the allure of the streetcar, which were popular a century ago.  Unlike buses (which are unfortunately viewed as transportation for lower-income folks in many cities like Dayton), the streetcar is considered to have a sense of nostalgia, and are being brought back in cities in order to connect recently revitalized urban neighborhoods and districts.  Dayton and its sea of revitalization islands might want to consider a similiar project.  Heck, we already have the electric cables in place.  And it would be yet one more thing that can't be found in the suburbs.  What do you think?

Link: Cities rediscover allure of streetcars - USATODAY.com.
By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY

The streetcars that rumbled and clanged through many American cities from the late 1800s until World War II helped shape neighborhoods. More than a half-century later, streetcars are coming back and reviving the same neighborhoods they helped create.

Several cities have resurrected the streetcar tradition and about three dozen others plan to — from Tucson, and Birmingham, Ala., to Miami and Trenton, N.J.

This return to the past is less about satisfying a sense of nostalgia than about enticing developers and people to old industrial areas and faded neighborhoods. As cities experience a much-publicized urban renaissance, streetcars have become another draw for investment in housing, stores and restaurants.

Washington Plans $25M Project To Bring Back Its Trolley Cars

As the Greate Dayton RTA considers getting rid of our electric trolleys because of their expense, other cities are bringing them back. I hope that the RTA reconsiders and looks at ways to not only keep our trolleys but actually expand the program with better marketing. I don't think many Daytonians realize the history behind our trolleys or the fact that Dayton is one of only a handful of American cities that still have them.

Like mounted police (which the city did away with years ago because of expense), things like trolleys and streetcars help make a city unique and add to the experience of being downtown. It is time for the city to really consider putting money into these kinds of things as our downtown continues to see more people and development.

By DANIEL J. GOLDSTEIN and ARENA WELCH
Bloomberg News
December 28, 2006
Link: Washington Plans $25M Project To Bring Back Its Trolley Cars - December 28, 2006 - The New York Sun.

Washington residents cheered the return of professional baseball to the American capital last year after a 33-year absence. Soon, they'll be able to look back to the future again.

The city is planning a $25 million project to bring back the trolley cars that last rumbled along its streets during the Kennedy administration...

Dayton Street Grid Study UPDATE

UPDATE: 12/14/2006

I attended the MVRPC meeting yesterday in which Tetra Tech outlined its proposals for the two-way street conversions.  They proposed three possible solutions:

Robotic Parking - Automated Parking - Automatic Parking - Secure Parking - Gerhard Haag

Here is a fantastic idea that solves many of our downtown parking problems - Robotic Parking garages. Click on the link below to check out the website, or click here to view a video (from CNN). The advantages are:

- You can fit more cars in the garage because there is no need for ramps or significant space between cars.
- It is 100% secure because nobody has access to the car storage area; you can even leave your keys in the car!
- It eliminates the need to walk through a parking garage, which can be scary at night or if you are alone.
- It is exactly like having a valet, but no need to tip

Hey Dayton planners - perhaps you can look into this before building that next parking garage. This is the kind of thing that not only offers a better solution to parking, but also adds to the "cool" factor that would increase Downtown Dayton's appeal.

Link: Robotic Parking - Automated Parking - Automatic Parking - Secure Parking - Gerhard Haag.