Pete Sutton and John Bechard MassDOT Massachusetts Pedestrian Transportation Plan: Municipal Resource Guide for Walkability Pete Sutton and John Bechard MassDOT

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Introduction The Municipal Resource Guide for Walkability has been created as part of the Pedestrian Transportation Plan (draft to be released November 2018). 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Pedestrian Plan Vision Massachusetts’ integrated and multi-modal transportation system will provide a safe and well- connected pedestrian network that will increase access for both transportation and recreational purposes. The Massachusetts Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (MABPAB) serves as the Steering Committee for the Pedestrian Transportation Plan. The MABPAB was established by law in 2004 and serves in an advisory role advancing bicycle and pedestrian transportation for MassDOT and other state agencies. Its members are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 2017 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Municipal Resource Guide for Walkability 92% of sidewalks in Massachusetts are under municipal jurisdiction* All sidewalks * Based on the MassDOT Road Centerline geographic information system (GIS) file, 10,876 of the total 11,804 total sidewalk miles in Massachusetts are under municipal jurisdiction. 2017 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Municipal Resource Guide for Walkability 92% of sidewalks in Massachusetts are under municipal jurisdiction* Sidewalks under municipal jurisdiction * Based on the MassDOT Road Centerline geographic information system (GIS) file, 10,876 of the total 11,804 total sidewalk miles in Massachusetts are under municipal jurisdiction. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Municipal Resource Guide for Walkability Goal of the Guide: To help municipal agencies address some of the most common questions and challenges regarding walkability 2017 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Municipal Resource Guide for Walkability Current Policies & Programs Best Practices Resources Case studies Tools The Guide addresses 7 topic areas and provides best practices; resources to consult on requirements, guidelines, current MassDOT policies and practices; local case studies; and tools such as design options to improve pedestrian safety and promote safe vehicle speeds. The Guide is meant to provide enough basic information to support municipal staff and direct them to other resources for further information. While developing this guide, MassDOT tried to keep in mind the municipal staff who is wearing many hats and only has time to learn the very basics of walkability. As much as possible, we tried to keep the guide concise yet informative, and pivot to other resources for those who are ready for more detail. 2017 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Stakeholder Input Municipal Staff MassDOT Staff Disability Commissions Regional Planning Agencies Regional Transit Agencies MA Department of Public Health/Mass in Motion MA Municipal Association MA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board WalkBoston How were topics chosen? The topics addressed in this guide were selected based on input received during stakeholder interviews with representatives of the following: »» Municipal Planning, Engineering, Economic Development and Department of Public Works staff »» MassDOT ›› Districts ›› Office of the Secretary ›› Traffic Engineering ›› Safety Section ›› Project Management ›› Highway Division ›› Right-of-Way ›› Snow & Ice Operations ›› Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ›› Complete Streets Funding Program ›› Office of Civil Rights ›› Safe Routes to School ›› Walking and Biking Working Group »» Disability Commisions and Advocates »» Regional Planning Agencies »» Regional Transit Agencies »» Massachusetts Department of Public Health »» Mass in Motion Coordinators »» Massachusetts Municipal Association 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Guide Topics Why is Walkability Important? Elements of Walkable Communities Safety Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Accessibility Pedestrian Access to Transit Maintenance and Repair Snow and Ice Clearance 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

1. Why is Walkability Important? Benefits of Walkable Communities Mobility & Connectivity Safety Health & Wellness Economic Development Environment Equity Presents the case for municipalities to make investments in walking. Mobility and Connectivity- improved for everyone, particularly those with physical disabilities, limited mobility, or without access to a vehicle Safety-walkable communities typically have greater intersection density and fewer lands on major roads, both of which are associated with fewer total, severe, and fatal crashes because they slow vehicle speeds and encourage more predictable behaviors Health and wellness-research suggests more opportunities to walk for recreation and/or short trips can improve physical health, fitness, and mental health. Economic Development- Studies show communities with greater walkability have increased economic activity, higher rents, and help attract new businesses; home values are higher in walkable neighborhoods Environment-when replace driving with walking trips, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and air pollutants. Walkable designs allow for more pervious surfaces and landscaping, reducing stormwater run-off. Equity-94% of average household’s annual transportation costs are dedicated to a vehicle, so more walkable communities may help people to decrease their need for a household vehicle. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2. Elements of Walkable Communities Case Study: Lincoln Developed an 80-mile network of trails and roadside paths Serves important local destinations, such as parks, schools, churches, town hall, the commuter rail station, and the library. Maintained by the town’s conservation department and the Lincoln Land Trust. Licenses and easements have been granted by private property owners. More info: http://www.lincolnconservation.org/PDFTrai lMaps.html Walkability can be achieved in any setting. While dense areas typically have well-connected grid networks with high intersection densities and short, walkable blocks, more suburban areas can establish pedestrian easements between developments to short cut what would otherwise be a long and inconvenient walk. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2. Elements of Walkable Communities Crosswalk with HAWK Signal Crosswalk with RRFB 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2. Elements of Walkable Communities Community Design Walkways and Crossings 50% of walking trips are less than one mile* Proximity of origins & destinations, mix of uses, and building placement are important factors Guide presents roadway elements for urban, suburban, & rural settings Frequency of crossings: make the safe option convenient, and the convenient option safe Presents the case for municipalities to make investments in walking. * Royal, Dawn, and Darby Miller-Steiger. 2008. “Volume I: Summary Report National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior.” Report No. DOT HS 810 971. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2. Elements of Walkable Communities What Makes a Walkable Environment? Walkable Less Walkable Walkable Mixed Use: Mix of uses with entrances directly facing the sidewalk Parked cars provide a buffer from traffic Windows at eye level Street trees Street furniture zone for seating, utilities, and other objects Less Walkable Low-density land use and large building setback No buffer between people walking and traffic Multiple lanes of high-speed traffic Highway-scale lighting

Municipal Modernization Act of 2016 3. Safety Municipal Modernization Act of 2016 Guide explains implications for municipalities. Act allows municipalities to establish a municipality-wide 25 mph statutory speed limit on roadways under their jurisdiction. Municipalities can designate 20 mph safety zones on municipally-owned roadways with MassDOT approval. To establish a 20 mph Safety Zone on a municipal roadway per the Municipal Modernization Act, municipalities must follow the procedures for establishing a posted speed limit/special speed regulation. Such safety zones cannot be established on a MassDOT roadway without MassDOT approval. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 3. Safety Best Practices Tools Setting Safe Speeds Role of speed in crash survival Clarification of Municipal Modernization Law Improving Visibility Lighting, maintenance, parked cars, crossing islands Designs to Support Safety Pedestrian Crash Countermeasures Work Zone Safety Provides design elements and countermeasures for reducing pedestrian crashes. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

Pedestrian Crash Countermeasures Dart/Dash Crash Type Crosswalk Enhancement Curb Extensions Crossing Island Raised Crossing Lighting Parking Restrictions Countermeasures Use crash data to identify crash types and corresponding countermeasures For example, for Dart/Dash crashes, these are applicable countermeasures 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 4. ADA & Accessibility Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) Requirements for ADA have been created by the U.S. Access Board, the federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities. Over the past three decades, ADA guidelines have been developed through research and a federal advisory committee of people with disabilities. In 2011, the Board published Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), which have been adopted by many jurisdictions, including MassDOT, as design standards. However, PROWAG has not been adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice. As a result, it is not an enforceable standard, but is considered to be today’s model code. Local standards may improve upon current proposed guidelines but should meet all minimum requirements. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

ADA Transition Plans Municipalities with 50+ employees were required to complete a Plan as of 1992. 32% Massachusetts municipalities currently have Plans. All municipalities are required by ADA to perform self-evaluation to determine compliance. Municipalities with fewer than 50 employees must maintain a program access plan to ensure that programs, services, and activities are accessible. Municipalities with more than 50 employees were required to complete a formal ADA Transition Plan as of 1992. Such plans designate an employee as an ADA Coordinator, create a grievance procedure, document existing conditions, and establish a course of action such as methods to make facilities accessible, the schedule, and integration into existing transportation funding programs. Currently, 112 out of 351 Massachusetts municipalities have ADA Transition Plans in place. Input received at stakeholder interviews indicated that some municipalities are not taking action on accessibility improvements because of staff limitations, lack of resources, and a lack of understanding of ADA requirements and liabilities. The Guide provides a basic guidelines and best practices for what municipal staff need to know about ADA Transition Plans, and points to resources for additional information. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

5. Pedestrian Access to Transit Best Practices Connectivity between stops & sidewalks Safe & convenient crossings Bus stop design Snow & ice clearance Flag Systems Outreach to Regional Transit Authorities indicated that most agencies include flag stops as part of their systems. Many bus routes in Massachusetts without defined stops permit riders to “flag down” an oncoming bus. In these cases, improvements to pedestrian access should prioritize safe crossings at stops near major destinations and sidewalks or shared use paths connecting stops along priority routes. 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 6. Maintenance & Repair Inspection Programs Crosswalks & Pavement Markings Curb Ramps & Detectable Warning Surfaces Sign Repair Sweeping Vegetation Management Best Practices 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE

2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE 7. Snow & Ice Clearance Best Practices Route Prioritization Reporting & Enforcement Programs Pre- and Post-Storm Treatments Intersection Corner Clearance Crosswalks and Curb Ramp Clearance Bus Stop Maintenance 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE