Soles and Spokes

Elgin Bike-Walk-Move week

2013-06-19T15:04:26Z

The City of Elgin and the Elgin Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) planned a series of events for Bike-Walk-Move Elgin, from June 23-29, 2013. The week-long program of events includes organized rides, walks, nature hikes, a movie screening, a progressive dinner, and more.

A flyer includes additional information.

Chicago Divvy bike share to launch

2013-06-19T14:37:18Z

The City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Transportation have opened registration for the Divvy bike share program. Yearly memberships and 24-hour daily passes are available for purchase. In Phase 1, which will launch on June 28, the City plans to install 75 docking stations. Additional stations will be installed throughout the summer and next year. View a map of station locations. Divvy Bikes was partially funded through CMAP’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program funds.

APA Chicago Metro Section program on active transportation

2013-06-11T14:16:48Z

The Chicago metro section of the American Planning Association will present “Active Transportation: Planning and Implementing Real World Policies and Solutions.” The program will take place this afternoon, June 11, at CMAP offices from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Presenters include Gin Kilgore, of the League of Illinois Bicyclists and Alta Planning+Design, Janet Attarian, of the City of Chicago Department of Transportation, and CMAP’s Lindsay Bayley.

Attendees must RSVP by June 7. The cost is $15 ($5 for students), which should be paid at the door by emailing cms@ilapa.org. It is anticipated that two AICP CM credits will be available. See the Illinois APA calendar of events for workshop details and for information on other events.

IDOT seminar on accessibility guidelines

2013-06-11T14:13:33Z

Today, June 11, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Technology Transfer Center is hosting a seminar in Champaign/Urbana on the American Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the proposed Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), which includes presentations by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, the Federal Highway Administration - IL Division, and IDOT. The seminar will include discussion of accessibility guidelines and their impact on transportation agencies and an overview of the guidelines that are currently being developed. The class will confer 6.0 PDH credits.

If you are interested in attending, please contact the Illinois Technology Transfer Center (dot.T2LRSDOT@illinois.gov, 217-785-2350, or 2300 S. Dirkson Parkway, Room 205, Springfield, IL 62764).

Transport Chicago 2013

2013-06-05T17:50:20Z

Transport Chicago -- an annual conference to exchange knowledge and share best practices in transportation research, policy, and practice -- will take place Friday, June 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the American Dental Association building (211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago). Online registration is available.

Pedestrian-bike warning devices and signals at rail crossings

2013-06-05T14:43:29Z

A new report by the Illinois Center for Transportation examines potential factors behind the relatively steady numbers of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities at highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossings over the past ten years. This constant fatality level is in marked contrast to the significant decrease in train-vehicle collisions at highway-rail crossings. The study highlights the multitude of factors related to pedestrian safety at rail grade crossing and provides information to improve safety.

Survey of Complete Streets policies

2013-05-30T23:03:29Z

Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition released “The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2012,” a report examining all Complete Streets policies passed in the last year and highlighting those it judges to be the best. In addition to analyzing and evaluating existing polices, the report explains the methodology used in ranking policies.

The study reports that 488 Complete Streets policies are currently in place nationwide at all levels of government.

Evaluation of alternative pedestrian traffic control devices

2013-05-29T14:35:01Z

A recent report by researchers at the University of Oregon and Oregon Department of Transportation presents the results of a literature review and field study of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) installations as well as a survey on the sequencing of pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHB). The field study was designed to compare side and overhead-mounted beacons and RRFBs. Results indicate that the environment surrounding the crossing has an impact on compliance, and that the presence of a median can increase compliance. The PHB survey verified that drivers are confused about what these devices are and how they operate. For the first deployment of a PHB in any given area, the study recommends that a public education program be included.

The study also contains guidelines for installation of RRFBs and PHBs, based on the literature review and the field study. The major recommendation is that RRFBs be installed on medians when side-mounted devices are considered and at locations with posted speeds of 40 mph or less unless additional features such as stripping, signing, and advance warning RRFBs are used. To reinforce and simplify the use of the guidelines, the authors include a decision matrix.

FHWA Pedestrian Forum

2013-05-23T14:38:43Z

The new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) “Pedestrian Forum” newsletter focuses on pedestrian hybrid beacons -- also known as HAWK beacons -- a treatment which is endorsed by the FHWA as a proven countermeasure in reducing crashes.

Cycling in Cities, bicycling research program

2013-05-23T13:56:34Z

The University of British Columbia’s School of Population & Public Health has developed a research program focused on the investigation of factors that encourage or discourage bicycling, transportation infrastructure associated with increased or decreased risks of cycling injuries, and air pollution and cycling. The program website links to full-text versions of the studies it publishes and to “study brochures,” which summarize study results. One recent study, published in the journal, Injury Prevention, examines the impact of transportation infrastructure at intersection and non-intersection locations on bicycling injury risk.

Rightsizing streets guide

2013-05-17T21:01:54Z

The Project for Public Spaces has produced an on-line “Rightsizing Streets Guide.” The website features ten case studies from communities that have implemented road diets as a means to improve safety, gain public space, increase pedestrian and bicycle mobility and access, and/or enhance communities. The site describes the rightsizing concept and best practices.

Before-and-after study of the safety benefits of medians

2013-05-17T20:57:10Z

A new study by Florida International University’s Lehman Center for Transportation Research and the Florida Department of Transportation evaluates the safety impact of converting two-way left-turn medians to raised medians. Eighteen locations totaling 17.51 miles were selected for before-and-after analysis.

Study results indicate a 30.3 percent reduction in the total crash rate after conversion to a raised median and a 28.9 percent reduction in pedestrian crash rate.

RTA publishes community guide to TOD access and parking

2013-05-17T20:13:36Z

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has published "Access and Parking Strategies for Transit-Oriented Development" as a resource for municipal officials looking for innovative strategies to support multi-modal access to their transit stations and TOD areas. While providing automobile parking options in TOD areas is important, this guide focuses on assessing multi-modal access strategies and places a priority on pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access. The RTA has also produced a presentation (also available on-line) that municipal staff or others may use to explain the principles of the Access and Parking Strategies Report. The presentation summarizes the main points of the report and provides talking notes for the presenter.

Call for applications – Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grants

2013-05-17T19:20:24Z

Bikes Belong is accepting grant applications from organizations and agencies within the United States for projects that “will put more people on bicycles more often.” Fundable projects include paved bike paths, lanes, and rail-trails as well as mountain bike trails, bike parks, BMX facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives.

This year, Bikes Belong will only accept “Community Partnership Grant Applications.” These proposals must come from a partnership that is minimally comprised of one government agency or office, one non-profit organization, and one business.

Bikes Belong accepts requests for funding of up to $10,000 for facility and advocacy projects. We do not require a specific percentage match, but we do look at leverage and funding partnerships very carefully. Bikes Belong will not consider grant requests in which their funding would amount to 50 percent or more of the project budget.

Grant applications are due May 24, 2013. For more information, see the Bikes Belong Grants Program Brochure.

IDOT state bicycle plan website

2013-05-01T17:48:11Z

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has launched a web portal for the Illinois Bike Transportation Plan, located at IllinoisBikePlan.com. The website provides an overview of the plan, tracks plan progress, and offers the public opportunities to collaborate and submit feedback. IDOT has contracted with consultants to complete the bicycle plan by December 2013.

PBIC webinar

2013-04-30T17:34:47Z

On May 7 at 1:00 p.m. CT, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists (LAB), will host "The Bottom Line: How bicycle and pedestrian projects offer economic benefits to communities." The free webinar, part of PBIC’s Livable Communities Webinar Series, will focus on the economic impact of new or expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Presenters from LAB, the Adventure Cycling Association, Iowa Bicycle Coalition, and New York City’s Transportation Alternatives will discuss the latest research on the dollar value that bicycle and pedestrian projects bring to a community, as well as examples of successful pedestrian and bicycle projects from urban and rural areas and at the statewide scale.

The webinar does require advance registration.

MWRD public meeting to discuss Centennial Trail closure/detour

2013-04-30T17:26:17Z

On May 9 at 6:00 p.m., the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) will host a public meeting to provide information about the status of the McCook Reservoir flood control project, discuss the temporary closure of part of the Centennial Trail, and receive input about potential improvements to the trail when it is rebuilt. The trail is tentatively scheduled for closure on May 13, 2013.

The public meeting will take place at the Willow Springs Community Center (8156 Archer Ave., Willow Springs). The MWRD will also consider written comments before making final restoration plans; please submit comments by email to public.affairs@mwrd.org or write to Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Office of Public Affairs, 100 E. Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611.

Final rule on FTA and FHWA implementation of NEPA

2013-04-23T20:15:21Z

A final rule was published, which makes revisions to the joint Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration regulations that implement the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). The revisions are aimed at streamlining the FTA environmental process for transit projects by establishing new categorical exclusions (CEs) intended to improve the efficiency of the environmental review process by making available the least intensive form of review for actions that typically do not have the potential for significant environmental effects.

The rule makes four major changes: (1) it creates ten new CEs to be located in a newly proposed section of the regulation at 23 CFR 771.118 (including bicycle and pedestrian facilities within an existing transportation right-of-way); (2) it expands public involvement methods to include electronic means; (3) it adds language on early scoping into the regulations; and (4) it modifies the list of project types that normally result in the preparation of an EIS.

For an overview of the rule, see the FTA presentation offering guidance on implementation of new CEs.

Illinois Bike Summit – May 15, 2013

2013-04-23T20:13:18Z

The second annual Illinois Bike Summit will take place in Normal, Illinois, on May 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel’s Carol Reitan Conference Center. The Summit will include opening remarks by the Mayor of Normal, an address on the future of bicycling in Illinois by Andre Ashmore, Deputy Director at Illinois Department of Transportation, and a keynote speech, “Bikes Mean Business,” by Steve Buchtel, Executive Director of Trails for Illinois.

The full agenda and registration form is available on-line.

Webinar on measuring walkability

2013-04-18T22:50:23Z

The U.S. Department of Transportation John A. Volpe Transportation Systems Center will present “Measuring Walkability: The Health Question” on May 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. CT. Led by Ann Forsyth, professor of urban planning and director of the Masters in Urban Planning program at Harvard University, the webinar will address the questions:

Does the design of a neighborhood affect the level of a person's physical activity?
Do people who live in more compact areas get more physical activity than those who live in sprawling neighborhoods?

The event is free but advance registration is required.