City Perspective: Columbia undergoing modal shift under federal transportation program

by Bill Watkins

December 1,2007

How do you prefer to travel? A study funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicates that 86 percent of Columbia residents primarily make trips by auto. An additional 1.5 percent ride bicycles, and 8.6 percent walk as a primary means of transportation. 
   
The city of Columbia wants to increase the number of people using active modes of transportation like walking and biking. As gas prices continue to climb, we believe that programs that promote the health, social and economic benefits of walking and biking can effectively influence behaviors and shift transportation choices by adults and kids.
   
In early 2006, Columbia was selected as one of four communities in the nation to participate in the FHWA Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program. This program is designed to encourage and measure "modal shift" — defined as the public's willingness to park its cars and consider the benefits of walking, biking, or riding the bus. Our designation as a pilot city came with $22 million in federal funds to help build infrastructure and establish national standards regarding public awareness, acceptance and willingness to use active modes of transportation.
   
Columbia has a history of building and enhancing trails, bike lanes and sidewalks to make it easier for people to get about town. This pilot program allows us to accelerate and expand that effort. The majority of these federal dollars will be used to supplement existing city efforts to acquire rights of way, improve walking and biking infrastructure, and better connect our neighborhoods.
   
There are four project components that, taken together, will help us make the changes the federal program envisions. They include awareness, education, encouragement and support programs, as well as enhancements to our walking and biking infrastructure. 
   
To date, the lion's share of the work has focused on planning infrastructure additions and improvements. It requires design, engineering, and a public approval process similar to any road project the city undertakes. In fact, these federally funded infrastructure projects must also gain local, state and federal approval before they can move forward. 
   
Most projects are scheduled for completion by 2010. Awareness, education, encouragement and support programs will begin in winter/early spring of 2008. 
   
Some of the features in the working plan adopted by the Columbia City Council are shown below. They include:
   
• More than 100 miles of new bikeways and sidewalks, including 19 miles of new multi-use paths and trails (added to our city's existing 25 miles of infrastructure); up to 66 more miles of streets with striped bike lanes (added to our city's existing 28 miles of bike lanes); more than 23 miles of streets with bike routes marked on the streets; several "Bike Boulevard" demo projects; and five miles of priority sidewalks and pedways.
   
• A new project office, at 101 N. Seventh St., housing city staff and a nonprofit organization working on education and encouragement programs, classes, workshops, maps, other project information, and more. 
   
• A citizen advisory committee that advises city staff regarding projects related to the federal grant. 
   
• Improvements to bicycle parking downtown. The current plan is to increase bicycle parking spaces from 100 to 1,000 spaces. 
   
• Improvements at eight major intersections to make them more pedestrian-, wheelchair- and bicycle-friendly while maintaining traffic efficiency. 
   
Ultimately, the success of these efforts will be measured by our ability to encourage residents to walk, bike, or ride a city bus. These infrastructure enhancements, complemented by successful public awareness, education, and encouragement efforts, promise to create the kind of modal shift that will help make Columbia an even better place in which to live, learn, work, and play.

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