Evaluation of State bicycle master plan by FHWA criteria

[underlined not done or not done well. Grade]

In brief, this guidance makes the following key points relevant to State and metropolitan area transportation planning for bicycles and pedestrians:

• Plan elements should include goals, policy statements, and specific programs and projects whenever possible. C
• The plan should identify financial resources necessary for implementation. Fail
• Bicycle and pedestrian projects may be onroad or off-road facilities. Off-road trails that serve valid transportation purposes as connections between origins and destinations are considered eligible projects consistent with the planning process. D
• Any regionally significant bicycle or pedestrian project funded by or requiring an action by FHWA or FTA must be included in the metropolitan TIP. [In my experience no on-road bike project can make it to the TIP so we will not see any regionally significant on-road bike projects.] Fail
• Bicycle and pedestrian elements of transportation plans should include:
  • Vision and goal statements and performance criteria. C
  • Assessment of current conditions and needs. A [but with no strategic plan to correct.]
  • Identification of activities required to meet the vision and goals. D
  • Implementation of the bicycle and pedestrian elements in statewide and MPO transportation plans and TIPs. Epic Fail
  • Evaluation of progress using performance measures. Fail [While we do have performance measures we have met or near meeting those measures. The last attainment report recommended revising those goals but to date we have not found who is responsible for revising those goals.]
  • Public involvement as required by Federal transportation legislation and FHWA/FTA planning regulations. Fail [While all the motion of public involvement is done the State uses the design and defend method so public input is negated. And what goes into consideration for bike/ped projects is all political with no public involvement.]
  • Transportation conformity requirements for air quality, where necessary. Fail [Bicycling has not been part of the air quality equation.]

Statewide Bicycle and/or Pedestrian Plans

At the State level, bicycle and pedestrian plans establish policies, goals, and actions for State agencies (i.e., within a State DOT and transit agencies) to accommodate and improve conditions for biking and walking. These plans often include design standards/guidance for local and regional governments, and they typically address education and safety issues as well.

The primary objective of a statewide bicycle and pedestrian access plan is to guide future transportation projects in the State, and to establish programs that support and encourage bicycling and walking. The following types of activities may be included in a statewide bicycle and pedestrian planning process:

• Public outreach that spans all geographic and jurisdictional regions of the State, and jurisdictional outreach that ensures the involvement of local stakeholders. D
• Assessment of existing facilities, planning activities, programs, and policies. This may include extensive analysis of the current transportation system to identify deficiencies as well as an analysis of travel patterns and opportunities. D
• Identification of policies and legal barriers to implementing bicycle and pedestrian improvements (including zoning and subdivision regulations) and development of strategies to address these barriers. Fail
• Prioritization of locations needing improvements (based on existing conditions analysis and a relative assessment of demand), prioritization of programs, and other actions needed in order to support pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Fail
• A phased implementation plan that identifies specific recommended actions, identifies the jurisdictions and/or agencies responsible for each action, assigns an estimated cost to each action, and identifies a timeframe for implementing the plan. D