Presented to HRTPO Board by Robert B. Case, PhD, PE March 17, 2016 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Agenda Item #9 A report by Rob Case, James Clary, Rob Jaques, Theresa Jones, David Pritchard, and Seth Schipinski Presented to HRTPO Board by Robert B. Case, PhD, PE March 17, 2016

Monon Rail-Trail in Indianapolis guide.alibab.com usa.streetsblog.org snipview.com doingindy.com 2

Economic Development Google maps Google maps 3 Google maps

Actual Persons using Active Transportation to Work Census, 2009 ‐ 2013 Hampton Roads Mode of Transportation to Work, Hampton Roads, 2014 (Census) 3.0% 0.5% Walk Bike Other 96.5% 4

Focus Walking and biking: Healthy, enjoyable, affordable Why don’t more people walk & bike? slower, more dangerous, less comfortable Rail-trails faster, safer, more pleasant Study Focus rail-trails: inactive rail right-of-ways 5

Purpose to help local government improve the existing bike/walk ( “active transportation” ) network in Hampton Roads in a cost-effective way , by: locating inactive rail right-of-ways analyzing the costs and benefits of converting them to multi-use trails 6

Candidate Rail-Trails Note: Any path(s) in the Norfolk-Southern right- of-way must conform with LRT plans, e.g. constructing station access paths for LRT. 7

Quantitative Analysis Effectiveness of Candidate Rail-Trails 1. Estimating impact on usage of active transportation 2. Estimating rail-trail impact on real estate values 3. Estimating cost of candidate rail-trails 8

1. HRTPO Active Trans usage model Based on actual behavior of persons “near to” vs. “far from” 6 trails in 14 counties Findings  Low income persons are more likely to use active trans to work.  Rail-trails appear to positively impact the usage of active trans by low income and medium-high income workers living near. 9

Active Trans Usage Forecast Note: Any path(s) in the Norfolk-Southern right- of-way must conform with LRT plans, e.g. constructing station access paths for LRT. 10

2. Impact on Home Values Based on studies of existing trails: Austin: 9% increase in value of residences adjacent to rail-trail (low) Indianapolis: 14% increase in value of residences within 0.5 mile (high) 11

Potential Impact on Home Values $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $12,000,000 9% increase in value of adjacent residential properties $10,000,000 (based on Austin) $8,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $700,000 $500,000 $2,000,000 $0 $0 12

Cost of Candidates- excluding ROW and bridges based on per-mile cost estimates of sections of Capital Trail Name Length (miles) Total Cost Atlantic & Danville 2.96 $2,000,000 Bayville 0.85 $400,000 Bruce Road 2.24 $1,000,000 Churchland 4.25 $2,000,000 Churchland High 0.95 $500,000 Courthouse 1.52 $800,000 Larkspur 1.22 $600,000 Norfolk Southern VB 10.55 $5,000,000 Penniman 3.21 $2,000,000 Seaboard (Ph. 3) 6.34 $3,000,000 Southern 10.53 $5,000,000 Tyre Neck 3.41 $2,000,000 Virginian- East 11.20 $6,000,000 Virginian- West 16.59 $9,000,000 13

Qualitative Analysis: “Public Facilities” “Churchland” Candidate Rail-Trail 14

Qualitative Analysis: “Demographics and Networks” “Churchland” Candidate Rail-Trail 15

Comments Received VDOT Tidewater Bicycle Assoc. Elizabeth River Trail Comm. HRT Cities Citizen Va. Bicycling Federation 16

Next Steps Next Fiscal Year (starting 1 July 2016) Hampton Roads Active Transportation Plan  Next TTAC Meeting (6 April 2016) Capital Trail Extension ad hoc subcommittee (Peninsula)  17

Recommended Action Under Agenda Item #17, “Consent Items” Approve the final report (#17E)  18