Transportation Planners Eye 2050
By Lisa Neff
Regional planners want people to look to 2050 and share their desire and vision for transportation.
Do people prioritize putting more bikes in dedicated lanes or on multiuse paths? More walkability? New bridges? Driverless cars? People-moving drones?
The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking ahead 25 years as it drafts a long-range transportation plan that contains goals and objectives to create a “balanced future.”
The planning involves a lot of analysis, as well as community surveys and workshops, including a meeting set for 4:30 p.m. April 28 at the State College of Florida-Bradenton Campus, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. https://Phase3Workshop.eventbrite.com
The project involves updating a 2045 long-range plan considering the full complement of transportation modes — roads, bicycles, pedestrians, trails, transit, parking, railroads and airports.
“The most important thing to keep in mind is we’re not starting over,” consultant Wally Blain of Benesch said of the work.
But the planners are expanding to the new horizon of 2050, looking at new regulations, new technology and changes in recent years in terms of development and infrastructure.
In March, the MPO shared a draft of goals and objectives identified in phase two of a three-part project, including:
• Safety: Decreasing vehicle crashes and planning for efficient evacuations and safe returns;
• Infrastructure: Replacing and retrofitting bridges to include multimodal options and mitigating stormwater impacts;
• Environment: Reducing vehicle miles traveled, supporting low-impact development and natural redevelopment, and achieving weather-appropriate tree cover;
• Technology: Identifying needs for autonomous, connected and electric tech;
• Economy: Stimulating economy in enterprise zones and improving access to tourist destinations;
• Livability: Increasing access to public transit and expanding access to essential services;
• Mobility: Promoting projects that reduce travel time and expanding transportation options.
Blain said the top goal shared at workshops and in surveys is to promote safety and security.
In prior meetings, attendees were asked to identify priorities in five areas: transit, tech, trails and sidewalks, roads and bridges and alternative modes of transportation.
People agreed that transit can reduce traffic congestion, as can light rail or tram lines.
Also, more raised pavement markers and lighting can increase safety for pedestrians and improved trails can increase safety for cyclists.
For roads and bridges, people recommended roundabouts, speed tables and “road diets,” which is the conversion of a four-lane, undivided road into a three-lane road with two through lanes and a center, two-way left-turn lane.
“Overall, the workshops underscored the need for safer, more connected infrastructure to improve transportation efficiency and promote multimodal travel,” the draft report reads.
What will people who attend the April 28 workshop underscore?
A notice for the meeting entering phase 3 of the project reads, “It’s time to decide! Help prioritize Sarasota-Manatee’s transportation projects for the 25-year plan. …
“Attend the workshop to learn about local priorities, hear from your jurisdictions and provide feedback. Your input will help shape which road, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects.”
Participants will include transportation experts, elected officials, government staff, residents, business owners and the media.
The MPO is expected to adopt the long-range plan in the fall.
