SANDAG 2019 Regional Plan Transportation Themes Open Houses

SANDAG Regional Plan Transportation Themes

SANDAG is in the process of developing San Diego Forward: The 2019-2050 Regional Plan, which will outline the overarching vision for our region over the next 30 years. As part of this process, SANDAG is asking for your input on what you think the San Diego region’s transportation network should look like in the future and what transportation issues are most important for your quality of life. This survey is available through May 10.

TAKE THE SURVEY

You will have to write in BICYCLE many times on the survey questions. For example, to answer the question “What method(s) of transportation do you use during your daily commute? (Select all that apply.),” Walking and Biking are listed together under Active Transportation. Walking and Biking are transportation modes that use different infrastructure. Biking should be its own method of transportation, particularly with such an extensive list that, for example, separates Carpool and Vanpool and has separate categories for Bus and Rapid. There are three comment areas on the survey to comment and reiterate that bicycling is extremely important. Let’s make our voices heard.

There are several workshops scheduled, during which, SANDAG employees are available to answer questions at multiple poster stations. The graphics are highly engaging, but the content is generalized and informational and avoids serious discussions regarding Climate Action Plan or Vision Zero goals. Here is the schedule for the upcoming workshops:

North County Coastal: Wednesday, April 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Encinitas Public Library Community Room | 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas 92024

East County: Monday, April 30 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. El Cajon Police Department Community Room | 100 Civic Center Way, El Cajon 92020

South County: Tuesday, May 1 from 5–7 p.m. San Ysidro Civic Center | 212 W. Park Avenue, San Diego 92173

North County Inland: Wednesday, May 2 from 5–7 p.m.  Centro Universidad Popular | 1234 N. Santa Fe Ave, Suite 100 Vista 92083

Central San Diego: Thursday, May 3 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Community Room |  151 YMCA Way, San Diego 92102

CLICK HERE for supporting materials for the workshops.

I attended the last workshop and here are a some of my comments on the information stations:

Emerging Technologies

“Technology is evolving and has the potential to radically change our region’s transportation system.” I am doubtful that technology will radically change the region’s transportation system away from a car-centric approach. Political will could radically change the system, but not technology. Additionally, there is some early research that indicates ride sharing services increase Vehicle Miles Traveled or VMT.

Regional Plan Overview

Overall the Transportation Themes lean heavily toward a continuing car-centric approach to transportation. The Regional Economic Prosperity Objective includes “investing in transportation projects that provide access for all communities to a variety of jobs with competitive wages.” And the Policy Objectives for Environmental Stewardship include making “…transportation investments that result in cleaner air, environmental protection, conservation, efficiency, and sustainable living and address climate change.” How do these two policies interact? How is success measured for these policies?

Climate Change and Environment

On the poster “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Passenger Vehicles and Electricity,” the regional plan calls for allocating funding to electric vehicle charging stations while the “Local Efforts” poster calls for promoting public transit access, active transportation, parking management, and complete streets.

What Do We Want to Promote?

What does “Promote” mean? I would like to see “allocate funding for public transit access, active transportation, and complete streets.” Throw out parking management which is a euphemism for “make parking easier”—which promotes driving.

Healthy Communities

This station explains all the benefits from Policies and Strategies if local jurisdictions invest in transportation infrastructure that maximizes public health benefits, social interaction, and community cohesion. The benefits are numerous for increased access to active transportation and public transit, and walkable and bikeable neighborhoods.

Performance Measures

“Performance Measures” are a series of questions in several categories. For example, “Innovative Mobility & Planning Goals” includes these three questions:

1. Is delay reduced?
2. Are more people walking, biking, using transit, and sharing rides?
3. Is the transportation system safer?

These are great questions, the key is how will they translate into performance measures? And how much money will be allocated to measuring the goals?

Please attend a workshop in your region or take the online survey and type BIKES!