Thank You For Attending Today Capital District Transportation Committee Behan Planning and Design The Chazen Companies Engineering Sidekick Creative C onsultecon, Inc. R obert B engraff Drone Pilot
What is the Capital District Trails Plan? The Capital District Trails Plan is a strategy to link together the various multi-use paths in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties into a single connected network of trails for everyone in the region to enjoy. This planning effort seeks to identify existing trail locations throughout the region and work with local communities to envision potential new trail routes which will infill missing segments, connecting to each other and to key points of interest.
SARATOGA SCHEN ECTADY ALBANY REN SSELAER
What is the Capital District Trails Plan? Regional Trails Draft Vision Statement: The Capital Region communities shall be linked together by a system of shareduse paths that are separated from roadways for use by bicyclists, pedestrians and other similar users. This dedicated transportation system allows a large number of users with a wide range of abilities to go from place to place safely and efficiently with reduced potential for conflicts with motor vehicles. Recognizing that this vision is only partly complete at this time, it will continue to be necessary for the trail system to at times include on-road bike lanes where necessary.
What is a Regional Trail? A Regional Trail is a multi-use path or side path that meets state design guidelines for shared bicycle and pedestrian facilities, at least one mile in length, which connects with two or more cities, towns or villages and serves as an alternative transportation route where sidewalks and other facilities may not exist.
OFF-ROAD MULTI USE PATHS OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
NEAR ROAD MULTI USE PATHS OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
ON ROAD BIKE LANES
Empire State Trail Spring of last year, $200M of funding announced for Empire State Trail Important opportunity to leverage this significant investment Using EST as the backbone from which our regional trail system can grow
Project Steps Kickoff / Initiation (December 2017) Public Workshop Saratoga County (February 14) Public Workshop Rensselaer County (February 16) Public Workshop Albany County (February 27) Public Workshop Schenectady County (March 2) County Planning Meetings (Spring 2018) Develop Draft Trails Plan (Summer 2018) Public Open House on Draft Plan (Sept 13) Revise Plan Publish Final Trails Plan
Draft Plan OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
Draft Trails Plan Overview presentation on draft plan contents Looking to get public comment Will update and revise plan this fall to finalize
Draft Trails Plan I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Introduction The Capital Region Today Public Outreach Trails Vision Plan Socio-Economic Benefits Implementation Strategy Trails Case Studies
Project Goals The overall goal of this project is to develop an updated vision for a seamless regional transportation network.
Capital Region Today A snapshot of existing conditions Important to understand where we are today Measures current trail benefits so that we can estimate benefits of future trail network
Planning & Construction Trail planning, design and construction all contribute to the local economy in wages, material sales and construction jobs However, trail construction and maintenance also represent a local cost Must quantify the overall costs and benefits
Public Outreach 4 county workshops Online survey Wiki Map Trail Maker Discussions with county planning officials Review of prior studies Map review
Draft Trail Vision Maps CORE TRAILS The primary core trail network which connects Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties to each other and surrounding areas. SUPPORTING TRAIL NETWORK Additional trail connections which were identified during the project which provide important support to the larger network.
Draft Trail Vision Maps CORE TRAILS The primary core trail network which connects Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties to each other and surrounding areas. SUPPORTING TRAIL NETWORK Additional trail connections which were identified during the project which provide important support to the larger network.
Future Benefits Using the new trails vision, what impacts would there be? Looks at core trails only Construction Wages and jobs Property values Local trail user spending Tourist trail user spending Public sector spending
Implementation Identifying Priorities Comment Cards Recognizing that trail implementation is largely dependent on where the money goes Discussions with county planning officials
Initial Branding Concepts OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
Stakeholder Favorites OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
Design Refinements OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
Design Refinements OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
Branding & Marketing Goals Establish a consistent look and messaging Market trail network as a destination Create repeat impressions
Existing Trail Networks Existing trails are already known and established Trail Network branding will remain secondary
Marketing Strategy Website to be a central hub for information and resources Social Media to promote, update and share Signage for wayfinding and awareness Outreach for various audiences and constituencies Print, Merchandise and More
Case Studies Showcases examples of successful trails How were they started? How were they completed? How are they maintained? A guide to trail enthusiasts and communities who want to learn.
Additional Resources OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION
Survey Results
Thank You For Attending! Help Spread The Word! Share the news about this effort with your friends and neighbors. A copy of the draft plan is available on our project website:
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