Key Commitments
Automobile mode share reduced from 87% (2004) to 75% by 2022; Transit Bus mode share increased from 2% (2004) to 6% by 2022; Bicycle mode share increased from 3% (2004) to 6% by 2022; Pedestrian mode share increased from 8% (2004) to 13% by 2022; WTA high-frequency (15-minute headway) service on 3 primary corridors by July 2005; WTA Boulevard high-frequency service by summer 2006; 120 bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects identified for 20-year planning period; Peak Hour LOS E maintained at p.m. peak hour for most arterials
Goals
(42 total)
- TV-1: Bellingham's transportation network consistent with its position as cultural and economic center, emphasizing fixed/light rail, ferry, and waterfront transportation
- TV-2: Development patterns foster walking, biking, and transit use through incentives and zoning
- TV-3: Pedestrian and bicycle facilities connect living, working, education, and recreational areas throughout the city
- TV-4: Efficient arterial system minimizing through traffic on residential streets; multi-modal grant priorities
- TV-5: Reduce reliance on automobile to reduce noise pollution and increase air quality
- TV-6: Pedestrian improvements downtown reducing or eliminating cars on some streets/alleys
- TV-7: Multi-modal transportation linkages between downtown and waterfront
- TV-8: Significant increase in bicycle commutes reduces parking demand and congestion downtown
- TV-9: WTA Primary Transit Network reflects commitment to adjust to changing transportation needs
- TV-10: Transit riders enjoy increased sense of security on WTA's Primary Transit Network
- TG-1: Enhance the function, safety, and appearance of Bellingham's streets
- TG-2: Encourage and provide for energy efficient means of transportation
- TG-3: Establish ongoing mechanisms for inter-jurisdictional communication and coordination
- TG-4: Raise public awareness about regional transportation issues and alternative modes
- TG-5: Coordinate city and county comprehensive plans to promote balanced transportation systems
- TG-6: Provide transportation system that minimizes environmental/social impacts and reduces fossil fuel reliance
- TG-7: Focus on improving traffic circulation and reduce demand for costly SOV-capacity improvements
- TG-8: Use Intelligent Transportation Systems where appropriate to achieve transportation goals
- TG-9: Ensure regional system of state highways and local arterials that is functional and well maintained
- TG-10: Emphasize, accommodate, and provide facilities for multiple transportation modes on streets
- TG-11: Consider ITS solutions to increase roadway capacity while reducing need for new construction
- TG-12: Provide safe and functional residential streets while retaining valued right-of-way character
- TG-13: Provide truck access to industrial/commercial areas while minimizing negative impacts
- TG-14: Segregate residential and heavy industrial traffic to the greatest extent possible
- TG-15: Use ITS to improve commercial vehicle mobility and provide safer travel through Bellingham
- TG-16: Identify and commit to connecting missing links in land-based transportation network for all modes
- TG-17: Work with transportation providers to increase efficiency and convenience of inter-modal connections
- TG-18: Identify and analyze low-cost opportunities to increase street connectivity
- TG-19: Increase mode share of bicycle and pedestrian trips through safe, well-connected network
- TG-20: Prioritize pedestrian and bicycle improvements over auto-oriented improvements in Urban Villages
- TG-21: Support WTA 2004 Strategic Plan for cost-effective transit service throughout urbanized area
- TG-22: Support WTA high-frequency transit by allowing higher density in Urban Villages
- TG-23: Support transit-oriented development along and within 1/4 mile of WTA Primary Transit Network
- TG-24: Support WTA efforts to meet public transportation needs of all community segments
- TG-25: Support WTA efforts to protect average transit service speed on arterials
- TG-26: Support efforts to increase public transportation market share along WTA corridors
- TG-27: Use ITS for improving transit services, safety, and signal pre-emption for transit vehicles
- TG-28: Set target goals to increase mode share of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit trips through 2022
- TG-29: Secure multi-jurisdiction funding for Social Data and Individualized Marketing surveys in 2010
- TG-30: Develop and encourage TDM strategies to help achieve transportation mode shift goals
- TG-31: Encourage public education and funding for bicycle safety enforcement
- TG-32: Review parking requirements for major commercial/industrial uses to reduce parking supply
- TG-33: Establish reduced parking requirements for transit-oriented development within Urban Villages
- TG-34: Encourage unbundling of parking spaces with residential development in Urban Villages
- TG-35: Encourage car-sharing with new residential development in Urban Villages
- TG-36: Establish parking reduction allowances for residential units requiring WTA bus passes in perpetuity
- TG-37: Minimize impacts to Lake Whatcom water quality from transportation uses
- TG-38: Encourage and support alternative transportation modes in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
- TG-39: Foster development of passenger and freight rail while minimizing negative impacts
- TG-40: Provide adequate facilities for water and air transportation with safe linkages
- TG-41: Include inter-county and international transportation links in comprehensive transportation planning
- TG-42: Ensure enforcement of regulations protecting citizens from hazardous materials transportation accidents
Stronger Policy Language (62 policies)
- TP-11: Establish Level of Service (LOS) and Level of Quality (LOQ) standards for all transportation modes to identify deficiencies and program improvement needs.
- TP-14: Maintain the concurrency management system to ensure that adequate transportation facilities are available to serve new development.
- TP-24: Ensure all new residential streets are built to the Lake Whatcom road standard (Bellingham Municipal Code 13.04.075, or as amended).
- TP-50: Walking and bicycling facilities should be provided on all new, reconstructed, or retro-fitted arterial streets, where right-of-way allows.
- TP-63: Include adequate facilities for safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian travel in all roadway improvement projects where warranted and/or feasible.
- TP-74: Require the construction of sidewalks or walkways with multiple residential, commercial or industrial development, where pedestrian facilities are appropriate, prior to issuance of occupancy permit.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (55 policies)
- TP-1: Consider revision of land use plans to allow densities and mixes of uses that reduce the number and length of vehicle trips and increase the opportunity to use public transportation
- TP-5: Encourage land development proposals to utilize the full capacity of the existing multi-modal transportation system, especially transit and non-motorized modes.
- TP-6: Encourage public and private development proposals to enhance the street side environment to maximize comfort of the transit user and pedestrian.
- TP-22: Support pro-active marketing, advertising, and public education efforts by WTA, WCOG, and City and County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committees to encourage major employers to provide incentives
- TP-39: Encourage use of non-automotive travel modes by developing parking management plans including market-based pricing of on-street parking meters.
- TP-46: The City should develop and promote Transportation Demand Management strategies and programs for the purpose of reducing automobile trips generated rather than increasing roadway capacity.
- TP-86: Explore and utilize, where feasible and cost effective, existing and emerging technologies for alternative fuels and fuel efficiency measures for transit vehicles.
- TP-89: Explore alternative means of expanding public transportation services such as the use of accessible private ground transportation services and shared ride taxi service.