Ohio Chapter Transportation Committee

2013 Update and Plans

Sierra Green Transportation CampaignGoal: Expand transportation choice to allow

individuals safe, convenient alternatives to drivingReduced vehicle miles traveledReduced greenhouse gas and other emissions Comprehensive transportation systems

Increased bike-ped.Increased transitReduced reliance on cars

State of the State (of Ohio)Anti-rail governorPro-highway Department of TransportationTurnpike revenue to be diverted to more highway

projectsMap-21 federal transportation law

Allows more flexing of dollarsBUT…those dollars could be diverted to highways

away from less polluting transportation alternativesTransportation accounts for 28% of GHG emissions

in Ohio and substantial criteria pollutant emissionsLess than 1% of state transportation funds are

allocated to public transit

Regional/Local LevelLocal metropolitan planning

organizations are easier to influence and, generally, they are more progressive than ODOT

Getting our members to participate in and sit on MPO committees is important for influencing the regional planning process

And, the Stats. are With UsBicycle commute

increases over the past decade

Transit ridership increases

Younger generation spurning cars

Fewer households with cars

What Have We Done to Influence ODOT?Recent meeting to discuss Map-21 and

transportation alternatives fundParticipating on steering committee for

ODOT’s long range planVMT reductionReducing overbuilt roadBroadening cost/benefit analysisGHG reduction plan

Postcard delivery to ODOT

Transportation CoalitionTo achieve meaningful transportation change in

Ohio, we need more partners working in tandemOrganized a coalition of groups across the stateMaking link between local level and state level

Transportation Preferences SurveyHosted the Natural Resources Defense Council to present its recent survey findings

Most participants felt they had no choice but to drive, and the vast majority wanted to drive less

Cleveland participants thought 10%-30% of transportation funding went to transit

New infrastructure, congestion, jobs, growth were most often cited as reasons for more investment

Stay away from “denser” development and “mass” transit

Complete Streets

Ensure that the entire right-of-way is planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to provide safe access for all users

Policies to DateStates : 28MPOs : 33Counties : 31Cities : 268Total : 359

Ohio has no statewide complete streets policy and only a handful of local policies

Complete Streets PlanningHelped create workshop in Oberlin as part of Oberlin

Sustainability ProjectTwo representatives attended workshop in

Minnesota (December 2012)State committee working in conjunction with national

green transportation campaignHope to get all major MPOs, as well as

municipalities, in Ohio to adopt AND implement key elements

Public Outreach and AdvocacyMultiple action alerts regarding transportation

planningDump-the-PumpCar Free DayCincinnati PedalfestOrganized alliance against the Eastern Corridor

HighwaySign-on letter to ODOTBest and Worst transportation projectsGearing up for transportation budget lobbying

Dump-the-Pump Day

More than 75 bus passes given away in Greater Cincinnati.Partnered with Cincinnati Metro.

“Best-Worst” Media Event

Eastern Corridor Highway Makes National “Worst” Transportation Project List.

KidsExpo at Pedalfest Bike Helmet Giveaway

Over 1500 participants and more than a dozen volunteers!40 bike helmets given away!

2013 PrioritiesStop the Eastern Corridor Highway (Segments 2-3)Increase spending on transportation alternatives in

state budgetContinue education effortsPass complete streets policiesIncrease number of groups actively involved in

transportation advocacyLobby MPOs for larger share of funding for

transportation alternativesEvents (Bike Month, Dump the Pump, and Car Free)

Looking for Committee Members in 2013Transportation committee representative from every

local groupCommittee calls are the fourth Tuesday of every

month at 6 pm