Note to Reader: This DRAFT report has been broken into four sections on this website to make it easier to read. Near the top of each section is a link to the PDF version of that section.
THE FINAL REPORT IS AVAILABLE HERE.
Below is an index of all the sections and links to them. Several maps are referenced in this site and are linked where appropriate within the website. Also on this page, below the index, is a comprehensive list of links to all sections as PDF’s and all the supporting maps.
Draft Report Section Index
B. On-road Bikeway, Trail and Pathway Networks – Draft
C. The Pedestrian Environment and Regional Commercial Centers – Draft
D. Top Cost and Time Effective Regional Improvements – Draft
E. Top Areas/ Issues of Concern for Follow Up – Draft
Download the entire DRAFT report here:
PDFs: Sections A, B, C, D, E, F
Supporting Maps: Map B-1, Map B-2, Map B-3, Map B-4, Map B-5, Map C-1, Map D-1, All Maps
Download this section as a PDF here.
A. Introduction
Purpose and Scope of the Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Update
The purpose of the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update is to selectively update sections of the PACTS Regional Bicycle and Interim Pedestrian Plan from 1995. Eight communities have been added to the PACTS region since 1995. Much has changed within the region from a planning perspective as well as from the amount of bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure that has been constructed. Significant portions of the on-road bicycle network from the 1995 Plan are beginning to emerge. Many miles of trails and pathways have been built in the intervening years, with many more planned.
Since 1995 there is certainly a heightened awareness of the importance of bicycling and walking to the sustainability of the region’s multimodal transportation system and to the region’s livability. Nationally, increasing the amount of adult and youth physical activity is a major strategy to decrease chronic illness such as diabetes and rising obesity rates. Bicycling and walking are integral to these strategies.
The Plan Update is principally an update and expansion of the infrastructure and facility inventory map of the 1995 Plan to include the new 8 communities that have joined PACTS since 2000 (Freeport, North Yarmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland, Windham, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Biddeford). The On-road Bikeway, Trail and Pathway Networks section (B) contains a map inventory of the existing and planned on-road bicycle facility, trail and pathway networks in the 15 PACTS municipalities.
Additional elements that are part of the Plan Update document are:
- Pedestrian Environment Analysis, C – an assessment of the relative pedestrian orientation of regional commercial mixed use centers
- Top Most Cost and Time Effective Regional Pedestrian-Bicycle Improvements, D – a listing of important regional initiatives and projects to improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety, increase the amount of walking and bicycling, and to increase multimodal efficiency
- Top Areas/Issues of Most Concern, E – distillation of items that were raised during project meetings and suggested for follow-up action by PACTS
- Design Guidelines, F – selective additions and updates to the design guidelines contained in the 1995 Plan.
Overview of the Process
The heart of the Plan Update process was a series of meetings held with municipal representatives and bicycling, pedestrian and transit stakeholders within the region.
The process included the following elements
- An initial series of kick-off meetings (June 2009), with towns and cities grouped by the Plan Update’s four sub-regions, was held at the beginning of the project with municipal staff. Staff provided information, plans and data to be considered during the course of the project.
- Three monthly meetings were held with stakeholders and advocates/advocacy organizations to review the plan’s progress and get invaluable input into the project’s direction.
- A second series of meetings (August 2009) with municipal staff was held to review the draft network maps and other plan update materials.
- Periodic project updates to the PACTS Planning, Transit and Technical Committees and consultations with PACTS staff.
Next section:
B. On-road Bikeway, Trail and Pathway Networks
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