CEQA Assessment - Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis for City of Moreno Valley Traffic Impact Preparation Guide

CEQA Assessment - Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis

Evaluating the potential impacts of a proposed development on public transit, pedestrian travel, and bicycle travel is an essential component of the transportation impact analysis (TIA) process. The assessment of active transportation and public transit must be conducted using a set of established criteria to determine whether the project would result in significant negative effects on these modes of travel. The key criterion for this assessment is as follows:

• A project is considered to have a significant impact if it conflicts with adopted policies, plans, or programs that support public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities. Additionally, a project would have a significant impact if it decreases the overall performance, accessibility, or safety of such facilities, thereby discouraging their use.

To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, the TIA should include a detailed analysis of the proposed project’s potential to affect active transportation and public transit facilities. This includes determining whether the project is inconsistent with adopted local, regional, or state policies, plans, or programs that are designed to promote sustainable, multimodal transportation networks. The analysis should also assess whether the project has the potential to degrade the performance or safety of existing or planned infrastructure supporting these alternative modes of travel.

Key Areas of Evaluation

1. Consistency with Adopted Policies, Plans, and Programs:

   • The assessment should review applicable policies and regulations, such as local bicycle and pedestrian master plans, regional transportation plans, and transit service expansion plans.

   • The project should align with goals and objectives outlined in these planning documents to enhance non-motorized travel and reduce vehicle dependency.

   • Any inconsistencies with these policies should be identified and addressed to mitigate potential conflicts.

2. Impacts on Public Transit Facilities and Services:

   • The analysis should examine whether the project affects the accessibility, reliability, or efficiency of public transit services.

   • Potential impacts on bus stops, transit routes, or dedicated transit infrastructure should be evaluated to ensure that the project does not hinder transit operations.

   • If the project is located in an area with existing or planned high-frequency transit services, it should incorporate design elements that facilitate and encourage transit use.

3. Effects on Pedestrian Infrastructure and Safety:

   • The assessment should consider whether the project enhances or detracts from the walkability of the surrounding area.

   • Sidewalk connectivity, pedestrian crossings, and accessibility features should be evaluated to determine if the project facilitates safe and efficient pedestrian movement.

   • The project should avoid creating barriers to pedestrian travel, such as high-speed roadways without safe crossings or gaps in the sidewalk network.

4. Impacts on Bicycle Facilities and Network Connectivity:

   • The analysis should review the project’s influence on existing or planned bicycle routes, lanes, and facilities.

   • The project should incorporate bike-friendly design elements, such as bike lanes, secure bicycle parking, and connections to nearby cycling infrastructure.

   • Any potential hazards to cyclists, such as increased vehicular conflicts or reduced roadway space for bicycles, should be identified and mitigated.

Conclusion and Mitigation Strategies

If the analysis identifies potential conflicts or negative impacts on active transportation and public transit facilities, mitigation measures should be proposed to minimize or eliminate these effects. Strategies may include redesigning project elements to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing transit access through improved connections, or implementing infrastructure improvements that align with adopted transportation plans.

Ultimately, the TIA should provide a clear determination of whether the project poses a risk of conflicting with existing or proposed facilities supporting active transportation and public transit. By addressing these concerns proactively, projects can contribute to a more sustainable, multimodal transportation network that supports a range of travel options beyond single-occupancy vehicle use.

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