Michigan PWPB panel

Michigan’s Evolving State Context for Non-Motorized Transportation Advocacy: 

Michigan’s Evolving State Context for Non-Motorized Transportation Advocacy MI Dept. of Community Health: Karen Petersmarck League of Michigan Bicyclists: Lucinda Means Trails and Greenways: Nancy Krupiarz Dept. of Transportation: Cynthia Krupp

In Michigan, advocacy for non-motorized transportation has a new look. The Lycra and Spandex image has been upgraded to “office casual.” : 

In Michigan, advocacy for non-motorized transportation has a new look. The Lycra and Spandex image has been upgraded to “office casual.”

Our Goals for You Today:: 

Our Goals for You Today: You will leave here with ideas for: Getting INSIDE the system to promote biking and walking. Some public-private approaches that could work in your state.

Getting Inside the World of Public Health: 

Getting Inside the World of Public Health MISSION: MDCH strives for a healthier Michigan. To that end, the department will: Take steps to prevent disease, promote wellness and improve quality of life.

What’s In It For Us?: 

What’s In It For Us? It’s our job to make it easier for people to be healthy! We are expected to work on “active communities.” We didn’t learn how to do it in school!

Three Ways Bike and Ped Activists Have Gotten “Inside” Public Health: 

Three Ways Bike and Ped Activists Have Gotten “Inside” Public Health Active Communities Award State plans Health conferences

The Active Communities Award: 

The Active Communities Award In Michigan, we start on the path to becoming an active community by applying for an award. Gov. Jennifer Granholm presenting Active Communities Award

The Beauty of an Award : 

The Beauty of an Award Each community Assesses itself Earns points for efforts toward walkability/bikability No one has to preach!

Slide9: 

Promoting Active Communities Award Instant feedback Links to resources Automated report www.mihealthtools.org Now: Web-Based, Interactive Application

Previously, Paper and Pencil!: 

Previously, Paper and Pencil! You can do this in your state or province!

Slide11: 

How the Award Works Points earned in six categories. Promoting Active Communities Award

Promoting Active Communities Award: 

Promoting Active Communities Award Six categories of assessment Policies & planning (most points) Pedestrian & bicycle safety/ facilities Community resources Worksites Schools Public transportation

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Section 1: Policies and Planning Examples:

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Section 1: Policies and Planning More Examples: Transportation planning and funding address the following important safety concerns for bicyclists and pedestrians: Making sewer grates bicycle friendly. Creating well-marked crosswalks… Performing regular maintenance…

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Section 2: Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Facilities Examples:

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Section 3: Community Resources Examples:

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Section 4: Worksites Examples: Consider the four employers in the community with the largest work forces.

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Section 5: Schools Examples:

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Section 6: Public Transportation Examples:

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Five Levels of Awards Communities have: Level 1: Made a commitment… Level 2: Taken significant steps… Level 3: Achieved significant progress… Level 4: Documented outstanding achievements… Level 5: Are models of commitment… to healthy, active living. Promoting Active Communities Award

The Award Benefits Communities:: 

The Award Benefits Communities: Raises awareness Creates partnerships Inspires change

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Jackson Developed short-and long-range plans for safe walking and biking infrastructure improvements. Detroit—Southwest Measured walking routes around community parks and created signage to show distances (in English and Spanish) Promoting Active Communities Award Inspiring Change…

“Getting Inside the World of Public Health” : 

“Getting Inside the World of Public Health” State Plans Cardiovascular Disease Injuries Obesity

“Getting Inside the World of Public Health” : 

“Getting Inside the World of Public Health” Conferences “Designing Active Communities” Cardiovascular Disease Injuries Obesity

Getting Inside Public Health: First Steps: 

Getting Inside Public Health: First Steps Find out who is in charge: Chronic Disease Heart disease Obesity Injury control Physical activity Offer to help Make a friend

Pro Bike Pro Walk September 2004: 

Pro Bike Pro Walk September 2004 League of Michigan Bicyclists Lansing, Michigan www.LMB.org

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Most decisions are made by those who… show up!

Moving from “Outsider” to “Insider”: 

Moving from “Outsider” to “Insider” Tactics Start small Prove yourself Identify their priorities Pursue win-win projects “Carry the water” for their project or priority Say “yes” to work groups

LMB Partnerships Since 1997: 

LMB Partnerships Since 1997 MDOT Metropolitan Planning Organizations Michigan Dept. of Community Health Office of Highway Safety Planning (State Police) Dept. of Management and Budget Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth Travel Michigan

How We Got Started: 

How We Got Started Michigan Dept. of Transportation Built on existing projects and relationships Regular meetings with Non-Motorized staffers LMB Poster Calendar Biking info in welcome centers at state borders Biking content for MDOT website and brochures

How We Got Started, continued…: 

How We Got Started, continued… Metropolitan Planning Organizations Found champions in two MPOs Their mandate: improving public input in transportation and land use planning Viewed us as credible reps of stakeholders Helped plan regional traffic safety summit

Next Steps: 

Next Steps Michigan Department of Community Health Attended a public health conference to schmooze. Served on several multi-agency work groups. Demonstrated expertise and willingness to help Invited to help develop Active Community Award Invited to present at CVD conference Invited to develop state plan for cardiovascular health Safety education contracts

The Most Challenging Partner: 

The Most Challenging Partner Office of Highway Safety Planning (State Police) Critical agency Federal Traffic Safety Money (402 funds) Traffic Safety Planning for state Toughest nut to crack Had to rely on state agency partners for entré Co-present at annual Traffic Safety Summit Serving with MDCH, MDOT staffers on non-motorized action team

Rare Opportunity: 

Rare Opportunity Dept. of Management and Budget Cross-town freeway construction Affected 10,000 state employees Invited to deliver bike commuting classes for downtown state employees

A Neat Dovetail: 

A Neat Dovetail Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth Awarded small grant for bike commuter manual for state employees Ties in with “Cool Cities”

Tourism : 

Tourism Travel Michigan Invited to create biking section for state tourism website

Moving from “Outsider” to “Insider”: 

Moving from “Outsider” to “Insider” Tactics Review: Start small Prove yourself Identify their priorities Pursue win-win projects “Carry the water” for their project or priority Say “yes” to work groups

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Trails: Integral Projects for State Partnership Michigan Field Office PRO WALK PRO BIKE September 2004

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TRAILS Land Use Transportation Health Transportation Summit Cool Cities Initiative Safe Routes to School MI Steps Up Healthy Communities Network Michigan Cardiovascular Health Task Force MI Land Use Leadership Council Designing Healthy Livable Communities Conference In Michigan, Trails have played a part in:

Trail projects by nature convene many stakeholder groups: 

Trail projects by nature convene many stakeholder groups Land Use Planners Transportation Planners Parks and Rec Engineers Landscape Architects Downtown Development Authorities Outdoors activists Environmental groups Elected Officials Chambers of Commerce Health and Fitness groups All fit into one state department or another!

Fulfilling a Unique Role: 

Fulfilling a Unique Role

Trails and Greenways Legislative Day – May, 2004: 

Trails and Greenways Legislative Day – May, 2004 Planning Committee of Diverse Interests: Health, Transportation, Natural Resources,Bicycling, Environmental Advocacy Produced 3 key messages to be incorporated in all materials Selected legislative focus from these messages.

3 Key Messages: 

3 Key Messages Connected Communities are Healthy Communities – Trails Work!! Transportation Health Conservation Recreation

3 Key Messages: 

3 Key Messages Everyone Wins Economically with Trails and Greenways Economic Growth – Community Revitalization and business investment Save Health Care Costs Retain Work Force through Quality of Life enhancements

3 Key Messages: 

3 Key Messages Trails and Greenways bring people and local governments together! Serve as Outdoor Meeting Places Foster Community development and pride Form Local Partnerships

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Constituent visits carried the messages as it related to their trail HIGHLIGHTS! Advocated legislation for trails but also non-motorized in general Formed a trails caucus in the Legislature Opened the door for future discussion on all non-motorized topics and their relation to health, transportation, land use, and the economy

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Michigan’s Cool Cities Initiative “Michigan’s economic future lies in creating vibrant communities that are magnets for people, jobs and opportunity.” --Governor Granholm

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Respondents Described “Cool City” Bikeable/walkable community Revitalized, energized downtown Sense of place Creative opportunities, diverse housing, wired for technology Historic preservation meets new world

Trails as “Cool Cities” Projects: 

Trails as “Cool Cities” Projects Some Cool Cities grants awarded to biking/walking facility developments “One-stop shopping” format of Cool Cities program opened doors to $$ > $100,000 Catalyst Grants, toolbox of applicable resources, and lots of technical assistance

Example: Eastern Market Redevelopment: 

Example: Eastern Market Redevelopment

Example: Eastern Market Redevelopment: 

Example: Eastern Market Redevelopment

A trail’s involvement in Cool Cities: 

A trail’s involvement in Cool Cities High Visibility from a state/local multi-agency team = More $$, More action New Diverse Stakeholders for Strategizing Implementation For more info: www.coolcities.com

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Safe Routes to School Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and League of MI Bicyclists were First to the Table with MDOT

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RAILS-TO-TRAILS HIGHLIGHTS Achieved a spot at the table in statewide coalition Invited Trail Communities to apply for Pilot School Grants One school achieved a major trail link across private property to school

The Key is . . .: 

The Key is . . . Show you deserve a place at the Table through --relationship building --initiate action to help Show up and contribute (whether it’s directly related to your topic or not --general expertise and leadership is helpful too) Keep in contact and look for your entry

Slide56: 

Michigan Field Office www.railtrails.org

Getting Inside the World of Departments of Transportation: 

Context Sensitive Solutions September 8, 2004 Getting Inside the World of Departments of Transportation

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS): 

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Accomplishments Partnerships work within the system

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions According to the FHWA, CSS is “A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic, and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility” I-94 Public Hearings

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Develop designs that meet the needs of specific sites rather than using standardized solutions Streetscape Downtown Saginaw M-22 Glen Arbor Bridge, Leelanau County

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Beulah Bridge, Benzie County (Local Input regarding “look” of new bridge)

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Aesthetic concerns can be addressed by use of natural material to blend with the landscape Using architectural features to create a unique appearance

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions CSS does not have to be expensive or complex

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Striping of existing roadway to channel traffic

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Since 1992, MDOT has awarded $200 million in Transportation Enhancement Program grants Landscaping along trunkline Bikepath Preservation of Depot

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Pedestrian Facilities along trunklines Non-motorized facilities as part of a trunkline Over the past 11 years, MDOT has contributed $6.5 million in match money through the Transportation Enhancement Program toward $32.7 million in nonmotorized projects which benefit pedestrians, bicyclists and other forms of non-highway transportation

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Public Involvement - How we listen 26 Transportation Service Centers located statewide TSC responsible for project scoping Day to day contact with citizens, local officials and stakeholders

Public Involvement: 

Public Involvement MDOT’s public involvement process is to obtain as much public participation and comment as possible How we listen

Nonmotorized Partnerships: 

Nonmotorized Partnerships Training Program Information and Distribution Bicycle Facility Map Prototype Bike Summit

Cooperative Planning : 

Cooperative Planning Kalamazoo Nonmotorized Plan Southeast Michigan Greenways Study Southeast Michigan Green Ways Initiative Macomb County Trail Acquisition and Dev. Pere Marquette Study The Southwest Study

Healthy Communities Initiatives: 

Healthy Communities Initiatives Safe Routes to School Designing Healthy, Liviable Communities Increased emphasis on pedestrian safety Governor’s “Cool Cities”

Nonmotorized Policy and CSD: 

Nonmotorized Policy and CSD Nonmotorized Partnerships Cooperative Planning Healthy Communities Initiatives

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Public Involvement - How we listen Transportation Summit December 3,4 2003 .

Summit Process CSS: 

Summit Process CSS

Context Sensitive Solutions: 

Context Sensitive Solutions Continuous Improvement Interdisciplinary internal working group to examine balance issue Work with stakeholders to develop guidelines

Stakeholder Engagement Process: 

Stakeholder Engagement Process

CSS Focus Groups: 

CSS Focus Groups Safety Historic/Cultural/Community Environmental Quality Economic Development Mobility Public and Agency Aesthetics

CSD Focus Group Worksheet: 

CSD Focus Group Worksheet Focus Area: (What?) Background: (Why?) Alternatives Discussed: (How?) Recommendations: (Specify if for CSD Policy, Guideline or Procedure) Define Success:

We Need Partnerships!: 

We Need Partnerships! Context Sensitive Solutions