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Making a Neighborhood Walkable and the Importance of Walkability Lisa Quinn [email protected] March 22, 2012 Feet First Big Picture Feet First works to ensure that all communities in Washington state are walkable. Needs / Why Most communities require improvements to make it easier and safer for people to walk for pleasure and transportation. Benefits Walkable communities save lives, improve health and expand economic growth. Impact Our efforts have helped make more communities throughout Washington safe for walking. How We work to improve community walkability through advocacy and education efforts. Benefits of Walking & Active Transportation Options Accessibility Economics Equity Health Environment Quality of Life Accessibility Walking is the most broadly accessible form of transportation and recreation, requiring no fare, fuel or license. Statistics from Transportation for America Economics The average family must work for more than six weeks to pay a year’s car expenses (U.S. Census 1998 median family income figures). ECONOMIC BENEFITS How an Average Household Spends a Dollar ϮϬ͘ϱΪ ϭϱ͘ϲΪ ϭϯ͘ϬΪ ϭϭ͘ϭΪ ϳ͘ϰΪ ϲ͘ϱΪ ϲ͘ϰΪ ϱ͘ϱΪ ϰ͘ϱΪ ϯ͘ϱΪ ϯ͘ϱΪ Ϯ͘ϰΪ cents out of every dollar spent cents out of every Source: BLS 2009 Notes: Shelter includes mortgages, taxes, maintenance,home insurance, and rent; Other Household includes housekeeping supplies, household furnishings, and equipment; Miscellaneous includes personal care products and services, alcohol, tobacco products, and other miscellaneous expenditures. How the Federal Government Spends a Tax Dollar Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ Ϊ ͘ϬΪ Ϊ cents out of every dollar spent cents out of every Ϊ RULWLHVRUJWRROVWD[GD\EUHDNGRZQRQHGROODU$SULO DJHQF\ V)HGHUDO)XQGRXWOD\VDFFRUGLQJWRIXQFWLRQDQGVXEIXQFWLRQ Source: National Priorities Project 2011 Notes: The breakdown of the federal income tax dollar is based on an analysis of each agency's Federal Fund outlays according to function and subfunction for FY2010. Figures are from Budget of the United States Government, FY2012, Public Budget Database. 187 2012 Benchmarking Report Economics The average family must work for more than six weeks to pay a year’s car expenses (U.S. Census 1998 median family income figures). Jobs Evidence suggests that bicycling and walking projects create 11- 14 jobs per $1 million spent, compared to just 7 jobs created per $1 million spent with highway projects. Statistics from Transportation for America Equity Accessibility and economics are inherently tied to equitable transportation solutions. Statistics from Transportation for America Health The health benefits of regular physical activity are far-reaching, including reduced riskPUBLIC of coronary HEALTH heart BENEFITS disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Change in Bicycling and Walking Trend in Obese Children vs. Rate of Rates vs. Adult Obesity Rates Bicycling and Walking to School or foot obese percent obese percent or bicycle to school to or bicycle percent of trips by bicycle bicycle of trips by percent percent of children who are who are of children percent percent of children who walk who walk of children percent years years Legend: = % of trips to work by Legend: bicycle or foot = % of kids who bicycle = % obese or walk to school = % of kids who are obese Sources: Ogden and Carroll 2010, Census 1960,1970,1980,1990, 2000, ACS 2009 Note: bicy- Sources: CDC, NHANES, McDonald 2007, Ogden and Car- cling was not separated from “other”modes in early roll 2010, NHTS 2009 Note: = -0.70. Census surveys, so 1960 and 1970 levels shown r are for walking only; r = −0.93 (bicycle + walk/over- weight); r = −0.87 (bicycle + walk/obesity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ontinued page 173) H[DPSOHZRXOGQRWEHFRXQWHGKHUH $OVRELF\FOLQJZDVQRWVHSDUDWHGIURP ´RWKHUµPRGHVLQHDUO\&HQVXVVXUYH\V VRDQGOHYHOVVKRZQDUHIRU ZDONLQJRQO\:KLOHELF\FOLQJDQG ZDONLQJOHYHOVIHOOEHWZHHQ DQGREHVLW\OHYHOVLQFUHDVHGE\ Delaney Dave by photo $OWKRXJKWKHVHWZRWUHQGVDUH QRWWKHRQO\IDFWRUVLQYROYHGWKHFRU UHODWLRQFDQQRWEHLJQRUHG 7KLVUHSRUWDOVRORRNHGDWGDWDRQ FKLOGKRRGREHVLW\SUHYDOHQFHIURPWKH &'& V1DWLRQDO+HDOWKDQG1XWULWLRQ 161 2012 Benchmarking Report Environment Transportation is the number one contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the (Seattle) region. The number one pollutant flowing into the Puget Sound is non-point source pollutants from petrochemicals and heavy metals from automobile traffic. Statistics from Transportation for America Quality of Life 40% of the land area of U.S. cities is dedicated to transportation, streets and sidewalks are a cities most Federal expansive public space. State Region County City Neighborhood School Individual Statistics from Transportation for America Board member of the Alliance for Biking and Walking • Advocacy for Federal • Information resource F National Programs State E Safe Routes to School Policy • Complete Streets Policy •Advocacy E Region Member of the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board T Comprehensive Planning Process • Provide feedback, input and County testimony on policies that affect transportation options F City Feet First Agenda • Representation on the City of Seattle School Traffic I Safety Committee • Support for Complete Streets Policy R Neighborhood Neighborhoods On Foot Walking Maps, Walking Audits S Safe Routes to School Programming School T Individual Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors Feet First Agenda Feet First Agenda I NITIATIVES strategies for action M ISSION who we are - what we do 1. An Active Transportation Plan or Pedestrian Master Plan CHILDREN NEED Adoption of this comprehensive document should guide all pedestrian MORE OPPORTUNITIES oriented policies and strategies. Walking is an essential part of our TO BE ACTIVE: everyday lives. Walking connects 2. A Complete Street Policy An adoption of a policy recognizing that public streets need to be us to people, places and to other The percentage of children G OALS walking to school has dropped designed to accommodate multiple uses including pedestrian, bicycle, forms of transportation. We are all promoting walkable communities from 66% to 13%1 over the last transit, freight and vehicle mobility. 30 years while the number of pedestrians. overweight children has 3. Supportive land use policies Promote walking as an important public policy that: increased 300%2. Adoption of policies resulting in pedestrian-friendly and sustainable developments, vibrant neighborhoods and communities. Feet First promotes walkable • Connects communities; communities and envisions people • Improves health and physical fitness; 4. A Pedestrian Advisory Committee or Active Living Task Force • Helps the environment by reducing our The creation of and support for a community-based group is essential walking every day for their health, 1 to effectively advocate for projects and programs that promote walking. carbon footprint; WALKING WILL HELP transportation, environment, YOU LIVE LONGER: • Improves mobility and provides 5. An integrated departmental approach community and pleasure. transportation options; Staff, preferably from multiple departments, should be assigned to People who engage in moderate support and coordinate pedestrian-related policies and activities. • Increases community safety by providing activity – the equivalent of Committing to the Feet First Agenda eyes on the street; and walking for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week – live about 1.3 to 6. Projects promoting walking and pedestrian safety demonstrates support for more • Enhances business district vitality. 1.5 years longer than those who Capital Improvement Programs and operating budgets should include are less active3. projects that encourage walking and enhance pedestrian safety e.g. walkable and vibrant communities sidewalks, crossings, wayfinding signs, amenities including benches, Implement a comprehensive set of policies, shelters, and lighting. A dedicated funding source for these projects and for pedestrian enhancements should be identified. plans, projects and programs resulting in that improve safety, mobility and walkable communities throughout the region. 7. Pedestrian safety access for all. WALKABILITY IS GOOD Legislation, policies, education, engineering and enforcement FOR HOME VALUES: strategies should be implemented and supported enhancing 2 pedestrian safety. In a typical metropolitan area, a one-point increase in Walk 8. Promote walking in communities Score is associated with an Policies and programs should be implemented that promote walking to increase of housing value from and from schools, parks, libraries, public transportation, work, home 4 $700 to $3,000 . and shopping. 9. Performance measurement system 1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Measures should be put in place to monitor the levels pedestrian 2. National Center for Health Statistics activity and the effectiveness of pedestrian-oriented strategies. 3. Franco, Oscar H., et al. “Effects of Physical Activity on Life Expectancy With Cardiovascular Disease” Archives of Internal Medicine 165 (2005): 2355- 2360. 4. Cortright, Joseph. “Walking the