Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES AND TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN THE EL PASO REGION by Rafael Aldrete, PhD Alfredo Sánchez, P.E. Senior Research Scientist Associate Research Engineer Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M Transportation Institute Todd Carlson Ipek N. Sener, PhD Assistant Research Scientist Assistant Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M Transportation Institute David Galicia, PhD Shailesh Chandra, PhD Assistant Research Scientist Associate Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M Transportation Institute Tina Geiselbrecht Chris Simek Research Scientist Assistant Research Scientist Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M Transportation Institute Ben Ettelman Richard Lee Associate Transportation Researcher Graduate Research Assistant Texas A&M Transportation Institute Texas A&M Transportation Institute Malcolm Braughton Undergraduate Research Assistant Texas A&M Transportation Institute Project performed by Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research In cooperation with El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization June 2016 Report prepared by Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ xi List of Acronyms ......................................................................................................................... xii Disclaimer and Acknowledgments ........................................................................................... xiii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Background ................................................................................................................ 2 Multimodal Transportation Planning .......................................................................................... 2 Federal Statutes ........................................................................................................................... 6 Planning Emphasis Areas for Federal Fiscal Year 2015 ........................................................ 7 System Management and Operations...................................................................................... 8 State Statutes and Policies .......................................................................................................... 8 State Bicycle Program Coordinator ...................................................................................... 10 District Bicycle Coordinator ................................................................................................. 10 State Pedestrian Coordinator ................................................................................................. 10 Local Policies and Plans ........................................................................................................... 11 Plan El Paso .......................................................................................................................... 11 Sun Metro.............................................................................................................................. 16 El Paso County Transit ......................................................................................................... 17 WTEP Vamonos Dos Regional Transportation Coordination Plan ...................................... 17 Southern New Mexico Disadvantaged Population Planning Initiatives ............................... 18 Fort Bliss ............................................................................................................................... 18 El Paso MPO ......................................................................................................................... 18 Citizen Issues ........................................................................................................................ 21 Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Integration ............................................................................. 21 Intelligent Transportation Systems ....................................................................................... 21 Smartphones .......................................................................................................................... 22 Millennials ............................................................................................................................ 24 Multimodal Transportation Planning and Implementation: Best Practices .............................. 24 Chapter 2: Data Collection and Assessment ............................................................................ 37 Introduction and Background ................................................................................................... 37 Walk Score ................................................................................................................................ 38 Framework ................................................................................................................................ 40 Case Study of El Paso ............................................................................................................... 42 Data Collection – Demographics and Network .................................................................... 42 Parameter Estimation ............................................................................................................ 45 Validation .............................................................................................................................. 46 Results and Discussions ........................................................................................................ 50 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page iii Sensitivity Analysis: Supply-Demand Assessment .................................................................. 52 Pilot Projects ............................................................................................................................. 57 Concluding Remarks ................................................................................................................. 57 Chapter 3: A Brief Synopsis on Data Collection and Survey Results .................................... 59 Background ............................................................................................................................... 59 Survey Methods ........................................................................................................................ 59 Survey Implementation ............................................................................................................. 60 Data Processing ......................................................................................................................... 60 Univariate Descriptive Statistics of the Survey Data ................................................................ 62 Residence/Neighborhood ...................................................................................................... 62 Work/School ......................................................................................................................... 64 Lifestyle ................................................................................................................................ 69 Biking Habits ........................................................................................................................ 74 Walking Habits ..................................................................................................................... 79 Public Transportation Habits ................................................................................................ 82 Well Being ............................................................................................................................ 84 Demographics ....................................................................................................................... 86 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 89 Biking .................................................................................................................................... 89 Walking ................................................................................................................................. 89 Public Transportation ............................................................................................................ 90 Chapter 4: Factors Influencing Active Travel: A Literature Review .................................... 91 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 91 Background ............................................................................................................................... 91 Active Travel Decision: Influential Factors .............................................................................. 92 Sociodemographic Characteristics of Active Travelers ........................................................ 92 Neighborhood Environment Factors ..................................................................................... 92 Personal Factors .................................................................................................................... 94 Social Factors ........................................................................................................................ 95 Active Travel Interventions ...................................................................................................... 96 Education .............................................................................................................................. 96 Marketing .............................................................................................................................. 97 Regulation and Financial Incentives ..................................................................................... 97 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 97 Chapter 5: Examining El Paso Multimodal Behavior: A Focus on Active Travel ............... 98 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 98 Examination of Travel Mode .................................................................................................... 99 Mode Split by Demographic Characteristics ........................................................................ 99 Mode Split by Attitudes ...................................................................................................... 104 Mode Split by Well-Being .................................................................................................. 107 Additional Insights on Active Travel ...................................................................................... 112 Attitudes toward Active Travel ........................................................................................... 112 Deterrents and Motivators of Active Travel ....................................................................... 117 Spatial Distribution of Active Travel .................................................................................. 120 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page iv Active Travel Behavior Models .......................................................................................... 125 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 129 Chapter 6: Summary of Open Houses Held for the El Paso Multimodal Plan ................... 132 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 132 Purpose of Open Houses ......................................................................................................... 132 Summary of Open House Locations ....................................................................................... 132 Summary of Open House Layout and Activities .................................................................... 133 Summary of Outreach and Advertisements used to publicize the El Paso Multimodal Plan Open Houses ........................................................................................................................... 135 Summary of Public Input Provided at Open Houses .............................................................. 136 Chapter 7: Policy Recommendations ...................................................................................... 141 Issue: Regional and Internal Plan Consistency ....................................................................... 141 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 141 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 141 Issue: Land Use and Multimodal Environment ...................................................................... 141 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 141 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 141 Issue: Multimodal Quality/Level of Service ........................................................................... 142 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 142 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 142 Issue: Public Transportation Network .................................................................................... 142 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 142 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 142 Issue: Transportation Demand Management .......................................................................... 143 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 143 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 143 Issue: Bicycle Network and Safety ......................................................................................... 143 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 143 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 143 Issue: Pedestrian Network and Safety..................................................................................... 144 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 144 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 144 Issue: Roadways of Regional Significance ............................................................................. 144 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 144 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 144 Issue: Access Management ..................................................................................................... 145 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 145 Recommendation ................................................................................................................ 145 Issue: Aviation, Rail, and Intermodal Facilities ...................................................................... 145 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 145 Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 146 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page v Chapter 8: Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation ........................................... 147 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 147 El Paso Multimodal Plan – Action Plan ................................................................................. 147 1. Monitoring Progress.................................................................................................... 147 2. Regional and Internal Plan Consistency ..................................................................... 147 3. Multimodal Quality/Level of Service ......................................................................... 148 4. Data Collection and Analysis...................................................................................... 149 5. Land Use and Multimodal Environment ..................................................................... 149 6. Public Transportation Network ................................................................................... 150 7. Transportation Demand Management......................................................................... 150 8. Bicycle Network and Safety ....................................................................................... 151 9. Pedestrian Network and Safety ................................................................................... 153 10. Integrate Connections to Aviation, Rail, Ports, and Intermodal Facilities ............. 154 Regional Coordination and Current Efforts ............................................................................ 154 Appendix A: Data Collection and Assessment, Pilot Projects .............................................. 157 Appendix B: An Assessment of Well-Being ............................................................................ 173 Appendix C: Compilation of Input from El Paso Multimodal Plan Open Houses ............. 177 Appendix D: International Bridges ......................................................................................... 231 Appendix E: Technology and Alternate Modes ..................................................................... 233 Appendix F: Performance Indicators ..................................................................................... 237 References .................................................................................................................................. 242 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page vi LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. Walk Scores in El Paso MPO Region. .......................................................................... 39 Figure 2. Spatial Distribution of (a) Population, (b) Employment and (c) Transportation Network (Sidewalks, Bicycle, and Transit Routes) across El Paso and Surrounding Areas. .................................................................................................................................... 44 Figure 3. (a) Walking and (b) Bicycling Scores for Transit Stops in Downtown El Paso. .......... 48 Figure 4. Transit Only Scores for (a) Morning Peak Hour, and (b) Afternoon Peak Hour for Stops in Downtown El Paso. ................................................................................................. 49 Figure 5. MMS at Transit Stops during (a) Morning Peak Hours and (b) during Afternoon Peak Hours. ........................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 6. Variation of Mean MMS (Supply) for (a) Morning and (b) Afternoon Peak Hour versus the Normalized Population and Employment Density (Demands), Respectively, for TAZs in El Paso, TX. ...................................................................................................... 54 Figure 7. Supply-Demand Variation during Morning Peak Hours with Variable Weights (a) w = 0.5, (b) w = 1.0, and (c) w = 2.0. ................................................................................... 55 Figure 8. Supply-Demand Variation during Afternoon Peak Hours with Variable Weights (a) w = 0.5, (b) w = 1.0, and (c) w = 2.0. .............................................................................. 56 Figure 9. Time at Current Residence (N=1,495). ......................................................................... 62 Figure 10. Opinion of Neighborhood Attributes (N=1,495). ........................................................ 63 Figure 11. Respondent Status (N=1,506 Responses). ................................................................... 64 Figure 12. School or Work Commute Distance (N=239 and N=742, Respectively). .................. 65 Figure 13. School or Work Commute Time (N=239 and N=742, Respectively). ........................ 65 Figure 14. Frequency of Use for Various Modes – School or Work Commute (N=873). ........... 66 Figure 15. Types of Stops on School or Work Commute (N=1,000 Responses). ........................ 67 Figure 16. Commute Benefits Offered by Employer (N=746). .................................................... 68 Figure 17. Telecommuting Frequency (N=131). .......................................................................... 68 Figure 18. Activities Prohibited by Existing Physical Condition (N=1,495). .............................. 69 Figure 19. Monthly Frequency of Moderate and Vigorous Activity Episodes (N=1,495). .......... 70 Figure 20. Average Duration of Moderate and Vigorous Activity Episodes (N=1,495). ............. 70 Figure 21. Opinions on Diet, Exercise, and Travel (N=1,495). .................................................... 72 Figure 22. Travel Alternative Motivators (N=1,495). .................................................................. 73 Figure 23. Non-Work Trip Mode (N=1,827 Responses). ............................................................. 74 Figure 24. Biking Habits (N=1,556 Responses). .......................................................................... 75 Figure 25. Bicycling Opinions (N=1,495). ................................................................................... 76 Figure 26. Factors That Prevent More Biking (N=3,390 Responses). ......................................... 77 Figure 27. Factors That Could Lead to More Biking (N=1,860 Responses). ............................... 78 Figure 28. Factors That Influence Use of Bike Share Systems (N=1,929 Responses). ................ 79 Figure 29. Walking Opinions (N=1,495). ..................................................................................... 80 Figure 30. Factors That Prevent More Walking (N=3,501 Responses). ....................................... 81 Figure 31. Factors That Could Lead to More Walking (N=1,913 Responses). ............................ 81 Figure 32. Use of Regional Public Transportation Services (N=1,524 Responses). .................... 82 Figure 33. Opinion of Regional Public Transportation Services (N=1,495). ............................... 83 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page vii Figure 34. Factors That Could Lead to Increase Use of Public Transportation (N=2,227 Responses). ........................................................................................................................... 84 Figure 35. Assessment of Physical Health (N=1,495). ................................................................. 85 Figure 36. Assessment of Personal Life (N=1,495). ..................................................................... 85 Figure 37. Body Mass Index (N=1,495). ...................................................................................... 86 Figure 38. Technology and Social Media Use (N=1,495). ........................................................... 88 Figure 39. Census Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) in Study Area. ..................................... 98 Figure 40. Commute Distance by Mode and Frequency. ............................................................. 99 Figure 41. Mode Split by Age..................................................................................................... 100 Figure 42. Mode Split by Gender. .............................................................................................. 101 Figure 43. Mode Split by Ethnicity............................................................................................. 102 Figure 44. Mode Split by Income. .............................................................................................. 103 Figure 45. Neighborhood Environment Attitudes by Commute-Mode Frequency. ................... 104 Figure 46. Neighborhood Environment Attitudes by Frequent Non-Commute Mode. .............. 105 Figure 47. Health-Related Attitudes by Commute-Mode Frequency. ........................................ 106 Figure 48. Transportation-Related Attitudes by Commute-Mode Frequency. ........................... 106 Figure 49. Health-Related Attitudes by Frequent Non-Commute Mode. ................................... 107 Figure 50. Transportation-Related Attitudes by Frequent Non-Commute Mode. ...................... 107 Figure 51. Self-Reported Healthiness by Commute-Mode Frequency. ...................................... 108 Figure 52. Self-Reported Healthiness by Frequent Non-Commute Mode. ................................ 109 Figure 53. Self-Reported Life Satisfaction by Commute-Mode Frequency. .............................. 110 Figure 54. Self-Reported Life Satisfaction by Frequent Non-Commute Mode. ......................... 110 Figure 55. BMI by Commute-Mode Frequency. ........................................................................ 111 Figure 56. BMI by Frequent Non-Commute Mode. ................................................................... 111 Figure 57. Walking Attitudes by Age. ........................................................................................ 112 Figure 58. Walking Attitudes by Gender. ................................................................................... 113 Figure 59. Walking Attitudes by Ethnicity. ................................................................................ 113 Figure 60. Walking Attitudes by Income. ................................................................................... 114 Figure 61. Bicycling Attitudes by Age. ...................................................................................... 115 Figure 62. Bicycling Attitudes by Gender. ................................................................................. 115 Figure 63. Bicycling Attitudes by Ethnicity. .............................................................................. 116 Figure 64. Bicycling Attitudes by Income. ................................................................................. 116 Figure 65. Bicycling Attitudes by Bicycling Orientation. .......................................................... 117 Figure 66. Walking Deterrents by Walking as a Frequent Non-Commute Mode. ..................... 118 Figure 67. Walking Motivators by Walking as a Frequent Non-Commute Mode. .................... 118 Figure 68. Bicycling Deterrents by Bicycling Orientation. ........................................................ 119 Figure 69. Bicycling Motivators by Bicycling Orientation. ....................................................... 120 Figure 70. Percent Who Walk Frequently for Non-Commute Trips by ZCTA. ......................... 121 Figure 71. Walk Commuting Frequency by ZCTA. ................................................................... 121 Figure 72. Percent Who Bicycle Frequently for Non-Commute Trips by ZCTA. ..................... 122 Figure 73. Percent Comfortable Bicycling on Bicycle Paths, Lanes, or Roads by ZCTA. ........ 122 Figure 74. Neighborhood Environment: Sidewalks/Shoulders by ZCTA. ................................. 123 Figure 75. Neighborhood Environment: Connected Bicycle Routes by ZCTA. ........................ 124 Figure 76. Neighborhood Environment: nearby Shops/Restaurants by ZCTA. ......................... 124 Figure 77. El Paso Multimodal Plan Open House Layout. ......................................................... 133 Figure 78. El Paso Multimodal Plan Open House Kid’s Activity. ............................................. 135 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page viii Figure 79. El Paso Multimodal Plan Flyers (English and Spanish Versions). ........................... 136 Figure 80. Utility Easement in West El Paso. ............................................................................. 158 Figure 81. Utility Easement in East El Paso. .............................................................................. 158 Figure 82. Franklin Drainage Canal in El Paso Lower Valley. .................................................. 159 Figure 83. Walk from Origin to Bus Stop Using Existing Infrastructure. .................................. 160 Figure 84. Walk from Destination Bus Stop to Trip Destination Using Existing Infrastructure. ...................................................................................................................... 161 Figure 85. Walk from Destination Bus Stop to Pilot Project No. 2 Trip Destination Using Existing Infrastructure. ....................................................................................................... 162 Figure 86. Transit Route from Origin Bus Stop to Destination Bus Stop. ................................. 164 Figure 87. Walk from Origin to Bus Stop Using Improved Infrastructure. ................................ 165 Figure 88. Transit Route from Origin Bus Stop to Destination Bus Stop for Pilot Project No. 2. .......................................................................................................................................... 168 Figure 89. Shortest Path between Origin and Destination. ......................................................... 169 Figure 90. Lack of Sidewalks on Bird Avenue (Destination of Pilot Project No. 2).................. 170 Figure 91. Self-Reported Life Satisfaction by Self-Reported Health. ........................................ 173 Figure 92. BMI by Self-Reported Life Satisfaction. ................................................................... 174 Figure 93. BMI by Self-Reported Health. .................................................................................. 174 Figure 94. Self-Reported Health by ZCTA................................................................................. 175 Figure 95. Self-Reported Life Satisfaction by ZCTA. ................................................................ 176 Figure 96. Mean BMI by ZCTA. ................................................................................................ 176 Figure 97. Socorro Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. .............................................. 178 Figure 98. Socorro Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. .................................................. 180 Figure 99. Close-up of Comments on Socorro Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. ....... 181 Figure 100. Socorro Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. ................................................. 183 Figure 101. Clint/San Elizario Planning Area I Sidewalk Connectivity Map. ........................... 184 Figure 102. Clint/San Elizario Planning Area II Sidewalk Connectivity Map. .......................... 185 Figure 103. Clint/San Elizario Planning Area I Bicycle Connectivity Map. .............................. 186 Figure 104. Clint/San Elizario Planning Area II Bicycle Connectivity Map. ............................ 187 Figure 105. Close-up of Clint/San Elizario Planning Area II Bicycle Connectivity Map. ......... 188 Figure 106. Clint/San Elizario Planning Area I Transit Connectivity Map. ............................... 189 Figure 107. Clint/San Elizario Planning Area II Transit Connectivity Map. ............................. 190 Figure 108. West El Paso/Sunland Park Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. ............................ 191 Figure 109. Close-up of Comments Made on West El Paso/Sunland Park Area Sidewalk Connectivity Map. ............................................................................................................... 192 Figure 110. West El Paso/Sunland Park Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. ................. 194 Figure 111. Close-up of Comments Made on West El Paso/Sunland Park Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. ................................................................................................. 195 Figure 112. West El Paso/Sunland Park Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. .................. 197 Figure 113. Close-up of Comments Made on West El Paso/Sunland Park Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. .................................................................................................. 198 Figure 114. Northeast El Paso Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. ............................ 200 Figure 115. Close-up of Comments Made on Northeast El Paso Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. ............................................................................................................... 201 Figure 116. Northeast El Paso Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. ................................ 203 Figure 117. Northeast El Paso Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. ................................. 205 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page ix Figure 118. Ysleta Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. .............................................. 207 Figure 119. Close-up of Ysleta Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. .......................... 208 Figure 120. Ysleta Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. ................................................... 209 Figure 121. Ysleta Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map..................................................... 211 Figure 122. Close-up of Ysleta Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. ................................ 212 Figure 123. Canutillo/Anthony Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. .......................... 214 Figure 124. Close-up of Comments on Canutillo/Anthony Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. ............................................................................................................... 215 Figure 125. Canutillo/Anthony Planning Area Bicycle Connectivity Map. ............................... 217 Figure 126. Canutillo/Anthony Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. ................................ 219 Figure 127 Close-up of Comments Made on Canutillo/Anthony Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. ............................................................................................................... 220 Figure 128. Central El Paso Planning Area Pedestrian Connectivity Map. ................................ 222 Figure 129. Photos of Cars Overlapping Sidewalk. .................................................................... 224 Figure 130. Photo of Car Parking too Close to Crosswalk. ........................................................ 224 Figure 131. Example of Sidewalk near High-Speed Travel Lanes. ............................................ 225 Figure 132. Example of Missing Connection between Sidewalk and Crosswalk. ..................... 225 Figure 133. Examples of Locations with Impediments in the Sidewalk. ................................... 226 Figure 134. Central El Paso Planning Area Bicycle Routes Map. .............................................. 227 Figure 135. Central El Paso Planning Area Transit Connectivity Map. ..................................... 229 Figure 136. Example of Bus Stop with No Sidewalks................................................................ 230 Alternative Transportation Modes and Technology Applications for Multimodal Transportation Planning in the El Paso Region Page x