Connected Multimodal Networks
RELATED TOPICS: Plan Development, Transit, Complete Streets
Multimodal transportation networks connect community members with jobs, healthcare, educational opportunities, recreation, and a wide range of other services. Accessing these services can be challenging for individuals who walk or bike, due to the fact that many transportation networks were built primarily to facilitate travel by car. Transportation networks for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those who rely on transit may be incomplete or insufficient.
A shift toward developing complete and connected multimodal transportation networks is underway in many communities. Transportation agencies and their partners are focusing attention on comprehensive and extensive networks to reach key destinations by active transportation instead of unattached, standalone pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Achieving connected multimodal networks requires a clear vision and plan. Visual tools and maps can be used to convey existing barriers in transportation networks and identify critical connections. Connected network development requires planning and design approaches that are sensitive to context and flexible to accommodate the needs of all road users. New methods to measure, prioritize, and implement multimodal projects can help agencies achieve networks that work for all community members regardless of age or ability.
Resources
Achieving Multimodal Networks: Applying Design Flexibility and Reducing Conflicts presents practitioner-oriented guidance for agencies who want to apply context-specific design to reduce conflicts and connect their networks.
Guidebook for Measuring Multimodal Network Connectivity shares methods for measuring networks and prioritizing opportunities to build connections.
Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks provides examples of applying nonmotorized network principles in small and rural communities.
Defining Connected Bike Networks explores concepts and terminology to help define connected and low stress networks.
Bike Network Mapping Idea Book presents maps and inspiration for visualizing connected networks.
People for Bikes Bicycle Network Analysis is a tool that agencies can use to measure their own networks and identify needed connections.
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Examples
Case Studies in Delivering Safe, Comfortable, and Connected Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks (Volume I and Volume II) showcases more than 80 examples of projects intended to connect nonmotorized networks.
PeopleForBikes Big Jump Project features communities across the country taking steps to improve bicycle network connections.
Montgomery County, Maryland Bicycle Master Plan establishes a vision and strategy for achieving a low stress bicycle network.
TriMet Pedestrian Network Analysis serves as a model for considering pedestrian connections to transit within the transportation network.
