Description
Expanding and improving pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks, crosswalks, trails, paths, and pedestrian-scale lighting increases safety and accessibility.
Implementation Details
- Implement pedestrian improvements per Marin Countywide Transportation Plan with a near-term focus on filling gaps.
- Coordinate shading studies with local municipalities and develop tree planting and shading guidelines.
- Prioritize pedestrian upgrades in school zones, transit-adjacent neighborhoods, and DACs.
- Install sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, median refuges, and pedestrian-scale lighting as part of ADA Transition Plans and Active Transportation Plan (ATP) grant implementation.
- Coordinate improvements with Safe Routes to School programs.
Mitigation Potential
Pedestrian improvements increase safety, comfort, and convenience of walking, making walking a more attractive alternative to Single Occupancy Vehicle. Impacts on VMT will vary based on the location and connection of the pedestrian networks to local/regional networks.
For more details, see CAPCOA, T-18. Provide Pedestrian Network Improvement, pg. 133-136 for VMT reduction quantification.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Improves safety and comfort for pedestrians, especially in areas where low-income residents, seniors, or youth rely on walking as a primary mode. Incorporate street lighting, shade, and ADA-compliant elements to address barriers faced by vulnerable populations. Coordinate improvements near schools, community centers, and affordable housing developments.
Funding Sources
Likely requires significant initial funding to construct, plus continued funding for maintenance and operations. Active transportation grants and other one-time sources are available (though competitive). Such funding sources include Regional Early Action Planning Grants Program (Metropolitan Transportation Commission ), and the Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Programs (Metropolitan Transportation Commission).
Implemented in TAM Area
Current TDM Implementation
Implementation of this TDM measure in the county includes Marin City Pedestrian Improvements (funded by the Sub-Housing Incentive Pool and implemented by the county Public Works department), sidewalk and ADA connection additions to Bellam Boulevard (by TAM and the City of San Rafael), the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path Bothin Marsh Realignments (by Marin County Parks), and the Tamalpais Drive/US 101 Overcrossing (managed by Caltrans). Local pedestrian improvements are also implemented by TAM and at the city level.
TDM Benefit Locations
This TDM measure will especially benefit areas that lack consistent sidewalks, crosswalks, pathways, and ADA accessibility. Areas with potential gaps include unincorporated Novato and San Rafael, Fairfax, San Anselmo, and Bolinas.