The Collector

February 15, 2019

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McGuire Announces Plan for Great Redwood Trail Town Halls
The State Senator wants to conduct public outreach along the route of the proposed trail to receive local input on what the trail should look like in each community.

Eureka City Council Looking at Ways to Reduce Climate Impacts
Of course, transportation accounts for the bulk of local greenhouse gas emissions, so hopefully mode shift will be front and center in their planning.

$40 Million Requested for Last Chance Grade Study
Caltrans is teaming up with local elected officials to request the money for preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. The estimated cost of just studying the impacts is an indication of just how big this project will actually be.

Extreme Pedestrianism for a Cause
A mother starts a run across the country in memory of her son. If only all pedestrians got a police escort. (We wouldn’t even need sidewalks.)

Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
At least if you hit this and flipped over your handlebars, you’d land on something soft. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

What Exactly Did Newsome Say About High-Speed Rail?
While many news outlets reported that the new governor is planning to limit the long-awaited rail line to just the Central Valley, StreetsBlog points out that what he actually said is that he’d prioritize finishing that portion while still pursuing funding for the rest of it.

San Francisco Studying Congestion Pricing
As one Supervisor put it, “Our tools for dealing with the proliferation of Uber and Lyft are limited. One of the tools we have left is congestion pricing.”

Electric Vehicle Boom Creating Lots of Jobs in California
Spurred by state regulations, investment in electric trucks, buses and passenger vehicles is growing fast.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

February 8, 2019

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McGuire Named 2018 Responsible Transportation Champion for North Coast
CRTP is inaugurating an annual Responsible Transportation Champion award, and the first one has been given to State Senator Mike McGuire for his work to make the Great Redwood Trail a reality.

Arcata Council Keeps The Village Alive
Councilmembers voted unanimously to consider the revised plans for The Village housing project. (Readers will recall that they rejected the previous plan on a tied vote several months ago.) CRTP encouraged the Council to approve the project – but with less parking.

The Story of Parking in Arcata
CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske was interviewed by North Coast News TV about the parking situation in Arcata.

County Continues Public Outreach Zoning Blitz
One community meeting after another is planned this month as Humboldt County officials seek public comment on proposed zoning changes to implement the new General Plan. Among other things, CRTP is advocating for changes to make the new “mixed use” zones, meant for existing community center areas, denser and more pedestrian friendly.

Don’t Blame the Pedestrian
A letter from CRTP Board member Tom Wheeler highlights the problems with pedestrian safety on Highway 101 – and with how we think and talk about collisions that kill people who aren’t in a car.

Arcata Gets Input on Trail Proposal
Arcata officials asked for public input this week on a proposed stretch of trail which would someday run through Arcata, connecting the Humboldt Bay Trail with the Annie & Mary Trail to Blue Lake. One of the top recommendations of participants: give trail users the right-of-way at intersections.

Committee Considers Bike App, Transit Modeling, and VMT Training
The Humboldt County Association of Government’s Technical Advisory Committee met this week, and on the agenda was deciding how to spend a small budgetary surplus. Options included the development of a local bike map app, adapting modeling software to allow local agencies to better predict bus ridership, and training local decision makers on the state-mandated switch from congestion to vehicle miles traveled when assessing transportation impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act. They went with the bike app and the transit modeling.

The Disappearing Crosswalk to Nowhere
This week, we feature a combination of two common scenes on the North Coast: an unmaintained crosswalk, and one that ends in a spot with no pedestrian infrastructure. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

“This is the new face of climate change denialism”
The new multi-billion dollar highway tunnel in Seattle is meant to replace a damaged and ugly surface freeway. But why didn’t officials simply remove the freeway and not replace it, as many other cities have successfully done?

Are Uber and Lyft Eating Away at Bike Trips Along with Transit?
San Francisco is discovering that accomplishing mode shift is not as simple as “complete streets” that (sort of) accommodate everybody. We’re going to have to take steps to reign in driving – including driving by on-demand services like Uber and Lyft – if we want to see a real and permanent change.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

February 1, 2019

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Revised Version of “The Village” Unveiled
The new plan is about half community rentals and half “purpose-built” student housing. It has over 600 beds, but significantly less than the 800 originally proposed – and a lot more parking spaces. The new proposal was discussed at a public meeting Wednesday night.

New Downtown Arcata Development Proposal Focuses on Active Transportation
The affordable housing project just a block from the Plaza could include everything from free bus passes to covered bike parking to car share, and could pay for upgrades to bike/ped infrastructure in the surrounding blocks if the developers get the funding they need.

Annie & Mary Trail Connectivity Public Workshop Next Week
The City of Arcata is looking for input Monday on the plan for the section of trail within city limits, which would extend from the Larson Park area to Valley West.

Great Redwood Trail Planning Begins
Trail advocates and stakeholders met in Ukiah Thursday to talk vision and next steps. CRTP was there, of course! Once completed, the Great Redwood Trail will stretch from Marin to Humboldt and be the second-longest trail in the state (after the Pacific Crest Trail).

A Pedestrian Is Just a Person Who’s Walking
This article underscores the tragedy of the crash on Highway 101 last week by providing some background on the man who died while walking there. Hopefully, we can move beyond victim-blaming and take action to make this stretch of highway safer for people on foot.

Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
Getting tired of seeing pictures of parked cars and trucks in the bike lane? We’re getting tired of taking them! Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

Monday is Transit Equity Day
It’s the birthday of Rosa Parks, and a national coalition is agitating for the recognition of public transit as a civil right.

Oslo’s Successful (Almost) Car-Free City Center
What do you know? People love a place to walk around without cars!

It’s Not Just Millennials – Seniors Want Walkable Communities Too
And they’re living together, Golden Girls-style, in order to gain access to them.

TransForm Releases Report on Equitable Congestion Pricing
Want to know how to reap the benefits of congestion pricing without hurting the poor? This report has your answers.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

January 25, 2019

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Pedestrian Deaths Are Up, and California Plans for More
According to a new nationwide report, pedestrian deaths have increased 35% over the last decade while driver deaths have decreased. Likely causes: poor road design, more driving, and more deadly SUVs. Meanwhile, California is among a number of states that have submitted official plans to the federal government establishing a goal for the number of pedestrian fatalities next year that’s actually higher than last year’s number. Translation: the state is planning for more pedestrians to die.

And Another Pedestrian is Killed on 101
The area south of Eureka where a driver struck and killed a man this week has been particularly deadly for pedestrians in recent years.

Local Trails on the California Transportation Commission Agenda
Next week’s agenda includes approval of funding for both the completion of the Humboldt Bay Trail and the first phase of the Annie and Mary Trail, as well as “vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian improvements” on Redwood Drive in Garberville. Meanwhile, other local projects including the 101 Safety Corridor, Eureka 4th Street, and Dr. Fine (Del Norte County) bridge replacement projects appear on the Commission’s “watch list” because they are considered at high risk for cost overruns.

Sidewalk Obstruction of the Week
This week, a pickup truck pulls so far through a parking space that it blocks almost the entire sidewalk on I Street in Arcata. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org!

Newsom Could Re-Shape Transportation Commission
At least 3 of the 11 voting seats on the Commission are up for re-appointment in the next several months. Is it possible the new governor will break with tradition and appoint members who don’t represent construction industry interests?

Why is Transit Ridership Declining?
Uber & Lyft, of course.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

January 18, 2019

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Plaza Petition Calls for Prioritizing Non-vehicular Users
CRTP delivered the petition with 518 signatures to the City of Arcata’s Plaza Improvement Task Force at its meeting Thursday. The Task Force is still collecting additional public input through its online survey, so fill it out if you haven’t already!

The Village is Back
The City has scheduled a January 30th meeting to discuss a revised version of The Village. This time it’s not student-only housing, and HSU isn’t involved. This latest news begs the question: could Arcata’s The Village project pull off a better plot twist than the 2004 M. Night Shyamalan movie of the same name?

Humboldt County Rezoning Process Continues
The results could have a big impact on the density (or lack thereof) of future development. The county’s transportation future may hang in the balance.

A New Face, and a New Perspective, on the Humboldt County Planning Commission
New Commissioner McCavour mentions the connection between density, wildland development, and greenhouse gas emissions. Can we be forgiven for hoping that she might move the Commission in a more enlightened direction?

New Electric School Bus Hits the Streets
The first of several to be delivered to local districts. Cool!

Sidewalk/Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
We saw plenty of bike lane and sidewalk obstructions this week. But the rain discouraged us from getting out our cameras, so you’ll just have to take our word for it. Don’t let this space go empty again – send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org!

New Bill Would Bring “Complete Streets” Framework to State Highways
Senator Scott Wiener continues his crusade for better transportation planning.

Study Shows Importance of Land Use Patterns in Transit Use
Why aren’t more Americans riding transit? Because houses, jobs, or both aren’t close enough to high-quality options. But we can change that.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

January 11, 2019

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Rail Authority Ordered to Cover Court Costs for Enviros
In yet another blow to the beleaguered agency, the North Coast Railroad Authority has been ordered to pay the court costs for local environmental groups with whom it’s been involved in years-long legal battles. One more reason for the NCRA to finally abandon its elusive dream of restoring rail service through the Eel River Canyon, as the newly passed SB1029 requires it to turn its attention toward long-term rails-to-trails planning.

Eureka Transportation Safety Commission Meeting Cancelled…Again
This is becoming a habit. Why does the City of Eureka struggle so much to maintain a functioning commission meant to consider its many pressing transportation issues?

Applications Due for Measure Z Oversight Committee
The deadline is next week for citizens interested in serving on the committee. Funds from this half-cent Humboldt County sales tax have often been allocated to road repair and maintenance projects in recent years.

HCAOG Board Looks to Committee Changes for Unmet Transit Needs
The Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) advises the Humboldt County Association of Governments on the annual task of assessing local unmet transit needs. Staff are recommending a few changes to the SSTAC, including adding a seat for CRTP. (We’ll be proud to participate in this important process!) Also on next week’s HCAOG Board agenda: An update from Caltrans on the long-running Last Chance Grade project.

Sidewalk Obstruction of the Week
Yup, there’s a sidewalk somewhere between those brambles and that sign post. Just not a very usable one. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

 

At Long Last, New CEQA Transportation Rules Are Final!
Five years after the law mandating the changes, the state has finally adopted new CEQA guidelines which prohibit consideration of traffic delays as an environmental impact. We’d like to say that’s the last we’ll see of the outmoded “Level of Service” concept in this state. But sadly, reactions to the new rules indicate that many planners and engineers will resist changing as long as they can.

On Congestion Pricing & Inequity in the Transportation System
A cogent and thought-provoking commentary.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

January 4, 2019

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$13.3 Million in State Grant Funds Recommended for Bay Trail Completion
California Transportation Commission staff recently released the latest list of recommended grant awards through the state’s Active Transportation Program, and Humboldt County’s Bay Trail project was near the top of the list. This funding would keep the region on track for a completed Bay Trail by 2021 or 2022. The CTC will vote on the recommendations at its January 31st meeting.

January Edition of “Wheel People” Released
Check out the latest from our friends at the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association. It’s always a good read!

CHP Cracks Down on Speeding for the Holidays
One wonders what the enforcement policy is for the rest of the year.

Sidewalk Obstruction of the Week
Actually, this is less of an obstruction and more of a phenomenon we call the “crosswalk to nowhere” – a crosswalk that connects to a sidewalk on one side, but on the other side, the pedestrian infrastructure just ends. This one is on School Road in McKinleyville. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

Trucker Deaths on the Rise
Big rig drivers are dying in larger numbers. What’s the cause, and what can be done about it?

Elon Musk’s Newest Project is Boring Tunnels Under Los Angeles for Cars
As one of CRTP’s Board members commented, “There are already tunnels under cities that ease traffic – they’re called subways and they move millions without cars.”

State Gives Grants for “Transformative Climate Communities”
Sacramento and Pacoima got funding from the Strategic Growth Council for sustainable community development projects aimed at increasing climate resilience.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

December 21, 2018

Editor’s Note: We’ll be taking a week off from The Collector next week – but don’t worry, you can catch up on all the local transportation news the week after. Happy holidays!

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Housing, Jobs and Transportation: Our Local Governments Still Don’t Get It
This week, the Humboldt County Association of Governments Board considered a formula for allocating state-mandated housing requirements among the local cities and the county. Without getting too deep into the wonky weeds, the main question was whether it’s more important to put new housing near existing housing, or near existing jobs. CRTP, along with Caltrans and the McKinleyville Community Services District, encouraged a focus on the jobs – because putting housing near jobs is one of the best ways to reduce vehicle miles traveled. Unfortunately, the local government representatives on the HCAOG Board ignored this advice (they voted to give jobs and population equal weight in the formula) – proving that when it comes to the all-important connections among land use, transportation and economic development, they still just don’t get it.

More Unhelpful Bike Laws Going into Effect
Don’t get us wrong, we’re not against kids wearing helmets or bike riders acting responsibly after a collision. But as we’ve reported before, high rates of helmet usage in the US have not led to safer conditions for bicyclists. And acting like bicycles  pose the same risks as cars and trucks is just living in an alternate reality.

Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
A delivery truck blocks the bike lane on Alliance Road in Arcata. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

California Buses Will Be Emission-Free
The state’s Air Resources Board voted to require all public bus fleets in the state to be zero-emission within two decades.

California Transportation Advocates Announce New Comprehensive Platform
The platform focuses on how to achieve a truly sustainable and equitable transportation system in the state. One of the main groups behind the new platform, CalBike, also announced its 2019 legislative agenda in conjunction with the release.

Northeastern States Team Up for Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Transportation is the nation’s leading source of greenhouse gases, but this is one of the first major regional efforts to tackle the issue directly.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

December 14, 2018

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Arcata Plaza Task Force Conducting Public Survey
Let them know what you think about the Plaza – and about how people should be getting there!

Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
Parked cars and trucks combine with low-hanging branches to create especially hazardous conditions for bicyclists on School Road in McKinleyville. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

California Lawmakers Introduce a Platoon of Land Use Bills
Looks like housing and transportation will be hot topics in the upcoming legislative session. The North Coast’s own Senator Mike McGuire is co-sponsoring one of the most talked-about bills so far.

Terry Gross Talks Driverless Cars
The legendary NPR interviewer talks with former New York City Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz about the good, the bad and the ugly of a future dominated by autonomous vehicles.

Federal Research Agency Calls for Public Input on “Mobility as a Service”
The Transportation Research Board is planning a study to investigate the new trend (and hot buzzword) in transportation, and wants to hear from you.

Learning from Experience with Congestion Pricing
It’s never easy and rarely popular, but it tends to work.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.