Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan - sacog

2. Where needed, perform studies and plans that support the goals for capital facilities stated
above.
3. Increase the level of public agency staff expertise on bicycling and walking.
2.2 Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2035
The Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2035 (MTP2035) links land use and transportation
planning, with $42 billion in transportation investments in the six-county Sacramento region over
the next 28 years. By 2035, the Sacramento region is expected to add a million people, 535,000
workers and 525,000 homes. The increase in population means an increase in traffic and congestion.
With strategic investments in the current transportation system, we can curb the growth in traffic
congestion each household experiences. We can create opportunities for residents of the region to
spend less time in their cars, and protect air quality while improving quality of life. By tying the
transportation plan to the future land uses identified in the Preferred Blueprint Growth Scenario,
communities across the region give individuals more transportation options.
This plan increases the investment in bicycle and pedestrian facilities by 56 percent, to $1.4 billion
over the next 28 years. Additionally, 25 percent of the local road investments in the project list
include bicycle and pedestrian components. Policies and investments in the project lists include:
• Projects that implement “Complete streets” concepts, where the right-of-way is designed for
all modes of travel, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit, as well as automobiles.
• Sidewalk network extensions in urban neighborhoods with segments widened where needed.
• Complementary pedestrian bridges and pedestrian intersection improvements that include
ADA-compatible ramps, bulb-outs and special crossing signals.
• Bike lanes on more neighborhood and major streets.
• Multi-use bike/pedestrian trails (off-street, grade-separated) that offer residents the
opportunity to make utilitarian and leisure trips separated from vehicular traffic.
• Bike facilities (racks, lockers, bathrooms) at major transit stops/hubs (light rail, BRT, etc.)
and at key activity centers (downtown Sacramento, shopping malls, large office complexes,
etc.).
2.3 Blueprint Smart Growth Principles
In 2002, SACOG undertook the Blueprint visioning project, working collaboratively with 5,000
residents, community leaders and elected officials to study future land-use patterns and their
potential effects on the region’s transportation, air quality, housing, open space and other resources.
Through a series of community workshops, SACOG planners discovered how they can reduce air
emissions, traffic congestion, and urban sprawl. Computer modeling showed that implementing
smart growth principles would shorten commute times, reduce traffic congestion, lessen dependence
on automobiles, provide for a range of housing choices affordable to the workforce and more
aligned with the needs of an aging population. The Preferred Blueprint Scenario adopted by
SACOG calls for development based on seven growth principles:
• Transportation Choices: Developments should be designed to encourage people to
sometimes walk, ride bicycles, ride the bus, ride light rail, take the train or carpool. Use of
Regional Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Master Plan—Amended June 2011 9