Land Use and Traffic Congestion - SSTI

These findings tended to corroborate responses elicited from participants in the project’s
survey of officials. For this survey, which was conducted early in the project, researchers
distributed 423 questionnaires and received 134 responses from a diverse list of elected
officials, planning and zoning officials, transportation planners, and members of other
relevant disciplines in the Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff metropolitan areas. Some of the
key discoveries in this investigation are given below:
Traffic Congestion Concerns: While important, traffic congestion was rated as
less a factor in project review than were issues of compatibility with adopted
plans and impact on surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.
Familiarity: Most officials were familiar with mixed-use concepts, had been
involved in the review of these concepts, and had even encouraged submission of
such projects.
Transportation Impacts: The overwhelming majority of officials responding
believed that compact, mixed-use development would increase transit use and
nonmotorized travel, though only about one-third felt unequivocally that it would
lead to less traffic congestion. (Most were unsure.)
Desirability: The great majority believed that the region would benefit from more
mixed-use centers and corridors, focusing employment in centers and corridors,
and building more mixed-use communities. About 80 percent believed that their
own community would support compact, mixed-use development.
Residential/retail and office/retail mixed use were the most highly rated
combinations.
These findings suggest an opportunity to advance the dialogue on and support for
compact, mixed-use development in Arizona’s metropolitan areas. Among the initiatives
that might be considered are the following:
Education: There is a need to better inform the public, the business community,
and officials about the nature and benefits of compact, mixed use. Themes
developed in this project can serve as educational messages.
Better Analysis Tools: Local planners and planning commissions are still using
traditional traffic engineering approaches to assess the impact of development
projects. By looking only at traffic congestion levels on adjacent links, ignoring
through travel, and failing to account for the efficiencies of mixed-use
development on lower vehicle trip rates and VMT, progressive projects are likely
to be rejected or unreasonably downsized. The metropolitan planning
organizations should take steps to add 4D enhancements to their existing tools.
Visioning and Plan Overhauls: Existing long-range or comprehensive plans
may be silent or devoid of a position on compact, mixed-use development.
Regional or local targeted visioning exercises can raise visibility and
understanding of the issues, leading to greater acceptance and support in updated
plans.
Incentives: Adoption of compact, mixed-use development approaches can be
encouraged in various ways. Grant monies and/or technical assistance can be
offered to support studies or demonstration projects. Several states prioritize state
program or grant funding based on demonstrated steps by a jurisdiction to
embrace and incorporate key elements in their plans, codes, or procedures.
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