Comprehensive Plan - Carbondale, IL

Adopted June 22, 20103CommunityMobilityCommunity mobility includes a multitude of components that collectivelycreate a system that facilitates the movement of goods and people to, andthroughout, the community. These components include not only roadwaysfor motorized vehicles, but also sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-purpose pathways,and transit facilities. A comprehensive and efficient transportation systemprovides not only for the ease of circulation within a community, but alsoenhances the community’s environmental, economic, and social environs.People of all ages, abilities, and modes of movement must have the abilityto circulate throughout the community from one’s home to workplace,shopping, dining, and entertainment activities. To achieve this end, asystematic and multi-faceted strategy must be implemented that addressesthe interconnections between land use and mobility demand.3.1 IntroductionMuch of the emphasis of this chapter is on the roadwaysystem as it connects the region and is the predominantform of mobility in Carbondale. While traveling by caris the most common mode of travel, this plan recognizesthat building and improving roadways alone will notfully address the transportation needs of the community.Continued economic growth, escalating infrastructureand fuel costs, and impacts on air quality and theenvironment all warrant a view of transportation as aninterconnected system of roadways, paths, trails, andsidewalks, as well as options for public transportationand freight movement.The transportation system has a strong influence onthe type and quality of growth. Therefore, it shouldbe closely coordinated with the community’s overallland use goals and policies. Likewise, an integratedand interconnected system of roadways is important tomaintain an efficient and safe traffic flow. It is necessaryto effectively convey traffic within and between areasof the community. Roadways must be continuousand offer some redundancy. This allows multiplealternatives for traveling within the community, whilekeeping traffic flowing and alleviating congestion onroadways. Options should be encouraged, not only interms of different travel routes, but also in modal choicesalong the system’s corridors. Providing such optionsand enhancing mobility will also require promotion ofdevelopment patterns that encourage alternative landGETTING FROM HERE TOTHERE IN CARBONDALEThe quality of the transportationexperience (which includes theefficiency of traffic movement, as wellas the attractiveness of the roadwayenvirons) contributes to quality oflife. In the original town area wherethe local streets are laid out on a grid,there is good interconnectivity. In themore recently developed areas, andparticularly where there are creeksand drainageways, there are fewerconnections. Discontinuous streetsinterrupt the efficient flow of trafficand create congestion elsewhere.For this reason, as the communitycontinues to develop, it is importantfor the street system that connectionsare made in new developments orretrofitted in existing neighborhoods.Comprehensive Plan3.1Community Mobility