Comprehensive Plan - Carbondale, IL

Adopted June 22, 2010City of CarbondaleFigure 3.13 | LOCAL TRANSITCONNECTIONS3.13, Local Transit Connections), and local taxi services (see Figure 3.14, RegionalAmtrak Connections). It could also include retail outlets and upper floor or nearbyattached living options.There are a variety of improvement needs necessary to support a well-utilizedbus system. These include bus stop improvements and amenities such as weathershelters, benches, trash receptacles, security lighting, handicap accessible curb cutsand ramps, non-slip boarding/alighting surfaces, landscaping, and informationalkiosks. Additionally, there is an array of other essential considerations including:• Means of access to stop locations via sidewalks and/or trails;• Convenient and safe street crossings;• Access design of nearby neighborhoods including provisions for direct publicaccess ways;• The design of nonresidential building sites relative to the pedestrian avenuefrom the building through parking areas and across drives to the transit stop;• The number of vehicular/pedestrian crossing points and the treatments tomitigate conflicts;• Citing the stop location either on- or off-site and the pedestrian, car, and buscirculation patterns; and• Street side improvements such as pull-out bays that are warranted so as not toimpede through traffic patterns.Strategy 1: Improve the propensity ofpublic transit use through strategicinvestments, public improvements,targeted advertising, and directmarketing.3.22Adding a hub for transit connections would benefittransit ridership by facilitating linkages betweenservice providers. Bus improvements could includebays that allow buses to pull out of street traffic. Thiswould be an improvement to the existing situation,above, where buses need to compete with cars, bikes,and pedestrians for street space when picking uppassengers.RationaleA true transportation “system” mustinclude a variety of travel options andmode choices, among them public transit.It is expected that the demand for servicewill increase in the community overtime. This is due, in part, to an agingpopulation and the presence and generaldesire for more retirement living options,as well as increased gas prices and abetter understanding and concern forthe environment. Therefore, ensuringalternative transportation options will beimportant to enhance mobility. Likewise,given limited resources, maximizingpartnerships will be important as a longtermimplementation strategy.Actions and Initiativesa. Study the warrant for and feasibilityof a multi-modal transportationcenter at or near the Amtrak Station inChapter Three