Steering Committee Holds First Meeting for Regional Trail System
The Central Arkansas Greenways Plan Steering Committee held their first meeting on May 4th from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. The meeting provided details regarding the project scope and schedule, the responsibility of Crafton Tull and subconsultant Toole Design, the approach to planning the system of regional corridors, and details regarding upcoming conversations with community leaders.
Julie Kelso with Crafton Tull described eight route alignment characteristics that must be present in the determination of these regional routes, but balanced in a meaningful way to result in a desirable and practical system of greenways.
Population and Character: routes should serve centers of population while highlighting unique landscapes, cultural assets, and where possible, public art.
Directness and Experience: route should be reasonably direct between jurisdictions or destinations, while providing an enjoyable riding experience. Topography, views, and ease of navigation should be considered.
Destination and Access: routes should be relevant, connecting people to where they need or want to travel. At the same time, they should be routed to be accessible to bicyclists (neighborhoods) and pedestrians or by trailhead locations, wayfinding, and user orientation.
Feasibility and Comfort: routes will vary in ease of implementation and cost based on ownership/jurisdiction and constructability factors; while providing safety, appropriate widths and separation, and amenities such as lighting, shade, benches, water, and restrooms should be provided at appropriate levels.
Ernie Boughman with Toole Design outlined four design principles affecting regional pathway design.
Coherence in communicating the pathway as it navigates intersections or changes from within its environment, clearly indicating where each mode of travel is accommodated.
Separation of the pathway from vehicular traffic, as well as separation of users (bicycles and pedestrians) in high volume areas along the pathway to avoid user conflicts.
Continuity of the pathway design along its intended route.
Priority of the pathway as it interfaces with other modes of transportation to enhance safety for all users.
Tab Townsell with Metroplan provided an overview of the Steering Committee benchmarking trip to northwest Arkansas. The meeting was dismissed to accommodate a mapping exercise to provide input on local trail initiatives.
The meeting presentation is located here.
