MassDOT’s Moving Together Continues to Grow

October 28, 2015

MassDOT’s Moving Together Conference has grown exponentially from the initial meeting 15 years ago in Worcester. Back then, pedestrian and bike issues were discussed in two separate meetings with all 50 attendees. The conference moved to Boston in 2005 with 250 attendees, and this year’s conference is sold out with 650 attendees! Such an interest in active transportation shows the great strides we have all made!

This growth is attributable to the increasingly fascinating conversation around our changing mindset on how to get from A to B, and the health benefits of active transportation. The forum brings together MassDOT roadway, transit, and Complete Streets experts with law enforcement, public health, and education leaders through presentations, discussions and workshops. This broad range of attendees allows us all to share our perspectives on the best ways to achieve our collective goals.

Strong Progress in the Past Year

For guidelines, MassDOT is releasing a ground breaking Separated Bike Lane Guide with more details on the protected intersection treatment than any other currently in print in the nation. Massachusetts cities and towns will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of bike lane design and implementation.

For implementation and project delivery, construction has begun on the $25 million TIGER-funded Connect Historic Boston project – a 1.4 mile, Complete Streets project through Atlantic Avenue and Commercial, Causeway and Staniford Streets in the City of Boston. This project will showcase bike signals, enhanced pedestrian amenities, and a separated bike lane along the center of Causeway Street. The project will present what is possible for multimodal travel in complex urban locations.

What’s up next?

For policy, this year’s conference highlights Vision Zero – a policy aimed at eradicating fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. The City of Boston has initiated Vision Zero and will begin implementing new citywide policies and design changes, and will track progress at certain locations in the City over the next year.

For funding, the expected new Complete Streets funding policy from the Commonwealth promises to encourage every city and town to start investing in walking and biking modes – helping to improve the economic vitality of our town centers.

Who knows what’s next for Moving Together? The sharing of ideas and the acknowledgement of successes and challenges is certainly providing a key way to, essentially, move together!

We’d like to hear from you! What’s your next step for biking and walking?

 

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