The Misuse of Traffic Engineering for Active Transportation

I just submitted the following Conference Session for the Oregon Active Transportation Summit.

The traffic engineering community is advancing methodologies to accommodate active transportation. Adoption of new methodologies and standards has not been widely accepted because there remain gaps in the standards by which we determine facilities are adequate, particularly in the development review process. This is highlighted in the vocabulary we use on a daily basis, we continue to consider auto traffic congestion as something that should be reduced, when in reality it can support the encouragement of active transportation. This session will describe these challenges and provide attendees technical policy suggestions that would make active transportation more competitive in their community.

Here's the rundown of Speakers

Todd Mobley of Lancaster Engineering has over 15 years of experience in transportation engineering. His firm serves private sector clients throughout the Portland metropolitan area, guiding them through the complicated land use transportation requirements public agencies use to determine whether a development application fits the community. Todd is a weekend warrior during the cyclocross season and a wicked one at that.

Jessica Horning is a Transportation Analyst with experience in the areas of bicycle/pedestrian planning, transit systems planning and analysis, and geographic information systems (GIS). Ms. Horning has served as Deputy Project Manager for multiple long-range Transportation Demand Management (TDM) planning efforts, which have aided jurisdictions/agencies in developing and promoting alternatives to driving alone (e.g., biking, transit, telework) and also serve as policy and management documents for local TDM programs. She’s an avid bike polo player and you’ll find her most Sundays on Alberta Park’s tennis courts.