Planning an efficient transportation system is a dynamic challenge that involves a number of elements. The following pages discuss AMATS focus areas and provides additional detail on how AMATS considers each.
Safety
Improving highway safety is important. From 2008 to 2010, there were approximately 52,000 crashes in the region. Although there was a 2% increase in crashes from 2009 to 2010, it is still over 6,200 less crashes than in 2002. There is evidence that recent highway improvements, as well as a decline in overall travel, have had a positive impact on safety conditions.
Congestion
Congestion continues to be a problem in rapidly growing communities, but has been less of an issue in communities with low growth. The Congestion Management Process, completed in September 2008, analyzed existing and future congestion. The report concluded that while there continues to be highway congestion that needs to be alleviated, recent trends of high fuel prices and reduced travel have impacted the number of major widening projects deemed necessary.
Transit
A sound public transportation system is critical to the health of the region. Public transportation provides access to employment, shopping, and residential neighborhoods. It not only offers necessary transportation for low income individuals, the disabled, and the elderly, but also provides an alternative to automobile travel for most of the region’s population.
Environmental Planning
The Akron Metropolitan Area is part of the Akron-Cleveland nonattainment area for both Ozone and PM2.5. AMATS must consider air quality as part of developing its long range plan and the Transportation Improvement Program. AMATS is committed to reducing area pollutants and bringing Northeast Ohio into attainment.
Pedestrian Transportation
Sidewalks are a key component to a balanced transportation system. They provide connectivity to transit, shopping, and employment. Most pedestrian infrastructure is the responsibility of individual communities. It is important to provide pedestrian facilities where the need exists.
Bicycle Transportation
In the past, the regional objective with regards to bicycle planning had been to complete the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail through Summit County, as it is a major regional trail. This trail connects Cleveland to New Philadelphia via Akron following the canal route along the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers. As the final segments of the trail in Summit County are being completed, the regional priority is shifting to trails in Portage County, including the Portage Hike & Bike Trail and the Western Reserve Heritage Trail.
Highway Preservation
A major challenge facing the region is prioritizing the limited funds available for road and bridge projects. Many communities in the area face the pressing need of preserving the current transportation system. The Akron metropolitan area’s transportation network is made up of over 4,000 miles of roads and 880 bridges. The estimated cost just to maintain the current system between now and 2030 is over $1.9 billion (current dollars).
Land Use
Land use trends illustrate that the region continues to expand outward. The bulk of this growth was low density residential development on previously undeveloped land. From 2000 to 2005, while the region gained only 6,000 new residents, 25 square miles of vacant land was developed for residential use. Almost all of this development occurred in suburban and exurban communities outside of the urban core.