The System Planning Unit works to assure the safety and reliability of all modes of transportation through:
- planning for systems and projects;
- programming resources for improvements;
- coordinating with local, regional and state transportation officials; and
- actively facilitating strategic decision-making.
In order to enable the transportation planning process to incorporate a broad range of perspectives, Systems Planning works closely with Project Management, Planning and Development Services, other city departments and external transportation stakeholders, such as Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, getDowntown Program, the University of Michigan Transportation Department, and local citizens.
Systems Planning also maintains the Citywide Transportation Plan and develops local transportation plans and projects in a manner that considers all built and natural infrastructure systems. In addition, the Systems Planning Unit manages the Alternative Transportation program by managing funds, advocating for improvements, and implementing the City's policy to develop and maintain a world class non-motorized system.
Model for Mobility
In June 2006, Mayor John Hieftje introduced his "Model for Mobility," a transportation vision for the City of Ann Arbor. Key elements of this transportation vision include alternative forms of transportation such as walking and bicycling, but also expand on the City's bus, rail and train system to support a more regional mode of mobility and reduce Ann Arbor' over reliance on auto travel.
The Mayor has outlined three key components of the Model for Mobility vision:
- An east-west regional transit route that would link the central core of Ann Arbor, including the downtown, University of Michigan Central Campus and the University of Michigan Medical Center, with communities in southeast Michigan
- A possible north-south rail connection that would use existing railways between Ann Arbor, Milan and Howell, including portions of the Ann Arbor Railroad and the TSB Railway's operating territory
- A local connector system that would link the two regional railroads, with a local streetcar system running from west to east through the downtown, across the Central, Medical and North campuses of the University of Michigan.
For more information about the Model for Mobility, refer to the media kit (pdf) or contact Eli Cooper at (734) 996-3026.
The City of Ann Arbor last completed a Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update in 1990, laying the framework for improvements to the transportation system over the following years. Since the completion of this plan, the City has experienced tremendous growth and change which alter the way transportation must serve the community:
- Regional Population Growth
- Regional Employment Growth
- Expansion of University Medical Center
- Central Campus Improvements
- North Campus Expansion
- Downtown Development
As a result of these changed conditions, the City of Ann Arbor is preparing an update to the Transportation Plan that considers the effects of changes in growth patterns and development in order to prepare new recommendations to meet transportation needs and the goals of the community well into the future. The plan will be mindful of previous findings and recommendations for the transportation system, and work to incorporate other current efforts, such as the Citywide Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, into a comprehensive framework for addressing current and future transportation issues.
For more information, go to the project website at www.a2transportationplan.com.
Non-motorized Transportation
The City of Ann Arbor’s Non-motorized Plan 2007 supports the assumption that strong pedestrian and bicycle facilities create a community that is physically active, accessible, and exceedingly livable. Currently, the city’s non-motorized transportation system includes 400 miles of sidewalks, 21.1 miles of on-road bike lanes, and 22.5 miles of shared-use paths. Several different city units, including Systems Planning, Project Management, Planning and Development, Field Operations, Parks & Recreation, Communications, Community Standards, and Police and Public Safety, have taken great strides to improve the programs and projects that support and expand that system.
The highlight of 2007 was the adoption of a comprehensive Non-motorized Transportation Plan. The plan identifies the critical need to expand the city’s infrastructure to provide a transportation network of over 38 miles of on-road bicycle lanes, 25 miles of sidewalks, and 129 mid-block crossings, in order to establish the physical and cultural environment to support and encourage safe, comfortable, and convenient ways for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel throughout the city and into the surrounding communities.
The city has also been moving forward with the expansion of on-road bicycle lanes, a comprehensive inventory and repair system for sidewalks, safety improvements to intersections and mid-block crossings as well as cutting edge research activities that will put Ann Arbor at the forefront of quantifying and prioritizing non-motorized transportation projects. All of these projects are detailed in the 2007 Non-motorized Program Summary.
Comprehensive Parking Study
In March 2006, City Council adopted an Implementation Plan for the Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown initiative. One of the high priority projects identified in this plan is the development of a comprehensive parking strategy for the downtown. A work plan was developed to collect information and establish policies.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hired Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates in March 2006 to complete Phase I of the parking strategy work plan for the . From July through December 2006, the consultant collected data on the supply and demand of downtown parking, in addition to demographics and perceptions of users of the parking system. A public workshop was held in early December 2006. The consultant’s final report for Phase I was released in February 2007.
The second phase of the study will create revised parking policies for downtown. This project will commence in February 2007 and be completed by June 2007.
In June 2004, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) embarked on a study of high-capacity rapid transit options to connect the cities of Ann Arbor and Detroit. For more information on this study, go to the project website at www.annarbordetroitrapidtransitstudy.com.
Updated January 24, 2008