Transportation Goal 3

Mobility Options

T-LU 3.1: Create more protected and connected bike lanes, greenways, sidewalks and electric bike and scooter share systems

Research shows that when safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is built, more people feel comfortable walking and biking to get to where they need to go.

Paired with the distribution of shared bikes and scooters, a connected and well-maintained system provides mobility choices that have zero tailpipe emissions and provide residents with a way to integrate physical activity into their daily lives.

Expanding these modes of transportation complements expanded public transit by providing options for first- and last-mile travel to complete a full trip. This is essential for improved connectivity within a multi-modal system and job accessibility.

Equity considerations/opportunities

Incentives for used EVs or EV carsharing to expand EV charging would benefit low-income communities. Expanding charging infrastructure to underserved communities should be prioritized after extensive neighborhood education, outreach and input.

Smart Moves transit

T-LU 3.2: Build out the Smart Moves transit and mobility system, including the network
of mobility hubs

In 2017, the Smart Moves 3.0: Regional Transit and Mobility Plan was adopted. Smart Moves provides for increased and expanded fixed route transit service, a network of mobility hubs where different moves come together, and the expansion of supportive land use and mobility services across the Kansas City region. The Smart Moves 3.0 plan also places an emphasis on using transit and mobility services to increase the accessibility of employment opportunities.

Smart Moves contains plans to improve the regional transit system over a 20-year time horizon. These improvements include increasing the number of fast and frequent routes, and addressing the current deficit in east-west connectivity and low service levels during the evening and on weekends. These strategies will allow more people to count on transit as a reliable, safe and enjoyable transportation option.

Equity considerations/opportunities

Priority should be given to improving and expanding service in low-income communities and communities of color, which are
more impacted by jobs access and environmental quality issues.

Parking Policy

T-LU 3.3: Encourage a shift to other modes of transportation through parking policy

Parking policies have the power to impact how much people choose to drive alone versus use other modes like transit, biking, walking, carpool/vanpool and scooter/bikeshare programs. If people do choose to drive, smart parking technologies can provide drivers with information on parking availability and reduce circulation in a district— and therefore greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, parking is expensive for developers to provide. Surface parking spots cost between $5,000 and $10,000 to construct and a spot in a parking structure generally costs over $20,000 to build. Allowing developers near fast and frequent transit to decrease or eliminate the amount of parking they build serves as both a development incentive and facilitates the creation of more affordable housing units.

Equity considerations/opportunities

Reducing the area for parking increases the viability of public transit, makes streets more walkable and reduces heat islands and stormwater runoff.