Transportation System Plan 2018-2038

Pedestrian Plan Policy Context and Back ground The 2001-2023 Rogue Valley Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) prepared for the Medford Urbanized Area by the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RVMPO) and adopted in 2002, establishes regional policy direction with respect to the pedestrian transportation sy stem within the Medford UGB. The RTP recom mends that: • “Local governments shall require or provide sidewalks/pedestrian pathways along all streets within the urban growth boundary. Sidewal ks and walkways should be required in new developments in the metropolitan area and they should be provided in connection with most major street improvement projects (OAR 660-12- 045 (3)(B)). Pedestrian walkway or accessway connections shall be required between adjacent developments when roadway connections cannot be provided. Also, a systematic approach to filling gaps in the sidewalk system and an annual allocation for construction is recommended.” ( Policy 10-4) • “The location and design of all sidewalks shall co mply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” ( Policy 10-5) • “Local governments shall provide sidewalks and other amenities to make pedestrian access to bus stops easier. RVTD shall continue to provide bicycle racks on buses, and bicycle racks and lockers at transit stations to improve bicycle access to transit.” (Policy 10-6) • “Where applicable, local governments shall revise th eir zoning codes to require the provision of amenities to help meet bicyclist and pedestrian n eeds, including the provision of bicycle storage facilities.” (Policy 10-7) • “Local governments shall support bicycle and pedestrian safety, both through enforcement of safety laws and regulations and through support of programs that provide bicycle and pedestrian safety education.” (Policy 10-8) • “All signalized intersections in urban areas shall have marked crosswalks.” (Policy 10-9) • “Local governments shall use the media, tr ansportation committees, bicycle plans, and other methods to promote use of bicycling and walking for transportation purposes.” (Policy 10-10) The RVMPO has also prepared analy sis of Transit Oriented Design and Transit Corridor Strategies (May 1999) to support the agency ’s transit oriented developm ent (TOD) program . This program includes components related to land use, transit service e nhancem ents, and im provem ents to the pedestrian circulation sy stem to encourage the use of transporta tion m odes other than single occupant autom obiles. A key focus of the TOD strategies was the identifi cation of “Major Transit Stops” along prim ary, high frequency transit service corridors. Providing safe and convenient pedestrian connections to the Major Transit Stops will be im portant to ensuring the success of both Medford’ s enhanced transit sy stem and the City’s Transit Oriented Developm ents. The City of Medford’s existing Comprehensive Plan includes a goal and policy specifically directed at protecting and enhancing the pedestrian circulation system . Goal 6 indicates that the City will take actions “To encourage and facilitate safe and convenie nt pedestrian movement within the Medford Urban Growth Boundary.” This goal is further defined by a policy directing that “Sidewalks shall be recognized as an integral part of a complete urban transportation netw ork, and shall be considered for inclusion in all transportation-related public impro vement projects pursuant to the standards in the Land Medford Transportatio n System Plan 10-16 Non-M otorized Transportation Plan