The Southeast Michigan Council of Government (SEMCOG) is updating the Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel Plan for Southeast Michigan. Adopted in 2014, this plan is focused on pedestrian and bicycle travel with long-term goals of improving non-motorized safety, increasing connectivity, and providing additional mode options. Studies have shown that increasing the amount of non-motorized facilities, not only causes a mode shift away from vehicular travel, but also improves the health and safety of communities. It is important that this plan considers all road users and transportation options including cars, trucks, and transit, as well as new emerging transportation trends. All of these modes are competing for limited space with other uses such as sidewalk cafes and curbspace in our road network. A method is needed that allows us to systematically allocate space within the network in a safe and efficient manner.
The purpose of this Request for Proposal is to complement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan by conducting a two-part study. The first part is to review best practices: current checklists/manuals/guidelines/tools and discuss current gaps and which resources needed to address the gaps. The second part is to develop a set of tools, toolbox (i.e. process), or a GIS mapping tool to evaluate competing modes within a given right-of-way (hereafter called “tool”) to address the gaps that may exist. The resulting tool and knowledge gained through peer review will be used to complement the work being conducted for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan development.
