Presented By Adam Davis, Partner Su Midghall, Partner Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. Public Opinion Research Implications for Planning & Policy Select Findings and Observations February 15, 2007

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Research Purposes Assess regional attitudes toward transportation system improvements Assess motivations for reducing automobile trips Telephone survey of 1,050 regional residents (SACOG six county area), January 19-24, 2007 Margin of error +/- 3.0% Supplemental survey and focus group research to validate and elaborate on findings Research Purpose

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Overall, how would you rate your community as a place to live? You can use any number between 1 and 4, were 4 is excellent and 1 is poor. SACOG Residents Rate Their Community Highly as a Place to Live Scale of 1=poor to 4=excellent

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Access to retail, services, entertainment Small town feeling Open space and nature The people Security Community feeling Weather Like Most About Living in Region

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 How would you describe the situation related to transportation here in the 6-county Sacramento region: not a serious problem, a problem but not that serious, a serious problem, or a critical problem? Transportation System is a Big Concern

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “I think emissions is the primary reason” “Sitting in traffic is horribly wasteful economically” “If we had better transportation 911 responses would be much faster” “If you don’t spend money on really important issues like this, in the long run, your society will deteriorate” Why Should Something be Done About the Region’s Transportation Problems

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “Problems with gridlock” “The frustration factor. Something’s got to be done about the number of cars on the road” “There’s accidents continually from aggressive drivers trying to get to where they want to go” “[To] end up with a saner, happier population with few social problems” Why Should Something Be Done About the Region’s Transportation Problems

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Four in five believe transportation system improvements must be made Transportation System Needs to be Fixed

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Are there any transportation system improvements you would like to see including roads, freeways, bus, light rail, or pedestrian or bicycle improvements? Support for Transportation System Improvements

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Residents consistently identify a mix of needed highway/freeway and public transportation improvements Same priorities whether prompted or unprompted Also see road maintenance as a priority Residents Want a Mix of Transportation Improvements

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “Not enough bridges are causing congestion—everything is plugged up” “Limit external growth and promote a strong and vital inner city” “Encourage employers to incentivize carpooling and flextime” “Light rail is fine for the region, but we need better maintained and wider roads” What Should be Done About the Region’s Transportation Problems

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “Higher gas tax” “They should have smaller buses-like vans to come around more often. Those big buses can’t get through the neighborhoods and they’re always empty” Greater light rail access to outlying areas” “Coordinate regional transportation development” What Should be Done About the Region’s Transportation Problems

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Can you please describe the specific improvements you would like to see made? Light rail extended to more areas23% Road conditions improved/Highway street repairs19% Bus service improved/More buses/Routes/Stops/Longer hours 15% Capacity of highways/Freeways increased/Wider roads/More lanes 12% Bike lanes added/Extended/Improved9% More highways/freeways9% More public transit/Accessible in more areas6% More roads/side streets5% Reduce congestion on highways4% All other responses 3% or less Desired Transportation System Improvements- Unprompted

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 I would now like to ask you about road and freeway system improvements to reduce traffic congestion in the region. Top Rated Extremely Important % Mean Rating New freeway lanes added to the regional system to be used by all vehicles, 24 hours a day (Q19) 48%4.0 New freeway lanes added to the regional system that would be HOV for carpools/buses during rush hour, and open to all traffic the rest of the time (Q20) 40%3.8 New lanes or wider shoulders should be added to improve rural highways (Q22) 33%3.7 New lanes should be added to improve four lane or wider urban streets (Q21) 27%3.5 Add more sidewalks and crosswalks (Q24) 29%3.4 Add more bicycle lanes (Q25 ) 28%3.4 Add more bridges to regional system (Q23 ) 25%3.4 Scale of 1=not important at all to 5=extremely important Road and Freeway Options for Reducing Congestion

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 I would like to ask you about public transit options to reduce traffic congestion in the region Top Rated Extremely Important % Mean Rating Expand the light rail system (Q12)44%3.9 Add more regular buses that run more often and reach destination more often (Q15) 40%3.8 Expand the commuter train system (Q14)36%3.8 Expand the community shuttle buses connecting to activity centers (Q17) 33%3.6 Add more express bus service on the freeways (Q16) 32%3.6 Add new types of buses that move faster and carry more people (Q13) 28%3.5 Add new streetcar service (Q18)21%3.0 Scale of 1=not important at all to 5=extremely important Public Transit Options for Reducing Congestion

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 All areas and groups of residents want a balance of highway/freeway improvements and public transportation expansion Differences in transportation priorities are ones of emphasis, not overall value Priorities are Similar: Emphasis Differs

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Where residents live Length of commute Age How they view the seriousness of the transportation situation How likely they are to want to reduce car trips for a variety of different reasons Different Factors Influence Desired Emphasis

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 For low income to have mobility For elderly to have mobility Alternatives that are better for the environment Alternatives that are perceived to be more safe Some alternatives less stressful Alternatives that reduce use of fossil fuel Residents See Benefits of Transportation Alternatives

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Many are changing behavior as much as they can Bundling errands Online shopping Walking and bicycling more Carpooling Using public transit more Residents are Trying

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “Ride a bike; walk; carpool” “Telecommute” “More Internet shopping” “Walk down the street instead of driving” “Plan outings better” “Find out about alternative transportation options” “Work closer to home; less shopping” Steps People Say They Could Take to Reduce Car Trips

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Without being told of any possible changes, 45% say they are likely to shift at least 10% of their car trips to transit, walking, or bicycling over the next five years In another question, 83% said at least one of six possible changes would cause them to reduce their car trips Many Say They are Likely to Reduce Car Trips

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Besides gas at $4.50 a gallon, residents say other changes would cause them to reduce driving: Transit service nearer their home and work More frequent transit service Safer transit service Transit service that is at least as fast as driving Transit service that is less expensive than driving and parking What Motivates Residents to Reduce Car Trips

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Maxdiff Exercise

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Cause to Reduce Car TripsAverage The price of gas would be over $4.50 per gallon long term A rail station (light rail, streetcar, or commuter train) would be within easy walking distance (5-15 minutes) to my home 9.59 The time for a trip by transit would be at least 25% faster than by car 8.23 The time for a trip by transit would be the same as by car 5.67 The time it takes for your typical daily trips in your car would increase by 50% from today 5.31 Rail service (light rail, streetcar, or commuter train) would come reliably every 15 minutes 5.19 Maxdiff Results

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Segment 1 (10%): Dedicated Drivers 12% “Very likely” to reduce car trips (vs. 22% overall) Segment 2 (18%): Ride Share Fans 33% “Very likely” to reduce car trips (vs. 22% overall) Segment 3 (7%): Suburban Commuters 3% “Very likely” to reduce car trips (vs. 22% overall) Segment 4 (14%): Roads & Rails 16% “Very likely” to reduce car trips (vs. 22% overall) Segment 5 (10%): Progressive 40% “Very likely” to reduce car trips (vs. 22% overall) Segment 6 (10%): Status Quo 14% “Very likely” to reduce car trips (vs. 22% overall) Segmentation—C Luster Analysis

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Potential for much greater use of public transit options is there Light rail, in particular, gets consistently high marks no matter how we ask about it. Additional bus service also is viewed as important Public Transit Improvements Wanted

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Given the diverse needs of the region and residents’ desire to reduce congestion, reduce use of fossil fuel, and improve air quality, addressing the region’s transportation system situation will involve different transportation system improvements—involving both highways and transit Different Improvements Needed

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Seven in 10 believe new revenue will be needed Transportation System Needs to be Fixed

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 In general, do you think that over the next 10 years existing revenue resources will provide adequate funds to build the regional transportation system we will need in the future, or do you think new revenue sources will be needed? New Revenue Sources for the Transportation System

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 Multi-Layered Strategies Needed Strategies must: Provide adequate access and efficiency of alternatives to driving Look not only at expanding services, but also land use and other policies that complement and support alternative transportation where it makes sense At the same time provide freeway and road maintenance improvements where need is greatest

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “Security on public transportation, cleaner” “Make RT run later into the night” “Metro Sacramento BART system connection to the airport” “Expand RT light rail to college communities” “Better designed public transit - parking access, security and safety, more direct routes, and greater coverage to other areas” Transportation System Improvements That Could Help People Reduce Car Trips

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc. │ SACOG Planning & Policy February 2007 “Bus and light rail with more frequent service and closer stops” “More jobs closer to home” “Building the light rail Sac-Davis- Davis-Sac as voted years ago” “More (and safer) bike lanes” “Having smaller busses which are clean and safe and come more often through neighborhood streets” Transportation System Improvements That Could Help People Reduce Car Trips