DEPARTMENT: Office of Innovation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jose De La Cruz
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Discussion of First Mile/Last Mile and other Transportation Concepts
SUMMARY:
On September 5, 2017, City staff presented a Budget Work Session to City Council on the Smart Cities Program. During the presentation, staff recommended transportation be an initial challenge to be addressed by the City’s Smart City Program, SmartSA. As a follow-up request to the presentation, the Office of Innovation will provide a presentation to the Transportation Committee on first mile/last mile and other transportation concepts. The presentation also will discuss the challenges and opportunities around the issue of transportation in San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in San Antonio is growing at a rapid rate. If there is no change to the system, by 2040, VMT is expected to double. This will lead a 900% increase in vehicle delay, greatly impacting air quality and the overall quality of life for residents in San Antonio. One of the reasons for the expected increase in VMT is the limited use of alternative transportation. The 2015 American Community Survey showed that 79% of commuters in San Antonio drive to work alone. In order to reduce VMT and congestion, San Antonio needs to pursue options to decrease trip length, decrease trip frequency, and increase the use of alternative modes of transportation.
The opportunity to improve transportation through the SmartSA program, as well as other initiatives, involves maximizing existing assets, ensuring future transportation choices, and providing mobility as a service. The presentation will provide information on transportation concepts for each of these areas including:
• Maximizing Existing Assets: First mile/last mile solutions such as Vision Zero improvements, bike share, vanpool, and guaranteed ride home options;
• Ensuring Future Transportation Choices: Transit supportive land uses, mobility on Demand, car share, carpooling, autonomous vehicles, and smart parking;
• Providing Mobility as a Service: Multimodal trip planning with fare integration, open data, online services and telecommuting.
The underlying factor around each of these topics is a need to understand the different customers within the City’s transportation system and identify the barriers the customers face. Then, the City, working with partners such as VIA and B-cycle, can implement new technologies and policies that can better meet resident needs.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is an informational briefing and there are no alternatives associated with this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is an informational briefing and there is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an informational briefing for the Transportation Committee to discuss and provide input to City staff on the topics. There is no recommendation associated with this item.