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 18, 2017, the Office of Innovation provided a presentation to the Transportation Committee on first mile/last mile and other transportation concepts. The presentation also discussed the challenges and opportunities around the issue of transportation in San Antonio. Since that time, the Office of Innovation has engaged with outside partners on an application for the Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge Application related to the topic of transportation. This item will be a continuation of the discussion from the previous Transportation Committee meeting while also providing information on the Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge submission.
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. According to the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) travel demand model, 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.
In June 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the 2017 Bloomberg Mayors Challenge to provide 35 cities $100,000 to implement a pilot program addressing a major challenge facing cities today. Additionally, one grand prize city will receive $5 million and four runner-up cities will receive $1 million each to bring their ideas to life. The Office of Innovation has been working on the application for the Challenge, with the topic of transportation as the core challenge. The Office of Innovation has engaged multiple City Departments and outside agencies to discuss potential problems and innovative ideas. This presentation will discuss the proposed application.
ISSUE:
This item will be a continuation of the discussion from the previous Transportation Committee meeting while also providing information on the Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge submission.
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.