This measure will reduce vehicle miles driven by creating a more comfortable and safer experience for pedestrians and cyclists. The County will implement multi-modal enhancements as part of a “Complete Streets” approach. 

In October 2018, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Active Transportation Plan, General Plan Mobility Element amendment, and Complete Streets Policy (Board Policy J-38). These plans and policies ensure that people of all ages and abilities have opportunities to be active and safe when they travel or move about their community.

As part of road resurfacing projects funded by the increased gas tax generated by Senate Bill (SB) 1, this measure implements multi-modal enhancements to improve pedestrian comfort on road way segments, including improvements on intersections and bikeways. Specific improvements may include: curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), marked crosswalks, countdown signal timers, curb extensions, speed tables, speed humps, raised crosswalks, raised intersections, median islands, tight corner radii, mini-circles, on-street parking, reduced travel lane widths, planter strips with street trees, chicanes/chokers, bike lanes, cycle tracks, and protected bikeways.

So far, this measure has resulted in 345 miles of new bike lanes and 214 intersection improvements to create safe spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Unincorporated San Diego county encompasses approximately 2.3 million acres or 3,570 square miles with a 2016 population of 492,491. Improvements in number of intersections and street improvements measured in centerline miles will be tracked as projects are initiated after 2020. This measure will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 604 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030. Emissions reductions specifically from this measure occur by supporting an environment where residents can choose to make short trips through biking or walking instead of driving in their personal vehicles.

This measure along with transportation demand management (T-2.2) and shared and reduced parking (T-2.4) reduce miles traveled by vehicle. A transportation demand management program can include requirements or incentives for developers to incorporate facilities and programs into new developments that support biking, walking, taking transit, and reduce driving alone. Shared and reduced parking requirements allow parking to be shared more efficiently thereby placing less emphasis on providing accommodations for automobiles; thereby making workplaces and commercial areas more friendly and comfortable for people using transit, traveling by foot, or biking. Walking, biking, or riding a scooter instead of driving a vehicle improves air quality, improves physical and mental health by increasing energy, while decreasing blood pressure and stress. Avoiding driving can also reduce costs associated with owning a vehicle such as refueling, maintenance and insurance expenses.