Title
Discuss Transportation Performance Metrics Overview and Work Scope (Discussion)
Body
Summary
The City is beginning a comprehensive review of its existing transportation performance measures, metrics and targets; and identifying the need for additional metrics and targets, in order to track the effectiveness of transportation investments over time and to set targets to work towards. These metrics and targets will align with the four goals in the City’s General Plan Mobility Element. The City will hire a transportation consultant to support this effort. The attached Exhibit 1 presents an overview of this effort, discussion questions for the Transportation Commission, and the proposed consultant tasks.
Background
The City’s General Plan, adopted in 2021, includes the performance action: “Systemwide Monitoring. Provide comprehensive citywide monitoring of the transportation system for all modes to be included in the Annual Report on Transportation.” [ME-19.c.] The City has been publishing a Transportation Report annually which includes a “Performance Measures” section, with reporting on over 20 different measures in the 2022 report (see Exhibit 2). (The full 2022 report can be found under “Key Documents” on the City’s transportation web page, here: www.alamedaca.gov/transportation <http://www.alamedaca.gov/transportation>.) As stated in the Performance Measure section: “The City of Alameda aims to make data-driven decisions when setting transportation priorities, and uses this information as a type of performance metrics to help evaluate actions taken so as to better understand how to proceed in the future.”
Three City planning documents contain transportation performance measures, metrics and/or targets: the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, the Vision Zero Action Plan and the Active Transportation Plan. In 2022, the first annual Vision Zero Annual Report was published, with reporting on the Plan’s performance measures (see Exhibit 3).
Discussion
Exhibit 1 provides an overview and context for this performance metrics effort, along with questions on which staff would like input from the Transportation Commission. This document provides background on work done to date and underway, recommends ways to expand upon the work already done or planned, and frames questions for the Transportation Commission on how to scope this effort. After incorporating the Commission’s input, the City will hire a consultant to support this effort. A list of key consultant tasks is included at the end of the document.
Any effort to establish City transportation metrics and targets must acknowledge that there are far more factors than just City investments that influence travel behavior. This includes investments by other agencies, such as transit and funding agencies. It also includes the location of jobs, housing and schools; the economy; development patterns outside the City’s control; the location and operation of freeways and highways; and global events like pandemics. The City acknowledges it plays an important role, but its work alone cannot create the change we may want.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact for this informational item. Staff will engage a consultant to develop for this performance measure and data collection work, but a budget has not yet been determined.
Municipal Code/Policy Document Cross Reference
The City’s General Plan (2021) includes this objective: “Systemwide Monitoring. Provide comprehensive citywide monitoring of the transportation system for all modes to be included in the Annual Report on Transportation.” [ME-19.c.]
Environmental Review
There is no environmental impact for this information item.
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Transportation Commission provide input on the overview document and work scope, including providing feedback on the questions in the document.
Respectfully submitted by,
Rochelle Wheeler,
Senior Transportation Coordinator
Exhibits
1. Transportation Performance Metrics: Overview, Questions and Draft Consultant Work Tasks
2. Performance Measures section of 2022 Transportation Annual Report
3. Performance Measures section of 2022 Vision Zero Annual Report