Page 63 - TransportationPlanUsetsGuide

Objective 5�4 Encourage Travel Demand Management efforts to reduce total vehicle travel, and vehicle
travel during peak hours�
• Strategy 5.4.1 Develop and emphasize Travel Demand Management and reduction strategies
as mechanisms for reducing vehicle trips and shifting travel to off-peak periods.
• Strategy 5.4.2 Work with the Westside Transportation Alliance, major employers and business
groups to develop and implement demand management programs to work towards the mode
share targets adopted in this plan.
• Strategy 5.4.3 Explore Washington County’s role, with partners, in coordination and develop-
ment of Transportation Demand Management programs.

Accessibility
Accessibility provides the connection and integration between land use and transportation. The accessibility
goal and its related objectives and strategies, encourages Washington County to plan for equitable access
and a barrier free transportation system, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The transportation system should be designed to provide affordable and equitable access to travel choices
that serve the needs of people and businesses, including those with low income, children, the elderly and
people with disabilities. The transportation system is needed to provide access to and within all destinations,
with particular emphasis on providing access to destinations essential for daily needs.

Accessibility can be measured by the ability to reach desired goods, services, activities and destinations with
relative ease, and within reasonable timeframes and costs. Many factors may affect accessibility (or physical
access), including the quality, cost and affordability of transportation options, land use patterns, connectivity
of the transportation system and the degree of integration between travel modes. The accessibility of a par- ADOPTED TEXT
ticular location can be evaluated based on distances and travel options, and how well various modes serve
that location.

The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) calls for a measurement of “basic infrastructure.” This performance
target is measured by the number of essential destinations accessible within 30 minutes by trails, bicycling
and public transit or within 15 minutes by sidewalk. The RTP also calls for “access to daily needs” using the
same measurement methodology, but specifically measures transportation disadvantaged populations. The
RTP calls for monitoring of these performance targets to provide accountability. Decision makers can use this
information to adapt policies and investment strategies based on what is learned.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 affects a great deal of transportation infrastructure. Many
of the requirements have been implemented through the Uniform Building Code, which outlines the details of
designing and implementing appropriate features for people with disabilities. Washington County sidewalks
are now required to be implemented with curbcuts at intersections. As a component of ADA compliance, Tri-
Met operates a paratransit service called LIFT. Registered customers who have a disability or disabling health
condition that prevents independent use of TriMet buses and/or trains may use this shared-ride public trans-
portation service. TriMet’s stops, stations and vehicles have accessibility features that help make it easier for
people with disabilities to readily use TriMet.

Another form of accessibility is emergency response. Emergency response time for lifethreatening emergen-
cies is critical. Total response time for these events is measured in three elements:

PART 3: TRANSPORTATION MODAL ELEMENTS 51
Effective November 27, 2015 • Updated December, 15 2016