The benefits of modal diversity and alternative transportation.
When it comes to cars, we all know that the true value is freedom. Freedom to go anywhere, anytime, just you and the open road. That is, until your ride comes to a screeching halt. Suddenly, you’re swimming through a stagnant sea of vehicles with no end in sight. Stuck in traffic once again – but you don’t have to be. As cars remain an efficient method of transportation, alternative transportation methods are also rising in popularity. When communities invest in alternative transportation designs, even the most loyal car commuters can reap the benefits of the resulting reduced congestion, economic acceleration, and community development. Buckle up and keep reading to discover all the advantages of alternative transportation.
Curbing congestion. While there are many advantages to alternative transportation, one of the most noticeable is reduced traffic congestion. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 52 percent of trips are three miles or less, but when communities introduce buses, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, people no longer need to rely on their cars to make these quick trips. To put this in perspective, the average public bus lane can transport up to 8,000 passengers per hour (National Association of City Transportation Officials), meaning all those folks who would have been in traffic are saving both the time and effort of getting on the road! For those who are dedicated drivers, these options free up the roads, reducing time in traffic and making for a smoother commute.
For example, the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee saw 8,600 trips on its public bikeshare in March 2024? alone – that’s 8,600 fewer trips by car, meaning less congestion and better air quality. Putting an emphasis on forms of alternative transportation such as bike lanes and sidewalks – like Croy did when it worked with the City of Chattanooga on updates to its comprehensive plan – will give people the freedom to choose the mode that best suits their needs.
Economic benefits. Not only do alternative transportation methods alleviate congestion for drivers, but they boost the economy in the process too. From a short-term perspective, these investments create a plethora of job opportunities. As more bus and bicycle lanes are approved, the need for people to build these lanes inevitably increases. Once completed, opportunities arise for maintenance crews, bus drivers, mechanics, and more. Even on the more corporate end of the job spectrum, these efforts necessitate positions like project management and administration. The bottom line: investing in alternative transportation methods catalyzes job creation across various fields.
Zooming out, the bigger picture reveals an even more critical component – access to the local economy. Many people don’t always have a reliable form of transportation, and without this, they are greatly restricted to jobs and resources. In creating alternative methods, these barriers to access fall away. Another considerable factor is that these alternatives not only improve commutes, but they allow for drivers to have a reliable back-up plan if road closures or car troubles stand in the way of getting to work. Ultimately, alternative transportation options provide people with more than one reliable option for commuting each day.
In addition to area residents, tourist-heavy cities and towns can also benefit from transportation alternatives. With the incorporation of bus and pedestrian/cyclist access, visitors don’t have to rely solely on a car to explore the area.
Again, the City of Chattanooga, in partnership with Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), have made several moves to support their economy through alternative transportation options. Chattanooga is currently conducting a walkability study to improve pedestrian traffic downtown, and they worked with Croy to identify critical corridors across the city where transportation alternatives could be best utilized to create a complete and connected bike network. Why does this matter? Research suggests that people who walk and bike frequent food and retail establishments more often and spend more money than those who drive.
CARTA has also begun to revamp both downtown parking management and its downtown and Northshore electric shuttles in order to allow commuters and tourists to “park once, go anywhere” downtown. This move will connect the densest population area in the City to a robust mix of transportation alternative choices for those who work, play, or live downtown.
Community connectivity. With reduced congestion and economic stimulation comes community connectivity. In the day and age of digital dominance, connecting with one’s community becomes even more essential for an area to thrive. Transportation alternatives create access to community resources equitable for everyone. They establish a sense of place in these areas, accommodating both vehicles and pedestrians.
One of Croy’s projects that demonstrates this initiative is our work on Windy Hill Boulevard in the City of Smyrna, Georgia. The ever-busy thoroughfare is flanked by multiple businesses, restaurants, and shops that were not easily accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. With this in mind, we knew this area needed a complete transformation. Our team incorporated several community-boosting elements, including four express lanes to provide mobility for through traffic and one-lane frontage roads in each direction to accommodate local traffic; improved pedestrian crossings; bicycle lanes; and pedestrian trails. The project also includes two bridges strategically placed, allowing local vehicles and pedestrians to safely cross the express lanes.
Also included on these bridges are two pedestrian-friendly roundabouts with seating areas so that those who choose to walk or bike can safely take a break. Additionally, Croy worked alongside the local public transportation agency, CobbLinc, to accommodate bus routes and ensure that the roadway is accessible to all. Now nearing completion, Windy Hill Boulevard is delivering numerous benefits to the community, including:
- Enhanced safety by separating local residential and pedestrian traffic from commuter traffic.
- New redevelopment opportunities along the corridor, thanks to a safer, more attractive, pedestrian-friendly environment.
- Improved mobility and reduced congestion for commuters.
- Safer pedestrian crossings, with single-lane crossings instead of multi-lane, enhancing student safety at the nearby high school.
- Protected bus stops for elementary and middle school students along the frontage roads.
- Better pedestrian connections to CobbLinc along the corridor.
- Improved connectivity between neighborhoods north of Windy Hill Road and key city destinations to the south, including parks, schools, and local amenities.
This award-winning project not only addresses current infrastructure needs, but also creates lasting improvements for everyone in the community no matter if they are a daily driver or prefer pedestrian/cyclist routes.
The advantages of alternatives. While cars are here to stay and continue to impact improvements in infrastructure design and traffic engineering, the future of transportation looks bright for alternatives as well. From reducing traffic to boosting economies to strengthening communities, alternative transportation has the power to truly transform areas and make several positive, long-lasting impacts along the way. The vision is more than just a few added bus lanes here and there. It’s bigger than that. It’s an investment in equity and access for everyone to get to where they need to be, without limitations.
With alternative transportation, you still have the freedom to go places – you just now have plenty of reliable options to choose from for how you’ll get there.
Ethan Greene, AICP serves as a senior planner at Croy’s Chattanooga, Tenn. office. He can be reached at egreene@croyeng.com.