8.1 SR 10-18-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Support the Involvement of Transit and Other Mobility Service Providers The NorthStar Commuter Line is a 40-mile route offering service between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis with stops in Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids and Fridley. Elk River's station is located in the southeastern portion of the community at the intersection of Twin Lakes Road and 171st Lane. The facility features more than 750 parking stalls, including some available for overnight parking. Already facing recent ridership challenges, fallout from COVID-19 has raised concerns about the asset moving forward. Regardless of the status of NorthStar Commuter Line, the station location represents a mobility asset for Elk River that can be capitalized upon through the incorporation of a wide range of transportation modes. To resolve, "first -mile, last -mile" challenges, the city should consider utilizing micromobility strategies at the station. Options such as shared bikes, e-scooters, or taxi services could be offered at the hub as a way to connect transit users to their final destination. With large open spaces, the station could also be activated for more public uses such as markets or similar community gathering activities. Prepare for the use of Emerging Mobility Solutions Private sector technologies aimed at enhancing personal and business transportation options continue to reshape our environs. Innovations such as mobility service providers (Uber, Lyft, etc.) or even the prospect of fully autonomous vehicles have significantly altered the way people take trips in a very short time span. Rentable elec- tric devices, such as scooters and mopeds, are available in cities across the country. For a nominal fee, individuals can use these often dockless devices which can reach speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour. Unregulated, these devices can become a nuisance, cluttering sidewalks or public spaces creating risk for personal injuries/damage. MenoTransit Northstar Line Shared mobility options are most likely to succeed in areas that can take advantage of city trails and sidewalks, or where similar pedestrian -level amenities are available that make for convenient transitions from modes of travel (e.g. drop-off or pick-up of passengers, safe management of dockless devices) or connect to key community desti- nations where resources such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations can accessed. Elk River should explore the establishment of an initial set of key nodes and activity areas where multi -modal options can be promoted. Initial targets are downtown, City Hall, Elk River High School, and the NorthStar transit station. Facilities improvements could include features such as dedicated bike/scooter parking and EV charging stations and/or preferred parking. When Elk River is considering allowing the use of new micromobility options, the ability to address key perfor- mance indicators such as equity in service to underserved populations (poor or minority) and public safety should be critical components of a decision. As the Twin Cities gradually incorporates more micromobility providers into transportation systems, sufficient data should be available for Elk River to conduct a study of best practices. These technologies must continue to be monitored by city staff and elected officials as they can lead to issues requiring policy level action relatively quickly. Elk River should proactively create regulatory policies or have systems in place that allow a rapid response to managing new modes/systems of transportation that maybe intro- duced to the city. As an example, connected vehicles will be creating and relying upon vast amounts of real-time data to run effectively. Data management requirements for a connected vehicle system could be extraordinary. An evaluation of connected and autonomous vehicle mobility requirements should be conducted in order to prepare for potential infrastructure or policy level changes to smoothly transition into these modes of travel. 92 Transportation & Mobility Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan I01A-11aa9i1M0:LV/l: LVAN0101VA