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<br />. <br /> <br />) <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />> As the average age of residents of the state and some <br />parts of Sherburne County continues to rise, the needs for <br />transportation will grow. An aging population will grow <br />more dependent upon public modes of transportation to get <br />to medical facilities, shopping, social and cultural <br />events, and to visit family or friends. There is a <br />definitive gap in options during weekends and evenings. <br />These factors affect the quality of life for elderly <br />residents. <br /> <br />> Modes of safe and viable transportation are not available <br />for children and youth in the Elk River area. A city with <br />its residential neighborhoods so geographically spread out <br />does not permit all youth access to parks, summer <br />recreation opportunities and wholesome activities within <br />the community. <br /> <br />> There is misinformation or no knowledge at all about <br />several of the local options. For example, many <br />people believe the Heartland Express provides service <br />only to the elderly, low-income, or the mentally and <br />physically challenged. In fact, the service is <br />available to everyone. <br /> <br />> Coordination of the various services available is <br />insufficient to create true efficiency or effectiveness. <br /> <br />Analysis <br /> <br />> Marketing and promotion of available services have not <br />been effective in reaching the general population. This <br />has led to the misperceptions about who can use current <br />public facilities. These misperceptions may have <br />contributed to a lack of needed support and funding to <br />make the services efficient and effective. <br /> <br />> New options have not been adequately researched, or even <br />identified. Since gaps in service have been identified, <br />the opportunity for research into, and analysis of, <br />additional options has presented itself. <br /> <br />> Land use planning, placement of parks and recreation <br />fields, siting for industrial and business parks, etc. <br />are vital factors in long-range traffic volume planning. <br />Congestion is often a result of inadequate involvement <br />of all components in "people moving" when planning for <br />land use and development. <br /> <br />3 <br />