Durham jackson

Transportation Manifestation a study of transporation, environmental justice, gentrification and the future of transit in east durham

east durham is definied by it’s rich history of culture and perserverance. this community is facing all the pressures of downtown development - displacement due to income levels (gentrification), a changing population, rising property values because of proximity, and is the center of crime in the city of durham, north carolina. transportation manifestion is a project that seeks to understand the transit system in east durham while considering the social issues at hand in the community. This research is intended and anticipated to provide analytical transit information that can inform the public, the city, and future design decisions to help promote a positive community in east durham, north carolina in the future.

produced by

Ken Jackson

North Carolina Piedmont Context

Durham, NC

Tobacco Road Duke University

Chapel Hill, NC university of north carolina

Research Triangle Park (R.T.P.) High-tech Research and Development Center with over 200 Companies

Raleigh, NC

State Capital North Carolina State University Tect INdustry

Durham, N.C. 1916

Historical Context Of East Durham, North Carolina east durham has been a resilient community that has withstood the pressure of downtown development to the west, rising costs of the housing market throughout the area, and the new population growth in the triangle area. These maps show the development of east durham over time, starting as a mill village and evolving into a culturally diverse and rich neighborhood with beautiful street patterns and landmarks that celebrate it’s rich heritage.

Durham, N.C. 1960’s

Network of East Durham thoroughfare character

Network of East Durham Existing Sidewalks

Plan view of East Durham has been tilted to better study the space’s character

Analysis east durham’s organic street development over centuries has created a plethora of chances for positive street environments. The current sidewalks and sidewalk conditions must be improved to create pedestrian thoroughfares that can be used for commuting, play, and creates a safe environment for all users.

Network of East Durham Parks and Trails

Network of East Durham Education Plan view of East Durham has been tilted to better study the space’s character

Analysis East Durham offers some access to green space. Most trails indicated are along major roads and should not be considered trails for recreation. East Durham park is the only green space indentified that is not on an educational campus.

Current Network of transit in east durham

All-Transit ranks east durham a 4.9 out of 10 on an overall transit score that considers connectivity, access to jobs, and frequency of services

All-Transit ranks east durham an 8 out of 100 on the connectivity scale that considers the number of public transit stations within walking distance to households

Future Transportation Changes

Light rail has been introduced in durham with the intended goal to connect to local health networks, a main driver in the local economy. The light rail will have an accessible stop walking distance from our site, on the west side of alston avenue. ALong with these changes in transit are changes in infrastructure that will directly affect the normalcy in east durham.

Alston avenue, a main thoroughfare running north and south (indicated by the bold black line transecting the map), is to be widened from 2 lanes into 4 lanes with a turning lane and median separating the two directions of traffic.

Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project Overview

downtown durham experience

east durham study site

alston avenue experience

light rail construction is to be completed in 2026 and introduced to the durham population.

New and enhanced bus services are to be introduced along with the light rail system, increasing connectivity throughout the area and to the rail transit stations.

Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Draft Section 4(f) evaluation

Purpose of the Project The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a high-capacity transit service within the D-O Corridor, between Chapel Hill and Durham, along the NC 54, I-40, US 15-501, Erwin Road, and NC 147 Transportation corridors, that improves mobility, increases connectivity through expanding transit options, and supports future development plans

On a daily basis, walk and bicycle access was forecasted to account for more than half of the total ridership, with the remaining split between drive access and bus transfers (Figure 3.1-3).

Figure 3.1-3: 2040 Daily Ridership Forecasts by Modes of Access

Source: GoTriangle

Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Draft Section 4(f) evaluation

Figure 1.3-4: Projected 2040 D-O Corridor Travel patterns

Source: GoTriangle

According to the Projected travel patterns, there will be 57,000 trips taken daily by downtown durham riders.

This includes our East durham site.

Walk and Bicycle Access is to account for 53%-54% of these daily trips.

Thus, there will be 28,500 trips to the light rail station by either walking or biking in downtown Durham, including the East Durham focus area.

Source: GoTriangle

How do we plan plan to accomidate East Durham riders who walk and bike to the light rail stations in 2040?

How do we plan plan to accomidate East Durham riders who walk and bike to the light rail stations in 2040?

To design for East Durham an understanding of the citizens and it’s character is neccessary Environmental Justice (EJ)

Source: GoTriangle

Source: GoTriangle

2010 CENSUS TRACTS IN EAST DURHAM FOR ANALYSIS 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

How do we plan to accomidate East Durham riders who walk and bike to the light rail stations in 2040?

Based on research, the citizens of East Durham will need to be

accomidated and attracted

to walk and bike to light rail stations in 2040.

Design Suggestions Link existing neighborhood nodes with pedestrian and bike friendly streets downtown east durham, community centers, schools, parks and churches.

Reconsider the widening of alston avenue to include walkable and bikeable streets, contrary to the original vehicular centric proposed plan.

Work with city to establish a green trail along railroad, connecting east durham to downtown durham on a short, enjoyable route.

Placemaking of new community areas Markets of fresh food and art, central hubs for cultral events Create resilient streets in east durham, connecting it’s citizens with green avenues that exceed today’s standards of water treatment, setting a precedent for the area.

Outcomes physical activity - decreased obesity rate presence of people on streets increased road saftey social connectiveness increased neighborhood commerce understanding of simple ecological ideas stormwater management increased water quality lower crime engagment among citizens historical preservation cultural preservation perceived saftey job creation increased neighborhood investment Reduction of sewer overflow positive perception of east durham

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK FROM EAST DURHAM CENSUS TRACT (2010) 1

% walking

% bicycle

% PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

5.27%

0%

26.2%

0%

0%

12.8%

0%

0%

4.6%

2

3

4

5

*only 1/18th of census tract number 4 is included in our study area

6.15%

2.49%

27.7%

0%

0%

12.4%

0%

0%

17.9%

0%

0%

11.8%

6

7