SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE
2 0 1 4
Activating SunRail in Win ter Par k, Flor ida SUNRAIL TRAIL
BIKE SHARE
Designing a rail trail for better bikeway access and connectivity in the city.
Researching
IN WINTER PARK effectiveness
of bike share for Rollins and Winter Park mobility.
DENNING DRIVE
NEW GATEWAY
SUSTAINABLE SYNERGY
Proposing a complete street to add safety and promote health on Denning.
Implementing new Rollins entrance to strengthen connection to Winter Park.
Suggestions to keep focus on sustainable character & environment by SunRail.
This booklet was produced in collaboration by the efforts and research of Rollins students.
Under the primary
supervision of Dr. Bruce Stephenson, the key student contributors are as follows: Nadine Avola, Taylor Brock, Trevor Fraser, Erin Josephitis, Kathleen Shannon, and Geovanna Torres.
Copyright Š 2014 by Rollins College. All rights reserved. This booklet or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the director except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Rollins College 1000 Holt Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789
CONTENTS Introduction ! !
4-5
Bruce Stephenson Richard Foglesong
SunRail Trail ! !
6-9
Kathleen Shannon Geovanna Torres
W.P. Bike Share!
10-11
Hana Feldman Caitlyn Glatting Jenny Salchunas Kathleen Shannon
Denning Drive !!
12-15
Nadine Avola Kathleen Shannon
Interlachen Gateway ! 16-19 Taylor Brock Trevor Fraser
Suggestions ! !
20-25
Erin Josephitis Courtney Banker
Sources !
Rollins’ newest entrance from Interlachen Ave.
!
27
SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE: Activating SunRail in Winter Park, Florida Introduction Over the past 60 years, Central Florida has been one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, with population accelerating from less than 300,000 in 1950 to nearly 3.2 million in 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau). The region accommodated the
unprecedented population growth over energy use, and over-reliance on cars the last half of the 20th century by
for transportation. Fewer than half of
developing in a sprawling, low-density
the region’s residents lived within cities
pattern. The costs of this pattern are
in 2007, a share that has declined
evident: rapid conversion of open
since 2000. The region’s transportation
space to build more houses, loss of
investments have reinforced this
agricultural land, encroachment on
sprawling pattern but have not been
sensitive environmental areas,
kept pace with the growth in demand.
significant increases in water and
Vehicle-miles traveled more than
Rollins Graduation down Interlachen
WinterPark, FL
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Rollins Colllege
“Over 90 percent of regional trips use automobiles, with public transit accounting for 1.4 percent in 2008.” doubled between 1990 and 2008,
systems built in Salt Lake
while total road mileage has increased
City, Charlotte, Minneapolis,
about 25 percent. The public
Nashville, Austin and
transportation alternative today usually Phoenix. Central to each means spending hours on a bus and
city was developing
making connections to use the transit
strategies to (1) activate the
system. This is particularly true for
potential for transit-oriented
low-income populations making trips
development; 2) improve
between affordable housing
connectivity to other
opportunities and lower-wage jobs.
(alternative) transportation
Over 90 percent of regional trips use
modes; and 3) attract ridership.
automobiles, with public transit
The key to these strategies was
accounting for 1.4 percent in 2008.
aligning stakeholders to foster the
The result has been a continued
utilization of rail systems. From this
degrading of travel time and safety. In
research, Dr. Foglesong organized a
fact, the Orlando-Kissimmee
working group drawn from
metropolitan statistical area has been
representatives of the Winter Park
ranked as the nation’s most dangerous Chamber of Commerce, Winter Park area for pedestrians. Using SunRail
Health Foundation, the City of Winter
will require a rethinking of the region’s
Park, and Re-Think, an affiliate of the
auto-oriented culture. It is essential to
Florida Department of Transportation
develop a strategy to utilize SunRail
to activate SunRail. Their efforts to
and set a foundation for sustainable
identify the barriers to ridership and
growth, and Winter Park, a historic
actionable “next steps” will be
transit-oriented community, will serve
presented January 30, 2014 in a
as a model for such efforts.
Campus-Community Conversation at
Projects
The Alfond Inn.
Under the direction of Dr. Richard Foglesong, Professor of Political Science, Rollins students concluded a preliminary study on the rail passenger
Dr. Bruce Stephenson has helped coordinate a series of projects to activate SunRail and spark a sustainable synergy between Rollins and Winter Park.
[5]
Dr. Bruce Stephenson, Director of MPCU
ROLLINS COLLEGE
1000 Holt Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789 bstephenson@rollins.edu 407-646-1587
PROJECTS The SunRail Bike Trail Bike Share Programs for Winter Park A Gateway Connection Making Denning Drive a Model Complete Street 15 Suggestions to Accelerate Sustainability at Rollins by Accessing SunRail
S
U
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R
A
I
L
T R A I L
Project Goals: • Create a wellvetted and safe network • Connect to schools, culture, commerce, & parks • Provide bike access for all ages.
An efficient, healthy bike network expanding the length of SunRail
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP According to The City of Winter Park Green Resolution, it recognizes
accessibility for all users of roads, trails, and transit systems.
enable the City of Winter Park to become a complete street leader in
the importance of environmental
Pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders,
Florida and the nation.
stewardship that enhances local and national energy and protection of
motorists, commercial and emergency vehicles included. In the
natural resources. Florida Green Building Coalition’s “Green Local
development of these accommodations, the best standards
Government Standard,” focuses on
and design will be used.
municipal performance improvements through cleaner energy and
In August 2011, Public Works Director implemented “Complete
environment as steps towards improving and advancing
Streets Policy” in the city’s transportation plan. Assessing the
environmental quality and energy
impact of complete streets including:
security. The City of Winter Park and The
linear feet of sidewalks, pedestrian accommodation through mid-block
Green Resolution affirm the implementation of complete streets
crossing and refuge islands, crosswalks, curb extensions, miles of street bike
that are designed to operate and
lanes, routes and off-road multi-use trails.
assure safety, comfort and
Implementing these actions will
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A SISTER LOGO A logo concept to help market the SunRail Trail to show partnership between the bikeway and SunRail tracks.
TRAIL 路 TRACKS 路 TERMINALS 1 Covered Bike Parking
2
3
4
5
Bike Locker Facilities & Concessions
Morse Complete Street
Bike Share Facilities
SunRail Station
3 1
5 4
2
1
COVERED BIKE PARKING Sheltered racks provide an even higher quality of shortterm parking. Shelters offer weather protection and can help protect bicycles from accidental damage by providing greater separation from a sidewalk or parking area.
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2
LOCKER FA C I L I T I E S Bicycle lockers are weatherprotected, enclosed and operated by a controlled access system. On average, two standard car parking spaces can accommodate 10 individual bicycle lockers.
TREK STOP CONVENIENCE CENTER
LOCKERS
Convenient bike facilities will offer cyclists a place to rest, reboot, and revitalize. Bike locker facilities and concessions at the Winter Park SunRail Station would offer cyclists an array of
restrooms, and shower stalls that would be available with membership. Other aspects of these rest stops encompass
conveniences. Trek Stop centers provide on-the-go
secure bicycle parking, bicycle repairs, rentals, bicycle and
vending products; information, maps, and advertising; and light maintenance capabilities with compressed air, water,
segway sharing programs, guided tours, education and encouragement programs, and commuter retail products
and shelter. The facilities would also include lockers,
such as water bottles, helmets, and ponchos.
3
MORSE COMPLETE STREET A road diet on Morse will create a more communal atmosphere, encouraging pedestrian activity.
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4
5
BIKE SHARE
S U N R A I L S TAT I O N
Below are renderings of the Winter Park SunRail Station with Orlando Bike Share implemented into its site plan. The proximity of Bike Share would promote ridership.
Bicycle sharing system is a service in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a very short-term basis. The main purpose is transportation: bike share allows people to depart from point "A"
SunRail coming May 2014!
and arrive at point "B" free from the worries of bike ownership. Bike-share has seen explosive, global growth over recent years. In May 2011 there were around 375 bike share programs. As of April 2013 there were around 535. These figures show a doubling in bike share programs in just two years. Many bike-share systems offer inexpensive shortterm subscriptions, encouraging casual riding over several hours or days. The reasons people use bike-share vary considerably. (See Sources)
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