By Joanne Shelly, Urban Design/Landscape Architect, City of Dublin
As an Urban Designer/Landscape Architect for the City of Dublin, my job is to provide informed analysis and perspective regarding the design of community open spaces and the built environment. My focus on mobility is in support of the ongoing growth and investment in infrastructure and technology occurring in Dublin. The City provides a high level of services and amenities to the community, and I am tasked with ensuring that everyone who lives, works or visits Dublin has access to those amenities.
Communities across the region are being reshaped due to land use changes and rapid developments in mobility trends, and Dublin is no exception. What sets us apart is how we are addressing those changes. Dublin is studying ways to innovate in the area of mobility. The goal is to provide our increasingly diverse community access to a range of transportation options and allow the user to choose the mode that is most appropriate for their need and destination.
Earlier this year, we held Mobility Study Stakeholder Workshops to engage stakeholders in a dialogue about transportation options in Dublin. We asked them to rank a series of objectives, identify most frequently traveled routes and indicate preferences for mode of travel.
Stakeholders included residents, seniors, students, employers, employees, educators, business leaders and transportation providers. For those who could not attend, we brought an abbreviated focus forum to them. We also engaged the community through an online survey and interactive GIS mapping. We have reached more community members by using a variety of engagement techniques both in-person and online.
Through this initial study we found that respondents are primarily interested in the City providing additional alternative modes of transportation. We also found specific synergies between our senior residents, our employee base, school students and business visitors. Developers, employers and our neighborhood residents were most interested in a Complete Streets Policy. Phase 2 of the study provides options and details to City Council for consideration regarding implementation.
Dublin is also actively researching the opportunities associated with connected and autonomous vehicles. USDOT awarded a grant to the collaborative partnership made up of the City of Dublin, the City of Marysville and Union County for the 33 Smart Corridor. The grant will fund the extension of the Dublink fiber optic network to Marysville and installation of connected vehicle transmitters. Some controlled testing of commercial vehicles is already underway.
The City recognizes that a range of mobility options is the optimal strategy to retain and enhance the existing community while attracting new residents, businesses and visitors. Harnessing technology, will allow Dublin to make this commitment. As the Mobility Study and Smart Corridor studies are ongoing the community is always welcome to engage in a conversation with our team.
