SMRPC Transportation: Other Planning Projects
21 Bradeen Street, Suite 304, Springvale, ME 04083 - (207)324-2952 - (207)324-2958 (fax)
Rural Highway Issues
Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission has produced several reports communicating high profile local rural highway issues to Maine DOT. These studies have focused primarily on rural highway safety and mobility issues:
-A Review of the Existing Functional Classification of Changing Rural Highways in York County (2005). This document highlights 4 routes in York County that are currently local roads, but are beginning or already functioning more like collector roads.
-Low Cost, Short-Term Recommendations for Improving the Safety of High Crash Locations in Rural York County (2005). Provides profiles and potential mitigation opportunities for several high crash locations in York County.
-Intersections with Safety Concerns (2003). An analysis of several high crash location intersections in southeastern York County, and possible low cost mitigation opportunities to improve safety.
-Identification of Rural Intersections to Benefit from Installation of Intersection Collision Avoidance Warning Systems (ICAWS) (2003). A report written with funding from a Federal Highway Administration Grant Program to identify rural intersections appropriate for a sign technology that warns mainline drivers about vehicles approaching from side roads where there is poor sight distance.
Revision of Performance and Design Standards for Accesses and Streets in Maine's Model Subdivision Regulations (Draft)
In 2003-2004, SMRPC drafted new language for two sections in Maine's Model Subdivision Regulations regarding the performance and design standards for accesses and streets. The revision, which remains in draft form and under review, was an attempt to infuse smart growth principles into the existing Model Subdivision Regulations.
The Model Subdivision Regulations revision implements several fundamental changes to the former Model, including:
· An incorporation of Maine DOT's "Highway Driveway and Entrance Rules" and the "Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Traffic Movement Permits";
· A revision of Section 11.5, the performance standards section for traffic conditions in the Model Subdivision Regulations including new language dealing with Maine DOT permits, accommodation of pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to motor vehicle drivers, level of service impacts on external streets and intersections, and street construction standards that do not have an adverse impact on the natural environment.
· A revision of minimum standard guidelines for the geometric road design of subdivision streets based on the estimated traffic volume of the street and the land use type and lot density allowed in the municipal land use zoning ordinance;
· An incorporation of the minimum standards for gravel road design based on land use density, land use type, and estimated Average Daily Traffic; and
· New revised language on thresholds and design criteria for sidewalks, shoulder accommodations for bicyclists, curbing, and parking lanes.Contact: Julia Dawson
Transportation and Community Development
For several years, the SMRPC Transportation Division has offered technical assistance to communities in the SMRPC region in the process of developing transportation sections of their comprehensive plans. SMRPC helps communities assemble transportation inventories, create transportation maps, develop transportation goals, objectives, policies and strategies and integrate and coordinate transportation goals with other community goals. In 2005 SMRPC plans to work with selected towns to assist them in following up on implementation strategies previously identified in the transportation sections of their comprehensive plans. Towns that are intersted in receiving technical assistance are encouraged to contact SMRPC.
Contact: Julia Dawson
PACTS MPO
In 1975, the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation Committee (PACTS) was designated as the federally mandated "metropolitan planning organization" (MPO) for the Portland region. The federal government established these entities in all urbanized areas of the country to ensure that our transportation taxes are spent cost-effectively. The PACTS area expanded to include 15 communities after the 2000 U.S. Census: Biddeford, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, North Yarmouth, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Saco, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham and Yarmouth. With the expansion, SMRPC now provides staff support to the organization. SMRPC staff also participate actively on the MPO's Policy, Planning, Technical and Transit committees. To find out more about the PACTS MPO, click here.
SMRPC Contact: Tom Reinauer
