Circulation

The City of Salinas provides a regional transportation hub for the Monterey Bay area. Regional vehicular transportation is provided by Highways 101, 68, and 183, which traverse the community. Regional rail and air transportation is available through the Union Pacific railroad and the Salinas Municipal Airport. Established public transit services, provided through the Monterey-Salinas Transit agency, provide alternative transportation opportunities for commuters and residents of the community. An extensive bicycle and pedestrian system also provides an alternative option for travel within the City.

The Circulation Element guides the continued development and improvement of the circulation system to support existing and planned development, while the Land Use Element identifies the City’s planned development pattern. The development of additional land in the future will increase the demand for local and regional roadway improvements and construction. The Circulation Element establishes acceptable roadway service levels and identifies improvements required to maintain the service levels. The use of other modes of transportation such as transit, walking, and bicycling is promoted to reduce the demand for transportation system improvements and to improve air quality. The transit, pedestrian, and bicycling systems will also be used to connect the various activities centers identified in the Land Use Element and promote a transit-friendly community.

The purpose of the Circulation Element is to provide a safe, efficient, and adequate circulation system for the City. State planning law requires:

“….a circulation element consisting of the general location for proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element plan.”

To meet this purpose, the Circulation Element addresses the circulation improvements needed to provide adequate capacity for future land uses. The Element establishes a hierarchy of transportation routes with typical development standards described for each roadway category.

Scope and Content of the Circulation Element

The state General Plan Guidelines recommend that the circulation policies and plans should:

Ø Coordinate the transportation and circulation system with planned land uses;

Ø Promote the safe and efficient transport of goods and the safe and effective movement of all segments of the population;

Ø Make efficient use of existing transportation facilities; and

Ø Protect environmental quality and promote the wise and equitable use of economic and natural resources.

The Guidelines indicate that the Circulation Element should address all facets of circulation including streets and highways, transportation corridors, public transit, railroads, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and commercial, general, and military airports. The Salinas Circulation Element fulfills state requirements with a plan to provide effective circulation facilities supporting desired community development. Along with circulation, public utilities must be addressed in the General Plan. Instead of addressing utilities within the Circulation Element, the Salinas General Plan contains a public services and facilities section in the Land Use Element that discusses the provision of utilities and public services/facilities.

This element contains goals, policies, and implementation programs to improve overall circulation in Salinas. For vehicular transportation, a hierarchical roadway network is established with designated roadway types and design standards. The roadway type is linked to anticipated traffic levels, and acceptable levels of service are established to determine when capacity improvements are necessary. Because local circulation is linked with the regional system, the element also focuses on participation in regional programs to alleviate traffic congestion and construct capacity improvements. Alternative transportation modes are also emphasized in this element to reduce dependency on the automobile and thereby improve environmental quality.

Related Plans and Programs

The Circulation Element consists of four sections: 1) Introduction; 2) Issues, Goals, and Policies; 3) the Circulation Plan; and 4) Implementation Programs. In the Issues, Goals, and Policies section, major issues pertaining to the transportation system are identified, and
related goals and policies are established. The goals are overall statements of the City desires and include broad statements of purpose and direction. The policies serve as guides for planning circulation improvements to accommodate anticipated population growth, maintain acceptable service levels while development occurs, coordinate with local and regional jurisdictions to phase regional transportation facilities, and promote alternative transportation modes. The Circulation Plan explains how the goals and policies will be achieved and implemented. Specific implementation programs are included in the Implementation Programs section.

Several transportation plans prepared by the City and other county and regional agencies focus on the local and regional transportation system. Strategies to handle anticipated traffic levels from future development are discussed. Other plans have also been prepared to locate future routes for bicycle facilities and airport operations. Plans and programs related to the Circulation Element include the following:

Salinas Bikeways Plan

The Salinas Bikeways Plan includes goals and actions along with maps identifying the City’s existing and proposed bikeways, bike parking facilities, bike support facilities, routes for buses with bike racks, and the design requirements for those facilities. The proposed bicycle network will provide nearly 85 miles of routes at buildout, and when completed in 2010, will connect every neighborhood to the downtown, and to employment, shopping, cultural, educational, and recreational facilities. While drafting this plan, the General Bikeways Plan for Monterey County, and the California Department of Transportation Bikeway Planning and Design guidelines were consulted.

Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) is responsible for the preparation of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for Monterey County. The RTP’s purpose is to provide policy guidance, plans, and programs for the next twenty years to attain a balanced comprehensive, multimodal transportation system; propose solutions to transportation issues; consider all modes of travel; and identify anticipated funding for projects and programs. The RTP addresses special factors affecting the transportation system, such as air quality, land use, special transportation needs and multimodal integration. The Circulation Plan for Salinas has been designed to meld in to this regional transportation system.

Congestion Management Plan (CMP)

TAMC is also responsible for the preparation of the County Congestion Management Plan (CMP), as required by state law. The CMP represents an effort to manage traffic congestion by coordinating transportation, land use, and air quality in Monterey County. An important aspect of the CMP is the monitoring that measures traffic on county roadways and develops plans to relieve congestion. The CMP encourages each city and the County to address the regional transportation issues related to land use decisions with the goal to mitigate the traffic impacts associated with proposed development. This Circulation Element works to foster a regional cooperation to address issues related to traffic and congestion.

Monterey Bay Air Quality Management Plan

The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, through its Air Quality Management Plan, includes transportation control measures that are either implemented by transportation planning agencies through the regional transportation planning process or by cities and counties on a voluntary basis. The Circulation Element supports the implementation of the Transportation Control Measures contained in the plan.

Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan

The Salinas Municipal Airport is subject to the Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan 1990-2010. This plan addresses the need for aviation service to serve Salinas and the surrounding area. Future facility improvements are identified in the plan to meet future demand. The master plan is updated periodically and the General Plan reviewed for consistency with the revised Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan. Funding has been approved to update the Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan in 2002/2003.

Relationship to

Other General Plan Elements

Monterey-Salinas Transit Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP)

The Monterey-Salinas Transit Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) is Monterey-Salinas Transit’s primary planning document for public transit. The plan describes public transit’s role in the community, including its achievements, services operated, solution strategies, and financial plans. The Circulation Element supports the transit agency’s transit goals within the plan.

Monterey-Salinas Transit Designing for Transit

The Designing for Transit manual was created to help policy makers, city administrators, planners, engineers, and developers understand how to design projects which support transit use. The manual is being updated in conjunction with the Salinas General Plan.

According to State planning law, the Circulation Element must be independent, but consistent with the other General Plan elements. All elements of the General Plan are interrelated to a degree, and certain goals and policies of one element may also address issues that are the primary subjects of other elements. The integration of overlapping issues throughout the General Plan elements provides a strong basis for implementation of plans and programs, and achievement of community goals. The Circulation Element relates most closely to the Land Use and Conservation/Open Space Elements.

The Land Use and Circulation Elements are inextricably linked. The planned development identified in the Land Use Element is the basis for determining future roadway improvements. The circulation policies and plans ensure that existing transportation facilities will be improved and new facilities will be constructed to adequately serve traffic generated by planned development. An efficient circulation system is a critical factor for diversifying and expanding local economic activities. In addition, the Circulation Element promotes alternative transportation modes to minimize the impacts of planned local development on regional facilities.

The Circulation Element provides for a system that accommodates bicycles and pedestrians. Trails for these uses will connect with recreational areas and support the City recreational goals identified in the Conservation/Open Space Element. In addition, by promoting public transit, the Circulation Plan will help achieve the air quality goals contained in the Conservation/Open Space Element.

Issues, Goals and Policies

Salinas has a circulation system that includes vehicular, public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian components. A comprehensive system is created by the connection of this local system with a larger regional circulation system. Safe and convenient circulation system operation is needed to support a variety of land uses in the community.

Five major issues are addressed by the goals, policies, and plans of the Circulation Element. These major issues include: 1) providing a suitable system of city roadways; 2) supporting regional transportation facilities; 3) providing an advanced public transportation network; 4) ensuring an extensive public bicycle network; as well as 5) ensuring an extensive and safe pedestrian system.

Roadway System Circulation

Safe and convenient access to activities in the community can be provided by a well-designed local roadway system. As new development occurs within the City, the existing roadway system will become more congested, negatively impacting the community. To allow new development to occur without negatively affecting the existing community, roadway system improvements will be required, including provision of new roadways and improvement of existing roadways. Other programs to reduce the amount of vehicle traffic, such as car-pooling, will also help to reduce congestion, while allowing people to travel in cars. The following goals and policies are designed to ensure that an adequate transportation system is provided.

Goal C-1: Provide and maintain a circulation system that meets the current and future needs of the community.

Policy C-1.1: Create and preserve distinct, identifiable neighborhoods that have traditional neighborhood development (TND) characteristics and corresponding circulation systems. Specifically, the street network should have the following characteristics:

Ø Individual blocks should average less than 600 feet in length and less the 1,800 feet in perimeter;

Ø Streets should be organized in a comprehensive hierarchical network that manifests the structure of the neighborhood;

Ø Cul-de-sacs should be avoided unless natural conditions demand them;

Ø The street network should be interconnected; and

Ø Transit access, passenger safety, and transit facilities should be included in the street network design.

Policy C-1.2: Strive to maintain traffic Level of Service (LOS) D or better for all intersections and roadways.

Policy C-1.3: Require that new development and any proposal for an amendment to the Land Use Element of the General Plan demonstrate that traffic service levels meeting established General Plan standards will be maintained on arterial and collector streets.

Policy C-1.4: Continue to require new development to contribute to the financing of street improvements, including formation of roadway maintenance assessment districts, required to meet the demand generated by the project.

Policy C-1.5: Ensure that new development makes provisions for street maintenance through appropriate use of gas tax and formation of maintenance assessment districts.

Policy C-1.6: Discourage diversion of traffic to local streets by providing maximum capacity on arterial streets and locating high traffic-generating uses on or near arterial frontages.

Policy C-1.7: Design roadway capacities to adequately serve planned land uses.

Policy C-1.8: Whenever possible, in reuse/revitalization projects, reduce the number of existing driveways on arterial streets to improve traffic flow.

Policy C-1.9: Use traffic calming methods within residential areas where necessary to create a pedestrian-friendly circulation system.

Policy C-1.10: Encourage car-pooling, at government offices, business, schools, and other facilities, to reduce the number of vehicles using the roadway system.

Policy C-1.11: Continue to enforce traffic laws, including those addressing bicycle and pedestrian traffic, to ensure a circulation system that is safe for motorized, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.

Regional Transportation

Traffic congestion in Salinas is directly influenced by an overall transportation network for the region, as traffic generated outside the City passes through the community on Highway 101 and other major roads and highways. In addition, a healthy economy depends on the ability of businesses to move their goods from one location to another. To support the continued success of local businesses, the circulation system must provide adequate local and regional access. Planning for the needs of the community includes recognition of related transportation needs and planning efforts of the neighboring cities, the county, region, and state. With this recognition is the need for the City to actively work with other public agencies responsible for transportation and development in surrounding areas. The following goal and policies address this need to coordinate with other agencies to create a regional circulation system.

Goal C-2: Work with other local and regional agencies to develop regional transit and transportation systems.

Policy C-2.1: Urge a countywide approach to Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation Systems Management (TSM) as the best way to reduce peak-hour vehicle trips and congestion at major employment centers.

Policy C-2.2: Cooperate with Caltrans in making improvements to Highway 101 and support construction of Prunedale freeway improvements by Caltrans to serve through trips, and trips to and from Salinas.

Policy C-2.3: Continue efforts to reduce adverse impacts of truck traffic and parking in non-industrial areas of Salinas while recognizing and accepting the community’s economic dependence on trucking.

Policy C-2.4: Continue development of the Salinas Municipal Airport in accordance with the Salinas Municipal Airport Master Plan.

Policy C-2.5: Work with Caltrain and Amtrak to provide commuter rail service to the Silicon Valley and other major destinations to provide alternatives to automobile use.

Policy C-2.6: Promote a regional jobs-housing balance to reduce vehicle miles traveled and congestion on the regional circulation system.

Policy C-2.7: Support continued maintenance and expanded use of the City’s Intermodal Transportation Center.

Policy C-2.8: Pursue a variety of funding sources to implement circulation system improvements.

Public Transportation Needs

Public transit (trains, buses, shuttles, etc.) is an important component of a comprehensive transportation system. It offers an alternative to the use of automobiles and helps reduce air pollution and road congestion. To promote increased usage of these modes of transportation, adequate services must be provided, as well as adequate demand for public transit, as provided by residential and employment centers. The following goal and policies work to promote the improvement and utilization of the public transportation system.

Goal C-3: Promote an efficient public transportation network.

Policy C-3.1: Support Monterey-Salinas Transit initiatives to provide adequate and improved (i.e. more frequent availability and use of Intelligent Transportation System measures where appropriate) public transportation service.

Policy C-3.2: Design development and reuse/revitalization projects to be transit-oriented to promote the use of alternative modes of transit and support higher levels of transit service.

Policy C-3.3: Support the extension of commuter rail to Salinas to allow for alternatives to automobile use.

Policy C-3.4: Support public transportation that is “bike” friendly, such as buses with bicycle racks and reduced fares for bicycle riders and provision of bicycle racks at public transportation stations.

Bicycle Access

Non-motorized modes of transportation, including bicycling, offer alternatives to driving, providing recreational and commute alternatives for the community. Encouraging bicycling as a means of transportation also helps those who choose to drive automobiles, as every person who chooses to ride a bicycle rather than drive causes fewer motorized vehicles on the road. To promote bicycling, a safe bicycle system should be developed and maintained that connects to key activity centers within the community, and to the regional bicycle route and path system. The following goal and policies are designed to provide a bicycle system to serve all of Salinas.

Goal C-4: Provide an extensive, safe public bicycle network that provides on-street as well as off-street facilities.

Policy C-4.1: Continue to develop a network of on- and off-street bicycle routes to encourage and facilitate the use of bicycles for commute, recreational, and other trips. Eliminate gaps and provide connections between existing bicycle routes.

Policy C-4.2: Increase availability of facilities, such as bike racks and well-maintained and well-lit bike lanes, that promote bicycling.

Policy C-4.3: Encourage existing businesses and require new construction to provide on-premise facilities to aid bicycle commuters, such as on-site safe bicycle parking.

Policy C-4.4: Improve the biking environment by providing safe and attractive cut-throughs, bike lanes, and bike paths for both recreational and commuting purposes.

Policy C-4.5: Where possible, ensure that roadway improvements (i.e., widening and re-striping), as well as new overpasses and underpasses, allow for safe on-street bike lanes or adequate right-lane space for bicycles.

Policy C-4.6: Ensure that all pedestrian and bicycle route improvements meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessibility, and Caltrans standards for design.

Policy C-4.7: Encourage parking lot designs that provide for safe and secure bicycle parking.

Pedestrian Access

Pedestrian transport offers a short-distance alternative means of transportation to automobiles, as well as providing a healthy form of exercise. To promote walking, a safe pedestrian transportation system should be developed and maintained, including safe sidewalks and other pedestrian-oriented facilities.

Goal C-5: Provide safe routes to school, work, shopping, and recreation for pedestrians.

Policy C-5.1: Increase availability of safe and well-maintained sidewalks in all areas of the City.

Policy C-5.2: Encourage all new bus stops and changes in existing bus stops to take pedestrian access into consideration.

Policy C-5.3: Ensure that all pedestrian route improvements meet with ADA standards for accessibility.

Policy C-5.4: Encourage parking lot designs that promote pedestrian access and safety.

Policy C-5.5: Improve the walking environment by providing safe and attractive sidewalks, cut-throughs, and walkways, for both recreational and commuting purposes.

Related Goals and Policies

The goals and policies described in the Circulation Element area related to and support subjects included within other General Plan elements. In turn, many goals and policies from the other elements directly or indirectly support the goals and policies of the Circulation Element. The primary supporting goals and policies are identified in Table C-1, although this list is not exhaustive of all related goals and policies.

Table C-1

Related Goals and Policies by Element

General Plan Element	Circulation Element Issue Areas
General Plan Element	Roadway System Circulation	Regional Transportation	Public Transportation Needs	Bicycle Access	Pedestrian Access
Land Use	1.4, 2.2, 2.5	3.4 , 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6	1.4, 9.4, 11.5
Community Design	1.3, 3.6	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.1, 3.6, 3.7
Housing	1.2		1.10	1.10	1.10
Conservation/Open Space		6.1, 6.3, 6.4	6.4	6.4, 7.12	6.4, 7.12