INTRODUCTION
The HATS Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP) is a regional plan that outlines a vision and framework for improving Active Transportation (conditions for walking and bicycling) in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties. Through collaboration with municipalities, the public, and other stakeholders, HATS has developed this ATP to enhance both daily commuting experiences and recreational opportunities via non-motorized transportation facilities, both on and off-road.
The ATP outlines strategies to offer transportation alternatives that will bolster local economies, curtail greenhouse gas emissions, enhance quality of life, and offer residents and visitors expanded travel choices while reducing our reliance on cars and cutting down air pollution. At its core, the ATP focuses on the establishment of on-and-off-road non-motorized transportation facilities that establish regional connectivity for the region’s residents and visitors to places where they live, work, shop, and play.
MISSION STATEMENT
This Active Transportation Plan will identify, and continually update, a network of existing and proposed cycling and pedestrian routes (aka The Regional Backbone) connecting people with places to live, work, shop, and play, while facilitating needed coordination, education, and engagement with partners and stakeholders to promote a culture of active transportation in the Tri-County Region.
WHY WE COMPLETED THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) ATP was completed to empower the residents, employees, and visitors of the Tri-County Region to utilize non-motorized transportation modes to safely travel to, through, and beyond the communities in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties. As the ATP is implemented, it will be designed to ensure that multimodal facilities are integrated into our community culture.
In recent years, the growth of bicycle transportation has been phenomenal. According to Bloomburg News, national average annual bicycle trips climbed 37% between 2019 and 2022. Some cities saw bicycle trip growth at more than twice that rate. Meanwhile, during a similar period, fewer people are walking to get around their communities, with a general national decline in walking of about 20%. The Governors Highway Safety Assessment estimated that in 2022, there were 7,508 pedestrian deaths in the US, the most since 1981. Pedestrians not feeling safe along transportation corridors is likely one reason for the decline in pedestrian activity. Larger and heavier motor vehicles, speeding, distracted driving, and less enforcement are all cited as reasons for this deadly increase in pedestrian fatalities.
At the same time, a planning strategy known as “Vision Zero” and a design philosophy called “Complete Streets” have taken hold across the county. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. The Vision Zero approach believes that traffic deaths are preventable through systems approach of understanding that human error is inevitable and that saving lives is not expensive. Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enables safe access for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Implementation of the Active Transportation Plan will be consistent with both the Vision Zero and Complete Streets approaches, integrating multimodal facilities into our community culture and ensuring safety and accessibility for all.
SCOPE AND FOCUS OF THE PLAN
The HATS Regional Active Transportation Plan will serve as a guidance and vision document for the region’s 3 counties and 103 municipalities. The ATP does not supersede or replace local plans, but focuses on large regionally-impactful investments typically requiring federal transportation funds and/or coordination between multiple municipalities, counties and stakeholders. These investments will focus on connecting communities, while local plans will continue to recommend and provide improvements for connections within the communities.
WHAT IS ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION?
The term “Active Transportation” refers to any non-motorized self-propelled, human-powered modes of transportation including walking, bicycling, wheelchairs/mobility devices, skateboarding, scootering, and more. Active transportation engages people in healthy physical activity and is a sustainable method of getting from place to place in every community. The ATP identifies the broad network to enable these connections as the “Regional Backbone”.
There is also an inherent relationship between Active Transportation and public transit. Most public transit trips begin and end as Active Transportation trips and transit routes extend the reach and viability of Active Transportation modes, enabling more daily needs to be met without the use of a motor vehicle.
BENEFITS OF ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
There are many benefits to active transportation, which include health, mobility, economic, environmental, and neighborhood connectivity.
HEALTH
Active transportation, such as walking or biking, integrates physical activity into daily routines, promoting physical and mental well-being. Regular engagement in these activities reduces the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stress while enhancing energy levels, flexibility, and muscle strength. Research shows that walking or biking for just 20 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart failure by 21% in men and 29% in women (Rahman et al., 2014; 2015). The Pennsylvania Department of Health (2019) reports that heart disease accounts for 24% of all deaths in the state, with a projected 344% increase in cases by 2030.
Additionally, the 2023 America’s Health Rankings report highlights that 25.9% of adults have not engaged in physical activity beyond their job in the past month, and approximately 32% of Pennsylvania’s population is classified as obese. Evidence further suggests that walking an additional 0.6 miles daily can decrease the likelihood of obesity by 5% (Frank et al., 2004). Expanding options for active transportation provides residents and visitors with more opportunities for regular physical activity, which can lower rates of obesity and reduce chronic health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, contributing to healthier communities overall.
ECONOMY
The economic benefits of walking and biking are wide-ranging, offering advantages at both the individual and community levels. For individuals and families, these modes of transportation significantly lower transportation costs, while neighborhoods with traffic-calming measures often see an increase in property values. Cities also benefit from reduced maintenance expenses, as less wear and tear occur on roadways due to lower vehicle use.
Active transportation plays a key role in stimulating local economies by encouraging residents to shop locally. Those who walk or bike are more likely to frequent nearby businesses, driving local spending and boosting economic activity. Additionally, communities that invest in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure not only enhance their appeal to potential residents and employers but also foster regional tourism. Properties located near walking and biking routes tend to be more attractive to buyers and renters, contributing to higher property values.
As communities become more accommodating to active transportation, social interaction, and community engagement increase. This, in turn, fuels economic development through greater use of local businesses and increased tourism, creating a positive cycle of growth and prosperity for the region.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Active transportation plays a vital role in fostering environmentally conscious and sustainable communities by addressing several key challenges. Through active transportation, we see significant reductions in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, noise, and water pollution, while also alleviating the pressure to develop agricultural and open spaces. Given that transportation accounts for 21% of Pennsylvania’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, shifting to more sustainable modes is essential in reducing the state's carbon footprint.
Exposure to air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter, has well-documented negative effects on cardiovascular and respiratory health. Pennsylvania ranks 43rd in the nation for poor air quality, according to the 2023 America’s Health Rankings report. However, if just 8% more
children living within 2 miles of their schools walked or biked, the resulting reduction in car usage would be equivalent to removing 60,000 cars from the road each year, highlighting the transformative potential of active transportation in improving air quality and public health.
In addition to reducing vehicle miles traveled and traffic delays, active transportation fosters more sustainable, compact community development. By encouraging walking and biking, communities can limit urban sprawl, protect agricultural lands, and open spaces, and conserve natural resources. These efforts collectively support a cleaner environment, healthier populations, and a more sustainable future for the region. Active transportation not only reduces emissions but also creates a ripple effect, enhancing health, equity, and long-term environmental sustainability.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIVITY
The ATP will serve as a comprehensive guide for improving, expanding, and connecting the region’s bicycle and pedestrian network. In 2023 there was a total of 186 pedestrian fatalities and 3,145 pedestrian injuries in Pennsylvania. Pedestrians account for 15.4% of all traffic deaths in Pennsylvania, despite only representing 2.9% of traffic crashes (Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics, 2023), the ATP aims to enhance safety by identifying new routes and connections that will prioritize bicycle and pedestrian accessibility. By doing so, it seeks to create a healthier, safer, and more economically vibrant community.
In addition to improving safety, the ATP promotes fairness and inclusivity. Communities where residents can safely walk, bike, or roll are more equitable, as these modes of transportation do not require the financial burden of vehicle ownership. This ensures that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, can safely and conveniently access essential destinations, supporting a more just and connected community.
