THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

654

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to transportation planning.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's over dependence on the personal automobile for transportation encourages low-density suburban sprawl that reduces the State's supply of valuable conservation and agricultural lands; leads to high levels of traffic and parking congestion; makes inefficient use of limited public rights of way; increases transportation energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution; increases travel distances and household transportation costs; crowds out other modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and public transit; decreases mobility and access to jobs and services for those who are unable to or cannot afford to drive; and contributes to sedentary lifestyles that increase obesity rates and healthcare costs.

     The legislature further finds that increasing the supply and quality of non-automobile transportation options in Hawaii's communities helps preserve valuable conservation and agricultural lands by encouraging compact development; reduces traffic and parking congestion; makes more efficient use of limited public rights of way; decreases transportation energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution; decreases travel distances and household transportation costs; increases mobility and access to jobs and services, particularly for low-income residents and those who are unable to drive; increases road safety for all users; and promotes active transportation leading to healthier communities and reduced healthcare costs.

     The legislature additionally finds that Hawaii's existing transportation and land-use planning processes primarily focus on accommodating ever increasing automobile demand, thereby perpetuating the automobile-centric status quo, and are not adequately addressing the mobility needs of the State's communities.  The legislature also finds that a focus on a more balanced mode share, or percentage of travelers using a particular form of transportation, could increase mobility for all residents of Hawaii and visitors while minimizing transportation costs and impacts.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Update the objectives and policies for statewide transportation facilities planning to include a statewide mode share target of more than half of all ground transportation trips statewide by walking, biking, mass transportation and other alternatives to personal automobiles by or before the year 2040; and

     (2)  Direct the counties and metropolitan planning organizations to incorporate aggressive mode share targets into all future updates of county general, land-use, and transportation-related plans in order to help achieve the State's 2040 mode share target.

     SECTION 2.  Section 226-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding three new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Mode share" means the ratio or percentage of trips made by any one mode or form of transportation, such as private passenger vehicles, public transportation, walking, or bicycles.

     "Other alternative modes" include taxis, ride hailing and vanpool services, carsharing, bikeshare, and any autonomous mobility services which may be developed in the future.

     "Personal automobiles" means individually owned cars, trucks, sports utility vehicles, motorcycles, motorized mopeds, and scooters."

     SECTION 3.  Section 226-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§226-17  Objectives and policies for facility systems--transportation.  (a)  Planning for the State's facility systems with regard to transportation shall be directed towards the achievement of the following objectives:

     (1)  An integrated multi-modal transportation system that services statewide needs and promotes the efficient, economical, safe, and convenient movement of people and goods[.];

     (2)  A statewide transportation system that is consistent with and will accommodate planned growth objectives throughout the State[.]; and

     (3)  Balanced multi-modal ground transportation systems in which more than half of all ground transportation trips are by walking, biking, mass transportation, and other alternatives to personal automobiles by or before the year 2040.

     (b)  To achieve the transportation objectives, it shall be the policy of this State to:

     (1)  Design, program, and develop a multi-modal system in conformance with desired growth and physical development as stated in this chapter;

     (2)  Coordinate state, county, federal, and private transportation activities and programs toward the achievement of statewide objectives;

     (3)  Require all counties and metropolitan planning organizations to incorporate aggressive transportation mode share targets into all updates of county general plans, metropolitan planning organization plans, and all other community development, land-use, or transportation-related plans adopted pursuant to county general plans beginning in 2017.  County and metropolitan planning organization mode share targets shall be developed in five-year increments for the years 2025 to 2040 and should be sufficiently aggressive as to ensure achievement of the statewide mode share target;

    [(3)] (4)  Encourage a reasonable distribution of financial responsibilities for transportation among participating governmental and private parties;

    [(4)] (5)  Provide for improved accessibility to shipping, docking, and storage facilities;

    [(5)] (6)  Promote the development of a [reasonable] level and variety of mass transportation services that [adequately meet statewide and community needs;] ensures frequent, fast, reliable, comfortable, and convenient service in each community;

    [(6)] (7)  Encourage transportation systems that serve to accommodate present and future development needs of communities;

    [(7)] (8)  Encourage a variety of carriers to offer increased opportunities and advantages to interisland movement of people and goods;

    [(8)] (9)  Increase the capacities of airport and harbor systems and support facilities to effectively accommodate transshipment and storage needs;

    [(9)] (10)  Encourage the development of transportation systems and programs which would assist statewide economic growth and diversification;

   [(10)] (11)  Encourage the design and development of transportation systems sensitive to the needs of affected communities and the quality of Hawaii's natural environment;

   [(11)] (12)  Encourage [safe and convenient] the design and development of high quality pedestrian and bicycle facilities so that walking and bicycling are safe, comfortable, and convenient in each community, in order to increase the use of these low-cost, energy-efficient, non-polluting means of transportation;

   [(12)] (13)  Coordinate intergovernmental land use and transportation planning activities to ensure the timely delivery of supporting transportation infrastructure in order to accommodate planned growth objectives[;] with policies that encourage the use of walking, bicycling, and mass transportation and shorter travel distances for all; and

   [(13)] (14)  Encourage diversification of transportation modes and infrastructure to promote alternate fuels and energy efficiency."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.


     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Transportation Planning; Mode Share; County and Municipal Planning

 

Description:

Requires county and municipal planning organizations to incorporate transportation mode share targets into county and municipal plans.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.