Quality of Life Indicators

land use balance & sensitivity data

road intersection congestion
vehicle congestion levels of service (LOS)
density infill

road intersection congestion

The 2030 Regional Transportation Plan also set the following LOS standards for the region for assessing the need for and location of future street and highway improvements for Washoe County at a planning level.  As appropriate, design of facilities will be based upon more detailed operational analysis.

Regional level of service (LOS) standards (Except as noted, all intersections shall be designed to provide a level of service consistent with maintaining the policy LOS of the intersecting corridors)

LOS C
• All regional roadway facilities outside the McCarran Boulevard ring
LOS D
• All regional roadway facilities inside the McCarran Boulevard ring
• All freeways and ramps
• North Virginia Street – North McCarran Boulevard to US 395
• Longley Lane – Double R Boulevard to South McCarran Boulevard
LOS E
• McCarran Boulevard – entire length
• South Virginia Street – Moana Lane to Plumb Lane
• Intersection of South Virginia Street and Plumb Lane
• Mill Street – Terminal Way to Ryland Avenue
• Intersection of Mill Street and Kietzke Lane
• Terminal Way – Villanova Drive to Mill Street
• Interstate 80 westbound on-ramp from Rock Boulevard
LOS F
• Plumas Street – Plumb Lane to California Avenue
• Rock Boulevard – Glendale Avenue to Victorian Avenue
• South Virginia Street – Kietzke Lane to South McCarran Boulevard
• Intersection of North Virginia Street and Interstate 80 ramps

vehicle congestion levels of service (LOS)

The Draft 2030 Transportation Plan had the following congestion objective in the Streets and Highways section:  Average per capita delay increase will not increase above 2000 levels more than 20% in 2007, 30% by 2012; 40% by 2020, and 50% by 2030.  Congestion is measured by traffic flow and maneuverability.  By 2030, we are projected to have 50% more of our roads congested to the point of periodic traffic jams and stop and go traffic. Congestion is rated by level of service (LOS) from A to F as follows:

A = free flowing traffic, driver free to maneuver, comfort and convenience for cars and pedestrians
B = stable flow, have maneuver around others, easy to change speed, less comfort and convenience
C = stable flow, other vehicles noticeable, maneuvering not as easy, less comfort
D = crowded stable flow, maneuver by forcing others to give way, traffic jams, stop and go traffic
E = operation at or near capacity, virtually no gaps for maneuverability, incidents cause breakdown in flow
F = traffic not flowing, unstable stop and go moveme

nt

density infill

Condo conversions and new units, along with new condos and multi-family housing units, can expand the area’s density infill.  At this time, a clear data source to measure the percentage of infill building permits doesn’t exist..  The 2006 Annual Report of the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency reported on these specific steps local governments have taken to manage where growth occurs and encourage density infill:

• The City of Sparks reports that it adopted interim TOD or Transit Oriented Development regulations in January 22, 2007. The new standards will allow for greater density, reduced parking, reduced setbacks, improved design and other flexibility throughout the TOD.
• The Washoe County School District made adjustments to elementary school attendance boundaries throughout 2006 and into 2007. These changes are being designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote the concept of neighborhood schools.
• Washoe County’s recently adopted/updated Area Plans contain policies enabling and encouraging higher density development, additional local serving commercial, redevelopment, and mixed land uses that will help to reduce the expansion of the urban footprint. In addition, Washoe County’s role in the financing of certain public capital improvement projects, general funding and support to various agencies whose mission includes urban revitalization, and other policy and monetary support from the Board of County Commissioners continued to promote urban revitalization during the reporting period.
• The Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) reports that the activities undertaken by TMWA this past year address facility deficiencies within the McCarran Ring (numerous main replacements or upsizing of older portions of the distribution system) and areas outside the ring where significant installation of new facilities (mains, pump stations and tanks) have been installed which aid in furthering the goals.
• The City of Reno reports that developing an Infill Incentive Strategy was a 2006 goal of the Planning Commission. Reno is implementing the following incentives, strategies, programs and policies to promote infill development within the McCarran Boulevard ring road, preservation of neighborhoods, revitalization of urban areas and meeting population and employment growth capacity goals consistent with Regional Plan Policy 1.2.1:

• Zoning Code Updates—Title 18 Phase II items slated for “Fast-Track” include ordinances addressing Large Retail Establishments, Residential Hobby Auto, and Accessory Dwelling Units. The Large Retail Establishment ordinance was adopted on December 4, 2006. An Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance was developed with staff and the Planning Commission Land Development Subcommittee and adopted in 2007.
• Regional Center Plans & Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Corridors—The City of Reno reports that it has adopted several center and corridor plans, please see the center and corridor section of this report for further information.