Quality of Life Indicators

vehicle congestion levels of service (LOS)

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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 movement

Draft 2030 Regional Transportation Plan”

road intersection congestion -- updated 6/11

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The 2030 Regional Transportation Plan set the following LOS (levels of service) 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. (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

density infill -- updated 6/11

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Condo conversions and new units, along with new condos and multi-family housing units, can expand the area’s density infill. Sprawl creates more fringe infrastructure, which isn’t necessarily paid by developers, and leads to more traffic congestion and air quality issues in the valley. It makes sense to infill and recycle downtown land and targeted areas along pedestrian, bicycle and public transit corridors, especially if daily needs can be met in these development areas without the use of a vehicle. With the recent drop in downtown land values, successful infill development should increase over time. At this time, a clear data source to measure the percentage of infill building permits doesn’t exist.

TMRPA lists the following infill projects on its fact sheet:

Smaller-scale housing (green-built incorporating urban gardens

• 8 on Center
• SODO 4, 2 on Watt
• 11 on 4th
• 3 on Wonder
• 4 on Wonder
• Modern on Cheney

Larger-scale housing and mixed use

• Boulevard South at Double Diamond
• Lakeridge Place
• Grants Landing
• Virginia Lake Townhouses
• Village at Idlewild

Large-scale commercial, retail and mixed-use housing

• Legends at the Sparks Marina including a 77-acre park, retail, surrounding mixed-use housing
• Reno downtown Freight House District home to Reno Aces Baseball

Density in Washoe County is defined through regional planning as: The result of dividing the total number of dwelling units on a site by the total site area. For purposes of calculating density, the site area shall include passive open space with legal public access, and shall not include any of the following: 1) non-residential, mixed-use and public facility properties; 2) property in the Development Constraints Area; 3) property outside the Truckee Meadows Service Areas; 4) existing golf courses; 5) existing parks; and 6) existing regional street and rail rights-of-way.

In 2002, the regional plan update set an urban services boundary with infill development designated in centers and transit corridors (TOC) within McCarran Blvd. The intention was to minimize sprawl and optimize infrastructure efficiency. The plan defined sprawl as premature growth or outward expansion of development. Low density-land-use patterns that are automobile-dependent, energy and land consumptive, and require a very high ratio of road surface to development served. The plan was amended in 2007, and infill development designated to minimize sprawl and optimize infrastructure efficiency, the regional plan will give priority to infill development within Centers, TOD (Transit Oriented Development) Corridors, and areas designated by local governments, and must take into account open space, facilities and utility corridor plans. The latest plan defines infill as development or redevelopment of land that has been by-passed, remained vacant, and/or is under-used as a result of the continuing urban development process. These areas and/or sites are usually served by nearby infrastructure. Unfortunately, data measures remain limited, including high-density housing and mixed use development (commercial, housing, industrial and recreation).

Local governments have taken steps to manage where growth occurs and encourage density infill:

The City of Sparks adopted TOD regulations in 2007, for greater density, reduced parking, reduced setbacks, improved design and other flexibility throughout the TOD.

The Washoe County School District began making adjustments to elementary school attendance boundaries in 2006 to reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote the concept of neighborhood schools.

Washoe County adopted/updated Area Plan policies enabling and encouraging higher density development, additional local serving commercial, redevelopment, and mixed land uses to reduce the expansion of the urban footprint.

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) has replaced or installed new mains, upsized older portions of the distribution system, and installed new pump stations and tanks.

The City of Reno developed an Infill Incentive Strategy 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.

Additional resources:

2007 regional plan fact sheet with downtown centers, regional centers and TOD corridors

Map

TMRPA, Incentives and Barriers to Infill Development, 2005