Active Transportation Links + Resources

Living Streets is a program that attempts to make streets safe and functional for all drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles, with the inclusion of green infrastructure elements such as street trees, bio swales and rain gardens. In July 2020, the NIRPC Commissioners approved a resolution requiring all new federally-aided roadway projects to consider incorporating Living Streets design standards. Please click the link below for more information on Living Streets and their application guidelines in our Region.

• Living Streets Guidelines
• Complete Streets resources

Greeways + Blueways Map

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Terminology

NIRPC has supported policies and programs that encourage children to walk and bike to school so as to promote healthy habits for a lifetime. In the 1960’s, it is reported that up to 60% of children walked to school – which has plummeted to 13% today. The causes are many, including safety perceptions, but also inadequate infrastructure (such as broken or missing sidewalks). The result has caused heavy automobile congestion around schools during pick-up and drop-off times, which increases the danger for children.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) policies serve to counteract these trends by providing safe access for children through new infrastructure projects, school programs, and law enforcement. SRTS polices have been recognized as key components to an overall strategy towards fewer automobile miles traveled, and more importantly, providing children the daily physical activity they need to remain healthy.

A wealth of SRTS information is available through the National Center for Safe Routes to School at www.saferoutesinfo.org. To start your understanding of the benefits of SRTS policies and how to implement them in your community, please review this primer: guide.saferoutesinfo.org.

Please contact Mitch Barloga at NIRPC for further information and assistance at 219.254.2518, or mbarloga@nirpc.org.

Since 2016, NIRPC has deployed a number of electronic trail counters to aid with determining the level of pedestrian and bicycle use along these routes. NIRPC uses TRAFx model counters, which you can learn more about HERE.

NIRPC staff performs regular data collection at all counters, as well as routine maintenance. This page contains reports generated from these collection periods, and are displayed below. If you have any additional questions on this information, please contact Mitch Barloga by email at mbarloga@nirpc.org, or by phone at 219-254-2518.

• Trail Counter Locations Map

Trail Counter Data:

NIRPC Unified Trail Wayfinding Guide