El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 11.76 Transportation Systems Management

A. Transportation Systems Management (hereinafter referred to as "TSM") has the potential to reduce vehicle trips and vehicle emissions more efficiently and cost effectively than major roadway improvements.

B. For many years prior to the passage of Contra Costa County Measure C in 1988, local jurisdictions developed and implemented a variety of TSM and Transportation Demand Management (hereinafter referred to as "TDM") projects and programs, e.g., operation of transit systems, construction of bicycle facilities, land use policy coordination and related improvements.

C. Since 1992, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority has committed both Measure C and Transportation Fund for Clean Air ("TFCA") funds to four sub-area programs for the implementation of Measure C and Clean Air Plan goals.

D. Pursuant to the provisions of Measure C, adoption of a TDM ordinance was deemed to be one component of a comprehensive transportation planning effort.

E. In compliance with the requirements of the TDM ordinance, large employers were required to develop and implement trip reduction programs at work sites and, pursuant to those requirements, implementation of the TDM ordinance was delegated to the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee ("WCCTAC").

F. The Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan incorporates each Regional Committee's Action Plan for Routes of Regional Significance, which support specific TSM/TDM goals and objectives.

G. Over the past four years, the sub-area TDM programs have been successful in reducing vehicle trips and emissions at the employment sites specified in the TDM ordinance, as well as in school and residential areas where programs have been implemented.

H. Since the adoption of the TDM ordinance, TDM efforts have been expanded to include aspects of the transportation systems other than employer programs, e.g., enhancement of transit and bicycle facilities, incorporation of new technologies into the system, land use policy coordination, and related enhancements.

I. In adopting the ordinance codified in this chapter, cooperation and coordination with other local jurisdictions and regions in furthering TSM are acknowledged as having the potential to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its efforts; and, accordingly, the council of the City of El Cerrito directs staff to take steps to implement TSM in accordance with the policies, goals and objectives set forth herein, and in cooperation with WCCTAC staff.

(Ord. 98-2 Div. 1 (part), 1998.)

A. In light of legislation passed eliminating mandatory employer-based trip reduction requirements, the following purposes, goals and objectives are adopted in order to assist staff in implementing this TSM ordinance and programs:

1. To promote maximum efficiency in the existing transportation system and to further the transportation goals of the Measure C Growth Management Program, Contra Costa's Congestion Management Program, the Bay Area Clean Air Plan, and the West County Action Plan, by:

a. Promoting and encouraging the use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours, and telecommuting as alternatives to solo driving,

b. Incorporating these goals and objectives into the land use and review and planning process,

c. Developing proactive programs and/or projects either alone, in conjunction with other jurisdictions, or with WCCTAC, aimed at achieving these goals,

d. Considering the incorporation of appropriate technology designed to facilitate traffic flow, provide transit and highway information, provide trip generation alternatives, and consider the incorporation of related technology into the transportation system,

e. Cooperating with other jurisdictions, the private sector, and transit operators in planning and implementing transportation programs,

f. Educating West County employees, employers, residents and students regarding the benefits and availability of commute alternatives,

g. Working with the transit authorities to better serve West Contra Costa County,

h. Encouraging the most cost-effective transportation improvement projects aimed at achieving congestion relief, and

i. Cooperating with other jurisdictions and agencies, the private sector, and transit operators in planning and implementing transportation programs;

2. To reflect an ongoing commitment to expand TSM efforts beyond employer-based trip reduction programs, in order to achieve congestion management and air quality goals;

3. To comply with applicable state and federal laws as well as with Measure C Growth Management Program requirements pertaining to TSM.

B. The goal of this TSM ordinance is to ensure the continuation of a pro-active TSM program effort aimed at reducing vehicle trips, vehicle emissions and traffic congestion in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

C. The objective of this section is to establish the following policies:

1. To participate, in conjunction with other jurisdictions and WCCTAC, in a proactive effort to support and develop projects which will achieve the Measure C TSM/ TDM goals as described in the West County Action Plan, the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Measure C Strategic Plan, the Congestion Management Plan, and/or the Bay Area Clean Air Plan. Such participation may include, but need not be limited to:

a. Promotion and encouragement of the use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours, telecommuting or other alternatives to solo driving,

b. Defining and implementing projects incorporating appropriate technology designed to facilitate traffic flow, provide transit and highway information, and related technology;

2. To incorporate these goals into the land use review and planning process.

(Ord. 98-2 Div. 1 (part), 1998.)

TITLE 11 FOOTNOTES

1. For statutory definitions of words in the Vehicle Code, see Vehicle Code Section 100, et seq.

2. For the statutory provisions authorizing cities to adopt rules and regulations for traffic control, see Vehicle Code Section 21100.

3. For statutory provision authorizing municipalities to regulate traffic by using semaphores, official traffic control devices and traffic control, see Vehicle Code Section 21100.

4. For statutory provisions authorizing local authorities to place and maintain traffic control devices as required by statute or as necessary to implement statutes or local ordinances, see Vehicle Code Section 21351 et seq.

5. For statutory provisions authorizing cities to prohibit the making of any turning movements at intersections, see Vehicle Code Section 22113.

6. For statutory provisions authorizing cities to designate the direction of traffic as one-way on highways within their jurisdiction, see Vehicle Code Section 21567.

7. For statutory provisions authorizing certain municipal regulation of pedestrians, see Vehicle Code Sections 21106, 21109, 21961.

8. For statutory provisions regarding the proper location for the erection of stop signs, see Vehicle Code Section 21355.

9. For statutory provisions authorizing local authorities to prohibit or restrict the parking or standing of vehicles on certain streets during all, or a portion of, a day, see Vehicle Code Section 22507.

10. For statutory provisions authorizing the impounding of cars left parked for seventy-two consecutive hours or more, see Vehicle Code Section 22652.

11. For statutory provisions making the Vehicle Code Rules of the Road and other provisions applicable to bicycles, see Vehicle Code Section 21200.

12. For statutory provisions authorizing local authorities to pass ordinances not in conflict with state law with respect to the operation, use, licensing and equipment of bicycles, see Vehicle Code Section 21206.