GLD in Professional & Civic Engagement
Background:
Located in the center of the state both geographically and politically being South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia has many travelers that conduct business within the city. Unfortunately, Columbia, as with many towns and cities across the U.S. is dominated by car culture, which is reflected in its roadway design, policies pertaining to mobility, as well as general sentiment regarding multi-mobility. Over the past four years living both on and off campus, I have experienced mobility issues in Columbia on a firsthand account which is what sparked my interest in the transportation industry. Poor road conditions, limited bike lanes, poor sidewalk conditions/connectivity, and an inefficient public transportation system all contribute to why only 1.6% of the region uses mass transit to get around[1]. If we are to meet our climate goals, increase health, and improve people's upward mobility without a car dragging them down, something must change.
[1] Commuting in Columbia, South Carolina (bestplaces.net)
Located in the center of the state both geographically and politically being South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia has many travelers that conduct business within the city. Unfortunately, Columbia, as with many towns and cities across the U.S. is dominated by car culture, which is reflected in its roadway design, policies pertaining to mobility, as well as general sentiment regarding multi-mobility. Over the past four years living both on and off campus, I have experienced mobility issues in Columbia on a firsthand account which is what sparked my interest in the transportation industry. Poor road conditions, limited bike lanes, poor sidewalk conditions/connectivity, and an inefficient public transportation system all contribute to why only 1.6% of the region uses mass transit to get around[1]. If we are to meet our climate goals, increase health, and improve people's upward mobility without a car dragging them down, something must change.
[1] Commuting in Columbia, South Carolina (bestplaces.net)
Importance of Issue:
Derrick Huggins, Interim CEO of The COMET once said “Transportation is a catalyst for change, a purveyor of progress” which holds true for all modes of transportation available. It is a means for one to access places of employment, healthcare, food, social services, and much more. We often take getting from point A to B for granite as we hop in our cars and drive to wherever we need to go with little care to how we will arrive. Unfortunately, the overhead costs of car ownership are tremendous burdens for many with associated costs other than car payment amounting to much of one’s paycheck with parking fees, maintenance, and fuel all added to the price of ownership. Those without the means to afford a personal car are at a disadvantage as they cannot reliably get to work or access healthcare thus keeping the poor poor and the sick sickly. For those who can afford a car, the “American Dream” of suburbia and car ownership is showing its weaknesses amidst a new generation of Americans trying to get around. According to AAA, average car ownership costs were $10,728 a year, or $894 a month, in 2022[2]. Think about all the places and resources an extra $900 a month or almost $11,000 a year would be able to go.
Efficient, effective, and safe public transit can free up financial allocation for an individual allowing them to not only invest more in their local economy but also allows more room to save or invest their money. There are many misconceptions about the goals of transit and who transit serves but it is a catalyst for all patrons and a public good for upward mobility, climate obligations, and regional healthcare. According to the American Public Transit Association (APTA), “Investment in transit can yield 49,700 jobs per $1 billion invested, and offers a 5 to 1 economic return. Investment offers productivity gains long after the short-term stimulative effect.”
[2] What Is the Total Cost of Owning a Car? - NerdWallet
Derrick Huggins, Interim CEO of The COMET once said “Transportation is a catalyst for change, a purveyor of progress” which holds true for all modes of transportation available. It is a means for one to access places of employment, healthcare, food, social services, and much more. We often take getting from point A to B for granite as we hop in our cars and drive to wherever we need to go with little care to how we will arrive. Unfortunately, the overhead costs of car ownership are tremendous burdens for many with associated costs other than car payment amounting to much of one’s paycheck with parking fees, maintenance, and fuel all added to the price of ownership. Those without the means to afford a personal car are at a disadvantage as they cannot reliably get to work or access healthcare thus keeping the poor poor and the sick sickly. For those who can afford a car, the “American Dream” of suburbia and car ownership is showing its weaknesses amidst a new generation of Americans trying to get around. According to AAA, average car ownership costs were $10,728 a year, or $894 a month, in 2022[2]. Think about all the places and resources an extra $900 a month or almost $11,000 a year would be able to go.
Efficient, effective, and safe public transit can free up financial allocation for an individual allowing them to not only invest more in their local economy but also allows more room to save or invest their money. There are many misconceptions about the goals of transit and who transit serves but it is a catalyst for all patrons and a public good for upward mobility, climate obligations, and regional healthcare. According to the American Public Transit Association (APTA), “Investment in transit can yield 49,700 jobs per $1 billion invested, and offers a 5 to 1 economic return. Investment offers productivity gains long after the short-term stimulative effect.”
[2] What Is the Total Cost of Owning a Car? - NerdWallet
Connection to Key Insights:
Goal:
This problem and scope of work in Columbia has the main goal of reducing single occupancy vehicles and two subsequent goals which are symptoms of the main. Each one of these goals is to be measured within the scope of the downtown core which consists of a 1-mile radius centered around the SC State House. This one-mile radius encompasses popular pedestrian districts such at Main St, The Vista, USC, Innovista, and Five Points.
This problem and scope of work in Columbia has the main goal of reducing single occupancy vehicles and two subsequent goals which are symptoms of the main. Each one of these goals is to be measured within the scope of the downtown core which consists of a 1-mile radius centered around the SC State House. This one-mile radius encompasses popular pedestrian districts such at Main St, The Vista, USC, Innovista, and Five Points.
- Reduce trips taken in SOVs (Single Occupancy Vehicle)
- Improve regional health via increased walking and cycling.
- Restore and improve connectivity.
Columbia, SC Downtown Core:
Columbia Landmarks within Downtown Core:
Implementation of Project:
Evaluation:
The results of this project will hinge on several KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Two indicators will be used to measure the success of implementation: ridership and user feedback.
- Identify Existing Transportation Modes (1-3 months)
- Analyze existing car and traffic patterns, existing fixed-route bus routes and timetables, identify bike share locations and cycling conditions, and analyze walkability within the downtown core.
- Engage Transit-Dependent & Choice Riders (1 Month)
- Via means of social media (Facebook Groups & Instagram) engage with riders and local citizens to see how they get around and what is preventing them from using alternative modes. Incorporate feedback from this stage into stage five.
- Expand Marketing Efforts of Existing Services (2 Months)
- Work with marketing teams at The COMET, BlueBikeSC, SCDOT, and Ride.Jaunt to increase awareness of existing modes of transportation to complement the personal car.
- Research Additional Modes/Improvements (3 months)
- Where is the study zone lacking innovative solutions? This phase will identify additional modes to incorporate or improve such as microtransit, scooter share, pedestrian & cyclist safety.
- Implement Changes (6 months)
Evaluation:
The results of this project will hinge on several KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Two indicators will be used to measure the success of implementation: ridership and user feedback.
- Ridership
- This KPI will evaluate how many people are utilizing the service and compare post-study data with pre-study data to analyze trends and effects on ridership numbers. For simplicity, only monthly ridership will be analyzed. Further analysis such as average daily ridership or trip and stop-based ridership will be turned over to The COMET, SCDOT, and BlueBikeSC for further analysis.
- User Feedback
- Through rider and community surveys, feedback will be examined to see if there are any complaints or commendations with service modifications. Surveys will ask about the purpose of the trip, origin and destination, quality of service, and any other applicable conditions.
Additional Maps
Drive Alone to Work:
Drive Alone to Work:
Bike to Work:
Walk to Work:
References:
Bureau, US Census. “American Community Survey (ACS).” Census.gov, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/.
Commuting in Columbia, South Carolina, https://www.bestplaces.net/transportation/city/south_carolina/columbia.
Vandiver, Whitney, and Shannon Bradley. “What Is the Total Cost of Owning a Car?” NerdWallet, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/total-cost-owning-car.
Bureau, US Census. “American Community Survey (ACS).” Census.gov, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/.
Commuting in Columbia, South Carolina, https://www.bestplaces.net/transportation/city/south_carolina/columbia.
Vandiver, Whitney, and Shannon Bradley. “What Is the Total Cost of Owning a Car?” NerdWallet, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/total-cost-owning-car.
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