SAFETEA-LU calls for an increase in planning for accessibility, mobility, safety, and security of people, across modes, for both motorized and non-motorized users. In an effort to integrate transportation and landuse, CMRPC staff began to develop access management and land use planning strategies for development of land area with safe and efficient internal and external access for motorists, transit users, bicycle riders, and pedestrians.

Staff identified three corridor development scenarios along “vital links” (as identified in the 2012 CMMPO Regional Transportation Plan) within the region:

  •  Near build-out conditions of primarily commercial/retail development (Rte 9 Westborough)
  •  Medium-density development with residential and commercial land uses (Rte 122A Holden)
  •  Under-utilized developable land identified as a future growth area (Rte 140 Boylston)

For each of these scenarios, staff evaluated the ability to safely access the existing or proposed land uses from the roadway and/or from adjacent parcels. In addition, staff evaluated site design standards currently in place and their ability to provide for efficient vehicle, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian movement. This task has been developed as a multimodal planning effort. Guidelines and recommended standards are being developed to help ensure that communities and other regulating authorities consider both internal and external vehicle, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access in the planning, design,permitting, and project approval stages.