Regional Bicycle Transportation Network Updates

The Met Council is now considering proposals from local and state government agencies in the seven-county metropolitan area to update Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN) corridors and alignments.

RBTN Updates Public Comment Period Now Open

The Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN) is being updated to align with evolving local agency bicycle plans. The RBTN is the Twin Cities region’s official bikeway network prioritized for regional planning and investment. This regional network is applied as a criterion in the Regional Solicitation project selection process for federal transportation funding. Current updates to the RBTN, as proposed by local agencies, are highlighted in the “Changes Only” and “Updated RBTN” map tabs of this web page; comments on these proposed changes can be submitted through Met Council (formstack.com). Final maps incorporating these updates are intended for adoption into the Transportation Policy Plan by early 2022.

New evaluation measures

A recent study of RBTN measures and guidelines created a new set of measures to facilitate evaluation of RBTN change proposals. These include measures of route directness, corridor spacing, connectivity, social and economic equity, and proximity/density. Detailed descriptions for each measure, along with guidelines for their application, are provided in the Measures Summary Table below. For more information about the development of these measures, please see the RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study, Phase I Technical Memorandum.

Phase I Technical Memo (PDF)

Measures Summary Tables

Route Directness Measures

Description	Guidelines
Destination Proximity Measure: Net change in proximity to regional destinations and transit nodes. Proximity measured using a 1/10-mile buffer for alignments and includes points within the corridor bandwidth (½-mile in core cities, 1-mile bandwidth outside core) for corridors. Evaluated based on overall impact to regional destination connectivity, ranging from high benefit to none or adverse impact.	Regional Destinations and Transit nodes: Metropolitan Job Centers Regional Job Centers Subregional Job Centers Colleges & Universities (2000 + enroll) Large high schools (2000+ enrolled) Major Sport & Entertainment Centers Highly-visited Regional Parks (> 400k/yr) Existing transitway stations Planned transitway stations Park & rides (200+ spaces) Bus transit centers Bike & ride centers
Out-of-Direction Ratio Measures two RBTN route distances relative to each other to indicate comparative efficiency of two routes.	Ratio = proposed RBTN route length divided by nearest existing RBTN route length. Recommended maximum ratio = 2.0

Corridor Spacing Measures

Description

Guidelines

Spacing Buffer Method
Compares buffers of existing and proposed routes to determine the extent to which the proposed route overlaps with buffers of existing parallel routes, or fills existing gaps between RBTN routes. RBTN route buffers are based on preferred minimum spacing distances between RBTN alignments and corridors that vary with Met Council community designation types.

Significant overlap should not occur (except in cases where routes converge like in CBDs or suburban development centers)

Preferred minimum spacing between RBTN routes¹:

Urban Center cities: ½ mile
Urban cities: ¾ mile
Suburban communities: 1 mile
Rural areas: 2 miles

¹ As determined through meetings with the RBTN Guidelines and Measures Study's technical advisory work group.

Connectivity & Continuity Measures

Description	Guidelines
Connectivity to Regional Bicycle Barrier Crossings: Number of new direct connections to existing/planned regional barrier crossings with proposed RBTN change.	Additional connections are viewed favorably Net number of direct connections should not be reduced for RBTN shifts
Continuity between Adjacent City or County Bikeway Networks: Number of newly connected city/county bikeway networks with proposed RBTN change.	Additional connections are viewed favorably Net number of direct connections should not be reduced for RBTN shifts
Connectivity with Local Bikeway Networks: Number of new intersections with local bikeway networks with proposed RBTN change.	Number of intersections should not be reduced Net change in networks accessed should not be reduced for RBTN shifts
Connectivity with State and Regional Trails: Number of new intersections with state and regional trails; does not include intersections with other RBTN routes (e.g., regional trails already designated on the RBTN).	Number of intersections/connection points should not be reduced

Social & Economic Equity Measures

Description	Guidelines
Access to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and People in Poverty: Measures BIPOC and below poverty threshold populations within 1 mile of existing & proposed RBTN routes to determine net difference with the proposed change.	Measure only applies to proposed RBTN shifts BIPOC and below poverty threshold populations with access to RBTN should not be reduced
Qualitative Agency Self-Assessment of Benefits to Disadvantaged or Vulnerable Populations: Qualitative measure of benefits to BIPOC, people in poverty, seniors, youth, & disabled individuals resulting from proposed RBTN addition or change.	Proposals that improve access or conditions for BIPOC communities and people in poverty are viewed favorably Access and conditions for these communities should not be reduced

Proximity / Density Measures

Description

Guidelines

Proximity to Population & Jobs: Measures the sum of existing and planned (i.e., projected) population and jobs per square mile within a ½-mile of the proposed RBTN alignment or corridor centerline.

Measure applies Urban Center, Urban, Suburban, Suburban Edge, and Emerging Suburban Edge communities
Initial target guidance based on empirically derived values and Council/BPPDG input

Minimum recommended densities:

Urban Center cities: 5,000 pop. + jobs per square mile
Urban cities: 3,000 population + jobs per square mile
Suburban group communities: 1,300 pop. + jobs per square mile

Activity per Mile Ratio: Measure assessed for proposed extensions & additions connecting suburban communities and/or rural centers through rural areas. The activity ratio equals the sum of jobs and population within a ½-mile of the proposed alignment or corridor centerline divided by the length of the route.

Measure only applies where significant route segments are proposed through rural areas
Initial target guidance based on empirically derived values and Council/BPPDG input

Minimum recommended ratio:

800 population + jobs per linear mile

RBTN Facility Guidelines and Measures Study

Contact

Steve Elmer, Bicycle Planner
Steven.Elmer@metc.state.mn.us