A Study of Mobility Needs in Smith County

Members at the annual meeting adopted a  study of Mobility Needs in Smith County. The broader study of Meeting Basic Human Needs having been transferred to the United Way of Tyler/Smith County, the Program Planning discussion noted that mobility is one part of the broader study that is critical to those other basic needs such as employment, education, and food. 

Background Facts about Area Mobility Needs

  • The City of Tyler transit system now provides city-wide bus routes on a schedule going until midnight.
  • Special needs Tyler residents (elderly and disabled) have door-to-door service provided by the city’s contractor.
  • Current transportation services outside Tyler city limits are chiefly limited to elderly or disabled and are provided by the ETCOG’s Area Agency on Aging.
  • Construction of sidewalks falls under City of Tyler Planning & Zoning.
  • Developers may be responsible for some walkways
  • Infrastructure outside the city falls under the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the federally-mandated transportation planning organization, made up of representatives of various municipalities and counties.
  •  The MPO deals with different transportation modes, such as public transit, freight, bicycle/pedestrian traffic.

Members recommended that we study based on the question: “Can mobility needs of Smith Countyresident be met?”

STUDY FOCUS

Are Mobility needs of Smith County residents met?

STUDY SCOPE

Study of federal FTA and state requirements on MPOs

Study of mobility models in other cities and counties of similar size to Tyler/ Smith County.

Granting and oversight of contracted transit services.

City and county requirements of developers.

Impact fees on developers.

Potential funding and development for pedestrian mobility infrastructure (dedicated walking areas, sdewalks, subway crossing tunnels, footpaths)

Feasibility of light rail for longer distances.