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Quantico's bike and pedestrian survey seeks suggestions for improvements

11 Jun 2014 | Ameesha Felton Marine Corps Base Quantico

Those who walk, run or bike on Marine Corps Base Quantico’s base and want to see infrastructure improvements are encouraged to take the Bike and Pedestrian Mobility Survey, which is open through June 25 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/B3Q2ZDT.

Participants’ feedback will be integrated in the installation’s “Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan” to better meet personnel needs by improving safety, accessibility and mobility around the base.

Joe Winterer, community planner at the Public Works Branch, said it’s essential that everyone, not just avid athletes, give their input to ensure the plan includes accurate commuter demographics and identifies conflict areas.

“Everyone is a pedestrian at Quantico, whether you drive or walk around the base, you’re still [hitting the pavement at some point to travel] and we want to hear from you,” Winterer said. “Although we are aware of conflict areas that need immediate improvements, this survey will fill in the gaps of any other recommendations that haven’t been collected already.”

Since the plan’s launch in the fall 2013, Winterer said they have collected improvement suggestions from facility managers and command leaders at the upper and mid-level around the base. Additionally, staff did a field assessment of problematic roadways and trails. He said the survey is the programs’ last push to include everyone’s recommandations.

The 10-minute questionnaire asks about the routes people take on base, how frequently they travel them and their means of transportation. In addition, it gauges how safe people feel when walking, running or biking in relation to intersections, lighting during evening hours and path conditions.

In addition to improvements, the survey also asks if base personnel would be interested in a bike-share program. Winterer said that, even though implementing a bicycle sharing system would be contingent on funding and participation from neighboring counties, the planning committee wants to get feedback on the idea.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan is part of a Department of Defense directive that requires all military installations to follow a new unified facilities criteria that includes a bicycle and pedestrian plan.

Right now, Quantico is ahead of the curve. Although the strategy phase of the plan is scheduled to be complete in Spring 2015, the base has already tackled one key problematic area for runners. Russell Road is a popular route for runners but it’s also a busy street for commuters. However, future plans will alleviate challenges for both groups.

“The Russell Road construction that’s going on now will include a larger shoulder that will be 8-feet wide,” Winterer said. “This [shared road improvement] will comfortably accommodate runners and cyclists, enabling everyone to travel the road with ease.”

There is no definitive completion date for this project. Winterer said construction could extend past the fall.

Survey results will be analyzed by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington and Quantico’s Public Works Branch.

For questions or comments, call Winterer at 703-784-5530 or emailjoseph.winterer@usmc.mil. 

— Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com

 


Marine Corps Base Quantico