The objectives of the research project are: 1) to identify states that are comparable to NC in population, economic, condition, DOT organizational structure/setup, and size, 2) to identify non-motorized transportation project delivery rate, Transporation Alternative Program (TAP) spending rate, duration, and their frequency , and the percent of highway projects constructed with bicycle and pedestrian facilities, 3) to document existing policies, laws, and processes of comparable states and compare them with those being adopted by NCDOT, and 4) to identify and recommend best policies, laws, and processes to NCDOT. This report is based on a twelve-monthmulti-methodological project that assesses current literature related to active transprotation infrastructure, a survey of 298 local officials about pedestrian/bicycleing infrastructure, and a survey of 13 state's best management practices for the funding, designing, permitting, and installation of both independent non-motorized from four states comparable to NCDOT on their respective policies, laws, and processes on delivering non-motorized projects. The best policies, laws, and processes from comparable states are identified resulting in five recommendations for NCDOT about best practices and benchmarks for successful bicycle and pedestrian projects, policies, and state laws. This research assists the Bicycle and Pedestrian Division to benchmark the success of current and future NCDOT bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, and enhance the ability of local governments to apply for state and federally-funded bicycle and pedestrian projects. It also serves as a guide for implementation through the Strategic Prioritization Office of Transportation (SPOT) 7.0 for improved non-motorized project delivery rates.
