L.A. City Slowly moves Forward with Measure HLA: What’s Next for Bus, Bike, and Pedestrian Improvements?
Table of Contents
- L.A. City Slowly moves Forward with Measure HLA: What’s Next for Bus, Bike, and Pedestrian Improvements?
- A Slow Start for Measure HLA
- The Draft Standard Elements Guide
- What’s Next for Measure HLA?
- Key Networks Under MP2035
- Call to Action: Share Your Feedback
- Conclusion
- tiered Streets: A New Framework
- Pedestrian Enhanced Districts: A Focus on Walkability
- Bicycle Networks: A Three-Pronged Approach
- Ambiguities and Exceptions
- Minimum Standards and Optional Features
- Key Takeaways
- Looking Ahead
- insights into the Mobility Plan 2035 and Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
- Conclusion
Nearly a year ago, Los Angeles voters made history by approving Measure HLA, a groundbreaking mandate requiring the city to implement bus, bike, and pedestrian safety improvements outlined in the Mobility Plan 2035 (MP2035). The measure, which became law in April 2024, was hailed as a victory for sustainable transportation and safer streets. Though, progress has been slower than anticipated, with only three streets—totaling less than three miles—seeing upgrades so far.
A Slow Start for Measure HLA
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding its passage, Measure HLA has faced notable delays. According to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), city departments effectively put the measure on hold, halting repaving projects slated for bus, bike, and pedestrian improvements. As of now, only three streets have triggered HLA upgrades:
- Hollywood Boulevard (announced before HLA)
- Manchester Boulevard
- Reseda boulevard
These projects, while commendable, represent just a fraction of the city’s ambitious goals. “The city is now slowly coming up with its HLA/MP2035 plans,which include an implementation ordinance and a work plan,” reports Streetsblog LA.
The Draft Standard Elements Guide
In a step toward progress, the City Planning Department (DCP) recently released a draft HLA Standard Elements Guide, a key component of the implementation ordinance. The guide outlines the standards for bus lanes, bike lanes, and pedestrian safety improvements that will be triggered by repaving and other street projects.
The DCP is currently seeking public feedback on the draft, which includes detailed plans for the Transit Enhanced Network (TEN) and other networks approved under MP2035. These networks aim to improve bus performance, expand bike lanes, and enhance pedestrian safety across the city.
What’s Next for Measure HLA?
While the delays have been frustrating for advocates, there is hope on the horizon. The city is working on a thorough implementation plan, and the release of the draft Standard Elements Guide marks a critical step forward.
“Under HLA, repaving and other street projects trigger implementation of the city mobility Plan 2035,” explains Streetsblog LA. This means that as more streets are repaved, the city will be required to add bus-only lanes, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian safety features.
Key Networks Under MP2035
The Mobility Plan 2035 includes several networks where improvements will be prioritized:
| Network | Focus |
|—————————-|—————————————————————————|
| Transit Enhanced Network | Improving bus performance and reliability with bus-only lanes |
| Bicycle Enhanced Network | Expanding protected bike lanes for safer cycling |
| Pedestrian Enhanced Network| Enhancing crosswalks, sidewalks, and other pedestrian safety features |
These networks are designed to create a more connected, sustainable, and safe transportation system for all Angelenos.
The Draft HLA Standard Elements Guide is now open for public comment. Residents and advocates are encouraged to review the document and share their thoughts to ensure the final standards meet the needs of the community.
As the city moves forward with Measure HLA, it’s clear that public engagement will be crucial to its success. “The city is now slowly coming up with its HLA/MP2035 plans,which include an implementation ordinance and a work plan,” notes Streetsblog LA.
Conclusion
While the implementation of Measure HLA has been slower than many hoped, the release of the draft Standard Elements Guide signals progress.With continued public input and advocacy, los Angeles can still achieve its vision of safer, more sustainable streets.
For more information on the Draft HLA Standard Elements Guide, visit the City Planning Department’s website. Let’s work together to ensure Measure HLA delivers on its promise for a better L.A.los Angeles is reimagining its streets with a bold vision for the future. The city’s Mobility Plan 2035 is a comprehensive blueprint designed to balance the needs of all road users, from pedestrians to cyclists, transit riders, and drivers. At its core, the plan introduces a tiered system for streets, ensuring that each corridor is optimized for safety, accessibility, and efficiency.
tiered Streets: A New Framework
The plan categorizes streets into three tiers: Tier 1 (moderate), Tier 2 (moderate-plus), and Tier 3 (comprehensive). Each tier comes with specific designations and improvements. As an example, Tier 3 transit streets are guaranteed bus lanes, while Tier 1 bike streets receive protected bike lanes. Interestingly, the tier system is reversed for transit and bike networks: tier 3 is the highest for transit, while Tier 1 is the best for biking.
Pedestrian Enhanced Districts: A Focus on Walkability
The plan also introduces Pedestrian Enhanced Districts (PEDs), areas where the city prioritizes creating “a safe and agreeable walking environment.” These districts will feature widened sidewalks, crosswalks, and other amenities to enhance walkability. Walkability, unlike bus or bike facilities, is a spectrum, and the plan acknowledges this by allowing versatility in implementation.
Bicycle Networks: A Three-Pronged Approach
Cyclists are not left behind. The plan outlines three distinct networks: the Bicycle Enhanced network (BEN),the Bicycle Lane Network (BLN),and the Neighborhood Enhanced Network (NEN). Each network is tiered, with Tier 1 offering protected bike lanes and Tiers 2 and 3 providing unprotected lanes. The NEN focuses on quieter streets, often referred to as neighborhood greenways or bicycle boulevards, which are safe for both biking and walking.
Ambiguities and Exceptions
While the plan is clear in many areas, it leaves room for interpretation in others. Such as, Tier 1 transit streets may not always have bus lanes, and Neighborhood Network streets in Tier 3 may receive no mandatory improvements. The plan also includes a somewhat ambiguous exception for omitting bus lanes on Transit Enhanced Network (TEN) streets if they don’t align with transit operators’ service patterns. This has raised concerns about potential loopholes,especially given past instances where approved bike lanes were omitted based on unapproved future plans.
Minimum Standards and Optional Features
The Department of City Planning (DCP) has proposed minimum standards for each tier and network. These include mandatory features and optional add-ons. For example, Pedestrian Enhanced Districts must address severe impediments to walking, but additional enhancements are left to the city’s discretion.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the key elements of the Mobility Plan 2035:
| Network | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|—————————|——————————–|——————————–|——————————–|
| Transit Enhanced Network | Bus lanes (optional) | Bus lanes (likely) | Bus lanes (mandatory) |
| Bicycle Enhanced Network | protected bike lanes | Unprotected bike lanes | Unprotected bike lanes |
| Pedestrian Enhanced Districts | Crosswalks, widened sidewalks | Additional amenities | Comprehensive walkability |
Looking Ahead
The Mobility Plan 2035 is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and sustainable transportation system in Los Angeles.However, its success will depend on clear implementation and the city’s ability to address ambiguities.As the plan evolves, residents can expect safer streets, better transit options, and a more walkable, bike-friendly city.For more details on the plan, visit the official Los Angeles City Planning website or explore the Mobility Plan 2035 document.Los Angeles is taking steps to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, but challenges remain. The city’s Department of City Planning (DCP) has proposed updates to the HLA Standard Elements Table, a guide aimed at enhancing walkability and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).These updates include removing impediments on sidewalks and crosswalks, adding missing access ramps, ensuring push buttons at actuated crosswalks are physically accessible, making transit stops accessible, and updating pedestrian signal phases to current timing standards.
Most of these measures, such as removing obstacles and adding curb ramps, are already mandated by ADA law.Though, the city has frequently enough failed to meet these requirements. For instance,a recent report highlighted that Los Angeles does not always add required ADA ramps during resurfacing projects. This makes the DCP’s reiteration of these standards crucial for ensuring compliance.
A wheelchair-inaccessible bus stop on Vermont Avenue at 66th Street serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed. The DCP’s draft HLA Standard Elements Table, a 6-page document, outlines these proposed changes and is now open for public review. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments or email their feedback to [email protected].
To further engage the public, the DCP will host a virtual information session on Thursday, February 13, from 6-7 p.m. Those interested can register online to participate.
Below is a summary of the key elements proposed in the HLA standard Elements table:
| Proposed Element | Description |
|———————————————–|———————————————————————————|
| Remove impediments | Clear sidewalks and crosswalks of obstacles |
| Add missing access ramps | Install curb ramps where they are absent |
| Ensure push button accessibility | Make crosswalk push buttons physically accessible or set phases to automatic |
| Make transit stops accessible | Ensure bus stops are wheelchair-friendly |
| Update pedestrian signal phases | Align signal timing with current standards |
These updates aim to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all pedestrians. While the city has struggled with ADA compliance in the past, the DCP’s renewed focus on these standards is a step in the right direction.What do you think of the proposed changes? Are there elements you believe should be added or removed? Share your thoughts and help shape the future of los Angeles’ pedestrian infrastructure.
insights into the Mobility Plan 2035 and Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
Editor: The Mobility Plan 2035 has been a meaningful focus for Los Angeles. Can you elaborate on how this plan aims to improve the city’s transportation infrastructure?
Guest: Absolutely.The Mobility Plan 2035 is a comprehensive blueprint designed to create a more inclusive and lasting transportation system in los Angeles.It introduces a tiered network approach, dividing the city into Transit Enhanced, Bicycle Enhanced, and Pedestrian Enhanced Districts. Each tier has specific standards and optional features. For instance, the Transit enhanced Network mandates bus lanes in tier 3, while the Bicycle Enhanced Network emphasizes protected bike lanes in Tier 1. The goal is to make the city more walkable, bike-friendly, and transit-oriented.
editor: There have been concerns about potential loopholes in the plan. Could you address how the city is ensuring that approved bike lanes and transit improvements are implemented as planned?
Guest: That’s a valid concern. Past instances have shown that approved bike lanes were omitted based on unapproved future plans. To address this, the Department of City Planning (DCP) has proposed minimum standards for each tier and network. These include mandatory features like crosswalks and widened sidewalks in Pedestrian Enhanced Districts. Though, the success of the plan hinges on clear implementation and the city’s ability to address ambiguities. Ensuring compliance and transparency will be crucial to avoiding similar issues in the future.
Editor: Speaking of pedestrian safety, how is the DCP working to enhance walkability and ADA compliance in Los Angeles?
Guest: The DCP has proposed updates to the HLA Standard Elements Table, a guide aimed at improving walkability and ADA compliance. These updates include removing impediments on sidewalks and crosswalks, adding missing curb ramps, ensuring push buttons at actuated crosswalks are physically accessible, and making transit stops wheelchair-friendly. While some of these measures are already mandated by ADA law, the city has struggled with compliance.For example, Los Angeles has frequently failed to add required ADA ramps during resurfacing projects. The DCP’s renewed focus on these standards is a step in the right direction.
Editor: How can the public get involved in shaping these pedestrian safety enhancements?
Guest: The DCP is actively engaging the public in this process. The draft HLA Standard Elements Table is open for public review, and residents are encouraged to share their thoughts via email or in the comments. Additionally, the DCP will host a virtual data session on Thursday, February 13, from 6-7 p.m.This is a great prospect for residents to learn more about the proposed changes and provide feedback to help shape the future of Los angeles’ pedestrian infrastructure.
Conclusion
the Mobility Plan 2035 and the proposed updates to the HLA Standard Elements Table represent significant steps toward creating a safer,more inclusive,and sustainable transportation system in Los Angeles. By addressing issues like bike lane implementation, ADA compliance, and pedestrian safety, the city is working to build a more walkable and bike-friendly environment. public engagement will be key to ensuring these plans are effectively implemented and meet the needs of all residents. For more details, visit the official Los Angeles City Planning website or explore the Mobility Plan 2035 document.
