Cool Springs Multimodal Transportation Network Study
1 . Executive Summary
The Cool Springs Multimodal Transportation Network Study began August 2014 with the objective of improving the mobility options in the Cool Springs area of Franklin , Tennessee . The study area roughly parallels I-65 between Moores Lane and Murfreesboro Road . The principal north-south roads in the area are Carothers Parkway and Mallory Lane . Cool Springs Boulevard , McEwen Drive , and Liberty Pike are other major arterials in the area . See study area map . As background information , an Existing Conditions Report ( 11-4-14 ) was prepared at the beginning of the study and is located in the Appendix .
A Brief Overview
The Cool Springs area has seen rapid employment and residential growth in the past two decades , and multiple corporations have located in the area . In addition , several large scale mixed use developments are either proposed or under construction along Carothers Parkway . The existing transportation infrastructure already experiences high levels of congestion even though the area has yet to be fully built out . The TMA Group , the local public transportation provider and administrator of the vanpool and rideshare program throughout Middle Tennessee , recognizes attempting to build a way out of traffic congestion will negatively impact the very “ quality of life ” that has attracted so many residents and companies to the Cool Springs area in the first place . Instead , it is crucial to address the problem through a multimodal approach incorporating transit riders , bicyclists , pedestrians , and transportation demand management strategies in the solution . The TMA Group contracted with TranSystems to conduct the study . The following document is the result of that collaboration . In addition , as part of the study there was extensive public input . Stakeholder interviews were conducted and almost 100 attendees participated in a full day of public involvement meetings on April 28 , 2015 . A survey was also distributed and made available online . Over 200 people responded . The results of the public input process are located in Chapter 9 of this report .
In the Short Term
Short-term recommendations for the Cool Springs Multimodal Transportation Network Study focus on increasing local mobility . Three options are presented for extending and reconfiguring local Franklin Transit routes to better serve the Cool Springs area . All the options also add additional express service from Nashville , and a free lunchtime shuttle . The first option adds additional arterial routes along Seaboard Lane , and Carothers Parkway , as well as rerouting the EastBound and SouthBound routes . The second option creates a flex route along Carothers Parkway to directly serve residents and employees east of I-65 with more demand responsive serve . The third option creates a large dual direction loop that would circulate riders throughout the entire study area . Other recommendations relate to infrastructure and rolling stock improvements and include enhancing area bus stops with shelters and concrete pads , establishing a new park and ride lot , and increasing transit capacity by using 30-foot buses instead of cutaway vehicles . Addressing multimodal alternatives , the report also recommends that in the short term , additional bike lanes and off-street trails be added to better connect existing bike routes , and pedestrian infrastructure improvements be added , such as , pedestrian refuges , curb bumpouts and better signalization at intersections to enhance safety . The report also recommends working closely with area employers , property managers , and developers to establish a transportation demand management program .
Cool Springs | Multimodal Transportation Network Study 1