New Traffic Signal at Benton and Euclid/Lyndale at First for Montana

The recently completed construction project at Benton and Euclid/Lnydale features a traffic signal new to the State of Montana. Instead of a solid green light for an unprotected left hand turn, the light will feature a blinking yellow signal. While the intersection is still governed in the same manner, the intent is for drivers to be more mindful of yielding to oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians. This design is the new national standard, so expect to see similar signals around the rest of the state with future construction. The new construction also features ADA updates at corners and sidewalk improvements enhancing nonmotorized connectivity in the area.

For the full story in the Helena IR click the link below
http://helenair.com/news/local/benton-euclid-lyndale-intersection-features-new-kind-of-traffic-signal/article_09d2e1b0-fa6c-11e2-8232-0019bb2963f4.html

Roundabout Considered in Helena 

The Montana Department of Transportation is currently seeking input for a roundabout at Lincoln Road and Green Meadow. The primary goal of a roundabout would be to increase safety at a rural intersections with high traffic, similar to other roundabouts recently installed in the valley. Additionally this is near S.A.V.E.'s Adopt-a-Highway (pictured below)!

See the full story in the Helena IR by following the link below

http://helenair.com/news/local/department-of-transportation-seeking-comments-on-proposed-roundabout-at-lincoln/article_0d37acf0-f030-11e2-937a-0019bb2963f4.html

HATS Explores the Guaranteed Ride Home Program

 A Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) is program that gives commuters the peace of mind to leave their car behind and take an alternative mode of travel instead. Commuters are provided with a mechanism to avoid being stranded at work in case of an emergency such person illness, illness of a family member, natural disaster or overtime. Typically, in the form of a voucher or reimbursement for a cab or rental car. 

With the East Helena route being converted into a commuter route a Guaranteed Ride Program would be an ideal incentive to increase commuting by bus into Helena. Before such a program may be implemented there are a few items to be decided: who is eligible (all employees or just those living in East Helena), what trips are eligible (riding the bus, or all modes of alternative transportation), the number of uses allowed in a period of time, the sponsor agency (HATS or another coordinator), and the funding and amount covered? These questions are determined by each individual work place that participates in a GRH program. HATS can may assist in the development of these programs along with other stakeholders, but it is at the discretion of the employers to support alternative modes of transportation in their workplace.  Though HATS will be the focus, a GRH program allows all forms of multi-modal transportation options to be considered.

More more information about the Guaranteed Ride Home program click the links below. 

http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm18.htm

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/clearinghouse/grhfund.htm

Helena Selected as a Candidate for the International Mountain Bicycling Association "Ride Center" Designation

The Ride Center designation only belongs to any elite group of global mountain biking communities including Park City, Utah (Gold), Oakridge Area, Oregon (Silver), and Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia (Bronze). The designation is determined by the entire spectrum of mountain biking facilities from expert to novice, types of terrain, as well as alternative tourism destinations in the area. An evaluator from IMBA will be experiencing what Helena has to offer over the next week. At the preliminary stakeholder meeting they were very impressed with Trail Rider (which may be unique to the United States), the amount of open lands adjacent to the City, and the balance of activity between tourists and locals. In particular the efforts of Bike Helena and the youth group the Helena Dynamos. To learn more about the IMBA Ride Center designation click the link below.

http://www.imba.com/ride-centers