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Our Process

Active Transportation Plan

MV Moves Timeline

Process

Data Collection

In the first two rounds of counting, MVPC will deploy automatic counters at 4 locations across the region for 7 days and record from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. In the third round, MVPC will deploy a counter at the last completed segment and potentially recount other completed segments. The count data will include user type, direction of movement, time of day peaks, and day of week peaks. The automatic counting will take place September 20, 2023, through October 24, 2023.

Count locations include:

  1. Methuen Rail Trail at Railroad Street
  2. Spicket River Greenway at Manchester Park (Lawrence)
  3. Bradford Rail Trail at Prospect Street (Haverhill)
  4. Groveland Community Path at Main Street
  5. Clipper City Trail at Harbor Walk (Newburyport)
  6. Clipper City Trail at Parker Street (Newburyport)
  7. Marsh Trail at Lion’s Park (Salisbury)
  8. Marsh Trail at Gillis Bridge (Salisbury)
  9. Riverwalk Trail at Heritage Park (Amesbury)

MVPC uses MioVision automatic counters to collect volumes of path users. No facial recognition or other invasive technology is used. The counters distinguish pedestrians and bicycles and the direction in which they are moving.

Path Profiles

MVPC will create profiles of the existing paths that are open and currently in design. The profiles will be built using the user count data and information from our public engagement effort.

Project Conceptualization

Using the data collected and engagement completed during phase 1 of the MV Moves, MVPC will seek to cultivate a short list of high priority active transportation projects to be completed. The prioritized list of projects will seek to close gaps in the network, create access to destinations, and create on-road bike and pedestrian connections to the existing network, and improve existing segments of the active transportation network. Higher priority projects will include further public engagement and conceptual design.

Project Prioritization

The Active Transportation Committee will review the public engagement results and case study before selecting priority projects. The draft list will be released for a 21-day review, before it is finalized. At this point, MVPC staff will work with local, state, and federal partners to identify potential funding sources and a series of steps to complete the projects.

Concept Design

After the public review, the top priority project will receive further public engagement from MVPC Staff and the Active Transportation Committee in collaboration with municipal officials of the project location. The remaining funding for the MV Moves will be set aside for a conceptual design of the project.

Public Engagement

Phase 1 Trail Users and Abutters

MVPC staff set up a table with a short intersecpt survey in the general area that the counts are taking place. The purpose of the intercept survey is to collect information regarding the path users experience that cannot be collected by the automatic counters.

MVPC plans to contact abutting residents about their experience living along the active transportation network. The engagement effort will seek to gain an understanding of the impact shared use paths on resident quality of life.

 

Phase 2 Regionwide Project Concepts

MVPC will create a publicly accessible map where participants can comment on the suggested conceptual projects.

Phase 3 Active Transportation Committee

The Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization will bring together a committee of people who have an interest in advancing an ATN that works for the whole region. The committee will be comprised of demographically and geographically diverse people from municipal, public/advocate, and state official backgrounds. The committee will be charged with attending public engagement events, participating in site walks, reviewing project proposals, and prioritizing the list of projects. To ensure demographic equity, there will be a maximum of two people from each subregion (listed below) and the cities of Lawrence and Haverhill.

Subregions:

  1. Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury
  2. Newbury, Rowley, and West Newbury
  3. Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, and Merrimac
  4. Andover, Methuen, and North Andover

The Active Transportation Committee meetings will be open to the public. If you wish to join the Active Transportation Committee, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

Phase 4 Public Review

Once the Active Transportation Committee completes a draft prioritized list of conceptual projects, the projects will be reviewed in an online public portal.

Phase 5 Priority Project

Once the top priority project has been identified, MVPC staff and Active Transportation Committee members will engage community members and gather public input on the specific project.