Alta is proud to announce the launching of the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI), an exciting new program at at Portland State University's new Center for Transportation Studies. The IBPI has just received funding from the Oregon Transportation and Research Education Consortium (OTREC) to kick-start its activities. The IBPI’s purpose is to enhance policies, programs, and projects that promote pedestrian and bicycle travel through research, education, and outreach.

Alta Principal and PSU Adjunct Professor Mia Birk, along with a number of other Portland leaders, has been working behind the scenes to develop this concept for the past few years. Upcoming activities will include:

• Expanded pedestrian and bicycle planning and design coursework, building off Alta Principal Mia Birk’s course, "Pedestrian and Bicycle Issues in Urban Planning"
  
• Continuing education classes for professionals, advocates, and others
  
• Research projects on bicycle and pedestrian behavior, facilities, safety, health, economics, industry issues, etc...
  
• Integration with other departments and classes, such as engineering, health, community development

Alta has been one of the first partners to provide funding to seed a fellowship program, and is helping develop coursework and research ideas. For more information, contact Dr. Hollie Lund at Portland State University.

Equestrian Trails for the Rural Neighborhood Preservation (RNP) areas on the outskirts of the Las Vegas Valley have been on many County plans over the years, but have never been implemented to the level desired by the residents. A primary reason was that county planners were never sure if the demand was high enough to justify the cost, and they did not want to spend money to build trails that may not be used. There was also no data about the number of horses living in these areas, or where they were located.

Alta Planning + Design worked with Clark County and Cannon Survey Center at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada to implement a telephone and mail survey of the residents living in the RNP areas. The survey included questions about their feelings toward equestrian trails in their neighborhood and the rural character of the neighborhood, as well as how long they plan to stay in their current home. The results clearly showed demand for these trails, from equestrians as well as non-equestrians. Alta also conducted a field survey and attempted to count every horse in the study area. After three days in the field and geocoding the findings, Alta was able to present Clark County with a map showing the location of nearly every horse in the study area.

The findings of the two surveys were enough to justify a new trail plan and investment in an equestrian network. Alta is now working on an equestrian trail plan for the study area. The survey work in the first part of the study is proving invaluable. Trails can be planned based on the locations of the horses, and destinations can be identified based on the responses to the residential survey. The trail plan will be finalized in May 2007.

For more information about the Equestrian Study and Trail Plan, contact Senior Planner/Designer Mike Rose in our Portland office.

Safe Routes to School programs are helping kids bike and walk to school around the nation. Alta Planning + Design is a proud partner in the Portland Safer Routes to School effort.

Now wrapping up its second year, this program has reached children in 19 schools. The program's eventual goal is to reach every child in Portland schools. Alta has led the evaluation effort since the beginning, and this year will take a major step forward. Starting this spring, Portland's program will be one of the first in the nation to use the brand-new national survey (www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_parent-survey.cfm) and follow federal survey analysis procedures. The national survey will help programs like Portland's understand the impact Safer Routes to School is making on children and parents throughout the city. Alta will bring our experience with this survey effort to other Safe Routes to School teams around the nation.

For more information about this effort, contact Alta Planner Jessica Roberts in our Portland office.

Alta is on the move. In the past few months, we've been thrilled to kick off several exciting new projects, including:

• Pro-Bono Assistance: Alta staff are available to help community groups and agencies on a pro bono basis, whether it is answering questions or assisting with research. Every year we donate hundreds of hours to help our colleagues in a variety of areas. Call an Alta professional today to find out more about this, or come into one of our offices and use our library of resources.
   
• Conference Support Program: Alta offers help to deserving individuals who wish to attend conferences in fields related to bicycles, pedestrians, and trails. This may include plane tickets, other travel costs, and conference costs. Contact Alta Principals Michael Jones or Mia Birk to find out more about this program.