The current transportation system in Glen Cove is heavily auto centric. This can make it extremely difficult and potentially dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly for those traveling on major roadways like Forest Avenue, Brewster Street, Glen Cove Avenue, and Cedar Swamp Road. 

 

Many residents don’t have the option to utilize a car to get to a grocery store, a doctor’s appointment, or to work, the city has implemented various forms of alternative transportation and adopted a complete streets policy. Although there is a city-operated loop bus fixed route service and the county operates a bus service that residents can use to get to other towns, more bus coverage is needed. The city has constructed a ferry terminal, but it remains closed as the city has no ferry service provider. The presence of shared and dedicated bike lanes is virtually non-existent. As a result, we are looking for a plan that promotes a transit-oriented approach to transportation that will help to resolve many of these concerns. The plan approach should look at ways to increase access to rail and bus and include other alternative forms of transportation, such as on-demand transit, bikes, scooters, ride hailing, autonomous transit, and car share.  

 

Residents are also often heard complaining about the parking situation downtown and in certain other residential areas. Complaints range from there is not enough parking, parking is not convenient, parking lots and garages aren’t maintained, it is difficult to access, there isn’t any parking turnaround, and a host of other reasons. Another issue is there is no charge for parking so there is no revenue stream to help make the parking facilities more self-sustainable.  

 

The other issues that we would like this project to create a plan that will help make our roads safer for all users by providing possible solutions on how to improve traffic flow, reduce vehicular accidents, increase pedestrian safety, and enhance the pedestrian experience. Although the City has undergone an effort to add or replace sidewalks and add ADA curb ramps, the ability to walk is still difficult due to the autocentric design of many of our streets and the lack of sidewalks on many major roads.

A major output of this project will be to provide the city with a planning document containing a list of sustainable parking management strategies and parking policies that can be implemented over the next 5-10 years, a plan and strategy to improve safety and efficiency on city roadways and promote increased opportunities for multi-modal transportation.  

The team may consider conducting a parking inventory, consult with businesses and other stakeholders on parking needs and concerns, analyze parking and accident data, survey and identify deficiencies in the transportation network (i.e., bad or missing sidewalks, ADA issues, neglected or damaged parking structures and lots, high accident rates, missing bike infrastructure, etc.).

 

The team may conduct a review of comparable studies, plans, or reports from similar cities to identify potential opportunities for Glen Cove to pursue, including but not limited implementing a ferry service, on-demand transit, bike and/or scooter share, increased bus and train service, and enhanced pedestrian connections.           

A comprehensive report or interactive tool that includes data and information related to current parking and transportation needs in the city, as well as innovative ideas, potential solutions, and available resources that can help address the existing challenges related to parking and transportation in Glen Cove. Ideally, the deliverable will be a tool that can inform the city and be referenced by various municipal and economic development stakeholders, businesses, residents, and other important players. Ideally, if the schedule permits, students will be asked to formally present their findings to the Mayor and the Glen Cove Council at a Council meeting.