Active Transportation & Complete Streets
Active Transportation, also known as non-motorized transportation, refers to human-powered mode of travel such as walking and biking, primarily. The regional transportation system currently lacks sufficient non-motorized provisions along many corridors where bicycling and walking should be viable travel choices–especially for short trips. In light of rising energy costs, an aging population, public health concerns, and increasing demand for alternatives to motor vehicle travel, there is a growing need for infrastructure and development patterns that support what has widely become known as “active transportation.”
2050 Regional Transportation Plan - Active Transportation Chapter
The Active Transportation Chapter from the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (adopted August 9, 2023 by the Birmingham MPO) includes:
A summary of existing active transportation facilities
Recently completed projects
Planned and programmed projects
Related policies and programs
Regional planning efforts
APPLE Program Feasibility Studies
Federal funding sources
B-ACTIVE Plan logo
Regional Active Transportation Plan – “B-ACTIVE Plan” – Adopted March 2019
In 2019, the Birmingham MPO adopted the B-ACTIVE Plan, the branded name of the Active Transportation Plan for the Greater Birmingham Region. The plan’s purpose is to establish a clear vision for building and expanding a multimodal transportation network in the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) with a specific focus on creating a cohesive system of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This plan identifies and prioritizes strategic projects to build a safer, more connected, and equitable active transportation system for the region.
Since the B-ACTIVE Plan was adopted in 2019, an approximately 83 miles of active transportation facilities have been built in the Birmingham region. However, because much of this construction was related to the implementation of other active transportation plans, such as the Red Rock Trail System that has a more off-road facility approach, only 36 miles of the envisioned 850-mile B-ACTIVE network have been constructed.
For a quick 2-page overview of “How to Use the B-ACTIVE Plan” click here.
The contents of the Plan include:
Chapter 1 – Introduction: Existing conditions, existing plan review and plan goals and objectives
Chapter 2 – More Users: Public engagement and outreach findings
Chapter 3 – Connectivity: Regional Active Transportation Network, network approach and development
Chapter 4 – Implementation: Project vetting methods, project Identification, policy roads, context sensitive design, facility selection guidance, phasing, programs and policies
Appendix A – Demand analysis method, level of comfort analysis methodology, survey questions
Appendix B- Network indicator criteria
Appendix C- Project lists, study area network maps
Appendix D – Menu of cross sections by context, detailed cost estimates
Download the adopted plan below:
B-ACTIVE Plan – Adopted March 2019 – with Appendices
B-ACTIVE Plan – Adopted March 2019 – without Appendices
Appendix B – Network Indicators
Appendix C – Project Lists and Study Area Maps
Appendix D – Menu of Facility Options and Cost Estimates
B-ACTIVE Plan - Executive Summary
In addition, the B-ACTIVE Plan has its own site with an interactive map of the plan and existing facilities. Click below to visit the plan website:
B-ACTIVE Plan Annual State of the Network Report
As part of an ongoing effort to track and celebrate success in implementing the B-ACTIVE Plan and other active transportation projects in the region, the RPCGB publishes an annual “State of the Network” report. Click below to view the annual reports.
B-ACTIVE Plan Annual State of the Network Report, 2023
B-ACTIVE Plan Annual State of the Network Report, 2022
B-ACTIVE Plan Annual State of the Network Report, 2021
RPCGB APPLE PROGRAM - Feasibility Studies
The RPCGB administers the Advanced Planning, Programming, and Logical Engineering (APPLE) Program that provides technical assistance to local governments and small project sponsors in determining project feasibility specific for both non-motorized and multimodal travel corridors and is designed to educate local governments about the project development process, assist them in their decision-making process, and provide resources to help develop and advance transportation projects.
The following APPLE studies have been conducted since 2019 to evaluate improving accommodations for non-motorized users:
Crestwood Boulevard Corridor Study – Birmingham (June 2020)
Overton Road Corridor Study – Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills (June 2020)
Central Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Study – Homewood (August 2020)
SR-70 / West College Street Bicycle, Pedestrian and Intersections Improvements Study – Shelby County / Columbiana (September 2021)
Alabaster Master Plan for Walking and Biking System (January 2022)
Old Town Helena Pedestrian Improvements (June 2023)
16th Street North Pedestrian Improvements Study - Birmingham (March 2023)
Embracing Shades Creek - Irondale (April 2023)
Shades Creek to Eastwood Trail Study – Birmingham (May 2023)
Pinchgut Creek Trail Study – Trussville (June 2023)
Pelham-Helena Connector Bike/Pedestrian Trail Study (July 2023)
US-31 Pedestrian Improvements, Access Management and Operations Study –Homewood (in progress)
To download a copy of the studies, visit www.rpcgb.org/transportation-project-feasibility-studies-apple.
Red Rock Trail System
The RPCGB continually encourages municipalities to build their portion of the 750-mile Red Rock Trail System that was developed as part of a master plan in 2010 by the Fresh Water Land Trust and the Jefferson County Health Action Partnership. The Red Rock Trail System is a network of trails, parks, bike lanes, and sidewalks in Jefferson County, Alabama. To date in November 2023, 130 miles of trails have been completed! Freshwater Land Trust is constantly working with government, business, and community groups to complete more trails.
You can access the full, 750-mile master plan here. and view a map of the master plan here.
Link to the 2023 Red Rock Action Plan. While the Red Rock Master Plan was an excellent starting point for establishing a comprehensive trail network in Jefferson County, the scale of the original plan did not provide a detailed feasibility analysis of proposed corridors. Therefore, as one of the next steps to bring this trail system to life, the Freshwater Land Trust commissioned the Red Rock Action Plan, which was developed by Alta Planning + Design and published in 2023. The Red Rock Action Plan provides deeper planning and design guidance on how to fill in the gaps in the existing network by identifying seven key corridors that will create a circuit of trails around the greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area,
Additional information can be found at Freshwater Land Trust website or by contacting the Carolyn Buck at the Freshwater Land Trust at carolyn.buck@freshwaterlandtrust.org or 205-417-2777.
complete streets
What is a Complete Street?
A complete street is safe, and feels safe, for everyone using the street. As one of the 2021 Planning Emphasis Areas, FHWA and FTA are seeking to help Federal aid recipients plan, develop, and operate streets and networks that prioritize safety, comfort, and access to destinations for people who use the street network, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, micro-mobility users, freight delivery services, and motorists. The goal is to provide an equitable and safe transportation network for travelers of all ages and abilities, including those from marginalized communities facing historic disinvestment.
There is no singular design prescription for Complete Streets; each one is unique and responds to its community context. A complete street may include: sidewalks, bike lanes (or wide paved shoulders), special bus lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent and safe crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes, roundabouts, and more.
Adopted Complete Streets Polices in the Region
The City of Birmingham adopted a Complete Streets Policy in 2018.
The City of Homewood adopted a Complete Streets Policy in April 2022. A Complete Streets Advisory Committee will review projects and publish progress reports on how well the city is doing in regard to making streets “complete.”