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Transportation Commission debates FY26 local policy items, including data metrics, sidewalk gaps and micromobility oversight
Summary
Commissioners reviewed proposed local policy priorities for the city council policy agenda for fiscal year 2026, discussing benchmarks for data collection, prioritizing sidewalk gap closure, transit-supportive land use, micromobility safety and winter sidewalk maintenance.
The Transportation Commission reviewed draft local policy items for the city council policy agenda for fiscal year 2026 during the March 19 meeting and discussed additions and reordering before a planned vote next month.
Key proposals and discussion: Staff presented a list of proposed local items including strengthening partnerships with MDOT, Ann Arbor Public Schools and the University of Michigan; prioritizing data-driven decision-making and specific benchmarking; using destination access (jobs, food, school) as an evaluation criterion; prioritizing bike lane and sidewalk connectivity; expanding nonmotorized funding; and continued advocacy for transit-supported development.
Commissioner comments asked staff to clarify what benchmarking metrics the commission wants reported — for example, blockages of bike lanes, conformance to winter maintenance standards, crash reporting and driver compliance at crosswalks. Commissioners proposed moving sidewalk-gap and winter-maintenance items higher on the list and explicitly adding continued advocacy for closing sidewalk gaps, particularly routes used for school access.
Micromobility and enforcement: Commissioners also discussed micromobility. Rachel (commissioner) asked that the commission revisit existing micromobility policy and confirm whether any council action is needed; others noted the ongoing short-term SPIN scooter contract and expressed interest in contracting with providers who prioritize safety. Pete (commissioner) asked that the commission explicitly seek micromobility partners that prioritize safety and suggested adding that language to the draft agenda items.
Other policy items: Commissioners suggested proposals to make transit commuting more competitive (including ideas to phase out monthly downtown parking permits in favor of monthly transit passes), remove permitting fees for bus-stop infrastructure, and pursue snow- and windrow-removal coordination at bus stops to keep stops accessible.
Next steps: Staff asked commissioners to email suggested wording and metrics before next month’s meeting; the commission plans a formal vote at the April meeting to forward the local policy recommendations to City Council.
