Agenda - 09-19-2007-6f1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section V. DRAFT County Profile (Data) Element Orange Countv Comprehensive Plan B6. Transportation Highlights Transportation in Orange County and the Triangle area is a major issue, as traffic.congestion often increases disproportionately to the county's population growth. The single- occupancy automobile remains the primary mode of travel to and from work for Orange County residents. For this and other reasons, there are more cars on the road now than ever. Increased traffic and congestion is closely linked to the location of housing and employment centers and results in a negative effect on air quality and the quality of life in general. Orange County is a member of two regional transportation planning organizations working to improve transportation infrastructure, to promote alternative modes of transportation, and to increase mobility between communities. Within Orange County, local and regional transit services, such as the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) and Chapel Hill Transit (CHT) shuttle commuters to work and to appointments within and between urban areas and universities. Orange County Public Transportation's "Orange Bus," addresses transit needs outside of the municipalities in rural areas. Unless otherwise noted, data provided in tables and charts is for all of Orange County. Details on local and regional transportation initiatives may be found in the Transportation Element. Information on the effects of transportation on the environment and air quality may be found in the Natural and Cultural Systems Element. X There were 84,983 cars and trucks registered in Orange County in 2005, representing a 33% increase in vehicle registrations since 1990. Traffic accidents have increased nearly 43% since 1990. According to the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT), 75% of state - maintained roads in Orange County are in the unincorporated (rural) areas. In 2005, unpaved roads represent less than 5% of total roadway miles maintained by NCDOT in Orange County compared to 29% of roads in 1980. (This figure does not include privately maintained roadways.) Based on a 2000 report, Orange County had 215 miles of unpaved, non- NCDOT maintained roads, one of the highest number of miles in the state. The projections for future years show the number of daily vehicle miles 86.1 9/6/2007 traveled (DMVT) for Orange County is predicted to increase by 8.3% from 2000 to 2015 (projected). There is no AMTRAK stop in Orange County. The percentage of workers who bike or walk to work is higher than the state, owing largely to the presence of the UNC campus in Chapel Hill. Z The average drive time to work for Orange County residents is twenty -two minutes, representing a 19% increase since 1980. Sixty percent of the labor force lives and works in Orange County. The remaining 40% commute to other counties for employment. Likewise, 40% of Orange County's labor force commutes in from other counties.