Differentiate Dunwoody

by
Max Lehmann
(Originally written: November 05, 2009)

I was 14 years old when I visited Holland. I marveled that on busier roadways, bike,
moped paths, and a pedestrian walkways all coexist. Talk about a great system,
everyone is safe, and encouraged to pedal, walk, or ride, regardless of ability. The Dutch
are leagues ahead of US on this stuff due to their immense population density issues. It
also took many years to develop this system under completely different laws.

First, measuring the existing traffic flows, volumes, and peak times, etc., with a valid
Transportation Plan may be required. We have had so many plans in Atlanta, the idea of
another is a bit disheartening, but if we don't know the nature of the problem, we cannot
resolve it. Next, I believe linking our Comp Plan nodes (Georgetown, Perimeter, Winters
Chapel, etc.) and MARTA with an efficient, safe, 'last mile' transportation program
coincides with a longer term 'complete streets' initiative.

Differentiate Dunwoody - That speaks to the points I made at the PCID Comp Plan
meeting. Specifically, that the end-users of commercial real estate are attracted to a place
that can uniquely profit them. In leasing or selling commercial retail property, the two
main determinants of demand are demographics and traffic count.

Virtually any business would desire Dunwoody over another location, if they know their
customers can be delivered by a public transpo-van. Demand is further augmented if a
business owner knows their customers can easily arrive on foot, bike, or quickly park
their car close by their destination. Simply put, making it easy to get the butts to the
store is what really matters. The 'last mile' is the mile that counts.

In my opinion, Dunwoody has two traffic issues, yet to be documented by a

Transportation Study:
 External (pass-through) traffic - We can dissuade external traffic by making
'cutting through' Dunwoody less attractive. Traffic calming, two lane roads, etc.
all make cutting through a hassle and are natural delimiters to external traffic.
Practically speaking, I think, we have less pass-through traffic than people think.
It is already too much of a hassle to 'zip' through Dunwoody, unless 400 South and
285 are completely jammed. I know this from practical experience.
Internal traffic - My gut tells me, and the Transpo Study may document, internal
traffic is a larger issue. The number of 'trips'; taking the kids here or there,
groceries, errands, times the number of residents equals the bulk of our traffic. If
we can reduce 'trips' by private vehicle by providing a safe, efficient, low-cost
alternative people will relish using it.
I strongly believe that an exclusive system like Buckheads' 'Buc' or the free mini-buses
around Emory is critical. Each Dun resident should have a 'trans-pass' which ID's the
rider. We can make it safe and fun for everyone to hop on the van. Visitor passes are
sold in the nodes.

I used such a system as a 15 year old kid, alone, in Gaithersburg, MD. The van came
close to your house, by appointment! The van took you to a specific destination, several
to choose from (like our nodes). That is the key; pickups are close to your home (unless
you are disabled, in which case they arrive at the door) and your destination is limited to
a node or MARTA. If you missed an appointment, you were unable to use the system
for awhile, otherwise, rides were low cost, probably subsidized by the town (affluent)
and business (beneficiary). A CID might work.

Over time, roadways may be built and redesigned according to 'complete streets'
concepts. Ideally at some point in time, the 'last mile' system should link Dunwoody to
surrounding communities such as Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, perhaps Norcross and
Doraville.

Hope this is useful. A lot of people hate to drive irrespective of traffic, myself included,
and would jump on a safe, efficient alternative. In summary:

 Transportation Analysis Plan ASAP - "Can't measure it, can't manage it",
Conquering the 'last mile' issue on existing roads - Like the Buckhead "Buc"
system,
 Building or redesigning according to the 'complete streets' doctrines should be a
long term goal to accommodate bikes, pedestrians, etc.

Regards to all, drive safely,

Max Lehmann

UPDATE: As of August, 2010 The Dunwoody Transportation Plan is underway! I have been asked, and
accepted, a Mayoral invitation to serve on the Transportation Advisory committee.