Transportation and congestion management took center stage at the Summit County Council meeting on October 4, 2024, as officials unveiled a new active transportation scorecard aimed at tracking progress and improving community safety.

During the meeting, a presentation highlighted the county's commitment to enhancing its transportation system through collaboration with federal, state, and local governments. The scorecard, developed by staff members Bridget Conway and Alyssa Richards, is designed to measure key performance metrics related to active transportation, including walkability and bike safety. It aims to provide a clear picture of current conditions, allowing the county to assess improvements over time.

"This is a way to help tell the story of what we are getting done and whether we are moving the needle on our key priorities," said a council member. The scorecard includes 11 performance metrics, such as bike and pedestrian crash statistics, which are crucial for developing a safety action plan.

While the scorecard reveals some areas of concern, such as low scores in certain neighborhoods, it also highlights pockets of success, with some areas achieving perfect scores. The council emphasized the importance of understanding these metrics to allocate resources effectively and improve safety measures.

In response to questions about federal funding opportunities, officials noted that while they are developing a safety plan, they have not yet applied for the Safe Streets for All program due to concerns about competitiveness. "We don't want to spend a lot of time on that if we're not going to be recipients of those dollars," one official explained.

The council plans to follow up next year with a congestion management scorecard, focusing on reliability and efficiency, to further evaluate the county's transportation landscape. This ongoing assessment will help ensure that Summit County continues to make strides in reducing traffic congestion and promoting active transportation options for its residents.