Transportation & Land Use — Thrive Indianapolis

Transportation & Land Use: (TL:1) The percentage of residents with affordable, multimodal transportation options has increased at least 15% over 2016 levels by 2025, specifically among those communities identified as most vulnerable through the Transportation Equity Index.

	Action	Status
TL:1A	Through equitable redesign, extended hours and completing construction on the bus rapid transit lines, IndyGo will increase transit service by 70% and increase ridership by 15%.	Action Needed
TL:1B	Implement existing transportation plans to increase the miles of sidewalks, bikeways, trails and complete streets and the number of intersections with safety and operational improvements.	Action Needed
TL:1C	Increase transit-oriented development through high density housing, access to employment opportunities and economic growth with measurably less consumption of energy	Complete
TL:1D	Encourage local businesses to adopt commuter incentives for employees, to promote alternative modes of commuting such as walking, biking, and transit.	In Progress
TL:1E	Continue to identify opportunities to create temporary pedestrian-only zones in our cultural and entertainment districts by 2020.	Complete

IndyGo Bus Equitable redesign

Beginning with the addition of weekend service in 2018, IndyGo has been working toward the implementation of the type of rapid transit system worthy of a dedicated funding source. Local services have been upgraded to offer every route every day of the week. IndyGo designed, constructed, and launched Indy’s first bus rapid transit route, the Red Line. Construction has begun on the Purple Line route, which is scheduled to open in late 2024. Design for the Blue Line bus rapid transit route is progressing toward 90% completion, and IndyGo continues to modernize its fare collection system.

For 13 miles, IndyGo’s Red Line is a milestone in improved capacity, comfort and comprehensive accommodation for every rider’s experience. The addition of Bus Rapid Transit lines (our current Red, the upcoming Purple, and future Blue lines) will be the most dramatic revamp of the IndyGo system in decades. Mile for mile, dollar for dollar, the BRT lines will be more cost-effective than light rail while delivering the same significant benefit: transporting riders more economically, more comfortably, more reliably, and more quickly — all with improved ease of use.

Indy Complete Streets, Trails, and greenways

Over the years, the city-county has created a large system of greenways, trail, bikeways, and other pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle infrastructure. Today, the Indianapolis Greenways Development Committee preserves and improves the greenways across Marion County.

Marion County adopted the “Complete Streets” policy in August 2012. The policy was updated in the 2022 to include a Complete Streets Checklist and establish a Fatal Crash Review Commission. The ordinance defines a “complete street” as a street that allows safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities. The policy ensures that public and private organizations design streets for all transportation modes when developing new land use or right-of-way projects.

For more information about upcoming and current infrastructure projects, please visit Major Transportation and Infrastructure Projects

bike safety and Annual community rides

Indianapolis and Marion County are committed to creating and maintaining a system of bikeways and resources for its bicyclists. Cycling is not only an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, but it also improves physical health and community well-being. For more information, please visit Bike Safety.

The City of Indianapolis hosts a number of annual community bike rides all along public bicycle infrastructure, featuring Polar Bear Pedal, Ride to State Fair, and Trick or Trail. Explore City Bike Rides to learn about details for upcoming public rides. Some may feature the mayor, elected officials, and other city representatives plus giveaways like tickets to the State Fair or bike gear from sponsors.

TL:1C - transit-oriented development

TL:1C - “Increase transit-oriented development through high density housing, access to employment opportunities and economic growth with measurably less consumption of energy”

In September 2021, the Metropolitan Development Commission unanimously approved the passage of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Ordinance that created community and economic development opportunities within Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines across Indianapolis. The passage of the TOD ordinance amends Indy Rezone, the Indianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning Ordinance, to support housing diversity, enhanced walkability, and context-based design that supports greater connectivity.

TL:1C - Complete

The passed amendments include:

Recalibrating the lot and yard standards in Dwelling Districts across Marion County to support and encourage infill-housing development;
Revising the development standards for Mixed-Use Districts to promote commercial and neighborhood development;
Adding design standards that support walkability, improved streetscapes, and better residential and commercial design;
An array of housing types the will support greater housing diversity and affordability.

In addition to the strategic amendments, this legislation implements the Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District. This district identifies commercial and mixed-use property along BRT lines to provide additional development standards that require higher levels of scrutiny for design standards of development projects.

TL:1D - CENTRAL INDIANA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is a regional governmental organization (IC 36-9-3) focused on improving transportation options for Central Indiana. CIRTA works to better connect Indianapolis with suburban and rural communities in Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks, Boone, Delaware and Madison counties. Improving and increasing our transit options helps employees and employers alike throughout the region.

Commuter Connect helps people get to work in ways other than driving alone. Commuter Connect is federally funded, and its services are free to employees and employers. The agency’s overall goal is cleaner air and less traffic. Commuter Connect’s online database provides free accounts for individuals to upload their work hours and their home and work addresses to find carpool matches, vanpool matches and bike buddies. Individuals may also track their “green commutes” to measure money saved and emissions reduced. For more information, please visit CIRTA (cirta.us).

TL:1E - Pedestrian Corridors

In May 2020, Mayor Joseph Hogsett and city leaders announced measures related to COVID-19 that fast-tracked permitting or outdoor dining and limited street closures for five pedestrian-friendly areas with high concentrations of commercial activity. As part of the Dine Out Indy initiative, barriers creating these dining and pedestrian-friendly areas were installed on around Marion County.

TL:1E - Complete

TL:1E - “Continue to identify opportunities to create temporary pedestrian-only zones in our cultural and entertainment districts by 2020.”

As part of the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Public Works worked quickly to create extra space for pedestrians, cyclists, & customers.

Mass Ave, Broad Ripple Ave, Illinois St, Monument Circle, & Georgia St were all closed to vehicular traffic for various timelines during 2020, creating several pedestrian corridors throughout Indy.

While this goal is achieved, city staff continues to identify ways to create additional pedestrian-only zones in the future.

Transportation & Land Use: (TL:2) Increase electric vehicle (EV) ownership 300% by 2025 from the 2017 baseline of 760 vehicles [Marion County]

	Action	Status
TL:2A	Create local EV educational resources, pilot low-cost EV parking downtown, identify downtown fast charging locations and launch an EV corporate fleet challenge	In Progress
TL:2B	Develop a comprehensive, community-wide EV / autonomous vehicle (AV) readiness plan by 2020.	In Progress
TL:2C	Convert remaining IndyGo fleet to electric by 2031.	Action Needed
TL:2D	Host six in-person educational opportunities for Marion County residents to increase awareness of benefits of EV ownership by 2020.	Completed

TL:2A - Reimagining the curb

The City of Indianapolis has a unique opportunity to leverage connections to underground power located at 89 sites along curbs throughout our downtown and neighborhoods. These sites were the former locations of the BlueIndy electric vehicle carsharing service, which ended operations in May 2020. Through this process, the City previously collected public feedback about site locations (largely downtown) and issued a request for ideas about how the sites could be repurposed. To learn more about these ideas, check out this graphic. Since the public engagement efforts, the City evaluated resident data by conducting a suitability analysis to produce recommendations for each site across Indianapolis - view the report here.

In June 2022, the City issued a Request for Proposals for the reuse of Reimagining the Curb sites.

TL:2B - EV Educational Resources

Don’t be a fossil – drive electric. It’s a new age for electric vehicles in Central Indiana. The mission of the Highly EVolved campaign is to educate residents on the benefits and realities of electric vehicles. The campaign is a collaborative partnership with various stakeholders operated by the Office of Sustainability to create a more resilient future for Indianapolis. For more information, please visit Highly EVolved.

Who’s the dinosaur now, Chad?

Compare and purchase Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

There are many resources for comparing and purchasing or leasing hybrid and electric vehicles. For more information, please visit Highly EVolved or the sites listed below:

U.S. Department of Energy: Electric Vehicles 101
U.S. Department of Energy: Fuel Economy
U.S. Department of Energy: 2024 Fuel Economy Guide: Choose Your Next Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
U.S. Department of Energy: Alternative Fuels Data Center
U.S. Department of Energy: Electric Vehicle and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Program
U.S. Treasury and IRS: Credits for New Electric Vehicles Purchased in 2022 or Before
U.S. Department of Energy: Indiana Laws and Incentives
U.S. Department of Energy: Electric Vehicles for Fleets

For more information about how to be Highly EVolved, and more videos of the Highly EVolved dinosaurs, please visit Highly Evolved.

TL:2D - EV Educational Opportunities - Toolkit

Office of Sustainability partnered with Forth, a nonprofit trade association with over 170 members representing the diverse stakeholders of the electric mobility ecosystem, to host a Workplace Charging webinar in September 2020 with an associated toolkit. Workplace Charging Toolkit

This toolkit was developed through the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge for the City of Indianapolis. It is intended to demonstrate the benefits of workplace charging and help employers develop and implement a workplace charging program. A successful workplace charging program can be straightforward, with dedicated time and resources to secure leadership support and develop a plan. While not a revenue-building venture, implementing workplace charging is a strategy to provide an amenity for employees that also benefits the employer and the environment.

TL:2D - EV Educational Opportunities - showcases, webinars, ride-and-drives

The Office of Sustainability partners with numerous stakeholders to present various electric vehicle educational opportunities. As part of Highly EVolved work, Pivot Marketing works with the Office of Sustainability to organize employer-hosted Ride-and-Drives. To express interest in hosting a Ride-and-Drive, please email pr@pivotmarketing.com.

Greater Indiana Clean Cities, Forth Mobility, and Pivot Marketing have presented electric vehicle-related webinars with the Office of Sustainability. In fall 2020, EV Workplace Charging Workshop was presented with event sponsors Energy Systems Network, Ratio, Rolls Royce, and Springbuk. This two-day event provided an opportunity for corporate and municipality leaders in the state of Indiana and beyond to come together and learn from industry experts about the benefits and realities of electric vehicle charging in the workplace.

TL:2D - COMPLETE

In October 2023, the 2023 Highly EVolved Showcase marked the completion of this action item. In-person Highly EVolved Showcases were presented in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Photos and brochures from these events are available on the Highly EVolved website - plus video from 2022 and 2023 EV Showcases. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person events scheduled for 2020 and 2021 pivoted to virtual settings.