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REPORT <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the City Manager <br /> <br />October 17, 2016 <br /> <br />SUBJECT <br />Citywide Transportation Plan Scope of Work <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Review and provide input on the proposed scope of work for the Citywide <br />Transportation Plan <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />Over the past six years, the Bay Area economy has steadily grown. San Mateo County <br />has seen the unemployment rate drop from 8.8% in January 2010 to 3.2% in August <br />2016. While there are numerous benefits to an improved economy, there are potential <br />downsides. Traffic congestion is an obvious example, as congestion generally increases <br />along with the employment rate. In fact, a recent Metropolitan Transportation <br />Commission (MTC) report found that Bay Area traffic congestion (measured by per <br />commuter delay) has increased 70% since 2010. A summary of the report can be read <br />here: <br /> <br />http://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/news/fresh-data-bay-areas-vital-signs-show-big- <br />jump-freeway-congestion-2015 <br /> <br />Increased congestion can be felt even more acutely along the Peninsula (San <br />Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties) where a majority of Bay Area jobs <br />have been created over the past 6 years. This surge in employment has not only <br />resulted in a significant increase in new residential and office development, but a <br />substantial increase in the occupancy rates of existing buildings. Furthermore, the <br />number of jobs associated within residential neighborhoods, such as construction <br />workers, gardeners and home occupations, have also increased. This economic growth <br />has led to increased traffic throughout the City, not only on major thoroughfares, but in <br />residential neighborhoods. Traffic circulation changes may also be compounded by <br />new technology that allows drivers to avoid congestion on major thoroughfares, but <br />cutting through residential neighborhoods. <br /> <br />At the February 8, 2016 “Managing Growth” Study Session, the Council directed staff to <br />move forward with the several strategies to help better manage economic growth. <br />A key strategy was the development of a comprehensive citywide transportation plan. <br />6.1.B. - Page 4