Mobility Element 2015
City of Pasadena
Department of Transportation
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Section 1: Introduction
Pasadena envisions a more livable and economically strong City for the 21st Century. That vision speaks
to transportation policy and sets forth a Guiding Principle that views Pasadena as “a community where
people can circulate without cars.” The vision relies upon an integrated and multimodal transportation
system that provides choices and accessibility for everyone living and working in the City. Key strategies
to achieve this vision promote non-auto travel including public transit services, parking strategies,
bicycle facilities, car-sharing programs and pedestrian components that are well coordinated and
connected with a larger regional transportation system. Such a safe and convenient transportation
system for all modes of travel is necessary to support planned land uses in the community and also to
manage mobility for residents, employees, and visitors.
The City conducted a two-year community outreach program in preparation of the 2009 Mobility
Element. The workshops, community meetings, commission meetings, public hearings and City Council
meetings provided considerable review and comments. This outreach resulted in development of a
framework for the Mobility Element that focuses on the following three major objectives:
Enhance Livability
Encourage walking, biking, transit and other alternatives to motor vehicles
Create a supportive climate for economic viability
These objectives are outlined in this report which is organized into the following major chapters:
Purpose of the Mobility Element; Issues, Objectives & Policies; Mobility Plan and Implementation
Programs. Technical appendices provide more detailed information on the travel demand model, as well
as full-size images and maps that are included in the main chapters.
Eight Guiding Principles of the Pasadena General Plan:
Principle 1:
Growth will be targeted to serve community needs and enhance the quality of life.
Principle 2:
Change will be harmonized to preserve Pasadena's historic character and environment.
Principle 3:
Economic vitality will be promoted to provide jobs, services, revenues and
opportunities.
Principle 4:
Pasadena will be promoted as healthy family community.
Principle 5:
Pasadena will be a city where people can circulate without cars.
Principle 6:
Pasadena will be promoted as a cultural, scientific, corporate, entertainment and
educational center for the region.
Principle 7:
Community participation will be a permanent part of achieving a greater city.
Mobility Element 2015
City of Pasadena
Department of Transportation
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Principle 8:
Pasadena is committed to public education and a diverse educational system responsive
to the broad needs of the community.
Mobility Element 2015
City of Pasadena
Department of Transportation
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Section 2: Purpose of the Mobility Element
The ability of a community to balance and facilitate the different components of its transportation
system is important to the creation and preservation of a quality living and business environment. The
function of a community’s transportation system is to provide for the movement of people and goods
including pedestrians, bicycles, transit and other vehicle traffic flows within and through the community.
Pasadena’s General Plan Mobility Element (commonly known as the Circulation Element in other cities)
guides the continuing development of the transportation system to support planned growth. The
anticipated development pattern, as identified in the Land Use Element, will increase the use of the
City’s transportation systems, including demand for local and regional roadways. Regional growth,
particularly in north Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County, will continue to have effects on the
City since Pasadena is a regional economic activity center.
The purpose of the Mobility Element is twofold. First, and most important, it contains measures for the
implementation of the City’s Guiding Principle related to mobility – Pasadena will be a city where people
can circulate without cars. Second, the Mobility Element addresses the requirements of California state
law designed to evaluate the transportation needs of the community within the context of the region
and to present a comprehensive plan to meet those needs.
2.1 Land Use and Mobility
The Mobility Element of the General Plan demonstrates the relationship between the Land Use Plan and
the Mobility Plan for the City as required by Government Code Section 65302(b). The reason for this
linkage is that the Mobility Element is more than a transportation plan; it also concerns itself with the
mobility of people and goods, and provisions for energy, water, sewage, storm drainage and
communications. The provisions of the Mobility Element support the goals, objectives, policies and
provisions of the General Plan Land Use Element. In turn, the Land Use Element is supported by the
community's transportation system and the plans, projects, and proposals for improvement of that
system.
The Mobility Element of the General Plan is also internally consistent and complements other elements
of Pasadena's Comprehensive General Plan in conformance with Government Code Section 65300.5.
This consistency is necessary because the goals, policies, and objectives of the Mobility Element have a
direct impact on the physical, social, and economic fabric of the City.
2.2 Scope and Content of the Mobility Element
The Mobility Element sets forth goals and policies to improve overall transportation in Pasadena. The
Mobility Element’s underlying objective – promote a livable community where people can circulate
without cars – establishes its policy direction. Non-auto travel modes are emphasized in this Element in
order to recognize their role in improving the City’s environment and quality of life.