Often, out of nothing more than habit, we jump into our cars for local trips along our daily routes. However, research is unveiling the direct relationship between our travel habits and climate change with transportation leading as the biggest contributor to carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Add to that all of our recurring, short trips, and our dependence on cars can quickly prove inefficient and unsustainable for local travel.

Enter the rise of micromobility – smaller, affordable, and eco-friendly transportation alternatives for short trips like cargo bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric mobility devices. Fueled by growing options and rising sales, micromobility has made it more practical and sustainable to leave cars at home for short-distance travel. Not all of our streets, however, are designed to be shared by a mix of large and small vehicles. Fortunately, with the growth and funding of complete streets initiatives, bicycle boulevards, and neighborhood greenways, these programs prioritize routes for comfortable low-speed travel so that all road users can share clearly designated roads.

Creating a Unique Visual Identity

To make their network more accessible and inviting, we worked closely with SBCCOG to develop a friendly and engaging custom brand for the LTN. Doing so was important to engage residents and encourage them to choose micromobility over larger vehicles. Creating easily recognizable signage will help guide users as they travel throughout the region. Working closely with stakeholders from the South Bay cities, our Creative Studio team created a unique and recognizable “rolling turtle” brand and LTN sign that is the foundation for the wayfinding component of the network.

Quick Build Implementation with LTN Pilot

This month, the City of El Segundo was the first South Bay community to open a section of the Local Travel Network, through a quick build pilot project. We helped the city implement the branded LTN signs, new wayfinding signs for key community destinations, and new priority parking for NEVs and bikes and three key destinations on the LTN. The pilot project will be a great way to build community momentum for wider implementation, and gather public input to help shape future phases of the network.

With the El Segundo pilot now complete, next year will mark the launch of the network’s broader implementation, and South Bay cities will gain access to our Local Transportation Network Implementation Playbook to support their local adoption of this valuable program. If you’re interested in implementing a similar project in your community or for assistance with application components to help your jurisdiction secure funding, contact us!