Sustainability Initiatives
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Sustainability Initiatives
Gwinnett County participates in a variety of sustainability-related initiatives to promote efficiency, reduce impact on our environment, and preserve precious natural resources for the generations to come. Here are just a few!
Bicycle Friendly Community
Gwinnett County continues to develop bicycle and pedestrian focused strategies, policies, and initiatives to promote and improve bicycling and walking as alternative transportation methods. Bike and pedestrian planning are included in the County’s 2040 Unified Plan, and the County is further investigating the role of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to support increasingly urbanized environments and support quality of life initiatives.
This effort includes incorporating network-wide recommendations from the County’s Trails Master Plan and the recently adopted Comprehensive Transportation Plan (Destination 2040), focusing on developing pedestrian friendly and walkable environments in designated areas.
Destination 2040, the County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), was adopted by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on December 19, 2017, and includes bicycle and pedestrian focused strategies. This effort included an analysis to determine areas most suitable for bicycle infrastructure investments. As a result of this study, a tiered Bike Priority Network map was developed and is included in the Destination 2040 Recommendations report.
In addition to the priority network created as a part of the CTP, Gwinnett County recently completed a Countywide Trails Master Plan. The master plan was adopted by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on April 17, 2018, and proposes a network of County trails connecting with city trails and community improvement districts to create a seamless, interconnected web of bike and pedestrian pathways for recreation and commuting.
Complete Streets
The Gwinnett County Department of Transportation considers bicycle, pedestrian, transit users, automobiles, and trucks during design, construction, and maintenance of transportation projects. The Complete Streets approach emphasizes safety, mobility, and accessibility for all modes of travel and individuals of all ages and abilities. The Complete Streets Policy was adopted by the Board of Commissioners on September 4, 2018.
The efficient operation of Gwinnett's 750 signals requires a significant commitment of County staff and resources. To effectively focus this commitment, Gwinnett County has continued to expand its intelligent transportation system to connect more signals to the traffic control center and has enabled real-time monitoring of more than 75 percent of those signals.
In 2019, Gwinnett County developed a Countywide Signal Timing Plan to provide guidance on the regular evaluation of the traffic signal system on all major corridors throughout the county. Gwinnett Transportation staff continue to review the timing for all traffic signals on a regular basis, which includes addressing changes in travel patterns, regional background development, and other shifts over time. Keeping signals synchronized properly means smoother traffic flow, less idling, and reduced fuel consumption for residents and visitors.
Municipal Measurement Program
The Municipal Measurement Program was designed by the Recycling Partnership and Re-Trac to create a central database of local government program information to improve recycling in the United States. MMP promotes consistent measurement, analyzes program performance, and facilitates comparative analysis. The data is verified by The Recycling Partnership prior to inclusion in the nationwide dataset. Interested in recycling in our community? Find a variety of resources on the County website!