Safety top traffic concern in Hawai'i, survey says

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Safety is more important than an ability to get around quickly and easily when it comes to transportation issues in Hawai'i, according to a survey of Island residents.

Residents were much less concerned with issues that affected them directly, such as mobility and accessibility.

"Mobility, or the ability to get around quickly and easily, was not a concern among many residents," the survey takers found.

The surprising results are contained deep in an appendix to a new document, the Hawai'i Statewide Transportation Plan, which is being circulated this month and discussed at a series of public hearings statewide. The report addresses all forms of transportation needs, including airports, highways, harbors and bike paths.

The telephone survey of 1,115 random households was just one of many ways used to get community input for the plan, which ultimately will help decide transportation spending priorities.

The poll results are backed up by hundreds of personal comments made during telephone interviews.

"Safety first, more traffic signals. More police on the roads to lessen accidents," one respondent said.

"More security or citizens' watches," suggested another.

Mobility (74 percent) and accessibility (70 percent), ranked seventh and eighth on the list. Only supporting the economy and public involvement in the planning process were less of a concern.

The telephone interviewers asked residents about 10 broad planning objectives, including the ability to get to places quickly, protecting the environment and public involvement. The poll's margin of error was 2.9 percent.

Even when asked to compare one objective to another, broad policy concerns were consistently picked over issues that point to day-to-day traffic frustrations.

Dean Nakagawa, project manager for the transportation plan, said residents probably had traffic accidents and air rage incidents on their mind rather than terrorism when they put safety No. 1 in their priorities.

Planners normally are trained to see such a bigger picture in compiling such plans, but were surprised that residents also saw things from a statewide perspective.

"The residents of Hawai'i clearly indicate that what's good for my community is good for the state," the report said.

Moreover, very few people were wishy-washy in their responses.

"A striking feature of the data is that less than 10 percent of the respondents chose in-between answers," an indication that they see problems and priorities clearly, the report says.

When it came to spending money on transportation projects, however, residents sometimes reversed the priorities.

Asked how transportation money could help their community, more residents mentioned public transportation, rapid transit and easier access and mobility than any other issue.

Using the telephone survey and a variety of other sources ranging from public hearings to interviews with transportation business officials, planners came up with five main goals for future transportation spending in Hawai'i.

• An integrated, multi-modal transportation system that provides mobility and accessibility for people and goods.
• Ensure the safety and security of the air, land and water transportation system.
• Protect and enhance Hawai'i's unique environment and improve the quality of life.
• Support Hawai'i's economic vitality.
• Implement a statewide planning process that is comprehensive, cooperative and continuing.

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