Types of Preliminary Gaps Defined

Five types of gaps have been identified thus far by our project planning team. These will be discussed at public meetings in the coming weeks and months. The following descriptions will hopefully provide some background about what a "gap" is and how we can help create connectivity for active transportation by closing those gaps in our system.

The gap types are:

1. Spot Gap – Key focal points, such as crossings or intersections that lack appropriate accommodations for comfortable pedestrian or bicycle travel.

2. Linear Gaps – Sections of missing segments of sidewalk, trail, bicycle lane, or shared use path that create gaps between existing built facilities.

3. Area Gaps – Full neighborhoods or areas of town that have few to no sidewalks (such as the New Hyalite View subdivision) or areas that lack any comfortable bicycle facilities (such as Downtown Bozeman).

4. Experiential Gap – Existing sections of street or trail which do not offer as comfortable or attractive an experience as upstream and downstream segments. This may result in some types of users to not travel due to a reduction in experience quality.

5. Network Gap – Opportunities to enhance existing active transportation networks or sections of disconnected, but previously planned transportation facilities, such as within future subdivisions or to be included with future roadway improvement projects.