I've made 43 roundtrips on The Tide as a Data Collector (11 on Opening Day), and some additional trips off-duty. (I'm back on-duty this evening.) I've seen plenty of it, and would like to record my observations.
NOTABLES
Among those I've seen onboard are Chesapeake City Councilman & TDCHR Commissioner Cliff Hayes, City of Virginia Beach chief lobbyist Bob Matthias (I explained the passenger counting system to him), City of Virginia Beach Transportation Planning Coordinator Mark Schnaufer, Future of Hampton Roads President Ray Taylor, and The Virginian-Pravda's Debbie Messina. When Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim boarded at Harbor Park on August 20, the passengers gave him a round of applause. Yesterday I ran into HRT President Phillip Shucet as we both alighted at MacArthur Sqaure. (As we'd been sitting in different halves of the train, we didn't spot each other onboard.)
However, special mention goes to the passenger on my train opening night: Reid Greenmun, Chairman of the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). Yes, Reid Greenmun rides The Tide! In his habitual arrogance, yesterday on Pilotonline he declared himself an authority on The Tide based on that single trip. (NEWS FLASH: there are some Data Collectors who have been working 6-7 days per week on the trains.)
OPENING MORNING
On August 19, I took the first Cutback Inbound 20 of the morning to Newtown Road Station, arriving at 5:55 A.M. As the bus pulled towards the Station, we could see the place was packed.
Despite the attempt of Virginia News Source to later inflate the figure, there were no more than 20 protesters when I arrived.
My first train was the 6:30 A.M. run that morning. As I waited on the platform for it, a pair of senior ladies spoke to me. One recognized me from St. Gregory's. The other grasped that the objective of the protesters was to keep "a certain element" out of Virginia Beach.
UTILIZATION
By Sunday, August 21, passengers had begun calculating how they could utilize The Tide. They could save money by taking the train into downtown for shopping, entertainment, and Tides games.
Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University students were taking The Tide to MacArthur Center. The former were going NSU Station - MacArthur Square Station. On Saturday a pair of ODU coeds were on the Inbound Route 16 with me, taking it to Fort Norfolk to catch the train.
Last week there was a party in Ingleside. A group of 8 was on my train going there, and they would have certainly driven prior to August 19.
Saturday a family from Portsmouth was sitting behind me. They had drove over to a park and ride, and spoke of enjoying parking on High Street and taking the ferry over. I pointed out to them that the same $3.50 Day Pass would work on both the ferry and train. (Guess what they'll do next time?)
Yesterday I went downtown for an early dinner. I obviously would never do the 75 minute bus ride for dinner alone, but The Tide comes to within two blocks of the restaurant.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
Let me answer some of the arguments against they have come up.
First, an opponent on opening morning was claiming extending The Tide into Virginia Beach would take money away from public schools. Not only false, but the contrary is true. Under the schools funding formula, all mass transit expenses come out of the City side of the Budget. The redevelopment induced by The Tide would increase the money to schools in outlying years.
Second, people will stop riding once the newness fades away. Reread the Utilization section and you'll see where the repeat customers will come from.
Third, the train's speed. However, the TPO would let you know that at rush hour our interstates roll at 25 mph or under, urban door to door travel is 15 mph, and our bridges and tunnels are under 10 mph. That will only get worse.
Let me point out the Virginia Beach extension, having no street running, would have a much higher average speed than Norfolk.
TICKET VENDING MACHINES (TVMs)
Once fares began being charged, two issues popped up. First, people didn't know how to use the TVMs. Second, they didn't know which farecard to buy.
A smaller version of the Tide Guide program has been launched to help deal with those issues.
HUMOR
With the deluge of people opening weekend, the running joke was repeating the opponents "No one will ride it" mantra.
On a Saturday night train, the ACS system was still stuck on Military Highway Station as we approached the Fort Norfolk Station. I quipped to the off-duty Bus Operator standing next to me "You can transfer to the 23 at either one."
As our Outbound Train turned for Harbor Park with a Tides game that evening, a pair of women launched into a terrible rendition of Take Me Out To The Ballgame. A group of teenage girls responded with (to the same tune) Throw Them Off Of The Tide Train.
One evening we could see westbound 264 backed up as we passed. Passengers began yelling "You should have taken The Tide!"
OPPOSITION
The group that told us "No one will ride it" was left with zero credibility by opening weekend. While no one ever pretended numbers that high were sustainable, it showed that a huge slice of the public is interested in light rail.
In the past week since fares began being charged, ridership has been 1.75 - 3 times the benchmark.
Randy Wright was right. He said if we built a starter line, when people saw it and rode it, they'd embrace it. The regional light rail to be built question was settled on August 19, 2011.
Showing posts with label Hampton Roads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hampton Roads. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Suspension Or 2.0
As some of you may know (but most probably don't), I've been hired by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). Given the conflicts of interest that would present as a blogger, I'm either going to take the blog to suspension or unveil Avenging Archangel 2.0. My conflicts as a HRT employee:
1. Obvious on mass transit writing.
2. Legally, HRT is a corporation held one-seventh by each member city. To blog on local politics would be talking about my employer.
3. HRT has a seat on the TPO.
My duties will begin with light rail launch in the morning, which is why I set this to autopost Thursday evening.
2.0 would be for me to fade into the background, chipping in a post where I can, while giving the front seat to my best friends in the African-American community leadership. I e-mailed them over the weekend, seeking at least two additional posters. (A single poster would always be compared and contrasted with me.) This established platform would continue to advocate for an inclusive Virginia Beach, having a given readership base to build on. I'm not holding my breath on it, as I made similar recruitment pitches in the wake of each of Andrew Jackson's campaigns for the Virginia Beach City Council.
I've been hired to be a Data Collector at HRT, doing manual passenger counts on The Tide. Under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, manual counts are mandated during the first year of revenue service. (In addition, there are automated systems just inside the train doors.) Everyone at HRT is cognisant of the fact that there has been much speculation about how many will ride The Tide. Having completed my training, let me make it clear to everyone: given the methodology and redundancies in the system, it would be virtually impossible to fudge The Tide ridership numbers. The FTA will be watching, and - given the history of the project - will certainly check it anything appears off.
There have been talks between HRT executives and I over the past few months about me possibly joining the team. They began recruiting me once they learned that my previous place of employment was probably going to close. As HRT needed to add dependable additional staff for light rail launch, it was fairly obvious where to put me. In the interim, I put one project for this blog on ice: a political satire series. On the 13th of each month, I was going to chronicle the Really Evil Taxpayers Against Rational Decisions (RETARD). In fact, in my desk I have a scratch sheet with topics for nine installments of the RETARDs.
It's been a fun run. I had been considering blogging for months, but was finally pushed when no one covered a citizens meeting held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. My one failure was never attracting additional posters, as I never intended to do this all alone indefinitely. While the number of hits on this site has been relatively low, the point is who reads this blog. I've had a virtual who's who cite it back to me. It's been a niche blog, providing information and insights you can't find anywhere else on the Internet.
For we grassroots inclusionists, both status quoers and the extremist VBTA present serious problems. Those of the status quo are usually more subtle. However, I hope others continue to speak out loudly about what the VBTA's sinister agenda really means for Virginia Beach.
Finally, I'd be remiss not to invite you to come ride light rail on launch weekend - and to become repeat customers. Given that the lion's share of my initial duties will be onboard the trains themselves, part of my training had me out riding The Tide. It has the Wow Factor. The bulk of my fellow Data Collectors aren't mass transit advocates, but simply people looking for good work. However, when we rode as part of our training, they were pulling out their smartphones to take video and photos of the run. They were moved.
It may not be over for me, with either a limited role under 2.0 or coming back full bore here later. (Remember that my initial position with HRT sunsets after one year.) In the meantime, I hope I get interest from others to launch 2.0. Regardless, I plan to keep this blog up, allowing it to serve as an archive of past events. Nakemiin.
1. Obvious on mass transit writing.
2. Legally, HRT is a corporation held one-seventh by each member city. To blog on local politics would be talking about my employer.
3. HRT has a seat on the TPO.
My duties will begin with light rail launch in the morning, which is why I set this to autopost Thursday evening.
2.0 would be for me to fade into the background, chipping in a post where I can, while giving the front seat to my best friends in the African-American community leadership. I e-mailed them over the weekend, seeking at least two additional posters. (A single poster would always be compared and contrasted with me.) This established platform would continue to advocate for an inclusive Virginia Beach, having a given readership base to build on. I'm not holding my breath on it, as I made similar recruitment pitches in the wake of each of Andrew Jackson's campaigns for the Virginia Beach City Council.
I've been hired to be a Data Collector at HRT, doing manual passenger counts on The Tide. Under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, manual counts are mandated during the first year of revenue service. (In addition, there are automated systems just inside the train doors.) Everyone at HRT is cognisant of the fact that there has been much speculation about how many will ride The Tide. Having completed my training, let me make it clear to everyone: given the methodology and redundancies in the system, it would be virtually impossible to fudge The Tide ridership numbers. The FTA will be watching, and - given the history of the project - will certainly check it anything appears off.
There have been talks between HRT executives and I over the past few months about me possibly joining the team. They began recruiting me once they learned that my previous place of employment was probably going to close. As HRT needed to add dependable additional staff for light rail launch, it was fairly obvious where to put me. In the interim, I put one project for this blog on ice: a political satire series. On the 13th of each month, I was going to chronicle the Really Evil Taxpayers Against Rational Decisions (RETARD). In fact, in my desk I have a scratch sheet with topics for nine installments of the RETARDs.
It's been a fun run. I had been considering blogging for months, but was finally pushed when no one covered a citizens meeting held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. My one failure was never attracting additional posters, as I never intended to do this all alone indefinitely. While the number of hits on this site has been relatively low, the point is who reads this blog. I've had a virtual who's who cite it back to me. It's been a niche blog, providing information and insights you can't find anywhere else on the Internet.
For we grassroots inclusionists, both status quoers and the extremist VBTA present serious problems. Those of the status quo are usually more subtle. However, I hope others continue to speak out loudly about what the VBTA's sinister agenda really means for Virginia Beach.
Finally, I'd be remiss not to invite you to come ride light rail on launch weekend - and to become repeat customers. Given that the lion's share of my initial duties will be onboard the trains themselves, part of my training had me out riding The Tide. It has the Wow Factor. The bulk of my fellow Data Collectors aren't mass transit advocates, but simply people looking for good work. However, when we rode as part of our training, they were pulling out their smartphones to take video and photos of the run. They were moved.
It may not be over for me, with either a limited role under 2.0 or coming back full bore here later. (Remember that my initial position with HRT sunsets after one year.) In the meantime, I hope I get interest from others to launch 2.0. Regardless, I plan to keep this blog up, allowing it to serve as an archive of past events. Nakemiin.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Envision Virginia Beach 2040 Public Meeting
On Friday morning Envision Virginia Beach 2040 held a large public meeting at the Town Center Westin Hotel. Any member of the public could participate, provided you sent in your RSVP by the previous Friday.
The centerpiece was a Presentation by John Martin, President and CEO of the Southern Institute of Research. A demographer by profession, he covered occurring trends. That was followed by Questions & Answers, then breakouts at individual tables. Everyone then regrouped for a closing session.
Some bigger facts from Martin's Presentation:
1. The United States was 75% White in 1975, but will be only 25% White by 2090.
2. The Earth faces resource (particularly water and food) challenges, but is tackling them through our vastly improving technology.
3. 83% of Generation Y sleep with their cell phone on, and 75% of them use social media.
4. 800 million people worldwide engage in urban agriculture, producing 15%-20% of the food supply.
5. 80% of the world's population lives in urban areas.
Some trends that strike home at Virginia Beach:
1. Our population should reach 540,000 by 2040.
2. In the next twenty years, our White population will shrink by 9%, while our minority population will grow by 57%.
3. By 2040, Virginia Beach will be minority-majority.
4. Senior citizens will double as a percentage of our population, and 1 in 4 of them won't have a driver's license.
5. The growing number of households led by single people will require smaller and cheaper housing units.
Martin told the story of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. When the British colonized India, they wanted to play golf, so they built the club (which still exists today). One problem: monkeys inhabited the course, and would come down and move golf balls, changing the lie. First they tried to trap the monkeys and move them, and then put nets along the fairways. Nothing worked. Therefore, a simple ground rule was implemented, "Play the ball where the monkey dropped it." The point: fighting the monkeys was futile, so the British would need to adapt. In the same vein, we need to adapt to our conditions today.
I didn't spot any members of the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) in attendance. That's too bad, as they would have heard John Martin explain that building a regional light rail network is a no-brainer, including the Virginia Beach extension.
Envision Virginia Beach 2040 is a committee appointed by the Virginia Beach City Council, seeking to draft a 30 year road map for our City. Their report is scheduled to go to Council in the Spring of 2012.
The Presentation Martin made was taped, and it is planned to put it as streaming video on the City's website.
The centerpiece was a Presentation by John Martin, President and CEO of the Southern Institute of Research. A demographer by profession, he covered occurring trends. That was followed by Questions & Answers, then breakouts at individual tables. Everyone then regrouped for a closing session.
Some bigger facts from Martin's Presentation:
1. The United States was 75% White in 1975, but will be only 25% White by 2090.
2. The Earth faces resource (particularly water and food) challenges, but is tackling them through our vastly improving technology.
3. 83% of Generation Y sleep with their cell phone on, and 75% of them use social media.
4. 800 million people worldwide engage in urban agriculture, producing 15%-20% of the food supply.
5. 80% of the world's population lives in urban areas.
Some trends that strike home at Virginia Beach:
1. Our population should reach 540,000 by 2040.
2. In the next twenty years, our White population will shrink by 9%, while our minority population will grow by 57%.
3. By 2040, Virginia Beach will be minority-majority.
4. Senior citizens will double as a percentage of our population, and 1 in 4 of them won't have a driver's license.
5. The growing number of households led by single people will require smaller and cheaper housing units.
Martin told the story of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. When the British colonized India, they wanted to play golf, so they built the club (which still exists today). One problem: monkeys inhabited the course, and would come down and move golf balls, changing the lie. First they tried to trap the monkeys and move them, and then put nets along the fairways. Nothing worked. Therefore, a simple ground rule was implemented, "Play the ball where the monkey dropped it." The point: fighting the monkeys was futile, so the British would need to adapt. In the same vein, we need to adapt to our conditions today.
I didn't spot any members of the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) in attendance. That's too bad, as they would have heard John Martin explain that building a regional light rail network is a no-brainer, including the Virginia Beach extension.
Envision Virginia Beach 2040 is a committee appointed by the Virginia Beach City Council, seeking to draft a 30 year road map for our City. Their report is scheduled to go to Council in the Spring of 2012.
The Presentation Martin made was taped, and it is planned to put it as streaming video on the City's website.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
TEA Party: Plus Or Minus?
In our latest poll question, one-third regularly go to regional board meetings, while two-thirds have never been. That may tell me more about my readership that it does about the general public.
The new question: is the TEA Party a plus or minus for the Republican Party?
The new question: is the TEA Party a plus or minus for the Republican Party?
TPO June 16, 2011
The Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Hampton Roads' Federally-mandated transportation board, met on Thursday.
A representative from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) briefed the TPO on the ongoing study to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). Even under the "aggressive" schedule, the final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) won't be completed until Spring, 2014.
The HRBT issue triggered a discussion about tolls and the economic impact of imposing tolls. Tolls should be on the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels within a year, in the prelude to the PPTA that includes a second tube at the Midtown. What would be the impact on already-troubled Portsmouth? How will tolls change traffic patterns, as some motorists go by different routes to avoid the tolls?
The TPO passed both its FY 2012 Budget and the FY 2012-15 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
There was a briefing by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) on passenger rail. The good news is that the process is already underway for replacing CSX's Appomattox River Bridge, which would allow three daily Amtrak trains to Norfolk sooner.
A representative from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) briefed the TPO on the ongoing study to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). Even under the "aggressive" schedule, the final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) won't be completed until Spring, 2014.
The HRBT issue triggered a discussion about tolls and the economic impact of imposing tolls. Tolls should be on the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels within a year, in the prelude to the PPTA that includes a second tube at the Midtown. What would be the impact on already-troubled Portsmouth? How will tolls change traffic patterns, as some motorists go by different routes to avoid the tolls?
The TPO passed both its FY 2012 Budget and the FY 2012-15 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
There was a briefing by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) on passenger rail. The good news is that the process is already underway for replacing CSX's Appomattox River Bridge, which would allow three daily Amtrak trains to Norfolk sooner.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Redistricting Here, Redistricting There
VIRGINIA BEACH
The information was e-mailed out yesterday: the Thursday evening (June 16) Virginia Beach City Redistricting Meeting will be 6 P.M. at Meyera Oberndorf Central Library.
Some plans have already been submitted, and I saw a copy of one this past Thursday night.
NORFOLK
This past Tuesday night I was over in Norfolk to see if I could learn anything from their Redistricting process. What I got was a great seat for when Rodney Jordan dropped his bombshell.
For those who haven't heard, he offered a plan which would convert Norfolk's Ward 1 (now represented by Andy Protogyrou) to a minority-majority ward. Not African-American majority, but total minority. It does so by pushing Ward 1 south, and drawing Ward 5 (Tommy Smigiel) all the way west in Ocean View through Willoughby Spit.
Obviously it would shift power in Norfolk, but it would also have notable effects at the regional level, too. Virginia Beach inclusionists should support the efforts of Jordan & friends, as having an amiable government in Norfolk City Hall would obviously help the cause for inclusion here.
If the Norfolk City Council rejects Jordan's proposal, he can then file it with the U.S. Department of Justice for consideration during Norfolk's preclearance review. The Obama Administration could then reject the official Norfolk plan on the grounds that a fourth minority-majority ward is possible, and instruct Norfolk to proceed along those lines. (That may be where Virginia Beach's Redistricting ends up, too.)
The information was e-mailed out yesterday: the Thursday evening (June 16) Virginia Beach City Redistricting Meeting will be 6 P.M. at Meyera Oberndorf Central Library.
Some plans have already been submitted, and I saw a copy of one this past Thursday night.
NORFOLK
This past Tuesday night I was over in Norfolk to see if I could learn anything from their Redistricting process. What I got was a great seat for when Rodney Jordan dropped his bombshell.
For those who haven't heard, he offered a plan which would convert Norfolk's Ward 1 (now represented by Andy Protogyrou) to a minority-majority ward. Not African-American majority, but total minority. It does so by pushing Ward 1 south, and drawing Ward 5 (Tommy Smigiel) all the way west in Ocean View through Willoughby Spit.
Obviously it would shift power in Norfolk, but it would also have notable effects at the regional level, too. Virginia Beach inclusionists should support the efforts of Jordan & friends, as having an amiable government in Norfolk City Hall would obviously help the cause for inclusion here.
If the Norfolk City Council rejects Jordan's proposal, he can then file it with the U.S. Department of Justice for consideration during Norfolk's preclearance review. The Obama Administration could then reject the official Norfolk plan on the grounds that a fourth minority-majority ward is possible, and instruct Norfolk to proceed along those lines. (That may be where Virginia Beach's Redistricting ends up, too.)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Have You Ever Been To A Regional Agency Board Meeting?
In our latest poll question, I asked if you believed the Virginia Beach city government cares about the average resident. The replies on this one were all over the place: 31% felt Very Much, 6% Somewhat, 38% Not Much, and 25% Not At All.
The new question: have you ever been to a regional board meeting? Those agencies impact our lives, but how large of a portion of residents go to their meetings? At most TDCHR meetings I recognize 80% or more of the people in the room. (Granted, we wouldn't want a much larger attendance in Norfolk until there's a new board room with more seating.)
The new question: have you ever been to a regional board meeting? Those agencies impact our lives, but how large of a portion of residents go to their meetings? At most TDCHR meetings I recognize 80% or more of the people in the room. (Granted, we wouldn't want a much larger attendance in Norfolk until there's a new board room with more seating.)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The CCO Goes Multimodal
Last night the Council of Civic Organizations (CCO), Virginia Beach's civic league federation, had a program on High Speed Rail and light rail. There were two presenters. First, Thelma Drake, Director of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Second, Marie Arnt of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). Marie is public outreach person for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study.
DRAKE
Conventional rail Amtrak service to Norfolk will begin in 2013 with one train each day. That should be boosted to three trains per day once the Appomattox River Bridge is upgraded. On the CSX line outside Petersburg, it is a single track railroad bridge. Virginia may assist in upgrading to two tracks. 90% of the funds for the Norfolk service are in the bank, with the track upgrades on the Norfolk Southern line to Petersburg already begun.
Two new mass transit agencies have begun service in Virginia in 2011, with two other localities studying implementing transit. When businesses look at an area for a potential relocation, one of the first things they'll ask is "How would employees get to work?" That spawns transit service.
The Federal government may cutoff our region's Federal highway dollars, based on air quality, if we do not adequately do mass transit to try to mitigate the impact. Given that air quality here is in the yellow zone of Federal requirements, that's a serious issue.
The #1 issue employers in Hampton Roads raise with Drake: parking. That's not a problem if your employees take mass transit to work.
There are two major new initiatives by DRPT in 2011:
1. A motor coach service being launched from Roanoke to Lynchburg to feed into Amtrak trains there. Some want trains extended to Roanoke, with this being a precursor to see if the market's there. Lynchburg's Amtrak service is carrying three times the projected passengers.
2. A partnership with the Army for moving soldiers. Each week 1,000 go from Fort A.P. Hill to Fort Lee on Monday, and return on Thursday. The Army had been using motor coaches, making for a horde of buses on the road. They're now making the trip on Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains.
ARNT
There was little to report on the timed-out Virginia Beach study, so Marie spent most her time talking about Norfolk's Starter Line. At HRT "everyone is working their butts off" towards revenue service launch. Most likely trains would run on a Saturday and Sunday with no fare required, before a revenue launch on a Monday morning.
Arnt worked her way down the line west to east, noting features at each stop. She also touched on feeder bus service and the light rail safety program.
The golden nugget: the final hours of operation at launch were agreed to at a Tuesday evening meeting. It will be Monday - Thursday 6 A.M. - 11 P.M., Friday & Saturday 6 A.M. - Midnight, and Sunday 11 A.M. - 9 P.M.
I'm elated: I can go to a weeknight Admirals game, and that extra hour of service means I can catch the train out afterwards.
DRAKE
Conventional rail Amtrak service to Norfolk will begin in 2013 with one train each day. That should be boosted to three trains per day once the Appomattox River Bridge is upgraded. On the CSX line outside Petersburg, it is a single track railroad bridge. Virginia may assist in upgrading to two tracks. 90% of the funds for the Norfolk service are in the bank, with the track upgrades on the Norfolk Southern line to Petersburg already begun.
Two new mass transit agencies have begun service in Virginia in 2011, with two other localities studying implementing transit. When businesses look at an area for a potential relocation, one of the first things they'll ask is "How would employees get to work?" That spawns transit service.
The Federal government may cutoff our region's Federal highway dollars, based on air quality, if we do not adequately do mass transit to try to mitigate the impact. Given that air quality here is in the yellow zone of Federal requirements, that's a serious issue.
The #1 issue employers in Hampton Roads raise with Drake: parking. That's not a problem if your employees take mass transit to work.
There are two major new initiatives by DRPT in 2011:
1. A motor coach service being launched from Roanoke to Lynchburg to feed into Amtrak trains there. Some want trains extended to Roanoke, with this being a precursor to see if the market's there. Lynchburg's Amtrak service is carrying three times the projected passengers.
2. A partnership with the Army for moving soldiers. Each week 1,000 go from Fort A.P. Hill to Fort Lee on Monday, and return on Thursday. The Army had been using motor coaches, making for a horde of buses on the road. They're now making the trip on Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains.
ARNT
There was little to report on the timed-out Virginia Beach study, so Marie spent most her time talking about Norfolk's Starter Line. At HRT "everyone is working their butts off" towards revenue service launch. Most likely trains would run on a Saturday and Sunday with no fare required, before a revenue launch on a Monday morning.
Arnt worked her way down the line west to east, noting features at each stop. She also touched on feeder bus service and the light rail safety program.
The golden nugget: the final hours of operation at launch were agreed to at a Tuesday evening meeting. It will be Monday - Thursday 6 A.M. - 11 P.M., Friday & Saturday 6 A.M. - Midnight, and Sunday 11 A.M. - 9 P.M.
I'm elated: I can go to a weeknight Admirals game, and that extra hour of service means I can catch the train out afterwards.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Random Thoughts March 31, 2011
1. Am I the only one who thinks the fuss about the City Manager's proposed Budget for Virginia Beach in FY 2012 is bad theater? Given that the Budget had been trimmed and savings dipped into the past two years, tax and/or fee hikes were a given this year unless the economy improved markedly. It didn't.
2. The Democrats' plan for redistricting the state Senate is farcical at points. However, when I looked at the proposed 13th District, know what I thought? After 75 year old Fred Quayle, Senator Bob Dyer?
3. In the Republican House redistricting plan, Virginia Beach's Central Business District goes from the 83rd to the 85th District. Quite fitting for Bob Tata, whose bill jump-started the Beach light rail process.
4. Advertised for today was a Sea Level Rise Listening Session from 1-4 P.M. It was moved to 9 A.M. - Noon with no word I heard. So do they really want to listen?
5. Are you all having fun watching Norfolk being dragged into glasnost by Andy Protogyrou and Tommy Smigiel?
6. Under the Republican House redistricting plan, I go from the 83rd District (Chris Stolle) to the 90th (Algie Howell). Hey, I was considering looking for a new barber.... More seriously, Algie strikes me as a nice guy.
7. Why does it scare me on one level when I agree with the TEA Party? Not enough spending cuts in what's being considered by Congress.
8. The Laskin Gateway Project may spur what's hoped for in the Resort Area Strategic Action Plan. However, the knuckle-draggers are still refighting the 31st Street referendum battle. Pathetic.
9. Please note that light rail opponents have yet to offer a comprehensive alternative plan that is both constructive and realistic. Until then, they shouldn't be taken seriously. Do they think they can complain often and loud enough that people don't grasp they have nothing to offer?
10. Hang on, UFL: you might get your dream cancelled NFL season.
2. The Democrats' plan for redistricting the state Senate is farcical at points. However, when I looked at the proposed 13th District, know what I thought? After 75 year old Fred Quayle, Senator Bob Dyer?
3. In the Republican House redistricting plan, Virginia Beach's Central Business District goes from the 83rd to the 85th District. Quite fitting for Bob Tata, whose bill jump-started the Beach light rail process.
4. Advertised for today was a Sea Level Rise Listening Session from 1-4 P.M. It was moved to 9 A.M. - Noon with no word I heard. So do they really want to listen?
5. Are you all having fun watching Norfolk being dragged into glasnost by Andy Protogyrou and Tommy Smigiel?
6. Under the Republican House redistricting plan, I go from the 83rd District (Chris Stolle) to the 90th (Algie Howell). Hey, I was considering looking for a new barber.... More seriously, Algie strikes me as a nice guy.
7. Why does it scare me on one level when I agree with the TEA Party? Not enough spending cuts in what's being considered by Congress.
8. The Laskin Gateway Project may spur what's hoped for in the Resort Area Strategic Action Plan. However, the knuckle-draggers are still refighting the 31st Street referendum battle. Pathetic.
9. Please note that light rail opponents have yet to offer a comprehensive alternative plan that is both constructive and realistic. Until then, they shouldn't be taken seriously. Do they think they can complain often and loud enough that people don't grasp they have nothing to offer?
10. Hang on, UFL: you might get your dream cancelled NFL season.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Portsmouth Question
(I don't like doing back-to-back transit posts, as I don't want this to exclusively be a transit blog. However, I'm probably going to have three consecutive here. Sorry.)
The question remains: exactly how do we connect Portsmouth into a regional light rail network? For the most fiscally stressed city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it could reap a load of benefits by being connected into such a system in the midterm. Complete the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to Naval Station Norfolk via downtown Norfolk line, then start trying to get light rail across the river to P-town.
You start to grasp the scale of the problem when you read Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan. It puts a streetcar in Portsmouth, to maybe later be extended to the Harbor Park multimodal station. There's a proposed corridor from Harbor Park to Harbour View via downtown Portsmouth "BRT, maybe LRT". However, even those partial measures rest on one huge if: a multimodal expansion of the Downtown Tunnel, with dedicated mass transit lanes.
That's not a report, but rather a death sentence for Portsmouth. I raised the issue during a Public Comment session at the TPO, and have talked about it with regional leaders. Failure to secure Portsmouth into our regional light rail network in the midterm risks having it become a sinkhole in 30-40 years that could take down the rest of South Hampton Roads with it. Portsmouth needs to be online, where it can reap the benefits of such a system.
The question remains: exactly how do we connect Portsmouth into a regional light rail network? For the most fiscally stressed city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it could reap a load of benefits by being connected into such a system in the midterm. Complete the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to Naval Station Norfolk via downtown Norfolk line, then start trying to get light rail across the river to P-town.
You start to grasp the scale of the problem when you read Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan. It puts a streetcar in Portsmouth, to maybe later be extended to the Harbor Park multimodal station. There's a proposed corridor from Harbor Park to Harbour View via downtown Portsmouth "BRT, maybe LRT". However, even those partial measures rest on one huge if: a multimodal expansion of the Downtown Tunnel, with dedicated mass transit lanes.
That's not a report, but rather a death sentence for Portsmouth. I raised the issue during a Public Comment session at the TPO, and have talked about it with regional leaders. Failure to secure Portsmouth into our regional light rail network in the midterm risks having it become a sinkhole in 30-40 years that could take down the rest of South Hampton Roads with it. Portsmouth needs to be online, where it can reap the benefits of such a system.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
TPO March 17, 2011
The Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) held a quite substantial meeting today.
Thelma Drake, Director of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), was present and gave an "informative" (Yvonne Miller) briefing on High Speed Rail. The TPO voted to work with DRPT, and try to scope out the next phase of their own work.
The TPO voted final approval of the project prioritization list, with an in-depth discussion of the projects slated for April. The impetus of today's vote was to allow the Virginia Department Of Transportation (VDOT) to being air conformity work on the list.
There was a presentation on Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan, with the TPO voting afterwards to endorse.
There was a proposed list approved for allocating CMAQ and RSTP funds through FY 2017, including $5.5 million ($3.5 million RSTP, $2.0 million CMAQ) for Norfolk light rail. (Take that, tea baggers!)
Finally, a Resolution was presented from the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC). It endorsed the prioritization process, with the caveat that new funds be found for "additional lane-miles across the Hampton Roads Harbor."
Thelma Drake, Director of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), was present and gave an "informative" (Yvonne Miller) briefing on High Speed Rail. The TPO voted to work with DRPT, and try to scope out the next phase of their own work.
The TPO voted final approval of the project prioritization list, with an in-depth discussion of the projects slated for April. The impetus of today's vote was to allow the Virginia Department Of Transportation (VDOT) to being air conformity work on the list.
There was a presentation on Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan, with the TPO voting afterwards to endorse.
There was a proposed list approved for allocating CMAQ and RSTP funds through FY 2017, including $5.5 million ($3.5 million RSTP, $2.0 million CMAQ) for Norfolk light rail. (Take that, tea baggers!)
Finally, a Resolution was presented from the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC). It endorsed the prioritization process, with the caveat that new funds be found for "additional lane-miles across the Hampton Roads Harbor."
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sea Level Rise Listening Sessions
There will be Sea Level Rise Listening Sessions at the end of this month in Virginia Beach. They will be held:
March 30
1 - 4 P.M. - Virginia Aquarium
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Red Mill Elementary School
March 31
1 - 4 P.M. - Meyera Oberndorf Central Library
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Bayside Recreation Center
As has been discussed at meetings of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), Hampton Roads' infrastructure is second most vulnerable in the country to sea level rise. The only region worse than us is (gulp!) New Orleans. Cliff Hayes stated that if we don't get to work on this issue, future generations will condemn us for our inaction.
Involved in the sessions are the University of Virginia Institute for Environmental Negotiation, Old Dominion University, the HRPDC, Wetlands Watch, and the City of Virginia Beach.
March 30
1 - 4 P.M. - Virginia Aquarium
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Red Mill Elementary School
March 31
1 - 4 P.M. - Meyera Oberndorf Central Library
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Bayside Recreation Center
As has been discussed at meetings of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), Hampton Roads' infrastructure is second most vulnerable in the country to sea level rise. The only region worse than us is (gulp!) New Orleans. Cliff Hayes stated that if we don't get to work on this issue, future generations will condemn us for our inaction.
Involved in the sessions are the University of Virginia Institute for Environmental Negotiation, Old Dominion University, the HRPDC, Wetlands Watch, and the City of Virginia Beach.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A Good First Step, But A Second Step Is Needed
Okay, waiting on my two cents worth on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) efficiencies report? I was there in the board room for the Presentation on Thursday afternoon. What HRT is looking at doing is essentially reducing or eliminating service on the bottom 25% of routes in order to move those funds to the top 25% of routes, with the intent of producing a high service core that would attract more passengers to the system.
What I found most troubling about Thursday's PowerPoint is that it presented the proposal to the TDCHR as nirvana. We can do this, then put off any fare increases for at least three years. That's hardly the case. What the proposal never starts to do is boost the bus routes in the 26th to 50th or 60th percentiles.
In order for mass transit to become a viable option for many here in Hampton Roads, our bus routes need to be corridors where people can live, work, and shop after work. To meet that definition, all routes feasible would have to run daily, a minimum 16 hours a day. As a former professional numbers cruncher, from the beginning I never believed that you could squeeze enough in efficiencies out of the system to avoid a fare increase. As such, I was proven right on Thursday.
Not everywhere a bus rider wants to go is along the top 25% of bus routes. TDCHR policy is to review fares once every two years. The next scheduled review would be in 2012. Therefore, I suggest the following plan:
1. Enact an efficiencies plan
HRT needs to better utilize what resources it has to muster public support for greater mass transit in the region.
2. Implement the plan
That's now scheduled for late 2011.
3. Do the 2012 fare review
With steps 1 and 2 behind you, it should be understood that the 2012 fare review would look at boosting service and ending inequities in the faremedia system that don't promote frequent ridership.
4. Draft a service booster plan based on revenue projections from the fare review
Where would the additional dollars be used? That's the 26th to 50th or 60th percentile routes.
5. Implement the plan
Let additional corridors meet my definition in the 3rd paragraph.
The TDCHR is looking to hold a Retreat later this year. I hope they take this up at the Retreat.
What I found most troubling about Thursday's PowerPoint is that it presented the proposal to the TDCHR as nirvana. We can do this, then put off any fare increases for at least three years. That's hardly the case. What the proposal never starts to do is boost the bus routes in the 26th to 50th or 60th percentiles.
In order for mass transit to become a viable option for many here in Hampton Roads, our bus routes need to be corridors where people can live, work, and shop after work. To meet that definition, all routes feasible would have to run daily, a minimum 16 hours a day. As a former professional numbers cruncher, from the beginning I never believed that you could squeeze enough in efficiencies out of the system to avoid a fare increase. As such, I was proven right on Thursday.
Not everywhere a bus rider wants to go is along the top 25% of bus routes. TDCHR policy is to review fares once every two years. The next scheduled review would be in 2012. Therefore, I suggest the following plan:
1. Enact an efficiencies plan
HRT needs to better utilize what resources it has to muster public support for greater mass transit in the region.
2. Implement the plan
That's now scheduled for late 2011.
3. Do the 2012 fare review
With steps 1 and 2 behind you, it should be understood that the 2012 fare review would look at boosting service and ending inequities in the faremedia system that don't promote frequent ridership.
4. Draft a service booster plan based on revenue projections from the fare review
Where would the additional dollars be used? That's the 26th to 50th or 60th percentile routes.
5. Implement the plan
Let additional corridors meet my definition in the 3rd paragraph.
The TDCHR is looking to hold a Retreat later this year. I hope they take this up at the Retreat.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Draft 2034 Long Range Plan (LRP)
Under Federal law, every four years the TPO is required to turn out a transportation plan for the region with a twenty year scope. At today's TPO Retreat, the draft projects list was released.
PROJECT STUDIES
1. Route 460
2. I-64 Peninsula Corridor
3. Patriots' Crossing
4. Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
5. High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail
6. Virginia Beach Transit Extension
PROJECTS FOR CONSTRUCTION
1. Midtown Tunnel/MLK Freeway/Downtown Tunnel, in Portsmouth/Norfolk
2. Dominion Boulevard, in Chesapeake
3. Route 17 (Hampton Highway to Dare Road), in York County
4. Lynnhaven Parkway (Centerville Turnpike to Indian River Road), in Virginia Beach
5. Patriots' Crossing (Craney Island Connector), in Portsmouth
6. Route 58 (Suffolk Bypass to Manning Bridge Road), in Suffolk
7. I-64 (Jefferson Avenue to Fort Eustis Boulevard), in Newport News
8. Lesner Bridge, in Virginia Beach
9. Military Highway (Lowery Road to Robin Hood Road), in Norfolk
10. Route 17 (Dare Road to Denbigh Boulevard), in York County
11. Holland Road (Dam Neck Road to Nimmo Parkway), in Virginia Beach
12. Witchduck Road (I-264 to Virginia Beach Boulevard), in Virginia Beach
13. Laskin Road (Republic Road to Oriole Drive), in Virginia Beach
14. Washington Avenue Bridge Replacement, in Newport News
15. Indian River Road (Lynnhaven Parkway to Elbow Road), in Virginia Beach
16. Laskin Road (Oriole Drive to 30th/31st Street), in Virginia Beach
17. Elbow Road/Dam Neck Road (Indian River Road to Princess Anne Road), in Virginia Beach
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS FOR CONSIDERATION (Funding Has Not Be Identified For)
1. I-64/I-264 Interchange Phasing, in Norfolk/Virginia Beach
2. I-64 (Fort Eustis Boulevard to Route 199, Exit 242), in Newport News/James City County
3. I-64 Southside Phasing (High Rise Bridge), in Chesapeake
4. I-64 Interchange at Fort Eustis Boulevard, in Newport News
COMMITTED PROJECTS
These are fully-funded projects in the queue
1. Gilmerton Bridge, in Chesapeake
2. Portsmouth Boulevard (Joliff Road to Chesapeake city line), in Chesapeake
3. Commander Shepard Boulevard (Big Bethel Road to Magruder Boulevard), in Hampton
4. Saunders Road (Big Bethel Road to Newport News city line), in Hampton
5. Bridge Street Bridge, in Hampton
6. Conventional Passenger Rail Service to Norfolk
7. Huntington Avenue Bridge Replacement (over Northrup Grumman Railroad Spur), in Newport News
8. Fort Eustis Boulevard Bridge Replacements (over CSX Railroad), in Newport News
9. Middle Ground Boulevard (Jefferson Avenue to Warwick Boulevard), in Newport News
10. Fort Eustis Boulevard (Jefferson Avenue to Route 17), in Newport News
11. Hampton Boulevard railroad grade separation, in Norfolk
12. I-64/Norview Avenue interchange, in Norfolk
13. I-564 Intermodal Connector, in Norfolk
14. Wesleyan Drive (Northampton Boulevard to Baker Road), in Norfolk/Virginia Beach
15. Wythe Creek Road (Alphus Street to Hampton city line), in Poquoson
16. Turnpike Road (Portsmouth Boulevard to Constitution Avenue), in Portsmouth
17. Nansemond Parkway (Helen Street to NS Railroad), in Suffolk
18. Birdneck Road (General Booth Boulevard to Southern Boulevard), in Virginia Beach
19. Constitution Drive (Columbus Street to Bonney Road), in Virginia Beach
20. Princess Anne Road & Nimmo Parkway, in Virginia Beach
21. I-264 at London Bridge, in Virginia Beach
22. Witchduck Road (Princess Anne Road to I-264), in Virginia Beach
23. Kempsville Road/Princess Anne Road intersection, in Virginia Beach
24. Nimmo Parkway (Holland Road to General Booth Boulevard), in Virginia Beach
PROJECT STUDIES
1. Route 460
2. I-64 Peninsula Corridor
3. Patriots' Crossing
4. Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
5. High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail
6. Virginia Beach Transit Extension
PROJECTS FOR CONSTRUCTION
1. Midtown Tunnel/MLK Freeway/Downtown Tunnel, in Portsmouth/Norfolk
2. Dominion Boulevard, in Chesapeake
3. Route 17 (Hampton Highway to Dare Road), in York County
4. Lynnhaven Parkway (Centerville Turnpike to Indian River Road), in Virginia Beach
5. Patriots' Crossing (Craney Island Connector), in Portsmouth
6. Route 58 (Suffolk Bypass to Manning Bridge Road), in Suffolk
7. I-64 (Jefferson Avenue to Fort Eustis Boulevard), in Newport News
8. Lesner Bridge, in Virginia Beach
9. Military Highway (Lowery Road to Robin Hood Road), in Norfolk
10. Route 17 (Dare Road to Denbigh Boulevard), in York County
11. Holland Road (Dam Neck Road to Nimmo Parkway), in Virginia Beach
12. Witchduck Road (I-264 to Virginia Beach Boulevard), in Virginia Beach
13. Laskin Road (Republic Road to Oriole Drive), in Virginia Beach
14. Washington Avenue Bridge Replacement, in Newport News
15. Indian River Road (Lynnhaven Parkway to Elbow Road), in Virginia Beach
16. Laskin Road (Oriole Drive to 30th/31st Street), in Virginia Beach
17. Elbow Road/Dam Neck Road (Indian River Road to Princess Anne Road), in Virginia Beach
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS FOR CONSIDERATION (Funding Has Not Be Identified For)
1. I-64/I-264 Interchange Phasing, in Norfolk/Virginia Beach
2. I-64 (Fort Eustis Boulevard to Route 199, Exit 242), in Newport News/James City County
3. I-64 Southside Phasing (High Rise Bridge), in Chesapeake
4. I-64 Interchange at Fort Eustis Boulevard, in Newport News
COMMITTED PROJECTS
These are fully-funded projects in the queue
1. Gilmerton Bridge, in Chesapeake
2. Portsmouth Boulevard (Joliff Road to Chesapeake city line), in Chesapeake
3. Commander Shepard Boulevard (Big Bethel Road to Magruder Boulevard), in Hampton
4. Saunders Road (Big Bethel Road to Newport News city line), in Hampton
5. Bridge Street Bridge, in Hampton
6. Conventional Passenger Rail Service to Norfolk
7. Huntington Avenue Bridge Replacement (over Northrup Grumman Railroad Spur), in Newport News
8. Fort Eustis Boulevard Bridge Replacements (over CSX Railroad), in Newport News
9. Middle Ground Boulevard (Jefferson Avenue to Warwick Boulevard), in Newport News
10. Fort Eustis Boulevard (Jefferson Avenue to Route 17), in Newport News
11. Hampton Boulevard railroad grade separation, in Norfolk
12. I-64/Norview Avenue interchange, in Norfolk
13. I-564 Intermodal Connector, in Norfolk
14. Wesleyan Drive (Northampton Boulevard to Baker Road), in Norfolk/Virginia Beach
15. Wythe Creek Road (Alphus Street to Hampton city line), in Poquoson
16. Turnpike Road (Portsmouth Boulevard to Constitution Avenue), in Portsmouth
17. Nansemond Parkway (Helen Street to NS Railroad), in Suffolk
18. Birdneck Road (General Booth Boulevard to Southern Boulevard), in Virginia Beach
19. Constitution Drive (Columbus Street to Bonney Road), in Virginia Beach
20. Princess Anne Road & Nimmo Parkway, in Virginia Beach
21. I-264 at London Bridge, in Virginia Beach
22. Witchduck Road (Princess Anne Road to I-264), in Virginia Beach
23. Kempsville Road/Princess Anne Road intersection, in Virginia Beach
24. Nimmo Parkway (Holland Road to General Booth Boulevard), in Virginia Beach
TPO Retreat February 17, 2011
The Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) held it's annual Retreat today.
Most important was that the draft list from the project prioritization list was carried forward by consensus for the 2034 Long Range Plan (LRP). Some concern was raised that it didn't put additional lanes across the harbor. However, it was pointed out that the Patriots' Crossing coupled with excess capacity at the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel would provide additional ability. For the wingnuts (from both sides) who have attacked Governor Bob McDonnell's transportation initiative, let me point out 13 of the 17 Projects for Construction were only on the list due to anticipated funds from the GARVEE bond float. The TPO will act on the draft 2034 LRP list at it's March 17 meeting. A final list is required to be sent to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) by June, in order that VDOT can do the air conformity work on the list.
An analysis from Old Dominion University's Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center on harbor crossings was presented. 29 different accident scenarios were modeled, and in 90% of them the Patriots' Crossing provided more traffic relief than an expanded Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). The only scenarios where an expanded HRBT scored higher was when the accident was on or in the periphery of the HRBT. Members of the Hampton Roads Caucus of the General Assembly had requested such a look. With only so many people crossing the harbor daily, they wanted to know which alternative provided better relief elsewhere in the region.
A Presentation on Value Pricing was made by Angela Jacobs. Ms. Jacobs is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) from the Federal Highway Administration. Value Pricing, also known as Congestion Pricing, puts variable levels of tolls on a road depending on time of the day. The idea is to make it cheaper to travel off-peak, while forcing drivers to pay a premium to drive a congested road at rush hour.
High Speed Rail was briefly covered. First, there will be a conference call on March 1 between TPO Staff, Staff from Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and the Federal Railway Administration. The idea is to try to get everyone on the same page about High Speed Rail to Norfolk. Second, DRPT Director Thelma Drake will be at the March TPO meeting to discuss the issue with the TPO Board. Third, we're looking to apply for NEPA money for a Norfolk High Speed Rail alignment in May, 2012.
The Board looked towards budgeting for FY 2012.
Finally, Facilitator Jim Oliver opened a discussion on the TPO's Executive Committee. Oliver noted that two years ago it would have been unimaginable that the region could have come together on a projects list and High Speed Rail. He suggested working through the full Board, as it has helped form consensus. However, some looked towards a future when the TPO and HRPDC will have different Executive Directors and totally separated Staffs. At that time, the Executive Committee will be necessary to cover personnel matters.
Most important was that the draft list from the project prioritization list was carried forward by consensus for the 2034 Long Range Plan (LRP). Some concern was raised that it didn't put additional lanes across the harbor. However, it was pointed out that the Patriots' Crossing coupled with excess capacity at the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel would provide additional ability. For the wingnuts (from both sides) who have attacked Governor Bob McDonnell's transportation initiative, let me point out 13 of the 17 Projects for Construction were only on the list due to anticipated funds from the GARVEE bond float. The TPO will act on the draft 2034 LRP list at it's March 17 meeting. A final list is required to be sent to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) by June, in order that VDOT can do the air conformity work on the list.
An analysis from Old Dominion University's Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center on harbor crossings was presented. 29 different accident scenarios were modeled, and in 90% of them the Patriots' Crossing provided more traffic relief than an expanded Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). The only scenarios where an expanded HRBT scored higher was when the accident was on or in the periphery of the HRBT. Members of the Hampton Roads Caucus of the General Assembly had requested such a look. With only so many people crossing the harbor daily, they wanted to know which alternative provided better relief elsewhere in the region.
A Presentation on Value Pricing was made by Angela Jacobs. Ms. Jacobs is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) from the Federal Highway Administration. Value Pricing, also known as Congestion Pricing, puts variable levels of tolls on a road depending on time of the day. The idea is to make it cheaper to travel off-peak, while forcing drivers to pay a premium to drive a congested road at rush hour.
High Speed Rail was briefly covered. First, there will be a conference call on March 1 between TPO Staff, Staff from Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and the Federal Railway Administration. The idea is to try to get everyone on the same page about High Speed Rail to Norfolk. Second, DRPT Director Thelma Drake will be at the March TPO meeting to discuss the issue with the TPO Board. Third, we're looking to apply for NEPA money for a Norfolk High Speed Rail alignment in May, 2012.
The Board looked towards budgeting for FY 2012.
Finally, Facilitator Jim Oliver opened a discussion on the TPO's Executive Committee. Oliver noted that two years ago it would have been unimaginable that the region could have come together on a projects list and High Speed Rail. He suggested working through the full Board, as it has helped form consensus. However, some looked towards a future when the TPO and HRPDC will have different Executive Directors and totally separated Staffs. At that time, the Executive Committee will be necessary to cover personnel matters.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Unanimous On Crossing
All voters preferred using the multimodal portion of the planned Third Crossing for getting light rail across the harbor to a dedicated rail-only tunnel under the harbor. I agree: not only much cheaper, but it puts light rail right where you'd want the line to land: Newport News' East End.
The new poll question: how do you feel about Egypt's chances moving forward? Ousting l'ancien regime is only half the job. What you do next is at least as important.
The new poll question: how do you feel about Egypt's chances moving forward? Ousting l'ancien regime is only half the job. What you do next is at least as important.
Friday, February 11, 2011
HRPTA Light Rail Forum
On Wednesday morning there was a light rail forum at the MacArthur Memorial Auditorium in downtown Norfolk. The event was presented by the Hampton Roads Public Transportation Alliance (HRPTA). Randy Wright is the current HRPTA President. Speaking were Councilperson Pat Woodbury of Newport News, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) President Phillip Shucet, and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim.
Also there were Mayor Kenny Wright of Portsmouth and Jeanne Evans. While Evans was there as representative of Senator Jim Webb's office, later in the week she was named Executive Director of Virginia Beach's Central Business District Association (CBDA).
In addition, five came from the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA): Robert Dean, Reid Greenmun, Ben Krause, and two Kool-Aid chuggers I couldn't identify. Always self-important, they sat in the front row by the speaker's podium. The best part: Reid Greenmun bought a Light Rail Now t-shirt. Next time LRT opponents whine about who is financing LRN, simply point out Greenmun is, too.
Shucet covered two central themes. First, what is going on with construction of The Tide. Second, to be a mass transit advocate means advocating for much more than light rail.
Fraim stated that the two primary lessons from Starter Line construction were the need to better monitor spending, and better coordination with state and Federal governments.
Since Ben Krause has already tried to misconstrue Fraim's comments on Norfolk's rationale for light rail, I'll devote more time to them than I originally planned. Norfolk has an economy of $13.9 billion, even larger than Virginia Beach's $10.4 billion. 91k commute to jobs in Norfolk from elsewhere in the region, 82% by Single-Occupancy Vehicle (SOV). 60k of those commuters are from Virginia Beach. (30k from Norfolk commute to work elsewhere in the region.) Especially with Norfolk a relatively small land mass, moving those workers is a major concern for Norfolk economically. Some of those jobs could go elsewhere if the transportation issues aren't tackled. That's why light rail is paramount, and the Virginia Beach extension (given the number of workers) is huge.
The jaw-dropper of the morning: Reid Greenmun has joined the Hampton Roads Public Transportation Alliance (HRPTA)! Greenmun joining the HRPTA is one of the most shamelessly brazen things I've heard of in my life! What part of "Public Transportation" doesn't he understand? He's on record repeatedly calling for it's abolition.
(Memo to the Virginia Beach City Council: you actually want to put light rail to referendum and give people like that center stage for such antics? You can't be serious!)
HRT Staff taped the forum, planning to later put it on their YouTube channel. (Two hours ago it still hadn't been posted.)
Also there were Mayor Kenny Wright of Portsmouth and Jeanne Evans. While Evans was there as representative of Senator Jim Webb's office, later in the week she was named Executive Director of Virginia Beach's Central Business District Association (CBDA).
In addition, five came from the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA): Robert Dean, Reid Greenmun, Ben Krause, and two Kool-Aid chuggers I couldn't identify. Always self-important, they sat in the front row by the speaker's podium. The best part: Reid Greenmun bought a Light Rail Now t-shirt. Next time LRT opponents whine about who is financing LRN, simply point out Greenmun is, too.
Shucet covered two central themes. First, what is going on with construction of The Tide. Second, to be a mass transit advocate means advocating for much more than light rail.
Fraim stated that the two primary lessons from Starter Line construction were the need to better monitor spending, and better coordination with state and Federal governments.
Since Ben Krause has already tried to misconstrue Fraim's comments on Norfolk's rationale for light rail, I'll devote more time to them than I originally planned. Norfolk has an economy of $13.9 billion, even larger than Virginia Beach's $10.4 billion. 91k commute to jobs in Norfolk from elsewhere in the region, 82% by Single-Occupancy Vehicle (SOV). 60k of those commuters are from Virginia Beach. (30k from Norfolk commute to work elsewhere in the region.) Especially with Norfolk a relatively small land mass, moving those workers is a major concern for Norfolk economically. Some of those jobs could go elsewhere if the transportation issues aren't tackled. That's why light rail is paramount, and the Virginia Beach extension (given the number of workers) is huge.
The jaw-dropper of the morning: Reid Greenmun has joined the Hampton Roads Public Transportation Alliance (HRPTA)! Greenmun joining the HRPTA is one of the most shamelessly brazen things I've heard of in my life! What part of "Public Transportation" doesn't he understand? He's on record repeatedly calling for it's abolition.
(Memo to the Virginia Beach City Council: you actually want to put light rail to referendum and give people like that center stage for such antics? You can't be serious!)
HRT Staff taped the forum, planning to later put it on their YouTube channel. (Two hours ago it still hadn't been posted.)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Deadlock On Pensions
The previous poll question was on what pension system should City employees have? 50% liked Defined Benefit plans, which we currently have. 44% want to move to pensions similar to a 401 (k) plan, with 6% wanting a Defined Contribution system.
At the 2034 LRP meeting last night, I was offered a ride home, but turned it down. First, I wanted to observe night bus operations. Second, I know "the meeting after the meeting" can sometimes be very interesting. It was. A mid-level transportation official and I got in a discussion about the options for bringing light rail across the harbor. It has been long assumed that The Third Crossing's multimodal component would be the light rail route. However, Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan is based on it not being there, with light rail needing a dedicated rail-only tunnel under the harbor.
That's the new poll question: which way would you go? You can explain under Comments.
At the 2034 LRP meeting last night, I was offered a ride home, but turned it down. First, I wanted to observe night bus operations. Second, I know "the meeting after the meeting" can sometimes be very interesting. It was. A mid-level transportation official and I got in a discussion about the options for bringing light rail across the harbor. It has been long assumed that The Third Crossing's multimodal component would be the light rail route. However, Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan is based on it not being there, with light rail needing a dedicated rail-only tunnel under the harbor.
That's the new poll question: which way would you go? You can explain under Comments.
Playing 47 Questions
On Wednesday evening there was the first public meeting on the region's 2034 Long Range Plan (LRP) for transportation. The meeting was held at the Regional Building in Chesapeake.
The LRP is a Federally-mandated plan that looks at our region's transportation needs at a 20 year horizon, with the Plan having to be updated every 4 years. Projects must be in the LRP to be eligible for Federal funding.
Things began with an open forum, where citizens could read documents, view charts, and ask questions of staff. (It was the first time I had seen the full list of projects from the prioritization tool.) There then was a Presentation on the LRP. That was followed by a question and answer session. It was a robust portion, with 47 questions asked. (Staff noted all 47 questions.) Finally, things ended with another open forum.
While there was a nice contingent from Light Rail Now, zero members of the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance showed up. (They either were asleep at the wheel again or don't give a damn about our transportation network. Maybe both.) The heartening thing was the number of citizens who showed up who normally don't attend such meetings. They simply are fed up with our transportation problems not being tackled, and want to get involved.
Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Director Dwight Farmer stated that the 2034 LRP will be the focal point of the TPO's February 17 Retreat.
The LRP is a Federally-mandated plan that looks at our region's transportation needs at a 20 year horizon, with the Plan having to be updated every 4 years. Projects must be in the LRP to be eligible for Federal funding.
Things began with an open forum, where citizens could read documents, view charts, and ask questions of staff. (It was the first time I had seen the full list of projects from the prioritization tool.) There then was a Presentation on the LRP. That was followed by a question and answer session. It was a robust portion, with 47 questions asked. (Staff noted all 47 questions.) Finally, things ended with another open forum.
While there was a nice contingent from Light Rail Now, zero members of the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance showed up. (They either were asleep at the wheel again or don't give a damn about our transportation network. Maybe both.) The heartening thing was the number of citizens who showed up who normally don't attend such meetings. They simply are fed up with our transportation problems not being tackled, and want to get involved.
Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Director Dwight Farmer stated that the 2034 LRP will be the focal point of the TPO's February 17 Retreat.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
2011 Retreat Tidbits
Some points from the discussions at this weekend's Retreat of the Virginia Beach City Council:
1. A settlement on the radar issue at the Oceanfront is expected "in about 30 days."
2. Glenn Davis reported on the UFL's Virginia Destroyers. First, they will have a timetable for the city "in 4 days" (said on Saturday). Second, they are asking for an 80% rebate on the Amusement Taxes collected, with the money to be put towards Sportsplex upgrades. The City has made it perfectly clear that zero City funds will be put upfront towards the team.
3. The AA/SDEIS from the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study is said to now be coming out in August.
4. Master Plans for the Rosemont and Lynnhaven Strategic Growth Areas will be done in 2011.
5. Harry Diezel wondered if public safety employees partially disabled in the line of duty could be transferred to "soft duty", which the law now doesn't allow. (They're required to be put on disability retirement if they can't perform the job they were hired for.) Louis Jones wanted to explore it, as it may mean cost savings for the City. However, Jim Wood cautioned that it may negatively impact the pensions of those employees to do so.
6. Will Sessoms wants to explore opening an overseas office for business recruitment to Virginia Beach.
Expect the usual suspects to whine about the proposal. (Hey, their puppet Bill DeSteph did right away.)
7. SPSA's tipping fee is highest in the country. (Were you surprised?)
8. Speaking of SPSA, our soap opera of the absurd is scheduled to close it's doors in 2017. That's why Solid Waste Management is a priority for Council. (What do we do next?)
Barbara Henley floated the idea of a new landfill in the ITA. After all, the Navy has no problem with a landfill there.
9. On November 22, the City had a meeting with our General Assembly delegation. Late that night, Councilmen got phone calls from legislators wondering why they didn't show up.
Simple: they were never told that there was a meeting. It was the Mayor and Staff meeting with the delegation.
Best joke of Saturday: Jim Spore was asked to give status of the Dome site to Council, and he said groundbreaking before the end of the year. Mayor Sessoms quipped, "I'll bet your career on that."
1. A settlement on the radar issue at the Oceanfront is expected "in about 30 days."
2. Glenn Davis reported on the UFL's Virginia Destroyers. First, they will have a timetable for the city "in 4 days" (said on Saturday). Second, they are asking for an 80% rebate on the Amusement Taxes collected, with the money to be put towards Sportsplex upgrades. The City has made it perfectly clear that zero City funds will be put upfront towards the team.
3. The AA/SDEIS from the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study is said to now be coming out in August.
4. Master Plans for the Rosemont and Lynnhaven Strategic Growth Areas will be done in 2011.
5. Harry Diezel wondered if public safety employees partially disabled in the line of duty could be transferred to "soft duty", which the law now doesn't allow. (They're required to be put on disability retirement if they can't perform the job they were hired for.) Louis Jones wanted to explore it, as it may mean cost savings for the City. However, Jim Wood cautioned that it may negatively impact the pensions of those employees to do so.
6. Will Sessoms wants to explore opening an overseas office for business recruitment to Virginia Beach.
Expect the usual suspects to whine about the proposal. (Hey, their puppet Bill DeSteph did right away.)
7. SPSA's tipping fee is highest in the country. (Were you surprised?)
8. Speaking of SPSA, our soap opera of the absurd is scheduled to close it's doors in 2017. That's why Solid Waste Management is a priority for Council. (What do we do next?)
Barbara Henley floated the idea of a new landfill in the ITA. After all, the Navy has no problem with a landfill there.
9. On November 22, the City had a meeting with our General Assembly delegation. Late that night, Councilmen got phone calls from legislators wondering why they didn't show up.
Simple: they were never told that there was a meeting. It was the Mayor and Staff meeting with the delegation.
Best joke of Saturday: Jim Spore was asked to give status of the Dome site to Council, and he said groundbreaking before the end of the year. Mayor Sessoms quipped, "I'll bet your career on that."
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