FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Summary

Regular Meeting - April 1, 2008
7:15 PM - Room 8, Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 20035

TAC Members In Attendance: Chair Janyce Hedetniemi, Vice Chair Jeffrey Parnes, Secretary Roger Hoskin, Jenifer Joy Madden, Brian Deery, and Harry Zimmerman

Others In Attendance:  County Staff: Tom Biesiadny, Bob Owolabi, Calvin Lam, Smitha  Chellappa, and Michael Guarino

Meeting called to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chair Janyce Hedetniemi and the March 4, 2008 regular meeting minutes were approved.

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Main Topics Discussed

Board Referrals:
There were no new referrals from the Board of Supervisors

Main Topics:

Richmond Highway Public Transportation Initiative

Michael Guarino, Senior Engineer, Utilities Design Branch, Planning and Design Division,Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), briefed the Commission on implementation of the Richmond Highway Public Transportation Initiative along Route 1 from south of the Capital Beltway (I-95-/I-495) (at the north end) to Old Mill Road/ Mt Vernon Memorial Highway (Route 235).  The project provides pedestrian improvements at twenty-nine (29) intersections, new sidewalks to fill in 5.6 miles of missing sidewalks, and various bus stop improvements.  As a result of this project, bus ridership from 2004 to the present has increased almost 50 percent.  Typical intersection pedestrian improvements include crosswalks across all approaches to the intersection, pedestrian signal heads, curb ramps, sidewalks leading to and from the intersection and raised median on Route 1 and on side roads, where feasible.  Typical bus stop improvements include improved access, addition of concrete pad and/or shelter, solar lighting, map display, trash cans, and bike racks.  Typical sidewalk improvements include concrete sidewalks with a minimum width of 5 feet, curb ramps, and at some locations, 10-foot wide asphalt multi-use paths. 

The TAC Chair Janyce Hedetniemi asked about the results of service improvements: ridership and frequency, and whether bike access was incorporated in the design.  Mr. Guarino responded that, because of the right-of-way limitations, whenever it is possible, trail and bike access were included in the multi-use paths, but the focus of this project is pedestrian and safety improvements.  Ms. Hedetniemi stressed the need to provide bicycle access separately from the multi-use paths.  Mr. Tom Biesiadny of the FCDOT responded that the intent of the current project is to provide some immediate improvements in the interim with readily available funding, and then provide more comprehensive improvements when additional funding becomes available.  Vice Chair Jeff Parnes recommended that bike paths need to be continuous if they are planned as part of the project.  Commissioner Zimmerman also recommended incorporating similar improvements in the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) projects in the future.  There was also a discussion about the pedestrian safety improvements, whether the speed limit for Route 1 should be lower or remain unchanged.

 General Assembly Legislative Session Highlights

Tom Biesiadny, Chief, Coordination and Funding Division, Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), provided updates on the General Assembly Legislative session, including the status of transportation funding from various House and Senate bills, and bills that would affect funding associated with the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and of interest to Fairfax County.  The NVTA called for additional transportation funding for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, replacement of any revenue sources included in the House Bill (HB) 3202 with a stable, reliable, and permanent sources to address Northern Virginia and the State’s transportation needs, etc.  Mr. Biesiadny also stated that NVTA opposes any legislation on the transfer of Secondary Road Program (construction and maintenance) to Counties. On the Transportation Efficiencies, he said that NVTA supports raising the limits on “on-call” contracts up to a maximum of $5 million.  He also stated that the generally Assembly (GA) passed legislation to extend the exemption of hybrid vehicles on Northern Virginia’s HOV lanes to 2009.  The amendment to resolicit competitive proposals for Dulles Rail Project and transit earmarks were taken out and not included in the GA conference committee’s report.  There was also a discussion of federal involvement in Metro funding.

TAC Strategic Planning Session

TAC Chair Janyce Hedetniemi reported to the Commission about her meetings with the FCDOT Director and Division Chiefs to brainstorm on future TAC roles, activities and involvements regarding transportation issues in the county.  After contributions by other TAC members, the TAC unanimously developed the following recommendations for its future direction:

• Spot Improvements:  TAC members need to be familiar with the established procedure and provide recommendations for their respective Magisterial Districts. 
• FCDOT staff expected to make future presentations to the TAC on Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Spot Improvements.
• Bond Referendum: TAC members need to be aware and familiarize themselves with the projects on the Bond list.
• Joint sessions with the following Board Authorities and Commissions (BACs): (a) Planning Commission Transportation Committee; (b) The Environmental Quality Advisory Commission (EQAC); and (c) The Trails and Sidewalks Committee.
• Be informed and aware of items on the Board of Supervisors’ package: TAC staff liaison to highlight areas of interest to TAC members and advise the TAC periodically, as necessary.
• TAC role as “primer”: The TAC will serve as a connection between the Supervisor and FCDOT.  TAC members need to be more familiar with the differences between FCDOT and VDOT in terms of functions and responsibilities.
• Advance Warning Signage: TAC will develop specific recommendations for VDOT’s consideration.
• Tysons Corner Redevelopment Study: The TAC will advocate for more clarity by VDOT on rural / suburban versus urban roadway standards; VDOT still operates with rural design standards even though Fairfax County has evolved more as an urban area.
• Countywide Comprehensive Plan Reviews and Area Plan Reviews: The TAC will be more involved.
• TAC members will make concerted efforts to know more about activities in their respective Magisterial Districts and attend community meetings, public hearings, etc., as TAC representatives.  TAC staff liaison will acquire County pins for each TAC member for this purpose.
• On-going transportation studies (i.e. Springfield Community Business District, Annandale Traffic Operations Study, Bailey’s Cross Roads Study, etc.):  TAC staff liaison needs to make the TAC more aware of them and include them on the TAC meeting agenda as appropriate.
• Plan future TAC Workshops on general transportation subjects related to ongoing projects/studies.
• The TAC needs to coordinate with the Drunk Driving Task Force.
• TAC staff liaison should ensure that TAC meeting materials are mailed out to members absent at meetings.
• Presentation materials and handouts should also be posted on the TAC web site as appropriate.
• TAC staff liaison should ensure provision of index, by topic, on the TAC web site for easy search.
• Whenever possible, TAC staff liaison should include a web link on the TAC meeting agenda (preferably on the top of TAC agenda).
• TAC staff Liaison should ensure that the TAC Secretary assigns a TAC member as note-taker for each meeting.
• TAC should coordinate with the Planning Commission Transportation Committee on transportation issues.
• TAC should hold discussion with the Park Authority to find ways of working together.
• Provide advocacy for health impact assessment of projects: Impact of transportation projects on people and their lives after completion of transportation improvements / projects; provide the quantitative ratings on transportation aspects.  Recommend BRAC task force to adopt this rating scorecard.  More details on health impact assessment can be found at: http://people.virginia.edu/~nhb3b/HIAwebsite/home.html
• Sponsor seminars on sustainability.

For the next meeting, TAC will discuss:

• Framework for future TAC work-sessions to lay out priorities and determine topics for future presentations.

Other Business

• Discussion of Issues Associated with the VDOT Advance Signage Program – for work session. 
• Motion made and seconded to begin future meeting at 7:30 P.M was unanimously approved.

Agenda for Upcoming TAC Meetings:

• May 6, 2008: FY09 Transportation Budget Challenges & Issues  – Kathy Ichter
• May 6, 2008: Briefing on the Outcome of Fairfax County Bicycle Route Map Public Meetings  --  Charlie Strunk

Announcements

• Leave No Child Inside Behind Initiative, April 20, 2008 from 1 PM to 4 PM at Meadowland Gardens.

• Braddock District meeting: April 8, 2008: What went on in Richmond?

Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.

 

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Upcoming Meetings/Events

May 6, 2008: 7:30 pm - TAC Regular Meeting

May 20, 2008: 7:30 pm - TAC Work Session

June 3, 2008: 7:30 - TAC Regular Meeting

June 17, 2008:  -  TAC Work Session

July 1, 2008:  - TAC Regular Meeting