FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary

Regular Meeting – June 21, 2016 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033

TAC Members in Attendance:  Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Vice Chairman Jennifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Michael Shor (Mt. Vernon), Eric Thiel (Springfield), and Donald Kissinger (Fairfax Area Disability Services Board).

TAC Members Absent: Alan Young (At-Large), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), and Micah Himmel (Providence)

Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam and Adam Lind (FCDOT).

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:45 p.m. The minutes of the last meeting were approved without any changes.

Note Taker:  Donald Kissinger.

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Main Topics Discussed

Bike Share Program

Adam Lind (FCDOT) briefed the TAC on the Bike Share Program. The Bike Share Program has three main goals; to provide:

• A network of bicycles distributed around an area that allow short, one-way trips from one location to another;
• A relatively inexpensive and quick implementation extension to local public transportation; and
• A cost-effective mobility option for trip (another form of transit) too far to walk, but not long enough to take transit or drive.

Mr. Lind discussed the bike stations that are to include a solar panel for power.

The initial feasibility study funded by a Metro Washington Council of Governments (COG) Transportation and Land Use Connections grant included two public meetings, stakeholder interviews and data analysis of current and future development. The system’s initial hubs are Wiehle-Reston East Metro and Reston Town Center. A size of some stations was reduced to increase the number of stations.

The Study reviewed potential funding sources (federal funds for capital but not any operating costs) and how stations would affect zoning and site plans and held conversation with other area jurisdictions. Capital BikeShare and three other bikeshare suppliers/operators were investigated and quotes were obtained from vendors. While there were concerns about Capital BikeShare being too capital intensive and in fact the primary company went bankrupt, in the end Capital BikeShare was selected including because it appears to be the system integrated throughout the region with the best likelihood of long run success and growth. The process of finalizing locations, accomplishing engineering feasibility and discussing the process to join the regional contract have begun.

A BikeShare in Tysons is also being developed. This system was started at the request of the Tysons Partnership with agreed to partially funded and secure private partners to provide $10,000 for five years for each station. There are 14 proposed Tysons stations, similar to the current 13 stations for the Reston program; but those numbers are likely to continue to change as the two systems are constructed.

Presently, efforts are underway to finalize the station locations and sizes and after the stations begin being delivered in September contract signing and marketing activities will be accomplished.

There are some significant differences with some of the other jurisdictions including that some of the other jurisdictions including Arlington and the District have stations in the street in parking spaces. There are lots of private property issues related to the Reston sites as public property is generally not available there.

Riders will pay a premium for rides that are greater than 30 minutes in duration. There are 600 members in Fairfax County already. The systems will not be taking Smart Card/Trip Cards. Questions/comments were raised regarding other alternative pay systems including smart phones, Apple, etc. but Mr. Lind needed to check back with the staff to completely answer the Commissioners’ questions.

In response to a question by the Vice Chair Mr. Lind indicated that the rationale for the W&OD Trail/Old Reston Avenue station was to break up longer trips from the Metro.
TAC members discussed potential revenue services to help make the system turn a profit, as well as regarding various private and small county (employees) programs and efforts to integrate them into the overall system.
The intention is to launch the Reston and Tysons BikeShares at the same time.

Phase II will use federal funds for the capital costs, but public rights of way will be needed. The Fairfax County initial BikeShare system is planned to have 30 stations and 224 bikes. Growth with the Silver Line to connect Reston and Herndon stations as well as eventual expansion to Merrifield and Huntington is envisioned.

2015 TAC Transportation Achievement Award Selection Committee

Only one nomination was received this year. One member raised issues regarding whether to consider the only nomination or not. After a discussion, a Committee (of Mike Champness (Dranesville), Micah Himmel (Providence) and Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason)) was appointed to study the issue and report in the July meeting.

Other Business:

Other matters raised by members included Kevin Morse noting it was unfair for the Washington Post to ask about going forward with the Silver Line in light of all of the current problems. A discussion ensued over various issues associated with WMATA construction and maintenance funding.
The Vice Chair discussed the Route 7 meetings and the associated light rail and BRT alternatives including that BRT was likely to be preferred as it is about 1/3 the cost of light rail. But there is a problem with respect to getting down in the Huntington area as Alexandria won’t dedicate a lane on the smaller streets.

The Chair raised the matter of an issue with the Stringfellow Road Park & Ride not being used by the Metro Buses, including providing a graphic of the issue.

Comment & Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentations

• Board Transportation Committee Meeting on May 24, 2016:
  • The Chair reported topics included Safe Track, food trucks in currently available spaces and the student pass program which continues to have great success and favorable comments.
• Fairfax County Taxicab Regulation: a Review of Chapter 84.1:
  • None
• Joint Meeting with Trails and Sidewalks Committee about trail maintenance:
  • The Vice Chair reported the status of trail maintenance was discussed and that while there is a large amount for one year there is no continuing source of funds, calling into question the concept of arguably parity of maintenance for various modes of transportation
• Student Free Fare Program on Fairfax Connector:
  • See comment under BTC May 24 meeting

Planned Agenda for Next Meeting

•   July 19, 2016: Reston Network Analysis - Kristen Calkins (FCDOT)

Topics for Future Meetings (Candidates for holding meetings at alternate location indicated in bold):

•   August 16, 2016:
•   September 20, 2016: I-395 Express Lanes – Susan Shaw/Amanda Baxter (VDOT)
•   October 18, 2016: Fairfax County Parkway Corridor Study – Neil Freschman
•   November 15, 2016: Legislative Update – Noelle Dominguez (FCDOT)
•   December 20, 2016: Update on Fairfax County Taxicab Regulation – Susan Hafeli (DCCS)
•   January 17, 2017:  Update on I-66 Project – Sung Shin and Leonard Wolfenstein (FCDOT)
•   Update on Tysons Transportation Projects – Ray Johnson (FCDOT)
•   Comprehensive Plan and Transportation staff and Planning Commission discussions with TAC on what their vision is for future development and any changes in planning and zoning guidelines that may be needed to account for future work environment given the pace and impacts of technology advances (including guest speaker to explain impact of self-driving/smart cars, buses and trucks on traffic, roadways and intersections). Joint meeting date with the Planning Commission’s Transportation Committee will be determined.

Closing and Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Upcoming Events:

June 22, 2016                        6:30 pm               Rolling Road Widening Public Information Meeting
                                                                          Rolling Valley Elementary School, 6703 Barnack Drive, West Springfield, VA 22152

June 29, 2016                        7:00 pm              Hunter Mill Road Study Community Meeting
                                                                         North County Government Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive

Upcoming Meetings:

July 5, 2016                            7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
July 19, 2016                          7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

August 2, 2016                        7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
August 16, 2016                      7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

September 6, 2016                  7:30 pm            TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
September 20, 2016                7:30 pm            TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

October 4, 2016                       7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
October 18, 2016                     7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

November 1, 2016                   7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
November 15, 2016                 7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

December 6, 2016                   7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
December 20, 2016                 7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)