FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – January 20, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Alan Young (At-Large), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), and Micah Himmel (Providence).
TAC Members Absent: Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill) and Eric Thiel (Springfield).
Others in Attendance: Stuart Whitaker (Citizen), Calvin Lam (FCDOT), Nick Perfili (FCDOT), and Bob Kuhns (FCDOT).
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. The TAC moved to accept the minutes from the previous meeting.
Note Taker: Alan Young.
Main Topics Discussed
Citizen’s Comments - Transportation Access Issues
Stuart Whitaker, representing Transiters, gave a presentation on his quantitative evaluation of transit accessibility to Fairfax County citizens. Mr. Whitaker first presented his data that shows that auto road traffic during rush hours has improved in the region. Travel Time Index (TTI) – actual travel time to free-flow travel time (MWCOG 2014 CMP Technical Report). But, transit time on Metro is almost always slower than auto traffic. And, bus travel is always slower throughout the region; Virginia is especially bad, even in Arlington. Mr. Whitaker then explored the case of citizens trying to get to public buildings for meetings. He noted that Fairfax County buildings, such as FCDOT, are not well served by transit and could take hours to get to and from meetings. He proposed requiring the County to hold meetings in transit friendly locations.
Asserting that the region has failed to achieve TPB goals set in 1998: “The Washington metropolitan region's transportation system will provide reasonable access at reasonable cost to everyone in the region,” Mr. Whitaker requested that the TAC consider endorsing the following recommendations:
Public Transit cannot serve every location equally … so
- Locate offices and facilities where they are reasonably accessible.
- Schedule meetings at times and locations that are reasonably accessible.
- Encourage contractors and other businesses to follow suit.
- Ensure that employees do not have to own automobiles.
Commissioners expressed concern about the first recommendation and it became clearer that Mr. Whitaker meant making County facilities more accessible, not private companies. Following a brief history on why County buildings are located where they are by the Chairman, Mr. Whitaker asked what he could tell his Supervisor about the reaction of the TAC to his recommendations. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for his research, agreed improvements were needed, and invited Mr. Whitaker to sit in on the following update on Fairfax Connector changes being implemented to better serve the Silver Line.
Silver Line Bus Service Update
Nick Perfili (FCDOT) briefed on the second wave of changes to Fairfax Connector service since the opening of the Silver Line that are being proposed for upcoming public comment and implementation this Spring. At the request of the Commissioners, Mr. Perfili briefed the changes by route and responded to individual questions.
Fairfax Connector is proposing changes to Reston Internal Bus System (RIBS) service, routes 928 and 937 in Herndon, and Tysons circulator and Express Lanes routes in response to changing travel patterns and ridership since the start of Silver Line Metrorail service. The proposed changes, to take place in spring 2015, aim to improve on-time performance, enhance connectivity, and provide more direct service for the majority of passengers.
Highlights of the proposed changes include:
- Schedule adjustments to RIBS 1 and RIBS 3 service to improve on-time performance;
- Route and schedule adjustments to RIBS 2, RIBS 4, RIBS 5, and routes 928 and 937 to provide new and more direct connections in Herndon and Reston;
- Route and schedule adjustments to Tysons Circulator routes 422, 423, and 424 to provide more direct connections and bi-directional service to the majority of passengers connecting with the Silver Line Metrorail; and
- Combining routes 493 and 494, with service proposed to operate between Lorton, Saratoga, Springfield, and Tysons via the 95 and 495 Express Lanes.
Routes affected by the proposed changes are 422, 423, 424, 493, 494, 495, 551, 928, 937, RIBS 1, RIBS 2, RIBS 3, RIBS 4, and RIBS 5.
Fairfax Connector will host two public meetings to explain the proposed changes and gather feedback from the public:
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015; 6 - 8 p.m.; presentation at 7 p.m.
Lake Anne Community Center – JoAnn Rose Gallery
1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
Transit access: Fairfax Connector 574, RIBS 1, RIBS 3
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015; 6 - 8 p.m.; presentation at 7 p.m.
Freedom Hill Elementary School – Cafeteria
1945 Lord Fairfax Road, Vienna, VA 22182
Transit access: Fairfax Connector 401, 402, 462, 463
In response to questions about Fairfax Connector schedules not being available on Google, Mr. Perfili noted that the County Attorney and Google have not yet agreed on terms and conditions to allow the data sharing. Concerned about the impact on Fairfax County’s traveling public, Harry Zimmerman proposed and Micah Himmel seconded a motion as follows:
“The TAC, in support of improving customer service to Fairfax County citizens, recommends that FCDOT explore how other jurisdictions have resolved the data sharing issue with Google and add Connector bus service to Google service on terms acceptable to the County.”
The motion was passed. The TAC will wait to take any action on the motion until the next meeting, allowing time for FCDOT to advise the TAC on the best way to handle the motion.
In response to Commissioners’ questions, Mr. Perfili identified his next priority is to add a “Next Bus” like feature to allow bus riders to know the detailed status of their buses on specific routes. The Chicago bus system offers an excellent example of such a system.
Mr. Perfili further identified improvements in South and Central County as his priority in 2015-17. The Connector is examining new cross county routes to connect transportation nodes that are now only serviced by single peak route service. He is adding a full-time marketing person to staff to improve Connector marketing campaigns.
In response to a Commissioner question about whether there should be a new Fairfax County Riders Transportation advisory committee, Mr. Perfili asked how many of the Commissioners were regular bus riders. The answer by Commissioners was none are presently regular riders.
I-66 Corridor Improvement Project Update
Bob Kuhns (FCDOT) provided the Commissioners with an update on the outside Beltway improvement plans for I-66. Noting the project was on a fast track, he is going to the Board of Supervisors on Feb 17, 2015, seeking their decisions on a number of critical topics. Public meetings are scheduled for next week.
The project, from the Beltway to Haymarket, is in its second level of planning. The first level of planning, done in 2013, looked at possible options for the number of lanes, future transit, locations of intersections, corridor operations and TDM.
Option 2A, typical cross sections, is the most likely alternative for approval. Needing 246 feet of right-of-way, versus the full separated lane version of Option 1 with 290 feet of right-of-way, Option 2A will cost less and be less disruptive to adjoining communities while preserving a County priority of retaining a median for future transit extensions. Option 2A still has a major impact on Vienna - Dunn Loring sections of I-66 and sections of the highway west of Route 50.
Right-of-way limits in Prince William County are more restrictive due to adjoining National Parks. Therefore, it may be unrealistic to preserve center rail right of way into Prince William County. Centreville could be an end of line option. The Governor’s office is providing major support to the project and construction is projected to begin in 2017.
There will be two managed lanes in each direction. A major effort is being made to minimize the need to take land for the right-of-way.
When considering transit service in the managed lanes, regular and rapid bus service:
- Route 28 is a huge corridor of demand.
- The intersection of Route 28 and I-66 has limited right of way availability; the exchanges for transit may need to be placed farther west.
- The planners are avoiding Centreville for one-seat ride service.
- Chairman Parnes asked about key locations in the County being considered as final destinations versus just passing through. He was informed that planners were very aware of the need to plan for County destinations.
- Three park-and-ride lots are being discussed in the County. Stringfellow and Monument Drive facilities will be doubled in size; Vienna Metro stop will remain in place.
- Planners are testing access alternatives. Fairfax Parkway has a planned HOV lane, but it is not being connected to I-66; this will be a Board of Supervisors item. This issue will be a design and cost issue.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan: there is a parallel multi-use trail on the County Trails Plan. The Board of Supervisors will be asked about the need for the trail. With concerns about right of way requirements, there may be significant impacts on the trail to include the need to cross from one side of I-66 to the other multiple times. Commissioners commented on the need for the trail.
This project is a Public-Private opportunity. Requests for proposals will go out in February. As of the first phase of project planning, there were 17 consortiums interested in bidding.
TAC commissioners were asked to attend the public meetings scheduled for the week of 26-30 January, with snow dates of February 4, 2015.
As another project, VDOT and VRPT are considering converting I-66 inside the Beltway to HOT lanes operated by VDOT, essentially allowing SOV traffic paying tolls to join existing HOV traffic. The generated funds will be used for multi-modal transportation purposes.
Comment & Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentation: None
Other Business: None
Summary of the Board of Transportation Meeting of January 20, 2015
Chairman Parnes briefly summarized the agenda of that day’s meeting:
I-66 Inside the Beltway - Inside the Beltway tolling on I-66 has a major impact on the Dulles Toll Road and airport bound traffic. For the first time, airport traffic may be required to pay tolls. The HOT lanes are currently only planned for I-66; the Dulles Access Road between I-495 and I-66 was not included in this proposal
Dulles Metrorail Silver Line Phase 2 Status and Funding - Fairfax County has the second lowest interest rate on any Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan.
Huntington Area Transportation Study - The Board of Supervisors does not want a grade separated crossing.
Planned Agenda for Next Meeting
• February 17, 2015: TBD
Topics for Future Meetings:
• March 17, 2015: Route 7 Core Widening (Tad Borkowski, FCDOT)
• April 21, 2015: 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)
• May 19, 2015: Comprehensive Plan and Transportation staff and Planning Commission discussions with TAC on how planning for areas currently planned for future rail stations reflects the designation of the areas as future rail stations
• June 16, 2015: CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties
Annoucement:
• Commissioner Parnes invited the TAC members to submit Citizen of the Year nominations to the Fairfax County Federation of Citizen Associations before the nomination period closes on January 31st.
• We are awaiting for suggested dates from the Planning Commission’s Transportation Committee Chair, Janyce Hedetniemi, to hold a joint TAC/PCTC meeting
• I-66 Corridor Improvements Public Information Meetings (6:30-8:30 pm)
• 1/26/2015 at Oakton High School, Vienna, VA
• 1/27/2015 at Bull Run Elementary School, Centreville, VA
• 1/28/2015 at Battlefield High School, Haymarket, VA
• 1/29/2015 at VDOT NOVA District, Fairfax, VA
• * Snow dates: 2/4/2015 at Battlefield High School and 2/5/2015 at VDOT NOVA District.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned as 10:15 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
March 17, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
May 19, 2015 1:00 pm Board Transportation Committee Meeting
July 14, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
October 13, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
December 1, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
February 3, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
February 17, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
March 3, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
March 17, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
April 7, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
April 21, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
May 5, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
May 19, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
June 2, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
June 16, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)