FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – April 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Alan Young (At-Large), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), Micah Himmel (Providence), and Eric Thiel (Springfield).
TAC Members Absent: Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason).
Others in Attendance: Calvin Lam and Noelle Dominguez (FCDOT); Susan Hafeli (Department of Cable and Consumer Services - DCCS).
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. Dr. Tapan Banerjee was welcomed to the TAC as the new member representing the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board. The minutes of the last meeting were unanimously approved.
Note Taker: Kevin Morse
Main Topics Discussed
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors 2015 General Assembly Final Legislative Report
Noelle Dominguez, FCDOT, summarized the 2015 General Assembly Legislative Report to the TAC. Ms. Dominguez went over a series of transportation related bills during the General Assembly session. One of the most substantive bills was HB 1887 (Jones), which makes extensive changes to transportation funding formulas, as well as other changes to reporting and to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. She talked about how the old formula was changed from 40-30-30 roadway funding system to the following: 40 percent of funding to state of good repair, 30 percent of the funding to the statewide high-priority projects program, and 30 percent of the funding to highway construction district grant programs, and other important changes. At the end, HB 1887 was amended and revised as 45 percent of funding would go to the state of good repair; 27.5 percent to the statewide high-priority projects program; and 27.5 percent to highway construction district grant program.
The TAC had several questions regarding the availability of funding and the chances of applying for these grants but not able to get any funding. Commissioner Cohn noted that the grant is minimal and not much for maintenance.
Ms. Dominguez mentioned other bills that were introduced but not passed. She talked about bills that affecting the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and regional funds. She provided some highlights about the Food Trucks bill, HB 2042 (Filler-Corn) that was passed by both the House and the Senate to direct VDOT to amend its regulations to permit food truck vending on state highway rights-of-way.
Commissioner Himmel asked about the terminology used in the report. Ms. Dominguez explained the meaning for bills that was "tabled" and bills that "failed to report" to the committees. The TAC had a lengthy discussion about the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) study of the operation of Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft. There are several bills introduced during the 2014 General Assembly session. HB 1662 and SB 1025 were the main legislative vehicles for this issue and were ultimately passed the General Assembly. The final bill established a process for the licensing of TNCs by DMV and requirements for driver screening, vehicle requirements, insurance requirements, and wheelchair-accessible services. The bill does not impact any local regulation of taxicabs.
There were questions about licensing, driver screening, and the number of wheelchair accessible taxicabs. Commissioner Banerjee explained his experience as a wheelchair user who uses taxicab service. He stated that the disability community insisted that Uber and private services must train their drivers in servicing people with disabilities. Customers can ask to see TNC stickers on the Uber/private cars.
Commissioner Morse asked about the funding shortfall for transportation. Ms. Dominguez replied that HB 2313 will help to ease the funding situation (about $300 million a year), but not address it completely. Commissioner Cohn requested having the legislative handouts in advance of the TAC meeting. Ms. Dominguez will provide the TAC the link to the whole legislative document. It can be found here:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/legislation/2015/general-assembly-final-report.pdf
The pages that include the transportation issues that Ms. Dominguez discussed are:
- Funding and NVTA - Page 7 to9
- CTB, Food Trucks, P3s and Tolling, Transportation Network Companies, and Transportation Safety - Page 38 to 40
Fairfax County Taxicab Regulation: 2015 Certificate Demand Analysis
Susan Hafeli, DCCS, presented the update on the Fairfax County Taxicab Regulation: 2015 Certificate Demand Analysis. Currently in Fairfax County, there are five authorized operators or companies, 654 taxicab certificates, 45 wheelchair-accessible certificates, and over 830 licensed drivers. The five companies are Fairfax Yellow, Springfield Yellow, Fairfax Red Top, White Top, and enviroCAB. The ratio of persons per taxi for Fairfax County is 1729. Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in the region with the smallest number of person per taxicab. Transportation Network Companies (TNC) like Uber competes directly with County taxicabs. TNCs are subject to lesser regulatory oversight. TNCs are not bound by County or city borders like taxicab companies.
The County uses a formula to calculate for demand for taxicab service since 1998. The factors used in the formula are: average trips per certificate, mass transit/tourism economic activities, population, and growth over period since certificates last awarded. The weighted result applied to current number of certificates to derive recommended change in total number of certificates. The total number is subject to 10 percent discretionary adjustment based on number of complaints, competition, etc. During the certificate authorization process from May 2013 to February 2014, the Board approved 78 new certificates, or a 13% increase in fleet size. The Board directed staff to add new element to demand formula such as the number of households without a car and incorporate the need for new taxicabs into transportation planning assessment process, where appropriate. DCCS staff is soliciting public input via notice on the County website and input from Board appointed commissions/committees like the TAC. Because of a short review period (2013 to 2014), preliminary result from the 2015 demand analysis suggests no need for additional certificates.
Commissioner Zimmerman asked for the reason to limit certificates for taxicabs regarding the open entry by TNCs. Ms Hafeli replied that this is still an open question. The TNCs entry to the taxicab service will determine the rationale for restrictions for taxicabs. This issue will be answered in the future. Commissioner Thiel noted that the County needs to have better metrics to evaluate service. Commissioner Zimmerman raised a concern that the formula uses population growth that it may not include other population like the service workers, school, and other users. Commissioner Madden asked for the percentage of regular taxicabs versus the TNCs usage like Uber. Ms. Hafeli replied that Uber does not share their information with anyone. They closely hold that information to themselves and have no interest in sharing their data with anyone. Ms. Hafeli will follow-up on previous TAC question about the complaint process posed in the retirement and assisted living facilites.
There was a question about taxicab driver training with respect to passengers with disabilities. Fairfax County Code Section 84.1-7-1(t) requires that taxicab operators ensure their personnel are trained to safely and properly assist individuals with disabilities. The complete text of subsection (t) is provided below.
(t) Training requirements. Each certificate holder will ensure that personnel are trained to proficiency, as appropriate to their duties, so that they operate vehicles and equipment safely and properly assist and treat individuals with disabilities who use the service in a respectful and courteous way, with appropriate attention to the difference among individuals with disabilities.
Other Business:
Possible Joint Meeting of TAC and Planning Commission
Using the "top three" list provided by Tom Biesiadny, FCDOT, the Chair will send out a survey to rank the topics for a meeting with the Planning Commission.
TAC Achievement Award Subcommittee
Commissioners Thiel, Cohn, and Young were selected to this subcommittee. The award announcement will be placed on the County's Newslink. The deadline for nominations will be Friday, June 12, 2015.
Comment and Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentations: N/A
Planned Agenda for Next Meeting
• May 5, 2015: Joint Meeting with Trails & Sidewalks Committee: I-66 Improvements
• May 19, 2015: Summer Repaving Project/Bike Lanes – Adam Lind (FCDOT)
Topics for Future Meetings:
· June 16, 2015: Richmond Highway Alternatives Analysis Next Steps – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
· July 21, 2015: Route 7 Core Widening – Tad Borkowski, FCDOT)
· August 18, 2015: Herndon Metrorail Station Access Management Study – Kris Morley-Nikfar (FCDOT)
· September 15, 2015: Update on Implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technology on Fairfax Connector Buses – Dwayne Pelfrey (FCDOT)
· October 20, 2015:Huntington Area Transportation Study – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
· November 17, 2015: Proposal for Zoning Ordinance Changes Related to Parking in Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas around Metrorail Station – Dan Rathbone (FCDOT)
· December 15, 2015: Countywide Transit Network Study – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
· TBD: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.
· TBD: 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
· TBD:CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties
Annoucement: n/a
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned as 10:15 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
May 19, 2015 1:00 pm Board Transportation Committee Meeting
July 14, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
October 13, 2015 1:00 pm Board Transportation Committee Meeting
December 1, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
May 5, 2015 7:30 pm Joint Meeting with Trails & Sidewalks Committee
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)
July 7, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
July 21, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
August 4, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
August 18, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
September 1, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
September 15, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
October 6, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
October 20, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
November 3, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
November 17, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
December 1, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
December 15, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)