Transportation

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TAC Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2014

FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary

Regular MeetingJuly 15, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033

TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Micah Himmel (Providence), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), and Eric Thiel (Springfield).

TAC Members in Abstance: *Edson Tennyson (At Large), Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), and Ann Pimley (Fairfax Area Disability Board).

*NOTE: Belatedly received the sad announcement that Commissioner Ed Tennyson had died the day before the meeting.

Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam and Charlie Strunk.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. The minutes of the June 17, 2014 meeting were unanimously approved.

Note Taker:  Frank Cohn

 

Main Topics Discussed

Bicycle Master Plan

Charlie Strunk, the Bicycle Program Coordinator at FCDOT, briefed the TAC, supported by slides, on the Bicycle Master Plan, pending approval by the Planning Commission and subsequently by the Board of Supervisors. The Plan consists of a Plan Document which provides information about biking options in Fairfax County and a Plan Map which depicts the possible biking routes throughout the County. Care was taken in the development of the plan to be inclusive with all interested factions. Towards that end, nine District Workshops were conducted involving stakeholders as well as VDOT. Two more public meetings are pending; TAC members cautioned to provide ample time after conducting the pending Public Meetings, to assure all comments are received and properly evaluated. The Plan is not designed to provide guidance for other than bicycle riders – not motor bikes, Segways or other two-wheeled configurations. The Plan is focused on the future and is not specifically intended for providing advice to current bikers; however, continuing public educations about biking is stressed. The plan was coordinated with adjacent jurisdictions to show routings outward from Fairfax County; some were more accommodating than others.

The Plan Map provides very detailed depictions where biking facilities enhance bike travel and where it is hazardous. It clearly shows the best and safest way to travel between different areas. The varied degrees of upgraded biking installations are depicted, ranging from curb markings of different configurations, with or without buffers, to separate bike paths. It does not show who shares paths – cars or pedestrians, only that sharing is in place. The map is divided into four Quadrants and is very exact in portraying the existing road system in the County with superimposed biking installations.

In discussion with TAC members, a number of problems were highlighted. Bikers might yell: “on your left” when passing pedestrians - that means the bike will pass on the left side. Unfortunately this is sometimes misunderstood as the pedestrian looks to the left rear and thereby exposes himself to a crash. It was agreed that bikers and pedestrians are not suboptimal mix on a path; neither are horses and bikes. Bicycle parking differs from Motorcycles which can use a car parking space; at many locations efforts are made to provide secure parking racks for bikes. In some instances, bikers need to understand that safety aspects can force them to dismount. Some highways which do not provide facilities for biking, it can be dangerous for bikers to travel. While the District of Columbia is currently engaged in quelling conflicts between motorists and bikers, Fairfax County has not experienced this type of conflict. There is active experimentation with different configurations to enhance safety. A bike facility should not just be a stripe on the road; more is needed. Pavement markings can show the direction of bikers; there are wider bike paths divided with markings for two-way travel; and there are buffer makings to separate bikers from parked cars. Experimentation is proceeding with overhead traffic signals designed to accommodate bike travel. One type of traffic signal called Hawk has a series of six sequences to mediate between car, pedestrian and bicycle movements. VDOT has also been accommodating with signs designed to assist bike traffic. However, there is a need to determine how increased safety can be achieved, particularly for left hand turns; and overall, biking facilities need significant upgrading. It was suggested that the Plan Map should show where upgrading and connectivity is needed – showing the need will provide a visible continuing requirement, urging earlier implementation; not showing requirements will cause them to be forgotten or overlooked

The next step will be to prepare for the Presentation to the Planning Commission on October 1, 2014 and to the Board of Supervisors on October 29, 2014. Charlie Strunk promised to provide the TAC with an update after these sessions.

Annual TAC Transportation Achievement Award

Micah Himmel, Mike Champness, and Ann Pimley will coordinate to provide the TAC with a recommendation for bestowing the award. So far four recommendations have been received. The deadline for submissions is August 1, 2014.

Feedback from the Previous TAC Meeting:

TAC and TRAC Interface

Jeff Parnes has consolidated the comments submitted by TAC members concerning TAC and TRAC missions and operations and has distributed this summary to the Commissioners and to FCDOT. The summary indicates that there are some contradictory viewpoints. In order to clarify the TAC position on this matter, Kevin Morse provided a motion, seconded by Mike Champness that essentially states that the mission of the TRAC should encompass all operational aspects of the Fairfax Connector, while the TAC will focus on strategic aspects. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote of the six Commissioners present, with the understanding that Commissioners Morse and Champness will compound and coordinate the comments on the comprehensive transit plan/transit development plan and transit riders’ advisory committee respectably at the August TAC meeting. Once the TAC has reached consensus, the TAC Chair will make the appropriate recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Other Business

Chairman Parnes received a request by a citizen to address the TAC on some matter. In discussion, it was agreed that after the aim of the presentation is identified as a matter for the TAC, the presenter should be given a 5 minute time slot for his presentation, since ours is an open public meeting. If the time amount is deemed insufficient by the presenter a decision can be made on the basis of the issue at hand. At this point, Mr. Stuart M. Whitaker, a Consultant, appeared and was identified as the requester. He explained that he would like to address the TAC with his view that public meetings should only be conducted at places which have access to Mass Transit. He indicated that his presentation will take between 15 and 20 minutes. He was advised that he may come before the TAC on August 19 and that the allocation of time will be addressed in advance.

Upcoming Meetings

The listings of upcoming meetings, as reflected in the minutes of the last meeting, were discussed and received agreement. The August 19 meeting will have a presentation by VDOT on Wayfinding/Signage. It was proposed that the Fairfax County Parkway be selected by TAC members as an example of a signage problem, where in some instances no more than an illegible street sign identifies an exit while other exits, such as Ox Road, have an exemplary signage sequence.

Topics for Future Meetings:

• August 19, 2014: Wayfinding/Signage – Randy Dittberner, VDOT
• September 16, 2014: Countywide Transit Network Study and Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
• October 7, 2014 (Work Session with Trail & Sidewalk Committee): view video – Alternate Date
• October 21, 2014: Seven Corners Revitalization Project
• November 18, 2014: Route 7 Core Widening
• December 16, 2014: 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)
• January 20, 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
• February 17, 2015: CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties

Annoucement:

An Open House will be held at the new Wiehle Avenue Station on July 19. There will be shuttle busses from Tysons and Falls Church to support this event. Free parking is available in the Sunset Hill Lot located about 1½ blocks away from the station.

The Silver Line will be opened on July 26 at the Wiehle Station. The public is invited for this event.

The visit to the Dulles Airport by TAC members has not yet been finalized. The proposal for July 29 received only support from five Commissioners. An attempt will be made to identify a date in August.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned as 9:55 p.m.

Upcoming Events:

September 16, 2014        10:00 am        Board Transportation Committee Meeting
December 9, 2014           10:00 am        Board Transportation Committee Meeting

Upcoming Meetings:

August 5, 2014                      7:30 pm              TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
August 19, 2014                    7:30 pm              TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

September 2, 2014               7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
September 16, 2014             7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

October 7, 2014                     7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
October 21, 2014                   7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

November 4, 2014                 7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
November 18, 2014               7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

December 2, 2014                 7:30 pm             TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
December 16, 2014               7:30 pm             TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)

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