FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Summary
July 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM – West Ox Bus Facility, 4970 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Vice Chairman Jennifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Alan Young (At Large), and Harry Zimmerman (Lee).
TAC Members Absent: Micah Himmel (Providence) and Eric Thiel (Springfield)
Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam, Nick Perfili, Kris Miller, and Jose Pineda.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. The minutes of the last meeting were approved unanimously and without change.
Note Taker: Harry Zimmerman
Main Topics Discussed
Tour of the West Ox Bus Facility – Kris Miller and Jose Pineda
The TAC members were given a walking tour of the West Ox Bus Facilities with in-depth explanations of how the facility operates as the tour progressed through each part of the complex. The West Ox Bus Facility is located at 4970 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030.
It is a joint-use facility between Fairfax Connector and WMATA. It is owned by the County with portions leased by WMATA. Expansion plans are in the works to nearly double the capacity. Operating costs are shared on a pro-rata basis allocated according to the number of buses assigned to the facility. After expansion is complete the shared expense formulas will change as the ratio of Connector and WMATA busses change.
Following the tour, the facility staff provided a briefing and answered numerous questions from the TAC members on topics ranging from overall bus procurement and replacement strategies, to logistics of daily operations.
TAC members were impressed with the condition of the facilities, maintenance protocols for the fleet, safety for the workforce, as well as management’s environmentally-focused practices at many levels across all operations. TAC members urged the staff and FCDOT reps to make an effort to tell their story to the citizens of the County who likely have no idea what a great example they set for efficiency, life-cycle cost consciousness, and sustainability.
Here are the “10 fun facts” about the Fairfax Connector-Metrobus West Ox Division provided by Vice Chair Jenifer J. Madden:
1. Connector buses use a non-toxic, green substance called Fogmaker for fire suppression.
2. Stainless steel seat frames are used for comfort and to discourage scratching and graffiti.
3. Methane from the nearby Mount Trashmore (FCDOT solid waste disposal site) is used to heat the bus service and maintenance facilities.
4. Buses undergo preventive maintenance every 6,000 miles.
5. Every bus bay has an Internet connection for equipment analysis and data retrieval. The engines can email the manufacturer.
6. Tires are filled with nitrogen so they last longer and provide better gas mileage.
7. New buses aren’t wrapped with advertising since it can damage the paint.
8. Any bikes left on buses are donated to charity after 30 days.
9. Disney visited the depot to observe the bus service facility and bus automatic washer.
10. All water used to wash buses is filtered, softened and re-used 4 to five times, after which the water is disposed of as hazardous waste and thereby not dumped in the water shed.
TAC members thanked Ms. Miller and Mr. Pineda for the incredibly informative and interesting tour of the facility. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and forthcoming with a wealth of information.
Update on Implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technology on Fairfax Connector Buses - Nick Perfili
Mr. Perfili provided TAC an encouraging update on the County’s progress toward acquiring and implementing and ITS system which is scheduled to be fully implemented in 2016.
The system will provide major enhancements across the whole Fairfax Connector enterprise computerizing dispatch and automatic vehicle location tracking and status, increased safety features, and greatly improved rider experience including real-time visibility of where the next bus is on any particular route and its arrival time at the next bus stop. Users will be able to access such information on most of today’s personal electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, and such. It will also be accessible through multiple third-party applications (apps).
In as much as ITS will represent a ‘sea change’ in rider experience on Fairfax County bus transit, TAC inquired about plans and budgets for promotional outreach to make citizens aware of the changes and benefits as they become available. Goal would be to see if TAC could lend support for County funding decisions, as well as recommendations for promotional materials, message content, venues, including strategies to reach citizens who may not use transit but could possibly be enticed to do so with a new awareness of the enhanced features and conveniences.
Student Free Fare Program - Nick Perfili
In context of the bus transit discussions, Mr. Perfili provided TAC with an update on another program the County is pursuing that is aimed at providing discounts or free rides to students in an effort to find efficiencies between Fairfax Connector and the Fairfax County Public Schools.
Considerable coordination has been ongoing since the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors FY 15 budget language requested FCDOT to explore transportation partnerships with the FCPS. County staff has experienced resounding support for the concept among the many stakeholders. Five schools have been selected for a trial period based on their unique circumstances that would make public transit appealing especially for after-hours activities.
TAC was impressed with how this program not only helps to balance capacity and needs but more significantly how it could help to shape a whole new culture of transit-aware young people.
Following the bus presentations TAC thanked the presenters and moved on to more traditional agenda topics:
TAC Achievement Award Committee
TAC unanimously approved the recommendation of the Subcommittee for an award recipient with award presentation probably in October.
Other Business:
Comment and Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentations: N/A
Planned Agenda for Next Meeting
- August 18, 2015: Herndon Metrorail Station Access Management Study – Kris Morley-Nikfar (FCDOT)
Topics for Future Meetings:
- September 15, 2015: Envision Route 7 Program – Kate Mattice, NVTC
- October 20, 2015: Richmond Highway Alternatives Analysis Next Steps – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
- November 17, 2015: Countywide Transit Network Study – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
- December 15, 2015: I-495 and I-95 Express Lanes Performance/Progress
- January 19, 2016: Huntington Area Transportation Study – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
- February 16, 2016: Route 7 Core Widening – Tad Borkowski, FCDOT)
- March 15, 2016: Joint TAC/T&SC meeting to discuss sidewalk and trail maintenance funding
- TBD: Update on Accessible Bus Stops
- 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
Closing and Adjournment:
Chairman Parnes provided updates on meetings he has attended and upcoming events that could be of interest to the TAC members. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
October 13, 2015 1:00 pm Board Transportation Committee Meeting
December 1, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
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)
January 5, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
January 19, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)