Vision to Action Community Coalition February 14, 2014 Briefing Transportation and Transit Planning & Mass Transit Operations Strategic Growth Area Office Brian S. Solis Transportation & Transit Manager Mark E. Shea Transportation Planner 1
Transportation & Transit Planning What We Do Duties and Responsibilities of Transportation Planning and Transit Management Transit today overview of bus system, ridership, costs, infrastructure and terminus of light rail at City line Multi-modal Planning Bikeways and Trails liaison Complete Streets Regional Transportation and Rail Planning Future Transit Oriented Development Passenger Rail History and Future Link to Envision VB 2040 Plan 2
Transportation & Transit Planning Coordinate and ensure compatibility with all transportation modes. Oversight division for the Virginia Beach portion of HRT Budget. This includes active planning for all aspects of Transit services. Responsible for City s Master Transportation Plan and coordination with Planning, Public Works and other City departments. Assist Public Works with road planning/design efforts. City reps. for HRTPO and Subcommittees Transportation Technical Advisory Committee 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Passenger Rail Task Force Traffix TDM 3
Transportation & Transit Planning Assist Parks and Recreation with the development and implementation of the City s Bikeways and Trails Plan. Participation in all applicable City, Regional, State and National Transportation Planning endeavors. Participation in the City s Development review process. 4
Transit in Virginia Beach Today Fixed route bus service (Route 20 averages almost 5,000 boarding s a day) Special resort area shuttles (formerly trolley vehicles) Bus Stops/Shelter locations (in concert with Public Works). Currently there are Paratransit (federally mandated service to serve qualifying disabled persons- over 1 million $ annually) The City of Virginia Beach budget covers roughly 35-40% of the HRT services (FY13 amount was just over $6 million) 5
Bus Network 18 Routes within VB Approximately 125,000 trips a week 9 transfer locations 5 routes feed directly to the Norfolk Tide Light Rail line 6
Multi-modal Transportation Planning Bikeways and Trails liaison Complete Streets Future Transit Oriented Development Regional Transportation and Rail Planning 7
Passenger Rail History and Future 8
9
Multi-modal Transportation Planning Coordinate with Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Planning, Economic Development and others in regards to providing safe routes to Walk or Bicycle. This includes planning for appropriate accessibility to transit services. Managing Department Manager for Complete Streets Policy which will require consideration of all transportation modes with City roadway/transportation projects. 10
Link to Envision VB 2040 Plan Create the Vision and then ensure Organizational Alignment Identify Initiatives through Strategic Planning Ensure Sustainable Practices and Performance Measures are our Culture Implementation by Accomplishing Tangible Results 11
Help create the Vision and then ensure Organizational Alignment From Envision VB 2040 to 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition City Council Priorities City Three-Year Strategic Plan Sustainability Plan 12
Creating the Vision and then ensuring Organizational Alignment Bold Step: Regionalism: City Council leads the effort to build a strong, effective regional coalition to leverage the region s assets and creates a culture of collaboration for the success of the Southern Chesapeake Bay Region. Why: We can only succeed as a region Leverages each community s strengths, reduce competition, generate savings As the largest City in the Commonwealth we need to take a leadership role Reduces the cost of local services through sharing resources Everyone in the region wins Capitalizes on the interconnectivity of the region Allows us to market the region Region speaks with one political voice/clout 13
Creating the Vision and then ensure Organizational Alignment Envision Virginia Beach 2040 Bold Step: Transportation: City Council makes transportation a key priority, focusing on multi-modal means of connecting within our neighborhoods, across the City, region and beyond. Why: Vibrant successful communities rely on mobility through transportation connectivity Neighborhoods, learning, leisure and economic success all rely on a successful transportation network Enhances the overall citizen and visitor experience Citizen safety Reduce automobile traffic Clean air healthy environment 14
Outline Initiatives through Strategic Planning Economic Vitality Business Area Strategies and Initiatives EV7 Integrated and Comprehensive Transportation System: We complete the planning process and public involvement to secure funding and start design on Light Rail and pursue complimentary public transit and transportation connectivity improvements to support an integrated and comprehensive transportation system. 7.01 Address the next steps to secure Light Rail: a. Complete the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study. b. Adopt the Locally Preferred Alternative. c. Begin preliminary engineering and design for the Locally Preferred Alternative. 7.02 Take the necessary steps to improve public transit and connectivity improvements to support multi-modal transportation efforts. 7.03 Develop Complete Streets policies for SGAs and key development areas of the City. 7.04 Resolve future of Southeastern Expressway 15
Outline Initiatives through Strategic Planning Quality Physical Environment Business Area Strategies and Initiatives QPE4 Balance the diverse transportation uses by increasing alternative mode choices, improving safety, reducing congestion, minimizing environmental impacts, improving air quality and creating quality public spaces. 4.01 Complete the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Alternatives Analysis (AA), and make a decision on the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). 4.02 Develop funding mechanisms with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for I-264 mainline and interchange projects, including the I-264/I-64 interchange. 4.03 Update the Primary Roadway Network Plan with the 2014 Comprehensive Plan update. 4.04 Establish Complete Streets Design standards. 4.05 Amend the Subdivision Ordinance to include a minimum street connectivity ratio and secondary access requirements. 4.06 Support DRPT and TPO effort to enhance inter-city rail to Hampton Roads. 16
Outline Initiatives through Strategic Planning Cultural and Recreation Opportunities Business Area Strategies and Initiatives CRO 1.05 Continue implementing the Bikeways and Trails Plan to improve cycling for transportation and recreation, both on-road and on paths, and to enhance pedestrian connectivity throughout the City. CRO 2.09 Seek external support to secure capital improvements, publicity and education campaigns needed to apply for the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle-Friendly certification. Achieve designation as a Bicycle-Friendly Community by 2017 (as certified by The League of American Bicyclists) to guide and to benchmark our progress. Safe Communities Business Area Strategy/Initiative SC 1.03 Advocate for construction funding for bike paths, crosswalks, sidewalks, and other safety improvements to enhance alternative healthy modes of transportation 17
Connections Ensure Sustainable Practices and Performance Measures are our Culture GOAL 11: We will have an inter-connected, multi-modal transportation system providing efficient, safe, and affordable movement city-wide and linking to regional systems. 11.1 Develop an efficient and convenient public transit system, connecting major centers and gathering places, and offering residents and visitors with comparative alternatives to the automobile. 11.2 Educate both residents and visitors about the benefits of public transit and the importance of such choices. 11.3 Create active transportation routes, such as bikeways and trails, that are safe, connect our centers, and are widely used by our citizens and visitors. 11.4 Ensure funding is available to support quality roadway infrastructure that maximizes connectivity and traffic flow, while not impairing pedestrian and bike access. 18
Passenger Rail History in PA County/VB 19
20
Future potential of mass transit extension Transbay Transit Center Project is a visionary transportation and housing project that transforms downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area s regional transportation system by creating a Grand Central Station of the West in new transit-friendly neighborhood. $4 billion project replaces current Transbay Terminal at First/Mission streets in San Francisco with a modern regional transit hub connecting eight Bay Area counties and the State of California through 11 transit systems: AC Transit, BART, Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit, Greyhound, Muni, SamTrans, WestCAT Lynx, Amtrak, Paratransit and future High Speed Rail from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim. http://transbaycenter.org/interactive 21
Summary and Q & A What We Do Duties and Responsibilities of Transportation Planning and Transit Management Transit today overview of bus system, ridership, costs, infrastructure and terminus of light rail at City line Multi-modal Planning Bikeways and Trails liaison Complete Streets Regional Transportation and Rail Planning Future Transit Oriented Development Passenger Rail History and Future Link to Envision VB 2040 Plan 22