19 May 2012
Saturday
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19 May 2012
Saturday
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About the Project Citizens Working Group Notes from our second meeting
| Notes from our second meeting |
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Citizens Working Group Meeting Notes April 26, 2010 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Building 19 Following a brief introductory session, 21 citizens divided into two groups to identify issues by listing questions significant to understanding various topics related to transportation. The questions generated include questions of facts and some also reveal underlying values. Each of two break-out groups was asked to start on “issue mapping” under assigned and different topics. Ken Wheeler facilitated one group and Betsy McBride, the other. Group One Break Out Notes Topic #1 – Economic Development The City of Virginia Beach Strategic Growth Areas run along the old rail tracks. More development in these areas means more congestion. What will be the tradeoff? How does the city reach its economic potential? How is economic development balanced with transportation? What are the “costs?” What could be unintended consequences? What are the drivers for economic development and how do they impact transportation-related issues? Tourism: * How do the tourists get to VB? Personal vehicle? Is this changing? * How do tourists get from A to B, and then back while in VB and the outlying areas? What transportation is available for tourists? Military: * Are retirees and lower enlisted the largest groups? * What are their present issues and what will be their future transportation issues? Seniors: Demographics of jobs – the workforce: * How do the transportation needs of the workforce impact Economic Development? * What are the transportation needs for employees in the service industries, for example, restaurant and retail employees? Cost of living: this entices people to move to VB? * Homes & vehicles – decisions where to live and daily commute impact transportation Transportation system subsides: (this relates to costs) Who will subsidize public transportation? Public transportation users’ benefits include less money for gas and less time in traffic Topic #2 - Lifestyle * What are the transportation impacts on an aging population? Consider wants and needs. * How are people to be moved around? * Is this a function of government? * There are growing numbers of those who no longer drive. What are their needs? * Plan now for retirees who are active. * Have a transportation system to grow with population who are here. * How transported to medical appointments? Grocery shopping? Walkability wanted. Growth in Communities for over 55 * Communities are not being built near a transportation system and/or near grocery stores, doctors, etc. Tourists: * Trades-type people drive to the Beach in their vehicles and stay awhile. * Newer type of tourist – who target? * Is tourism increasing/decreasing? * VB is a tourist destination for families; how do they get around the area? Families – to reside here, what do they want? They have multiple needs. They are looking for a lifestyle that includes: * bike paths * quality of life * a healthy lifestyle Does the city want to attract retirees? Are retirees attracted to the VB lifestyle? * What will be their wants and needs? * They will age. How will their transportation needs change? Cultural change – conflict/tension re: transportation * Expectations * City built with suggestions/input from citizens – citizens will expect Poor people – poverty * Transportation – if only poor/low income folks ride public transportation, will other potential riders have a negative view of using? Culture: * Will citizens necessarily want more public transportation? This means a cultural change from using personal vehicles to using public transportation? * Values for the future – get people out of cars – different values and choices for generations Topic #3 – Special Needs Buses: * Bus scheduling – can bus schedules accommodate special needs riders? * How do disabled people get to bus stops to use the transit? * There are disconnectivity issues. * Transit use for masses (special needs design system for this) * Must be accessible for all types of users * Get to the transit * Need to get on the bus – relates to design of the transit Ex-offenders: * Often work in the trades; DUIs – cannot have license for two years * Cannot get to work because of a lack of public transportation or transportation assistance and they take a chance and drive. * Employment issues because of challenges getting to their workplaces. * Need an improved bus system so it doesn’t take so long to get to workplaces (disconnectivity). Poor people – see related issues under Lifestyle Special Needs/disabled: * Where to park? Make it easy to park. * How to move disabled persons around? * Population all aging; will have some type of physical disability in the future that will require the use of a transportation system. Topic #4 – Environment More transit use means less fossil fuel used and less carbon produced. More sidewalks Bicycle parks Clean type of vehicles – natural gas, hybrid * City fleets * Commercial vehicles Transit used for the masses: * Must be accessible * riders need to be able to get to the transit * riders need to be able to get ON the transit Experts/Speakers: Economic Development – HRT speaker Someone from Northern Virginia related to metro development – Loudon County good example. Lifestyle – John Skirven, Senior Services of SE Virginia Special Needs – Department of Corrections – Maria Decker HRT – Jim Toscano Environment – Steve Yberra, Education Foundation, Northern Virginia Chelsea Jenkins, Clean Cities, Hampton Roads Group 2 Break-out Notes Group 2 gathered in the small room. Before starting on the assigned list, this group added Congestion Management as a topic. Topic #5 - Funding Sources/Who Pays? What are the transportation priorities? Who sets? Who has input? What is the ROI – “bang for buck” on any project/expenditure under consideration? Who sets this? Who is involved? Who should be involved? Do subsidies for transportation (light rail mentioned) constitute socialism? In any mode, should subsidies be provided or should the user pay? What is the compelling case for who pays? What are the “rules?” Who gets served by any transportation option/choice? Who gets the benefits from any transportation option/choice? Should transportation continue to be funded separately? That is, construction/design and then operations/maintenance? Who pays for these separate parts for high speed rail, light rail, auto/trucks and other? What are the funding sources for transportation? Where does privatization fit into providing for transportation options? What is possible? What are the experiences? Topic #6 - Land Use/Development Patterns So called “sprawl” concern vs. the “American dream” for large lots and room for kids. Consideration of modes and comparisons of their impacts/advantages. What is the formula for factoring in future needs? Do we design for the future? What about the citizen choices or the market-revealed choices? Urban vs. rural/suburban? Specific role of Strategic Growth Areas (SGAs) in future transportation? And do citizens agree with the SGAs? How should we use zoning to determine/change transportation and development patterns? What tools can be used? What about flooding issues and transportation? What is the impact on development of traffic congestion? Does/should land use precede transportation or the opposite? What about the “real world realities” like energy/environment, the national issues that could/should impact land use patterns? Topic #7 - Community Safety What about safety for aging populations and other groups? Does light rail lead to higher crime? Do red light cameras improve safety? Does design allow for predictable mistakes by users? Can we design a safe road? Can we/do we properly maintain existing safety features like crossings and visible road markings? Should bikes be allowed on streets with cars? What about future transportation modes/technologies and their impacts on safety? Does EMS have a long-range plan related to the comprehensive plan? What are the federal planning factors related to safety and their ranking in the list of planning factors? What is needed for evacuation? What are the safety “costs?” What is needed to increase safety on roads? Topic #8 - Military What is necessary for military mobility in emergencies? What is the link between national security and light rail? Are military commuters (or others) more at risk from acts of terrorism on mass transit vs. moving in single occupancy vehicles? What obligation does the military have to support transportation options? What are the commuting patterns of military personnel? What are the long-term needs for the transportation future connected to the military? presence, e.g. more personnel or less, facilities to stay or leave? Topic #9 – Traffic Congestion Management What factors would/do “move” people to use mass transit? Does placing the light rail route along the Norfolk Southern route actually reduce traffic? How much? How does land use impact congestion? What are the tools to reduce congestion? Peak-use pricing? Off-peak repair/maintenance scheduling? Other Notes from Group 2: The project/CWG needs to locate balanced information related to questions. While the questions are focused on Virginia Beach, many also related to the region. |
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