Detroit News: U.S. extends connected vehicle pilot program in Ann Arbor

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is extending a pilot project in Ann Arbor on connected vehicles by another six months, but said it won't change its timetable for deciding whether to move forward with the new technology.

The project was initially supposed to last a year when it was kicked off in August 2012 by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Gov. Rick Snyder with nearly 3,000 "smart cars" that could one day revolutionize auto safety. Cars, for example, could alert each other that a driver was about to miss a stop sign or pull onto a busy street. Or that a vehicle has entered a driver's blind spot.

NHTSA will use the results from the vehicle-to-vehicle safety pilot to decide by the end of the year whether to advance the technology through regulatory proposals, additional research, or a combination of the two.

UMTRI has been conducting the test of approximately 2,800 cars, trucks, and buses.

Read the full article at the Detroit News, or find out more at the UMTRI website.

TheRide's FootballRide Shuttles to Begin August 31

TheRide will begin a new FootballRide shuttle season with the August 31 University of Michigan game against Central Michigan University.

The service will operate between many convenient hotel and parking sites and Michigan Stadium for seven home football games this fall.  Additional hotels will also be served indirectly at nearby pick-up sites.  Hotel parking may be limited to hotel patrons.

FootballRide runs approximately every 20 minutes starting two hours before game time with the last shuttles leaving 30 minutes before game time.  Return shuttles run for approximately one hour after each game.

FootballRide tickets are $1.50 each way for adults and may be purchased at most of the hotel sites, or in advance by mail or in person at TheRide’s main office at 2700 South Industrial Highway in Ann Arbor.  Riders are encouraged to purchase round-trip tickets, as drivers do not carry change. Reduced fares are available for those who qualify.

Boarding Locations
Free Park & Ride Lot Shuttle Stop Locations:

• Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot (North Shuttle)
• Miller Road Park & Ride Lot (West Shuttle)

Public Paid Parking Shuttle Stop Locations (Downtown Shuttle):

• Fletcher Street Parking Structure
• Fourth & William Parking Structure
• Pizza House (for Forest Street & Church Street Parking Structures)
• Thompson Street Parking Structure

Hotel and Other Shuttle Stop Locations
* Indicates ticket sales locations

North Shuttle Stop Locations

• Holiday Inn near the University of Michigan (parking for Guy Hollerin’s restaurant and hotel guests only)*

South Shuttle Stop Locations

• Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel*
• Hampton Inn South*
• Kensington Court Ann Arbor*
• Red Roof Inn*
• Comfort Inn & Suites – board at Red Roof Inn*
• Courtyard by Marriott – board at Sheraton*
• Fairfield Inn – board at Sheraton*
• Holiday Inn Hotels & Suites – board at Sheraton*
• Holiday Inn Express (tickets available at Kensington Court)

Downtown Shuttle Stop Locations

• Bell Tower Hotel*
• Campus Inn*
• Michigan Union

East Shuttle Stop Locations

• Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites (Carpenter Road)*
• Days Inn*
• Comfort Inn (tickets available at Days Inn, Board at Days Inn)

West Shuttle Stop Locations

• Weber’s Inn (parking for Weber’s patrons only)*
• Clarion Hotel*

During each home game, Routes 6, 7, 8, 15, and 16 will be detoured while the streets are closed to through traffic.

Football Ride information is available on TheRide’s web site, TheRide.org, and by phone at 734.996.0400.

Game-day Street Closures Beginning Saturday August 31

In an effort to enhance overall security around Michigan Stadium, the Ann Arbor City Council has authorized street closings in the vicinity of Michigan Stadium on all football Saturday home game days this season, beginning with this Saturday, Aug. 31.

Scheduled lane closures include: East Keech Street between South Main and Greene streets, limiting access to parking permit holders on Greene Street from East Hoover to Keech streets; the westbound right-turn lane on East Stadium Boulevard (onto South Main Street) just south of the Michigan stadium; South Main Street between Pauline and Stadium. The duration of these closures will be three hours before each home football game until the end of each game, with the exception of southbound South Main Street, which will be closed one hour prior to the game until the end of each game. This will enable patrons to access neighborhood parking areas west of the stadium. Provisions will also be made for properties with access exclusively on Main Street.

Traffic will be detoured using Pauline Street and Seventh. After the game, or at the discretion of the Chief of Police, barricades will be removed as soon as practical, and Main Street will reopened.

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Expands, Adds City of Ypsilanti and Adopts New Legal Name

Following unanimous approvals by both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti City Councils to amend the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Articles of Incorporation, AATA formally added the City of Ypsilanti as a member municipality.  Tonight, as part of the expansion, the Board of Directors took action to formally adopt the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority as its new legal name. The Board will consist of eight members appointed by the City of Ann Arbor and one appointed by the City of Ypsilanti.

Gillian Ream, Communications and Development Coordinator of the Ypsilanti District Library, was confirmed to represent the City of Ypsilanti on the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) Board of Directors after being nominated by Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber.  Ms. Ream spends most of her time, both personally and professionally, working to enrich the Ypsilanti community.  She is involved in Bike Ypsi and engages with a wide variety of local organizations.  Until recently, she worked at the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, doing marketing and communications work around issues of energy efficiency, transportation, civic engagement and intergovernmental cooperation.  Ms. Ream was born and raised in Ann Arbor and holds an M.S. from UM’s School of Natural Resources and a B.A. from Kalamazoo College.  She brings a unique perspective of transit systems, having used them regularly when she lived in Toronto and Baltimore.  “Becoming an official member of the TheRide is an important step for Ypsilanti.  So many of our residents depend on transit, and joining TheRide will give those residents a stronger voice and help Ypsilanti become a more interconnected part of the region,” said Ms. Ream.  “Ypsilanti is also a haven for artists and entrepreneurs, and we hold dozens of events and festivals each year celebrating our art, music and local history.   TheRide’s services help make it easy for Ypsilanti residents, as well as people in Ann Arbor and the surrounding townships, to enjoy what our city has to offer.”

Gillian Ream’s appointment follows that of Eric Mahler and Susan Baskett, who replaced David Nacht and Jesse Bernstein on TheRide’s Board of Directors in May.  Mr. Mahler, an Assistant General Counsel for Meritor, Inc. who provides legal advice concerning labor and employment issues, formerly held a post on the Ann Arbor Planning Commission.  When he is not practicing law, Mr. Mahler enjoys and has been heavily involved in community service.  In addition to his service on the Ann Arbor City Planning Commission, he has also served on the Washtenaw County Workforce Development Board, the Community Housing Alliance Board of Directors, the Straker Bar Association Board of Trustees, and the American Arbitration Association Employment Advisory Council.  “I am honored and excited to join TheRide’s Board of Directors and look forward to a period of prosperous growth,” said Mr. Mahler.  “As a Board member, I am focused on increasing ridership, improving and expanding services and making TheRide the transportation of choice for the future of the regional Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area.”

Avid public transit user Susan Baskett’s career includes highlights as an advertising executive and community activist.  Ms. Baskett, who also has been a trustee on the Ann Arbor Board of Education since 2003, brings her experience dealing with transportation for K-12 students to TheRide, and believes that Ann Arbor is in need of a more robust public transit system.  "I am very honored to be appointed to TheRide’s Board.  I see great opportunities for collaboration for the benefit of all of our citizens, young and old,” she said.  “I see a strong public transit system as an important part to a good quality of life in our community.  It’s good for the environment and key to those who can’t or choose not to drive.  As a teenager, I used the bus to meet up with friends at Briarwood.  As a young adult, I commuted from my family home to campus at U of M.  I am a believer in public transit and will do my part of keeping and hopefully expanding TheRide’s service.  I look forward to offering my expertise and am very impressed with the level of commitment that I see in everyone at TheRide.”

“Adding the City of Ypsilanti aligns with our vision to bring more transportation options to a greater number of residents and strengthens our ability to maintain existing levels of service, while continuing to improve and expand service where possible.  This includes increasing frequency and hours of operation, which has been a common thread in community discussions,” said TheRide’s Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Ford.  “With a record 6.6 million rides last year, funding the services that are needed to meet this growing demand is challenging, but the rewards and benefits are enjoyed by all who live or work within the service area, not just by those who ride.”

“Uniting Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti further strengthens Washtenaw County’s Urban Core and positions our communities for a more healthy and vibrant future,” said TheRide’s Board Chair Charles Griffith.  “There is much work yet to be done, but this is an exciting milestone and an opportunity to be proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Zero Deaths: A Goal For Everyone

News Release from MDOT
LANSING, Michigan --- The Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan (TIA) commends the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for launching a new statewide public education campaign today on Michigan highways.

Photo by Flickr User almostsummersky

MDOT is displaying the number of traffic fatalities on Michigan roadways year to date on selected message signs, also known as Dynamic Message Signs (DMS).  The message will be displayed one day per month along various I, M, and US routes, and the campaign is scheduled to run from July through November.
 
"Research has shown that public education and involvement are vital to achieving a reduction of traffic crash fatalities and injuries," said Jim Santilli, executive director of TIA.  "I commend MDOT for using an innovative approach to educate all motorists about the importance of safe driving.  We must all remember the numbers displayed represent real people whose families were torn apart by a traffic crash, which is completely preventable."

Photo by MDOT

As Michigan moves Toward Zero Deaths, MDOT believes it is imperative that every opportunity be taken to improve safety on Michigan roadways.  Driver behavior factors into nearly 90 percent of all fatal crashes and one key to changing driver behavior is educating the public on the scope of the issue.  Posting fatality messages on DMS is one simple and inexpensive way MDOT can contribute to that effort.  Currently, nine states are posting fatality messages on their own DMS.

"It's a startling statistic and that's the point," said MDOT Director Kirk Steudle.  "Displaying the number of lives lost on Michigan roads can be an effective way to influence driver behavior and increase driver focus."

According to Lieutenant Gary Megge of the Michigan State Police Traffic Services Section in Lansing, driver error and behavior are the biggest challenges when it comes to the safety of our roadways.

"If everyone could steer clear of driving distracted, drowsy, impaired or careless, our roads would be much safer," said Megge.  "Displaying hard data for motorists is an eye opener that will increase awareness and focus."

If a situation occurs where another message is deemed a higher priority than the safety message, the sign will be switched.  Higher priority messages include incident messages, lane closures, shoulder closures and work zone messages.

According to the Michigan State Police, there were 273,891 reported traffic crashes in Michigan during 2012, of which 870 were fatal and 51,685 were personal injury.  281 of the fatal crashes were alcohol related.

"Remember, one simple mistake by a driver can change many lives forever," said Santilli.  "When operating a motor vehicle, we ask that drivers remain focused on the road, keep their hands on the wheel, driver sober, buckle up, and obey all traffic control devices.  These simple practices will help to ensure their safety, and the safety of the innocent people around them."

Mapping San Francisco's Hills

Google's Geo Developers Blog recently highlighted a cool map in its Map of the Week feature.  This map is a brilliant display of San Francisco's famous hills.  Roads that go uphill from the location of the marker are red, streets that go downhill are blue.  The more opaque the color, the steeper the hill.  

Comparing the second screenshot to the first, you can see how the colors change as your starting elevation edges closer to sea level.

Even better, you can zoom in, turn on satellite view, and clicking will show the grade of any street.

The applications for this are interesting for tourism in San Francisco, but locally it would be cool to see this used in bike wayfinding.

SEMCOG public meetings: Help improve bicycle and pedestrian paths and amenities

SEMCOG will hold a public meeting for its upcoming regional non-motorized plan at the Saline Council Chambers on Wednesday, July 31 from 4-7pm.  Attend and help shape the future of Southeast Michigan's nonmotorized infrastructure!

Bicycle and pedestrian (nonmotorized) travel is a vital part of Southeast Michigan’s transportation systems. For many communities, biking and pedestrian facilities improve quality of life for residents and make these communities more desirable. SEMCOG is currently working on a regional nonmotorized plan. Goals of the nonmotorized plan are:

• Create an inventory of existing facilities in the region,
• Develop guidelines for new facilities,
• Address the most critical gaps within the nonmotorized corridors, and
• Create a planning resource for communities within the seven-county SEMCOG region to coordinate facilities across boundaries.

Transit and Fresh Food

CMAQ Grant Awarded to City of Milan

A federal grant recently awarded to the City of Milan will provide welcome relief to parents and students near Milan High School and Clayton Symons Elementary.  The City received a $564,460 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Grant to fund improvements to the Platt and Redman intersection near the schools.  CMAQ grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate significant improvements to traffic flow and reduce harmful emissions.

This project includes new facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, ADA compliant ramps, right and left turn lanes, and a new signal.  Construction will begin in 2014.  For more information, read coverage of the grant at The Milan-News Leader.

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Dangers of Distracted Driving and Prevention Resources

In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. In fact, 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.  All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

• Texting
• Using a cell phone or smartphone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alarmed by these statistics, are urgently educating the public about these dangers in an effort to curb distracted driving.  Together they created the website Distraction.gov, which provides emotionally wrenching personal stories and facts for those interested in educating their own family, classrooms, or community.  If you are interested in these resources, we encourage you to visit Distraction.gov.  Below we've included one of the videos about Joe Teater from Spring Lake, Michigan, who was killed by a distracted driver in 2004.  To see more personal stories, visit the Faces tab at Disctraction.gov.