Feds Looking at New Transportation Bill

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Article originally published on the Michigan Land Use Institute's (MLUI) website.


Feds Looking at New Transportation Bill

January 20, 2012 by James Bruckbauer ·
Rep. John Mica (R-FL) introduced a new six-year transportation bill late last fall.
The wait will soon be over. In the next month or two, Congress is expected to pass a $112 billion federal highway bill, putting an end to a long delay in setting a six-year transportation strategy for the country. The last transportation bill, titled SAFETEA-LU, expired on September 30, 2009.
Over the past two years, Congress extended SAFETEA-LU through a series of resolutions. For far too long, legislators put off the decision to create a new long-term nation-wide transportation policy, leaving Michigan and its towns, both large and small, wondering what to expect year to year.
With a five-year strategy in place, Michigan can better plan its transportation projects and shape its communities accordingly.
Even though details of the bill have not been released, for transportation advocates like me, striking a deal on a new strategy is big news.
A strong bill would be one that spends our tax dollars wisely by fixing our existing road network, providing more choices like rail and bus transit for folks to get around, and makes investments in bicycle and pedestrian safety. It would also set policies that make Americans less dependent on cars and oil (whether foreign or our own). A bill that fails to provide these elements is shortsighted.
If the bill directs revenue in much of the same outdated, highway-building policies, we’ll be back to where we are today – crumbling roads, a third-world passenger rail system, and nationwide car dependency.
James Bruckbauer is the Michigan Land Use Institute’s transportation policy specialist. Follow him @jimbruckb. Reach him at james@mlui.org.

Public Transportation à la The Onion

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Here at WATS, we are passionate about  improving Washtenaw County's transportation options, but even transportation planners appreciate a little humor.  And because all fake news is good news, here is an article from satire site The Onion that we couldn't help sharing.

(Article reblogged from The Onion news, a news satire website.  See original posting here) 

Report: 98 Percent Of U.S. Commuters Favor Public Transportation For Others

November 29, 2000 | ISSUE 44•27 ISSUE 36•43

WASHINGTON, DC–A study released Monday by the American Public Transportation Association reveals that 98 percent of Americans support the use of mass transit by others.

"With traffic congestion, pollution, and oil shortages all getting worse, now is the time to shift to affordable, efficient public transportation," APTA director Howard Collier said. "Fortunately, as this report shows, Americans have finally recognized the need for everyone else to do exactly that." Of the study's 5,200 participants, 44 percent cited faster commutes as the primary reason to expand public transportation, followed closely by shorter lines at the gas station. Environmental and energy concerns ranked a distant third and fourth, respectively.

Anaheim, CA, resident Lance Holland, who drives 80 miles a day to his job in downtown Los Angeles, was among the proponents of public transit.

"Expanding mass transit isn't just a good idea, it's a necessity," Holland said. "My drive to work is unbelievable. I spend more than two hours stuck in 12 lanes of traffic. It's about time somebody did something to get some of these other cars off the road."

Public support for mass transit will naturally lead to its expansion and improvement, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said.


"With everyone behind it, we'll be able to expand bus routes, create park-and-ride programs, and build entire new Metrolink commuter-rail lines," LACMTA president Howard Sager said. "It's almost a shame I don't know anyone who will be using these new services."

Sager said he expects wide-scale expansion of safe, efficient, and economical mass-transit systems to reduce traffic congestion in all major metropolitan areas in the coming decades.


Morning rush hour on one of Los Angeles' economical, environmentally friendly buses.

"Improving public transportation will do a great deal of good, creating jobs, revitalizing downtown areas, and reducing pollution," Sager said. "It also means a lot to me personally, as it should cut 20 to 25 minutes off my morning drive."

The APTA study also noted that of the 98 percent of Americans who drive to work, 94 percent are the sole occupant of their automobile.

"When public transportation is not practical, commuters should at least be carpooling," Collier said. "Most people, unlike me, probably work near someone they know and don't need to be driving alone."

Collier said he hopes the study serves as a wake-up call to Americans. In conjunction with its release, the APTA is kicking off a campaign to promote mass transit with the slogan, "Take The Bus... I'll Be Glad You Did."

The campaign is intended to de-emphasize the inconvenience and social stigma associated with using public transportation, focusing instead on the positives. Among these positives: the health benefits of getting fresh air while waiting at the bus stop, the chance to meet interesting people from a diverse array of low-paying service-sector jobs, and the opportunity to learn new languages by reading subway ads written in Spanish.

"People need to realize that public transportation isn't just for some poor sucker to take to work," Collier said. "He should also be taking it to the shopping mall, the supermarket, and the laundromat."

Transportation Options Important to a Talented Workforce

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This is a news release from getDowntown and the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority(TheRide).  Check out getDowntown for tips, ideas, and programs for getting around Ann Arbor via foot, bike, or bus. Together, getDowntown and TheRide coordinate the go!Pass program, which reduces congestion and commute times by providing transit passes to downtown employees.  More info here.
 
Transportation Options Important to Attracting
High-Quality Workers and Customers,
Ann Arbor Employers Say
More employees using public transit, biking to get to work
 
ANN ARBOR – More than 70 percent of downtown Ann Arbor employers say having transportation options is important to attracting customers and a talented workforce, according to a study released today by the getDowntown Program.
 
The study, funded jointly by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority surveyed more than 250 employers and 275 employees located in downtown Ann Arbor.
 
“A variety of transportation choices, including transit, gives businesses access to quality employees and variety of customers, and we’re glad employers recognize that value,” said getDowntown Program Director Nancy Shore. “We’re committed to helping improve access to alternative transportation options.”
 
“Downtown Ann Arbor is a great place to work and do business for a number of reasons, including the high quality of transportation options available for employees and customers,” said DDA Director Susan Pollay. “The DDA is committed to its mission to strengthen downtown Ann Arbor and encourage private reinvestment, and we are excited to see that our support of the getDowntown Program and the go!pass continues to benefit businesses in downtown Ann Arbor.”
 
Compared to the 2009 survey, more downtown employees are using public transit and biking to get to work.  Public transit use increased 3 percent since the 2009 survey, while biking increased 4 percent.  In addition, 40 percent of those surveyed indicated they at least occasionally commuted by bus in the past year, while 22 percent indicated they bike to work at least occasionally.
 
Go!pass ridership data from 2009 and 2010 further confirms an increase in bus commuting by downtown Ann Arbor employees.  Go!pass ridership for 2010 was 15% higher than in 2009, and ridership for 2011 was 28 percent higher than it was in 2009.
 
According to the employee survey, a top reason that many employees use the bus to get to work and shift from driving to using the bus is the go!pass.  The go!pass is an unlimited use transit pass that employers purchase for employees who work in downtown Ann Arbor.  The Downtown Development Authority provides a grant to the getDowntown Program that allows the program to offer the go!pass to employers at a reduced rate. 
 
The go!pass was the most highly rated component of the getDowntown Program by both employers and employees.  In the Employer Survey, some employers stated that the go!pass is very important to them because it is one of the only benefits they can offer employees.  In the Employee Survey, 63% of employees stated that the go!pass is an important benefit to their job.
 
According to the employee survey, downtown employees who live four miles or less from work are much more likely to bike, walk or take a bus instead of driving alone to work.  At 2 miles to less than 4 miles from work, only 32% of employees surveyed said they drive alone, while 33% of employees take the bus.  Additional data from the getDowntown Commuter Challenge confirms that the typical one-way commuting distance by bus for downtown Ann Arbor employees is 2.5 miles.  TheRide’s service area is mainly within Ann Arbor city limits, which extends about four miles from downtown. 
 
When asked what would encourage them to use transit more often, employees surveyed cited the need for more express and direct service as well as service later into the evening.  These responses indicate that service improvements are likely to increase ridership among downtown employees.
 
“It’s encouraging to see more people looking to public transit for their daily commute,” said AATA CEO Michael Ford. “We hope public transportation use continues to increase among Washtenaw County residents in the coming months and years as we work to improve the customer experience by making public transit more efficient, reliable and convenient.”
 
The getDowntown Program is a partnership between TheRide, the City of Ann Arbor, and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.  A program of TheRide, getDowntown provides information and assistance to downtown businesses and employees on commuting options. More information about the getDowntown Program can be found at getdowntown.org.
 
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The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) was chartered in 1969 by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a not-for-profit unit of government. AATA operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, enabling the area’s residents to reach their destinations at reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives. For more information, please visit www.TheRide.org.
 
TheRide’s Board of Directors has endorsed a 30-year Transit Master Plan for Washtenaw County. Updates on the progress of the plan are available at www.MovingYouForward.org.
 
E-mail and text message updates on bus routes, schedules, detours and other news from TheRide are available by free subscription to MyRide at www.TheRide.org.
 

Tempory Traffic Delays and Detour at Maple and Dexter Road Intersection

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Between January 30 and February 3, 2012, the City of Ann Arbor will restrict traffic at the Dexter and Maple Road intersection for water main improvements.  This work will provide the necessary connections for the water main replacement associated with the Dexter Avenue Improvements Projects.

Maple Road will be reduced to two lanes at the intersection, one northbound and one southbound.  Turns from Maple Road onto eastbound Dexter Road will be prohibited.  Eastbound Dexter traffic at North Maple Road will be detoured via Maple Road to Huron Street.  Pedestrian traffic will be maintained throughout the project. 

During the project traffic may experience delays within the areas influenced by this work so motorists are advised to choose alternate routes.

The image below shows the detour and traffic flow changes at the intersection.  Visit this link to view the full announcement.

Thompson Street Detour

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Prepare for some traffic delays if you plan on driving in Downtown Ann Arbor between December 26 and December 31, 2011.  Thompson Street south of East William will be closed as the developer of the Zaragon II project disassembles a construction crane.  Pedestrian traffic on the west site of the street will be maintained during the project.  Visit the city of Ann Arbor's website for more information.

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This weekend, the City of Ann Arbor is planning a temporary road closure along a short section of East William Street for transportation infrastructure improvements.  From 12/2/2011 through the evening of 12/3/2011, the street will be closed to through traffic between Thompson and Maynard.  A detour will route traffic along East Liberty.  Expect short delays if you are driving downtown along Liberty or William this weekend.  For further details, see the city's official notice here.

(view larger size)

Road Closures-Stadium Bridges

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On November 28th, Ann Arbor will begin to see major progress on its highest priority transportation project, replacement of the East Stadium bridges.  In order to construct the project efficiently, the city will close East  Stadium Boulevard completely to traffic throughout the majority of construction activities.  Also, to remove the portion of the bridge over State Street, the city will detour traffic on South State between Packard and Stimson for two weeks.  See the maps below for more details.  Keep up-to-date with the East Stadium Bridges Replacement Project at the official project website.  Visit this link for the official detour announcement.  See the official project brochure here.

(click here for larger view)
(click here for larger view)

Countywide Transit Advisory Committees Seeking Your Input!

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The public is being asked to help determine which transit improvements are priorities for the next five years in communities across Washtenaw County. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) and the newly formed countywide board of directors will be holding the first round of Transit District Advisory Committee meetings to allow Washtenaw County residents and stakeholders the opportunity to provide valuable input on proposed routes, destinations and stop locations in their local communities.









Details
In preparation for implementing countywide transit improvements, Washtenaw County has been divided into eight transit districts represented by 15 delegates making up what is referred to as the Unincorporated Act 196 (U-196) board of directors. 

Each of the eight districts represented on the U-196 board has its own advisory committee. Each committee brings together transit service providers, senior and human service representatives, the business community and other interested citizens to provide advice on the development and implementation of transit improvements in their own district. The first meeting will serve as a community forum for residents and interested parties to share their input on what improvements they would like to see in their districts in the near future.