Shape Michigan's Transportation Future

On August 2, 2012, help shape the future of transportation in Michigan at Ann Arbor SPARK.  Transportation for Michigan (Trans4m) is holding a series of community forums where citizens, business owners, and policy makers can work together begin crafting a vision for Michigan's transportation system.  See the poster below, or the event listing on the Trans4m website for more information.

New Ann Arbor Non-Motorized Transportation Blog

If you are interested in local non-motorized transportation news, articles, and events, check out the new Ann Arbor Non-Motorized Transportation Blog.  About the blog:

As the City of Ann Arbor prepares to update its Non-Motorized Transportation Plan this year (last done in 2007), it is time to not only see how far much infrastructure we have built, but also how much our city's culture has changed. Here is a place to collect videos, photos, and news items that help to piece together all the wonderful things that make Ann Arbor's culture of non-motorized transportation unique and worth CELEBRATING! For more information on non-motorized transportation in Ann Arbor please visit www.a2gov.org/WalkBikeDrive and www.a2gov.org. If you are interested in submitting a photo to the blog, or to learn more about the blog please email kknapp@a2gov.org.

Click this link to visit the blog.

Comparing Worldwide Bus Rapid Transit Systems

Each day world wide, more than 23 million individuals use Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for their commute.  As a lower cost alternative to high capacity rail, BRT systems are an excellent choice for communities to maximize transit capacity and optimize use of existing road infrastructure. The system might be familiar to those who have visited Downtown Cleveland, where a BRT system, the HealthLine, has operated since 2008. For those interested in BRT systems, we stumbled on an interesting map from EMBARQ and the Bus Rapid Transit Centre of Excellence.  The map compares BRT ridership by continent, nation, and city.  See the screenshot below or click the link to see the interactive map.  See this wikipedia article for more information about BRT.

Interactive Map at BRTdata.org

From BRTdata.org
There is growing interest and demand for the high-quality bus systems as cities seek low-cost, sustainable urban transportation solutions. As the number of systems in the world increases, current, accurate and complete information about existing and planned systems becomes increasingly important but difficult to collect.

The goal of BRTdata.org is to improve the sustainable transport community's access to reliable and current data about the BRT and bus corridors currently in operation. We aim to improve the quality and impact of the industry by opening up access to data about the design, performance and cost of these systems. The platform provides a convenient repository of data from a variety of sources including researchers, transit agencies, municipalities and NGOs.

Art Fair Shuttle Service

Free parking and convenient, affordable shuttle services for visitors to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs will be operated from two locations by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) from July 18–21.

TheRide’s ArtFairRide service offer passengers comfortable seating in climate-controlled buses, many of which are equipped with the latest in hybrid electric technology.

 Free parking for the shuttle service is available near the Sears store at Briarwood Mall, located off State Street and Eisenhower Parkway, and at Pioneer High School, on Main Street near Stadium Boulevard.

 

TheRide will operate two separate shuttle routes from both the Briarwood and Pioneer High parking locations:

• The Main Street Shuttle route will drop riders off in downtown Ann Arbor at the shuttle bus stop located at Main and William Streets, adjacent to the Summer Art Fair.
• The South University Shuttle route will drop passengers off at the South University and State Street shuttle bus stop located between the South University Area Art Fair and the State Street Area Art Fair, and close to the Original Street Art Fair, the University of Michigan central campus and the Michigan Union. 

ArtFairRide shuttle buses return to both Briarwood and Pioneer High from each boarding location at the fair.

 

The shuttles will run every 10 to 15 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

The shuttle service fares are $1.50 each way for adults and $.75 each way for K-12 students and AATA Fare Deal cardholders. AATA Senior and A-Ride cardholders can ride for free, as well as children ages five and younger. Full- and half-fare tickets will be sold at ticket booths at both Briarwood and Pioneer High School during shuttle hours. The fares are the same as the fares on TheRide’s regular routes.

TheRide’s multi-ride bus passes, Mcards, Washtenaw Community College identification cards and go!passes are not valid for the Art Fair shuttle service.

Brochures containing maps of the shuttle routes, as well as Art Fair locations and other information, will be distributed at the shuttle boarding locations and Art Fair information booths.

 

TheRide’s shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible, and stroller areas are available on most buses. For details on TheRide’s stroller policy, visit www.TheRide.org or call 734.996.0400.

 

TheRide allows service animals, but not pets, on board the shuttle buses. For those passengers who have purchased artwork, the shuttles can handle reasonably sized packages, but riders should make other arrangements for oversized purchases.

Fairgoers may choose to use TheRide’s local bus routes to visit the Ann Arbor Art Fairs. TheRide’s bus stops are located within one quarter mile of 90 percent of homes in Ann Arbor. For information on using local bus routes to the fairs, visit www.TheRide.org or call 734.996.0400.

 

Detours of TheRide’s regular routes around the Art Fairs will be posted on TheRide’s web site.

For a map and further information on the Art Fairs, visit Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - The Ann Arbor Art Fairs.

The Real Costs of Traffic

This video from Mexico's Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (subtitled) provides a quick and visual explanation of the hidded costs of auto-dependance.  While geared towards Mexico's growing traffic problems, it illustrates the need for a comprehensive network of convenient transportation modes wherever you live.

Geddes Ave Construction and Traffic Control

Notice of Temporary Traffic Control Plan
July 23 – August 24, 2012

Location and Limits of Affected Area:
Geddes Avenue from Highland Road to Apple Way
Description of Work:
This project will include repair of the road pavement to eliminate pot holes, provide a smoother driving surface, and increase the service life of the road. It will also include the replacement of sidewalk ramps to meet current Americans with Disability Act Standards.

Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
For much of the construction, two-way traffic will be maintained with the use of flaggers during construction hours. Construction between Awixa and Apple Way will require approximately 2 weeks of a full closure to through traffic. During this time, eastbound traffic will be detoured; 1) Washtenaw to Huron Pkwy or 2) Hill St to Devonshire to Arlington. Westbound traffic will be detoured; 1) Huron Pkwy to Washtenaw, or 2) Arlington to Devonshire to Hill. See attached map.

Local access for vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic will be maintained except when vehicular traffic may be temporarily restricted due to paving or concrete work. Residents will be notified if a driveway is affected.

Seventh Street Traffic Control Plan

Notice of Temporary Traffic Control Plan
Location and Limits of Affected Area:
S. Seventh Street from Pauline to Madison.
July 23 – September 1, 2012
Description of Work:
This project will include reconstruction of the road pavement to eliminate pot holes, provide a smoother driving surface, and increase the service life of the road. It will also include the replacement of sidewalk ramps to meet current Americans with Disability Act Standards.

Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
Southbound traffic will be maintained and northbound traffic will be detoured. The detour route for northbound traffic will be Pauline to Main St to Madison. See attached map.

Local access for vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic will be maintained except when vehicular traffic may be temporarily restricted due to paving or concrete work. Residents will be notified if a driveway is affected.

To maintain the safety of all, please reduce speeds and drive cautiously through work zones. 

Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on at least one side of the street during this project.

South State Street Opening to Two Way Traffic!

Notice of Temporary Traffic Control Plan 
East Stadium Boulevard Bridges Replacement Project
S. State Street to Re-open to Two-way Traffic on July 11, 2012

Location and Limits of Affected Area:
South State Street from Stimson Street to Granger Avenue 

Description of Work:
S. State Street roadway construction will be completed such that the roadway can be re-opened to two-way traffic.

Construction activities will continue to occur on and around the bridge, however, two lanes of traffic along S. State Street will be maintained. However, the final course of asphalt pavement and final striping will be performed in early to mid-August under traffic.
Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
East Stadium Boulevard between Kipke Drive and South Industrial Highway will remain closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic until November 14, 2012 to allow for the removal and replacement of the E. Stadium Boulevard bridges over the Ann Arbor Railroad and S. State Street. Vehicular and pedestrian detour routes will remain in place. 

Exciting Google Maps Update!

Two years ago, Google released StyledMaps in the Google Maps API, which allows maps users to customize their maps. Last week, Google released a number of enhancements to maps that allow more contol over feature to style, and the ways you can style them.

We are serious about maps at WATS, and are excited to see local implementation of some of these themes locally. Below we've listed some great examples of these new custom themes.

• Submarine Cable Map
• NY Times Taxi Flow
• The Global Transition to a New Economy
• Map of the Dead (easily our favorite zombie map)

So whats next, maybe a local Blue and Gold themed map? 

Transportation bill heading to President Obama's desk

This post comes from the United States Department of Transportation's blog, Fast Lane.  Below, Ray LaHood, US Secretary of Transportation discusses his thoughts on the new transportation bill.

More than 1000 days ago, the law that guided federal investments in transportation expired. Congress extended that law several times while legislators discussed and debated what would replace it. I'm happy to say that last Friday, 373 Members of the House of Representatives and 74 Senators voted in favor of a new law that will fund federal surface transportation policy through September 2014.

This is a good bill that will create jobs, strengthen our transportation system, and grow our economy.



Transportation moves our economy, so legislation that keeps America's transportation network operating safely and reliably is a national priority. And it's no secret that I have pressed steadily for our legislators to set aside politics and pass a bipartisan bill that puts America first.

So, it is welcome news that Congress has done that.
At DOT, where safety is our number one priority, we're excited to see a transportation plan that builds on our aggressive safety efforts, including our fight against distracted driving and our push to improve transit and motor carrier safety. Whether you ride transit, travel by inter-city buses, or enjoy driving, you deserve to know that we're doing everything we can to ensure your safety and the safety of your neighbors and loved ones on America's busy transportation network.

The new law helps DOT and the States continue that effort.



The bill also provides states and communities with two years of steady funding to build the roads, bridges and transit systems they need. That means jobs. With a series of extensions during the past three years, state departments of transportation were unable to plan beyond the short term. That means contractors and construction companies were unable to plan for big projects and unable to make the kind of employment decisions that put hard-working Americans back on the job.

With a 27-month horizon of infrastructure planning, men and women can get back to work building the roads, bridges, tunnels, and transit our economy needs to stay competitive.



Fashioning a national transportation law in the current political environment is no easy task. We all agree that efforts to move people and goods safely and effectively are critical to our economic security. But we don't always agree on how best to do that.

Last Friday, Congress completed the hard work of crafting a bill that garnered bipartisan support. Now, for the good of the nation, for the good of our states, and the good of our communities, it's time to put this bill to work.


Graph courtesy The Transport Politic