Author: acustis

ANCs Push for 16th Street Bus Lanes

Posted on by acustis

An effort is underway to have local Advisory Neigbhorhood Commissions (ANCs) pass nearly identical resolutions urging more progress on proposed dedicated bus lanes on 16th Street NW.

ANC 2B/Dupont Circle passed the resolution (available here) at its last meeting on February 17th, by a vote of 6-0 with one abstention. On February 20th, the Transportation Committee of ANC1B/U Street voted to recommend the full ANC approve a similar resolution. The recommendation was passed by a voice vote with no audible objections. ANC1B will probably vote on the resolution at its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March 6, at the Reeves Center (14th and U Streets).

ANC2B Commissioner Kishan Putta (district 04) and Cheryl Cort, Policy Director of theCoalition for Smarter Growth, appeared before the ANC1B Transportation Committee to urge they endorse the resolution. Cort said the purpose of the resolution was to urge the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to move forward on the long series of public consultations and studies (e.g., air quality approval, environmental assessment) necessary before the lanes can become a reality.

“We’d like them to go through the whole process,” Cort said.

The committee discussed the exact definition of a dedicated bus lane. Such a lane, in this case, would also allow bicycles and right-turning cars and taxis.  If not turning right, taxis would be forbidden from the bus lanes.

ANC1B Chair James Turner (district 09), although not a member of the Transportation Committee, was present at the meeting. He said he wouldn’t support the resolution, because it does nothing to address the congestion problems of buses that pass through his district, for example, buses that travel on 14th Street, 11th Street, and Georgia Avenue. Cort replied improved 16th Street service would draw off riders currently taking 14th Street buses, relieving congestion.

The ANC1B version of the resolution will have some additional language in it pointing out that bus demand has exceeded capacity on both 14th Street and Georgia Avenue buses as well.

Putta has been campaigning vigorously to get the bus lanes moving forward, most recently testifying at a D.C. Council hearing on February 20.

He has also been working hard to inject the issue into the April 1 D.C. primary elections, often asking candidates for their views at public events.

Putta says D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser (Ward Four) has declared herself in favor of the bus lanes, after initially expressing skepticism about the proposal. Other candidates from the city council — Jack Evans (Ward Two) and Tommy Wells (Ward Six) — have also expressed their support. In addition, both candidates in the Ward One City Council primary — Jim Graham and Brianne Nadeau — have told Putta they support the proposal.

“DDOT itself did a study last year recommending a rush-hour bus lane.  Now they need to make it formal and implement it,” Putta said.

The 2013 DDOT study found that bus lanes could reduce commute time by 30%, Putta said.  They could also increase total bus capacity by 10% because buses could be reused faster.

Read the original post on SALM >>

RELEASE: Strong majority of Montgomery voters support county’s plan for a Bus Rapid Transit Network, according to new poll

Posted on by acustis

A poll commissioned by the regional advocacy organization Coalition for Smarter Growth found strong support among Montgomery County voters for investment in a new Bus Rapid Transit network (BRT). After listening to a list of positive and negative perspectives on Montgomery County’s planned BRT network, likely Montgomery voters expressed support for the system by a margin of 71 to 22 percent.

STATEMENT: Coalition for Smarter Growth on new commitments to long-term Metro funding

Posted on by acustis

Coalition for Smarter Growth Executive Director Stewart Schwartz issued the following statement today applauding DC Mayor Vincent Gray, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe for their announcement today committing $75 million toward Metro’s Momentum plan to significantly improve the Metro system in the coming decades: “The Coalition for Smarter Growth commends the Governors and Mayor for committing an initial $75 million to Metro’s Momentum – funding which will buy more rail cars to support more 8-car trains. While we would have liked to have seen more funding this year, we are pleased to hear of verbal commitments to draft and sign a multiyear agreement to fully fund Momentum. We urge completion of an agreement as soon as possible.”

Testimony to Montgomery Co Council on FY15-20 Capital Improvements Program Transportation Budget

Testimony to Montgomery Co Council on FY15-20 Capital Improvements Program Transportation Budget

Posted on by acustis

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the FY15-20 Capital Improvements Program. My name is Kelly Blynn and I am speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the leading non-profit group advocating for transit and walkable communities in the DC region, which counts thousands of supporters in Montgomery County.

STATEMENT: re Harriet Tregoning

Posted on by acustis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 4, 2014
CONTACT: Stewart Schwartz, (703) 599-6437 – cell
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Coalition for Smarter Growth Executive Director Stewart Schwartz issued the following statement today reacting to the announcement that the Director of the DC Office of Planning, Harriet Tregoning, has accepted a position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Obama administration, effective February 24: 

“Harriet Tregoning is a visionary leader and the District of Columbia has benefited tremendously from her service during the past two administrations. Effective planning combines strategic thinking, an inclusive approach with the community, an understanding of where people and technology are going to be in the future, and putting good policies and plans in place to anticipate those future needs. Harriet has shined in her ability to do so.

New neighborhood plans, an extensive and progressive draft update to the DC zoning code, and the Sustainable DC plan are among her achievements. In addition, she made a significant contribution to smart growth in our region, playing a central role in the development of the Region Forward plan – focused on a transit-oriented future, winning a federal grant for bus priority corridors, and focusing the first regional transportation priority plan on transit, walking, and bicycling.

DC in the coming decades will be a much more inclusive and sustainable city than it otherwise would have been and Harriet’s leadership has been central in making that happen We’re sorry to see DC and region lose her but we’re excited to see what she’ll achieve at HUD.”

About the Coalition for Smarter Growth

The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. Its mission is to promote walkable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities, and the land use and transportation policies needed to make those communities flourish. To learn more, visit the Coalition’s website at www.smartergrowth.net.

###

 

Update on The Bi-County Parkway: A Chance to “Take a Second Look”

Posted on by acustis

During his campaign, Governor McAuliffe said he would take a hard-look at the controversial $440 million Bi-County Parkway, reevaluating this project and others proposed by VDOT. In his campaign platform, under the section titled “Pick the right projects; build the best ones,” he stated:

Letter to Montgomery County Planning Board Re: State Transportation Funding Priorities

Posted on by acustis

Dear Planning Board: Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the county’s Transportation Priority Letter. My name is Cheryl Cort and I am speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the leading non-profit group advocating for transit and walkable communities in the DC region, which counts thousands of supporters in Montgomery County. We’d like to remind the Board that state law governing the priority letter process “requires MDOT and the local jurisdictions seeking project fundi…

Letter of support for Alexandria’s King Street Bike Lanes

Posted on by acustis

Mayor Euille and Members of Council: I have been quite surprised and concerned that opponents to safe, connected bike lanes on King Street between the Metro and Janneys Lane have elevated the issue to make it a national cause célèbre in conservative circles with extremely hostile OpEds in the Wall Street Journal and the American Spectator. They are bringing negative publicity upon Alexandria and threaten the ability of our city to attract young, well-educated, creative, entrepreneurial workers that are so critical to the future of our economy and tax base. Alexandria has been making great progress in bringing sustainable new development, investing in new transit, setting up bike-sharing, and more, but this particular debate is casting a shadow on that progress and will chase away the creative economy workforce and the businesses they attract…

Group appeals 460 plan

Posted on by acustis

Representatives from nine groups opposed to the new Route 460 have put their names on a letter to governor-elect Terry McAuliffe, calling on him to halt the project immediately.

The Southern Environmental Law Center, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter, Virginia Conservation Network, The Piedmont Environmental Council, The Coalition for Smarter Growth, Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program, Partnership for Smarter Growth and Wetlands Watch sent the letter to McAuliffe on Dec. 18.

“The proposed new U.S. Route 460 is one project that does not make sense economically or environmentally, and we agree with your recent statements about the wisdom of halting further spending on this project pending careful consideration of its merits,” the groups wrote.

“We believe the new Route 460 proposal is clearly not in the best interests of the commonwealth, and therefore urge you to take the further step of terminating this project.”

The groups claim the limited-access toll road would run parallel to an existing 460 that is underutilized to begin with, and note the $1.4-billion cost hits taxpayers for almost $1.2 billion while the rest comes from tolls.

Taxpayers will have to pay to maintain both new and existing roads, they say, and the project “would cause significant environmental harm, yet it would do little to address the critical transportation needs of the Hampton Roads region.”

Money earmarked for the project would be better spent on upgrading the existing Route 460, rail in the 460 corridor, Interstate 64 or U.S. Route 58, building the I-564 to I-664 connector, or extending light rail to Virginia Beach, they say.

Also, transportation officials should consider “buying down” the cost of coming tolls on the Midtown and Downtown tunnels, the groups write.

The letter goes on to cite a recent sizeable expansion in estimated wetlands impacts, describing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ concerns regarding the environmental cost versus public benefit, as well as mentioning impacts on farms and open space, habitat of endangered species, and air and water quality.

The project would “spur inefficient development along its lengthy route,” the groups wrote.

Arguments for the project proffered by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the outgoing Gov. Bob McDonnell, including freight and economic development, traffic and safety, hurricane evacuation and military connectivity, are criticized in the letter.

“Every one of the justifications for the proposed new Route 460 can be more effectively accomplished at lower cost to taxpayers by investing in other alternatives,” the groups state.

Finally, the groups call upon McAuliffe to request the McDonnell administration halt work on the project both ongoing and planned, including engineering, design, and right-of-way acquisition.

“We hope you will agree that this project is unnecessary and would waste scarce resources that should instead be invested in projects that can do far more to address Hampton Roads’ critical transportation needs,” the letter concludes.

 Read the original at the Suffolk News Herald >>

Some of the best travel apps to help holiday travelers this season

Posted on by acustis

Need to book a hotel at the last minute? Want to find cheap gas?

Just in time for the holiday travel season, we thought we’d recommend some apps that could make your trip — whether it’s by plane, train, car or bike — a little less stressful. We consulted with travel experts, including the folks at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and our own app expert, Hayley Tsukayama (be sure to catch her app recommendations each Sunday in The Washington Post’s Business section). Thanks, too, to Aimee Custis, communications director at the Coalition for Smarter Growth.

We’ve tried to focus on free apps, organized by mode of travel. If there are apps out there that you love, please feel free to share them with us.

(Note: Unless otherwise noted, all apps listed are available for iOS and Android devices.)

Driving

Travelers will fill the nation’s highways this holiday season. According to AAA, 86 million people are expected to drive to their holiday destination.

Headed to see relatives? RoadNinja could make that trip a little easier (and save you some money). RoadNinja tracks your location and lets you know the price of gas at stations at upcoming exits. It also lets you know what’s at exits in the opposite direction just in case gas is cheaper going that way. The app also will tell you which restaurants, shops and other attractions are just down the road.

If your travels take you through Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation has its VDOT 511 app. When you switch on this app, the first thing you’ll see is the following warning: “DO NOT USE THIS APP WHILE DRIVING.” It’s a straightforward app, without a lot of fancy doodads or graphics. It gives you travel times for the state’s major routes tied to your current location. The “Basic map” tab will show you a color-coded map that helps spot delays. There’s also a link to VDOT Twitter messages grouped by region.

If your travels take you beyond Virginia, think about downloading the INRIX app, which offers just about everything a commuter or road warrior might want. There’s traffic news and a traffic map. When I set my location, I also got screenshots from VDOT’s traffic cameras. With one click, you can text or e-mail your arrival time to family and friends. The app will note construction or congestion with small icons along your planned route and places a little checkered flag icon at your destination.

Parking

 

If you’re big-city bound, you may need to find a place to park once you arrive.

SpotHero is a parking app that allows you to find, reserve and pay for available spaces at nearby lots. Enter the time and date you need parking and the interface will show you a map of available garages and lots, complete with the cost for the time period selected. It will give you a description of the garage or lot complete with photo and directions for where to enter. It also will tell you how far the garage is from your destination. (In some cases you’ll need to print your reservation and hand it to the valet.) SpotHero is available in Washington, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Newark and New York City.

Along those same lines, ParkWhiz helps you find available spaces — in some cases with a discount — and reserve and pay for them online. It offers you a description of the lot and a handy Google map of the location. We found it worked on garages in Washington and around the region, in such towns as Rockville and Ballston.

 

Flying

 

According to AAA, about 5.5 million holiday travelers will be flying to their destination. Frequent fliers recommend downloading the app for the airline that you’re using.

There are lots of apps that will help you track your flights, but here are two recommended by our frequent fliers:

The FlightAware app will allow you to track your flight (or that of your loved one). You can check individual airports for delays. A map will show you the flights arriving and departing into the airport of your choice. As a reporter who writes about airports, theFlightAware Web site is indispensable.

The free version of Flight Tracker operates much the same as FlightAware. Input your flight information and it will tell you what type of aircraft you’ll be flying, advise you of any delays and tell you the gate from which you’ll be departing. It also gives you a weather forecast for your destination. A minor quibble: I wish the app had the same pull-down menu of airlines that FlightAware offers.

If you get stuck or perhaps you’re looking for an escape from all that family togetherness,Hotel Tonight offers same-night reservations of hotels close to where you are. We love the ranking system, which includes categories such as “luxe,” “solid,” “basic” and “hip.” The gold bed next to your selection is the “high roller” category.

Train

Amtrak ’s mobile app offers all the basics: It will allow you to book tickets and check schedules and train status. The welcome screen has a lovely shot of a train against a scenic background. (A second app offers Amtrak’s glossy on-train magazine, Arrive). It gets pretty good reviews from users, though one said he wished service alerts were available directly from the app, noting that it’s not always convenient to go to the Web site.

Weather

Part of traveling is knowing what the weather will be at your destination. Some folks are perfectly happy with the weather app that’s packaged with their phone, but many want a bit more.

The newest AccuWeather app version offers some fresh features, including forecasts that refresh every five minutes and options that allow you to get more detail. You can easily add cities by name or by Zip code. A fun feature takes the forecast and offers advice on whether it’s good weather for, say, a barbecue or a trip to the beach. The health tab ranks the risk for particular medical conditions, such as the flu or migraines. The app also has a video and news feed.

Another favorite among weather watchers is WeatherBug . There’s a lot to like here, with all of the weather data plus the chance to share your weather photos with others. The app also features Spark, an exclusive feature that will tell you about potential lightning activity in your area. There’s also a pollen counter and footage from weather cameras in your area.

Read the original article at Washington Post >>