2013 Session: 647

• Incorporating Safety into Transportation Planning at Smaller Agencies
  Abstract: Federal legislation mandates planning authorities explicitly include safety in the planning process. A recent NCHRP project 546 Incorporating Safety into Long-Range Transportation Planning provides guidance for these agencies and presents a new tool, PLANSAFE, which can be used to forecast the impact of trends and planning decisions on safety. It also identifies several other tools and procedures. Still, a variety of approaches are taken to include safety in the planning process, and at least some of them could hardly be considered proactive and might even be considered reactive approaches. This paper presents the results of a quick look into safety planning practices used in a limited sample of smaller sized planning agencies and demonstrates the application of two procedures (PLANSAFE models and high-crash location identification using Empirical Bayes technique) heretofore likely untested in smaller agencies. The objective of the paper is to provide examples to assist planners at such agencies who may be considering application of these techniques.
  Authors: Wang, Teng; Souleyrette, Reginald R.; Gkritza, Konstantina
  Authors: Wang, Teng; Souleyrette, Reginald R.; Gkritza, Konstantina
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-1856
• Bozeman Bicycle-Sharing Feasibility Study
  Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of a bike-sharing program in the city of Bozeman, Montana, and to give recommendations for implementation or further research based on its findings. Rapid population growth in Bozeman, a community of 37,280 nestled in the Rocky Mountains, has led to traffic congestion, reduced air quality, and reduced community connectivity. To help alleviate these issues, the city has explored transportation options, such as implementing a new bus system and expanding the bicycle infrastructure. In this study, another transportation option was examined: bicycle-sharing, which offers many benefits including increased options for the public, improved physical health and fitness among its users, affordability, reduced environmental impacts, and increased community connectivity. Ultimately, this research can be used by other cities similar in size to Bozeman looking to implement a bike-share of their own. Researchers conducted a community survey to examine interest in a bike-sharing program and organized two focus group meetings to collect input to determine stakeholder support. Based on this information, evaluated in the context of four bike program case studies from other communities and a general review of available literature on bike-sharing programs, it was concluded that a pilot program with drop-off and pick-up stations located at Montana State University and in downtown Bozeman, could be feasible economically and socially. From this core the system could be readily expanded to accommodate growth of the greater Bozeman area and could provide a suitable platform for the community to explore bike-sharing as a public transportation option.
  Authors: Gleason, Rebecca; Osendorf, Tara
  Authors: Gleason, Rebecca; Osendorf, Tara
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-4383
• Examining Attitudes and Valuation of High-Speed Rail Travel Among Residents of Small and Medium-Sized Communities
  Abstract: High-speed passenger rail is seen by many as an ideal solution for fast, safe, and resource-efficient mobility in high-demand intercity corridors. For small- or medium-sized communities in the intermediate areas of a major intercity corridor, the potential development of new intercity passenger rail lines represents a significant opportunity to realize a number of benefits; however, such benefits may be limited if the alignment of new rights-of-way or train stopping patterns focus on endpoint-to-endpoint traffic and fail to address the mobility needs of the intermediate communities. This paper examines the potential impacts of new intercity passenger rail service using data from a survey of residents in three communities located in Central Texas along the Federally-designated South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor. Survey responses showed that resident attitudes toward new high-speed rail service were generally favorable and that trains could be used instead of automobile for some intercity trips. A random parameters logit model is used to estimate the value of time and value of rail service headway for residents of two of these communities. The differences in valuation between the two communities suggests that ridership estimates for new high-speed intercity passenger rail lines that are planned to serve small- and medium-sized intermediate communities should not assume that residents of these communities have similar characteristics and values. The findings from this paper have a variety of potential applications in planning for intercity passenger rail in small- and medium-sized communities and for broader transportation policy development.
  Authors: Sperry, Benjamin R.; Burris, Mark W.; Woosnam, Kyle M.
  Authors: Sperry, Benjamin R.; Burris, Mark W.; Woosnam, Kyle M.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-3200
• Lessons Learned from Hurricane Irene: Vermont Regional Planning Commissions Address Transportation System Recovery
  Abstract: One week after moving into the Caribbean and then striking the U.S. east coast as a category 1 hurricane, Tropical Storm Irene arrived in Vermont on August 27, 2011. The storm caused widespread damage in 223 of the state’s 251 towns and villages. Severe flooding was particularly devastating for transportation infrastructure, requiring the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) to take a leading role in the recovery. The extent of the damage, however, proved too much for a single agency to manage alone. VTrans’ leadership sought help from the state’s 11 regional planning commissions (RPCs) to assume responsibility for assessing needed local road repairs. While the RPCs were well positioned to assist because of their established relationships and networks within the towns, their recovery activities often went beyond their typical scope of work. The collaboration between VTrans and the RPCs offers lessons for disaster preparedness and recovery, both crucial elements for building more resilient communities. In Vermont, the RPCs serve as regional transportation planning organizations under contract to VTrans, including one that serves as the state’s only metropolitan planning organization. This paper describes the roles played by the regional transportation planning entities and lessons learned in order to provide a model for local-state-regional relationships in other potentially disaster-affected areas of the country.
  Authors: Humphrey, Kate; Kissel, Carrie
  Authors: Humphrey, Kate; Kissel, Carrie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-3952
• Examining Attitudes and Valuation of High-Speed Rail Travel Among Residents of Small and Medium-Sized Communities
  Authors: Sperry, Benjamin
  Authors: Sperry, Benjamin
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-3200
• Incorporating Safety into Transportation Planning at Smaller Agencies
  Authors: Wang, Teng
  Authors: Wang, Teng
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-1856
• Bozeman Bicycle-Sharing Feasibility Study
  Authors: Gleason, Rebecca
  Authors: Gleason, Rebecca
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-4383
• Lessons Learned from Hurricane Irene: Vermont Regional Planning Commissions Address Transportation System Recovery
  Authors: Kissel, Carrie
  Authors: Kissel, Carrie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Planning and Forecasting
  Session: 647
  Paper Number: 13-3952