http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/ Austin Strategic Mobility Plan's News en TradeMark Media Copyright 2012 2012-02-08T21:45:05+00:00 http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/transit-leaders-visit-austin-praise-rail-as-economic-driver http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/transit-leaders-visit-austin-praise-rail-as-economic-driver San Diego transit CEO: connecting downtown to university ‘a real winner’ AUSTIN, Texas - Transportation agency leaders from six peer cities delivered a unified message to Austin this week: Rail investment has a positive impact on business and complete transit networks are an attractive option to car owners. Transit agency leaders from Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, and San Diego spoke at two events where they addressed Austin leaders in the public and private sectors, on Monday, Feb. 06, and Tuesday, Feb. 07. The visit comes as the City of Austin anticipates unveiling a planned rail line connecting the University of Texas, capitol complex, and downtown, and also linking into Red Line commuter rail and a planned rail line connecting Austin to San Antonio. In San Diego, where at least $1 billion worth of new development has taken place near rail, transit chief Paul Jablonski said connecting education and downtown with rail is "a real winner." In Salt Lake City, rail "is going like gangbusters" and the total economic impact of transit investment has reached $7 billion, said Mike Allegra, general manager of the Utah Transit Authority. In Phoenix, where about $1.4 billion in rail spending has generated $7 billion of private sector investment, transit chief Steve Banta said for every $1 billion invested in transit, 36,000 jobs are supported. All the visiting transit leaders agreed that investment in transit make regions more competitive when recruiting and attracting new employers. San Diego’s Jablonski said while business owners may not use transit, their employees do and the ability to have access to jobs is a benefit to everyone. Panelists: Riders choose rail over car when part of a transit network Public transportation can be intimidating for new users, the panelists said, but they had consensus that connected transit systems are attractive to motorists and drawing new riders. San Diego’s rail system is designed so that buses feed residents to rail stops, turning stops into hubs and job creators. The system is introduced to riders when they use it for special events, such as San Diego Charger NFL games where 30 percent of fans arrive by transit, and is adopted by those same people for their work commute. Banta, from Phoenix, said his passengers can travel anywhere they need to and often transfer two or three times using a complete transit network of bus and rail. In Salt Lake City, 146 light rail vehicles and 81 commuter rail vehicles operate on 150 miles of rail. Allegra said about 70 percent of riders in Salt Lake City have cars and “they choose to ride. That is where our future is headed.” He said 25 percent of downtown workers get there by transit, 40 percent of students go to the university by transit. Comprehensive systems boost their success by operating transit under one service provider, Banta, from Phoenix, said. “It really does make a difference when one agency is responsible,” he said. In Austin, local regional transportation agencies are also working together to develop a seamless, comprehensive transit network operated by one entity. 2012-02-08T21:45:05+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/western-u.s.-transit-leaders-to-share-insights-during-austin-visit http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/western-u.s.-transit-leaders-to-share-insights-during-austin-visit GREAT TRANSIT FOR GREAT CITIES: LESSONS FOR CENTRAL TEXAS Western U.S. transit leaders to share insights during Austin visit Download this press release, along with CEO biographies and photos here. Media Advisory: Media are invited to attend both the Transit Working Group briefing (Monday, Feb. 6, 5-6:30 pm) and the breakfast presentation (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:30-9 am; please RSVP). Participants will be available for one-on-one interviews following each event. Contact: Mike Clark-Madison • 512-698-2549 or mcm@hahntexas.com What kind of impact would a robust, modern, comprehensive transit system have on Austin and Central Texas? As local leaders and advocates weigh the regions options for rail and other transit service, theyll have a chance to learn from the experience of other Western cities that have reaped rewards from major investments in transit. On Feb. 6-7, CEOs from a number of Western transit agencies will gather in Austin for a high-level visit, hosted by Capital Metro and its President/CEO Linda Watson. The agenda for this Best in the West visit will include presentations and panel discussions with community leaders. As Austins transportation agencies come together through Project Connect to craft a long-range transit systems plan for our region, we will benefit greatly from the insights of cities that have gone before us, Watson said. These communities have seen how successful investments in transit have transformed their urban areas, improved mobility and transportation choice, and enhanced their quality of life. Presenting participants will include transit agency leaders from Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and San Diego. (Note: See below for more information on these participants). All of these major Western cities have rail transit systems serving their core urban areas, regional rail lines connecting their core and suburban areas, or both. Transit agency leaders from Houston, Las Vegas, and Sacramento will also be taking part in the visit. Visiting transit leaders will share their stories of how their communities came to support and implement high-capacity transit, what impact those investments have had on their communities, and what lessons they've learned that can help guide Austin and Central Texas as the region moves forward with its transit plans. Two panel discussions featuring the Western CEOs are scheduled: Monday, Feb. 6, 5-6:30 pm Visiting CEOs will share their stories and insights with the CAMPO Transit Working Group, chaired by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street, in the City Council Chambers. This meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live on Channel 6 and austintexas.gov. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:30-9 am Visiting CEOs will present to more than 200 invited community leaders at a Best of the West Breakfast at St. Davids Episcopal Church, 301 E. Eighth Street, hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance and other organizations. Were eagerly looking forward to hearing and learning from our visitors about how transit helps make for great cities, said Charles Betts, executive director of the Downtown Austin Alliance. While many of these cities look to us as a leader in different aspects, transportation is not one of them. In order to keep our lead at the top of the best of lists, we cant wait any longer to move forward with our own regional transit plans.   2012-02-02T18:55:40+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/austin-american-statesman-add-passenger-rail-option-to-region http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/austin-american-statesman-add-passenger-rail-option-to-region The Austin American-Statesman endorsed the Lone Star Rail District in a Jan. 2 editorial. Lone Star Rail is a 117-mile line in planning stages with proposed service from Georgetown to the South Side of San Antonio. It would travel between downtown Austin and downtown San Antonio in 75 minutes, which is faster than many automobile trips. "Certainly there is a need to continue building and improving roads to accommodate greater vehicle capacity. Passenger rail is not likely to do much to relieve that congestion. Building more roads won't accomplish that either, given growth trends, because vehicles fill them up as soon as they are built," the daily newspaper's editorial board said. "But passenger rail, which would bring jobs to the region, would diversify and improve mobility by increasing the capacity of our overall transportation system and giving people more options for commuting. And rail has the added advantage of moving people off congested roadways and out of the driver's seat for a less stressful commute." The editorial endorsement came weeks after officials expressed interest at the potential to link the Austin and San Antonio airports together with the proposed Lone Star Rail regional rail system. Both communities could add mobility with additional local transit investment, essentially making both cities accessible for car-less business and leisure travelers. San Antonio transportation officials recently approved a downtown streetcar system and the City of Austin is studying alternatives for a transit investment to serve key destinations in Central Austin. Among Austin considerations is a 16.5 mile proposed Urban Rail system, built in phases, serving Central Austin and improving connections throughout the region. Such a rail system, which could be expanded to additional destinations as desired by citizens, would work in conjunction with the MetroRail commuter system and the future Lone Star Rail line connecting Austin and San Antonio. MetroRail carries more than 1,500 monthly riders, according to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Complimentary Lone Star Rail and Urban Rail systems would allow residents around San Marcos, Kyle and South Austin’s Slaughter Lane to commute to the central Austin core, which holds a third of Austin region jobs. 2012-01-04T21:16:01+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/funding-approved-for-rail-study-transit-signal-prioritization http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/funding-approved-for-rail-study-transit-signal-prioritization The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board approved $22 million for a variety of Austin-sponsored transportation projects this month. Included in those is $4 million to continue momentum of urban rail planning and $2.8 million to implement state-of-the-art technology that will improve mobility. Both allocations, which have federal sources, require a 20 percent minimum match from the city. Austin Transportation Department Assistant Director Gordon Derr said that while Austin has become a big city, and the community will never erase rush hours, the department is working hard to improve the system. “Our city population has been on a rocket ship and the estimates paint a picture of increased growth,” Derr said. “We are partnering with other groups in the public and private sectors to maintain the quality of life that has made Austin an economic success.” Urban Rail momentum continues The City of Austin sponsored the Urban Rail project funding to cover critical project development tasks, including the federally required Environmental Impact Statement. This work is necessary to provide the public and City Council with as much information as possible before they may be asked to make decisions and to prepare the eventual First Investment project for federal funding. Derr said the funding will help continue momentum on Urban Rail, which has been adopted within CAMPO’s long-term plan for regional high-capacity transit. A 16.5 mile Urban Rail system, built in phases, would serve Central Austin and improving connections throughout the region. Such a rail system, which could be expanded to additional destinations as desired by citizens, would work in conjunction with the successful MetroRail commuter system and a future Lone Star Rail line connecting Austin and San Antonio. MetroRail carries more than 1,500 monthly riders, according to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Traffic lights with smarts As part of another funded project, the city's central traffic signal control software will incrementally be replaced with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) that will integrate state-of-the-art traffic technology to improve mobility and safety. This is the first step in a systematic upgrade for the aging traffic management system. The system, when fully operational will offer central management that integrates numerous traffic control devices including real-time traffic data sensors and control devices. The system will allow the Traffic Management Center adjust signal timing at key intersections. After the upgrade, the city will have the capability help emergency vehicles and high-capacity transit by displaying a green light in the direction of their travel, with minimal disruption to motorists. Newer GPS technology can more accurately track a vehicle’s travel path and preempt a signal more effectively and efficiently. The CAMPO funding is an important step to implementation of the system, which would eventually include a web page with up-to-date information in regard to traffic conditions, roadway closures, incidents, and events, department spokesperson Leah Fillion said. “The whole process is a series of steps over the next few years, and we have taken the first step by beginning to deploy messaging signs to alert drivers to traffic backups in and around downtown,” Fillion said.     2011-12-19T21:14:07+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/officials-considering-rail-to-link-austin-san-antonio-airports http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/officials-considering-rail-to-link-austin-san-antonio-airports At a high-capcity transit hearing this month, officials expressed interest at the potential to link the Austin and San Antonio airports together with the proposed Lone Star Rail regional rail system. Lone Star Rail is a 117-mile line in planning stages with proposed service from Georgetown to the South Side of San Antonio. It would travel between downtown Austin and downtown San Antonio in 75 minutes, which is faster than many automobile trips. Both communities could add mobility with additional local transit investment, essentially making both cities accessible for car-less business and leisure travelers. San Antonio transportation officials recently approved a downtown streetcar system and the City of Austin is studying alternatives for a transit investment to serve key destinations in Central Austin. Among Austin considerations is a 16.5 mile proposed Urban Rail system, built in phases, serving Central Austin and improving connections throughout the region. Such a rail system, which could be expanded to additional destinations as desired by citizens, would work in conjunction with the MetroRail commuter system and the future Lone Star Rail line connecting Austin and San Antonio. MetroRail carries more than 1,500 monthly riders, according to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Complimentary Lone Star Rail and Urban Rail systems would allow residents around San Marcos, Kyle and South Austin’s Slaughter Lane to commute to the central Austin core, which holds a third of Austin region jobs. During rush hours, the proposed Lone Star Rail service could carry the equivalent of two additional lanes on IH-35 or 4,800 people, according to official estimates. Fresh off the heals of an $8 million allocation from an Austin regional transportation oversight body to pursue plans, Lone Star Rail officials are separately considering purchasing a segment of Union Pacific rail that would link the proposed regional rail line to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. “An airport stop will greatly increase air travel capacity in both Austin and San Antonio,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, a former airline pilot. “I think it is significant.” Because the planned route already has a stop at the San Antonio International Airport, the ability to connect two fast-growing Texas cities to travelers has a lot of potential, officials said. “We had both the (Austin and San Antonio) airport directors in the same room at the same time,” said Lone Star Rail Director Joe Black. “We found when you connect airports by rail you increase the areas from where people can access the airports, rather than increasing competition (between cities).” Lone Star Rail system taking shape Once constructed, an Austin-San Antonio rail system could provide 20 to 30 round trips per day, at a top speed of about 90 mph, Black said. Lone Star Rail officials had previously said the travel time to link the two cities was 90 minutes, but modeling projections have shown the journey to be shorter. “We are pleasantly surprised to report that the travel time for an express train is an hour and 15 minutes. We think there will be a business trip market there,” Black said. Google Maps calculates the driving time from Austin City Hall to San Antonio City Hall to be between 1 hour, 25 minutes and 1 hour, 40 minutes. Texas Department of Transportation data shows a sharp increase in IH-35 traffic from 2009 to 2010 between Austin and San Antonio. North American Free Trade Agreement surface transportation trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico was 13.8 percent higher in September 2011 than in September 2010, totaling $77.7 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.     2011-12-16T14:50:01+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/high-capacity-transit-open-houses-draws-public-interest http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/high-capacity-transit-open-houses-draws-public-interest More than 130 people attended a series of open houses held by Austin area transportation officials to educate and gather input on increasing mobility challenges that come with a high growth area. The forums included representatives from Project Connect, a partnership that includes the City of Austin, Capital Metro, the Lone Star Rail District and CAMPO, along with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, which is planning a transit priority express lane on MoPac Highway. Project Connect is a partnership between Central Texas transportation agencies aimed at long-term implementation of the high-capacity transit component of the CAMPO 2035 Plan. The plan was adopted by regional government representatives in 2010, after a nine-month public outreach process involving policy makers and community stakeholders. Public participants were excited to provide input on where to improve regional transit in Central Texas, said John-Michael Cortez, who serves as a Project Connect outreach coordinator. Another round of open houses are tentatively planned for early 2012, and are likely to include locations in Williamson and Hays counties, Cortez said. Community or business groups are encouraged to contact Project Connect to schedule an individual presentation and discussion. “If there are community groups who want us to visit them, we would love to,” Cortez said.Austin Transportation Department spokesperson Karla Villalon said the open houses provided a valuable opportunity to gather more feedback regarding how the city would contribute to regional high-capacity transit. The City of Austin is studying alternative transit investments to serve key destinations in Central Austin. Among them is a planned 16.5 mile Urban Rail system, to be built in phases, serving Central Austin and improving connections throughout the region. The Urban Rail system, which could be expanded to additional destinations as desired by citizens, would work in conjunction with the successful MetroRail commuter system and a future Lone Star Rail line connecting Austin and San Antonio. MetroRail carries more than 1,500 monthly riders, according to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Urban rail is an electrified service that can operate in mixed traffic, in its own lane, or in separate right-of-way. Urban Rail is a hybrid of Light Rail and Streetcar technology and service. In addition to the Project Connect open houses, officials have been holding monthly meetings with the Transit Working Group, a group of public and private sector officials convened by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, to evaluate and provide input toward a regional high-capacity transit plan for Central Texas and explore how its various components work as a system to fulfill the region's transportation and future growth needs.     2011-12-14T19:52:29+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/austin-transportation-department-spotlighted-at-award-banquet http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/austin-transportation-department-spotlighted-at-award-banquet The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials local chapter honored the City of Austin Transportation Department this month as Transportation Agency of the Year. The department exemplifies a commitment to national best practices and dedication to improving travelers’ experience, said COMTO Austin Chapter Vice President Blanca Juarez, who chaired the nominations process. COMTO is the nation's only multi-modal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry and focuses primarily on transit. Austin City Manager Marc Ott created the Austin Transportation Department in 2009 as a proactive step to address Austin’s increasing mobility problem, also a City Council priority. The five-county Austin region will gain almost 1 million people in less than 15 years, according to the official Austin demographer estimate, making the regional population about the same as the City of Chicago’s current population. That growth is creating a “mobility crisis,” according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce website. The Austin Transportation Department, led by Director Robert Spillar – a professional engineer with 20 years experience in the public and private sectors in Texas and the Pacific Northwest – is working with national and local experts to address transportation needs and alternatives to driving alone, according to the COMTO award nomination. Spillar said the department is honored by the COMTO Austin chapter’s recognition. “My team is committed to the longevity of the unique partnership between the city and public transportation providers to collectively enhance transportation in Austin and we are eager to continue to serve the City Manager, elected city officials and citizens,” Spillar said. Among these efforts is exploring Austin’s options of an Urban Rail system serving Central Austin and improving connections throughout the region. Such a rail system would work in conjunction with the successful MetroRail system, which is already seeing increased demand with more than 1,500 monthly riders over the past six months, according to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Austin Transportation Department is also an integral part of Project Connect, a cooperative of local transportation agencies aimed at implementing regionally approved high-capacity transit plans over for the next decade. A complete listing of the COMTO Austin Chapter honorees, which includes Capital Metro CEO Linda Watson, are available here. 2011-12-08T15:00:48+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/austin-strategic-mobility-plan-open-house-ih-35-corridor http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/austin-strategic-mobility-plan-open-house-ih-35-corridor The City of Austin invites residents, corridor travelers, businesses and all stakeholders to help identify, review and comment on “short term improvements” to reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance quality of life around and on IH-35. Your input is needed during this initial review of IH-35 Corridor Development Program ideas. Thursday, November 17, 2011 3:00-8:00 p.m. Austin Energy’s Town Lake Center 721 Barton Springs Road Room 130, First Floor Meeting Room View invitation here. 2011-11-14T20:44:13+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/mobility-corridor-studies-under-way http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/mobility-corridor-studies-under-way Austin Transportation Department News Release September 8, 2011   Key travel corridors need citizen input for future development Plans for new mobility projects underway The City of Austin is working to improve some of the city’s most important transportation corridors. Citizens are invited to participate in a range of public events this fall to determine future plans and investments on four major routes: Airport Boulevard: N. Lamar to US Hwy 183 North Lamar Boulevard and Burnet Road: N Lamar: US 183 to I-35; Burnet: Koenig Ln to MOPAC; FM 969 (East MLK, Jr. Blvd.): US Hwy 183 to City of Webberville East Riverside Drive: I-35 to SH 71 These public open house meetings are being held to introduce each area’s Mobility Corridor Development Program and gather public input to help shape the future vision of each transportation corridor. The Austin Transportation Department (ATD) and its consulting teams will then combine this input with technical assessments to determine short-, medium-, and long-term improvements that will improve mobility, safety, and quality of life in each corridor. Upcoming public open-house events/meetings for the Mobility Corridor Development Programs include: Airport Boulevard: September 13, 5 pm-9 pm, Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Church, 1320 East 51st Street. October 3, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Church, 1320 East 51st Street North Lamar/Burnet: North Lamar: September 20, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 601 W. Braker Lane Burnet Road: September 22, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale Drive. East Riverside Drive October 27, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, location TBD. FM 969 (East MLK, Jr. Blvd.) date and location this fall TBD “We’re going to be looking at everything from quick fixes to failing intersections to longterm reconstruction of the roadways,” said Rob Spillar, Director of the Austin Transportation Department. “The solutions for the needs of each corridor will depend both on what’s possible technically and what the community wants and needs. But we think each of these important routes has opportunities for improved mobility and connectivity for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.” The Mobility Corridor Programs are among the projects funded by the City of Austin’s 2010 Mobility Bond Program, approved by voters last November. Each project development effort is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2012. Projects that emerge from the Corridor Programs will be reviewed for future funding opportunities. The Airport Boulevard corridor program will be conducted in conjunction with the Upper Airport Boulevard planning initiative for the stretch between Lamar and IH-35, being led by the City’s Planning and Development Review Department. The East Riverside Drive and North Lamar/Burnet transportation corridor programs will be building upon community planning and visioning efforts conducted in those areas over the last few years by the Planning & Development Review Department. In addition to the four corridor programs, ATD is also working on corridor development projects for IH-35 through Central Austin in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation. Project limits are from US Hwy 290 to William Cannon Dr. Public meetings will be announced soon. 2011-09-08T19:49:14+00:00 TradeMark Media http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/urban-rail-briefing-to-austin-city-council-june-14-2011 http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/urban-rail-briefing-to-austin-city-council-june-14-2011 The Austin City Council is receiving an update on the status of the Austin Urban Rail project. Download the presentation (PDF) 2011-06-14T14:56:34+00:00 TradeMark Media