Opportunities for Priority Bus Transit
in the
Washington Region

A One-Day Conference
on Providing New Transportation Choices through Transit
Prioritization Strategies

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public

Registration required by June 17, 2009

Washington Plaza Hotel
10 Thomas Circle NW
Washington DC, 20005

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Conference Background

Registration Closed

Conference Materials

 

 

Agenda
(download PDF of Agenda)

1. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
     
2. Welcome and Introduction
8:30 a.m.
 
  • Charles Jenkins, Frederick County Commissioner and Chair, Transportation Planning Board (TPB)
  • Harriet Tregoning, Director, DC Office of Planning and Chair, TPB Scenario Study Task Force
Conference participants will be welcomed by the current chair of the TPB and learn about the scenario planning efforts at the TPB, including the evaluation of a regional priority bus transit network.
     
3. The Role of Bus Transit in Regional Transportation Systems, Present and Future
8:45 a.m.
 
  • Howard Benn, Montgomery County RideOn and Chair,  TPB Regional Bus Subcommittee

This session will review the present role of bus transit in regional transportation systems, and explore potential future roles that buses can play in increasing regional mobility and shaping urban spaces.
     
4. Examples of Priority Bus Transit in the United States
9:15 a.m.
 
  • William Vincent, Breakthrough Technologies Institute, Moderator
  • Express/Rapid Bus:  Chun Wong, PE, Transportation Engineer, Metro Rapid, Los Angeles CA
  • Busways:  David E. Wohlwill, AICP, Manager of Extended Range Planning, Port Authority, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Bus Rapid Transit: Mike Schipper, Deputy General Manager for Engineering/Planning and Project Management, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
  • Bus On Shoulder (BOS) Operations:  Craig A. Lamothe, AICP Senior Project Manager, Urban Partnership Agreement, Manager, Facilities Planning, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Buses on Managed Lanes: Richard J. Lobron, Consultant, Director for Strategic Technologies – METRO, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas
This session will provide a survey of different priority bus strategies currently employed in different locations across the United States.  Questions to be explored include:  Which prioritization strategies are appropriate for different facilities and different land uses?  What successes and challenges have other cities experienced when implementing high-quality bus transit services?
  Break
10:45 a.m.
     
5. Perspectives from Stakeholder Groups
11:00 a.m.
 
  • Ronald F. Kirby, Transportation Planning Board, Moderator
  • Robert Grow, Greater Washington Board of Trade
  • Stuart Schwartz, Coalition for Smarter Growth
  • Robert Dunphy, Urban Land Institute
  • David Alpert, WMATA Riders’ Advisory Council, GreaterGreaterWashington.org
  • Larry Martin, TPB Citizens Advisory Committee, Sierra Club
  • Rod Lawrence, Managing Director, The JBG Companies

This session will explore different stakeholder groups’ perspectives on prioritizing bus transit.  Questions to be explored include:  Can buses be perceived as providing high-quality, environmentally friendly transit?  Can investments in bus transit facilities encourage transit-oriented development around station areas?  How does the construction of bus lanes affect service levels for other roadway users?   Will the benefits of prioritizing bus transit outweigh the perceived costs?
  Lunch, Keynote Speaker

Roy Kienitz, Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, US Department of Transportation
12:00 p.m.
     
6. Prioritizing Bus Transit in the Washington Region
1:30 p.m.
 
  • Nat Bottigheimer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Moderator
  • John Catoe, General Manager, WMATA
  • Gabe Klein, Director, District Department of Transportation
  • Neil Pedersen, Administrator, Maryland State Highway Administration
  • Michael Harris, Transit Project Coordinator, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

This session will engage state agency officials in a discussion about the practical realities of implementing running-way improvements and other priority treatments for buses.  Questions to be explored include:   Can currently planned road improvements provide benefits to buses as well as private vehicles?  Can funding from existing highway programs be used to implement priority bus transit projects?  How would DOT and transit agency staff manage planning for bus prioritization projects?
     
  Break
2:45 p.m.
     
7. Achieving Regional Consensus for Priority Bus Transit
3:00 p.m.
 
  • Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board, Moderator
  • Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council
  • Phil Mendelson, DC City Council
  • Catherine M. Hudgins, Fairfax County Board
  • Vic Weissberg, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

This session will provide opportunities for TPB members to discuss the political realities of prioritizing bus transit in their jurisdictions.  Questions to be explored include: Will priority transit reduce operating costs for agencies?  How will be benefits and burdens of prioritizing bus transit be distributed?  What indirect benefits would result from prioritizing bus transit?  How can these benefits best be communicated to the public?
     
8. Adjourn
4:15 p.m.

 

 

Sponsored by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board with support by the Federal Transit Administration