Completed Projects

FY 2012 Technical Assistance Program

On July 20, 2011, the TPB approved eight technical assistance projects for the FY 2012 round of the TLC Program. For this application cycle, $220,000 from the TPB’s FY 2012 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is available for technical assistance projects. The TPB funded its first truly regional project - a collaboration between the District of Columbia, the City of Alexandria, and Prince George's County on a Transit-Oriented Development Housing Needs Analysis. In addition, MDOT committed $130,000 from their technical assistance account for projects in Maryland, with special emphasis on projects relating to transit-oriented development (TOD).

FY 2011 Technical Assistance Program

On July 21, 2010, the TPB approved eight technical assistance projects for the FY 2011 round of the TLC Program. For this application cycle, $220,000 from the TPB’s FY 2011 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is available for technical assistance projects. In addition, MDOT committed $100,000 from their technical assistance account for projects in Maryland, with special emphasis on projects relating to transit-oriented development (TOD).

FY 2010 Technical Assistance Program

In July 2009, the TPB approved seven technical assistance projects for the FY 2010 round of the TLC Program. The FY 2010 round of technical assistance was structured similar to the FY 2009 round, with jurisdictions able to apply for a range of technical assistance from $10,000 to $60,000. For this application cycle, $220,000 from the TPB’s FY 2010 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) was available for technical assistance projects. In addition, MDOT committed $100,000 from their technical assistance account for projects in Maryland, with special emphasis on projects relating to transit-oriented development (TOD). Three additional projects in Maryland were approved in September 2009 as part of a separate TPB action.

FY 2009 Technical Assistance Program

In February 2009, the TPB approved eight technical assistance projects for the FY 2009 round of the TLC Program. Based on input from the TPB Scenario Study Task Force, the TPB structured the FY 2009 round of technical assistance so that jurisdictions could apply for a range of technical assistance from $10,000 to $60,000. The TPB anticipated providing up to $180,000 in funding for FY 2009. The Maryland Department of Transportation again agreed to make available funds from Maryland's Technical Assistance account in the TPB's Unified Planning Work Program, and contributed a total of $80,000. The FY 2009 projects, recommended to the TPB by the TPB-approved Selection Panel, represent a wide range of topics.

Public Presentation

In addition, as part of the FY 2007 Pilot Round of technical assistance projects a consultant team worked with planners from the cities of Takoma Park and College Park to develop a public presentation on strategies and challenges related to increasing development density. This presentation was given in those two jurisdictions in Spring 2008, and is available for use by other jurisdictions throughout the region. A video version of this presentation is also newly available on YouTube in five segments (www.youtube.com/user/MWCOGTLC). Contact TLC Staff for more information.

FY 2008 Technical Assistance Program

In February 2008, the TPB approved eleven technical assistance projects for the FY 2008 round of the TLC Program. The TPB anticipated funding six projects in FY 2008 - two each from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Due to the large number of Maryland project submissions, the Maryland Department of Transportation agreed to make available $100,000 in funds from Maryland's Technical Assistance account in the TPB's Unified Planning Work Program.

VDOT Multimodal Grant Program

The TPB was able to complete additional technical assistance projects in Virginia due to funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Multimodal Grant Program. The TPB received the grant from VDOT in October 2007 and projects were completed by the summer of 2008.

FY 2007 Pilot Phase

In March 2007, the TPB approved five technical assistance projects for the FY 2007 pilot round of the TLC Program. These projects dealt with a number of issues, such as pedestrian safety, urban roadway design standards, traffic flow near transit stations and forthcoming changes under the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closures) program.

 

FY 2012 Technical Assistance Program

On July 20, 2011, the TPB approved eight technical assistance projects for the FY 2012 round of the TLC Program. The projects included the following:

District of Columbia

District of Columbia: Pedestrian Safety/Accessibility Study - Farragut Square ($30,000) Farragut Square

The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (GTBID), along with the District Department of Transportation, sought technical assistance to review and analyze the pedestrian environment around Farragut Square. Farragut Square and its surrounding intersections are heavily used by pedestrians. The intersections surrounding the square are often congested with automobile traffic. The consultant team analyzed the existing livability, circulation, and safety issues around Farragut Square. The document presents solutions along with phasing of recommendations, and is meant to provide the BID with a tool to generate interest in creating a gathering space for the Golden Triangle. The recommendations in this document build upon multiple plans and projects that will shape the square and its surrounding streetscapes.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Golden Triangle Business Improvements District Pedestrian Safety & Accessibility at Farragut Square Study (7.3 MB)


Maryland

Montgomery County, MD: Glenmont Community Visioning Workshop Plan ($30,000)

Glenmont Workshop

Montgomery County Parks and Planning applied for consultant services to develop and conduct a public outreach process to define a vision for Glenmont, which would be used to inform amendments to the 1997 Sector Plan of the Glenmont Transit Impact Area and Vicinity. The Glenmont Community Visioning Workshop series included three public workshops that engaged the residential and business communities in facilitated discussions and exercises, which culminated in a draft vision for future redevelopment of the Glenmont Shopping Center and adjacent properties. Using an extensive community outreach and stakeholder involvement strategy, the Glenmont Community Visioning Workshop process produced a draft vision for the Sector Plan Area, which will be further discussed and refined during subsequent phases of the Sector Plan amendment process.

Please follow the link below to review the report and appendices developed for this project.

Glenmont Community Visioning Workshop - Final Report (6 MB)

Glenmont Community Visioning Workshop - Workshop 1 Summary (20 MB)

Glenmont Community Visioning Workshop - Workshops 2 & 3 Summary (23 MB)

Prince George's Transitways Prince George's County, MD: Transitway Systems Study ($60,000)

This project provided a comprehensive study of transitway alignment and modal options in the county, developing and evaluating ways to integrate the countywide transitway network with the preferred growth and development pattern envisioned by the 2002 Approved Prince George's County General Plan. The project included several inter-agency, inter-jurisdictional roundtables that provided opportunities to gather information from key stakeholders in adjoining jurisdictions, marking the first time a regional discussion was formally conducted as part of a TLC project.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Prince George's County Transitway Systems Study (5 MB)

Prince George's County Transitway Systems Study - Appendix A (11 MB)

Prince George's County Transitway Systems Study - Appendix B (5 MB)

City of Rockville, MD: Bikeway Master Plan Update ($30,000)

Rockville Bike Plan The City of Rockville applied for technical assistance to update its Bikeway Master Plan and refocus the plan from an emphasis on recreation towards the goal of improving Rockville's multimodal transportation network with an enhanced connection to existing and future land uses. The City’s 1998 Adopted Bikeway Master Plan was first updated in 2004. Rockville, being centrally located within Montgomery County, is not only a hub of activity but a community that many other Montgomery County residents need to access and pass through. Moreover, due to major employment and residential land uses northwest and southeast of Rockville, many City residents need bicycling connections to neighboring communities such as Gaithersburg and Bethesda. The consultant listed a number of possible treatments for bicycles, including bike lanes, shared lanes, dual facilities, and new and experimental treatments. The policy recommendations developed through this study provided criteria the City could use to prioritize projects for implementation.

Please follow the link below to review the products developed for this project.

City of Rockville Bikeway Master Plan Update - Map (10 MB)

City of Rockville Bikeway Master Plan Update - Map Legend

City of Rockville Bikeway Master Plan Update - Policy

City of Takoma Park, MD: New Hampshire Avenue Streetscape Design Standards ($30,000) Takoma Park Streetscape Cross-section

The New Hampshire Avenue corridor within Takoma Park is located between Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland and the District of Columbia. The City sought technical assistance to design a streetscape that would delineate Takoma Park as unique and a gateway to Washington, DC. The corridor is a major transit thoroughfare of bustling commercial nodes and forested neighborhoods, home to an eclectic commercial area that includes Armenian, Caribbean, Chinese, Ethiopian, Indian, Pakistani, Peruvian, Salvadoran, and Vietnamese businesses.

The New Hampshire Avenue Streetscape Standards and multi-way boulevard concept are designed to create quality pedestrian and transit access facilities that include strategic details for integrated stormwater infiltration facilities and street tree planting. They set the look, tone, and feel of the corridor, and change how people walk, bike, get to the bus, and do their shopping on New Hampshire Avenue. The Streetscape Standards were developed in coordination with planning agencies in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). Two public workshops were held with community members from Takoma Park, providing the design team with identity characteristics for the corridor and feedback on landscape and furniture selections.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

The New Hampshire Avenue Streetscape Standards


Virginia

Arlington County, VA: ADA Evaluation ($50,000)

Arlington sought technical assistance to evaluate the current conditions of sidewalks, curb ramps, and intersections within the Rosslyn-Buckingham transit corridor. The Study Area included the neighborhoods and Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) of Ballston, Buckingham, Clarendon, Court House, Rosslyn, and Virginia Square. The document provides an overview of the specific design criteria that must be met to ensure compliance with the new standards. The consultant conducted an assessment by individually categorizing curb ramps, pathways, and intersections into tiers based on their level of compliance. This tiered system will aid Arlington County in prioritizing improvements to the existing pedestrian facilities within the Study Area. The report provides the recommended prioritization strategies for implementing accessibility improvements and addressing compliance issues throughout the County. This will assist Arlington County in establishing a “game plan” to repair and reconstruct pedestrian facilities in an efficient, systematic, and resource-sensitive manner. The consultant also provided a framework to assist Arlington County in the development of an ADA Transition Plan.

Please follow the link below to view the final study developed for this project.

Arlington County Americans with Disabilities Act Evaluation Study (4 MB)

Fairfax County, VA: Implementation of Multimodal Transportation Hubs in Tysons Corner ($60,000)

Fairfax Mobility Hubs

This document presents conceptual designs for Mobility Hubs at the four Tysons Corner Metrorail stations currently under construction. The intent of the project and the proposed Mobility Hubs is to maximize the potential synergies between fixed-route transit investments and area car-share, bike-share and other pedestrian and bicycle facilities, ultimately easing dependence on private automobiles. The Conceptual Designs focus on the area immediately surrounding the Metro Stations (the Primary Hub Zones) and build upon previous project tasks providing Mobility Hub concept overview and best practices, recommended Hub elements, and recommended Hub siting and preliminary Hub configurations. The designs bring together the findings and recommendations of these initial project tasks, the 2013 Metrorail construction program, station area private development proposals, and the County’s transportation network plans to recommend station area designs that promote safe and comfortable pedestrian circulation, easy access to Hub elements, attractive civic space for waiting or resting, landscape features for sustainable stormwater management, and a seamless transition between the public station plaza and the privately owned/publically accessible café patios, retail spaces, etc.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Mobility Hubs for Tysons Corner Metrorail Station: Conceptual Design Plans (10 MB)


Multi-Jurisdiction

TOD Housing Needs AnalysisDistrict of Columbia, Alexandria, Prince George's County: Transit-Oriented Development Housing Needs Analysis ($60,000)

The three jurisdictions of Prince George’s County, the District of Columbia, and the City of Alexandria jointly requested technical assistance to conduct an analysis of housing needs in transit-oriented development (TOD) locations. This is part of on ongoing effort in the Washington region to preserve and provide affordable housing that is accessible via high quality transit. The report presents a summary of the research, recommendations, and proposed framework that together comprise the TOD Housing Needs Analysis. The analysis includes development of a risk assessment methodology, case studies of station area conditions, and recommendations for a set of 10 pilot station areas. The technical analysis provides the framework for a station evaluation framework that can be used by the TPB, MWCOG, and member jurisdictions throughout the region to assess the housing situations in existing and planned TOD locations and thus gain useful knowledge that can strengthen the effectiveness of regional initiatives to provide or preserve housing affordability in these locations. Also included is an overview of best practices, from other regions and organizations that are tackling the similar issues, which may be insightful or applicable to the Washington region. The report also offers a list of next steps for continuing an analytical and strategy development process that ultimately leads to the expansion of affordable housing opportunities near transit.

Please follow the links below to review the materials developed for this project.

Regional TOD Housing Needs Analysis

Regional TOD Housing Analysis: Case Studies (3 MB)

Jurisdictional Housing Forecasts

Regional TOD Housing Analysis: Risk Assessment

Regional TOD Housing Analysis: Risk Assessment Technical Methodology

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FY 2011 Technical Assistance Program

On July 21, 2010, the TPB approved eight technical assistance projects for the FY 2011 round of the TLC Program. The projects include the following:

District of Columbia

District of Columbia: Van Ness / UDC Metro and Commercial Corridor Enhancement Study ($30,000) Van Ness / UDC

The District of Columbia Office of Planning applied for TLC funding to identify streetscape improvements along Connecticut Avenue near the Van Ness / UDC Metrorail Station to improve pedestrian flow and recommend ways to incorporated low-impact design techniques along the streetscape. This project developed a set of guidelines, recommendations, and low impact streetscape design options to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections to the Metro station. The result is a long-term plan that will make Metro and local retail more accessible and attractive to area residents, thus reducing vehicle use related to working, recreation, and shopping, while resulting in a minimal impact to the environment.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Van Ness - UDC Commercial Corridor Enhancement Study (8.2 MB)


Maryland

Frederick County, MD: Freight Transportation and Land Use Connections ($60,000)

This study reviewed freight-dependent land-use designations for opportunities to maximize the utility of freight rail and truck corridors. To develop strategies to improve coordination of freight-oriented land use and transportation investments in the County, the study team analyzed traffic, land use, and economic data and conducted extensive outreach with stakeholders. The study team also investigated and recommended best practices observed nationally for accommodating freight movement while maximizing safety, air quality, and quality of life. Ultimately, the study produced a set of recommendations and a toolkit of strategies for the County to use in the future. The final product includes recommendations for implementation and incorporation of study findings into upcoming small area and corridor plans, and local and regional transportation plans.

Please follow the link below to review the documents developed for this project.

Frederick County Freight and Freight Dependent Land Use Plan: Final Report

Frederick County Freight and Freight Dependent Land Use Plan: Technical Appendix (6 MB)

Montgomery County, MD: US 29 / Cherry Hill Area TOD Scenarios ($50,000)

Naylor Road Station Area Recommendations

Montgomery County sought a TLC grant to examine the results of a transit-oriented development (TOD) planning scenario for the Cherry Hill Employment Area of the county, which is located east of US 29 and south of Cherry Hill Road, adjacent to the White Oak Neighborhood. In particular, the study focused on two vacant parcels if land, commonly referred to as the Percontee Sand and Gravel lot and the County’s Site II, as well as the Federal Research Center of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which houses roughly 5,500 employees and has plans for expansion. The planning exercise had three main components: (1) a literature review examining TOD best practices, particularly in relation to a large federal campus; (2) a transit sketch-planning analysis; and (3) a land-use scenario testing analysis. The work done on this TLC project will feed into an update the County’s Master Plan for the East County Science Center, which contains the study area for this TLC project.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

US 29 / Cherry Hill Transit-Oriented Development Scenario Planning Report (3.3 MB)

Prince George's County, MD: Central Avenue TOD Corridor Pedestrian and Mobility Study ($30,000) Central Avenue Recommendations

Prince George's County applied for TLC technical assistance as part of the Subregion 4 Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Implementation Project, which has been developed to implement the 2010 Approved Subregion 4 Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment (Subregion 4 Master Plan). The Subregion 4 TOD Implementation Project encompasses two overlapping areas along Central Avenue in Prince George’s County and envisions a fully integrated multimodal transportation system with TOD centered on the Capitol Heights and Addison-Seat Pleasant Road Metrorail stations. The project focused on a pedestrian safety and mobility study of the Central Avenue Corridor to recommend how to spend limited resources to improve pedestrian safety and retrofit existing roads to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. The study identified implementation funding that will enhance pedestrian safety and mobility patterns in the context of the Addison Road Regulating Plan, and its future Metro Center. The pedestrian element of the study presented the pedestrian environment as a community system of interwoven pathways, sidewalks, and open spaces with an emphasis on improving mobility and safety.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Central Avenue TOD Mobility Study: Pedestrian and Bicycle Access and Circulation (5 MB)

Prince George's County, MD: Naylor Road Metro Station Area Accessibility Improvement Study ($30,000)

Naylor Road Station Area Recommendations

Prince George's County applied for TLC technical assistance to a study to develop recommendations for improving non-motorized access to the Naylor Road Metro Station. The study evaluates the quality and adequacy of existing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic signals) and identifies locations for low-cost, short-term improvements. The consultant prioritized and identified appropriate options to address missing links, intersection shortcomings, including a lack of crosswalks and bike lanes, and safety concerns such as intersections without signage, lighting, or pedestrian countdown signals.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Naylor Road Metro Station Area Accessibility Study (8.8 MB)

City of Rockville, MD: Accessibility and Rockville's TODs: Safer Walkways to Transit ($30,000) Rockville/Twinbrook TOD Recommendations

TThe City of Rockville applied for a TLC technical assistance grant to conduct a study that would provide recommendations for improving pedestrian walkways leading to the Twinbrook Metrorail station. This project aimed to enhance public transit an attractive and convenient option for riders. The Twinbrook Metrorail Station is about 15 miles from downtown Washington DC, and is two stops away from the Shady Grove terminus of the Washington Metro Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) Red Line. By identifying the major pedestrian routes to the station and studying current safety issues and opportunities, the consultant created a conceptual pedestrian safety improvement plan for the station area.

Safer Walkways to Transit: Final Report and Conceptual Plan (4.2 MB)


Virginia

Arlington County, VA: Best Practices in Providing Bicycle Facilities in Streetcar Corridors ($30,000) Arlington Bicycle Facility Recommendations

Arlington County applied for a TLC technical assistance grant to develop best practices for the design and operation of corridors that include both trains and bicyclists. The county sought recommendations that would be most appropriate for the Columbia Pike and Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridors. The study included a survey and review of domestic and international jurisdictions that have a combination of streetcar and extensive bicycle facilities, a comprehensive review of critical safety factors, as well as key design considerations.

Please follow the link below to review the final document developed for this project.

Best Practices in Providing Bicycle Facilities in Streetcar Corridors (7.6 MB)

Prince William County, VA: Pedestrian Facility Standards for Mixed-Use Development Centers ($60,000)

The project updated the current inventory of pedestrian facilities, developed a pedestrian facility gap analysis, and created a set of new standards and typical sections for sidewalks and streets in the County’s newly adopted activity centers. The consultant completed research of facility precedents to better understand how to incorporate successful streetscape elements, such as through lane widths, parking requirements, intersection treatments, sidewalk widths, landscape panel widths, bicycle facilities and median treatments. The project created a new street typology for the Activity Centers and developed typical street cross-sections and plans for the public rights-of-way, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities and landscaped tree panels. The County will implement the strategies in the newly adopted Transportation Plan by examining were pedestrian facilities are needed to connect the transit system, activity center, and other significant destinations.

Please follow the link below to review the final documents developed for this project.

Presentation: Street Standard Recommendations

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FY 2010 Technical Assistance Program

In July 2009, the TPB approved seven technical assistance projects for the FY 2010 round of the TLC Program. In September 2009, the TPB approved three additional technical assistance projects. The projects include the following:

District of Columbia

District of Columbia: Independent Shuttle Bus Consolidation (ISBC) Strategy for the Greater Brookland Community ($25,000) Brookland Site Improvements

This project developed a consolidation strategy that addresses the operational issues posed by the current arrangement and to potential to improve mobility and access to Metro. Streamlining various existing shuttle services will reduce operations costs, decrease vehicular traffic, and encourage Metro transit use by improving shuttle service. This project was supported by the District of Columbia Office of Planning.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Independent Shuttle Bus Consolidation Strategy for the Greater Brookland Community (8 MB)

Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) Design Standards, District of Columbia ($30,000) GTBID Streetscape

This project evaluated and refined draft streetscape guidelines developed by the BID. The consultant recommended several Implementation strategies. The enhanced design standards will serve to create a cohesive feel for the neighborhood. Low Impact Development (LID) techniques were an integral part of this project. This includes guidelines for the location and type of sidewalk amenities, furniture, paving materials, planters and trees, and other landscaping.

The project is supported by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the final produt will be incorporated into DDOT's internal streetscape review guidelines and be used for the review of projects within the BID boundaries. The guidelines are to be used for renovations and repairs within the public realm that are undertaken by the City or property owners. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the links below to review the final document developed for this project.

Streetscape Guidelines - Golden Triangle Business Improvement District


Maryland

Charles County, MD: Waldorf Urban Transportation Improvement Plan ($30,000) Bowie Trail Graphic

This project involved the assessment of proposed conceptual transportation network and the development of an implementation plan for public and private investment for construction. By reviewing the layout, functionality, and interconnectivity of all transportation modes, the County hopes to create a completely integrated transportation network capable of sustaining a walkable community.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Waldorf Urban Transportation Improvement Plan (6 MB)

Analyzing Transportation Impacts of Neighborhood-Scale Retail, Montgomery County, MD ($40,000) Montgomery County Trip Generation Graphic

This report discusses the results of a travel patterns survey of retail customers from several establishments in Montgomery County, Maryland. The objective of the study is to examine whether retail trip generation rates show a clear variance depending on proximity to transit or other services. The County will use the results of the study in considering more context-sensitive revisions to retail trip generation rates with the next update to their Local Area Transportation Review (LATR) / Policy Area Mobility Review (PAMR) Guidelines, the document used for development approval. The LATR/PAMR Guidelines already incorporate similar implicit or explicit adjustments for transit proximity for residential and office uses based on both national and local data.

The study presents differences in trip generation rates and other travel characteristics between retail sites in three development contexts: within ¼ mile (or an approximately five minute walk) of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro station, within a regional activity cluster as defined by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) (but beyond ¼ mile of a Metro station), and outside of an activity cluster (and also beyond ¼ mile of a Metro station). The trip generation rates are compared with conventional trip rates from the Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Handbook, which typically reflect a suburban (auto-oriented) context and single uses. The rates are also compared to the County’s LATR/PAMR trip generation rates, which incorporate some additional local data but reflect primarily suburban sites.1 Providing context sensitive trip generation rates for the County is critical to support the County’s goals of encouraging more infill, mixed use, and other “smart growth” development types and sustainable transportation options.

Please follow the link below to review the final report and presentation developed for this project.

Montgomery County Transportation Impacts of Neighborhood-Scale Retail Analysis

Interim Pedestrian Safety Improvements: Prince George's County, MD ($30,000)

New Carrollton Station Area

The focus of this TLC project was to locate and synthesize appropriate pedestrian safety tools and apply those tools to enhance the pedestrian experience around the New Carrollton Metrorail Station. The consultant documented how interim pedestrian solutions should be applied and offered ideas for transitioning these measures into permanent solutions. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

New Carrollton Interim Pedestrian Safety Improvements (5.3 MB)

 

Pedestrian to Transit Accessibility Prioritization Project: Prince George's County, MD ($30,000)

The primary purpose of this project was to assist the County in identifying gaps in accessibility to active bus stops and to prioritize bus stop locations on which to focus limited resources to improve access and safety. This report provides a description of other bus stop improvement prioritization efforts in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region, including national practices on prioritizing bus stop improvements. The report outlines the methodology and criteria used for the prioritization of bus stop locations for improvements in Prince George’s County and consists of the prioritization of bus stops for improvements based on this methodology. Maps and tables are used to illustrate the prioritization and bus stop locations. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Pedestrian to Transit Accessibility Prioritization (6 MB)

Prince George's County, MD: Purple Line Bicycle Access and Bicycle Hub Location Study ($30,000)Purple Line Trail Graphic

This study identified locations for bikeway and sidewalk locations along the entire segment of the Purple Line in Prince George's County. The consultant also identified complete streets components for the areas surrounding future transit stations. The study provided recommendations to provide better and safer bicycle and pedestrian access to future transit-oriented development locations adjacent to the Purple Line.

Please follow the links below to review the final documents developed for this project.

Purple Line Bicycle Access and Bicycle Hub Location Study - Parts 1 - 2 (9 MB)

Purple Line Bicycle Access and Bicycle Hub Location Study - Parts 3 - 5 (5.7 MB)

Purple Line Bicycle Access and Bicycle Hub Location Study - Appendix (3.6 MB)


Virginia

Arlington County, VA: Multi-Use Trail Traffic Control Study ($30,000)

Arlington Trail Recommendations

This project analyzed traffic control signage, markings, and signals on two of Arlington’s busiest shared-use trails. The consultant proposed modifications to create a more consistent, rational, predictable, and ultimately safer traffic control environment for all trail users and those crossing the trails. The recommendations from this project will be used by transportation engineers to better design Arlington’s non-motorized facilities.

Please follow the links below to review the final documents developed for this project.

Arlington County Shared-Use Trail Traffic Control Study - Best Practices (4 MB)

Arlington County Shared-Use Trail Traffic Control Study -

Arlington County Shared-Use Trail Traffic Control Study - Custis Trail Recommendations (4.7 MB)

Arlington County Shared-Use Trail Traffic Control Study - W & OD Trail Recommendations (8.3 MB)

Fairfax County, VA: Wiehle Avenue Station Multimodal Mobility Needs Analysis ($45,000)

This TLC project used a multi-modal evaluation tool, previously developed the TLC project completed in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, DC, to evaluate an array of potential projects to accommodate the mobility the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, local bus, and auto users at the new Metrorail Station at Wiehle Avenue in Reston.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Wiehle Avenue Multimodal Level of Service (MMLOS) Study (5.9 MB)

Prince William County, VA: Harbor Station Multimodal Commuter Center ($30,000)

This study served as a follow up to the Commuter Ferry Feasibility Study, currently being conducted by Prince William County, through a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Multimodal Grant. The study examined the possibilities of creating a multimodal commuter center served by commuter rail, bus and ferry services around a planned mixed-use development.

Harbor Station Rendering

Please follow the links below to review the final documents developed for this project.

Harbor Station Multimodal Commuter Station Study - Final Report (3.7 MB)

Harbor Station Multimodal Commuter Station Study - Final Report - Appendix A: Existing Conditions (4.4 MB)

Harbor Station Multimodal Commuter Station Study - Final Report - Appendix B: Benchmark Study (5.5 MB)

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FY 2009 Technical Assistance Program

In February 2009, the TPB approved eight technical assistance projects for the FY 2009 round of the TLC Program. The projects include the following:

District of Columbia

NoMa Business Improvement District Gateway Transportation Enhancement Project ($50,000)

This project complements the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) plans for the reconstruction of the New York and Florida Avenue, NE, intersection as a virtual traffic circle by making suggestions for public realm improvements.

Please follow the links below to review the final documents developed for this project.

NoMa Gateway Transportation Study - Analysis and Recommendations (7 MB)

NoMa Gateway Transportation Study - Visualizations and Design Guidelines (6 MB)

NoMa Gateway Transportation Study - Appendices (10 MB)

 

Maryland

City of Bowie: Pedestrian Trail System, Phase I Concept Development

This project involved further refinement of a pedestrian trail system study developed in 2008 through previous participation in the TLC Program (City of Bowie: Community Charrette on Pedestrian Trail Feasibility). Plans were developed for the highest priority segment of the trail system, helping stakeholders to focus on the details of this first segment of the overall project through concept development, visualizations, and sketch renderings. Objectives for this conceptual study included:

  • Providing opportunities for input from residents, Old Town business owners and public officials on various trail design issues;
  • Developing a set of visual images for the potential trail alignment between Zug Road and 10th Street which illustrate the recommended design solutions;
  • Creating a trail advisory committee, trail vision, implementation strategy and name.
Bowie Trail Graphic

This study was conducted between April and August 2009, and it included five public meetings, to which a diverse set of project stakeholders were invited. As a result of the public input, a consensus vision of the Bowie Heritage Trail emerged. This vision includes a name for the trail - Bowie Heritage Trail. The goal for the trail is creation of a railroad heritage greenway that serves non-motorized transportation and recreational trips between the WB&A Trail, Old Town Bowie, BSU and other points along the way, such as Tanglewood Park, Adnell Woods, Jericho Park, the BSU MARC station, and planned new town center. Key themes that emerged from this planning effort included:

  • Segment C of the Bowie Heritage Trail (Railroad Avenue) should be designed and developed as a destination in and of itself.
  • A railroad heritage greenway offering experiential learning opportunities will support the educational mission of the Railroad Museum, serve children, youth and families and attract the types of visitors sought by Old Town.

In addition to railroad history, the trail presents an opportunity to interpret the history and heritage of educating African American youth and the role of BSU as a Historic Black College, and to demonstrate and educate about environmental best practices for dealing with stormwater runoff, often referred to as low impact development (LID).

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

The Bowie Heritage Trail (5 MB)

Frederick County: MD-355 / MD-85 TOD Study ($60,000)

Strategies for enhancing transit oriented development through short-term bicycle, pedestrian, and transit improvements and by through long-term land-use recommendations. The final product included recommendations for implementation and incorporation of study findings into an upcoming small area plan.

Please follow the link below to review the final report and materials developed for this project.

MD 355 / MD 85 Transportation Oriented Design Study (5 MB)

Presentation Graphic: Mixed-Use Development Examples

Presentation Graphic: Transportation Oriented Design Typologies

Presentation Graphic: Varying Density Examples

Presentation Graphic: Multimodal Transportation Improvements

Presentation Graphic: Streetscape Examples

City of Greenbelt: Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan ($30,000)

Assistance in the preparation of a pedestrian and bicycle master plan was provided. The citizen-led Advisory Planning Board (APB) has assumed responsibility for preparing the master plan.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Greenbelt Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommendations (5 MB)

Prince George's County: Town of Cheverly Non-Motorized Transportation Study ($30,000)

Strategies for improving non-motorized transportation in the Cheverly area were developed. The project concentrated on ways to improve connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists to major destinations within Cheverly.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Town of Cheverly Non-Motorized Transportation Study (3 MB)

City of Rockville: Complete Streets Policy

Complete Streets Comparison

The Complete Streets policy of the City of Rockville was developed to provide guidance for its residents, decision makers, planners, and designers to ensure that multi-modal elements are incorporated into all transportation improvement projects. The graphic to the right shows current conditions above proposed enhancements that meet Complete Streets standards.

The concept of Complete Streets provide streets that have facilities for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists, to the extent appropriate for the land use or the context of the street. Under the Complete Streets framework, minimizing traffic delay for private motor vehicle transportation should not be the only goal of the roadway and could be undesirable depending on the surrounding land use and needs of other roadway users. Other characteristics of Complete Streets are features that create a pedestrian friendly environment, such as narrow traffic lanes, median refuges, curb extensions (“bulb-outs”), accessible pedestrian signals and countdown pedestrian signals.

Like many suburbs, some areas in Rockville were designed for automobile transportation, and lack facilities such as sidewalks, bus shelters, and bicycle lanes. With implementation of Rockville’s Pedestrian Policies, Bikeway Master Plan and the Sidewalk Prioritization Policy, key improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists have been made. As gas prices fluctuate and demand for walking, bicycling and transit facilities grows, safe and accessible transportation accommodations for all modes becomes even more necessary. Additional modal choices for roadways users can also help in improving the air quality and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle trips and miles travelled. Complete streets have also shown results in improved health in communities that provide multiple mode choices. In addition, Rockville is committed to serving its residents – children, elderly, and persons with disabilities – by providing safe and accessible transportation facilities in the public right-of-way.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Proposed Complete Streets Policy (2.8 MB)


Virginia

City of Manassas Park: Marketing the Redevelopment Potential of TOD

This project built off previous technical assistance received by the City to formalize a vision for the developable land around the Manassas Park Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Station. In 2008, the City of Manassas Park worked with the TPB to formalize a vision for the remaining areas around the VRE station and the main corridor through the center of the city. To further their vision to attract potential investors and developers to develop and redevelop available parcels of land, Manassas Park developed the scope for this project to assist the City with the development of a strategic marketing plan. A plan was created to help the City target potential developers and look for redevelopment opportunities that integrate transportation and land use planning.

The consultant developed a marketing and communications strategy to market the potential of transit-oriented development (TOD) in the City of Manassas Park. To understand the existing conditions, a brand and materials audit was performed, along with a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats workshop that included key city staff and stakeholders. The consultant conducted benchmarking studies of other similar suburban towns that have successfully implemented TOD, as well as executive interviews with developers and City decision makers. The consultant developed a messaging platform and, most importantly, a strategic marketing and communications plan for the City of Manassas Park to use a framework for implementing a marketing and communications campaign to attract potential developers.

The strategic marketing and communications plan provides a sound foundation for the City to articulate its pivotal role and to lead a broader effort to develop brand potential around its development opportunities. The marketing plan incorporates strategies for business outreach, a public information program, marketing outreach, media/public relations, and place-making. Due to the comprehensiveness of the plan, the consultant provided a prioritized list of the key strategies that can take be undertaken by the City immediately and that should provide the City with the greatest impact given its limited resources.

Please follow the link below to review the marketing plan developed for this project.

Marketing TOD: Strategic Communications/Marketing Plan (1.9 MB)

Prince William County: Sustainability of Mixed-Use Development at Commuter Rail Stations

Woodbridge StationThis study examined the possibilities of creating a successful mixed-use development and mass transit node adjacent to the Woodbridge VRE Station. Strategy and policy recommendations developed through the project provided the County with a template for reviewing development adjacent to commuter rail stations and making long-range land-use and transportation planning decisions for these facilities.

The consultant explored transit-oriented development opportunities in the area surrounding Woodbridge’s Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Station and tested the impact of various land-use and multimodal transportation scenarios. The key intention was to understand the implications of creating a vibrant, walkable mixed-use development north of US Route 1 and a mass transit node (MUD/MTN) in the vicinity of the Woodbridge Station.

The consultant developed three concept alternatives based on the context analysis and known, specific parameters that affect development in commuter rail station areas. The alternatives were developed in collaboration with the County and they illustrated the range of land use intensities. The concept alternatives process was documented in a working paper that discussed key development considerations, a determination of susceptibility to change, program alternatives, examples of analogous developments, and transportation considerations.

The consultant completed a technical memorandum that highlighted key findings from the context analysis and alternatives processes. The findings included overarching issues and findings, VRE and transportation considerations, development implications, and issues and findings surrounding the three alternatives. These key findings came from planning and design conclusions related to the building program, prototype building patterns, density options, mixed use opportunities, and overall urban design framework.

Please follow the link below to review the study developed for this project.

Sustainability of Mixed-Use Development around Woodbridge VRE Station (8.8 MB)

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Region-Wide Project: Public Presentation on Density Issues

In addition to the 5 location-specific projects to be funded as part of the pilot TLC Technical Assistance Program in FY 2007, the TPB also approved an additional public presentation project intended to have region-wide application. This presentation was in response to applications by College Park and Takoma Park, and is available to other jurisdictions as requested. A version of this presentation was recently recorded on video and posted in five segments on YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/MWCOGTLC).

Density and the Washington Region (3.4 MB)

Public Presentation Development

Public Presentation MeetingSeveral jurisdictions proposed public education presentations as part or all of their proposals. Coincidentally, they were focused on how to plan for creative development solutions around some type of transportation facility, whether it is at a major intersection, a transit station, or along a corridor. These applications represent a regional need for information and communication resources about in-fill development and other activity center core development options. Therefore, a sixth project was proposed for inclusion in the TLC Pilot Program. The TLC lead consultant, Reconnecting America, was hired to develop a basic presentation on how to incorporate density into a variety of places, as well as preparing a briefing on issues each municipality has addressed. The consultant will offer the presentation once in each of the following jurisdictions:

  • College Park specifically requested a public presentation in its application. The city seeks to better understand the role of density in the city’s revitalization process and to determine appropriate density levels for various segments of the Route 1 corridor.
  • Takoma Park requested technical assistance for the development of a series of workshops designed to provide the community with the expertise needed to evaluate future development and in-fill projects.

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FY 2008 Technical Assistance Program

The TPB approved in February 2008 eleven technical assistance projects for the FY 2008 round of the TLC Program. The TPB anticipated funding six projects in FY 2008 - two each from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Due to the large number of Maryland project submissions, the Maryland Department of Transportation agreed to make available $100,000 in funds from Maryland's Technical Assistance account in the TPB's Unified Planning Work Program. The projects include the following:

District of Columbia

Takoma Intersection

"Multimodal Takoma!" - Development of a Multimodal Scorecard

The District of Columbia Office of Planning applied to the TLC Program for technical assistance to develop a scorecard that assesses the Takoma neighborhood’s accessibility to various modes of transportation. The Office of Planning identified a need for this type of assessment due to new land use and demographic trends that are changing the way people get around in Takoma. Because the area is anchored with a Metro station, it must be able to accommodate all users.

The consultant noted that walking, bicycling, and transit are often overlooked when it comes to planning because of the emphasis on measuring vehicle level of service (LOS). The consultant reviewed several measures of LOS and safety for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. The study summarized the existing conditions in the area, recommended neighborhood and facility improvements to accommodate each user group, and assessed the LOS for each user group.

The report analyzed roadway facilities based on their LOS and safety index in a scorecard format for 14 intersections and roadways segments in the neighborhood. It also included suggested improvements to improve the bicycle, pedestrian, and transit LOS and/or safety index.

Please follow the link below to review the final report and scorecard element developed for this project.

Multimodal Takoma! Creating a Tool to Assess Multimodal Access Surrounding the Takoma Metro (4.5 MB)

 

Recommendations for Performance-Based Parking Regulations Near the Nationals Ballpark

The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) applied for consultant assistance to review the potential of variably pricing on-street parking around the Washington National's Ballpark as a means to best meet the goals of the community. DDOT adopted a policy to price the on-street parking in the area according to occupancy levels. This Performance Parking Program is a three-year pilot aimed in part at preserving the needs of the residential neighborhoods and encouraging the use of non-automobile transportation choices.

The guidelines were developed to assist municipal parking managers in implementing and monitoring the on-street parking management program. The guidelines describe a five-step process for parking management: establish guiding principles; analyze parking conditions; establish operating standards; define program parameters; and monitor for ongoing management.

The Technical Memorandum addresses the application of the guidelines to performance parking programs implemented by the District Department of Transportation. The memorandum outlines the specific data needs for the initial assessment of conditions for the National's Ballpark and Columbia Heights pilot zones. This memorandum also provides a description of potential technology options to assist in monitoring and reporting of parking conditions for ongoing management of the performance parking program.

Please follow the links below to review the final report and technical memorandum developed for this project.

Guidelines for Effective Parking Management: Parking Management with Variable Pricing

Technical Memorandum: Assistance for Initial Assessment and Monitoring

 

Maryland

City of Bowie: Community Charrette on Pedestrian Trail Feasibility to the Bowie MARC Station

Proposed alignment for pedestrian trail in Bowie

The City of Bowie applied to the TLC Program for technical assistance to study alignment options for a bicycle and pedestrian path connecting Old Town Bowie to the Bowie State MARC commuter rail station and Bowie State University. The City also asked the consultant to review the recently completed trail feasibility study for the railroad avenue corridor and other relevant issues facing trail connectivity in Bowie.

The consultant analyzed the several alignments for the trail and summarized the comparative advantages for each alignment. The consultant recommended one alternative alignment to the City Council, but it also provided detailed information about the possibility of implementing other alignments for the trail.

The proposed alternative connects the greatest number of residents to Old Town Bowie, the MARC Station at Bowie State University, and the WB&A Trail. The report details the next steps the city should take toward implementing the trail plan and pays special attention to the near term possibilities.

Please follow the link below to review the final report.

Recommendations for Proposed Railroad Avenue Hiker/Biker Trail

 

City of Frederick: Assessment of Pedestrian Crossing Options at East Street and Carroll Creek

Rendering of the East Street crossing at Carroll Creek

The City of Frederick was awarded TLC technical assistance to study the proposed pedestrian linkage across East Street at Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick. Carroll Creek is the focal point of a greenway park that runs through downtown Frederick. The city is currently working with MDOT on an extension of East Street which will make it the gateway to Frederick by 2009. The purpose of the grant was to create a safe crossing at East Street for pedestrians walking along the Carroll Creek.

The consultants recommended the construction of an at-grade crossing. This type of crossing will be the cheapest and most compatible with its surroundings without jeopardizing the safety of pedestrians. The consultants that an underpass structured much like the other pedestrian linkages along Carroll Creek would also be an attractive option, but it is cost prohibitive given the slope and grade of the East Street Bridge.

In order to determine the safety of an at-grade crossing, the consultants collected data on traffic volumes and speeds on East Street. On average, East Street carries 8,000 cars per day at 35 mph. Additionally, the consultants studied pedestrian and bicycle volumes along Carroll Creek and East Street. To this extent, the consultants identified strategies for ensuring the safety of pedestrians crossing East Street at grade. Among these strategies were refuge islands, pedestrian actuated signals, and different types of crosswalk textures and colors.

Please follow the link below to review the recommendations and final report.

East Street Pedestrian Crossing at Carroll Creek (3.3 MB)

 

City of Frederick / Frederick County: Fort Detrick Area Transit and Non-motorized Transportation Access Study

Location of Public Comments received on Access to Fort Detrick

The City Frederick and Frederick County applied jointly for technical assistance to assess multimodal access to the Fort Detrick area. Fort Detrick is one of the largest employers in the county and has many transportation impacts on the surrounding community. Through the TLC grant, the City and County are striving to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access to the Fort Detrick area.

The consultants identified problem areas for non-automotive users of the transportation network and developed a list of potential solutions. Some of the suggestions for improving the bicycle and pedestrian network were bike lanes/sharrows, encouraging crosswalks on all legs of an intersection, and more frequent pedestrian crossings of major roadways. As a part of the study, the consultant mapped the sites of accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians. Additionally, they identified gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including signalization issues and crossing opportunities. The consultant identified major generators of bicycle and pedestrian trips and future developments likely to influence those types of trips.

Public input played a large role in the project. The consultant set up a website where citizens could pinpoint problem areas on a map and describe the issues. Additionally, a public meeting was held which yielded much feedback on the recommendations the consultant developed for improving bicycle, pedestrian, and transit access to Fort Detrick.

The City of Frederick has accepted the documents received to date and are assessing the feasibility. The City will move forward with the implementation of many of the consultant recommendations as well as the public comments.

Please follow the links below to review the consultant recommendations, consultant presentation, and specific public comments.

Summary of Work Products and Recommendations

Consultant Presentation at June 28, 2008, Public Meeting (4.2 MB)

Solutions Toolbox for Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements

The following images show locations where public comments were registered. The consultant has included recommendations to address many of these concerns (For optimal quality, download the graphic before viewing).

7th Street Comments, Military Road Comments, Opossumtown Road North Comments, Opossumtown Road South Comments, Rosemont Avenue North Comments, Rosemont Avenue Central Comments, Rosemont Avenue South Comments

 

City of Greenbelt: Maximizing Transit Opportunities in Greenbelt

Entrance to Greenbelt Metrorail Station

The City of Greenbelt requested consultant services to assess existing transit options and future transit opportunities in Greenbelt and make recommendations to ensure maximum use and efficiency of transit. The Greenbelt environs are currently served by multiple bus transit providers, with the Greenbelt Metrorail station as a hub for bus service. This project was based on the premise that better and more efficient bus service could be provided to Greenbelt residents and visitors through analysis of current service gaps and overlaps, identification of changing community needs in access to destinations, and better coordination between transit providers.

The consultants presented an overview of existing bus service along with considerations for future planning at a community workshop held on July 9, 2008 at the Greenbelt Community Center. As part of the workshop, community members gathered in small groups to discuss ideas for potential improvements to bus service, and heard from a WMATA bus planner about the process for funding and implementing changes to bus service. Several members of the Greenbelt City Council were in attendance, and the workshop and the resulting report (see link below) should assist city planners and elected officials in working with Prince George's County to plot a course for future transit service in Greenbelt.

Please follow the link below to review the final report.

Maximizing Transit Opportunities: Greenbelt, Maryland (2 MB)

 

Montgomery County / Bethesda Urban Partnership: Recommendations for the Bethesda Circulator

The Bethesda Urban Partnership, through Montgomery County, applied for TLC technical assistance to evaluate the existing operations of the Bethesda Circulator, survey existing and potential Circulator riders, and develop recommendations for changes to the route, hours of service, stop amenities, and marketing of the route.

The Circulator was found to be relatively similar to other downtown circulator buses, with just over 30 riders per revenue hour. Ridership is lower than for larger systems and the riders appear to be older than the average population because the route itself is compact enough to be walked in 10-15 minutes. Funding for ongoing operations and future expansion could come from the use of developer contributions to the Amenity Fund or resulting from traffic impact studies and on-board advertising could provide limited funds. The on-board and online surveys conducted by the consultant found broad satisfaction with the existing Circulator service, but a strong interest in expansion of the route, daytime service on Saturdays, and more consistent headways.

The report recommends that that the existing Circulator route be expanded to include an area on the east side of Wisconsin Avenue while considering future expansion to Battery Lane and Bradley Boulevard.

Please follow the link below to review the final report.

Bethesda Circulator (4 MB)

 

Prince George's County: Identification of Appropriate TOD Strategies for the Landover Metro Station Area

Entrance to Greenbelt Metrorail Station

The Prince George’s County Parks and M-NCPPC submitted an application to the TLC technical assistance program for aid in the formulation of strategies to guide future development of the area surrounding the Landover Metro Station. The consultant’s vision for the Landover Metro Station area focused on developing a Main Street Corridor, surrounded by a supporting street hierarchy and appropriate development patterns.

In developing a station area concept plan for the Landover Metro Station, the consultant reviewed several local examples of successful station area development: Alexandria, Bethesda, King Farm, and Silver Spring.

The consultant developed ten goals for development around the Landover Metro Station. These goals include creating a sense of arrival through a Station Square adjacent to the Metro Station, defined with retail at street level. Another goal focused on developing a Main Street that connects with the Station Square and Metro Station so that they are highly visible when arriving by Metro. The consultant suggested that the area contain a variety of housing types for a range of incomes, such as apartments, townhomes, and single family detached homes. The consultant also suggested the goal of providing streetscape improvements that are friendly to pedestrians, including lamp posts, street trees, and minimal curb cuts.

Please follow the link below to review the final report document and presentation.

Landover Metro Station Area - Poster (3.2 MB)

Landover Metro Station Area - Presentation (2.2 MB)

 

Prince George's County: Recommendations for "Complete Streets" in the Prince George's Plaza Transit District

The Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Planning Office in Prince George’s County applied to the TLC Program for technical assistance to develop a plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle conditions in the Prince George’s Plaza Transit District. The project brought multiple stakeholders together to review recommendations that would best implement the concept of “complete urban streets” in a multimodal manner.

Prince George's Plaza

The consultant identified the accommodations needed for bicyclists and pedestrians, proposed new facilities for bicycles and pedestrians, identified gaps in the existing pedestrian and bicycle network, and outlined potential retrofit opportunities to address these needs. The consultant proposed upgrades to an area built for the automobile but which is seeing a renaissance of bicycle and pedestrian use with the construction of new dense, mixed use development.

The report outlines a list of upgrades with cost and ease of implementation. The consultant cited examples of different traffic calming tools used around the nation and identified locations in the Transit District where they could be easily implemented. The consultant recommended improving pedestrian safety at the intersection of East-West Highway and Belcrest Road by reducing turning radii for cars and installing expanded pedestrian islands. To improve access from the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station and pedestrian bridge, the consultant also proposed reconfiguring the parking spaces in the Mall parking lot to create a diagonal sidewalk linking pedestrians to University Town Center and the offices at the Prince George’s Metro Center.

Please follow the links below to review the final report, accompanying graphics and presentation materials.

Prince George's Plaza Metro Area Study

Prince George's Plaza Metro Area Study, Figure 3

Prince George's Plaza Positive Attributes (2 MB)

Prince George's Plaza Problem Areas (4.1 MB)

Prince George's Plaza Consultant Presentations (1.6 MB)

 

Virginia

Arlington County: Parking Management Plans - Process Improvements for Parking in New Development

Arlington County applied for technical assistance through the Transportation/ Land-Use Connections Program to review the parking management process of the County’s site plan approval process. The consultant conducted a review of the approval process for garage facilities in new developments, and the development and approval of Parking Management Plans (PMP) — a required condition of the County’s current Site Plan review process.

The consultant held several focus groups with staff from multiple County departments as well as the development community. The consultant also completed a peer review of the parking management process in Portland, Oregon. Based on the findings from these activities, the consultant concluded that the County needed to amend several aspects of the parking review process, including timing of the PMP development and approval, the approval process, and the role of the County Parking Manager.

Following the analysis of the above findings, developed a set of recommendations to improve the Arlington County Parking Management Plan Process. The recommendations included adding requirements to the Site Plan Submittal process. A number of details related to parking garage management and functionality could be provided at this early stage of the Site Plan process, indicating that the developer has begun addressing key issues. The consultant also suggested requiring the County Parking Manager approve all PMPs, formalizing an expanded role for the County Parking Manager within the Site Plan process. The consultant recommended adding options for flexible parking standards within the PMP, including fees payment, added Transportation Demand Management conditions, or the swapping of standard spaced for public spaces, or those reserved for carpools or bicycles.

Please follow the link below to review the final report.

Parking Management Plans: Review Process for Site Plan Buildings

 

Prince William County: Transportation and Land-Use Strategies for the Yorkshire Corridor

Current conditions on Route 28 in the Yorkshire Community of Prince William County

Prince William County is trying to develop new walkable, mixed-use nodes in several communities throughout the county. To this end, the County has created an overlay zoning category called “Community Center” zoning. At the same time, the County is trying to integrate mass transit into these areas to reduce dependence on the automobile. This plan is not without challenges and Prince William County applied to the TLC program for a grant to develop a toolkit for addressing these issues. This toolkit was developed using the Yorkshire community along Route 28 in the central portion of the County as a case study. The image at right demonstrates current conditions along Route 28 in Yorkshire.

The report devotes considerable effort to the study of existing conditions, including land-use and transportation systems in the Yorkshire area. The report also reviews the context of the area as a part of the larger Washington region and gives a brief history of its development as a typical post-war commercial corridor. The report goes on to note the policy framework and market conditions which Yorkshire is likely to face into the future.

The report lists strategies for revitalizing the Yorkshire area and creates a toolkit for this and other communities in the County. Some of the potential strategies include: redesigning roadways, improving transit access, creating streetscape standards, and redevelopment of spot locations in each corridor to serve as a catalyst for further redevelopment.

Please follow the link below to review the final report.

Yorkshire Revitalization Strategy: Creating a Mixed-Use Center of Community

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VDOT Multimodal Grant Program Projects

Following the completion of the TLC's pilot phase in July of 2007, the TPB in September 2007 received a grant through the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Multimodal Grant Program to fund five additional technical assistance projects in Virginia:

The TPB received applications for these five projects during the TLC Program’s pilot phase, but they could not be pursued at that time due to funding constraints. The TPB is pleased to have the opportunity to implement these projects through the VDOT Multimodal Grant Program.

City of Alexandria: A Review of the Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Program

The City of Alexandria requested consultant services to review their Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Program, which was designed to increase multimodal transportation use around dense development. The consultant reviewed best practices on TMP programs around the country, including the Arlington County Site Plan Review Process. Additionally, the consultant interviewed staff, stakeholders, and residents involved in different aspects of the TMP Program. These interviews helped the consultants develop recommendations that met the different needs of those involved in the TMP program.

The consultant provided the City with recommendations for improving the policy framework and implementation of the TMP Program. Recommendations include policy goals and objectives to include reduced VMT and the many benefits tied to the current official goal of reducing VMT and peak congestion conditions. The consultant also recommended a new process for structuring the TMP program and encouraged the City to facilitate TMP consolidation by offering various TMP models and options to better fit the variety of affected developments. The consultant recommended that the City shift from its current focus on program processes (setting funding levels, ensuring compliance with surveying and investment requirements at each TMP) to mandating outcomes (setting broad performance targets on the District/TMA level).

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

City of Alexandria Transportation Management Plan Special Use Permit Program Review

 

Fairfax County: A Review of Rezoning Cases to Compare Projected and Actual Transportation Impacts

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation applied to the TLC Program for technical assistance to assess the accuracy of projected transportation impacts caused by new developments in the county. The consultant compared projected traffic rates and volumes from before the construction of the development with measurements taken on-site after completion of the development.

The consultant reviewed three developments in Fairfax County: Marlo Chantilly, JPI at Edsall and I-395, and Springfield Metro Center. These case studies looked at the number of proposed units, number of constructed units, square footage of retail (proposed and constructed), and the trips generated during a peak travel period.

The consultant suggested alternative trip generation prediction methods for future developments containing retail. Residential trip generation rates were found to be accurate; however, trip reduction factors for transit and HOV modes will need to be made on a case by case basis. The study found that the estimates for level of service (LOS) for vehicles at off-site intersections proved to be accurate. The report also recommended that HOV and transit trip reduction factors be applied based on site-specific locations.

Please follow the link below to review the final report for this project.

A Look Back at Rezoning Cases to Compare Projected and Actual Transportation Impacts

 

City of Falls Church: South Washington Street Corridor Planning

South Washington StreetThe City of Falls Church applied for technical assistance to study potential improvements that will facilitate the transformation of South Washington Street into a walkable, mixed-use corridor. The study reviewed ways to improve the pedestrian experience along Washington Street as a major component of increasing livability and encouraging desired land-use changes.

The consultant created a report listing the impediments to pedestrian mobility in the corridor and recommended a series of potential improvements to Washington Street. Based on the city’s Long Term Vision, the report outlines short- and long-term objectives which can be achieved as steps to fulfilling the Vision. These recommendations include potential new traffic signal locations, intersection realignments, and other forms of traffic calming.

The consultant highlighted one problem spot along the corridor at the intersection of Washington Street and Maple Street. The intersection’s oblique angle exposes pedestrians and encourages drivers to travel through the intersection without slowing. The proposed fix involves creating a different orientation for the intersection and closing the eastbound approach.

The report includes cost estimates and a general timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations. The policies and physical changes that are proposed in the report should help further Falls Church’s vision, notably its objective to make the city “built on a human scale.”

Please follow the link below to review the final report and short- and long-term recommendations for this project:

City of Falls Church South Washington Street Corridor Study (3 MB)

Long-Term Recommendations

Short Term Recommendations ( One / Two )

 

Loudoun County / Town of Leesburg: Leesburg-Dulles Greenway Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study

LeesburgThe Town of Leesburg applied to the TLC Program for technical assistance to study the concept of constructing bus rapid transit (BRT) to connect the town to the end of the proposed Washington Metro Silver Line. The Silver Line will run from Downtown Washington to Dulles International Airport and southern Loudoun County. The study reviewed land-use, traffic patterns, and existing transit use to determine potential alignments and station locations within the corridor.

The study considered the feasibility of constructing the BRT line to Leesburg and provides an introduction into the issues facing this corridor. The report addresses certain issues which may be a barrier to project feasibility as well as assets along the corridor that support this type of transit project. The report also reviews case studies in the region, including Richmond Highway Express (REX) and the proposed Potomac Yards BRT. In these examples, the report describes the flexibility of BRT to work in different situations and contexts.

The report includes maps with potential station locations and adjacent land uses. It also discusses possible alignments and operating patterns, as well as different potential approaches to facilitating transit movement through the corridor. The consultant analyzed potential operating costs and capital expenditures required to make the project a reality. In conclusion, the consultant found that the Leesburg BRT is a feasible option along the Dulles Greenway Corridor for the future.

Please follow the link below to review the final report for this project:

Town of Leesburg: Leesburg - Dulles Greenway BRT Feasibility (5.3 MB)

 

City of Manassas Park: City Core Planning and Development: Strategic Action Plan Near the VRE Rail Station

The City of Manassas Park applied for technical assistance to create a vision for a livable, walkable, mixed-use city center focused on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) mass transit systems. Manassas Park City Core Planning: Three Development PrinciplesThe city wanted to integrate mixed-use, transit-oriented development into their planning efforts, but as a small jurisdiction with limited resources, planning a livable community stretched their abilities.

The consultant focused on three development principles in the vision for Manassas Park: corridor, town center, and node.

The consultant offered ten “main street” corridor recommendations for Manassas Drive, including consistency of street trees, increased sidewalk widths, curb cuts dimensions, and suggested building setback requirements. Each of these recommendations accommodates vehicular transportation, while creating a pedestrian-friendly environment and a sense of place.

The town center development principle focuses on development around Park Center and the Manassas Park City Hall. The consultant proposed creating a grid network of streets to enhance pedestrian activity and movement, as well as maximize the use of land in proximity to the Manassas Park VRE Station.

The consultant recommended creating “nodes” at key intersections: Manassas Drive and Centreville Road (Route 28), Manassas Drive and Euclid Street, and Manassas Drive and Signal View Road. The eastern and western nodes will serve as gateways to Manassas Park. The central node at Euclid Street would serve to compliment the “main street” corridor recommendation above. Nodes draw pedestrian activity and provide an active community gathering place.

Please follow the links below to review the consultant presentation and final vision for this project:

City of Manassas Park Consultant Presentation: Traditional Neighborhood Design Principles

City of Manassas Park Strategic Action Plan

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FY 2007 Pilot Phase

The TPB approved 5 location-specific projects to be funded as part of the pilot TLC Technical Assistance Program, as well as an additional public presentation project intended to have region-wide application. These projects dealt with a number of issues, such as pedestrian safety, urban roadway design standards, traffic flow near transit stations and forthcoming changes under the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closures) program. The completed projects include the following:

District of Columbia


Potomac Avenue Metro Station Revitalization Strategy

Potomac Avenue Metro Station Area ScopingThe District of Columbia applied through the Office of Planning for technical assistance in developing a scope of work for a Neighborhood Plan that will build on previous planning efforts around the Potomac Avenue Metro Station. This scope of work combines agency stakeholder and public input in setting realistic goals and objectives for future planning efforts in this neighborhood. This scope of work builds upon previous efforts from a Community Charrette that was part of the 2004 American Planning Association’s Convention in Washington, DC. They addressed pedestrian and transit enhancements, as well as improvements to the public space surrounding the station and along Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, and Potomac Avenue, SE. This project will address infill development in an urban environment, particularly with respect to the revitalization of public space surrounding the station. It is believed that the pedestrian experience will be enhanced, which will in turn attract commercial development to the area.

May 15, 2007: the Kickoff Meeting was held to review existing and pending plans and projects for this area. Representatives from the Office of Planning (OP); the District Department of Transportation (DDOT); the selected consultant, ICF International; and TPB staff participated in this meeting.

May 24, 2007: a meeting with agency stakeholders was conducted to identify key projects and investments in the study area for each participating agencies. Present at this meeting were representatives from the OP, DDOT, the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), the National Park Service (NPS), the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC), and staff from ICF and TPB. The consultant team narrowed the discussion and scope of the study to four key issues

  • Economic development that is both tailored to the needs of existing residents and destination-oriented;
  • Identification of under-utilized sites and potential for future availability of these sites, and the determination of neighborhood appropriate uses for the sites;
  • Increasing recreational uses within the neighborhood; and
  • The improvement of way-finding throughout the neighborhood.

June 18, 2007: a public meeting was held to present the study objectives to interested community stakeholders and gain their feedback on the issues identified by agency representatives, as well as listen to community concerns about other issues in the study area. The challenges identified by the community were incorporated into the scope of work developed by the consultant.

One of the major benefits of the Potomac Avenue Metro Station scoping process was to convene community and agency stakeholders to discuss challenges around the study area, and current and planned initiatives. This input will provide the Office of Planning with a stable platform upon which to further the Revitalization Strategy developed through this scoping process.

Please follow the link below to review the scope of work developed for this project:

Potomac Avenue Revitalization Strategy: Draft Statement of Work

 

Maryland


Montgomery / Prince George's Counties: Takoma/Langley Crossroads Pedestrian Access and Mobiilty Study

This study was a joint effort between Montgomery and Prince George's CountiesMontgomery / Prince George's Counties, Langley Park / Takoma Park Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Study, implemented through the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). M-NCPPC staff identified the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650) and University Boulevard (MD 193) as a high pedestrian fatality area in the most diverse community in both Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The study, which was developed in consultation with stakeholders from the communities, cities, counties and state, presents findings and recommendations that enhance pedestrian safety and mobility patterns in the context of the future Purple Line transit station at the intersection. The study will support planning efforts for the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Sector Plan. The goal of the Crossroads Plan is to produce a joint bi-county plan that will enhance the unique character of this diverse, multi-cultural community and implement both counties’ existing General Plan recommendations for mixed-use, pedestrian- and transit-oriented development opportunities in support of a proposed Purple Line transit station. 

May 8, 2007: M-NCPPC hosted an informational meeting on May 8, 2007, to discuss the scope of the study, identify key agency stakeholders, and develop a schedule for study completion. Attendees included representatives from MDOT, MTA, SHA, M-NCPPC Prince George’s County, M-NCPPC Montgomery County, the City of Takoma Park, the consultants, and TPB staff.

May 21, 2007: The Kickoff Meeting was held on May 21, 2007, and included representation from all the key local and state stakeholder agencies. They discussed improvements that the state is currently planning or constructing, and opportunities for short- and long-term improvements that might be recommended within the context of the upcoming sector plan and the future Purple Line transit facility.

June 19, 2007: The project’s final presentation was held on June 19, 2007. Representatives from Toole provided a brief overview of the pedestrian conditions around the intersection of MD 193 and MD 650. They reviewed potential short-, mid-, and long-term educational programs and infrastructural improvements that could improve pedestrian and bicycle safety within and around this intersection. Representatives from MDOT, MTA, SHA, M-NCPPC Prince George’s County, M-NCPPC Montgomery County, and the City of Takoma Park commented on the consultant recommendations. Staff from M-NCPPC briefed those present on the future of the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Sector Plan.

The final report contains an examination of existing pedestrian facilities, gaps in service for pedestrians, proposed short- and long-term pedestrian improvements that take into consideration the proposed Purple Line Metrorail Station, and general recommendations that will serve to inform the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Sector Plan. An important outcome of this planning effort was to convene stakeholders from agencies involved with operations and planning around this intersection. The dialogue that contributed to the final report will inform planning efforts as the Sector Plan moves forward. This project is representative of inner suburban challenges in a diverse area and the results serve to inform other jurisdictions challenged by similar issues.

Please follow the link below to review the study developed for this project:

Takoma/Langley Crossroads Pedestrian Access and Mobility Study


St. Charles Urbanized Area / Charles County: Development of Urban Roads Standards

Charles County requested technical assistance for the development of urban roads standards for the Bryans Road Town Center and the Waldorf Sub-Area in the St. Charles Urbanized Area. The County vision for these communities includes denser, walkable communities with a mix of residential, commercial, and community amenities. The missing link in the transformation for these areas was the creation of a complete urban road network that increases connectivity for motorists, integrates transit, and is accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. The County’s current road standards do not allow the flexibility to implement the type of road and streetscape design needed to transform these areas into compact, pedestrian-friendly areas. This technical assistance provided County staff with functional and thoroughfare type classifications for both existing and proposed roads in the St. Charles Urbanized Area according to context-sensitive design principles.

May 9, 2007: the initial project meeting was held at the Charles County Government Center. Present at this meeting were County staff from the facilities, public works, transportation, and planning offices, VHB staff and TPB staff. Discussion at this meeting focused on general roadway classifications and design standards currently included in the County’s road standards. County staff discussed the need to balance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists with the movements of emergency service vehicles and capacity on MD 301 in Waldorf.

May 30, 2007: a second meeting was held between Charles County staff and VHB staff to review examples of design standards and functional classifications that VHB collected for County staff.

June 28, 2007: at the final meeting, County staff and VHB reviewed the urban development classifications table developed by the consultants. The roadway designs and standards for the sub-areas include one-way streets and urban minor arterial roads, both with on-street parking; urban major arterial roads; and several examples of enhanced bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. These classifications will be incorporated into the County Road Ordinance and Design Specifications materials. These additional classifications are crucial to the implementation of the urban development zone created in the County Zoning Ordinance.

St. Charles Urbanized Area, Development of Urban Roads Standards

The technical assistance for the Charles County project produced an urban roadway classifications table and intersection plan figures that will be applied to future development in the recently rezoned urban districts of the St. Charles Urbanized Area. The consultant drew from existing examples of model developments in other jurisdictions in the region; a mixed-use development in Arlington is pictured at right, demonstrating the successful implementation of the types of standards Charles County hopes to incorporate in the St. Charles Urbanized Area.
The consultant saw the value in reviewing successful classifications in neighboring jurisdictions to which County staff could relate. This project serves as an example for other outer jurisdictions wishing to promote similar development in their communities.

Please follow the links below to review the urban roadway classifications and plan figures developed for this project:

Project Summary

Summary of Design Criteria - Designated Urban Areas

Intersection Plan Figures

 


Virginia


Fairfax County: Automobile "Levels of Service" in Transit Station Areas

Fairfax County, Levels of Service around Transit Oriented Development

 

 

 

 

Fairfax County recently amended its Comprehensive Plan to incorporate a locally recognized definition of transit-oriented development, which is to be a key component of the County’s growth management strategy. One of the issues that was to be addressed in that strategy is the acceptable level of vehicular congestion within and around transit station areas. The existing County policy describes qualitatively how different modes of transportation should perform in a transit station area, but the challenge is to develop a mechanism to implement this policy guidance. This project investigated how this particular issue has been addressed by other jurisdictions around the country and this region, and based on the available literature and best practices how to define how vehicular congestion should be addressed within and adjacent to transit-oriented development.

A project initiation meeting between the consultant team, TPB staff, and Fairfax County transportation and land use planning staff was held at the Fairfax County Government Center on May 4, 2007, at which the direction of research and end product development was further defined.

The consultant conducted a review of best practices in the areas of transit-oriented development and multimodal level of service, addressing these key questions:

  • What qualitative and quantitative performance/service measures are being used for various modes?
  • What are the proper standards or levels of service for each mode for planning purposes?
  • How do these standards differ for different contexts or station areas?
  • Are there multimodal approaches that combine these measures for planning purposes that permit examination of tradeoffs in service levels between modes?
  • How are these measures and approaches used in the planning process?

The consultant developed recommendations for an approach for Fairfax County in the form of a technical report, including proposed options for level of service standards for vehicular traffic on various facilities within transit station environments in the County. This report can serve as an example and rich resource for other communities that are attempting to balance vehicular movements with transit and pedestrian access.

Please follow the link below to review the report developed for this project:

Automobile Level of Service in Transit Station Areas: A Survey of Current Practice


Prince William County: Scoping Assistance - Impacts of BRAC on the Potomac Communities

Prince William County, Scoping assistance to address BRAC ImpactsPrince William County applied for scoping assistance for a federally-funded planning study to evaluate and address land use and transportation impacts of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision in the county’s Potomac Communities area, which is located between the Marine Corps Base at Quantico and Fort Belvoir. Both installations will experience a significant increase in staff as a result of BRAC. Assistance from the TLC Program was used to examine issues such as which commuter corridors should be studied, where land use changes might be most effective, and how additional transportation alternatives should be incorporated into the Potomac Communities. Ideally, the federally-funded study will provide recommendations for the update of the Potomac Communities Revitalization Plan and changes in land use and transportation in this area to accommodate increased traffic from BRAC implementation.

The Kickoff Meeting was held on May 15, 2007, and was attended by Prince William County staff, representatives from ATCS, and TPB staff. County staff reviewed the consultant proposal and described current and anticipated future conditions with the Potomac Communities.

A second meeting was held on June 14, 2007, to discuss a draft outline for the scope of work. Staff from ATCS, Prince William County and the TPB participated in this meeting. County staff emphasized the need for the scope of work to discuss three scenarios: the present state of transportation and land-use in the Potomac Communities, the present state of transportation and land-use in the Potomac Communities with the anticipated BRAC changes, and recommended improvements to transportation and land-use that accommodated BRAC changes in the Potomac Communities. County staff also discussed the hierarchy of study areas that need to be incorporated in the scope of work, namely the broad area between Fort Belvoir and Quantico, each of the Potomac Communities, and sub-areas of the broad study area with attention to connections and gaps between these areas.

The scope of work developed for Prince William County will assist the County in applying for federal funding and soliciting proposals from consultants to conduct an inclusive, thorough study of potential transportation and land-use impacts from the BRAC decision. The main issues highlighted in the scope of work demonstrate the need to balance future growth with transportation improvements that build upon existing infrastructure and services. Several other jurisdictions applied for technical assistance under the TLC program to mitigate potential land use and transportation impacts from BRAC. The collaborative efforts of the consultants and Prince William County staff provide a comprehensive outline of issues jurisdictions should include in applications for federal assistance to study the sudden increase in commuters their communities may experience as a result of the BRAC decision.

Please follow the link below to review the scope of work developed for this project. Note: This document does not constitute an official Request For Proposals by Prince William County. It is a scoping document that may serve as the basis for a potential future Request For Proposals.

Scope of Work: Impacts of BRAC on the Potomac Communities

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