Transportation

With growing population throughout the Thomas Jefferson Planning District, and decreasing funding, it is becoming increasingly important to make smarter choices about our transportation options. The ideal options will provide a balanced transportation system integrating all travel modes and complementing environmental, economic, and community development goals.

Long Range Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan

As the region’s designated TDM agency, RideShare is responsible for TDM planning and works to incorporate TDM into regional planning as a voting member on urban and rural transportation committees. Beginning in 2009, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) requires all agencies receiving TDM grant funds to prepare and submit a Long-Range TDM Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to identify and detail the TDM programs currently provided in the region, to outline potential improvements to be carried out in the Plan’s timeframe, and to illustrate the financial resources necessary to implement these programs and improvements. It establishes the scope and benefits of RideShare’s programs and provides information for DRPT to incorporate RideShare’s TDM plans into the State’s overall TDM plans, funding decisions, and programs. Click here to view the latest draft of the plan.

Berkmar Drive Study Completed

TJPDC has completed the Berkmar Drive Extension Study. Various transportation improvements and additional land development was examined for horizon year 2035 by evaluating corridor performances and regional impacts. The analysis shows traffic conditions on US 29 can be greatly improved by increasing the roadway’s capacity or extending Berkmar Drive as a parallel route. The report finds that a combination of US 29 widening to six lanes and the Berkmar Drive Extension will provide the greatest benefit to US 29 and the region. A cost/ benefit analysis included in the report found the alternative with all proposed improvements included except the new Berkmar Bridge across Rivanna River is the most cost-effective strategy while balancing local and regional transportation improvements. Other findings show Berkmar Drive extended will maintain acceptable LOS and parallel roads will be significantly improved by proposed improvements through 2035.

The City and County have approved the final draft and are collaborating with TJPDC to make final improvement decisions based on findings of the study. To review the final report please click here.

CHART Begins Public Participation Initiative

The CHART Citizen Advisory Committee has begun an initiative to improve how the public participates in transportation planning. The Committee crafted a presentation that will be given to various organizations within the Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO. The goal being that the CHART Committee and the MPO can help inform members of the public on transportation issues and then solicit comment from the public regarding regional transportation concerns. The presentation is accessible here. For questions or more information, contact Sarah Eissler by email at seissler@tjpdc.org or by phone at 434-979-7310 x360.

MPO Unified Planning and Work Program Approved

The MPO Policy Board approved the FY11 Unified Planning and Work Program on May 26th 2010 at the MPO Policy Board meeting. The FY11 UPWP outlines the plan project spending for the MPO over the next fiscal year. To review the final UPWP document please click here.

TIP Amendment Approved

On November 23, 2009, the Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board approved an amendment to the FY09 to FY12 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This amendment allows for the inclusion of second round stimulus funds. These funds are specifically allocated local transit organizations, Charlottesville Transit Service(CTS) and JAUNT, and will be used for Capital Improvements. If you have any questions regarding this TIP amendment. Click here to view the signed resolution. Please contact Sarah Eissler by phone at (434) 979-7310 ext. 360 or by email at seissler@tjpdc.org.

RideShare Launches Expansion into Shenandoah Valley

The RideShare program recently expanded to cover the Central Shenandoah Planning District, which includes the five counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro. “RideShare has offered carpool matching to those commuting into or out of the Charlottesville region since the ‘80s,” says RideShare Program Manager, Lisa Horanyi. “We already have RideShare carpools going from Waynesboro to Charlottesville. Now those commuting to areas like Harrisonburg can find a carpool match as well.”  The expanded service was launched during the 6th Annual RideShare Week, October 12-16. For more information, contact Lisa Horanyi at lhoranyi@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7210 x330.

Greene County Multimodal Corridor Study Completed

The Renaissance Planning Group has completed the “Multimodal Corridor Study for the US 29 and US 33 Development Areas in Greene County”. The study was funded through a Multimodal Planning Grant awarded by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to the TJPDC and was timed to coincide with the updating of the Greene County Comprehensive Plan. Renaissance is the consultant to the TJPDC for the project, which includes multimodal transportation solutions, land use strategies, and an implementation plan specific to Greene County, while addressing regional travel needs on the US29 and US33 corridors.  The Study was presented to the Greene County Board of Supervisors on August 25. It has provided valuable information to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors as they complete the update to the Comprehensive Plan.The full Study is available online here. For questions or more information, contact Bill Wanner at 434-979-7310 x390.

Downtown Trail Project

The City of Charlottesville Neighborhood Development Services Office and the Albemarle County Office of Community Development have asked TJPDC staff to examine possible locations for a commuter bicycle route along Route 29 North. In the long term it is hoped that this commuter bike trail extends from the UVA Research Park to Downtown Charlottesville and, eventually, to UVA. This commuter “trail” is intended to promote multimodal transportation options along the often congestion corridor. TJPDC staff is researching what facilities exist, are being constructed in the near future, and are planned for the long term. The Downtown Trail Steering Committee, which is made up of representatives from the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and VDOT, will guide work on this project, whose overall goal is to create a non-vehicular transportation link between the residential and employment centers of the City and County. The existing Downtown Trail hopefully will serve as the backbone for a more complete bicycling network in urban area localities of the region. For additional information, contact Sarah Eissler at seissler@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 x360.

Second Edition Toolkit Now Available

The Second Edition of the Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) Toolkit is now available and ready for use. The Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) is a statewide initiative in Virginia linking public and private efforts in the areas of housing and transportation. The Toolkit was produced through a grant awarded to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD). VBPD recognized the important role of Planning District Commissions in developing and using this Toolkit.

The purpose of the Toolkit is to create plans that lead to livable communities for all citizens. The Toolkit provides approaches to assess current housing and transportation needs, project future needs, and identify overlapping issues and opportunities. To learn more, please visit our THA Toolkit Page.

Transportation Tomorrow Workshop Presentation now Available.

Early survey results from an FTA funded project were presented to the public at the Transportation Tomorrow workshop on May 21st. Data presented was taken from a random phone survey of 300 residents in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. The results will be combined with results from related surveys to create a Regional Transit Assessment Toolkit. The online survey portion of the project was open through May 31st at www.transportationtomorrow.com. Click here to view the presentation. For more information on this project, contact Lisa Horanyi at lhoranyi@tjpdc.org.

MPO Approves the FY10 United Planning and Work Program (UPWP) and the 2009-2011 Public Participation Policy (PPP)

The MPO Policy Board approved both documents at the April 22, 2009 meeting. The FY10 UPWP will take effect on July 1, 2009 and specifies the activities and funding streams for the MPO for the coming fiscal year. The PPP has been revised and is easier to reference. It will next be reviwed in 2011.
Click here to view the FY10 UPWP
Click here to view the 2009-2011 PPP

Achieving Goals

Achieving our goals involves the input of many community agencies and resources. Through various committees and partnerships, our community benefits from the careful planning and implementation of a balanced plan that includes roadway, bikeway, pedestrian, and transit projects. The transportation planning programs are funded and supported by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Association (FTA), and our member jurisdictions.

The TJPDC staff work alongside City, County, and State staff on a variety of projects that benefit our region. The TJPDC provides staff support and is active on the following committees: MPO Policy Board, MPO Technical, CHART Citizens, Rural Transportation, Bike and Walk, Park and Ride, Community Mobility, and Commuter Information Team. This opportunity allows the seamless coordination of comprehensive work plans that rely on regional cooperation.