|
A
Transit Network for NoVa
The
odds look good for the General Assembly to study
a rapid transit network covering Northern Virginia
to points as far flung as Winchester and
Fredericksburg.
A
ray of hope for transportation has emerged from
the first half of the General Assembly session. SB
122, introduced by Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Manassas,
would create a joint commission to study the
creation of a new rapid transit network in
Northern Virginia and possibly other parts of the
Commonwealth.
The
concept has bipartisan support in both the House
and the Senate, and the prospects for passage
appear reasonably good.
The
need for such a network is clear. Northern
Virginia is expected to attract 650,000 new jobs
and 918,000 new residents by 2030. We already have
the second-worst traffic congestion in the nation
and it will get worse, particularly in the
fast-growing areas like Prince William, Loudoun,
and Spotsylvania Counties. For example, by 2030,
congestion is projected to increase by nearly
six-fold in Northern Virginia’s outer suburbs,
far faster than any other part of the region.
Although
some expansion of roadway capacity will be
necessary, we are running out of space as well as
money. The federal highway trust fund is projected
to have a negative balance in the next few years,
and Virginia maintenance costs are likely to
consume much of the construction budget.
Our
best strategy is to promote alternatives to
driving wherever practical. The region has a huge,
untapped market for new transit trips. Accessing
this market will require investment in new
services as well as more transit-oriented land
uses.
A
new, regional rapid transit network (perhaps
called “TransNOVA”) is the key to unlocking
this market. It would connect existing and
emerging activity centers with high quality
transit, providing beleaguered commuters with new
options and promoting economic activity and
transit-oriented development. It would attract
jobs and residents to communities throughout the
region and, with the right land use policies in
place, would bring people and jobs closer
together.
TransNOVA
would benefit the entire region. It would extend
far beyond the current Metro service area, serving
communities like Fredericksburg, Warrenton,
Culpeper, Winchester, and Leesburg. It also would
serve communities closer to the urban core, such
as Fort Belvoir. At least 14 state Senate
districts, 28 Delegate districts, and 5
Congressional districts would benefit.
Using
technologies like bus rapid transit (BRT),
TransNOVA could be high quality, cost-effective,
and implemented quickly. Pilot BRT corridors could
be operating in 2-3 years, with substantial
investments added over time. In some corridors,
such as the Beltway and I-95/395, private sector
funding and toll revenues can be used to help pay
for the service.
TransNOVA
would complement existing systems. It would bring
people from near their homes directly to VRE and
Metrorail stations and, in some cases, to their
final destination.
Using
BRT, TransNOVA could provide a level and quality
of service, as well as an ability to attract
transit-oriented development, comparable to that
of rail transit. Over time, as ridership builds
and more funding becomes available, investments in
rail could be considered.
One
option to kick-start TransNOVA would be to build
upon existing bus services, perhaps by funding
upgrades such as advanced vehicles, dedicated
transitways, GPS, traffic signal prioritization,
and on-board Wifi internet access. The result
could be an exceptional service that reduces
dependence on foreign oil, eases congestion, cuts
carbon emissions, promotes transit-oriented
development, and provides new mobility options in
the event of a national emergency.
The
Commonwealth is uniquely positioned to study the
creation of a regional rapid transit network. The
potential service area goes far beyond the reach
of existing institutions such as the Northern
Virginia Transportation Authority. Moreover, the
service area includes multiple, largely autonomous
local public transit providers. The Commonwealth
is in the best position to encourage participation
by these operators.
Moreover,
the Commonwealth already has laid some of the
groundwork for TransNOVA. HB3202, enacted last
year, increased transit operating funds by roughly
42 percent, improved coordination between land use
and transportation planning, and required the
development of land use and transportation
performance goals. TransNOVA would build upon this
foundation and provide a focal point upon which to
achieve some of these goals.
TransNOVA
should be well positioned to compete for federal
funding. The federal New Starts program has become
extremely competitive, requiring proposals to be
more innovative and to show greater benefits than
previously required. To stay in the game,
communities are increasingly turning to BRT. There
are now more BRT proposals seeking federal funding
than heavy, light, or commuter rail projects.
TransNOVA
is an idea whose time has come. The General
Assembly has been truly forward-thinking in
considering legislation to study a new regional
rapid transit network. If the legislation reaches
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, I am optimistic that
he will sign it, and we can all celebrate an
important new transportation milestone.
--
February 11, 2008
|
