HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 - Transportation Board - Annual ReportGary Thomas, Chair
Transportation Board
2010 Annual Report
The goal of the Transportation Board is to promote the implementation of a balanced
transportation system that is consistent with the City environmental goals and provides choice,
mobility, access, congestion mitigation and safety for all people while achieving:
1. Efficient and Effective movement of people and goods throughout the community;
2. A reduction in the rate of Vehicle Miles Traveled growth to equal the rate of population
growth; and
3. Enhanced mobility through emphasis of modal shifts.
During 2010 the Transportation Board met on 12 regularly scheduled occasions plus two special
sessions. The following topics were addressed:
Additional funding for all aspects of transportation: After several years of raising alarm over the
implications of underfunding the transportation infrastructure (streets and bridges in particular,
but equipment and transit as well) the T-Board welcomed and supported the tax initiative that
became known as Issue 2B. Several recommendations were made to City Council leading up to
the historic vote to increase the sales tax rate, and a final recommendation was submitted relative
to where to apply the new funds in the new two year budget and beyond.
Plan Fort Collins: As the City began its rework of the City Plan, Transportation Plan, Streets
Plan, and Pedestrian Plan, the Transportation Board had several occasions, including one special
session, to provide feedback and comments to the planning staff as the various plans progressed
through the processes. (The Transit Strategic Plan was completed last year and not under review
this time.)
Expansion in the number and design of enhanced travel corridors and the emergence of
context sensitive design of streets are among the new approaches under consideration.
Street designs that allow for downsizing of the projected size of the roadway were also
under consideration.
Budgeting For Outcomes: Prior to the passage of Issue 2B the City had to prepare a balanced
budget that met the requirements of the City Charter. The T-Board had several discussions,
including one special meeting, to review and comment on the development of the BFO offers for
transportation. Cuts in staffing, transit services, and on-going shortfalls in maintenance were all
headed off by the passage of the 2B tax increase.
Traffic Operations: New approaches to traffic signal operations have been implemented and the
Transportation Board toured and held one of its meetings at the Traffic Operations Center.
Sequencing lights to allow major roadway traffic to flow without interruption is complicated by
the number and spacing of side road access. Also, new striping plans for Laurel and LaPorte
streets were reviewed.
Bicycle Advisory Committee: The Bicycle Advisory Committee continued its work as a sub-
committee of the Transportation Board. That committee continued to refine its focus and
develop its voice as an advocate for bicycle transportation and in particular improving bicycle
safety. It also addressed topical areas such as safe routes to schools and possible introduction of
electric bicycles on trails and provided comments on the city budget.
Periodic Report to City Council: 2010 was the year for the T-Board to have its five-year review
with City Council at a work session. The session was mostly dedicated to a discussion the
overall transportation situation of the City itself with the workings of the board deemed
satisfactory.
Miscellaneous topics: In addition to the major topics above, the Transportation Board members,
supporting staff and occasionally members of the public brought a number of issues before the
board for discussion and comment. Among the topics and events included:
• Air quality plan;
• snow and ice removal;
• expansion of the Safe Routes to School program;
• intersection priority process;
• alternative vehicles including electric bikes on trails;
• streetcar operations (including a ride on the historic Car 21 on Mountain Avenue prior to
its axle break down);
• development of the Mason Corridor Bus Rapid Transit system including station design
considerations;
• the North College street funding plan;
• potential vehicle share programs;
• the Fort Collins to Longmont (FLEX) bus route;
• new pedestrian crossing signals;
• the Envision Northern Colorado regional planning work;
• the Transportation Demand Model and the Travel Demand Survey of the North Front
Range MPO;
• the CDOT I-25 Environmental Impact Study with its call for rail transportation sometime
in its 76 year time horizon;
• proposals to complete the Redwood road connection in North Fort Collins;
• downtown way finding;
• parking in bus zones;
• state tax initiatives 60/61/101;
• Harmony Road and College Avenue intersection reconstruction.
As in the past, the Transportation Board was very ably supported by Mark Jackson and Polly
Bennett of the Planning, Development and Transportation department. Their professionalism
and knowledge were of great value to the deliberations of the Board.