NVTC Completed Research
>>Two of NVTC's continuing goals are to
work closely with area transit providers to coordinate public transit in the region and to
support a coordinated regional effort to improve air quality, conserve energy, and
integrate land use and transportation. In order to further these goals, the commission
advocates innovations in transportation. From alternative fuels to an integrated regional
smartcard based fare system, NVTC is continuously looking for new solutions to improve the
transportation system in Northern Virginia. The following links provide opportunities for
transportation research related to NVTC's mission.
>NVTC Document > Archive
Bibliography of NVTC Studies (This links to a
complete list of studies). As we add the complete file for each study, they will
appear below in chronological order from newest to oldest.
>Note: Please keep in mind that many of these PDFs
are large files and may take a short time to open.
Please be patient.
-
>
Public Transit
Travel Instruction Program for Seniors
This research report describes the
planning, implementation and evaluation of a demonstration of public
transit travel training for seniors in Northern Virginia.
The Northern Virginia
Transportation Commission obtained grant funding from Virginia Department of
Transportation to test some of the findings of the commission’s
earlier study on senior
mobility (Phase I).
-
Project
Report- SmarTrip Regional Rollout, NVTC (February, 2007)
This
is an interim report on lessons learned from implementing smart
card technology as NVTC managed the acquisition of 484 new
fareboxes for Northern Virginia’s local bus systems.
The report was prepared at the request of the Federal
Transit Administration. It
contains a history of the project which dates to 1997.
Eventually over $6 million in state and federal grant funds
were obtained by NVTC. Among
the lessons from the complex project were: smaller transit systems
may not have the resources to operate a full-fledged, smart
card-based fare collection system without a larger, regional
partner; also, in a regional network total independence is
impossible and all must adhere to some common policies to ensure
that the regional system isn’t compromised.
-
Coordinating
Transportation Solutions in Northern Virginia- Best Practices and
Lessons Learned, NVTC (September, 2006)
In a PowerPoint
presentation to a visiting delegation of elected officials from
Gwinnett County, Georgia, the complex institutional architecture
of the Washington Metropolitan region is described.
Commuting issues are discussed (congestion causes and
cures). Public
transit’s success story is illustrated. Funding issues are explained and solutions are offered.
-
Analysis
of AM Peak Period Travel in Northern Virginia, MWCOG for VDOT/NVTC
(June, 2006)
Using
a new methodology including detailed transit ridership counts
compiled by NVTC, MWCOG completed its annual traffic counts for
VDOT in September, 2005 at a screenline on I-66 inside the
Beltway. More than
six out of 10 travelers are using transit or other multiple
occupant vehicles. MWCOG/VDOT/NVTC
are continuing to use the new methods, having completed a count in
September, 2006 at a screenline at Glebe Road on I-395 inside the
Beltway and planning for another corridor outside the Beltway for
September, 2007.
-
TransAction
2030 Update - April 20, 2006
TransAction 2030,
sponsored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, is a
regional transportation planning effort to update Northern
Virginia’s long range transportation plan.
-
Meeting
the Transportation Needs of Northern Virginia's Seniors-
Recommendations for Public Transit Systems and other Mobility
Providers, WB&A Market Research and KFH Group (March 24, 2006)
More than 1,600
residents age 75 and above were interviewed and additional focus
group sessions were conducted.
Recommendations to encourage seniors’ use of public
transit include: centralized information and referral services,
travel training, low floor buses and new routes.
For seniors in need of supplemental services: volunteer
services, taxi subsidies. To
increase travel options through improvements to the built
environment: transit-oriented, mixed-use development;
pedestrian-friendly streets.
By 2030, the number of Northern Virginia residents age 65
and older will double to one in seven.
Most growth will occur in suburban/ex urban areas that are
currently not well served by public transit.
Seniors living in urban/town communities are more likely to
go out than those living elsewhere and more likely to use transit
or walk
-
The
Case for Increased Funding of Public Transportation in Northern
Virginia, NVTC (December, 2005)
>This
report, in PowerPoint format, compiles current data on transit
ridership, needs and sources and uses of revenues.
It illustrates that transit riders and local governments
shoulder a staggering funding burden while state and federal
governments need to do more.
It argues for dedicated funding for WMATA.
It also reports survey data on transit’s popularity. It documents congestion savings per transit trip of $5.33,
air quality improvement valued at $3.68 per trip, fuel savings of
$1.05 per trip and induced economic activity of $6.98 per trip. NVTC’s per job state tax total is 65 percent greater than
the average in other areas of the state.
In Northern Virginia, local sources (general funds, fares,
NVTC/PRTC gas tax) covered 65% of almost $500 million annual
transit costs compared to only 36% in the rest of the state.
-
Falls
Church Bus Final
Project Evaluation - September 2, 2005 (PDF)
The Falls Church bus project is a
demonstration in which NVTC, the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Authority (WMATA), and the city of Falls Church are
cooperating to reduce automobile vehicle miles and trips, cut
pollution emissions, improve mobility and boost Metrorail ridership.
The project uses exhaust gas recirculation filters for low-sulfur
diesel-fueled 30-foot busses to cut emissions substantially,
compared to conventional diesel buses. To learn more about
alternative fuel technologies, visit the United States Office of
Transportation Technologies web
site.
- Falls
Church Bus Project- Final Project Evaluation, NVTC (July,
2005)
NVTC
began a demonstration project of fuel-efficient and
environmentally friendly neighborhood bus service in Falls
Church, Virginia, with organizational meetings in February,
1997. Two false
starts followed as vendors of hybrid-electric small bus
technology failed to perform as promised.
Service eventually began in January, 2003 on a system
christened GEORGE using more conventional diesel propulsion
but testing new exhaust gas recirculation filters.
By April, 2005, Falls Church assumed financial
responsibility for GEORGE and continues to contract with WMATA
to operate the service. The
report includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of the
exhaust filters in reducing emissions.
Other technologies tested include: automated passenger
counters, automated voice enunciators, electronic display
signs and automated vehicle monitoring and maintenance
systems.>
- Background
and Recommendations for Improved Telework Policies in the
Commonwealth of Virginia - July 20, 2005 (PDF)
NVTC
has agreed on 10 prioritized telework recommendations, which
it is submitting to Pierce Homer, Secretary of Transportation
of Virginia, for his further consideration.
The recommendations are listed in the last section of
this report.
- Annual
Fiscal Year Transit Performance Reports, NVTC (2003- Present)
Each
year NVTC staff compiles data and publishes the results on the
commission’s website from eight regional and local rail and
bus systems serving Northern Virginia. Tables and charts are
updated showing such performance measures as ridership,
vehicle and passenger-miles and on-time performance. The data
are primarily from reports submitted to the Federal Transit
Administration for the National Transit Database. Annual
ridership is generally available each November for the fiscal
year ending June 30th. Average weekday ridership and other
measures are usually available in the following January.
- Measuring
the Effectiveness of Free Bus Fares on Forecast Code Red Ozone
Alert Days (PDF) (12/2003)
This report shows the performance of
free bus fares in attracting riders to transit on forecast air
quality code red days. A telephone survey showed
relatively little impact and spotty ridership reporting by
some transit systems make estimates of cost effectiveness
(measured by reduced air pollution) very low for the early
years of the program. For the last two years, however,
sharp improvements were reported. A lack of forecast
code red days in Summer, 2003 prevented the planned on-board
surveys from being conducted. They will be administered
in Summer, 2004 with the resulted presented in a final report
in December, 2004.
- Performance
of Transit ITS in Northern Virginia (PDF) (12/2003)
The study was designed to document the
results of transit technology projects and to develop a
process to continually monitor performance of such projects.
Interviews were conducted with project managers and a customer
survey was performed (14,000 surveys, 2,300 responses fro a 16
percent response rate). On-time arrival was the most
highly rated purpose (71 percent), with SmarTrip fair payment
the most highly rated ITS application. Criteria were
proposed for NVTC to maintain a web based ITS performance
evaluation database.
- Northern
Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/2003)
What was originally a transportation
services coordination plan is now a comprehensive document
full of transportation facts and information. This
year's document is the eighteenth version of the Annual Update
and continues the tradition of providing information on the
most important transportation and transit stories of the last
year.
- Northern
Virginia Transit Funding Resource Guide (PDF) (8/2003)
This resource guide describes the many
sources of funds available to sponsors of transit projects at
various levels of government and in the private sector.
The table of contents can serve as a checklist of
alternative components of financial plans.
For many of the program funding sources, amounts of
funds available are listed in the text, together with contacts
(program administrators, web sites). This report is
meant to provide citizens and project planners a seismic map
for mining for transit capital project gold.
- Northern
Virginia Transit Funding Resource Guide (PDF) (10/2001)
This resource guide describes the many
sources of funds available to sponsors of transit projects at
various levels of government and in the private sector.
The table of contents can serve as a checklist of
alternative components of financial plans.
For most of the sources, amounts available are
indicated together with program administrators and web sites.
Over 50 federal and 30 state programs are described,
plus many additional regional, local and project-specific
sources.
- Northern
Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/2001)
What was originally a transportation
services coordination plan is now a comprehensive document
full of transportation facts and information. This
year's document is the seventeenth version of the Annual
Update and continues the tradition of providing information on
the most important transportation and transit stories of the
last year.
- Rt.
1 Bus Study Executive Summary (PDF) (5/2001)
This study closely examines the transit
and pedestrian needs for the Rt. 1 Corridor and provides
recommendations for the ongoing VDOT Center Line study.
- face="Tahoma">Route
1 Corridor Bus Study (PDF) (5/2001)
- face="Tahoma">Results
of the On-Board Survey
(Fairfax Connector, DASH, CUE, Loudoun, and ART) (PDF)
(4/2001)
- Northern
Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/2000)
What was originally a transportation
services coordination plan is now a comprehensive document
full of transportation facts and information. This
year's document is the sixteenth version of the Annual Update
and continues the tradition of providing information on the
most important transportation and transit stories of the last
year.
- Regional
Payments System Partnership Plan (PDF) (9/2000)
This study examined the potential for
integrating various Smart card-based revenue collection
systems throughout the Washington Metropolitan region,
including parking, highway tolls and transit fares.
- Mode
Share Comparisons for Northern Virginia's Major Transportation
Corridors (PDF) (10/2000)
This report examined the corridors in
whic major transit investments have been made. The
report indicates that in these areas transit/ridesharing
performance is strong. Includes cordon count data from
MWCOG.
- face="Tahoma">Dulles
Corridor Rapid Transit Project Technology Implementation Plan
(PDF) (12/1999)
- Northern
Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/1999)
This fifteenth in the series of
Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the issues that shape the region as well as the
institutional and legislative settings within which
transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented. (Supplement to October, 1998 Update)
- Mode
Share Comparisons for Northern Virginia Major Transportation
Corridors (PDF) (9/1999)
In the 1999 report, using data from
periodic traffic counts performed by the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments on two cordon lines (Beltway
in 1998 and Core in 1996), NVTC staff reported shares of
inbound commuters in several major commuting corridors
(I-95/395, I-66, VA 267 Dulles Toll Road, and U.S. Route 1).
Transit shares ranged from 14 to 60 percent and HOV shares
from 25 to 40 percent. When measured in corridors in
which major transit and ridesharing investments have been
made, transit/ridesharing performance is strong. For the
2000 report, more recent data from MWCOG’s 1999 Metro Core
Cordon Count and the 1999 HOV performance report were used,
together with the 1998 Beltway cordon report.
- face="Tahoma">Development
Plans for the Collection of National Transit Data and Transit
Management Information (PDF) (7/1999)
- Institutional
Forms and Financial Mechanisms Facilitating Successful Public
Transit Enterprises - Lessons From Japan and Hong Kong (PDF)
(6/1999)
This report focuses on institutional and
financial lessons from a study mission to Japan and Hong Kong
in which 21 transit systems, agencies and firms were visited
in Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan and 10 in Hong Kong.
Both countries display high transit use and vigorous leverage
of land use and transit. Among the lessons for the U.S.
are: 1) Methods for accelerated transit project planning and
implementation; 2) Region-wide electronic fare payment using
smartcards; 3) Transit safety features such as platform screen
doors; 4) Customer service innovations; 5) Aggressive joint
development by transit agencies; 6) Deregulation and
competition among transit providers; and 7) Emphasis on new
technology
- Northern
Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (9/1998)
This fourteenth in the series of
Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the issues that shape the region as well as the
institutional and legislative settings within which
transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented
- Developing
a Transportation Management Association and Shuttle Bus
Circulator System for the Springfield Business District (PDF)
(8/1998)
This study examined the potential for
the addition of a bus circulator service for the Springfield
Business District to mitigate traffic congestion during rhe
Springfield Interchange construction project and as a link
between the newly established
Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and area businesses.
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (10/1997)
This thirteenth in the series of
Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the issues that shape the region as well as the
institutional and legislative settings within which
transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1996)
This twelfth in the series of
Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the institutional and legislative settings within
which transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented in Northern Virginia.
- face="Tahoma">New
Start Handbook - Tips and Resources for Planning and
Implementing a Successful Commuter Rail Enterprise (PDF)
(3/1996)
- >Report
The handbook compiles information
from experts at existing commuter rail systems in the U.S.
and Canada to describe where and why commuter rail can be
the best commuting alternative. Ideas are given on
how to plan a new system, with lessons on implementation
and suggestions on how to create the capacity for growth.
Benchmark data are shown for existing systems and
references are made to files of operating and access
contracts maintained by the American Public Transportation
Association. Many of the experiences of VRE are
documented in this report.
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1995)
This eleventh in the series of reports
on the Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the institutional and legislative settings within
which transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented in Northern Virginia.
- Investment
Analysis - Virginia Railway Express Versus Equivalent Highway
Capacity (PDF) (4/1995)
This analysis compares the cost of
constructing and operating the Virginia Railway Express, a
commuter railroad in Northern Virginia, to the cost of
constructing an equivalent lane of Interstate highway in the
I-66 and I-95 corridors in which VRE operates, and operating
enough automobiles in those lanes to serve the same number of
peak period commuters as are projected to use VRE during
Fiscal Year 1996. The analysis demonstrates that at
present levels of operation, between 1992 (VRE’s start-up
year) and 2012, VRE will cost $264 million less to build,
maintain, and operate than would the lanes of Interstate.
While VRE is not a substitute for all highway construction and
cannot solve all of the region’s commuting problems, the
railway was and continues to be a very sound investment
decision by the citizens of Northern Virginia.
- face="Tahoma">Fiscal
Impact of Metrorail On The Commonwealth of Virginia (PDF)
(11/1994)
- Discussion
Paper: Service and Finance Plan for initial Dulles Corridor
Express Buses to Loudoun County in Fiscal Year 1995 (PDF)
(10/1994)
This paper examines the cost and service
issues of adding a bus service to Loudoun County.
- Study
of Coordinating and Integrating NVA Interjurisdictional Bus
Routes (PDF) (10/1994)
The report describes how bus services in
Northern Virginia could be better integrated and coordinated,
especially those routes serving interjurisdictional travel.
Other factors were addressed such as garage facilities,
characteristics of the bus fleets, potential us of private
operators, suitability of public information and potential
improvements to fare structures. An additional study
element was to investigate opportunities for new bus services
in Loudoun County. An executive summary describes the
study process and highlights study results and recommendations
while the main body of the report describes data collection
and analysis
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (10/1994)
This tenth in the series of reports on
the Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the institutional and legislative settings within
which transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented in Northern Virginia.
- Service
and Finance Plan for Initial Dulles Corridor Express Buses to
Loudoun County in Fiscal Year 1995 (PDF) (10/1994)
This discussion paper sets forth a
description of those issues, and develops a set of alternative
service schedules and operating and capital budgets.
Also, a draft project implementation schedule is provided
showing that it would take approximately a year before service
could begin, depending on whether buses are leased or
purchased and on whether labor-related issues can be resolved
quickly.
- History
of the Virginia Railway Express (PDF) (4/1994)
>This
excerpt from NVTC’s 30th Anniversary Program the
history of VRE from 1964 to 1993.
- face="Tahoma">Impact
Assessment of the Virginia Railway Express Commuter Rail on
Land Use Development Patterns in Northern Virginia (PDF)
(12/1993)
- Transportation
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (11/1993)
This ninth in the series of reports on
the Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the institutional and legislative settings within
which transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented in Northern Virginia.
- Transportation
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1992)
This eighth in the series of reports on
the Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
reviews the institutional and legislative settings within
which transportation policies and programs are planned and
implemented in Northern Virginia.
- Transportation
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1991)
This seventh annual report offers
several areas of optimism for improving congestion despite a
sharp reduction in financial resources due to the ongoing
recession that has hurt Virginia's economy.
- face="Tahoma">Attitudinal
Surveys and Market Research for the Virginia Railway Express (PDF)
(5/1991)
- Recommendations
for public transit service for the National Air and Space
Museum Extension at Dulles Airport (PDF) (10/1990)
This report closely examines the transit
needs for the new National Air and Space Museum extension at
Dulles airport and provides recommendations for meeting the
transportation needs of visitors to this facility.
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1990)
This sixth annual report on the transit
service coordination planning activities of the Northern
Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) describes
regional and local initiatives to improving commuting
alternatives despite increasing budget pressures.
- face="Tahoma">A
Study of Financial Resources for Transportation in Northern
Virginia: Final Report (PDF) (1/1990)
- face="Tahoma">Executive
Summary
- face="Tahoma">Technical
Report
- face="Tahoma">Appendix
A
- face="Tahoma">Appendix
B
- face="Tahoma">Appendix
C
- face="Tahoma">Appendix
D
- Appendix
E
Using the Northern Virginia
Sub-Regional Transportation Plan (released in January,
1989), over $10 billion is needed in 1988 dollars over the
next 20 years for transit and highway improvements, with
only $2.75 billion of funds available. Transit is
short $2.4 billion for capital and $2.0 billion for
operations. Total sources in 1988 were $528 million,
including 34.7 percent local (11.4 percent Metrorail
fares). The commonwealth provided 42.1 percent and
the federal government provided 23.2 percent. Of the
$490 million of transportation-related revenues paid to
the commonwealth by Northern Virginia residents,
two-thirds was returned, included 75 percent of motor
fuels taxes. About half of the federal motor fuels
taxes came back to the region. Several alternative
funding sources were evaluated to help meet the shortfall.
Describes in detail the sources and methods used to
complete the analysis and reach the conclusions.
Estimates by jurisdiction are provided.
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1989)
This report on the transit service
coordination planning activities of the Northern Virginia
Transportation Commission addresses current and future
coordination efforts into several categories, including
planning, financing, marketing, and institutional changes.
It also describes the diverse transit and ridesharing services
provided by regional, local, and private operators.
- Transit
Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1988)
This report describes the efforts that
are planned or underway to improve transit services in
Northern Virginia, measures successes (and failures) and
suggests new initiatives.
- face="Tahoma">Market
Study of Commuter Bus Alternatives in Northern Virginia (PDF)
(4/1988)
- face="Tahoma">Part
1
- Part
2
This report examines the features
that commuters consider constituting “luxury” bus
service and develops demand estimates in three Northern
Virginia corridors. Surveys
and simulations were used to estimate a market of 175-200
inbound daily riders in the Route 7 corridor, 500-800 in
the I-66 corridor and 1,750-2,250 in the I-95 corridor.
In all the corridors, reliable, on-time, fast
service was valued much more highly than luxury attributes
such as highback seats, restrooms, newspapers and luggage
racks.
- Patronage
and Revenue Forecasts for the Virginia Railway Express (PDF)
(5/1987)
At a time when VRE was still viewed as a
two-year experiment, existing 1984 patronage forecasts based
on an Alexandria--versus downtown D.C.—terminus needed to be
updated. Estimates based on both constrained and
unconstrained parking were produced using a travel demand
model chain that forecast 2005 ridership of 10,100 and 8,500,
respectively.
- Northern
Virginia Bus Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1987)
This report, part of an ongoing series,
envisioned the need to coordinate locally and privately
sponsored transit services along with WMATA's regional bus and
rail systems.
- >Coordinated
Transit Information Services Project (PDF) (11/1987)>
At the time there was no unified source
of information for transit customers.
These customers needed a prior source of knowledge
about which bus system to call to request facts about routes,
schedules and fares. The
report examines alternatives for providing such a single point
of contact, together with cost estimates.
For example, a new system for Northern Virginia would
cost $62,000 to set up and $115,000 annually for operations.
Cost sharing factors were proposed for each
participating transit system.
Ultimately expanding the existing WMATA system to
include local transit system information was selected as the
preferred alternative.
- Northern
Virginia Bus Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1986)
This report, part of an ongoing series,
envisioned the need to coordinate locally and privately
sponsored transit services along with WMATA's regional bus and
rail systems.
- Late
- Night Taxi Feeder Services - To Metrorail in Northern
Virginia (PDF) (8/1986)
The Northern Virginia Transportation
Commission designed and implemented a demonstration of taxi
feeder services to Metrorail to explore cost-effective transit
strategies during periods of low demand. The Subway
Shuttle Taxi (SST) service operated in two suburban
communities with different operating procedures and subsidy
requirements. The SST proved to be an effective
technique for increasing mobility during non-peak hours
without incurring major subsidy costs. This paper
describes the advantages and disadvantages of the two
approaches to taxi feeder services. The economics,
operations and management of the SST project are reviewed
including observations on publicly contracted private transit
services.
- >Transit
Demand Analysis for Fairfax County and Falls Church, SG
Associates, Inc. and Robert Hitlin Research Associates, Inc.
(June, 1986)
In
June, 1986 the Orange Line of the Washington, D.C. Metrorail
system opened four new stations, including the terminal
station in Vienna (Fairfax County) and two stations serving
Falls Church. Falls
Church wished to analyze a small bus, community based
peak-hour feeder service.
Fairfax County, under contract with WMATA, intended to
operate a fixed route commuter service from the community of
Centreville, about ten miles from the terminal rail station.
The survey process involved leaving a specially
designed form on the front door of each household in each of
the two communities. Two
days later the completed forms, again hung on the front door,
were picked up. A
22 percent response rate was obtained.
A small telephone survey of non-respondents was
conducted to determine if any response bias existed.
Probable transit demand was estimated from the
responses.
Ridership estimated for the proposed services
showed performance ratios similar to other existing rail
feeder services. Since
the survey data were tabulated at the block level it was also
possible to use the demand estimates for detailed route
planning.
Fiscal
Impact of Metrorail on The Commonwealth of Virginia (PDF)
(11/1985)
- Report
- Appendix
A
- Appendix
B
- Appendix
C
- Executive
Summary
The purpose is to assess the
benefits that accrue to the commonwealth through
development, which creates jobs, incomes and sales that
generate tax revenues. From the start of service in
1978 through 1995 the study forecasts $660 million in
additional state tax revenues with an excess over state
investments in Metrorail of $284 million for an internal
rate of return of 13 percent per year. Quotes from
developers are included testifying that they would not
have made their investments in the way they did if
Metrorail did not exist.
Describes in detail the conservative methodology used (not
relying on generous multipliers). Lists actual and
anticipated development and related jobs, incomes and
taxes by Virginia Metrorail station area.
West
Falls Church Metrorail Station - Park and Ride Project (PDF)
(11/1985)
NVTC began an experimental express bus
service and carpool staging area in May 1984 at a new parking
lot located at the site of the inactive Metrorail station at
West Falls Church. Bus service continued until June, 1986 when Metrorail service
began. Ridership
reached an average of 200 per day on the new Metrobus Route
66X with 16 peak hour bus trips and the service helped to
establish the “transit habit” prior to the opening of
Metrorail. The
relatively inaccessible location of the lot discouraged the
formation of new carpools there.
Northern
Virginia Bus Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1985)
This report, part of an ongoing series, envisioned the need to
coordinate locally and privately sponsored transit services
along with WMATA's regional bus and rail systems.
Northern
Virginia Bus Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (7/1984)
This report, part of an ongoing series, envisioned the need to
coordinate locally and privately sponsored transit services
along with WMATA's regional bus and rail systems.
NVTC
Experimental Ridesharing Project 1982 - 1983 (PDF) (8/1984)
The report describes the results of a federal grant-funded
project designed to promote the use of HOV, improve the
performance of ride-matching services, experiment with public
education techniques and identify transportation systems
management techniques. Lessons included difficulty
getting direct access to private employees, low effectiveness
of license plate surveys followed up with mailings and radio
ads and high effectiveness of educating media representatives
that I-66 is well used. Existing government-sponsored
ridematching programs were found to be very effective.
Paratransit
Alternatives to Off-peak Bus Service (PDF) (6/1978)
- Introduction
- Section
I
- Section
II
- Section
III
- Section
IV
- Section
V
- Section
VI
- Appendices
The study provides an overview
of potential paratransit systems, in terms of innovations,
legality and possible areas for implementation.
Tysons Corner was determined to be the best area
for initial implementation but Springfield and Old Town,
Alexandria were two other areas that held promise.
The action plan called for services first in Vienna
and then expanded to McLean and later to Falls Church.
Jitney loops would connect to linehaul Metrobus
routes. A
lunchtime shuttle would serve the Tysons Corner area.
Funding would come from savings due to reduced
service on Metrobus Route 5W.
Total costs were estimated at $76,000 annually.
Northern
Virginia Transportation Technical Study (PDF) (9/1977)
- Report
- Appendix
The report combined several
analyses of potential bus improvements in Northern
Virginia, including priority bus movements and parking in
two major corridors: Lee Highway and Route 1.
Analysis
of Preferential Bus Treatment on Arlington Boulevard and
Columbia Pike (PDF) (4/1977)
Route 50 between Seven Corners and the Potomac River was
determined to be the better candidate for such improvements,
because congestion on Columbia Pike had benefited from the
Shirley Highway express bus demonstration. Several
alternatives for Route 50 were considered, including
contra-flow lanes and upgraded shoulders as new bus lanes.
Public hearings were held and bus lanes ere constructed on the
shoulders with an adjacent bike path. Results of
improved operations for buses are shown in an Appendix.
- The
Operation and Management of the Shirley Highway Express
Bus-On-Freeway Demonstration Project (PDF) (9/1976)
In September 1970, UMTA approved a demonstration grant to the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) to design
and implement transit service on an 11 mile exclusive busway
from suburban Virginia to downtown Washington, D.C.
The grant also called for development of fringe parking
lots to serve the exclusive lanes.
The success of the project both in terms of ridership
and fare box revenues has been widely recognized in the
transit industry. This
document reports on the project from the viewpoint of the
project sponsor. Thus,
the report contains information which in all probability could
not be obtained from other sources and which would not
ordinarily be reported in any technical evaluation of the
project. Also
included in the report are some of the marketing and
merchandising activities that contributed to the public’s
awareness and acceptance of the express lane concept.
- Alexandria
Mini-Transit System Concepts: A Downtown Transit Distributor
System (PDF) (1975)
The study examines potential small-vehicle transit systems to
serve new east-west movements anticipated to occur within Old
Town, Alexandria as a result of the new Metrorail system. Future demand for transit is forecast and several types of
transit systems are evaluated based on urban design,
operational efficiency and community acceptance.
- Northern
Virginia Transportation Commission: Metrobus Operations
Evaluation and Financing for the Future (PDF) (7/1974)
- Report
- Exhibits
- Appendix
The study updated NVTC’s
10-year financial plan through 1980 as a basis for future
legislative funding requests, developed a plan for
allocating the costs of transit service to NVTC’s member
jurisdictions and proposed a means for NVTC to
periodically project costs and monitor the quality of
regional transit service provided by WMATA.
Potential revenue sources are also evaluated.
NVTC’s funding requirements through 1980 are estimated
at $236 million. An appendix recommends a detailed
format for measuring and reporting performance of the new
regional Metrobus system.
- Air
Pollution Control Measures for Northern Virginia (PDF)
(6/1973)
This report presents several strategies which were proposed as
transportation control measures to reduce motor vehicle
emissions including expanded transit systems and parking
disincentives, among others.
- Transit
Service for Alexandria Waterfront and Old Town (PDF) (12/1972)
This report presents the results of a preliminary
investigation of transportation systems to meet present and
future travel demands in the historic Old Town and Waterfront
areas of the City of Alexandria.
- Five
Year Financial Plan for the Acquisition of: The Washington,
Virginia, and Maryland Coach Company; AB&W Transit
Company; Assumption of the Shirley Highway Express
Bus-on-Freeway Demonstration Project (PDF) (8/1972)
This five-year financial plan was adopted by NVTC to guide its
efforts to obtain funds for the local share of federal capital
grants and for transit operations in an effort to bolster the
services of the existing privately owned bus systems through
acquisition by NVTC.
- Washington
Metropolitan Area Rail Commuter Feasibility Study (PDF)
(5/1971)
The contents of this report reflect the views of Carl R.
Englund, Jr., Transportation Consultant, who is responsible
for the facts and accuracy of the data represented herein.
The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or
policy of the Department of Transportation.
- Proposed
Washington-Alexandria-Franconia Commuter Train Service (PDF)
(3/1967)
In this document E. L. Tennyson reviews plans for a commuter
railroad service between Washington, District of Columbia and
Franconia, Virginia, over the Richmond, Fredericksburg &
Potomac Railroad via Alexandria, Virginia.
Tennyson demonstrates the the value and basic need for a
commuter train service.