# Presentation: 716302

## Implementation of Adopted Transportation Vision for the Metropolitan Washington Region: Development of Circulation Systems and Green Space

- Preliminary Evaluation Observations
- Joe Crossett, TransTech Management
- TCSP Workshop, Sept. 14, 15 2000

## Project Overview

**Sponsor:** 	National Capital Region 					Transportation Planning Board/ 				Metropolitan Washington Council of 			Governments (TPB/COG)
**Yr. Funded:** 	1999
**Total Cost:**	$380,000 grant + $100,000 in-kind match
- 			(Includes $80,000 for evaluation)

## Goals & Objectives

**Goal:** Build stakeholder support for two frequently overlooked elements of region’s Transportation Vision Statement:
- Design _circulation systems_ within regional core & regional activity centers that maximize use of transit, ped., & bike facilities
- Integrate _greenways_ into a connected regional greenways system
**Objective:** Produce two reports that establish regional frameworks for greenways and circulation systems respectively

##  Critical Challenges

**TCSP funding designed to get more from the region’s MPO planning process:**
**Promoting Visibility:** Greenway & circulation systems are low priorities in area’s project selection process
**Building Consensus:** Regional planning across 7 counties, 2 states, and the District of Columbia is complex
**Securing Implementation:** TPB’s project implementation role is indirect – state & local agencies allocate funds

## Planning in Washington Region –TCSP funds are part of broader process

**TCSP Element**

**Regional Transportation Vision: **Establishes guiding principles

**Regional Framework Reports:            **Develop project-level priorities/support

**TIP/CLRP development: **Identify funding to implement projects

**IMPLEMENT! **Vision is finally translated into local projects & programs

## Innovative Development Process - Stakeholder-Led Committees

- Two-track process with separate committees
- Committees led by 2 key elected officials on TPB Board
- Each committee included 20+ key stakeholder group representatives
- Planning consultant & TPB staff provided technical support

## Stakeholder Participants

- Greenways Committee:
- Washington Parks & People
- Anacostia Watershed Society
- Trust for Public Lands
- Washington Area Bicyclist Assoc.
- American Farmland Trust
- Potomac Heritage Trust
- National Park Service
- MD Greenways Commission
- City of Takoma Park
- Sierra Club
- DC Office of Planning
- No VA Planning District Commission

- Circulation Sys. Committee:
- Montgomery Co. Dept. of Public Wks
- Assoc. of Ped. & Bicycle Professionals
- MD Transit Administration
- Surface Transp. Policy Project
- TYTRAN
- Washington Area Bicyclist Assoc.
- Action Committee for Transit
- Transit Action Partnership
- Dulles Area Transportation Assoc.
- Private Providers Task Force

## Five Key Steps 

- Inventory region’s existing greenways & circulation systems
- Inventory 150 proposed greenway projects/50 circulation system projects, based on consultation with state/local planners
- Select 8-10 regional priority projects for each report
- Develop persuasive profiles of priority greenway and circulation systems projects
- Take to TPB Board for final endorsement

## Anticipated Products -2 Regional Framework Reports

- Greenways Report:
- Framework for greenways
- Portrays 8 regional priority projects
- Stakeholder buy-in
- Implementation strategy

- Circulation Systems Report:
- Framework for circulation systems
- Portrays 10 regional priority projects
- Stakeholder buy-in
- Implementation strategy

## Timeline

**Mar: Grant Submitted**

**1999**

**May: Grant Awarded**

**2000**

**Sept: Committees  Established**

**Oct: TPB Approval**

**Oct-April:   4 Greenway Committee Mtgs Held**

**Feb-June:   4 Circ. Syst. Committee Mtgs Held**

**2001**

**IMPLEMENT**

## Innovative Elements 

**Spotlight on non-traditional projects: **Improves visibility of TCSP-type projects that are typically a low priority
**Stakeholder-led committees:** Decision-making process strengthens buy-in for non-traditional projects, achieves consensus.
**Project-level recommendations:** Priorities  described in reports are actual projects with local support, hence stronger implementation feasibility

## Evaluation Methodology

**Independent evaluation consultant:**
- Observe meetings, interview participants, review documents
- Describe project innovations/lessons learned
- Measure process & products
- Evaluation timeframe too short to measure outcomes

## Sample Evaluation Measures –Process Element

- Did process help build constituency for projects among stakeholders?
- Range of stakeholders is adequate?
- Effective use of stakeholders?
- Was a systematic approach for process used?
- Thorough project inventory?
- Effective project selection criteria?
- Adequate information for decision-making?

## Sample Evaluation Measures -Product Element

- Does report create cohesive regional vision?
- Support of local agencies for projects selected?
- Inter-jurisdictional coordination?
- Regional connectivity?
- Does report provide sufficient implementation guidance?
- Funding opportunities?
- Barriers to implementation?
- Political feasibility?

## Conclusions 

- A “work in progress” – but signs of success are promising...
- What if no funding had occurred? Evidence is clear – these types of projects are not in the 2000 CLRP/TIP, despite Transportation Vision.
- Big question, will they be there next year or year after?
- Keep stakeholders involved/accountable
- Apply process to other types of project development

- Outside praise for greenways report:
- 	“your report is a wise investment of federal funds (that) provides an overarching framework & blueprint for local jurisdictions... It should become a model for the nation.”
- 	(Tom Downs, former CEO, Amtrak)