TSCNotes - FY 1998 Highlights
FY 1998 Highlights, Issue 23
Each year, the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines the planning activities to be performed by all participants in the cooperative metropolitan transportation planning process. The UPWP reflects a careful consideration of critical transportation issues currently facing the region, as well as analytical capabilities necessary to address them. Each activity is an integral "piece of the puzzle." Without each piece, the puzzle is not complete. This issue of TSC Notes is dedicated to highlight just a few of the activities that were carried out during fiscal year (FY) 1998 (July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998).
Contents
Draft Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan Completed
After many months of work, a draft long-range transportation plan, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan (BRTP), was completed and released by the Transportation Steering Committee (TSC) for public review on March 30, 1998. The Plan identifies proposed capital improvements, actions, and strategies through the year 2020. It is a 20-year blueprint of long- and short-range strategies and actions for developing an integrated intermodal transportation system to facilitate the movement of people and goods. A considerable amount of policy and technical analysis went into developing the draft Plan. Once completed, a series of public involvement initiatives, including a symposium and three public hearings, were held to educate the public and solicit comments. The symposium highlighted an array of perspectives from around the region and gave those who attended an opportunity to hear first hand the number of issues that must be considered by the TSC in developing a long-range plan. In addition to the symposium, three public hearings were held around the region so that individuals and organizations could formally comment on the draft BRTP. It is anticipated that the revised document, based on careful consideration of numerous comments received, will be adopted by the TSC prior to the end of calendar year 1998.
Dr. Lenneal Henderson, Symposiom Moderator, shares thoughts with participant 
back to topEnhancement of the Baltimore Region Travel Demand Model
In FY 1998, numerous tasks were initiated to enhance the travel demand model. The model is a tool used to simulate land use configurations and highway and transit capacity improvements. One of the most notable enhancements was the development of a new transportation zone structure for the Baltimore region. Transportation zones are units of geography specially designed for transportation modeling and planning. Zone boundaries are developed so that each zone has about the same number of people and trips. This new zone structure increased the number of internal zones in the region from 631 to 1,014, enabling traffic volume forecasts to be more accurate. Smaller zones allow for better distribution of trips and ultimately better assignment of these trips. In addition to providing more zonal detail, the highway network was edited to allow for more roads to feed these zones. Other enhancements to the Travel Demand Model will be completed in FY 1999.
back to topWelfare-to-Work/Job Access Activities
In August of 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act was signed into law, changing the nations welfare system. This new law has brought about an increased urgency to address reverse commute/job access issues. With an increasing number of low-skilled jobs moving to more suburban locations and a concentrated number of low-skilled individuals residing within Baltimore City, a tremendous spatial mismatch has occurred.
Several activities were carried out during FY 1998 to address these reverse commute/job access issues. In July, 1997 a "From Welfare to Work: Searching for Transportation Solutions to Welfare Reform" workshop was held. Several next steps were identified which helped to guide the subsequent work that occurred. One such activity was the development and submittal of a proposal to the US Department of Labor in order to secure funding for a comprehensive initiative designed to address the gaps that currently exist, most notably, a lack of affordable reverse commute options. The BMC has been working jointly with Sojourner-Douglass College to secure funding for this proposal which not only addresses transportation barriers, but a host of other issues, including childcare and the establishment of a single point-of-contact Resource Center for job placement vendors.
back to topBaltimore Regional Transit Study Completed
The Baltimore Regional Transit Study, completed in June of 1998, was a two-year effort to better understand transit usage. It was the joint effort of BMC and the Maryland Mass Transit Administration (MTA). A consultant was hired to conduct a survey of the entire Baltimore transit service area and included an analysis of transit route performance and passenger utilization of Metro, MARC, Central Light Rail, and the existing bus network. Over 44,000 surveys were collected representing weekday and weekend transit trips. The consultant provided origin-destination travel information to be used by the BMC in the development of a new mode choice component for the Travel Demand Model, as well as provided detailed operational data on passenger activity and service recommendations for MTA. A report documenting recommendations to changes in service was prepared for and reviewed by TSC in the Spring of 1998. The TSC reviewed the recommendations and delivered input to MTA as they incorporate changes in their short-range planning efforts.
back to topIntegrating Land Use and Transportation
To forge the linkage and integration between land use and transportation planning, the TSC hosted the "Workshop on Land Use and Transportation" held on April 23, 1998. Among the panelists were Mr. James Noonan of the Maryland Office of Planning, Mr. Robert Dunphy of the Urban Land Institute, and Dr. Fred Ducca of the Federal Highway Administration. Each presented different perspectives on the linkages between land use and transportation. Also presenting at the workshop was Dr. Tomás de la Barra of MODELISTA, a Venezuelan based company. Dr. de la Barra is the developer of TRANUS, a fully integrated land use and transportation modeling system which is used to simulate the possible effects of applying particular land use and transportation policies and projects at an urban and regional scale. Dr. de la Barra presented the theoretical foundations and operational structure of TRANUS. He also discussed recent applications of the software in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. These applications tested a wide range of policy scenarios and demonstrated the model’s strengths in economic, energy, and environmental evaluations of different land use and transportation policies. TRANUS is currently being developed by BMC staff as a modeling tool for the Baltimore region.
Dr. Thomas de la Barra back to topFreight Mobility Issues Identified
The "Freight Mobility Issues and Recommendations" report completed in 1997 for the Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s freight movement system, consisting of an extensive highway system, two Class I and several smaller railroads, an international airport, and a deepwater seaport. The report also includes the Freight Movement Task Force’s recommendations for long-range capital projects and programmatic actions to address the region’s projected freight-related infrastructure needs.
One of the recommended actions was to study the need for more truck parking spaces in the Baltimore region. The Laurel rest area has been deemed one of the nation’s busiest, with drivers parking illegally on the shoulders of the entrance and exit ramps to get a few hours of sleep. Safety problems can result from illegally parked vehicles on highway shoulders. Formed in FY 1998, a subcommittee with public and private sector involvement is being recognized for its ability to work with a variety of groups, including the State Police and truck stop operators, and to observe what is happening on the roadways. As a result, the subcommittee has surprisingly learned that truck stops have spaces available. The subcommittee has provided several recommendations, including improved communications with truckers to help direct them to available spaces. These communications include increased highway signage and updated maps. Subcommittee representatives have met with the State Highway Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority to discuss and implement these recommendations.
Truck signage along I-95 back to topIntelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Reports Prepared
ITS apply various technologies such as computers, electronics, and communications in an integrated manner to improve the operational efficiency and safety of transportation systems. Through work on the Metropolitan Baltimore Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Early Deployment Plan, the region made significant progress in planning for deployment of regional ITS projects.
During FY 1998, two reports were prepared as part of the early deployment effort. The User Services Plan identifies and prioritizes regional transportation needs. The Strategic Deployment Plan guides the deployment of ITS in the Baltimore region by 1) proposing nine priority projects that respond to the needs identified in the User Services Plan, 2) providing a general timeline for deployment of the nine projects, and 3) detailing a method to include ITS planning in the existing transportation planning process. Work on this project is performed in coordination with the ITS Coordinating Committee which meets bi-monthly and consists of members from each of the local jurisdictions and modal administrations. The reports also incorporate input provided by regional stakeholders at the Executive Briefing and User Forum held in February.
In the past, we have tried to build our way out of congestion, but this approach is no longer environmentally or economically feasible. The Congestion Management System recognizes this situation and requires that alternatives to roadway building are also examined when federal funds are proposed for building general purpose lanes. These strategies range from changing travel patterns through telecommuting, park-and-ride lots, improved transit service, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities to more optimal use of the existing roadway network by improving signal systemization and finally adding lanes or roadways. By using a comprehensive and integrated approach, the TSC is working with transportation agencies to improve traffic conditions in our region.
back to topCongestion Management System (CMS) Efforts Continue
In October of 1997, the TSC adopted Congestion Management System Guidelines for the Baltimore region. This work plan defines how the Metropolitan Planning Regulations regarding the congestion management system will be applied in the Baltimore region. These regulations originated in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and will continue with the current highway authorization program, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The federal legislation was promulgated as a response to the increasing cost and negative impact of congestion on air quality.
back to topTelevision Campaign with WJZ- TV
This past summer, ENDZONE Partners kicked off an ambitious television advertising campaign. The advertisements informed the public about the hot, hazy and humid summer conditions associated with ground-level ozone and the actions individuals can take to improve the air we all breathe. This venture was a joint effort of ENDZONE Partners, the BMC and WJZ-TV channel 13. The campaign was sponsored by Maryland Department of the Environment, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Bethlehem Steel, NationsBank, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Mass Transit Administration, Redland Genstar, and the BMC. Together, these sponsors, along with WJZ-TV, contributed $36,000 to air 90 spots throughout the summer. Spots ran during WJZ’s popular morning show ‘Rise and Shine" hosted by Marty Bass and Don Scott, as well as during the noon, five, six and eleven o’clock news. In addition to these local shows, spots aired during "This Morning" and "CBS Sunday Morning." This powerful campaign generated 10,245,000 impressions on area residents ages 25 - 54.
back to topGlobal Positioning Satellite Used to Collect Data
Staff at the BMC have developed a method of collecting data on highway travel speeds using a commercially available Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. GPSs are used in identifying precise locations on the earth’s surface. The US Department of Defense (USDOD) developed and implemented this technology in the mid 1970s. In the last several years, the USDOD has granted permission to distribute commercial receivers and develop applications using the in-place system of satellites. The basic system works using a GPS receiver which gathers the transmitted signals from a system of 24 satellites.
In our application, a low end receiver provides a calculated latitude and longitude accurate within 15 meters (45 feet). Driving a probe vehicle equipped with a GPS receiver connected to a standard lap top computer, second by second locations and average travel speeds can be estimated. The collected data can be visually displayed using thematic mapping. This process can be applied to identify roadway segments operating at below acceptable levels of service. Over a series of years, these observations will enable the monitoring of commuter facilities in order to identify areas were average travel speed has changed.
back to topMobile Source Emissions Modeling
Classified as a severe non-attainment area for ozone, the BMC and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) ran a series of computer models to estimate the mobile source emissions of programmed and planned transportation networks. In developing these estimates for the latest analysis of the 1999-2003 TIP and the draft Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan, MDE recommended using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mobile emission model, MOBILE5B. This represents EPA’s latest version of the emission model and allows for the specific modeling of Maryland’s Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program taking credit for things such as technician training.
The MOBILE5B emission model receives input describing atmospheric conditions, control strategy programs, and fleet characteristics. Based on these inputs, the mobile emission model then outputs estimated mobile source emissions for various pollutants for eight classes of vehicles in tenth of a mile increments from 2.5 mph to 65 mph. These estimates are then applied to the output from the Travel Demand Model of estimated link volume and speed. Summation of link estimates are then used in the determination of regional air quality.
back to topGIS-T Workshop Held
On November 3-5, the BMC, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, organized a workshop to demonstrate to transportation professionals how geographic information system (GIS) technology can play a major role in meeting the challenges and goals of their organizations. Feedback from participants and instructors has given reason to proclaim the "Creating GIS Partnerships for Transportation" workshop a tremendous success.
The training course, which was held at the Baltimore Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, featured "top flight" instructors, such as Simon Lewis, President of GIS/Trans, Ltd., and Aung Gye of the Federal Highway Administration. Several GIS experts from local MPOs, DOTs, and other transportation agencies were invited to present successful GIS-T applications to over 60 participants. Some of the experts who shared their knowledge with the participants were Stuart Sirota, GIS Coordinator for the Maryland Mass Transit Administration, Martha Schwalenstocker, Senior GIS Analyst for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Spencer Simpson, GIS Developer for BMC’s Economic Research Information Systems Division. The forum provided GIS-T professionals in a five-state area an opportunity to talk with other people in their field about developing or extending GIS-T applications and create valuable contacts for future partnerships.
GIS-T workshop presenters back to topTransportation Steering Committee
| Jurisdiction/Agency | Representative | Representative's Phone Number |
City of Annapolis | Jon Arason | 410-269-0064 |
Anne Arundel County | Harvey Gold | 410-222-7432 |
Baltimore City | Jeff Drinkwater | 410-396-1670 |
Baltimore County | J.Craig Forrest | 410-887-3554 |
Carroll County | Greg Jones | 410-857-2612 |
Harford County | Stoney E. Fraley | 410-638-3103 |
Howard County | Carl Balser | 410-313-4310 |
Maryland Department of the Environment | Diane L. Franks | 410-631-3245 |
Maryland Department of Transportation | Henry Kay | 410-865-1277 |
Maryland Office of Planning | Christine Wells | 410-767-4572 |
Funding for this newsletter provided in part by member jurisdictions, grants from the US Department of Transportation and the Maryland Department of Transportation. Sign language and communication material in alternative formats can be arranged give n sufficient notice by calling Joan Gorsuch at 410/333-1750 ext. 237 or e-mail her at jgorsuch@baltometro.org.
All reports produced by the BMC are available for purchase or review from the Regional Information Center, open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Please call ahead. 410/333-4881.
Your comments and questions are welcome. TSC Notes
Lisa Minnick, Editor
Baltimore Metropolitan Council
601 N. Howard Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-4585
410/333-1750 ext. 295
FAX 410/333-0160
e-mail: lminnick@baltometro.org
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 December 2008 09:56