LEGISLATIVE & ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES DURING THE 2006 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Funding Reforms

1. Fix-It-First/Maintenance First
With VDOT’s implementation of new asset management system, we need to ensure that maintenance needs are fully met. Add Commonwealth Transportation Board oversight of the Highway Maintenance and Operations Fund and more detailed reporting on maintenance projects and spending.

2. Shift Funding to public transit, passenger and freight rail, transit-oriented development, walking, and bicycling
Support allocation of 50% of new dollars to these modes. Level the playing field on state match compared to match for highways to ensure the state pays the same percentage share of a transit project and for operations and maintenance as they do for highway projects. Use federal highway funding flexibility to flex funds to transit, rail, walking and bicycling.

3. Regional Allocations and Flexibility
Ensure federal funds intended for urban areas (urban STP and CMAQ) are fully allocated to urban areas. Ensure full allocation of federal bridge repair funds. Support change in allocation formulas to benefit areas with greatest trip demand.

4. Fund and plan safe routes to school for children
Study best practices for a statewide program and to provide criteria and other measures to guide administration of this program. The state should match new federal funding. Support requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Planning Reforms

1. Enhance public involvement in planning
Make district level long range planning and 6-year plan process part of the official MPO planning process. Require local district hearings that are advertised and meet requirements of federal planning law.

2. Public Private Transportation Act Improvements
Amend 2005 Transportation act to ensure rail qualifies for PPTA partnership funds. Ensure real private funding contributions are made and that rail projects have an equal opportunity to be included. Improve public participation and input. Ensure PPTA projects comply with federal law to fairly evaluate all alternatives.

3. Performance Criteria
Require VDOT to measure and report progress in achieving demand reduction including reduction in per capita vehicle miles traveled and vehicle trips; increase in mode share for transit, passenger rail, freight rail, walking, bicycling, carpooling and telecommuting; and reduction in pollution from mobile sources. Reporting should be based on Metropolitan Planning Organization regions.

4. Buildout Analysis – Expand Funding and Improve Requirements
Additional funding on top of the 2005 allocation to VDOT’s general planning fund would support local government analysis of their comp plans/zoning to estimate buildout and transportation needs and costs. The assessment may prompt consideration of alternative development scenarios that reduce transportation demand.

5. Assess Land Use Impacts
Study the land use impacts of major transportation projects and evaluate alternative land use and transit scenarios: Make this a requirement in all VDOT studies.

6. Target economic development assistance
Amend requirements for state economic development funds to tie funding to development in downtowns and near rail and public transit stations.
Target industrial and distribution uses to rail freight lines/spurs

7. Provide technical assistance to localities to promote transit-oriented development (TOD)
Use VDOT planning funding for TOD planning and form-based design codes. Tie state funding for transit projects to requirements that local planning and zoning be changed to support TOD.

8. Access Management to Protect the Capacity of Existing Highways
Save money by protecting highway corridors from inappropriate development. Create parallel grids to support mixed-use development, while reducing traffic on the existing highway.

9. Context Sensitive Solutions
CSS is a process adopted by several states and by federal law to improve to ensure that projects they are designed appropriately to the character of the community and landscape. CSS can save time, achieve consensus through expanded public participation, and support key economic development goals such as expanding tourism.

Resources

Virginia Conservation Network “White Papers” on VDOT Reform and Transportation Funding, Context Sensitive Design, Public-Private Transportation Act, and Smart Growth.

• See also 2005 AGENDA