GDOT Annual Report 2017

First page Table of contents 1 Next page Last page

TRANSPORTATION

2016-2017 Annual Report Department of Transportation

D I R E C T O R ’ S C O R N E R

Continuing a Safe and Mobile, Multimodal and Sustainable Transportation System

Adam Fischer Director City of Greensboro Department of Transportation

Over the next 12 months GDOT will work to develop a “Vision Zero,” joining the statewide effort to drastically reduce traffic fatalities over the next 15 years. Vision Zero is based on the belief that any loss of life is not an acceptable price to pay for mobility. North Carolina is the ninth most populous state in the country, and yet ranks fifth highest in traffic fatalities. NC Secretary of Transportation James Trogdon recently told the Greensboro Area Municipal Planning Organization that traffic safety and reducing traffic fatalities will be a top priority of the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Vision Zero will involve a collaboration of efforts of many jurisdictions and will include safer design standards, public education and awareness campaigns, new and improved traffic laws to deter speeding and distracted driving as well as strict enforcement of these laws. The Future of Transit The Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) has made many advances over the past 12 years, as we have seen ridership double to nearly 5 million passenger trips per year. In order to continue to provide transit services that meet the needs of our community, GTA is conducting a long-range transit plan, “Get On Board 2040.”Through robust input and collaboration of community stakeholders, Get On Board 2040 will identify gaps in our existing transit system and develop a series of recommended improvements that will meet the long-term needs and goals of our community.

Greensboro’s Department of Transportation (GDOT) has made great strides in fiscal year 2016- 2017 towards ensuring that a safe and mobile transportation system for all modes of travel can be sustained well into the future. Key Financial Support Last November Greensboro voters approved up to $60 million in Bonds to enhance and preserve our transportation system. These Bonds will be used to build sidewalks, repave streets and mark bike lanes, improve unsafe or congested intersections, develop downtown streetscapes, replace buses, and complete the downtown greenway. The residents of Greensboro have generously supported GDOT over the past 30 years by approved bond referenda that provided more than $340 million for transportation projects. These bond funds have been used to support critical transportation improvements and to leverage significant state and federal transportation funds. The state legislature has also established revenue sources to accelerate projects that are vital to economic development, including key projects in the Triad. All told, almost $1 billion will be invested over the next ten years to make our transportation system safer, more multimodal, more efficient and sustainable. Envisioning Zero Traffic Deaths How many traffic accidents in our community are an acceptable number? How many traffic accidents within our own families are acceptable? Is it fair to say zero?

PAGE 1

D I R E C T O R ’ S C O R N E R

In shorter order, GTA has a growing need to replace an aging fleet of buses that have gone through their 12-year, 500,000-mile useful life. GTA is looking to go with all electric buses in the near future. The transition is a business decision and not necessarily a “green” decision. Conservative estimates of total life cycle cost of electric buses over diesel and hybrid diesel buses shows a savings of up to $340,000 per bus over the life of the bus. These projected savings are due to lower maintenance and operating costs. Zero emissions and reduced noise are additional benefits to the life cycle cost savings. With up to 50 buses needing replacement over the next 5 years, GTA has a request for proposal out to purchase up to six electric buses this next fiscal year and if all goes as projected will purchase additional electric buses in the future. Sustainable Transportation In another initiative to promote and provide “green” transportation choices, GDOT will be leading the City’s bike share efforts. We will use financial support from the 2016 bonds and work with stakeholders at Downtown Greensboro Inc., Action Greensboro, UNCG, and NC A&T, and private bike share providers like Lime Bikes. Stay tuned as these exciting initiatives to provide a sustainable transportation system continue to evolve.

It is indeed an exciting time to be in Greensboro. The GDOT staff of more than 250 full-time and contracted employees is committed to providing a safe and mobile, multi-modal and sustainable transportation system that meets the needs and expectations of our citizens, the business community and our visitors. The following annual report highlights some of the major transportation milestones and accomplishments that GDOT has facilitated in partnership with City Council and other City departments, state and federal agencies, and the residents and businesses of Greensboro.

TRANSPORTATION

PAGE 2

G D O T A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

Index

Continuing a Safe and Mobile, Multimodal and Sustainable Transportation System.......... 1 Index.....................................................................................................................................................3 GDOT by the Numbers......................................................................................................................4 Agencies Propose Funding for Major Improvements in the Greensboro Area......................5 Key Projects that are Underway Across the City..........................................................................7 Downtown Parking............................................................................................................................8 Center City Enhancements Now Underway..................................................................................9 Public-Private PartnershipWorks to Build New Downtown Decks..........................................9 Greensboro Ranks No. 1 Among Drivers.................................................................................... 11 Greensboro Commits to End Roadway Fatalities...................................................................... 12 GTA Plans for the Future of Greensboro Transit with “Get on 2040”..................................... 13 GTA Honors Black Leaders and Trailblazers with Heritage Ride. ........................................... 14 The Future Is Electric. ..................................................................................................................... 15 Million Mile Couple......................................................................................................................... 15 Bus Operations Recognized for One Million+ Miles of Safe Driving..................................... 16 GTA Roundup................................................................................................................................... 17 Enhancing Bi-Ped Safety and Evaluating Sidewalks................................................................ 18

PAGE 3

G D O T B Y T H E N U M B E R S

$ $34.5 million budget

82 City Employees

All figures are for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.

PLANNING

• 918 development plans reviewed • 14 traffic impact studies reviews • $75 million local transportation infrastructure investment planned in the next 5 years • $490 million state/federal transportation infrastructure investment planned in the next 5 years

INFRASTRUCTURE

Roads

Streetlights

• 1,403 miles of roads for which GDOT is responsible • 8.4 million vehicle miles traveled in Greensboro daily

• $3.3 million budget • 27,000 streetlights • 210 new streetlights • 5,200 streetlights inspected

PUBLIC OUTREACH

• 1,575 resident requests for transportation services received • 90 neighborhood traffic concerns addressed • 6 public meetings conducted

Signs & Markings

Sidewalks

• 3,038 traffic control signs replaced/modified • 587 miles of street markings installed/modified

• 51,895 feet of sidewalks built

ACCIDENTS

Traffic Signals

Parking P

• 12 new traffic signals installed • 3,268 preventative maintenance activities/signal modifications

• 10,827 traffic accidents • 140 pedestrian accidents • 22 fatal traffic accidents • 8 fatal pedestrian accidents

• 31,085 parking tickets issue • 2,308 parking ticket appeals

• 210 traffic signal timing evaluations/modifications

GREENSBORO TRANSIT AUTHORITY

• 16 bus routes • 55 buses • 5 fixed-route diesel buses replaced • 49 paratransit vehicles

• 9 paratransit

buses ordered

GTA

• 4.1 million

passenger trips (estimated through June 30)

• $21.9 million budget • 207 contracted employees

TRANSPORTATION

PAGE 4

M E T R O P O L I T A N P L A N N I N G O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Agencies Propose Funding for Major Improvements in the Greensboro Area

The Greensboro Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Greensboro’s Department of Transportation (GDOT) and have been working diligently with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to secure funding for major area transportation priorities. This involves making tough choices on which projects to submit for a limited number of slots for evaluation under the state’s Strategic Transportation Investments prioritization process. The process awards points based on needs-based criteria such as congestion, safety, freight, and local priorities. NCDOT is also working to finalize the 2018-2027 State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) by August. The TIP funds road, rail, bike, pedestrian, and aviation projects across the state. The Greensboro MPO submitted 48 projects for new state and federal funding commitments. NCDOT proposes to support 25 of those projects with funding between 2018 and 2027 at an estimated cost of $155 million. This is new funding that is being added to the existing lists of projects in the STIP, for a total of nearly $900 million. Next Round of Project Prioritization in theWorks GDOT and the MPO are also gearing up for the next round of project prioritization. The staff will analyze new projects and old projects that have not yet made the cut to submit for funding. This time around, the City is thinking outside the box in an effort to identify additional needed projects that are not already on the identified needs list. This includes combing through the data, coordinating with other departments and stakeholder groups, and listening to the community. The MPO is responsible for finalizing the list of projects for submittal by September. Visit www. greensboro-nc.gov/GDOT to track progress on that process. State Commits to Accelerate Key Projects NCDOT announced in April that it has a cash balance of more than $2 billion and is looking at accelerating existing projects or funding additional projects to

reduce the cash balance to below $1 billion within 18 months. This could mean some MPO project schedules could be accelerated or new projects may be added to the STIP. Currently only 78 percent of projects in the STIP are completed on time. The state is also considering the following strategies to increase the number of projects delivered on time: • Speeding up the environmental assessment process and establishing new expectations for the completion of planning activities. • Implement more flexibility in terms of cash management and ability to replace delayed projects with ready to go projects. • Shifting the number of projects managed by the NCDOT division offices from 30 percent to 70 percent. An estimated 100 more projects could be completed on time by implementing these new strategies. In Greensboro, NCDOT has already decided to accelerate the right-of-way acquisition phase of the northern section of the Urban Loop between Lawndale Drive and US 29 to begin construction in 2018 rather than 2019. NCDOT has also decided to accelerate the full reconstruction of the US 29 and Reedy Fork Parkway Interchange from 2024 to 2020, eliminating the need for a previously scheduled interim project in 2020 to replace the existing bridge.

PAGE 5

YA N C E Y V IL LE R

SU M M IT O A K R ID G E R D

L E AN SV ILL E R D Ë

M C K N IG H T M I

JO S EP H M B RYA N B LVD oo o 5

H IN E S C H A P

2 4

NC 68 HWY S

B LV D

È È 18

US 29 HWY N

I-8 40 E

US 29 HWY S

23 23 H U FF IN E M ILL R D

U S 2 2 0 H W Y

A IR H A RB O R R D

Ë 19 19

H IC O N E R D W M A R K E T ST È È

È È È

È 23 23 § ¨ ¦ 40

B U R LIN G TO N R D

E W E N D O V ER AV E

I-4 0 H W Y W

£ ¤ 70

È È È È È È

U R B A N L O O P

N C H U R C H ST N ELM ST U S 4 21 -22 0- 29 -70 H W Y S 26 H W Y N

LEW ISTO N R D

26 U S 4 2 1-2 20 -29 -7 0 H W Y N N C 6 8 N E W G A RD EN R D

P L EA SA N T R ID G E R D

M T H O P E C H U R C H R D

L E ES C H A P E L R D

W W EN D OV E R AV E

H O R S E P E N C R E E K R D I-85S\40W

U R B A N L O O P

M C K N IG H T M ILL R D È

H IN E S C H A PE L R D

F LEM IN G

PAT T E R SO N ST 23

M C C O N N E LL R D

M ILL ST R E A M R D

È È

RO C K C R E EK DA IRY R D

22 2

S IX T E EN T H ST

R D

H IG H P O IN T R D P L E A S A N T R I D G E R D P L E A S A N T R I D G E R D H IL LTO P R D Ã 6

B AT TL EG RO U N D AV E

O L D O A K R ID G E R D Ë

21 21

F L E F L E

YO U N G S M IL L R D

B U S 8 5N \4 0 E B U S 8 5S \4 0 W

E C O N E B LV D È

JO S EP H M B RYA N B LVD oo o 5 MILLPOINT RD 5

E L EE S T

U R B A N L O O P

L E

W C O N E B LVD

H U FF IN E M ILL R D È È È 24

P L E A S A N T R ID G E R D È È

È È 18 I-85 H W Y S A LA M A N C E C H U R C H R D L IBE RT Y R D 18

F L E M IN G

2 4 2

£ ¤ 158

B U R LIN G TO N R D £ ¤ 220

NC 68 HWY S

13 13

12 12

J M H U N T JR EX P Y

O L D O A K O L D O A K £ ¤ 220

E W E N D O V ER AV E

£ ¤ 70

BE N JA M IN P K W Y

I-8 40 E

£ ¤ 158

W FR IE N D LY AV E 20 20

R D

M T H O P E C H U R I-8 5 H

R D

È È £ ¤ 311

J O S E P H M B RYA N B LV D oo o 5 J O S E P H M B RYA N B LV D oo o 5

W M A R K E T ST

§ ¨ ¦ 40

JO S E P

25 25

W ILLIA M S DA IRY

O L D O A K R I D G E R NC 68 HWY S ! !

È È

I-4 0 H W Y W

¿ Transit Projects

H W Y N N ELM ST

M C C O N N E LL R D

GARDEN ST

N C 6 8 N E W G A RD EN R D U S 4 2 1-2 20 -29 -7 0 H W Y N £ ¤ 421 !

YO U N G S M IL L R D JO S E P H M B RYA N B LV D oo o 5 18 E L EE S T U R B A N L O O P

SPRING

W W EN D OV E R AV E

£ ¤ 29 Ã Rail Projects

8 8

B U S 8 5N \4 0 E B U S 8 5S \4 0 W

2 4 2 4

S IX T E EN T H ST B AT T L E G RO U N D AV E 14 U S 4 21 -22 0- 29 -70 H W Y S

NSBORO

NC 68 HWY S NC 68 HWY S

§ ¨ ¦ 40

B US 8 5 S BU S 85 N I-85N P LEA S A N T G A R D EN R D N E L M S T U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y S N C 6 8 H W Y N N E L M S T U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y S N C 6 8 H W Y N N E L M S T U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y S £ ¤ 311 £ ¤ 421 B AT T L E G RO U N D AV E 14 PAT T E R S O N S T PAT T E R S O N S T HW Y N 18 È È 18 19. Air Harbor Rd.: Construct turning lanes and sidewalks. 20. Friendly Ave.: Widening to accommodate restriping of Wendover Ave. 21. Bryan Blvd: Improve interchange; Design and construct new ramp at New Garden and Horse Pen Creek roads. 22. Lewiston Rd.: Construct turning lanes, sidewalk and curb and gutter at Fleming Rd. 23. NC 68: Access management and safety improvements from NC 150 to Folgeman Rd. 24. NC 68: Widen from NC 65 to US 220. 25. J. Douglas Galyon Depot: Renovate building. The following projects have recently been approved for accelerated funding. 26. Urban Loop: Realign from Lawndale Dr. to US 29. 27. US 29 / Reedy Fork Parkway: Modify Interchange and widen and realign parkway with Summit Ave. ! ! ! ! È È U S 421-220-29-70 HW Y N N C 68 I-40 HW Y W NEW GA RD EN RD U S 421-220-29-70 HW Y N Ã S P R IN G G A R D E N S T W F R IE N D LY AV E W MARKET ST W W E N D O V E R AV E W FLORIDA ST Ã Rail Projects Transit Projects W E S T R ID G E R D N H O L D E N R D N C 6 8 N E W G A R D E N R D U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y N N E W G A R D E N R D U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y N I- 4 0 H W Y W N E W G A R D E N R D U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y N S C H A P M A N ST 15 12 20 8 GREENSBORO S I X T E E N T H S T S I X T E E N T H S T H W Y N 17. Gallimore Dairy Rd.: Widen to four lanes from NC 68 to I-40. 18. Sandy Ridge Rd.: Widen and improve safety from I‐40 to W. Market St. PAT T E R S O N S T NEW GA RD EN RD N ELM ST U S 421-220-29-70 HW Y S SIX TEEN TH ST HW Y N N ELM ST U S 421-220-29-70 HW Y S S IX T E E N T H S T È JOSEPH M BRYAN BLVD o JOSEPH M BRYAN BLVD oo o È ¿ PATTERSO N ST PATTERSO N ST SIX TEEN TH ST N C 68 I-40 HW Y W È È È È § ¨ ¦ 40 £ ¤ 311 17 ¿ È È £ ¤ 311 17 16. Summerfield South Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway: Construct multi-use path from US 220 to Centerfield Rd. § ¨ ¦ 85 ! R D Intersection & Interchange Projects ! Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects I- 4 0 H W Y W § ¨ ¦ 40 I- 4 0 H W Y W È § ¨ ¦ 40 PLEA SA N T R ID GE R D RA N D L EM A N R D ! N E L M S T U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y S NC 68 HWY S § ¨ ¦ 40 NC 68 HWY S È Ë È È 18 S IX T E E N T H S T N C 6 8 H W Y N PLEA SA N T R ID GE R D A LA M A N C E C H U R C H R D NC 68 HWY S È È È 23 L IBE RT Y R D J M H U N T JR EX P Y È Airport Projects ! È Highway Projects 1 18 È È È È 18 Ë ! 1 9 9 3 3 I- 4 0 H W Y W È È 23 I-85 H W Y S U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 - 2 9 - 7 0 H W Y N È W ILLIA M S DA IRY 17 È 17 17 N E W G A R D E N R D È § ¨ ¦ 40 FR E EM A N M IL L R D È o

PAT T E R SO N ST 14

I - 8 4 0 E I - 8 4 0 E

! ! 11

2 4

H IL LTO P R D

13 13

12 12

MILLPOINT RD

LEW ISTO N RD LEW ISTO N RD

Ã 6

! N C H U R C H S T

! !

S U M M IT AV E

S H O L D E N R D

FLEM IN G

W M A R W M A R I- 8 4 0 E È RD 22

H IG H P O IN T R D

20 20

È È

FLEM IN G

È PAT T E R S O N S T O LD O AK RIDG E RD Ë oo 5 2 4 RD O LD O AK RIDG E RD Ë 5 W M A R K E T S 22

W MARKET ST

I-8 5 H W Y N

25 25

S C H A P M A N ST

U S 4 2 1 - 2 2 0 -2 9 -7 0 H W Y N

U S 4 2 1 -2 2 0 -2 9 - 7 0 H W Y S

B ISH O P R D

311

I-840 E 2 4

Ã P R IN G G A R D E N S T

Transit Projects

W M ARKET ST W M ARKET ST I-840 E

W FLORIDA ST

Ã Rail Projects

! N C H U R C H S T S

È Highway Projects Airport Projects City of Greensboro Projects The following projects have been recently approved for funding. 1. I-40: Improve interchange at S. Elm-Eugene St. 2. PTI Airport: New taxiway 3. I-40: Improve S. Elm-Eugene St. and Randleman Rd. interchanges and repla e railroad bridge overpass. 4. PTI Airport: Apron expansion 5. PTI Airport: New taxiway 6. NC Railroad: Improve Hilltop Rd. crossing. 7. Norfolk Southern: Improve Franklin Blvd. crossing. 8. NC Railroad/Norfolk Southern: Extend Pomona Yard auxiliary track. 9. Meadowview Rd.: Install sidewalks from Randleman Rd. to S. Elm- Eugene St. 10. Holden Rd.: Install sidewalks. 11. Farmington Dr.: Install sidewalks from Gate City Blvd. to Wintergarden Ln. 12. Wendover Ave.: Install sidewalks from Grecade St. to Church St. 13. Wendover Ave: Install sidewalks from Summit Ave. to existing sidewalk near US 29. 14. Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway: Construct portion from Markland Dr. to Smith St. 15. Downtown Greenway: Construct path from Smith St. to Spring Garden St. Intersection & Interchange Projects ! Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects

Transit Projects

£ ¤ 311 £ ¤ 311 £ ¤ 3

Intersection & Interchange Projects I t rsection & Interchange Pr ! Bicycle and Pedestrian Proje È Highway Projects Inters ction & Interchange Pr ! Bicycle and Pedestrian Proje Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects È Highway Projec Intersection & I Bicycle and Pe Airport Projects Rail Projects È Highway Projects Airport Projects Transit Projects A rport Projects

o Ã ¿

Transit Projects Rail Projects Ã Rail Projects Ã Rail Projects Airport Projects Ë ! Ë ! È Ë ! Airport Projects Highway Projects Transit Projects Transit Project Rail Projects Airport Projects Transit Projects È Highway Projects È ! È Rail Projects o ¿ ¿ o o o Airport Projects o Ã

PAGE 6

È È

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N

Key Projects that are Underway Across the City

Projects in Process Horse Pen Creek Road In order to meet increased traffic demand and to support develop, Horse Pen Creek Road will be widened between New Garden Road and Battleground Avenue. The project will increase the number of lanes to four and add a landscaped median, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Utility lines are currently being relocated for this project and construction is expected to begin in fall 2017. At a total cost of almost $30 million, the Horse Pen Creek Road improvement project will be the City’s most expensive and extensive transportation enhancement project funded solely with City bonds. Horse Pen Creek Road, formerly a state system roadway, was recently acquired by the City to expedite and enhance the transportation improvements.

Summit Avenue Streetscape Summit Avenue and Vanceyville Street will receive streetscape enhancements and improvements, including storm drain improvements, a landscaped median, possible bicycle lanes, decorative street lighting, and other features. The project will stretch from Davie Street downtown out to Sullivan Street along Summit Avenue and Bessemer Avenue to East Lindsay Street along Yanceyville Street.

The City considered two designs: a four-lane road divided with medians, or two-lane road divided with medians and bicycle lanes. City staff met with area residents at two public input meetings in fall 2016 and spring 2017 before choosing the two-lane option. This project is scheduled for construction in the fall of 2018. Construction Underway Downtown Greenway The Downtown Greenway is a planned 4-mile multi- use greenway for walking, bicycling and other non- motorized means of transportation or recreation that will loop around downtown Greensboro. The Downtown Greenway and associated street improvements will cost an estimated $30 million to design and build. The following greenway sections are currently under construction: • Fisher Avenue between Greene Street and Eugene Street • Eugene Street between Fisher Avenue and Smith Street • Bragg Street from Eugene Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

Alamance Church Road Alamance Church Road will be widened between Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and the City limits. The road will be widened to add a center turn lane, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and bike lanes. Design is underway and will be complete later this year. Right of way acquisition will start in 2018 and construction is scheduled to start in late 2019. Vandalia Road Vandalia Road will be widened between South Elm- Eugene Street and Pleasant Garden Road. The road will be widened to add a center turn lane, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and bike lanes. The project is currently in the design phase. Right of way acquisition will start in 2018 and construction is scheduled to start in late in 2019.

PAGE 7

Downtown Parking In September 2015, the Parking Division began a pilot program implementing the Parkmobile mobile phone app in various City-owned surface lots. This app allows parkers to use the mobile app to pay for parking, instead of having to feed cash or coins into the meter. The app also sends a notification when your meter is about to expire and allows the user to extend their time up to the maximum allowed in the lot. The user is charged a 35-cent transaction fee in addition to the normal parking rates. Beginning this summer, downtown parkers will be able to use Parkmobile in all City parking lots and at on-street meters. The app is free and available for Apple and Android phones. Learn more by looking for the green signs or stickers in lots and on meters, or by visiting www.parkmobile. com.

This year, the city will begin construction on the portion of the Greenway on Smith Street between Spring Street and Prescott Street. Phase 2 of the greenway will also begin construction. This portion will feature total reconstruction of Murrow Boulevard. Construction on the Bragg Street portion of the greenway is expected to begin in late 2018. Phase 4 of the greenway along the rail corridor from Spring Garden Street to Smith Street is currently being designed. The 2016 City transportation bonds allocated $7 million to pay for construction of this final leg of the greenway in the near future.

Cone Boulevard – Nealtown Road Connector The Cone-Nealtown Connector will extend to East Cone Boulevard from 16th Street to Nealtown Road and provide a much needed street connectivity and more convenient access to the commercial area at the end of Cone Boulevard. The improvements consist of extending East Cone Boulevard to the east and extending Nealtown Road to the north, and adding curbs and gutters, sidewalks on both sides of the road, and a new bridge over Buffalo Creek. Construction began in October 2015 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2017.

PAGE 8

D O W N T O W N

Center City Enhancements Now Underway

Market Street Mini Streetscape This streetscape project will provide enhancements between Elm and Davie streets on the north side of Market Street. The streetscape will complement the recent renovations to the Southeastern Building and will include a wider sidewalk, café-style dining area, landscaping, benches, enhanced street lighting, and bicycle racks. This project will also incorporate a new downtown bike lane, which will run from Eugene Street to Church Street.

These enhancements complement recent building renovations in the area. Union Square The Union Square Campus is a joint campus of Cone Health, NC A&T State University, the UNC at Greensboro, and Guilford Technical Community College that opened in 2016. In association with the new Union Square Campus, Greensboro Department of Transportation (GDOT) has implemented several transportation improvements to this area, including wide sidewalks, new traffic signal mastarms, decorative crosswalks, LED streetlights, pedestrian streetlights, landscaping, and a parking lot.

East Lewis Street The southeast corner of E. Lewis Street has been upgraded to create an outside dining area for the public as well as a wider sidewalk, landscaping, and bicycle parking for our bike-share program.

Public-Private PartnershipWorks to Build New Downtown Decks

Like the downtown construction boom in the 1980s, Greensboro’s Center City is about to see another explosion of new high-rise developments – and two new parking decks. The City has partnered with private developers to build two decks that will be integrated into the new developments and provide up to 2,050 additional downtown parking spaces. The developers will build the decks and the City will own and operate them once they are complete. Greensboro’s Department of Transportation (GDOT) will finance the $57 million for the two parking structures with bonds that will be paid back over the next 30 years with a mix of parking revenues and general fund revenues.

One deck will have 850 spaces and will be located along the west side of Davie Street, from to Elm Street Center, spanning over February One Place. The deck will support the expansion of Elm Street Center, which will include a new hotel and event space. The second, 1,200 space deck will be built at the southwest corner of Eugene and Bellemeade streets to support a new 10-story office building being developed next to the Greensboro Grasshopper’s ballfield. This deck will also include some mixed-use development. The City’s four existing parking decks are near capacity. These additions will support the new developments and the recent expansion of Lincoln Financial, which has brought hundreds of new employees to downtown Greensboro.

PAGE 9

D O W N T O W N

Future Streetscapes The passage of the 2016 City transportation bond referenda will make up to $25 million available for future streetscape projects. GDOT is in the process of developing comprehensive design standards and future streetscape designs in conjunction with Downtown Greensboro Inc. and a consultant team. Look for future streetscape elements to enhance and complement downtown developments along major corridors such as Elm, Davie, Church, Eugene, and Bellemeade streets, and Gate City Boulevard. Downtown Streetlights

Elm Street Streetlights The existing pedestrian streetlights along Elm Street will be converted to open deluxe acorn LED light fixtures. Fifteen new teardrop LED streetlights will also be added along Elm Street from Market Street to Gate City Boulevard.

In partnership with Duke Energy, the City began painting downtown light poles and swapping existing lights for high efficiency LED lights in 2015. The second phase of the project is going on now and will be complete in time for the National Folk Festival in September. When finished, more than 400 streetlights will have been transformed.

PAGE 10

E N G I N E E R I N G

Greensboro Ranks No. 1 Among Drivers

What is the most satisfying city in America for driving? Greensboro, according to the first (2015) and second (2016) annual driver satisfaction index conducted by Waze. Waze offers a mobile navigation and driver assistance app

the City, the MPO, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to plan, fund, and implement projects to ease congestion. Freeway improvements included first widening I-40 through the City and then Urban Loop (also know as I-840) construction. Most recently, NCDOT completed a 6-mile I-73 connector between NC 68 and US 220. Widenings of Guilford College Road, High Point Road, and US 220 also made a dent, among others. Greensboro has an additional tool to keep traffic flowing: its new state of the art signal system. Recipient of the 2015 Best Project of the Year Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the signal system uses IP/Ethernet communications over fiber optic cable, and a greatly

where drivers can provide data on driving conditions and get notifications about accidents and other delays. For its

driver’s satisfaction index, Waze analyzed the driving experience of more than 65 million active Waze users in 38 countries and 235 metro areas to create a Driver Satisfaction Index. It gave each city a score ranging from satisfying (10) to miserable (1). The score combines Waze user ratings on traffic density and severity; road quality and infrastructure; roadway safety, including the density of accidents, road hazards, and weather; driver services, such as gas stations and easy parking; socioeconomic factors like access to cars and the impact of gas prices; and “Wazeyness.” Wazeyness reflects the happiness and helpfulness of the Waze community, measured by how often drivers thanked each other and driver moods selected within the app. Waze also found Greensboro is the fifth most satisfying city in the world for drivers. Greensboro was only bested by four mid-sized French cities: Valence, Tours, Lemans, and Saint-Etienne. Easing Congestion Although Greensboro was long known as a 15-minute city due to the high quality of the local roadway network, things had gotten much worse by the year 2000. Various bottlenecks impeded traffic through the area. The worst of these bottlenecks was on Greensboro’s two major interstates, I-40 and I-85. At just four to six lanes, these freeways carried more than 100,000 vehicles per day. This was a recipe for congestion, and meant travelers destined for Greensboro or just passing through would often experience heavy delays. But now, in 2017 interstate traffic flows much more smoothly, and many of the surface street bottlenecks have been eliminated. Improved traffic flow is the direct result of hard work by

enhanced network of closed-circuit television cameras to reduce delays at traffic signals. The system enables the City to synchronize traffic signals to a much greater degree, introducing greater vehicle progression to areas that had experienced frequent congestion. The use of more efficient left turn signalization is a part of this. One of the best features of this system is that the technology it uses can be easily upgraded in the

Top Five U.S. Cities (Over 200K Population) for Driver Satisfaction: 1. Greensboro, North Carolina Driver Satisfaction of 8.24 2. Grand Rapids, Michigan Driver Satisfaction of 7.88 3. Cleveland, Ohio Driver Satisfaction of 7.84 4. St. Louis, Missouri Driver Satisfaction of 7.80 5. Dayton, Ohio Driver Satisfaction of 7.78 Bottom Five U.S. Cities (Over 200K Population) for Driver Satisfaction: 1. Honolulu, Hawaii Driver Satisfaction of 4.35 2. Memphis, Tennessee Driver Satisfaction of 5.47 3. San Diego, California Driver Satisfaction of 5.49 4. Portland, Oregon Driver Satisfaction of 5.77 5. Los Angeles, California Driver Satisfaction of 6.1

PAGE 11

Zero. In some instances we all like it. Zero interest, zero payments, zero calories. How about zero fatalities on our roadways? Greensboro has joined a growing number of governments to make that commitment to safety and its residents. The “vision zero”movement began with Swedish parliament in 1997. Sweden was the first country to adopt this policy, based on the belief that loss of life is not an acceptable price to pay for mobility. Several countries followed suit and in 2012 Chicago became the first city in the United States to commit to reduce transportation-related deaths to zero by 2022. Since then, Austin, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York City, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, andWashington DC have also become Vision Zero Focus Cities. In October 2016, then-Governor Pat McCrory introduced the NC Vision Zero initiative with the goal of cutting roadway fatalities in half within the next 15 years and a long-term goal of zero deaths on North Carolina roadways. Greensboro Commits to End Roadway Fatalities

future to incorporate new data collection and traffic management technologies and software capabilities. More Improvements to Come Although systemic widenings, intersection improvements, and the new traffic signal system, the city and MPO area still has congested locations. GDOT staff is constantly evaluating intersections and analyzing crash data to identify future improvements. locations, the City staff is also using real time data from vendors like INRIX, HERE, or TomTom. These vendors provided travel time data for vehicles and trucks across the country. The City also has a two- way data share partnership with Waze. Waze provides anonymous incident and slow-down information directly from participating drivers. The City will be able to provide Waze users with advanced notice of major traffic events, such as concerts, festivals, and special events that may affect their daily commutes. congestion on major roadways has been reduced through In addition to using traditional methods to identify congested

The initiative will require the collaboration of multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders including those in the Greensboro area. The City will engineer safer roads, educate all of road users, and enforce traffic laws. Individually drivers must remember to make good decisions, obey speed laws, wear seat belts, and avoid the temptations of distracted driving.

1,387 people were killed on North Carolina roads in 2015.

Over the next several months, Greensboro Department of Transportation will be evaluating existing programs and begin transitioning to incorporate the goals of the NC Vision Zero campaign. North Carolina is the ninth most populated state in the country, yet ranks fifth in traffic fatalities. The NC Transportation Secretary James Trogdon has made safety a top priority and Vision Zero will play an instrumental role to reducing traffic fatalities. Visit ncvisionzero.org to learn more about the NC Vision Zero initiative.

PAGE 12

G R E E N S B O R O T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y

GTA Plans for the Future with“Get on Board 2040”

Shown on the top right, a Greensboro transit map from 1943. On the bottom right, a map from 2017. See any similarities? For almost a century, transit service in Greensboro has followed the depicted routes along major thoroughfares like Market Street, Friendly Avenue, North Elm Street, and Battleground Avenue. Operational changes have been made over the years with the city’s growth and development, but the standard hub pattern has not. Going forward, the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) is moving to lay out a blueprint for the future of public transportation in Greensboro with the Mobility Greensboro 2040 Transit Study. Branded as “Get On Board 2040,” the 18-month project will conduct a thorough review of the current system and operations through a series of focus groups, customer surveys, interviews with elected officials, and other data collection. The review is being conducted by Transportation Management & Design, a transit-planning consultant that has worked with such varied communities as Hampton Roads, Virginia, and Los Angeles and Oakland, California, on their long- range transit plans. Once all the information is compiled, a plan will be created for a transit system that will meet the growing needs and demands of our community. The city will take a “clean slate” approach to the development of the long-range plan, where all existing routes and services will be evaluated with an eye towards future demands. The plan will also consider altered, new, and routes, frequency of service, and hours of operation. Finally, the plan will include funding scenarios and options for the GTA Board and City Council to consider. The main ingredient needed for the long-range transit plan is public input. Do you have ideas about how public transportation can be improved in Greensboro? Do you want to see increased frequencies of service or new routes? Overnight service? Crosstown routes?

GTA encourages you to share your thoughts and follow the project’s progress online at getonboard2040.org. At this website you can learn more about our goals for Mobility Greensboro 2040, take our survey, and request the city staff present this information to your community group.

PAGE 13

G R E E N S B O R O T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y

GTA Honors Black Leaders and Trailblazers with Heritage Ride

In celebration of Black History Month 2017, the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) outfitted a bus to honor historic and present-day trailblazing African-Americans.

he developed to rescue workers trapped in a tunnel beneath Lake Erie in 1916. The exhibit also displayed the “Negro Traveler’s Green- Book,” a guide published from 1936 to 1966 that helped black travelers find safe lodging and other services, and the letter the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote while imprisoned in the Birmingham Jail for participating in segregation protests.

The bus was transformed into the Heritage Ride, a

rolling exhibit featuring images and information about important people and events in black history both locally and nationally. The Heritage Ride ran along a regular bus route, and was also available to visit schools, churches and other community groups. It traveled to 14 locations and was seen by more than 400 visitors. The Heritage Ride displays featured well-known individuals, such as President Barack Obama, Rosa Parks, whose actions in Montgomery, Alabama, spurred the integration of transit systems, and the Greensboro Four, who touched off the national lunch counter sit-ins. The exhibit also spotlighted lesser-known individuals and events, and people of all races whose efforts benefited society. It included information about people like Gerald Lawson, an early African-American computer engineer who invented the video game cartridge; Levi Coffin, a Quaker and leader of the Underground Railroad; the first African-American NASCAR driver, Wendell Scott; Julius Rosenwald, a part-owner of Sears Roebuck who donated millions in support of African- American children’s education in the rural South; and Garrett Morgan, an inventor who used a safety hood

The Heritage Ride also recognized Edward Greenlee and Liz McKinnon, the first African-American male and female bus operators in Greensboro. McKinnon even drove the bus to some of the special events during February. This program was made possible with support from the Greensboro Public Library.

PAGE 14

G R E E N S B O R O T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y

The Future Is Electric

In the early 1900’s Greensboro relished its use of modern-day transportation technology with the deployment of electric powered trolleys and trolley- buses.

decision. It is estimated that over the 12 year, 500,000- mile useful life of a bus, Greensboro will save $325,000 per bus in total life cycle costs. The electric buses cost more to purchase up front, but require less maintenance and much lower fuel costs when compared to diesel or hybrid buses. With the need to replace up to 50 buses over the next seven years, the $325,000 savings will go a long way. The fact that there are zero emissions and reduced noise are added benefits.

Million Mile Couple In June, GTA celebrated the drivers who have driven one or two million passenger miles without a Almost a century later, Greensboro is set to embark on another foray into electric power with the purchase of new electric-powered transit buses. The decision to go with all electric buses was a business prestigious honor – including a husband and wife. Stephen and Liz McKinnon have served the riders of Greensboro for more than three decades each. Hailing from High Point, Stephen McKinnon attributes his safe driving record to utilizing all of the skills developed through training classes and longevity As the original “green” transportation mode, these electric vehicles, operated by Duke Power, served passengers with low noise, no emissions, and unlimited fuel supply for daily transit services. However, the buses and trolleys were limited in movement to the vicinity of the overhead catenary wires. They went where the wires went. Trolley-buses had a little wiggle room to move around a stalled car or a stubborn mule. It had one path, and if that path was blocked, you just had to wait. Call it traffic congestion, 1940s style. preventable accident. Twenty- five fixed-route and paratransit operators earned the

behind the wheel. Liz McKinnon, born in Greenville, SC, was Greensboro’s first African-American female bus operator. She describes her key to safe driving as “A.G.K.L.M.” – Aim high in steering; Get the big picture; Keep your eyes moving; Leave yourself an out; and make sure they see you. Those are valuable goals for all drivers, but especially for those at the helm of a 40- foot transit bus. The new generation electric bus, expected to enter service by fall 2018, does not rely on the restrictive overhead wires or a continuous connection to the electric grid. Its propulsion will come directly from an electric motor powered by on-board capacitors – or batteries – with the equivalent of up to 105,000 AA batteries.

PAGE 15

G R E E N S B O R O T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y

The batteries will have to be recharged after 130 miles of travel. The electric bus will feature a patented mobile quick charge system housed within a stationary power supply. When the bus parks under the unit and electrical contact is made, it can charge from 10 to 90 percent charge in as little as 12 minutes. That’s quicker than a common mobile device! For passengers and the public, the only noticeable differences on the bus ride will be the lack of engine vibration, noise, and exhaust. The

To show just how everything comes full circle even in public transportation, the first electric bus charging station will be provided to GTA by a Duke Energy grant of $450,000 – nearly a century after they used electric vehicles to transport Greensboro citizens and visitors. Please make sure to follow our progress on the electric bus project at ridegta.com and see a new era in public transportation emerge.

technology will be applied to our fixed-route fleet as it offers the best options for recharging on the go with its predictable routing. Battery-powered vehicles are nothing new, with companies like Chevrolet and Tesla continuing to develop new technologies providing greater travel distances. Transit buses, however, offer a bigger challenge as they consume more power to move its 20 plus tons of vehicle weight. Several national companies, including BYD, New Flyer, and Proterra, are leading the way to a greener tomorrow by manufacturing buses reliant only on a clean electric power source.

Bus Operations Recognized for One Million+ Miles of Safe Driving

SCAT Drivers Two Million Miles: Robin Dillon, 27 years One Million Miles: Tina Mabane, 18 years Bryant Gordan, 17 years James Slade, 15 years Michelle Hoggard, 15 years Sandra Todman, 12 years

Fixed Route Drivers Two Million Miles: Liz McKinnon, 35 years Steve McKinnon, 30 years Roger Brice, 29 years Michelle Smith-Turner, 25 years William Ellis, 24 years Lamonte Jones, 24 years One Million Miles: Julius Moore Jr., 22 years Tracy Floyd, 21 years

Paul Stiles, 19 years Ronnie Goodman, 18 years Walter Rogers, 18 years Helen Shaw, 17 years Mildred Floyd, 16 years Stephanie Hartgrove, 15 years Peter Savage, 13 years Marion Johnson, 13 years Robbie Bowman, 13 years

Ron Santee, 13 years Dexter Vines, 13 years

PAGE 16

G R E E N S B O R O T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y

GTA Roundup

Rail-Ride Partnership Helps Train Users The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has partnered with Greensboro to offer railroad travelers a bus ride to their final destination. The train can be an effective mode of transportation to move from city to city, but supplementary travel is often needed for the “last mile” to move between the train station and a passenger’s home, work or school.

GTA Joins Advertising Partnership In the last year, the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) has partnered with three area transit systems to create a Triad-wide transit advertising program where advertisers can receive additional benefits by marketing across the area. Through a competitive bid process, GTA and its partners hired Streetlevel Media of Fayetteville, NC, to manage the program. The agency started off strong, with new advertisers including the Wrangler’s “Jeansboro” campaign, which featured NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a wrapped bus. GTA also offers display ads at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot and audio ads on our buses. To learn more about bus ads, contact Streetlevel Media at 910-323-9306. For information on Depot display ads or bus audio ads, contact Kevin Elwood at 336-412-6309. Transit SystemWins Marketing Award GTA’s Partnership Guide was awarded first place for “Best Print Media to Highlight Transit Needs Funding” by the American Public Transportation Association, the research, education and advocacy organization for the public transportation industry. The award was accepted by GTA’s Marketing and Communications Manager Kevin Elwood at the 2017 APTA Marketing and Communications Workshop held in Tampa, Florida. The guide is an outreach tool that explains GTA’s services, funding and user demographics. It also contains a FAQ on common misperceptions about GTA and public transportation. Ultimately, the guide seeks to offer partnership opportunities to local businesses and organizations to include Adopt-A-Stop, advertising, volunteering and more.

Train passengers arriving in Greensboro can now ask the conductor for a transit pass good for one bus fare and one transfer. The fare card is good for use on the day of train travel only.

Since launching the program, GTA’s participation has surpassed all other areas that use the pass system. Historic Depot Will Be Renovated Greensboro has been awarded two grants for repairs and renovations at the historic J. Douglas Galyon Depot, the City’s multi-modal transportation center. The NC Department of Transportation Rail Division awarded grant funding for critical repairs at the Depot, including repair of leaks in the Amtrak passenger and baggage tunnels, roof and deck repairs of terminal canopies, miscellaneous plaster and painting, and installation of a roof access ladder. The project is expected to be finished by early 2018. The City was also awarded a $960,000 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to renovate the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) ticketing, call center, and waiting areas in the depot. Specific improvements include expansion and relocation of the Operator’s Lounge, staff offices, customer waiting area and restroom facilities. A new ticket counter, call center, and security station will be centrally located to enhance convenience, visibility, security and customer amenities. The project is currently under an environmental and historic preservation review by FTA, and is expected to begin in Spring 2018.

PAGE 17

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20

Made with FlippingBook