GDOT Annual Report 2021-2022

2021-2022 Annual Report Department of Transportation TRANSPORTATION

Cutting Edge Department Pilots Artificial Intelligence Technology GDOT conducted a pilot deployment of Miovision’s SmartLink data platform to provide Advanced Traffic Signal Performance Metrics (ATSPM). The cloud based system uses computing power, advanced vehicle and pedestrian detection, and artificial intelligence to provide continuous counts and data regarding intersection operations and safety. This pilot program allowed GDOT to see how it can optimize intersection functionality for all road users as it expands the computing power across the traffic signal system. Robotic Delivery System Expands GDOT’s traffic signal team partnered with NC A&T State University and Starship Technologies on the expansion of their robotic delivery system. It was the first of what is sure to be many ways GDOT will respond to autonomous vehicle needs in the coming years.

Starship provides robots that deliver food or supplies to people across campus. The signal team piloted methods to allow robots to cross a public street at a signalized pedestrian crossing, expanding Starship’s delivery area. Projects Downtown Greenway Enters Final Phase The much-anticipated Downtown Greenway project is nearing completion. Phase 2 of the Downtown Greenway – along Murrow Boulevard and Fisher Avenue – is now complete, and repairs to the bridge over Church Street will soon be underway. The final segment, Phase 4 – between Spring Garden and Smith streets – is being reengineered to be rebid this summer. Engineering Tests ‘Pop-Up’ Design on Peach Orchard Drive In response to neighborhood concerns over speeding and in anticipation of more traffic due to the Urban Loop completion, GDOT’s Engineering Division deployed a series of temporary traffic calming measures on Peach Orchard Drive in March.

2.7 Miles of New Bike Lanes 5 New Traffic Signals 17 Electric Transit Buses 18 Miles of New Sidewalks 46 Speed Studies Completed 322 LED Streetlight Conversions

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Provide Greensboro safe, seamless and equitable transportation choices. MISSION Collaborative | Equitable | Innovative | Integrated | People-Centered | Safe VALUES

21,285 GCS Student Bus Trips 171,001 Access GSO Trips 2,013,956 Fixed Route Bus Trips

2022 By the Numbers

2021-22 Highlights

The “pop-up” traffic calming structures were installed with the help of neighbors. These included temporary roundabouts and chicanes, which shift traffic and encourage speed reduction. Data collected before and after the pop-up indicated the changes reduced speeds up to 15 percent in the six weeks after installation. Based on feedback from neighbors and these results, a permanent version of the improvements is being installed following resurfacing of the street this summer. Ongoing monitoring will provide data on the performance of the speed management devices. Outdoor Dining Downtown Rules Formally Adopted In the early months of the pandemic, local restaurants took advantage of quickly adopted City policies to add safer outdoor dining options in the public right-of-way.

Outdoor dining became so popular that City leaders amended local ordinances to permanently allow for the “extension of premises” into sidewalks and streets. GDOT staff worked with Greensboro police and downtown stakeholders to craft a framework of ordinances that ensure the needs of both pedestrians and restaurants are met. Look for more formal installations of dining patios later this year. Parking Parking Revenue System Installed The parking payment systems at all five downtown decks were replaced as part of a $1.3 million upgrade. Parkers now can pay parking fees at new pay-on-foot stations or stations in all deck exit lanes. In addition to being more convenient for parkers, the system improves GDOT’s data collection and allows for more flexibility to vary rates for special event parking.

2021-2022 Year in Review

Overhead electric bus charging station construction.

Sidewalk project on Pisgah Church Road, Lees Chapel Road, and Yanceyville Street completed.

Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) expands Sunday bus service to 17 routes and extends hours.

October 2021

January 2022

July 2021

January 2022

October 2021

GDOT celebrates Walk to School Day.

GCS students begin riding GTA buses to area high schools.

This automation has allowed the Eugene Street Parking Deck to operate without attendants at the exit lanes. Neighborhood Parking Permit Program Adopted In response to neighborhood parking concerns, in February City Council established a new permit program for areas zoned “traditional neighborhood” that includes residences and commercial businesses. Within this defined area, parking permits may be issued to residents and business owners that allow a vehicle to park for an unlimited amount of time within

for parking at the decks most impacted by the event. Rates go into effect 90 minutes prior to any event expected to draw 1,500 or more attendees. Safety Greensboro Reached Record High Traffic Fatalities In 2021, 52 people died in traffic crashes in the City of Greensboro – the highest number in the last seven years. Those figures include 17 pedestrians and one bicyclist. Ten of these fatal crashes included motorcycles. This uptick in fatalities has been witnessed in cities across the US, a trend that has worsened since the pandemic began in 2020. It has been suggested that the drastic traffic volume decrease that occurred during the pandemic resulted in increased roadway capacity and reduced congestion. That spurred

a dedicated two-hour time-limited zone. New Event Parking Policy Enacted

Spurred by the opening of the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, GDOT adopted its first special event parking policy. It sets special rates, ranging from $5-10,

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Vision Zero staff celebrates Trails Day.

RATP Dev awarded contract to operate GTA bus system.

Draft 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program released.

March 2022

June 2022

April 2022

Peach Orchard Street pop-up project installed.

May 2022

March 2022

Starship delivery robot signal integration pilot launched.

February One Parking Deck vertical construction begins.

2021-22 Highlights (continued)

Transit Transit Rides for GCS Students

people to speed – which has persisted even as traffic levels returned to normal. Increases in unsafe driver behaviors such as substance impaired driving, failure to buckle up and distracted driving are contributing factors. Safe Routes to School Program Relaunched After a pandemic hiatus, GDOT relaunched its Safe Routes to Schools Program in August. The program provides partner schools with communication resources and education materials that encourage children to walk and bike to school. GDOT supportedWalk to School Day events with safety giveaway items, event coordination and educational materials. Draft 2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program Released NCDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for 2024-2033 is currently in development. Staff are working closely with the state to secure funding for the more than 220 projects awarded in the Greensboro area. The STIP is expected to be finalized by the NC Board of Transportation in 2023. k y R d

In January, a shortage of Guilford County Schools (GCS) bus drivers lead the district to partner with Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) to get students to schools in Greensboro. GTA provided more than 21,000 rides to students at four Greensboro high schools at no cost to the student for the remainder of the school year. An ongoing partnership with GCS for the coming school year is now in the works. Grant Provides More Electric Buses In March, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the City a $3 million competitive grant to replace outmoded buses with new battery-electric buses. GTA will purchase three buses and charging equipment with the funds. This will increase the percentage of Greensboro’s bus fleet to 35 percent electric.

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