Tuesday, April 9, 2-13, WeMoveDC held a web-based chat regarding transportation challenges both in the District and regionally. Below is a log containing questions asked and answers provided by WeMoveDC / District Department of Transportation staff.
Audience Question:Q: Will the slides from this presentation be made available to us after the workshop (emailed or at a website?)A: Yes, on the website under the resources tab on the website. www.wemoveDC.orgAudience Question:Q: how about taxi drivers?A: DDOT works on this with the taxi cab commission, both specifically and generally. Special outreach has been done with this group.Audience Question:Q: How can create a better funding and governance mechanism for regional transportation (From Baltimore to Richmond, from Annapolis to Dulles)?A: We are working with regional, state, and local partners to start to identify solutions. MWCOG has an important role in the finance and funding discussion. Recently, Virginia and Maryland have made changes to the way they fund transportation to try to better address transportation needs. We plan to also evaluate how we fund transportation as a part of this planning effort.Audience Question:Q: When will bicycle lanes be placed on Connecticut and Wisconsin avenuess?A: We will look to this plan to help identify the future networks for all modes, together. Streets like those that you mention are especially complicated because of competing demands. This planning effort will help to resolve those conflicts.Audience Question:Q: How many people participated in this webinar?A: 46 individuals have signed in; however, we do not know whether some attendees represent groups.Audience Question:Q: I have also heard about something called the "side car" do you know about that?A: Personal ridesharing/taxi service that people can hail/offer via mobile app. This is one of those information-based ideas that could be a larger part of the future of transportation in DC.Audience Question:Q: Are you taking the future of automated (computer driven) vehicles into consideration?A: We will be flexible in our accommodation and ability to accommodate modes that may not be prevalent today.Audience Question:Q: what is the focus on encouraging older adult participation in the community. For example sidewalks in good repair.A: Access for all ages and abilities is important. It should be easy for anyone of any ability to get around.Audience Question:Q: Where did the end-of-block bollards on the L Street cycletrack go (the ones that keep cars out of the cycle track), and when will they be back?A: They went away for snow removal and will be back in the coming weeks.Q: One of the problems in the District is that while DDOT is an important factor in transportation policy, DPW, Office of Planning, or MPD also have a roll in making transportation effective. What specific changes will WeMoveDC introduce to end the silo mentality.Audience Question:Q: If DC wants to attract affluent people, who want to live and shop in DC with children, the focus is easy. The slower traffic has the priority, walkers first, cyclists second, and vehicles third, jet planes fourth, rockets fifth.A: Thanks.Audience Question:Q: Just to note, police officers are often in that same category. They park in bike lanes all the timeA: Thanks.Audience Question:Q: FYI valet drivers also pull U-Turns through the PA Ave cycletrack. Some outreach to the valet companies and restaurants would help.A: DDOT is working with many partners for better enforcement and education to reduce instances of this sort of behavior.Audience Question:Q: We also need to have some regulations in place to ensure bicylces are on the street and not the sidewalks. Is this going to be looked into?A: This is an issue we'll be discussing as a part of the plan.Audience Question:Q: I drive as little as possible, but when I do, I can't help but notice that the timing of lights in DC tends to increase congestion (lights that turn red immediately after the previous light turns green, etc.. I have been in many cities where lights are timed to help the flow of traffic. Are we recruiting the expertise to help make better use of what we have, as well as increasing capacity?A: We are working on optimizing our signal system to address this type of issue.Audience Question:Q: Aside from the 15th Street Cycle track, there are few north-south or east-west corridors that are safe for cyclists. are you planning more protected cycle tracks to make cycling safer for everyone?A: This plan will look comprehensively at the bicycle network.Audience Question:Q: There are cycle paths (particularly Rock Creek Pkwy) that are in serious need of repair and revision. Is the National Park Service party to this planning process?A: Yes.Audience Question:Q: Are there any plans to repave the 15th St. bike lane?A: Yes. Schedule is uncertain.Audience Question:Q: Can we have a coprehensive bicycle parking program, especially in the CBD? Now, the installation process is dictated by the "squeakly-wheel" method. Could we work with BIDs, businesses and communities to better allocate spaces, even if it removes some car street parking?A: We will be looking at bicycle parking on and off-street as a part of this plan.Audience Question:Q: Will we be getting dedicated lanes for buses, especially on high bus volume corridors like 16th Street?A: This is the sort of issue we will be discussing as a part of this plan.Richard Whyte (to All - Entire Audience): Last chance for questions.Richard Whyte (to All - Entire Audience): We look forward to seeing you at a future event in the future. Please visit www.wemoveDC.org for current project information and input opportunities.Richard Whyte (to All - Entire Audience): Thank you.