Intersect: July 30, 2001


	Washington Regional Network
	for Livable Communities



	INTERSECT Newsletter of the Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities July 30, 2001 - Volume 5 Number 6 Washington D.C. Region Fails on Air Quality "With the authorities admitting that they have been underestimating air pollution emissions from cars and trucks in the DC region, more action is needed to protect our children so they can play [outside] without increased risk of asthma" said Michael Replogle, federal transportation director of Environmental Defense. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (COG) Transportation Planning Board announced that the region has some of the country's most polluted air and may not achieve federally acceptable levels of ground level ozone by 2005, as required by the Clean Air Act of 1990 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31439-2001Jul7.html). The region is projected to be over budget by 8 tons per day (or 6%) in vehicle emissions of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) (http://www.mwcog.org/dep/air/download/RevPhaseII.PDF). This means the region cannot add any more highway and transit expansion projects to their plan, unless it is willing to cut other projects. However, non-polluting transportation projects can be added including bike and pedestrian facilities, operations and maintenance for roads and transit, traffic signaling and safety, ridesharing, and purchases of replacement buses. Mobile sources are a primary source of NOx, which interacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight to produce ground level ozone, commonly known as "smog." The total amount of pollution from transportation each day is about 196 tons of Nitrogen Oxide, with 171 tons from "stationary sources", power plants, factories, etc. Other sources of pollution include construction equipment, dry cleaners, and small engines (i.e. lawnmowers). Although idling vehicles are a considerable source of pollution, there is a common misconception that congested (and therefore slower moving) traffic pollutes the air more than unimpeded traffic moving at higher speeds. A Mobile Emissions Analysis by COG shows that at vehicle speeds below 10mph and above 50mph, NOx emissions rise dramatically. NOx emissions at 57mph are 37% greater than at 30mph. Therefore, increasing highway speeds does not alleviate pollution ("Mobile Emissions Analysis 1999 Vehicle Registration Data," MWAQC/COG, February 9, 2001). The Washington region has the seventh worst ozone pollution in the nation (http://www.lungusa.org/air2001/table3.htm). "Ozone, the main component of smog, is a severe lung irritant, and can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, and coughing. Prolonged exposures to ozone can cause reductions in lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, and respiratory discomfort. When ozone levels are high, more people suffer asthma attacks," said Jim Wamsley, transportation chairman of the Sierra Club's Virginia chapter. Poor air quality has serious consequences for the health of our region's residents, especially children. According to the American Lung Association, 10,000 people under 18 years of age have asthma in the District, as do 200,000 adults (State of the Air 2001 Report http://www.lungusa.org/air2001/table3.html). COG transportation planning director, Ron Kirby indicated that although the current problem involves air quality goals in 2005, the rise in vehicle miles traveled will continue to present challenges in meeting air quality goals in later years. Replogle strongly suggests that State and local agencies redirect of some of their planned spending to support Commuter Choice incentives across the region, purchase or lease of more clean buses and vans, improvements to make walking and biking safe and attractive ways to get to schools and transit stops, and other steps to expand travel choices. The Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) and Solutions Not Sprawl believe that focusing development at Metrorail stations, expanding transit capacity, and creating more walkable communities are long term methods to effectively reduce our regional NOx emissions (see links for alternative land use patterns on WRN's web page http://www.washingtonregion.net/html/furtherreading.html). The following are specific recommendations that the CSG and Michael Replogle support to reduce air pollution from mobile sources in the long term (for a more complete description of these recommendations, visit http://www.solutionsnotsprawl.org): Technical assistance (planning, zoning, model ordinances, financial assistance) for local governments to promote transit-oriented development by making the appropriate zoning changes, design standards, etc. Aggressive promotion of employer-provided transit benefits. Residential transit passes - seek commitments from developers to provide transit passes as a part of residential development near Metro stations and encourage neighborhood associations to purchase bulk passes. Increased bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Funding the deferred maintenance on the Metrorail system - increase system ridership. Change parking policies - increase parking fees throughout the region while allowing discounts for carpools and vanpools (COG has identified parking fees as most directly successful at reducing NOx emissions). Safe Routes to School programs - designate a portion of federal transportation safety funding to implementing "traffic calming" programs in neighborhoods around schools. This would allow safer passages for children walking and biking to school and reduce the number of car trips by parents. Complete ALL sidewalks within ¼ to ½ mile of ALL Metrorail stations to increase the percentage of trips made by walking, biking and transit. Alternative Fuel Fleets - Expanding WMATA and other agencies' programs to purchase alternative fuel vehicles (compressed natural gas, electric, hybrid and low-sulfur fuel). Technology standards to reduce reliance on diesel powered vehicles and machinery. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for transit - bus prioritization signals, traffic signal timing, etc. to make bus routes more efficient. Increased Telecommuting. Elected officials are currently considering projects that would improve regional air quality. On July 18, COG's Transportation Planning Board formed a task force to research ways to reduce regional NOx emissions; their findings will be presented in September. They are likely to suggest several unenforceable TERMs (Transportation Emission Reduction Measures), such as the region's Guaranteed Ride Home Program, expanded bicycle facilities, and free bus fares on Code Red Days, that lower mobile source emissions by reducing vehicle use. "This is an opportunity to make public transit a greater priority," says D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) who advocates for development around transit. Region to Improve Bus Service by Margot Bevington, WRN Intern The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) considers its first comprehensive bus study an important first step in ensuring the bus system's role in meeting the needs of a growing region. WMATA's two year Regional Bus Study began in May 2000 and is now completing plans to overhaul the region's bus system. According to Intersect v4n12, October 13, 2000, "improved bus service is important not only to make bus transportation more attractive in its own right but also to better connect neighborhoods to rail transit stations and activity centers" (http://www.washingtonregion.net/html/newsletter.html). The regional bus study began with a telephone survey of non-bus riders, a comprehensive operational analysis summary report, and a demographics and travel pattern analysis, all of which are now available on WMATA's web site for pubic viewing (http://www.wmata.com/about/expansion/bus_study.htm). In response to the needs of those surveyed, WMATA's planners propose to install real-time, computerized signs at bus stops displaying time and destination for the next departure as well as the utilization of an Automated Vehicle Location system that will help track how drivers are adhering to their schedules. To make access to congested highways easier for buses, WMATA's consultants proposed the use of signal preemption for buses and the designation of marginal lanes for bus use only. Non-bus riders were found to dislike the lack of information and shelters at bus stops and lack of safe walkways to stops. Also, a survey of bus riders pointed to the need for the following improvements to the region's bus system: on-time and more frequent bus arrivals at stops, less crowding on buses, and more stops during non-traditional work hours. According to WMATA Project Manager Art Lawson, other goals of the study are to alleviate crowding on Metrorail, to extend Metrorail's services via a bus rapid transit system in the Dulles Corridor in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and to serve new markets by developing connections to suburban bus services and strategic new routes downtown and in neighborhoods. Planners also want to strive for cleaner, more appropriately sized buses depending on the ridership of the areas served. The WMATA funded buses systems under scrutiny include Metrobus, ART (Arlington County), CUE (City of Fairfax), DASH (Alexandria), Fairfax Connector (Fairfax County), Loudoun County Commuter Bus Service, Ride-On (Montgomery County), and The Bus (Prince George's County). The study is now in its second round of pubic stakeholder's meetings. The meetings were convened for each of the study's five sub-regions, D.C.; Falls Church and Arlington and Alexandria Counties; Montgomery County; Prince George's County; and Fairfax City and Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. For more information about the regional bus study, contact WMATA Project Manager, Art Lawson, at 202-962-2429 or alawson@wmata.com. Or, log on to http://www.wmata.com/about/expansion/bus_study.htm. For more information on rapid transit development within the Dulles corridor, log on to http://www.dullestransit.com. Maryland Governor Opposes HOT Lanes Governor Parris Glendening canceled the feasibility study of HOT lanes on Rt. 50, claiming that HOT lanes are not an equitable alternative to congested roads (Baltimore Sun, July 10 http://www.sunspot.net/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.lanes10jul10.story). Transportation Secretary Porcari disagrees, "a study of HOT lanes in San Diego showed that people at all income levels used them when in a hurry" (Washington Post, June 21, http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25891-2001Jun20?language=printer). According to Michael Replogle of Environmental Defense, at WRN's March forum, "Pricing Highway Lanes - Who Benefits," when people have to choose between paying a toll for HOT lanes and paying a fine for extended daycare or arriving late to work, HOT lanes become the less expensive option, even for blue-collar workers. Besides alleviating congestion and reducing the need for new road projects, Replogle suggested that revenue from HOT lanes could be used to fund transit services, and increase affordable options for commuters to avoid congested roads. Replogle demonstrated that single-use charges, day passes, 'FAIR lane' strategies, and committing HOT lane toll revenues to support expanded transit services can ensure that HOT lanes benefit low and moderate income motorists. For more information on HOT lanes, see the March 17, 2001 Intersect, v5n2 (http://www.washingtonregion.net/html/v5n2.html) and the Environmental Defense website: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/programs/Transportation/. District Affordable Housing Legislation Simplified WRN and other local housing groups released a checklist that assesses the four housing bills pending before the D.C. City Council. WRN, the D.C. League of Women Voters, and Washington Innercity Self Help (WISH) published the "D.C. Housing Legislation Check List for Council Members" to help evaluate and assess the housing legislation before the city council which is being reworked, and is expected to go before the Council in October. The check list presents an analysis of the housing bills in order of their ability to meet the following goals: (1) to produce housing, especially rental, for low- and moderate-income families, that is, only for households earning less than the DC median income for a family of four, or $46,800; (2) to save as much as possible of the existing supply of low-income housing; (3) to increase the proportion of benefits going to the most stressed; (4) to build stable, diverse communities by helping people stay in their neighborhoods; and (5) to do it all without breaking the budget. Of top priority are the Housing Production Trust Fund (the Mayor's Bill, #14-167, Title V) and the legislation providing Affordable and Diverse Housing (Council member Graham's Bill, #14-263). According to the check list, the Housing Protection Trust Fund deserves full support of every Council member, especially for full funding through a dedicated source of revenue. The check list also specifies that for full support, the legislation should specify: a priority for low-income rental housing (below $23,400), a policy of transparency in all operations, an advisory board representative of all interested parties and authorized to exercise public scrutiny, and the intent to gradually increase the financial resources each year until all working families are assured the opportunity to live in quality homes in D.C. According to WRN board member and checklist co-author, Janet Brown, Councilmember Graham's Bill is important to housing activists because it introduces the concept of "inclusionary zoning," requiring developers of projects having more than 20 units to offer 10% of the units to low- and moderate-income households. Brown believes Councilmember Graham's definitions of "low" and "moderate" incomes are realistic (below $24,840 and $49,680, respectively). However, application is severely limited to those development projects receiving some kind of public subsidy. Brown believes that the principle is worth enacting even its limited form but for more significant impact, this restriction needs to be removed. WRN's "Affordable Housing for the City" (available at http://www.washingtonregion.net), suggests the District use zoning regulations and tax incentives to require new developments to compensate for the affordable housing lost to rising rents and gentrification. WRN President, Cheryl Cort critiques Graham's bill: "we're concerned that this inclusionary zoning ordinance will perform more along the lines of the Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince George's Counties' housing policies which do not have a large impact on affordable housing supply. What we would like to see is an affordable housing policy modeled after Montgomery County, which requires 12.5% to 15% of affordable units for all development projects above a threshold amount - and offers density bonuses to compensate developers for the reduced revenues. In comparison to other inclusionary zoning in the region, the potential of Montgomery County model is tremendous and worth emulating." WRN is working with local housing groups to ensure that council members are aware of these issues. WRN board member, Janet Brown, claims that Council members Adrian Fenty and Jim Graham are the most supportive of the checklist provisions so far, and the support of Harold Brazil and Jack Evans is particularly sought since they are members of the Committee on Finance and Revenue. For a copy of the Housing Check List, call WRN at 202/667-5445 (it will soon be available on the WRN web page, http://www.washingtonregion.net). Adding to Your Toolkit PolicyLink produced the Beyond Gentrification Toolkit, a new web-based toolkit for use in communities faced with gentrification, displacement and disinvestment. It is a work in progress and will feature the most innovative and successful equitable development strategies in place in culturally diverse communities across the country, visit www.policylink.org. The Federal Highway Administration inaugurated a new Traffic Calming web site. The site has info on the objectives of traffic calming; traffic calming measures; links to traffic calming programs; links to other related agencies; a list of recent studies; and a list of upcoming events, visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/tcalm/index.htm. Redesigning Streetscapes: The Sierra Club's Restore the Core Campaign has added computer generated images to their web site of how unattractive streets can be made more interesting. These images are available on: www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/community/transformations/index.asp. Building the Washington Metro: An Online Exhibit explores the history of the Washington Metro rapid transit system from the 1940s to the present. It is divided into five image galleries covering Metro's planning, engineering, architecture, construction, and operation. A survey page records the experiences of Metro's designers, builders, neighbors, and riders, visit http://chnm.gmu.edu/metro. WRN Seeks Affordable Office Space* WRN and the Coalition for Smarter Growth are interested in affordable and Metro accessible office space for five full time staff persons and several interns. WRN and CSG are particularly interested in sharing space with other like-minded organizations. If you have any particular leads, please contact the WRN office: 202/667-5445. Upcoming Events Fridays, 8:45am. Join Rock Creek Park advocates for the "Friday Morning Beach Club," a weekly demonstration calling for improved recreational access in Rock Creek Park. Bicyclists will enter the southbound lane of Beach Drive and travel through the scenic Rock Creek Gorge, supporting the call for part-time weekday closure of portions of the road to cars. The "Beach Club" will be a regular Friday morning event, continuing indefinitely. Participants will gather in a picnic grove across from the U.S. Park Police station on Beach Drive, just south of Military Road. Tuesday, July 31, 7:30pm. VDOT Regional Bikeway & Trail Study Meeting. At the Fairfax County government Center. The meeting will provide you with an overview of the Bikeway & Trail Study and an opportunity to ask questions about the study. A second public information meeting will be held in fall, 2001 to review preliminary findings and recommendations. The full presentation will be available on http://www.fhiplan.com/novabike. Wednesday, August 8, 12:30-1:30pm. Smart Growth: Why Sprawl is a Conservative Issue. Attorney, author, and columnist Michael E. Lewyn will discuss his belief that suburban sprawl is a result of government construction and housing regulations that favor suburban construction on undeveloped land. He will also consider how smart growth can encourage free market activity and increase economic development. Free, National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW Judiciary Square Metro (Red line). Tuesday, August 14, 6:30-8:30pm. D.C. Builds: Improving Downtown D.C.'s Transportation Infrastructure. Joseph Passonneau, FAIA, ASCE, will discuss the sources of the existing traffic problems in D.C. He will also explain how the streets can be recaptured for transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians while still providing for vehicular traffic. He will be joined in a panel discussion by Joseph Sternlieb, deputy director of the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District, and Dan Tangherlini, acting director of the D.C. Division of Transportation. Registration required, $8 members, $12 nonmembers at the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Judiciary Square Metro (Red line), 202-272-2448. Wednesday, August 15, noon - 2pm. Meeting of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), 777 N. Capitol St, NE (Union Station Metro). Contact: 202-962-3311. September 5-8th. American Forests presents the 2001 National Urban Forest Conference in Washington, D.C. Conference organizers will promote the urban forest as a living infrastructure that provides cleaner air and water and more sustainable communities. At the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. For More Information Contact: Kasey Russell, registration Coordinator 304-345-7578, email: kaseyrussell@citynet.net, or register online www.americanforests.org. Job Listings WRN seeks part time Fall Intern to manage our growing contact database, update our web page, and provide outreach to regional organizations and residents. Microsoft Office, (including Access) web, and outreach experience are recommended. To apply, send cover letter, resume, and writing sample to the WRN office: staff@washingtonregion.net, 1777 Church St. NW, Washington D.C. 20036. Sierra Club seeks Washington DC Representative for its ''Challenge to Sprawl'' Campaign. The Representative participates in the development of strategies and priorities for the Sierra Club's Challenge to Sprawl campaign, produces educational materials and reports, does research, testifies, lobbies, works closely with volunteers, serves as a technical resource, and represents the Sierra Club to government officials, the media and other organizations. For a complete job description, see the Sierra Club website: http://www.sierraclub.org/jobs/WDC_sprawl_rep.htm. To apply: send cover letter and resume to: Sierra Club attn: Environmental Quality Director, 408 C Street NE Washington, DC 20002-5818. Last day to apply: August 17, 2001. The Community Transportation Development Center works to build strong, sustainable communities and good jobs through better public transportation options. CTDC seeks a Senior Associate / Associate Director to work with program and system development, partnership building, grant writing and administration, program management, research and communications activities, and building organizational partnerships. CTDC is a union sponsored nonprofit that is in the process of developing a tripartite governance system. Its immediate focus is on creating effective career ladders and community job opportunities in mass transit and building union-community coalitions to support expanded, equitable transit for sustainable, livable communities. Send resume and cover letter: by fax, 202 223-3143, by email, ctdc@mindspring.com, or by mail, Community Transportation Development Center Suite 250 1925 K Street, NW Washington DC 20006. Applications accepted until 8/18/01. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the largest regional conservation organization, seeks an Anacostia Campaign Coordinator to lead CBF's efforts to improve the health of the Anacostia River, through developing and implementing a Campaign to Restore the Anacostia River, in partnership with state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the people living in the Anacostia watershed. Successful candidate should possess 5 years experience with non-profit or other professional organization in a leadership position; experience and success in the environmental policy arena; commitment to natural resource conservation and environmental protection. The campaign office will be located in the District of Columbia in the Anacostia watershed. To apply, send resume, cover letter and salary history by 08/24/01 to: Human Resources/ACC, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Baltimore Regional Coordinator in its Philip Merrill Environmental Center Maryland State office. The Baltimore Regional Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating overall CBF effort to promote smart growth and transportation in the Baltimore region, including CBF involvement with the Baltimore Regional Partnership (BRP) and the Baltimore District of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Successful candidate should possess a degree (Bachelors minimum, Masters preferred) in public policy/administration, political science, urban/regional planning, transportation planning, natural resource planning, or related field; three years experience in state or local government, or in a business dealing with public policy; knowledge of Maryland land use and transportation policy desirable. To apply, send resume, cover letter and salary history by 07/09/01 to: Human Resources/MLUPBRC, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. *Support Intersect, Join WRN* This newsletter is a free service to those interested in creating more livable communities. Please help WRN continue to report on these issues; join WRN and support Intersect. WRN welcomes all donations but a basic membership is $35 for individuals and $200 for organizations. WRN thanks Prince Charitable Trusts for their continued support of WRN's programs advocating for livable communities in the National Capital Region.

	Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities 1777 Church Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: (202) 667-5445 ¨ Fax: (202) 667-4491 Email: staff@washingtonregion.net



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