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.org
Audience
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 time
A:
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.
