Cycletracks

Posted on June 28, 2011 by

There has been some discussion over the past few days about whether DDOT will or won’t install cross-town cycletracks. We’d like to take this opportunity to try to clear up any confusion about our intentions and bring you up to speed on where we stand in our efforts to make the District an even more bicycle friendly community.

First, some background: In March 2010, DDOT presented conceptual plans for an innovative lane network spanning downtown DC and neighboring communities. The lanes proposed at that time included Pennsylvania Ave, 15th Street, I Street, L Street, and 9th Street, NW. As these lanes were studied, DDOT’s bicycle program made modifications based on changing conditions, such as: the City Center project moving forward along 9th Street; renewed interest in transit priority lanes on I street; and regulatory issues along 15th Street between E St and Constitution. DDOT adjusted the plans to instead consider M street as an alternative to I Street, postponed the 9th Street project pending construction work at City Center, and curtailed the length of 15th to span from E Street/Penn Ave to V Street.

Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lanes

DDOT committed to installing lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue as a pilot project, and expanded the pilot to include the reconfiguration of 15th Street to a longer 2-way facility based on data collected during spring and summer 2010. The pilot lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue were completed in June 2010, and the two-way cycletrack on 15th Street was completed in December 2010.

Current Status: Since the completion of these facilities, we have revised plans for L and M Streets to a 50% design, and have commenced studying the existing innovative facilities (including the contraflow lanes on New Hampshire). Throughout the process, DDOT has been in contact with adjacent communities, business improvement districts, major property owners/managers, federal regulatory bodies (CFA, NCPC), regional bodies (WMATA, MWCOG), as well as interested citywide parties (WABA, ANCs, development community).

Transportation Planner Jim Sebastian, who oversees DDOT’s Bicycle Program, says “We are waiting on the completion of our studies of the existing cycletracks on Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street, and the analysis of the L & M Street corridors, before making a determination on proceeding with the concepts for cycletracks.” DDOT recognizes the need for an east-west bicycle connection through downtown, but we are obligated to consider the impacts on all users (transit riders, pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, the disabled, businesses, residents, etc.) before making a commitment to proceed.

DDOT must take into account many conflicting interests within our transportation network. It is DDOT’s responsibility to consider the likely effects of any new street configuration, and to come up with a recommendation that balances these competing needs. We encourage the community and their political representatives to analyze the same data and draw their own conclusions. DDOT will commit to making any information relevant to these corridors accessible to all, and to discuss at that time the options on the table.

At the same time, it’s also worth noting that DDOT continues to expand the infrastructure for cycling in the District and plans to install 10 miles of bike lanes across the city this year. “The District is committed to providing a world class bicycling infrastructure,” says Acting Director Terry Bellamy, “And we will continue to work on a balanced and safe implementation plan for our community with our citizens help.”

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One City, One DDOT: Acting Director Terry Bellamy Takes the Helm

Posted on May 18, 2011 by

This week we will complete the move to our new consolidated headquarters at 55 M Street, SE and begin an exciting new chapter at DDOT. I want to thank Mayor Gray for trusting me to guide this great agency as we move forward to implement his transportation priorities for the District of Columbia.

Appointment of Terry Bellamy to DDOT DirectorThe Mayor has proclaimed this “Public Works Week” in the District to honor the men and women at DDOT and the District Department of Public Works (DPW) who deliver a wide range of services to our residents every day. We have tremendous talent at DDOT and a dedicated workforce of 900 employees. Their hard work each and every day makes this agency stand out as a model for the type of 21st century service government agencies can and should deliver. DDOT Delivers. That’s our motto and we take pride in backing it up with action and measurable results.

Close up of Capital Bikeshare bike detailWe’ve also established a reputation for innovation and progressive transportation initiatives. I want to assure our residents we will continue to lead and look for new and better ways to move people around the District. We will continue to expand our bicycle infrastructure and our trail network; continue to expand our wildly successful Capital Bikeshare system; continue to launch more initiatives including LED streetlights and green alleys that create green jobs; and continue to plan and construct the DC Streetcar system. Mayor Gray has made his commitment clear and I share his vision for the District’s transportation future.

At the same time, it is important we don’t neglect the critical services we provide and our residents depend on. I want to make sure we focus on our “core business”, that we promptly respond to service requests, fill the potholes on time, maintain our roads and sidewalks, plant trees, clear the snow, keep traffic moving and ensure our pedestrians and cyclists have safe passage. These are the things that make us stand out on a daily basis, because at heart we are a service agency. If you spread yourself too thin, stray too far from your core business, then you can shoot yourself in the foot as you’re trying to race forward.

There’s no doubt DDOT is on the move – I am extremely proud of what our staff has already accomplished – I just want to ensure we are in great shape as an agency to reach our goals. I look forward to working with all of you to improve and expand our transportation system in the coming years.

Terry Bellamy

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What a Ride! Thanks and Cheers from Gabe…

Posted on December 29, 2010 by

The District is going through a re-transformation, as are many cities across the United States.

People flocked to urban areas in the first half of the 20th century, fled to the suburbs in the 2nd half, and are rediscovering the historic beauty, convenience, and livability of our urban cores in the 21st century.  For the first time in 40 years, Washington D.C. is growing again with 30k new residents over the last decade as of the recent census.

We saw vehicle registrations fall by 11% over the last 3 years, and in the same period saw biking grow by 82%.  [Click here for more info]

When we work to create a vibrant, livable, healthy and safe city focused on residents well-being, we go back to some aspects of a Washington D.C. with 200k more residents that many of us have just read about, or seen pictures of, but never lived in:

Whether it’s the Streetcar, the prevalence of walking and biking, or the vibrant downtown core…. It’s all coming back.  With more residents, we have a broader tax base to provide better services for all of us.  Better schools, transportation, less debt.

So what does all of this mean?  It means that the work done by thousands in DC over the last 12 years is paying off, and we are one of the cities that is now benefiting from this movement, and many cities that did not aggressively reinvent themselves are stagnating.   We are now seeing a snowball effect in the District over the last few years by all measures.  I am proud that DDOT doing its part, with streetscape reconstructions, and the introduction of many attractive, safe and low cost transportation options for our existing residents, and for our new residents that don’t bring a car (or 2) into the city.   This money that would have been spent on a capital asset/vehicle can now be put into the local economy, into savings, better housing, or starting a business in the city (AAA estimates almost $10k a yr!  That buys you a lot more housing).  We also can attract more residents because their money will go farther in the District…. if we tell the story: separating transportation and housing costs.  DC can actually be a cheaper place to live! With our improvements in schools, public safety, public spaces, and the expanded transportation options, suddenly DC has a better quality of life as well, and is a place you choose to raise a family vs. the suburbs.

Over the last few months, we started to compile our achievements for the updated Action Agenda and Annual Report.  I was actually amazed by how much the 1000 strong DDOT team has accomplished over the last 12, and 24 months.  I am pleased to announce the 2010 Action Agenda and Report:  [Click here for copy of 2010 Action Agenda Progress Report!!!]

Here are just a few of the highlights:

  1. Funded and kicked off construction of the largest project in DDOT history: The 11th Street Bridges
  2. Capital Bikeshare: the largest bikesharing system in the United States
  3. ARRA funding kicks off 13 additional projects for $124 million
  4. Great Streets projects escalated and started: Nannie Helen Burroughs, Pennsylvania Ave SE, H/Benning
  5. Facelift for the Agency: New website, Twitter (5000 followers), Facebook (1000), Scribd (documents), Flickr, Youtube in-house videos and more…
  6. DTAP 2.0 launched on heels of 1.0 beta with new project portal, safety, transit, road condition, finance…
  7. Continuous Process Improvement culture instilled at DDOT:  Sigma Black belt training, DTAP, DDOT University
  8. Snowmageddeon: biggest storm in DC history… and we survived
  9. Summer-Stormageddeon: DDOT Trees and Traffic Operations coordinate emergency response for thousands of District residents with trees down, and without power
  10. Filled over 7,500 thousand potholes during potholepalooza
  11. Hundreds of thousands of hours of Traffic Control and School Crossing Guard service
  12. First high speed, curbside electric charging stations in the U.S.
  13. Multi-Modal Station pilot for rollout in 2011 to bus shelters with Federal grant money
  14. Streetcar initial line segments funded, Program Management Team hired, Progressive Transportation Services put together, 37 mile Streetcar System Plan adopted
  15. Circulator Bus expanded, turnkey contract signed that rolls bus and facilities costs together
  16. With a $16 million snow overrun last winter, our Finance team flexed the unified fund, we balanced the budget to +$67 for the 2010 fiscal year
  17. Completed the new Farragut facility for front line workers, got $65 million lease signed for new Leed Certified office building at 55 M Street SE
  18. Conducted numerous parking pilots in2010 and our advances in the parking program were noticed by Donald Shoup, the preeminent parking guru:     ”Washington is taking the lead in this country and almost throughout the world,” said UCLA professor Donald Shoup, author of “The High Cost of Free Parking.” “Washington has started its [parking] reforms at just the right time, when there’s so much new technology available.”    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/28/AR2010062804850.html
  19. Built DC’s first separated cycle tracks  as a safety initiative to protect cyclists
  20. Installed 67 Leading pedestrian intervals to give pedestrians the jump on vehicular traffic at intersections
  21. Rolled out the citywide “Livability Program” to address traffic calming and quality of life holistically, and systematically, using the entire tool-box
  22. Rebranded Urban Forestry DDOT Trees, worked towards a “participatory model,” and planted 3,750 trees
  23. Launched the online permitting system, and enhanced it so that you can now print permits in your office or at home
  24. Partnered with Arlington County on a Transportation Demand Management program (goDCgo.com) and Bikesharing and Circulator Bus
  25. We had fun doing it every day!

For these innovations, and hundreds of others, I am eternally grateful to the amazing DDOT team, which has new members brought in over the last two years, and teammates that have devoted a ½ century to the agency.   One of the things I am proudest of is the alignment behind a shared vision throughout the agency (that took 8 months to build, share, tweak), and an extremely fast, organized execution which shows that we all bought in.

In closing, what I have hopefully taught, and have definitely learned from the amazing team at DDOT and in the D.C. Government as a whole, is:  Never let anyone tell you “it can’t be done,” always have passion for your work (or do something that will) and tell the public what you are doing so that they can work with you.

Keep up the excellent progress D.C., and let’s make sure that DDOT continues to improve, and of course always delivers!

-Gabe Klein

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What is an LPI? A Head Start for Pedestrians

Posted on December 1, 2010 by

(Posted by George Branyan, DDOT’s Pedestrian Program Coordinator)

DDOT in now using a new tool for increasing pedestrian safety. The Leading Pedestrian Interval, or LPI, is a simple signal timing change that can have a big impact on the lives of everyone who crosses the street in the District.  Very simply, a leading pedestrian interval, also known as a “pedestrian head start,” allows the ‘walk’ signal for pedestrians to appear three or more seconds before the green signal for drivers. Because pedestrians can start to cross before the cars begin moving, they are already well into the crosswalk when the signal changes to green. Turning drivers are therefore able to see pedestrians more easily than if they were standing on the curb. This brief timing change allows pedestrians to increase their visibility to drivers who are making turns, especially right turns.

DDOT has installed the LPI treatment at 40 locations so far and has a goal to implement them at 100 intersections by 2012. DDOT looks at crash data to see which intersections are most prone to turning vehicle crashes with pedestrians to prioritize locations for LPIs. You can currently find them on the 15th Street NW corridor, near the U Street/Cardozo Metro station and at many other locations in the Central Business District.

Studies have found that LPIs can dramatically reduce the conflict between turning drivers and pedestrians crossing with the signal at intersections. DC is among several large cities that have begun using the pedestrian-friendly signal timing.

Here’s a video on LPIs in New York City that clearly explains how they work.

http://www.streetfilms.org/lpi-leading-pedestrian-interval/

Being aware of your surroundings and crossing intersections without being distracted is also a good safe practice.  Safety is a priority.

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Nannie Helen Burroughs – Into the Next Century

Posted on November 19, 2010 by

Posted by Karina Ricks, DDOT Associate Director, Policy, Planning and Sustainability Administration (and former Great Streets Program Manager)

“To struggle and battle and overcome and absolutely defeat every force designed against us is the only way to achieve.” – Nannie Helen Burroughs

Ms. Burroughs was a tenacious, committed, energetic and tough as nails reformer who at every opportunity strove to raise up the quality of life for her community. Those same characteristics can be said of the neighborhoods and communities lining the street named in her honor.

Yesterday, the District Department of Transportation contributed in some small measure to her legacy and the future of these northeast DC communities with the initiation of a major streetscape along the corridor – Great Street worthy of a great lady.

The Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue Great Street project marks a new era for the District Department of Transportation in looking to enhance communities not only economically and with transportation efficiency, but also with an eye toward the environment – both social and natural. The project evolved through the vision and guidance of local neighborhood leaders who have worked for more than a decade to restore and revitalize the Watts Branch stream that runs parallel to the corridor and the new Marvin Gaye Park that surrounds it.

Transportation infrastructure – roads, sidewalks, alleys, and the like – account for roughly 1/3 of the land area in any urban neighborhood. That’s a lot of land which is usually covered in a lot of pavement which means a lot of stormwater runoff leading to soil erosion, stream contamination, and other unfortunate consequences. Not this time, or at least that is the hope and vision.

The ARRA funded NHB Great Streets project will significantly change the corridor with infrastructure, safety and environmental improvements getting underway.

Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue will be our first truly green street featuring significant low-impact design (LID) landscape features that will capture the stormwater and hold it after major rains preventing the surge of stormwater from rushing into the streambed while keeping it off the roadway and sidewalks. These features are attractive as well as functional giving the corridor a significant streetscape enhancement and potentially a competitive advantage in attracting neighborhood serving retail and community amenities. The Nannie Helen Burroughs Great Street project is a prime example of how DDOT’s recently launched Sustainability Plan will significantly change how DDOT approaches and designs infrastructure and streetscape projects throughout the city.

But sustainability doesn’t just mean a healthy stream, it means a healthy and economically viable community as well. It means jobs. So called “green jobs” are an emerging industry and one that the Washington Region is just beginning to tap into. While low maintenance, these LID features are by no means “no maintenance.” Maintenance will be necessary and will require some level of specialization, which means now is the time to start developing these skills among the local workforce. Thanks to new and stricter stormwater regulations, DDOT, the private developers and other builders will need to install and utilize more and more of these features which means demand for “green infrastructure” maintenance jobs will grow over time. DDOT is pleased to participate in a number of partnerships with EPA, the District Department of Environment, and multiple non-profits aimed at training and building this future workforce.

Nannie Helen Burroughs championed education leading to employment. It is fitting that the streetscape now beginning also provides an opportunity to learn skills for an emerging future employment sector.

DDOT Chief Engineer Ronaldo "Nick" Nicholson along with DDOT Director Gabe Klein, Ward 7 Councilwoman Yvette Alexander and reps from USDOT and USEPA at NHB groundbreaking ceremony

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Ride it, Drive it, Walk it, Share it!

Posted on November 10, 2010 by

Posted by Karyn Le Blanc, DDOT Director of Communications

Something we learn from a very young age is how to share, to be fair and to try to make sure everyone has access to an equitable portion. We are taught to share toys, clothes, food, games, etc. with siblings, friends and other family members. It is a respectful means of communication we take with us through our lifetimes. As adults we try our best to continue offering that same sense of fairness to each other as a way to show our respect to one another.

In the District one thing that we all share is the public space and roadways. As we all realize, the city, as is any defined jurisdiction, has limited public space and limited roadways, and it is incumbent upon us to make sure what we do have is available for everyone to share in a safe and efficient manner. Safety is a number one priority for all of us. Even though numbers are showing a general decrease, any injury or fatality should be unacceptable and so many could be avoided if people just took their time and paid closer attention.

Our transportation systems are growing and as such there is more competition for the roadway and public space. Motorists, perhaps seen as the older sibling, historically have had the majority of access to the roadways, commuting, dropping off school kids, fitting in an errand before cruising to the office and then repeating on the way home. Buses are sometimes misunderstood as the big bully, plowing and plodding along the roadways, edging out and constantly vying with motorists who speed up so they don’t get stuck behind the big behemoth that may pull out and block their view or even worse, slow down precious travel time. There are pedestrians darting in and out of cars, not using crosswalks or not waiting for the walk signal and now a revitalized bike community, sometimes bobbing and weaving and asserting their place in the maze of District travelers.

The District sports some fantastic transportation options. The bus services receive high marks, both Metro and the DC Circulator, and the Metro rail system, while perhaps dealing with some specific challenges, is still considered one of the top rail systems in the country.  There is also the recently launched and already very popular Capital Bikeshare system and soon, in 2012, the DC Streetcar system. Each of these systems is designed to complement the other and should not be viewed in conflict. Pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers all need to get to their destinations and move around the city. Everyone has the right to traverse in a safe and efficient manner.

Last month U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood along with his top administrators, DDOT Director Gabe Klein and MPD Assistant Police Chief Pat Burke held a press briefing to encourage people to be diligent in their safe travel practices, to not drive distracted and to share the roadways. Short of just not listening, you must have heard by now the Secretary’s unrelenting plea to the country to not drive while distracted. At the briefing DDOT’s Pedestrian Coordinator, George Branyan, narrated a live scenario where a “dummy” 10-year old boy was placed in the intersection while a car tried to break, first at 25 mph and then at 35 mph. At 35 mph the “dummy” was broken apart and laying in the roadway. Had that been a real accident the boy’s life would have most likely ended and the driver’s life and those of both families would never be the same. Automobile, pedestrian, transit and bicycle accidents and deaths have decreased but will only continue on a downward trend if we stay vigilant in our respect for each other and our transportation choices.

Photo by DDOT photographer Christopher Quay, and staring DDOT staff.

Already you may have noticed our “share” campaign posters currently being rolled out on bus shelters, Circulators, billboards and on Metro buses. We hope these serve as a reminder to move safely and to be respectful, conscientious and courteous to other travelers. Obey the traffic regulations, do not drive distracted and please be safe.

“Ride it, Drive it, Walk it, Share it!

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Building a Firm Foundation at DDOT

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

When we launched the DDOT Action Agenda in February this year we talked about 5 basic core values.  Top of the list is the “Firm Foundation” value.  For DDOT this means putting the right people in the right seats on the bus, and then investing in them for the long haul, as well as focusing on continuous process improvement every day.  For District taxpaying residents it means efficient, good use of your tax dollars, and top flight service. 

When I accepted the DDOT Director position from Mayor Fenty in December 2008, I said a few things at the press event.  One, I wanted to provide world class training at DDOT, and invest in our workforce.  Two, I saw a need to upgrade and consolidate facilities to bridge the gap between administrations, and provide world-class facilities for our world-class employees (if we want a world-class city).

In just under two years we have accomplished quite a bit that most people probably do not realize.  I want to talk about those accomplishments in this blog and their importance to the DDOT staff and to the citizens of DC. 

New Facility for Front Line Workers

Director Klein greeting DDOT workers as they enter new building

This year we built a new facility for our front line workers at Farragut Place NE near the Fort Totten Metro, This was a project that had been languishing for almost a decade.  I made it a priority for us, and for our hardworking union members.  It opened last Spring and pulled many of our staff from inadequate run down trailers to a state-of-the-art facility. 

We are also in the process of recycling the Eastern Market temporary structure to give our team another 12000 square feet, so we can move another few hundred more of our key operations team members to Farragut. 

Move to 55 M Street, SE

Our planners, engineers, management and executive staff are all consolidating to a new Leed certified building at 55 M St SE [click on address to see location] at the Navy Yard Metro in the spring of 2011.  This location puts us on top of $2 billion worth of Anacostia Waterfront Initiative projects, current and future, as well as St. E’s, Streetcar and much more.  Most importantly, collaboration will happen like it never has before.

Having all of our staff in class A facilities collaborating is key; having them walk the walk, and have great transportation options is also important.  We have launched a program that gives all DDOT staff free Circulator bus access, and free Capital Bikeshare memberships.  Our new building will have electric charging stations, and we will be moving to a partial electric vehicle fleet in 2011.

Education and the d. University

I always try to hire people that have deeper functional or industry expertise than I do in their area of excellence (or are just plain smarter than me).  I also hire for the trait first, the skill second.  Translation: hire nice, positive people.  I am a big believer in showing people that you believe in them, by investing in them.  We are proud to be launching the DDOT University as outlined in the Action Agenda this year. 

Employees will have set curricula for their role, and can elect to take other courses of interest, internally, or through our partners.  They can also pusue degrees, ranging from GED, to a Doctorate.  We have a $1m federal training budget, and this is the first year since DDOT has been an agency that we spent it completely.

Training

Most of our senior leadership team just received their Six Sigma Black belt certifications as we strive to continuously improve processes within the agency, and wean out extra steps that waste time and money.  We also want to make peoples roles more manageable, and therefore enjoyable.  Happy employees are more productive employees, so we will be rolling out “Lean” training to employees throughout the agency in 2011, and undertaking a number of Lean Six Sigma projects within the agency to transform the way we function and do business.

Safety

Working hard at filling potholes

Our employees undertake dangerous tasks every day, and safety is a top priority.  DDOT has established a labor/management safety steering committee that will be making recommendations to the executive team re: how to protect the safety and health of employees within the Department.  The strength of the firm foundation within the department is recognized to be our employees who must carry out the mission. Thus, protecting them from occupational hazards leading to injury and illness must be a daily priority.

 

Health and Wellness

Over the past 6 months, DDOT has been coordinating and developing a Wellness Program designed to enhance the physical, mental and emotional status of its employees. This initiative has included establishing a Nutritionist-in-Residence, monthly wellness sessions, a monthly health column in DDOT’s newsletter and hosting vaccination clinics in partnership with the DC Department of Health. Our goal here at DDOT is to build a wellness culture that will result in healthier employees/individuals in and out of the workplace.

The future of DDOT

To make sure that we continue in this direction, and bring in the best and the brightest as our career employees are retiring in larger numbers each year, we are starting a recruiting program for internships and permanent positions.   We will go and find the best and the brightest from our local technical schools and universities, but also nationally, and will be marketing DDOT as a cutting edge agency to come and make big things happen and learn from the best.   We will also continue our partnerships with Cardozo High, Howard University, and UDC, and keep putting resources into our Ward 8 job center on MLK Avenue in SE.

Internally, we have surveyed our employees, and 86% of them are happy in their jobs.  Considering the state of the economy, and the reductions in force we have been through, I was pleased at how high the scoring was in many areas, and still want to make it higher, and it will as we continue with the changes outlined above.   We have a 96% customer service score, one of the highest in the city.    I want our internal score to equal that.

Thanks to our customers both internally and externally.  We appreciate your support as we continue to work together to create a world-class transportation department and a world-class city.

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