RRPDC April 2010 Meeting Report

Sustainable Transportation Initiative of Richmond

John W. Martin, representing the Sustainable Transportation Initiative of Richmond (STIR), gave a presentation on sustainable transportation systems for the Richmond Region. STIR is a group of civic, business, and educational leaders working to ensure that the Region’s future transportation system provides an array of cost effective, sustainable transportation choices.

Mr. Martin provided an overview of STIR’s efforts and outlined opportunities for leaders to develop a transportation system that moves people in a manner that maintains the Region’s unprecedented access and mobility and minimizes the impacts travel has on the environment. Examples include the integration of green vehicles, multi-modal options, and clean and efficient systems into our work and living environments.

Mr. Martin, the President and CEO of Southeastern Institute of Research, was joined by other members of STIR’s Executive Committee, including Buck Ward, the President of Segway of Richmond; Jeff Jones, the Chairman and CEO of WFofR; Dr. Gary Rhodes, the President of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; Kim Scheeler, the President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce; and Tom Silvestri, the President and Publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Mr. Martin invited the Region’s localities to become a part of STIR and adopt resolutions of support. To this end, STIR representatives offered to attend meetings of elected officials in each jurisdiction to further discuss this initiative.

Transportation Innovation Showcase Event

Prior to the April meeting, the RRPDC hosted a public showcase entitled “Transportation Innovation in the Richmond Region” from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event featured interactive displays on transportation technologies currently in use or planned for the Region, which were organized by the Sustainable Transportation Initiative of Richmond (STIR), in coordination with its presentation to the Board during the April meeting.

The displays featured transportation options beyond the standard gasoline automobile and included a hybrid plug-in electric automobile from Dominion Virginia Power, a ZERO electric motorcycle from Velocity Motorcycles , Segways from Segway of Richmond, and a new GRTC bus. Those who attended the event had the opportunity to learn about these sustainable transportation technologies as well as test drive a Segway.

Main Street Station Federal Appropriation

The RAMPO Board voted to endorse the City of Richmond’s efforts to secure a $1 million Congressional appropriation for the replacement of the roof at Main Street Station.

Peter Chapman, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic and Community Development for the City of Richmond, outlined the City’s effort to seek additional funds for this critical element in the restoration of the historic landmark station as a multi-modal transportation center in the heart of Richmond. The office of Mayor Dwight Jones is working with Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb and Congressman Robert Scott to pursue a $1 million appropriation from the federal government.

The RAMPO Board directed RRPDC Executive Director Bob Crum to send a letter to the three members of Congress expressing RAMPO’s endorsement as well as the project’s designation as a Regional Priority Project.

Resolution in Support of “Move Over” Campaign

The RAMPO Board adopted a resolution in support of the Virginia State Police campaign to create better public awareness of the “Move Over” law. The resolution encourages increased public awareness within the Richmond Region of the state law that requires motorists to move over, or to slow down when moving over is unsafe, when they approach an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder of a roadway.

The resolution was unanimously recommended by the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee after receiving a presentation from Captain Richard Denney of the Virginia State Police at its January 26 meeting.

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A RESOLUTION OF THE
RICHMOND AREA
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
IN SUPPORT OF THE
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE CAMPAIGN
TO CREATE BETTER PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE
“MOVE OVER” LAW

WHEREAS, every year thousands of law enforcement officers are injured or killed by passing vehicles on our nation’s roads and highways; and

WHEREAS, according to FBI statistics, traffic crashes claim the lives of more police personnel than any other cause in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, as of February 8, 2010, law enforcement officer fatalities due to traffic incidents were up 44 percent over 2009, and for the twelfth year in a row, more officers died in traffic related incidents in 2009 than from any other single cause of death according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 the Virginia General Assembly enacted the “Move Over” law, Section 46.2-921.1 of the Code of Virginia, requiring motorists to change into another travel lane or slow down when passing emergency personnel; and

WHEREAS, violation of the law is a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to a $2,500 fine and/or a year in jail; and

WHEREAS, according to National Safety Commission statistics, 71 percent of Americans have not heard of the “Move Over” law, which currently exists in all but two states and the District of Columbia; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police (VSP) Move Over Committee was established in March 2007, with no budget, to seek ways to increase public awareness of the “Move Over” law; and

WHEREAS, the VSP Move Over Committee has gained significant momentum in citizen education and public awareness about the “Move Over” law by partnering with various agencies and organizations, such as the Virginia State Police Association, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Trucking Association, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, insurance companies, trucking companies, driver education programs, public schools and numerous others; and

WHEREAS, the emergency responder community requests that all citizens and organizations do what they can to increase public awareness and understanding of this important law to create safer conditions for all traveling on Virginia’s highways; and

WHEREAS, the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee of the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has reported to the MPO on the need for greater public awareness of the “Move Over” law and of the campaign by the Virginia State Police to create better public awareness of the “Move Over” law, and has also provided several low cost suggestions to improve public awareness of the “Move Over” law:

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) requests that member local governments, agencies and organizations take action as follows:

· Display “Move Over, Slow Down, It’s the Law!” bumper stickers on all government vehicles and especially those driven on interstate highways; and

· Include a “Move Over, Slow Down, It’s the Law!” tag line on their websites; and

· Provide web site links to Virginia State Police educational videos and to the moveroveramerica.com website; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MPO requests that the Virginia Department of Transportation allocate funds in its Six-Year Improvement Program for additional signage along the Region’s interstate highways advising motorists of the “Move Over” law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MPO requests that the Virginia Department of Transportation consider developing and placing a brief reminder message on its existing interstate variable message boards to remind motorists of the “Move Over” law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MPO requests that the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission work with Richmond Region news media to encourage their support of the “Move Over” law including radio and television news media providing consistent and repetitive use of the following message on all traffic reports:

“When you see a roadside incident, remember to move over or slow down; it’s the law!”

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Resolved this eighth day of April 2010

by the

Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization