TRANSPORTATION MATTERS

Transcription

1 Winter, 2007 Volume 4, Issue 1 TRANSPORTATION MATTERS Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization MPO Staff Works the South Florida Fair Each year, members of the MPO Staff share space with other Palm Beach County Departments at the South Florida Fair. This year the Fair theme was Dreams, Screams, Chills and Thrills. MPO staff members: Senior Planner Bret Baronak, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator, Angela Morlok, Principal Planner, Patricia Masterman, Public Information Specialist and Marilyn Tincher, Financial Analyst spent time distributing MPO brochures, bicycle/pedestrian safety booklets, crayons and coloring books to Fair attendees. The MPO presented information covering safety issues in all modes of transportation, with a special focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety. There were approximately 2,500 items given out by MPO staff in addition to those distributed by other assisting agencies. INSIDE THIS ISSUE MPO at the SF Fair 1 MPO Welcomes New Staff 1 Bicycle/Pedestrian/Greenways 2 Meet Your MPO Director 2 ETDM MPO Meeting Schedule 4 Photographs 5 Staff members from VPSI South Florida Vanpool and South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS) alternated with MPO members to help answer questions posed by passers-by. We thank the VPSI team, Guy Milord, Patricia Cox, and Annie Arguello, and SFCS team, Juan Botero, Andrew McGee, Sabrina Kirkpatrick, Luisa Forney, Jim Udvardy and Laura Medina for their support and participation. Both VPSI and SFCS assist individuals and groups with their commuting situations and encourage the use of carpooling and vanpooling. It was great fun as we encouraged fair-goers, both young and old, to play the race car game; while the volunteer team sported wizard hats and fairy crowns to fit in with the County s overall theme of an Enchanted Castle filled with magical characters. Another winner at the MPO booth!

2 Page 2 Transportation Matters MPO Welcomes New Staff Member The MPO welcomes new staff member, Nellie Fernandez to its ranks. Nellie joins our office from Within the CMS project Nellie will help identify traffic congestion problems while finding solutions providing PBC s Engineering Department, Traffic Division. She recommendations for Palm Beach County s brings eleven years of experience as their GIS/CADD Systems Specialist. Working closely with MPO staff members over the Transportation system. Nellie will also be heavily involved with Transportation Modeling. She will be working along side of Paul Larsen our Transportation years, Nellie provided modeling information Modeler on travel demand forecasting using the pertinent to the development of long range Florida Standard Urban Transportation Model transportation planning activities. In addition, her Structure (FSUTMS). FSUTMS was established by the technical background in the private sector prior to Florida Department of Transportation. FSUTMS coming to PBC adds to her expertise. Nellie fills the Senior Planner s position vacated by David Karwaski. Many of the responsibilities now under Nellie s care primary objective is forecasting the effects of policies, programs and projects on highways and transit facilities. Nellie will be involved with all the facets of Transportation Planning as she will assist the MPO in include the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality all of their current and future GIS efforts. Welcome (CMAQ) which reviews Transportation in PBC. Nellie How Are We Doing? Let Us Hear From YOU. The Palm Beach MPO want to know if we re keeping you informed about transportation issues which may affect you. Please help us out by answering this brief questionnaire and either mail or fax your response to our office by April List three things the MPO does to improve transportation in Palm Beach County. (a.) (b). (c). 2. Do you read the MPO Newsletter? Y ( ) N ( ) Does it supply helpful information? Y ( ) N ( ) 3. Do you use the MPO website for information? Y ( ) N ( ) 4. What do you find helpful on the website? (List sections you visit) 5. Is there a transportation issue you d like to learn more about? Mail to: Palm Beach MPO, 2300 N. Jog Road, 4 th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL or Fax:

3 Volume 4, Issue 1 Page 3 Efficient Transportation Demand Management Efficient Transportation Demand Management ETDM is an amazing process developed by a committee consisting of staff members from the FDOT, MPO, Engineers and Transportation Planners from across State and Federal agencies. After many months of collaboration an ETDM process was put into place. In December 2001, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) was signed committing to participation by twenty-three federal and state reviewing agencies. This process provides the opportunity for reviewing agencies and public citizens to voice concerns regarding environmental, social effects, quality of life, and other significant issues to be addressed prior to the project moving forward. Palm Beach MPO staff oversees the Socio-Cultural Effects Evaluations on transportation projects. Issues that affect the socio-cultural categories are land use, economic impact, mobility of motorized and nonmotorized traffic, aesthetics, relocation of residents or businesses and overall social impacts which may either link or separate neighborhoods. The review is submitted to the FDOT with recommendations or suggestions from MPO staff. The FDOT then reviews those recommendations or suggestions for inclusion in the planning and programming processes. Citizens may voice their opinion by going to Department of Transportation or Bicycle/Greenways/Pedestrian Committee The Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory The meetings, open to the public, are held the second Committee (BGPAC) is responsible for advising and Thursday of each month at the Vista Center, 2300 N. Jog informing the MPO Board regarding bicycle, pedestrian Road. Those interested in bicycle, pedestrian or and greenway issues in Palm Beach County. Presently, greenways issues are encouraged to attend. Palm Beach County and many of its municipalities are in the midst of ambitious campaigns to establish and For more information, please contact Bret D. Baronak, promote facilities that safely accommodate bicyclists, Senior Planner and Bicycle/Pedestrian/Greenways and walkers, as well as equestrian and canoeing advocates. They understand that these facilities, when integrated into the transportation network, greatly Coordinator with the MPO at Or you can visit the MPO website to review the Agenda for upcoming meetings by going to contribute to the quality of life and reduce automobile trips and emissions, improve public health, create Remember to Share the Road. recreational opportunities and conserve pristine natural areas. The MPO created a Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee in A few years ago, the Committee incorporated Greenways issues as part of their agenda. The BGPAC currently has sixteen (16) members that include representatives from state, county, and local governments, as well as concerned citizens.

4 Page 4 Transportation Matters MPO 2007 MEETING SCHEDULE Technical Advisory Committee (TAC): Meets the first Wednesday of each month. Meeting begins at 9:00 A.M. and is held in the Fourth Floor Conference Room 4E12 next to the MPO Office of the Vista Center at 2300 N. Jog Rd., West Palm Beach, FL January- No Meeting July- No Meeting February 7 August- No Meeting March 7 September 5 April 4 October 3 May 2 November 7 June 6 December 5 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC): Meets the first Wednesday of each month. Meeting begins at 1:30 P.M. and is held in the Fourth Floor Conference Room 4E12 next to the MPO Office of the Vista Center at 2300 N. Jog Rd., West Palm Beach, FL January- No Meeting July- No Meeting February 7 August- No Meeting March 7 September 5 April 4 October 3 May 2 November 7 June 6 December 5 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO Board): Meets the third Thursday of each month. Meeting begins at 9:00 A.M. and is held in the Twelfth Floor Conference Room of the County Governmental Center at 301 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL January 18 July 19 February 15 August- No Meeting March 15 September 20 April 19 October 18 May 17 November 15 June 21 December 13 or 20 Bicycle/Greenways/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BGPAC): Meets the second Thursday of each month. Meeting begins at 9:07 A.M. and is held in the 4 th Floor Conference Room 4E12, Vista Center at 2300 N. Jog Rd, West Palm Beach, FL January 11 July 12 February 8 August 9 March 8 September 6 (first Thursday) April 12 October 11 May 10 November 8 June 14 December 13

5 Volume 4, Issue 1 Page 5 MPO 2006 Happy New Year from the MPO Staff Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail Marines pick up Toys for Tots CPL Perez and LCPL Rodriguez Bret Baronak joins the Staff Dave Karwaski says goodbye And Transportation Planning Continues MPO Moves to Vista Center

6 Planning for Tomorrow We re on the Web! Visit us at: MPO Board Jeff Koons, Chair, Commissioner, Palm Beach County BCC Retha Lowe, Vice-Chair, Commissioner, Lake Worth Members Burt Aaronson, Commissioner, Palm Beach County BCC Michael J. Arts, Councilmember, City of Boca Raton Peter Baronoff, Councilmember, City of Boca Raton Laurie Cohen, Councilwoman, Village of Wellington Robert Friedman, Councilor, Town of Jupiter Addie Greene, Commissioner, Palm Beach County BCC Eric Jablin, Vice-Mayor, City of Palm Beach Gardens Jon Levinson, Commissioner, City of Delray Beach Karen T. Marcus, Commissioner, Palm Beach County BCC Bill Moss, Commissioner, City of West Palm Beach Warren Newell, Commissioner, Palm Beach County BCC Wayne Richards, Commissioner, Port of Palm Beach Ray Sanchez, Mayor, City of Belle Glade Jerry Taylor, Mayor, City of Boynton Beach Elizabeth Wade, Councilwoman, City of Riviera Beach MPO Staff Randy M. Whitfield, PE, Director Angela Morlok, Principal Planner Bret Baronak, Senior Planner Nellie Fernandez, Senior Planner Paul Larsen, Planner II Patricia Masterman, Public Information Specialist, Editor Marilyn Tincher, Financial Analyst Elizabeth Requeny, Administrative Secretary Renee Benezra, Secretary Palm Beach MPO 2300 N. Jog Road, 4 th Floor West Palm Beach, FL Address Label