1. WWW.NWRG.COM FHWA TOP Survey Virginia November 2005

2. WWW.NWRG.COM Project Overview

3. Page 3 TOP Survey Objectives Understand the needs and expectations of travelers of nation’s / state’s / local region’s transportation system Measure the extent to which the existing transportation system meets those needs Update previous measures and provide new baseline measures for emerging issues Establish national and other benchmark data for participating states Identify travelers’ priorities for system improvement

4. Page 4 Virginia Objectives Establish key benchmarks for system performance Provide specific measures for travelers’ perceptions of: –Safety and changes in safety while driving –Management of transportation improvement projects –Interest in public participation and traveler information

5. Page 5 Research Approach – TOP Survey Interviews completed with more than 1,250 users of the state’s transportation system –18 years of age and older –Had at least some recent experience traveling on the system defined to include...  Roads  Public transportation  Pedestrian walkways / sidewalks  Bikeways Telephone survey methodology –Projectable to the general population –Includes listed & unlisted numbers  No cell phones

6. Page 6 Sampling Stratified by four transportation regions –Margin of error associated with a survey of this size is plus or minus about 2.8 percentage points –Within each region (n = 300), error is plus or minus 5.6 percentage points Survey length – 23 minutes –High response rates – 27 percent –High cooperation rates – nearly 60 percent of those contacted agreed to complete the survey

7. Page 7 Benchmarking The TOP Survey provides the unique opportunity to reliably benchmark Virginia’s data against a national sample Four levels of benchmarking data available –National –Census Region – South –Census Division – South Atlantic –Peer States  Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington

8. WWW.NWRG.COM Key Findings: Travel

9. Page 9 Modes of Transportation Used Virginia is a state on the move, using the entire public transportation system –Virtually everyone in Virginia has access to a car that they use daily –Use of public transportation is somewhat limited, except in Northern Virginia where nearly half (46%) use public transportation % Using Mode (last year) # of Users (millions) Days / Week Use Personal Vehicle96%5.16.3 Walk482.62.8 Bicycle301.61.2 Public Transportation231.21.3

10. Page 10 Miles Driven Annually On average, Virginia travelers drive 13,558 miles annually (excluding “none”) – slightly more than the national average –This equates to more than 67.1 billion miles traveled annually

11. Page 11 Types / Frequency of Regional Travel People use their local transportation system for many purposes –While the most frequent trips are commute trips, the number of non-commute trips is more than twice that of commute trips % Take Trip in Past Week # of Days / Week Estimated # of Trips (millions) Commute to Work65%5.135.1 Commute to School103.63.8 Take Children to School243.79.4 Business Errands423.214.2 Shopping / Personal Errands963.030.6 Recreation / Entertainment812.017.2 Visiting Friends / Family752.116.8 Medical Appointments231.02.4 Total Commute Trips38.9 Total Non-Commute Trips90.7 Total Trips129.6

12. Page 12 Long Distance / Extended Travel More than four out of five (82%) travelers took at least one trip outside their local region in the past year –On average, those traveling outside their region take three to four trips per year – equating to an additional 33.3 million trips

13. WWW.NWRG.COM Characteristics of a High- Quality Transportation System

14. Page 14 Important System Characteristics All aspects of the system are important – that is, all have a mean above the mid-point on the scale By far the most important system characteristic is highway and roadway safety Also important: –Being able to travel easily –Efforts to reduce delays from traffic congestion and improve traffic flow –Bridge conditions –Pavement conditions –Planning

15. Page 15 Important System Characteristics (con’t) % Extremely ImportantMean * Highway / roadway safety73%9.32 General mobility568.89 Efforts to reduce delays from congestion558.71 Bridge conditions558.66 Efforts to improve traffic flow538.59 Pavement conditions518.55 Planning for future transportation needs528.51 Setup of work zones for safety and traffic flow 428.25 Management of work zones to reduce delays / congestion 438.20 * Mean based on 11-point scale where “10” means “extremely important” and “0” means “not at all important.”

16. Page 16 Important System Characteristics (con’t) % Extremely ImportantMean * Pedestrian safety and mobility488.14 Maintenance response times388.04 Consideration of the environment367.88 Amenities such as rest areas, etc.307.49 Traveler information297.16 Visual appeal / appearance226.98 Bicycle safety and mobility246.01 * Mean based on 11-point scale where “10” means “extremely important” and “0” means “not at all important.”

17. Page 17 What’s Important – Benchmark VirginiaSouth Atlantic Peer States Overall Importance8.098.438.33 Highway / roadway safety9.329.239.25 General mobility8.899.008.83 Efforts to reduce delays from congestion8.718.658.56 Bridge conditions8.668.898.83 Efforts to improve traffic flow8.598.808.68 Pavement conditions8.558.488.66 Planning for future transportation needs8.518.778.71 Setup of work zones8.258.478.46

18. Page 18 What’s Important – Benchmark VirginiaSouth Atlantic Peer States Management of work zones to reduce delays / congestion 8.208.468.21 Pedestrian safety and mobility8.148.638.61 Maintenance response times8.048.198.25 Consideration of the environment7.888.238.18 Amenities such as rest areas, etc.7.498.047.87 Traveler information7.167.877.73 Visual appeal / appearance6.987.737.45 Bicycle safety and mobility6.017.367.07

19. WWW.NWRG.COM Key Findings: System Quality

20. Page 20 Overall Quality Less than half (49%) of Virginia travelers are satisfied with the state’s transportation system –Satisfaction is only moderate and a significant number are neutral and dissatisfied

21. Page 21 Overall Quality – Benchmarked Virginia is similar to other states in the South but travelers in Virginia are less satisfied than travelers in their peer states

22. Page 22 Grading the System Infrastructure Overall, Virginia’s system gets a C plus (C+) grade – overall mean of 2.32 –Like satisfaction this is somewhat below the national average overall as well as for states in the South The system gets the highest grade for the conditions of its bridges and visual appeal And its lowest grades for: –Bicyclist and pedestrian safety and mobility –Transportation planning –Efforts to improve traffic flow / reduce traffic congestion

23. Page 23 Infrastructure Grades – Above Average % A% A / B NetMean Overall Grade2.32 Bridge conditions16%63%2.68 Visual appeal16622.68 Amenities16572.56 Programs to improve safety11532.48 Setup of work zones for safety / traffic flow13542.48 Traveler information12502.45 Consideration of the environment13362.38

24. Page 24 Infrastructure Grades – Below Average % A% A / B (Net) Mean Overall Grade2.32 Maintenance response times945%2.29 Pavement conditions10442.26 Efforts to reduce delays from road work6382.13 Efforts to reduce congestion / improve traffic flow 6382.11 Transportation planning8262.10 Pedestrian safety and mobility10382.07 Bicycle safety and mobility8251.71

25. Page 25 Infrastructure Grades by Region Two regions receive below-average ratings. RegionMeanGrade Statewide2.32C plus Southwest2.42C plus Northern Virginia2.36C plus Central2.28C plus Hampton Roads2.21C plus Grade scale from 0 = “F / Fail” to 4 = “A / Excellent”. Midpoint = 2.0

26. Page 26 Potential Issues by Region Hampton Roads –Efforts to reduce congestion & improve traffic flow –Efforts to reduce delays from road work –Transportation planning –Pavement conditions –Maintenance response times –Setup of work zones to maximize safety and traffic flow –Consideration of the environment –Amenities –Visual appeal

27. Page 27 Potential Issues by Region Central –Bicycle and pedestrian safety and mobility –Transportation planning –Pavement conditions –Maintenance response times Northern Virginia –Transportation planning –Efforts to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow

28. Page 28 Infrastructure Grades – Benchmark VirginiaSouth Atlantic Peer States Overall Grade2.322.362.49 Bridge conditions2.682.792.81 Visual appeal2.682.672.77 Amenities2.562.712.77 Programs to improve safety2.482.362.56 Setup of work zones2.482.332.49 Roadway safety (general)2.452.342.53 Traveler information2.452.632.76 Consideration of the environment2.382.282.46

29. Page 29 Infrastructure Grades – Benchmark Virginia South Atlantic Peer States Overall Grade2.322.362.49 Maintenance response times2.292.432.52 Pavement conditions2.262.352.41 Efforts to reduce delays from road work2.132.342.47 Efforts to reduce congestion / improve traffic flow 2.112.282.41 Transportation planning2.102.202.25 Pedestrian safety and mobility2.072.052.28 Bicycle safety and mobility1.711.682.49

30. Page 30 Safety Virginians feel that roads are becoming less safe

31. Page 31 Reasons for Concerns About Safety Congestion and concerns about other drivers are the primary reasons Virginia travelers feel less safe

32. WWW.NWRG.COM Target Improvement Opportunities

33. Page 33 Explanation of Quadrants Combined importance and quality –Maintain / leverage strengths –Address / place resources toward weaknesses / potential weaknesses Importance LowHigh Performance High Priority 4: Secondary Strengths: Maintain Current Level of Service Priority 1: Primary Strengths: Maintain / Improve Current Level of Service Low Priority 3: Potential Weaknesses: Improve if Resources are Available Priority 2: Critical Weaknesses: Target Improvement Efforts Here

34. Page 34 Target Improvement Areas

35. Page 35 Target Improvement Opportunities Statewide –Pedestrian safety and mobility North –Reducing congestion and improving traffic flow –Planning for future transportation needs –Reducing delays from road work Hampton Roads –Planning for future transportation needs –Pavement conditions –Maintenance response times –Reducing congestion and improving traffic flow –Reducing delays from road work

36. Page 36 Target Improvement Opportunities Central –Pavement conditions –Reducing congestion and improving traffic flow –Reducing delays from road work Southwest –Pavement conditions –Planning for future transportation needs –Consideration of the environment

37. Page 37 Potential Improvements Virginians would like to see more construction completed at night or during other off-peak hours StrategiesStrongly AgreeMean Construction at night63%4.33 Improve / expand existing public transportation 484.13 Expand existing highways494.04 Offer new public transportation484.01 Build / expand pedestrian walkways454.00 Provide better quality traffic information393.98 Build / expand park-and-ride system333.84 Mean based on 5-point scale where “5” means “strongly agree” and “1” means “strongly disagree.”

38. Page 38 Options to Reduce Congestion Virginians are most likely to support programs that reduce the number of vehicles on the roads StrategiesUseMean Encourage telecommuting34%7.54 Increase availability of public transportation337.39 Provide incentives for carpooling317.33 Increase availability of HOV lanes226.43 Implement toll road alternatives134.97 Increase parking rates124.28 Mean based on 1-point scale where “10” means “use to great extent” and “0” means “do not use at all.”

39. Page 39 Transportation / Traveler Information Travelers feel they have adequate access to transportation news But they are interested in getting more –63% say they are interested in getting information on transportation and travel They feel they have greatest access to –Road advisories –Traffic congestion updates They feel they have the least information transportation plans and updates Mainstream media continues to be the primary source for information on transportation

40. WWW.NWRG.COM Planning for the Future

41. Page 41 Value for Tax Dollars Virginians have mixed opinion as to whether they are getting their money’s worth on what is spent to build and maintain the state’s transportation system

42. Page 42 Value for Tax Dollars by Overall Quality Those satisfied with the quality of the system are more likely to feel they are getting good value for their tax dollars.

43. Page 43 Support for Projects Virginians generally support additional transportation projects – notably those to build or expand public transportation services. Build / Expand Public Transportation Pedestrian Walkways More Roads Bike Lanes % Extremely Likely27%25%21%20% % Likely36343829 % In the Middle25272631 % Not Likely11141520 Mean *7.07 (BCD) 6.77 (AD) 6.59 (AD) 6.06 (ABC) Mean based on 11-point scale where “10” = “extremely likely to support” and “0” = “not at all likely to support.”

44. Page 44 Support for Projects by Region In general, travelers in Northern Virginia are more likely to support all projects – but notably those that promote the use of alternative modes NorthHampton Roads SouthwestCentral Mean * Overall Support7.156.666.196.11 Public Transportation7.986.906.616.11 Pedestrian Walkways7.216.656.536.40 Roadways7.036.676.196.14 Bike Lanes6.396.415.415.77 Mean based on 11-point scale where “10” = “extremely likely to support” and “0” = “not at all likely to support.”

45. Page 45 Support for Projects by System Quality Those who are extremely satisfied with the current system are more likely to support future transportation projects

46. Page 46 Support for Projects by Current Value Those who feel they are getting good value for their tax dollars are more likely to support future transportation projects

47. Page 47 Interest in Being Involved in Planning Virginians feel it is somewhat important for citizens to be involved in prioritizing transportation projects

48. Page 48 Preferred Means to Provide Input While most Virginians prefer providing input through surveys and/or elections, one out of three express interest in public meetings

49. WWW.NWRG.COM Project Management

50. Page 50 Attitudes Toward System Management Two out of three Virginians feel projects are not completed on time –Even more feel that projects are not completed within the budget

51. Page 51 Project Completion Rates by Region Hampton Roads travelers are the most likely to feel that projects are not completed on time

52. Page 52 Project Completion Rates by Region Hampton Roads travelers also feel the state has gotten worse in terms of completing projects on time

53. Page 53 Budget Management by Region There are no differences by regions in terms of Virginians’ attitudes toward budget management

54. Page 54 Improvements in System Management Virginians see some improvement in the management of project schedules –They feel that the management of project budgets has gotten worse

55. Page 55 Improvements in Project Completion Rates by Region Hampton Roads travelers feel the state has gotten much worse in terms of completing projects on time

56. Page 56 Improvements in Budget Management by Region Hampton Roads travelers also feel the state has gotten much worse in terms of completing projects within budget

57. Page 57 Satisfaction with Opportunity to Express Concerns Virginians feel that they have the opportunity to express concerns regarding problems with transportation projects

58. WWW.NWRG.COM Key Take-Aways

59. Page 59 Key Take-Aways Virginians are moderately satisfied with the state’s transportation system But –Virginia’s systems ranks below key benchmark statistics nationwide and in the south –And there are clear areas for improvement System strengths include –Bridge conditions –Setup of work zones for safety and traffic flow  Setup of work zones for safety and traffic flow is a critical weakness in Southwest Virginia –Highway safety  Safety is a potential problem in both Southwest Virginia and in Hampton Roads

60. Page 60 Key Take-Aways Critical weaknesses include –Pavement conditions –Planning for future transportation needs –Pedestrian safety and mobility (Central) –Improving traffic flow (Central, North, Hampton Roads) –Reducing congestion (North, Hampton Roads) –It is clear that travelers distinguish between efforts to improve traffic flow – i.e., general movement of traffic – versus efforts to reduce congestion

61. Page 61 Key Take-Aways Potential Weaknesses –Bicycle safety and mobility  A greater issue for those who are attempting to bicycle  Has interrelated consequences for other system characteristics –Maintenance response times  A greater problem in the North where maintenance response times directly impact congestion and traffic flow

62. Page 62 Key Take-Aways There is relatively strong support for additional transportation projects –Notably for expanded / improved public transportation services –But support is highly related to  Current satisfaction with the system  The extent to which travelers feel they are getting value for the tax dollars that are currently being expended Virginia needs to do a better job of communicating its successes

63. Page 63 Key Take-Aways Despite Virginia’s efforts, travelers still feel that transportation improvement projects are not completed on time and they cost more than budget –Moreover, the majority do not feel there has been much in the way of improvements Virginia needs to –Continue is focus on better project management systems  Notably in Hampton Roads region –More widely communicate its successes

64. WWW.NWRG.COM Q&A / Discussion