technology tools for transportation: virginia's new river valley

December 3, 2014National Association of Development OrganizationRural Transportation Conference

Virginia’s New River Valley

Planning District Commission Boundary

Virginia’s New River Valley

• Population: 179,967• 4 Counties• 1 City• 10 Towns• Virginia Tech• Radford University

• Sharing Work = CD (desktop only)

• Backup = 10 MB max/month

• GIS Software = Maintenance Expired

• CAD = 1998

• Computers = 5 yrs + Replacement

• Software = On New Computer

• Work Desirability = Declining

NRVPDC 2009

NRVPDC 1990 – 2009 Sample

• Focused on Final Product Delivery

• Server = Share/Backup work

• GIS = Maintenance updated

• CAD = Still 1998…

• Computers = 3 yr cycle

• Software = Purchased Regularly

• Work Desirability = Growing

NRVPDC 2014

• Small RPO = Balance Risk/Reward

– 1/4 Technology Investment

– 1/2 GIS Technical Staff

– 1/4 Planning Staff

• NRVPDC Success Stories:

–A Flippin’ book

–Save Time and mApp it!

–Storytelling

Technology & Final Product Delivery

A Flippin’ Book

Technology: FlippingBook

Tech Cost: $239

Budget: $10,000 (in-house)

Timeline: 6-months

Partners: VBF, VDOT

Overview

• VA = 838 Miles of US Bike Routes

• Requested by VA Bicycling Federation

• Local Cyclist Volunteers

• Simple Work Outline

1. Verify Signage Along Route

2. Signed Route = Mapped Route

3. Roadway Conditions & Route Selection

West Bound Report Card

Asset Grade (%)Grade

(Letter)Target

Turn Sign 81 B-100%

1-3 yrs

Reinforce Sign 74 C100%

1-3 Yrs

Road Condition 77 C+ 5+ Yrs

Sight Distance 78 C+ 5+ Yrs

Overall 78 C+B+

1-3 Yrs

Standard Map

The

Flip

bo

ok

Effe

ct

Supporting Interactive Map

68%

32%

2014 NRV Summary

Good Condition

Poor Condition

Key Takeaways

• Working with Volunteers = Great!

– Completed Route Inventory

– Provided Great Photos

• Turn Signs are currently located at 80% of intersections

– Short-term = Achieve 100%

• Route discrepancies found in Radford Area

– Short-term = Notify State/National Partners

• Roadway conditions are relatively good

– Continue to monitor

– Identify specific locations

The New River

ValleyMapping of Vulnerable Roadwaysand Outreach Campaign

Save Time and mApp it!

Technology: ArcGIS Online

Tech Cost: $2,500/yr

Budget: $30,000

Timeline: 2 years

Partner: VDEM, NRV

• Collect & Generate GIS data

– Roadways

– Bridges

– Currently within the floodplain

• Local Meetings

– Identify frequent flooding locations

– Determine interest in mitigation

• Final Map/Database

– Include site visit documentation

OverviewV

DEM

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od

Map

pin

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Sharpies & the Trusty 22x34 Map

VD

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Mapping Application

http://bit.ly/1tft5rz

VD

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Mapping Application

VD

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Mapping Application

http://bit.ly/1CSExLS

• Frequent flood locations known

• Interactive Map:

– Track Progress

– Update before/during/after visit

– Increases level of precision

• Funding for Signage

• Project Complete = April 2015

Key TakeawaysV

DEM

Flo

od

Map

pin

g

Storytelling

Technology: ArcGIS Online’sStory Map

Tech Cost: $2,500/yr

Budget: $30,000

Timeline: 2 years

Partners: MPO, DRPT, VDOT

Purpose

• NRVMPO didn’t have bike/ped plan

• Develop long-range strategy

• Identify multimodal corridors

• Encourage mode choice

• Create information to assist local decision making

PLANNING AREA

PLANNING STRATEGY

ACTIVITY DENSITY

Concept: Population and Employment Density per Acre

Less

than 2Rura

l Den

sity

Urb

an D

ensit

y

2To

10

10To

20

Morethan

20

DenserThan

NRVMPO

Activity Density vs. Accessibility

Activity Density• Red = More than 20/acre• Orange = 2-20/acre• Beige = less than 2/acre

Bike/walk demand = Red Dots

Accessibility Rating• Green = 3 or more modes• Orange = 1-2 modes• Red = less than 1 mode

Bike/walk demand = Red Dots

Where’s the demand?

How are we doing?

Where do we start?

NRVMPO ACTIVITY MULTIMODAL PLAN

MODAL EMPHASIS – LOCAL PROCESS

Utilized Flipbook

http://www.nrvpdc.org/nrvmpo/resources/BikePedPlan2014/

Embedded Traditional GIS Map into Webpage

http://www.nrvpdc.org/nrvmpo/

Traditional GIS Map = Tech Savvy Folks

http://www.nrvpdc.org/nrvmpo/

Story Map = Final Product

http://www.nrvpdc.org/nrvmpo/bikepedplan/

Story Map = Data Info/Understanding


Add text and graphics to help folks understand what they’re looking at.

Story Map = Zoom for Details


Display different levels of detail based on zoom

Story Map = Zoom for Details


Story Map = Click on Stuff


Story Map = Think of Tabs as Chapters


Tabs vs. layers presets helpful perspectives on project data

Story Map = Blacksburg Existing System


Story Map = Blacksburg Accessibility


Story Map = Blacksburg Multimodal Centers


Story Map = Blacksburg Activity Density


Story Map = Blacksburg Multimodal Plan


Results

• Applied DRPT’s guidelines

• Developed a long-range strategy

• Integrated local plans

• Identified multimodal corridors

• Flexibility for local implementation

• Created a new information tool

• Assist local decision making

• 2014 Innovation Award

Graphics on a budget

Technology: MSW, MSP

Tech Cost: $400

Budget: $10,000 (in-house)

Timeline: 6-months

Partner: Town of Pulaski

Overview

• Purpose of Retail Feasibility Study

– Should town extend sewer service to I-81?

– Can the town capture more business?

• Creating scenarios

– Simplify information for stakeholders

– Create a conversation starting tool

• Existing studies = foundation for study:

– Compelling National examples

– Based on Town’s interests

Study Prep

• Case Studies

– Hutchinson, MN

– Fort Collins, CO

• Town Supporting Work

– Retail Leakage Report

– PER

Evaluation & Data Collection

• Five Sector Focus1. Full Service Restaurant

2. Full Service Gas Station

3. Warehouse Club/Superstore

4. Sporting Goods/Hobby Store

5. Hotel/Motel

Blue: Identified in Retail Leakage Report

Black: Town Interest

Opportunities

Key Takeaways

Advantages1. Rt. 99 captures nearly 80% of TOP’s retail2. Proximity to NR Trail and I-813. Existing water/sewer infrastructure downtown4. Redevelopment of the downtown5. New development around Exit 94

Challenges1. Exit 94 ramps need improvements2. Water/sewer infrastructure limited outside of town3. Aging retail space4. Floodplain and topography5. Public/Private investments needed

technology tools for transportation: virginia's new river valley

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