ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 179 6 Transportation System Needs Assessment 6.1 Introduction Once every five years the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) is updated. A major task of ARTS is the update of the LRTP through the identification of existing transportation conditions, issues and needs; and recommending strategies and system improvements (i.e., solutions) that enhance livability in the ARTS planning area. The public was invited to become involved in this process during a series of Speaker Bureau sessions and Community Meetings held throughout the ARTS planning area during February‐ March 2015; or participate in an online Community Transportation Survey (posted on the ARTS website) during March‐April 2015. This report presents the analysis results of transportation issues and needs (affecting both motorized and non‐motorized transportation modes) identified through the: 1) Transportation Vision 2040 public outreach campaign (February‐April 2015), Community Meetings and Speaker Bureau sessions; 2) Online Community Transportation Survey; 3) Travel Demand Modeling of the ARTS, planning a real transportation network; 4) Public Transit Surveys (Augusta Public Transit and Best Friend Express); 5) Congestion Management Process; and the 6) incidence of traffic crashes (at intersections and corridors) in the ARTS planning area. The issues and needs identified have reduced potential levels of mobility and accessibility within the ARTS planning area for pedestrians and non‐motorized, motorized and freight transportation system users. If left unresolved, the economic vitality of the region may be negatively impacted. The identification of critical transportation issues and potential solutions to address them (i.e., needs) was the heart of the ARTS public participation process.
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ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 179
6 Transportation System Needs Assessment 6.1 Introduction
Once every five years the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Augusta Regional
Transportation Study (ARTS) is updated. A major task of ARTS is the update of the LRTP through
the identification of existing transportation conditions, issues and needs; and recommending
strategies and system improvements (i.e., solutions) that enhance livability in the ARTS planning
area. The public was invited to become involved in this process during a series of Speaker Bureau
sessions and Community Meetings held throughout the ARTS planning area during February‐
March 2015; or participate in an online Community Transportation Survey (posted on the ARTS
website) during March‐April 2015.
This report presents the analysis results of transportation issues and needs (affecting both
motorized and non‐motorized transportation modes) identified through the: 1) Transportation
Vision 2040 public outreach campaign (February‐April 2015), Community Meetings and Speaker
Bureau sessions; 2) Online Community Transportation Survey; 3) Travel Demand Modeling of the
ARTS, planning a real transportation network; 4) Public Transit Surveys (Augusta Public Transit
and Best Friend Express); 5) Congestion Management Process; and the 6) incidence of traffic
crashes (at intersections and corridors) in the ARTS planning area.
The issues and needs identified have reduced potential levels of mobility and accessibility within
the ARTS planning area for pedestrians and non‐motorized, motorized and freight transportation
system users. If left unresolved, the economic vitality of the region may be negatively impacted.
The identification of critical transportation issues and potential solutions to address them (i.e.,
needs) was the heart of the ARTS public participation process.
ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 180
6.2 Methodology Identifying Issues and Needs
A summary of the six (6) methods used to identify transportation issues and needs are presented
below.
6.2.1 Community Meetings
ARTS actively conducted a series of 17 community meetings concerning the Transportation Vision
2040 LRTP update, which were held at strategically selected locations during the month of March
2015. The objectives of the community meetings were: 1) introduce ARTS, its role and functions
to the local community; 2) present the current status of the Transportation Vision 2040 LRTP; 3)
hear issues the public identify as transportation issues and needs in their communities; and 4)
solicit public input on regional transportation needs, projects and strategies in order to help
define and evaluate year 2040 LRTP projects. 102 persons attended these meetings.
6.2.2 Speakers Bureau Meetings
During the months of January through March 2015, ARTS staff addressed 12 Speaker Bureau
meetings. Speaker Bureau presentations were promoted to any community, business, faith
based or social service organization within the ARTS planning area. These sessions allowed ARTS
staff to speak directly to public or private organizations about the LRTP update or metropolitan
transportation planning process. An estimated 318 people attended these Speaker Bureau
sessions.
6.2.3 Community Meetings and Speaker Bureaus
It became evident that the top three (3) key themes arising at the Community Meeting were: 1)
Funding transportation; 2) Roads/Highways; and, 3) Public Transit. Funding of transportation as
an indirect theme dominated many Community Meeting discussions. Attendees at Community
Meetings who put forward questions or comments relating to enhancing transportation and
mobility choices, e.g., transit, bike and pedestrian facilities; became aware that the availability of
local funds and willingness to fund by local residents, ultimately determines the choice of
transportation modes in communities. The questions are resulting from comments as referenced
in the Public Participation and Community Meeting Report (Figure 60).
ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 181
Source: ARTS
6.2.4 Goal Setting Process
Of the seven (7) goals that were presented the prioritized order (i.e., identifying regional
transportation planning focus areas) based on average scores and input from the public is as
follows:
Goal #1 ‐ Continue to develop a multimodal transportation network that utilizes strategies
for addressing congestion management, and traffic and pedestrian safety in the ARTS
planning area;
Goal #2 ‐ Develop a transportation system that will allow effective mobility throughout the
region through improving the physical condition and maintenance of the transportation
network and, provide efficient and safe movement of persons and goods;
Goal #3 ‐ Increase the safety and security of the transportation system for motorized and
non‐motorized users, and pedestrians;
Goal #4 ‐ Develop a transportation system integrated with planned land use;
Goal #5 ‐ Develop a transportation system that will enhance the economic, social, and
environmental fabric of the area, using resources wisely while minimizing adverse Impacts;
Bike & Pedestrian 11%
Public Transit 29%
Roads/Highways 17%
Rail 5%
Funding, 12%
FY 2015‐2018 TIP, 2%
Other 24%
Figure 60: Public Comments
ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 182
Goal #6 ‐ Promote efficient land use and development patterns to improve safety and
economic vitality to meet existing and future multimodal transportation needs; and
Goal #7 ‐ Develop a transportation system that is financially and politically feasible and has
broad support.
6.2.5 Online Community Transportation Survey
An online version of the ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 Travel Behavior Survey (Community
Transportation Survey) was uploaded on Monday March 9, 2015. The survey sought to obtain a
wide range of information relating to the perceptions of the regional transportation system,
issues and needs, from the public. Questions also sought to evaluate the respondent’s level of
agreement regarding a particular transportation issue. From the initial date of upload which was
from Monday, March 19, 2015, to April 30, 2015, approximately 689 responses were received.
The online survey closed on April 30, 2015.
6.2.6 Travel Demand Modeling
A Travel Demand Model (TDM) is a computer model used to assess current trip making and travel
behavior as well as predict future travel behavior and travel demand based on certain inputs and
assumptions. Required TDM inputs range from population, employment and school enrollment
data as well as current traffic flow levels on the highway network. The ARTS travel demand model
is built and managed by a consultant under contract to the Georgia Department of Transportation
(GDOT).
TDMs are highly complex and not only model demand for road trips (i.e., by car, motorcycle, van
or truck) and the routes they take between origin and destination, but are also capable of
modeling transit demand. The capability of ARTS TDM is to assess future traffic scenarios enabling
the identification of potential highway bottlenecks or links with high volume to capacity ratios.
The application of TDM in the Transportation Vision 2040 LRTP update process assists ARTS
stakeholders in making informed decisions about how best to address any transportation need
identified.
6.2.7 Public Transit Surveys
A survey of Augusta Public Transit (APT) passengers was conducted over a 9‐day period in March
and April 2015. Similarly, a survey of passenger riding Best Friend Express (BFE) was conducted
over a 5‐day period in April and May 2015. The objectives of the transit surveys were as follows:
1) Determine where and when customers use transit; 2) Define who uses transit; 3) Gauge how
satisfied customers are with the services provided; 4) Determine why customers use transit; and
ARTS Transportation Vision 2040 183
5) Gain insight to identify conditions, issues, needs and future improvements from the transit
user’s (i.e., transit customer) perspective. All 10 fixed routes of APT and 3 routes of BFE were
surveyed. Overall, a total of 662 riders (599 APT and 63 BFE) participated in the onboard transit
surveys.
Identified needs and challenges relating to Public Transit are listed as:
The majority of public transit riders, ride during the AM peak or morning period.
The majority of public transit riders come directly from home.
The majority of public transit riders in the ARTS planning area walk to the bus stop to
commence their transit trip.
The primary destination of transit riders in the ARTS planning area is work related.
The majority of riders in the ARTS planning area walk from the bus stop to their final
destination.
The majority of public transit riders surveyed do not have a car/truck/van available to
make trips.
The majority of public riders surveyed have trip travel times of 30 minutes or less.
The majority of APT and BFE riders wait for up to 15 minutes for a bus.
APT BFE ARTS Public Transit
Time waiting for the bus Time waiting for the bus Time waiting for the bus
Convenience of route On-time Performance Convenience of routes
On-time Performance Convenience of routes On-time Performance
Fifty percent or more of public transit riders in the ARTS planning area do not possess a
valid drivers’ license.
More than 40% of riders use fixed route public transit bus services five or more days per
week in the ARTS planning area.
The majority of public transit riders in the ARTS planning area have annual household
incomes of $10,000 or less.
In order of priority, the top issues for the 662 transit riders surveyed (based on the