HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-09-29 Trans Comm Mtg TMA5_TDM6 finalWatertown Town Council Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation
Minutes from the Thursday, September 29, 2016 Meeting
The Committee on Transportation met to discuss a Status Report on Transportation Management Association (TMA)
Formation and Shuttle Bus Service Planning and to continue discussion of the Town -wide Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Policy/Regulations.
Attendees included Chair Aaron Dushku, Vice -chair Vincent Piccirilli, Secretary Tony Palomba, Steve Magoon
(DCDP Director and Assistant Town Manager), Gideon Schreiber (DCDP Senior. Planner), Monica Tibbets Nutt (128
Business Council), Jon Bockian (the Watertown Public Transit Task Force), community members Robin Clemens,
Christopher Clemens, and Allison Simmons, and Charlie Breitrose (Watertown News). The meeting began at 6:00
PM.
The Committee heard short presentations from Mr. Magoon and Ms. Nutt regarding the status of the Transportation
Management Association formation and the potential shuttle bus service. Key points from the presentations and the
discussion with the Committee members and those in attendance at followed included the following:
1) There has been limited progress in forming the TMA since the data collection phase and initial discussions with
businesses and residential developments on Arsenal and Pleasant Streets. This is due, in part, to a staff change at the
128 Business Council. Jeff Bennett, who was hired in the last month, will now be in the point person for Watertown's
TMA.
2) The next step in the process is to convene meetings of the representatives of the businesses and residential
developments on Arsenal and Pleasant Streets as well as the Town to determine the structure of the TMA, costs for
becoming a member of the TMA, the shuttle service routes, and the possible integration of existing shuttle services.
(The draft proposal is for shuttle service on Arsenal and Pleasant Streets during the peak morning and evening hours
and include two 16 -passenger buses.)
3) At the present time there is tentative agreement that the TMA in Watertown would be a subsidiary of the 128
Business Council. However a formal agreement or budget for this arrangement has not be negotiated or approved by
the Town.
4) Newton has shown interest in possibly joining the TMA and including the Chapel Bridge Park in the proposed
Pleasant Street shuttle route. This is a 250,000 SF Office/R&D Campus in the Charles River Mill District. It may also
be possible to interest Newton in expanding shuttle service from Newton Center to Watertown.
5) A possible pilot program, once the TMA is created and the shuttle service is operating, would be to extend service
to the Brighton Landing MBTA stop.
6) The question of how a shuttle service can serve Watertown residents who do not work or live on Arsenal and
Pleasant Streets has yet to be determined. It was noted that any additional service requested by a member of the TMA
would have to be absorbed by that member. Thus having a third shuttle or having the existing shuttle loop into a new
area of Watertown would have to be paid for by the Town.
7) The original plan to have the shuttle service in place by the fall has been amended with the goal of shuttle service
beginning in the spring of 2017.
8) It was determined at a public meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 18 to present the TMA and proposed
shuttle service should be delayed until more progress was made on the formation of the TMA.
The Committee had a very preliminary presentation and a brief discussion of the proposed Regulations for the
Transportation Demand Management Ordinance (Attachment A). The committee members agreed that they and the
interested members of the public needed more time to read and review the proposed regulations. They agreed to meet
again on Tuesday, October 18 to discuss the Regulations in detail.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Minutes were prepared by Councilor Palomba.
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Attachment A
Watertown Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Regulations
1. What is TDM?
The purpose of transportation demand management is to guide, distribute, and even reduce
travel demand in both space and time. It focuses on a particular population's interaction with the
in -place transit infrastructure, as well as ridesharing, walking, biking, and telework. When done
well, TDM should be cost-effective in guiding the continued design of transportation and
physical infrastructure, so that alternatives to driving are naturally encouraged and relevant
systems are better integrated and balanced.
TDM is an intentional program of information -plus -incentives, which are provided by local or
regional organizations to help the constituents of those organizations become aware of and
become confident users of all their transportation options, across all modes in the system. To be
successful, this program of information -plus -incentives should effectively counterbalance the
incentives to drive that preexist thanks to the subsidies of parking and roads.
2. Benefits of TDM
There are many important, interrelated benefits to reducing the number of cars on the road and
the number of miles driven.
2.1 Transportation System Benefits
2A.1 Reduced congestion and resulting commute time savings
2.1.2 Multiple options for commuting for work and pleasure
2.2 Environmental Benefits
2.2.1 Improved air quality
2.2.2 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
2.2.3 Improved water quality
2.2.4 Reduced polluting emissions and fluid leaks
2.2.5 Reduced need for paved surfaces
2.3 Social Benefits
2.3.1 Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
2.3.2 Enhanced quality of life in walkable, bikeable communities
2.4 Health and Safety Benefits
24.1 Fitness benefits of active transportation, e.g. biking and walking
2.4.2 Health benefits of improved air quality
2.4.3 Stress reduction
2.5 Financial Benefits
2.5.1 Reduced costs of car ownership and maintenance
2.5.2 Reduced cost of parking
3. Purpose of the TDM Regulations
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The purpose of Watertown's Transportation Demand Management Regulations are to provide
implementation of the TDM Ordinance (#XXX), by developing the policies to create a modal shift
away from Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) trips. These Regulations are intended to support
TDM efforts to reduce vehicle miles travelled and carbon emissions, alleviate congestion during
peak periods, and improve air quality, all while making better use of existing transportation
infrastructure throughout the day.
This document provides the framework to develop necessary strategies that increase over-all
system efficient by encouraging a shift from SOV trips to non-SOV modes and shifting SOV trips
out of peak periods.
The Town's aspirational goal is to aid in the shift from the SOV mode by 20% over baseline data
for residents and employees (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2000-2010),
which identifies that Watertown residents currently have a SOV mode share of 68% and that
Watertown workers have a mode share of 75%
The TDM Ordinance also establishes the legal authority to ensure compliance with the
provisions of this set of Regulations through permitting, inspections, monitoring and
enforcement.
4. TDM Plan Development
4.1 Determine Applicability
4.1.1 Applicability
New construction or an addition of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or more, or ten (10)
or more dwelling units shall be required to prepare and implement a Transportation
Demand Management program, or
Any project that will generate more than one hundred and fifty (150) average daily trips,
or more that fifteen (15) peak hour trips above the pre-existing conditions using standards
and methodologies promulgated by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Urban
Land Institute or other appropriate source.
4.9.2 Project Type
4.1.2.1 Basic TDM
4.1.2.1 Comprehensive TDM
4.1.3 Exemptions
The following are exempt from the requirements of this Ordinance:
4.1.3.1 Land or structures from the primary, accessory or incidental purpose of
operating a child care facility; and
4.1.3.2 Land or structures owned or leased by The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, its agencies, subdivisions or bodies politic.
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4.2 Fill out Application
• Project name
• Project address
• Owner name
• Contact person
• Contact address
• Contact phone
• Contact fax
• Contact email
• Project Description
• Number of Employees/Residential Units
• Current employee parking data (if applicable)
• Employee trip origin data (if applicable)
• Employee transportation mode data: passenger vehicle, public bus, company shuttle,
bicycle, walk (if applicable)
• Parking usage and count data
• Square footage of building (if applicable)
• Number of bike parking spaces (if applicable)
• Square Footage (if applicable)
• Select Applicable TDM Management/Trip Reduction Measures
• Traffic Impact and Access Study (TIAS) data
4.3 TDM Plan/Program Content
Any project subject to the TDM Program shall submit a TDM Plan Review Application and
administrative fee along with its first Development Application to the Watertown Department of
Community Development and Planning (DCDP). The TDM Plan shall document the project's
compliance with the TDM Ordinance.
4.3.1 TDM Plan Minimum Requirements
Includes program goals and target(s) for trip reduction based on the project's proposed
new trips and baseline transportation impacts.
4,3.1.1 Identify baseline numbers for trip generation and parking generation for
the project:
• TIAS data
• Current employee parking data
• Employee trip origin data
• Employee transportation mode data: passenger vehicle, public bus,
corporate shuttle, bicycle, walk
• Parking usage and count data
4.3.1.2 Identify a target for the TDM Program:
• Acceptable target defined as a 15% reduction of total daily trips
4.3.1.3 Include clear measures to achieve the trip reduction target
4.3.1.4 Include a monitoring program for the life of the Special Permit
• Provide a program that implements automatic monitoring of traffic volumes
at all access points to the project over a continuous 7 -day week long period
• Generate annual reports on trips showing the mode share and destinations
(car, carpool, bicycle, pedestrian, shuttle, and transit) showing results to
allow benchmarks from year to year
• Submit reports to DCDP and the TMA annually or more frequently as
determined by DCDP
• Monitor onsite and offsite parking
• Show ratio of employees to number of parking spaces used
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4.3.1.5 Steps to reduce trips if target (Section 4.3.1.2) is not met can include:
• Implement additional TDM measures from Section 4.3.2
• Institute on -site pay for parking
• Institute a penalty for employees that park off site and on street
• Pay additional fee to the TMA
4.3.2 Potential TDM Measures for Modal Shifts
4.3.2.1 Parking Management
• Parking Benefit Districts: Program through which the city or town returns all
or a portion of the parking revenue generated through meters or non-
resident passes in an area to an entity representing the district for extra
maintenance, security, beautification projects, etc. (5 Points)
• Unbundle Parking: Separating the cost of parking from the cost of rent,
lease or ownership. (1 - 5 Points) (More points given for projects
located in areas where parking is an issue)
• Parkinq Pricing: Day-by-day parking rates stay the same, whether tendered
in the form of a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual pass. (2 Points)
• Parking Cash Out: Non-residential tenants/employees who are provided
free parking should also have the option to take the cash value of the space
in lieu of the space. (2 Points)
4.3.2.2 Bike/Pedestrian
• Improve Walking Conditions: Provide streetscape improvements to
encourage walking. (1 Point)
• Bicycle Parking: Provide secure bicycle parking; see Zoning Ordinance for
minimum requirements - -- one space per 15 parking spaces. (1 - 4 Points)
(More points for more spaces)
• Showers and Lockers: Provide on -site showers and lockers so commuters
can travel by active modes. (1 Point)
• Bike Share Membership: Provide bike share memberships for residents and
employees. (1 Point)
• Bicycle Repair Station: Provide on -site tools and space for bicycle repair.
(1 Point)
• Bicycle Repair Services: Provide repair services through an on -call
mechanic or vouchers to a local shop. (1 Point)
• Fleet of Bicycles: Provide an onsite fleet of bicycles for residents,
employees, and/or guests to use. (1 Point)
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• Bicycle Equipment: Provide bicycle -safety related equipment, e.g. helmets,
reflective vests, etc. (1 Point)
4.3.2.3 Site Design/Land Use
• Require new buildings to locate their parking behind buildings, away from
the street. (1 Point)
• Limit driveway curb cuts. (1 Point)
• Require densifications or mixed -use elements for new developments. (1
Point)
• Promote location -efficient residential and commercial development, i.e.
development proximate and oriented to transit services with good walking
and bicycling conditions, and include infill development. (1 Point)
4.3.2.4 Full time onsite Transportation Coordinator, whose duties
include:
• assemble and distribute rideshare information
• conduct surveys of on -site employees
• schedule carpools/vanpools
• create and administer TDM promotions and incentives
• create and administer preferential parking
• coordinate guaranteed ride home program
• gather and maintain long-term program data
• conduct annual review of TDM program for effectiveness and modification
• develop informational packet on TDM programs (5 Points)
4.3.2.5 Car Share
• Car -Share Parking: Several options for providing car -share parking and
memberships; see Zoning Ordinance for required spaces in new
development. (1-6 Points) (More points given for higher levels of
participation)
4.3.2.6 Family
• Car Seat Storage: Provide storage for car seats near car -share parking,
cargo bikes, and shopping carts. (2 Points)
• On -site Childcare: Provide on -site childcare services. (2 Points)
• Emergency Ride Home: Transportation home in for those using alternative
forms of transportation in the event of an emergency. (1 Point)
4.3.2.7 High Occupancy Vehicle
• Contributions or incentives for Sustainable Transportation: 25%, 50%, 75%,
or 100% subsidies for sustainable transportation use, e.g. MBTA passes.
(2-8 Points) (More points given for higher rate of subsidy)
• Shuttle Bus Service: Provide shuttle bus services, with more points given
for more frequent service — either as part of the TMA service or separate, if
appropriate. (7-14 Points) (More points given for more frequent
service)
• Vanpoo]/Carpool Program: Provide vanpool and/or carpool services to
employees, including preferential parking. (1-7 Points) (More points
given for serving larger geographic areas)
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• Bus Shelters (2 Points)
4.3.2.8 Marketing
• Multimodal Wayfindinq Signage: Provide directional signage for locating
transportation services (transit stop/shuttle stop) and amenities (bicycle
parking, regional bicycle routes, and pedestrian walkways). (1 Point)
• Real -Time Transportation Information Displays: Large screen or monitor
that displays, at a minimum, transit arrival and departure information. (1
Point)
• Tailored Transportation Marketing Services: Provide residents and
employees with information about travel options. (1-4 Points) (More
points given for providing more marketing services)
4.3.2.9 Other
• Flexible Work Schedule: An alternative to the traditional 9 -to -S, 40 -
hour workweek, allowing employees to vary their arrival/departure. (1
Point)
• Telecommuting: An alternative to the traditional 9 -to -5, allowing employees
to work from home, making use of the Internet, e-mail, and telephone. (1
Point)
• Employee Incentive Program: Incentives to use modes that reduce vehicle
trips, e.g. free meals, transit vouchers, movie passes, raffles for gift
certificates to retailers, free bicycles, etc. (1-4 Points) (More points given
for providing more incentives)
5. TDM Plan Submittal
5.1 Submit Draft
5.2 DCDP Review and suggested revisions -60 Days from submittal
5.3 Submit final
5.4 DCDP final decision --60 Days from submittal
5.5 Approved with or without conditions or denied
6. TDM Plan Review
6.1 Plan Review
The Watertown Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) will pre -review
each TDM Plan Review Application to ensure it is complete. Once deemed complete, the DCDP
will review the plan to ensure the required target (Section 4.3.1) has been achieved by a
selection of TDM measures.
The TDM Plan shall be reviewed in conjunction with the Special Permit application and be
approved prior to the Project Approval. The requirement for a TDM Plan shall be a Condition of
Approval of the project.
A Petitioner's TDM Plan shall follow the TDM Ordinance in effect at the time of the approval of
the Special Permit for a project. However, a Petitioner may also choose to use the TDM
Ordinance in effect at the time the DCDP approves a project's building permit.
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7. Appeal Process
7.1 Plan Appeal
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7.1.1 Appeals of the TDM Plan shall follow the procedure as outline in the TDM
Ordinance XXX.
8. Project Entitlement
8.1 TDM Plan: Condition of Approval
If the Project is approved, the requirement for a TDM Plan will be a Condition of Approval.
9. TDM Plan Monitoring and Reporting —For Comprehensive TDM Projects
Only
9.1 Pre -Occupancy Site Visit
Prior to the issuance of a "First Certificate of Occupancy," the property owner shall facilitate a
site inspection by DCDP staff to confirm that all approved physical measures in the project's
TDM Plan have been implemented and/or installed. Prior to the site visit, DCDP staff will
provide the property owner with a copy of the TDM Plan that outlines the TDM measures that
the property owner is required to provide.
For projects of a sufficient size, following the site visit for physical measures and submittal of
any documentation required for physical and programmatic measures, DCDP Cstaff will
review the documentation and finalize a Pre -Occupancy Monitoring and Reporting Form. The
"First Certificate of Occupancy" from the DCDP shall not be issued until the property owner
receives an approved Pre -Occupancy Monitoring and Reporting Form.
9.2 "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting" Form
Once the building is occupied, the property owner is requiredE to submit an "Ongoing
Monitoring and Reporting" form with an administrative fee. DCDP staff will review the form's
content to ensure compliance with the TDM Plan, and conduct a site visit to ensure that the
form's contents reflect on -site TDM measures. Enforcement steps will be taken, if needed, to
attain compliance status.
9.2.1 The first "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting" form shall be due within 30 calendar
days of the 18 -month anniversary of the issuance of the "First Certificate of Occupancy,"
i.e. 18-19 months after that issuance. Subsequent "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting"
forms shall similarly be due in 18 -month increments with the addition of a 30 -day grace
period for each submission. That is to say, each subsequent form is due 18-19 months
after the previous form.
9.2.2 If a Development Project remains in good standing — where remaining in good
standing is defined by submitting satisfactory "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting" forms
for over four consecutive years, i.e. a minimum of three consecutive successful form
submissions — then the Development Project's "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting" form
requirement shifts to one submittal every three years. At that point, DCDP staff will
conduct a site visit of the project once every three years, rather than every 18-19 months,
to confirm all approved physical measures in the project's TDM Plan continue to be
implemented and/or installed.
9.2.3 If, at any later time, the project fails to demonstrate satisfactory ongoing monitoring
and reporting, the project may be required to revert back to submitting farms on the 18 -
month schedule until the project again demonstrates over four consecutive years of
satisfactory monitoring and reporting.
9.2.4 The "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting" form should include all measures in the
project's TDM Plan, their current status, and any updates to those measures. All
additional voluntary measures added between "Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting" forms
should also be listed, along with their current status and any updates to those voluntary
measures.
9.3 TDM Plan Update
At any time after the project's entitlement, the property owner may voluntarily initiate review of
the TDM Plan by filing a TDM Plan Update Application, along with an administrative fee.
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