TransTalk
December 2014 Volume 18 Issue 4
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
In This Issue
John Biront, P.E., PTOE
President’s Message
1
Section Calendar
4
From the Editor
4
Section Meetings
5
Candidates for Project of
the Year Award
8
Emerging Professionals
Conference
11
Pignataro Award - Call
for Nomination
12
Bikelid
13
Sponsorships
14
TransTalk Editors:
Jennifer Bates
Kayne Cheung
Elaine Du
Lian Duan
Mayer Horn
“The road to success is always under construction.”
- Arnold Palmer (Professional Golfer)
Typically when I sit down to write my President’s message I try to
research an interesting topic and relate it to what’s going on in the Met
Section. I decided not to do that this time around. Instead I wanted to just
focus on the Met Section and what we were able to accomplish this year.
I’m extremely proud that the executive board set some ambitious goals
this year and met them.
The Met Section is always looking for ways to improve as a whole; we
are always “under construction.” This year the Met Section set out to
balance our budget. As a non-profit agency we are not in the business
of making money, but we’re also not in the business of losing it either.
When I started getting involved in ITE committees several years ago the
economy wasn’t doing great. The Met Section executive board took it
upon itself to make meetings easier for members to attend by lowering
prices. The board decided to give back to the membership and were
proud to do so. Our surplus slowly began to dwindle and last year the
board realized that we had to make a change. It was a difficult decision
but the board was confident in our approach. We decided to increase
meeting costs so that we stopped losing money at our monthly meetings.
Luckily the economy rebounded so it wasn’t too big of a detriment to
the Section’s members. The board also found alternative means to
keep meeting costs as low as possible such as offering advertising in
TransTalk and our website, as well as other sponsorship opportunities.
With all this said I am happy to report that the Met Section is on pace
to have a balanced budget for the year 2014. In fact, we are actually
going to have a surplus this year because our Technical Conference and
Training Sessions were extremely successful.
The Met Section is constantly looking to improve the experience
of attending meetings for its members. We are continually making
Continued on page 2
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TransTalk December 2014
President’s message: continued from page 1
improvements to our website. This year we began to offer
members the ability to pay for meetings via online credit
card payments, as well as paying by credit card in person
at the meeting.
This year we offered the most Professional Development
Hours in ITE Met Section History. If members took
advantage of all of our meetings, seminars, and training
sessions they could have acquired 26.5 PDH credits; 11.5
of these coming from the Technical Conference and the
HCS training. This doesn’t even include the PDHs offered
at the Northeast District Annual Meeting that we hosted
in Long Branch, NJ which had 45 technical sessions. For
those of you that attended, the Long Branch meeting was
a blast. The Met Section represented well and I couldn’t
have been any happier with how things turned out. I owe a
huge thank you to everyone that was involved making the
event such a success.
In general, meeting attendance was up this year. Some
meetings had lower attendance while others saw record
numbers. The Met Section is continually looking to
improve venue locations and meeting dates to better
accommodate members. In the future, the board will focus
on religious and school calendars to ensure that it is easier
for members to attend our meetings.
As the Met Section transitions to next year’s board we are
always looking for new volunteers to help on committees.
If anyone is interested in helping out please reach out to
Luigi Casinelli as he is looking to fill any possible vacancies
that may exist.
With that I would once again like to thank everyone for
affording me the opportunity to be Met Section President
this year; it was an honor and a privilege. I learned so many
value lessons that I will take with me in my professional
life. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the executive
board that will follow me and am confident that the future
of the Met Section is in good hands. As always, feel free
to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding
the Met Section. Even though I will no longer be President
I will be more than happy to discuss anything ITE related
with my fellow members. I wish everyone and their families
a safe and happy holiday season. See you all in the New
Year.
The ITE Met Section would like to wish
every member a happy holiday season!
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TransTalk December 2014
Executive Board
Committee Chairs
President-John Biront, P.E., PTOE
New Jersey Turnpike Authority, P.O.BOX 5042, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Phone: (732)442-8600 x2412 (973)-432-1578 [email protected]
Newsletter-Mayer Horn, P.E., PTOE, PTP
Phone:(516)459-7670,[email protected]
Newsletter-Jennifer Bates, P.E.
Port Authority, 4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich St, 19th Floor
Phone:(212)435-5771,[email protected]
Vice President-Luigi Casinelli, P.E., PTOE
HDR, Inc., 711 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY 10604
Phone: (914)993-2032, (646)-413-0891 [email protected]
Newsletter-Lian Duan
GPI, 90-04 161st Street, Suite 609, Jamaica, Queens 11432
Phone:(718) 206-1253 x1411,[email protected]
Secretary-Amir Rizavi, P.E.
VHB Engineering, Two Penn Plaza, Suite 2602,New York, NY 10121
Phone: (212) 857-7331 [email protected]
Website-Michael Collins
GPI, 90-04 161st Street, Suite 609, Jamaica, Queens 11432
Phone: (718) 206-1253 x1413,[email protected]
Treasurer-Tra Vu, Ph.D., P.E.
GPI, 90-04 161st Street, Suite 609,Jamaica, NY 11432
Phone: (718) 206-1253 x1404 [email protected]
Finance-Lee Kim
AKRF, Inc., 440 Park Ave South, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Phone:(646)388-9707,[email protected]
Past President-Adam Allen, P.E., TSOS
Maser Consulting, 100 American Metro Blvd, Suite 152,Hamilton, NJ 08619
Phone: (609)587-8200 [email protected]
Policy & Legislative-Michael O’Rourke, P.E.
Adler Consulting, 235 Main St., 5th Floor ,White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914)997-8510 [email protected]
Jr. Section Director-Grace Van Kirk, TSOS
Sam Schwartz Engineering
744 Broad Street, Suite 2090 ,Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973)639-9629 x214 [email protected]
Professional Development-Thomas Arlo, P.E., PTOE
P.O. Box 689,Long Beach, NY 11561
Phone: (516)431-3811 [email protected]
Professional Development-Alfred Yeung, P.E.
VHB Engineering, Two Penn Plaza, Suite 2602,New York, NY 10121
Phone: (212)857-7328 [email protected]
Sr. Section Director-Bill McMenamin, P.E.
GPI, 325 West Main Street,Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: (631)761-7204,[email protected]
Industry-Richard Marsanico, P.E.
Traffic Systems, Inc. 224 North Fehr Way,Bay Shore, NY 11706
Phone: (631)242-4292 [email protected]
Student Outreach-Tom Pagano, P.E.
Sam Schwartz Engineering ,611 Broadway, Suite 415,New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212)598-9010 ext 142, [email protected]
Local Arrangement Chairs
Section Administrator-Mike Salatti, P.E.
GPI, 325 West Main Street,Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: (631)761-7352,(516)-318-8529 CELL,[email protected]
Student Outreach-Tommy Kwong
GPI, 325 West Main Street,Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: (631)761-7380, [email protected]
Mentorship-Paul Eng-Wong, P.E.
VHB, Inc,One Gateway Center, 15th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973)693-4488, [email protected]
North Jersey Arrangements-Jeff Smithline, P.E., PTOE
Sam Schwartz Engineering ,611 Broadway, Suite 415 ,New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212)598-9010 x119,[email protected]
Mentorship-Keith Hall, LEED AP, Greenroads STP
Maser Consulting, P.A.,100 American Metro Blvd, Suite 152,Hamilton, NJ
Phone: (609) 587-8207 x4341 [email protected]
North Jersey Arrangements-Cyrus Naheedy
Sam Schwartz Engineering ,611 Broadway, Suite 415 ,New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212)598-9010 x141,[email protected]
Young Members-Henry Chiang
GPI,325 West Main St ,Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: (718) 206-1253 x1401,[email protected]
New York City Arrangements-John Miller, P.E.
Phone: (201)723-6244 [email protected]
Young Members-Olu Akele
Maser Consulting,100 American Metro Blvd, Suite 152,Hamilton, NJ08619
Phone: (609) 587-8207 x4330,[email protected]
Long Island Arrangements-Marvin Souza, P.E.
GPI,90-04 161st Street, Suite 609,Jamaica, Queens 11432
Phone: (718) 206-1253 x1410,[email protected]
Young Members-Emily Valentino
New Jersey Turnpike Authority,P.O.BOX 5042,Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Phone: (732) 442-8600 Ext. 2927,[email protected]
Long Island Arrangements-Steven Eisenberg, P.E.
L.K. McLean Associates, P.C.437 S. Country Road,Brookhaven, NY 11719
Phone: (631)286-8668,[email protected]
Membership-Warren Michelsen
SIMCO Engineering80 Maiden Lane, Suite 501,New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 385-8100 x1620,[email protected]
Long Island Arrangements-Elif Karsi
[email protected]
Membership-Denysse Roman
Louis Berger Group,412 Mount Kemble Ave PO Box 1946,Morristown, NJ
Phone: (973)407-1571,[email protected]
Westchester Arrangements-Brian Dempsey, P.E., PTOE
TRC Engineer, Inc. 7 Skyline Drive,Hawthorne, NY 10532
Phone: (914)592-4040,[email protected]
Technical Projects-Don Tone, P.E.
AKRF Inc.,34 South Broadway, Suite 401,White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914)922-2374,[email protected]
Westchester Arrangements-Michael O’Rourke, P.E.
Adler Consulting, 235 Main St., 5th Floor ,White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914)997-8510 [email protected]
Technical Projects-Einah Pelaez
HDR, Inc.,711 Westchester Ave,White Plains, NY 10604
Phone: (914)993-2052,[email protected]
Central JerseyArrangements-Amanda Feeley
Parsons Brinckerhoff,2000 Lenox Drive, 3rd Floor,Lawrenceville, NJ
Phone:(848)480-3732 [email protected]
Action Calendar-Andy Saracena
Port Authority of NY & NJ,Three Gateway Center, 3rd Floor,Newark, NJ
Phone: (973)792-3914,[email protected]
Central JerseyArrangements-Reddy Edulakanti, P.E.
HDR, Inc., 1037 Raymond Blvd, Suite 1400, Newark, NJ 07102 Phone:(201)2085607,[email protected]
Pignataro Awards-Marvin C. Gersten, P.E.
PB,One Penn Plaza,New York, NY 10119
Phone: (212) 465-5318,[email protected]
District Board Representative-Gordon Meth, P.E., PTOE, PTP
The RBA Group,7 Campus Drive, Suite 300,Parsippany, NJ 07054
Phone: (973)946-5670,[email protected]
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TransTalk December 2014
Section Calendar
January 11-15, 2015
Transportation Research
Board Annual Meeting
Washington, D.C.
January 21, 2015
Monthly Meeting
Past President’s Night
Club 101, New York, NY
February 25, 2015
Monthly Meeting
(Luncheon)
Mansion on Broadway,
White Plains, NY
March 3, 2015
Technical Summit
Newark Club, Newark, NJ
March 26, 2015
Monthly Meeting
Jericho Terrace, Mineola,
NY
From the Editor
Mayer Horn, P.E. , PTOE, PTP
Welcome to winter, the holiday season, and the end of 2014 – hopefully, a good
year for all – as we look forward to the new year. For our Met Section, it has been a
good year under the leadership of John Biront who will become our Past President
at the January meeting. We look forward to 2015 as an even better year – each
year should be better than the one before – under the leadership of Luigi Casinelli
who will move up from Vice President to President in January.
Congratulations to Lee Kim who will serve as the 2015 Met Section Treasurer. Each
of the candidates for this position – regardless of the election results, and this year’s
election was described as being as close as any that could be recalled – should be
thanked for his or her willingness to make a commitment to serve our Met Section
for seven years: from treasurer, to secretary, to vice president, to president, to past
president, to junior section director, to senior section director. As of the January
meeting, Bill McMenamin will have completed his seven year stint as he leaves the
executive board; we thank him as we have each of his predecessors. In addition
to congratulating Lee Kim, we acknowledge the willingness of Keith Hall – who has
served the Met Section on a number of committees and tasks – to commit to serve
for seven years on the executive board. Hopefully, Keith will continue to serve our
section.
The November meeting at Riccardo’s in Astoria featured presentations by
representatives of the New York City Department of Transportation. The afternoon
topic was “Engineering Intersections in New York City – Lessons Learned.” The
speakers were Roger Weld, P.E., PMP, Chief Engineer of Traffic Management
Division; Randy Wade, Senior Planner; and Sameeh Barkho, P.E., Chief of
Highway Design and Construction. The evening topic was “Vision Zero in New
York City.” The speaker was Ryan Russo, Deputy Commissioner, Traffic Planning
& Management. It was a very interesting and informative afternoon and evening.
One of the more interesting comments was that New York City has achieved the
declines in deaths and serious injuries, in part, by implementing projects that are not
consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and that New York
City is now leading the way with other cities learning from the experiences in New
York and implementing projects in the same ways. One example that was cited was
protected bike lanes: putting the bike lanes between the parked cars and the curb.
I would like your feedback:
1.
What do you think of the protected bike lanes: using the parked cars as a
buffer between the moving motor vehicles and the bicyclists?
2.
What do you think about LPIs – leading pedestrian intervals – where
pedestrians get a Walk signal while conflicting turning vehicles receive a red signal
(usually, a red arrow) until the pedestrian phase has concluded?
3.
What is the potential role of flashing yellow left arrows in reducing vehiclepedestrian crashes?
4.
What is the potential role of flashing yellow right arrows in reducing vehiclepedestrian crashes?
5.
What was the difference in meaning between the solid Walk pedestrian
signal and the flashing Walk pedestrian signal?
6.
Would use of both solid and flashing Walk signals, as appropriate, reduce
vehicle-pedestrian crashes, especially in this era of distracted walking (not just driving)
as pedestrians text, enter (key in) phone numbers, and are focused on their mobile
Continued on page 6
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TransTalk December 2014
Section Meetings
October Meeting in Hoboken, NJ
September Meeting in Jericho, NY
Andrew Bata receives ITE safety vest
The October
meeting was held
at Arthur’s Tavern
in Hoboken, NJ on
October 15, 2014.
Michael Flynn, AICP
from Sam Schwartz
Engineering talked
about Engineering
Student Traffic Bowl
Great Mains Streets:
Transportation as an
economic development tool. The presentation outlined
the relatively quick and low-cost methods outlined in the
NACTO Urban Street Design Guide for making most
efficient use of parking lanes and intersections. It also
highlighted a methodology developed in New York City
to quantify the impacts of such improvements on local
businesses.
Emilio Sosa receives ITE safety vest
The September Meeting was held at Milleridge Inn, Jericho, Long
Island, NY on September 10, 2014. Andrew Bata from MTA/NYC
Transit talked about Transit Innovations and Best Practices. The
presentation described current trends in innovations to facilitate
quality efficient transit services.
The afternoon program also included a Student Career
Fair as well as a student traffic bowl. Students from
Columbia, NJIT, Cooper Union, TCNJ and NYU-Poly
as well as other schools in the metropolitan area were
invited to attend those two events.
In the evening, Emilio Sosa from NYSDOT spoke about NYSDOT
Region 10 ITS programs.
November Meeting in Astoria, NY
The November Meeting was held at at Riccardo’s in Astoria, NY on
November 19, 2014. This event was also co-sponsored by APA-NY. In
the afternoon, Roger Weld, Randy Wade and Sameeh Barkho presented
“Engineering Intersections in New York City-Lessons Learned”. In recent
years NYC has attained the lowest crash fatality rates of any major city
in the US. This presentation provided an overview of the evolution in the
way NYCDOT approaches intersections design.
In the evening, Ryan Russo, Deputy Commissioner of NYCDOT spoke
about Vision Zero in New York city. The presentation outlined the why
and the how of Mayer De Blasio’s plan to end traffic fatalities in NYC. It
provided a detailed update on the strategies being pursued including
innovative planning, robust street re-engineering and bold policy
initiatives.
Afternoon Program speakers Roger Weld,
Randy Wade and Sameeh Barkho
The next ITE Met Section meeting will be
held at Club 101 (new location) on January
21, 2015. See you there!
Evening Program speaker Ryan Russo,
Deputy Commissioner of NYCDOT
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TransTalk December 2014
From the Editor: continued from page 4
The comments and the questions posed above follow
from our November meeting which focused on New York
City, including Vision Zero, which has the goal of reducing
fatalities and serious injuries on streets and highways to
zero. This is a goal that it would be hard to oppose.
communications while walking?
7.
Some jurisdictions make extensive use of audible
pedestrian signals. Do you think employing such signals in
New York City would significantly reduce crashes between
vehicles and pedestrians – both sighted and visually
impaired pedestrians?
8.
What could building owners do to reduce
the probability of errant motor vehicles crashing into
pedestrians on the sidewalk in front of their buildings?
9.
What could New York City do to encourage building
owners to act?
10.
What is the potential role of a flashing green ball
signal in reducing crashes? (Hint: At the 1998 Annual
Meeting in Toronto, I saw a flashing green ball signal. I
asked a traffic engineer about the meaning. Her response
– not an answer – was a question: “In which province?”)
11.
New York City has implemented a 25 mph speed
limit, except where otherwise posted. Do you feel that this
will reduce fatalities and serious injuries?
12.
Are there adverse effects of the 25 mph speed
limit?
13.
Do you think automated speed enforcement is – or
can be – a useful tool in reducing motor vehicle crashes
– whether with pedestrians, bicyclists, or other motor
vehicles?
14.
What measures could be taken to make automated
speed enforcement less controversial with the public and
hence public officials?
15.
Do you think that automated red light enforcement
is – or can be – a useful tool in reducing motor vehicle
crashes – whether with pedestrians, bicyclists, or other
motor vehicles?
16.
What measures could be taken to make automated
red light enforcement less controversial with the public and
hence public officials?
17. What additional traditional or non-traditional
measures should be considered by New York City to
reduce motor vehicle crashes?
18. Bicycle helmets: Biking advocates generally
oppose mandating bike helmets, especially for bike-share
riders, arguing that mandating helmets would drastically
reduce biking. Yet, there is ample evidence that helmets
reduce the severity of head injuries, including fatal head
injuries. What is your suggestion?
19. Which measures that New York City has
implemented should be considered by other cities in both
NY and NJ in our Met Section area?
20.
Are there any of these measures that definitely
should not be considered?
21. Which measures that New York City has
implemented should be considered by suburban
communities in our Met Section area?
Meanwhile, on Long Island, both Nassau and Suffolk
Counties had been advancing automated enforcement of
red light compliance and speed limit compliance. Although
red light cameras have been functioning – not entirely
without controversy – there has been a huge controversy
about automated enforcement of speed limits, which has
been advanced at schools in Nassau while Suffolk has
been planning to advance its implementation in 2015.
Suddenly, everything has stopped. Not just stopped,
but actually moving in the reverse direction: As this is
written, the Nassau County Legislature is expected to vote
to remove the installations - although County Executive
Mangano has expressed his concern about the sudden
$30 million hole in his budget. Based on the experience
in Nassau County, Suffolk County Executive Bellone is
expected to abandon his plans to install speed enforcement
cameras in his county.
What happened?
Is there a problem with photo
enforcement?
Or has there been a problem with
implementation?
I believe that automated speed enforcement is necessary
at least until our streets can be redesigned so that speeding
becomes impossible. Don’t hold your breath.
Here are the problems as I see it:
1. We are overconfident. All of us, as human beings, think
we drive at safe speeds just as we think we can text and
drive. Why, then, should we get a summons – even if it’s
just a monetary fine without points – when we’re doing
something that we are confident is safe?
2. We resist change. It’s not just NIMBY – not in my backyard
– or BANANA – build absolutely nothing anywhere near
anyone. Forcing a change in how we drive is something
many of us resist simply because it is a change and we do
not perceive a need to change.
3. The warnings were inadequate. Yes, the media
publicized the automated speed enforcement that Nassau
County implemented, but many people did not relate that
directly to their individual driving.
4. The focus of the program has not been on safety, but on
revenues. Indeed, when the Nassau County Legislature
announced its plan to kill the program, County executive
Continued on page 7
6
TransTalk December 2014
From the Editor: continued from page 6
Mangano did not mourn the potential loss of lives, but the
loss of revenues, the hole in his budget.
Here’s what I think is needed for a successful program:
1. A focus on safety, not revenues. New York City is a
model: The program is called Vision Zero, not Money Grab.
2. A robust public information campaign – obviously
focusing on safety – with lessons learned from the public
information campaign targeting texting while driving as well
as New York City’s reduction of the area-wide reduction of
the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph.
3. The speed limits must be perceived by the public as
appropriate. They should be conspicuous and they should
be real-time. Few elementary schools are in session at
midnight. What are the respective roles, in determining
speed limits, or professional traffic operations engineers,
elected officials, and the general public?
4. There should be real-time feedback of actual speed and
provide both real-time warning before and real-time notice
of violation issuance.
5. There should be some appropriate process for
adjudication. At least, the public should feel that the
process is both available and fair.
6. Dump the administrative fee. That’s clearly a money
grab. More importantly, that’s how the public perceives it.
If the automated safety programs – initially red light
enforcement and speed enforcement, but eventually
expanded to include numerous other driver actions and
inactions – does produce a revenue surplus (even with
the suggestions made above, including eliminating the
administrative fee), then the surplus should be used to
enhance safety: implement complete streets projects,
encourage walking and biking, provide bike parking, etc.
Let’s hope that these newly available enforcement tools
can be used to reduce crashes, fatalities, serious and
other injuries, as well as property damage.
We welcome Kayne Cheung and Elaine Du to the
TransTalk volunteer editors. Kayne is a P.E. and a Senior
Transportation Engineer at GPI. Elaine is a Traffic EIT with
HDR. Thanks Einah for encouraging Elaine to become
active in our Met Section.
I have joined the firm of Haider Engineering, P.C. as Vice
President. My contact info is below: Haider Engineering,
P.C.’ 91 Toledo Street, Farmingdale NY 11735, Tel: 631-7772280, Fax: 631-777-2284, Direct/cell: 516-459-7670, mhorn@
haiderengineering.com
7
TransTalk December 2014
Candidates for Project of the Year Award
Woodhaven Boulevard Congested Corridor Study submitted by AECOM
The Woodhaven Boulevard Congested Corridor Study conducted by AECOM examines a 3.2 mile segment of Woodhaven
Boulevard from Queens Boulevard to Liberty Avenue/Rockaway Boulevard. Woodhaven Boulevard was selected by
NYCDOT for the Citywide Congested Corridors Project (CCCP) study as one of the congested corridors.
A variety of operational and safety problems were identified as a result of data collection and analyses, field observations,
and consultation with stakeholders. Major problems along the Woodhaven Boulevard
corridor include localized traffic congestion, conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians,
complex intersection geometries, a bottleneck created by the LIRR overpass, high
frequency of vehicle crashes, a large number of local and express buses operating
on a congested roadway, lack of pedestrian amenities, geometric issues, and signage
and signalization issues.
Recommended improvements include median refuge islands, curb extensions, signal
timing improvements, bus lane additions, and intersection realignment. Some of the
short-term improvements of the recommended alternative were implemented between
2010 and 2012. Others will be implemented in 2014. Long-term improvements are
planned to be implemented as future capital projects.
The Woodhaven Boulevard Congested Corridor study incorporated and integrated components of key City initiatives
including Plan NYC, Complete Streets, Congestion Reduction, Bus Transit Priority and Vision Zero into a single corridor
project, thereby advancing and implementing the City’s top priorities. AECOM provided unique and creative traffic
engineering solutions for one of the most complex intersections in NY City (Woodhaven Boulevard/Liberty Avenue/
Rockaway Boulevard).
Transit Signal Priority for New York City submitted by GPI
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) embarked on an ambitious
program to improve bus service by implementing Transit Signal Priority
(TSP) for New York City. System performance was evaluated in 2014 for
the initial implementation along a 2.2 mile stretch of the M15 Select Bus
Service (SBS) route in Lower Manhattan.
GPI provided traffic engineering services under contract to the NYCDOT.
Trip Consultants served as a subconsultant for data collection services.
GPI provided separate detailed Aimsun simulation analyses for morning,
midday, and evening peak periods. The initial implementation provides
TSP to M15 Select Buses travelling between the Staten Island Ferry
Terminal and the intersection of Allen Street and Houston Street in
Manhattan.
Both the unique application of technology and the engineering
methodology for system optimization provide their own blueprint for
other cities to follow. The optimization methodology answers universal TSP implementation questions and is applicable
regardless of the technology employed. The success of the wireless technology and ASTC controllers also serves as an
example for others to follow.
Expansion plans are currently underway for 9 other corridors offering travel time savings to 250,000 riders a day with more
corridors to follow. Some of the next corridors are expected to begin TSP operations in 2015.
Continued on page 9
8
TransTalk December 2014
Project Highlights: Continued from Page 8
Taxi Medallion Increase FEIS submitted by HDR
The Taxi and Limousine Commission selected HDR to prepare an
environmental impact statement for the public sale of up to 2,000 new taxicab
licenses (medallions) pursuant to New York City Environmental Quality Review
(CEQR) regulations. The impact analysis is focused specifically on traffic, air
quality, and socioeconomic impacts. In conformance with State Environmental
Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR)
requirements, an EIS was prepared considering the impacts of the additional
2,000 taxi medallions on human and natural environments in NYC.
The lead agency for the Taxi EIS project is the NYC Taxi and Limousine
Commission (TLC). The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
was the review agency for the air quality analysis, while the NYC Department
of Transportation (DOT) was the review agency for the traffic analysis. DOT assisted DEP by providing data and reviewing
traffic inputs for the air quality analysis as well. Effectively, these four entities worked together on the air quality analysis
and formed the project team.
The project is unique because it introduces a collaborative process developed by the New York City Departments of
Transportation and Environmental Protection and the project consultants for calculating emission factors using the Motor
Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) software as mandated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for project
level air quality analyses. The intent was to streamline the process and guide city agencies and consultants responsible
for conducting air quality analyses for discretionary actions subject to environmental review under City Environmental
Quality Review (CEQR), State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
processes.
Lincoln Tunnel Helix Rehabilitation submitted by PANYNJ
The primary structure encountered by motorists entering/exiting the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey, commonly referred
to as the “helix,” is now more than 70 years old and in need of major structural rehabilitation. The Lincoln Tunnel Helix
Rehabilitation Project will make significant repairs to this crucial infrastructure to extend its service life while planning for
the eventual replacement of the helix. The total construction cost for this contract is approximately $56 million.
A full closure of the helix has significant impacts typical Lincoln Tunnel traffic operations in addition to neighboring
stakeholders as well. As such, traffic management strategies are essential to the efficacy of completing nightly construction
tasks, expediting the overall construction duration, and minimizing the impact to all users. Traffic management strategies
were developed based on the identified traffic issues. Alternatives developed include signal timing optimization, temporary
traffic signal installation during the closure, and contraflow operation.
The final design alternative, the contraflow alternative, was analyzed using Aimsun modeling software. These modeling
results were used to measure and improve potential project
impacts, as well as assist regional coordination efforts between
the PANYNJ and NYCDOT. In the contraflow alternative,
westbound traffic was directed to the eastbound lanes and
returned to the westbound lanes through a break in the median
past the limits of work. The contraflow alternative implemented
in connection with the Lincoln Tunnel Helix Rehabilitation
Project was a successful traffic mitigation strategy that reduced
queues and delays on New York City approaches, eliminated
detoured vehicles from impacting local Weehawken streets, and
maximized the construction duration offered to the contractor to
complete the work associated with this contract.
Continued on page 11
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Project Highlights: Continued from Page 9
Mount Prospect Avenue Streetscape Improvements and Protected Bike Lanes
submitted by Sam Schwartz Engineering
The Mount Prospect Avenue bicycle treatment, an innovative cycle track design
designed by Sam Schwartz Engineering, is New Jersey’s first on-street, protected
bicycle facility. Completed in October 2014, the overall streetscape project
encourages a complete streets approach to Mt Prospect Avenue and is consistent
with the City of Newark’s complete streets ordinance. The intention of the design
was to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists
and transit riders of all ages and abilities. The streetscape improvements make it
easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work and recreation areas.
The protected green bike lanes will help to calm traffic and provide connections to
recreational areas of Branch Brook Park and improve the opportunities for active
recreation.
In the winter of 2010, during the project planning and concept design phase,
a community outreach process was conducted and the area’s residents and
commercial businesses chose the protected bike lane option. This innovation is
intended to be a permanent feature on Mt Prospect Avenue and will link to the
expanding bicycle facilities being developed by the city. When this project was
designed, it was the first protected bike lane in the State of New Jersey. The City of Newark has embarked on an ambitious
complete streets program to calm traffic and improve the safety and connectivity of their streets. The city has installed miles
of bike facilities as part of this program, including the Mount Prospect Avenue protected bike lane, which is for the exclusive
use of cyclists. The protected bike lane will help calm traffic, provide connections to nearby Branch Brook Park and improve
opportunities for active recreation.
Real-Time Passenger Information Signs submitted by STV
STV Systems & Traffic groups prepared preliminary concept designs and production specifications,
conducted a best-practice review, and prototyped solar-powered signs to operate on the City’s
secure wireless network continuously & autonomously for 7 days without sunlight. This project
received extensive political and media attention and is fundamentally changing the manner in
which basic transit information can be accessed.
This project faced many different challenges in which solutions were found in order to meet the
client’s needs. Challenges included developing and aesthetically pleasing sign that fit into the MTA
signage theme, incorporating a cylindrical solar collector, operating on the City’s secure cellular
network, and developing and conducting site-selection criteria in complex urban environments.
Solutions were found in order to resolve these challenges. Some of these solutions included
designing a field communications platform that consumed one third of the power of current
equipment, designing a scalable management server to support the utility management of
potentially every sign in the system, and designing a power management system that combined a
scalable central server and a low-power processor controller modem for the signs.
The signs have been in operation from late October 2013, and have remained functional with
no power outages. Client benefits included travel time and cost savings through minimized
construction/installation, addressing commuter travel needs, and increased bus ridership.
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TransTalk December 2014
Emerging Professionals Conference
On October 2, 2014, ITE Met Section, ITS-NJ and ASCE NJ co-hosted
a half-day conference offering a vehicle for learning the most important
professional skills that engineers and other transportation professionals in
all stages of their careers need to know with a afternoon session featuring
Anthony Fasano, renowned author and speaker on the topic, followed by a
round-table discussion with some of the most decorated professionals in our
industry from both the private and public sectors. The panelists included:
Mary K. Murphy speaks
M. Rizwan Baig, P.E., PTP, PTOE, Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer,
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Dennis Motiani, Assistant Commissioner
NJDOT Transportation Systems Management
S. Maurice Rached, P.E., PTOE. Senior Principal, Director of Transportation
Services, Maser Consulting
Paul Eng-Wong, P.E., Principal
VHB, Inc. (Former ITE International President)
Paula Benway, Associate, Transportation
Stantec Consulting (2015 ITE International Vice President)
Stephen Dilts, Vice President
HNTB (Former NJDOT Commissioner)
Mary K. Murphy, Executive Director
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim, Executive Director
NJ TRANSIT & NJTPA Board of Trustees
Stephen Dilts shares his experience
with the audience
M. Rizwan Baig answers a question
Audience
From Left to Right: Paul Eng-Wong, Veronique Hakim, Paula Benway, Stephen
Dilts, Maurice Rached, M. Rizwan Baig, Dennis Motiani, Mary K. Murphy, Keith
Hall, Anthony Fasano
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TransTalk December 2014
2014 Dr. Louis J. Pignataro Memorial Transportation Engineering
Education Award - Request for Nominations
It is now time for the ITE Met Section to consider nominees for the 2014 Pignataro Memorial
Award, to be presented at the April 2015 meeting. Last year’s award was given to a student,
Anthony Mariani, of the College of New Jersey.
Our past tradition has been to alternate the award each year between a student and a faculty
member, although this is not ab absolute requirement. This year we would like to select an
outstanding transportation engineering faculty member for achievement in transportation
engineering education. The award includes a plaque and check for $1,000.
Please send nominating letters and resumes for candidates to Marvin Gersten via e-mail
attachments by mid-January at the latest. His contact info follows:
Marvin C. Gersten, P.E.
[email protected]
Phone: 908-654-5070
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TransTalk December 2014
BikeLid ®
With the increasing emphasis on bicycling – whether bike sharing or traditional bike lanes or protected bike lanes – it seems appropriate to consider
bike parking, a.k.a., bike storage. One innovative approach is BikeLid. A representative of this firm was asked by the editor for an article about this
product. The following article was provided – on admittedly very short notice - which had been prepared for an APTA transit conference.
Additional information, including a video, is here: http://bikelid.com/
For transit authorities, maximizing transit ridership gets the most out of the
taxpayers’ investment, and cumulatively reduces automobile congestion, carbon
emissions, overall infrastructure costs, as well as enhances the general health
of the populous. The provision of secure, covered (Class 1) bicycle parking
at transit terminals/stations and “park and rides” is increasingly fundamental
in the “maximizing ridership equation,” and necessary to encourage cyclists to
incorporate transit into their daily commute. Without Class 1 bike parking, a
large percentage of cyclists will invariably elect to drive, rather than risk bike/
component theft and vandalism.
The BikeLid® was developed specifically to meet the use and security concerns
of bicyclists, as well as facility managers. Since BikeLid’s debut at the 1996
Atlanta Olympics, they have been installed across the U.S., from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. BikeLids are
hassle free for riders and management. They stand the test of time, are impervious to the weather, never freeze shut,
are scratch, graffiti and resistant, rust and dent proof, can be pressure-washed, outside and beneath, even when in
use, and exhibit the lowest long-term ownership cost of any Class 1 bike parking solution. The raised sculpted design,
coupled with the interior bike-support frame, discourages human or animal habitation, garbage collection, or use for any
purpose but bicycle and bicycle accessory storage. BikeLids enable complete security monitoring without opening.
The long-term financial benefits of each additional regular transit user are substantial: conservatively around $1,000
per additional user per year directly to the transit coffers, along with the cumulative benefits associated with reduced
highway congestion and long-term maintenance costs, reduced carbon emissions, etc. Further, inordinate amounts of
time, energy, and money are consumed addressing the need for more vehicle parking. Converts from automobile to
bicycle commuters reduce demand for on-site vehicle parking at transit stations and terminals and ‘park and ride’ lots.
At a cost of less than $1,000 per commuter, BikeLids can park 10 to 12 bicycles in one car space. With car parking
development costs ranging from $10,000 (surface) to $50,000 (structured) per space, the benefit of encouraging bicycle
commuting is apparent. Moreover, due to its unique design, BikeLids can be installed in areas where cars can’t - in
tight areas, and on any ground surface, from concrete and asphalt to pavers and packed earth.
The realization of additional transit revenues and other related transportation savings will pay for BikeLid® units within
a couple years. For funding, local and federal grants remain available for bicycle enhancement, and some communities
have issued bonds for bicycle projects. Additionally, through public/private partnerships, BikeLids offer a unique
advertising platform that can provide transit authorities, municipalities, other non-profit entities a long-term revenue
source, while meeting the obligation of secure bike parking.
Visit us at the APTA EXPO (booth 5206) and learn about our bicycle parking amenities, including the BikeLid®, the
Ultimate in Bicycle Security, as well as our traditional bike racks, corrals, and bus stop and bike shelters.
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Sponsorships
The ITE Met Section Publishes TransTalk
four times each year. Support by sponsors is
encouraged. Business card ads have been
available at $250 per year for all issues. In
addition, larger size ads are available at the
following rates approved by the Executive
Board:
Business Card ad - $250
Quarter Page ad - $500
Half Page ad - $750
Full Page ad - $1300
Online Advertisement Add-on - $100
If your company or agency wants to renew its
ad, place a larger ad, revise its ad, or place
a new ad, please email the editor and have a
check sent to the 2015 Met Section Treasurer:
Lee Kim
AKRF, Inc.
440 Park Ave South, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10016
[email protected]
If this is a revised or new ad, please email the
ad to Lian Duan at [email protected]
Note to Sponsors: Please check the business
card (or larger) ad in this issue. If your
office has moved, if the company name has
changed, if the business card is for a person
no longer associated with your company, you
might want to email an updated ad to the
editor.
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TransTalk December 2014
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TransTalk December 2014
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17
TransTalk December 2014
Send comments and/or articles to:
Mayer Horn, P.E., PTOE, PTP – Editor
Email: [email protected]
Please visit us at
http://ite-metsection.org/
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TransTalk December 2014