NOACA seeks public input on draft Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan 

NOACA has updated the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio, which identifies unmet transportation needs for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals, and strategies for meeting those needs. The public comment period is underway and NOACA seeks public input on the draft document. Leave your comments for NOACA via this email link. 

NOACA report identifies future congestion hotspots    

In July, NOACA published a congestion study that found 38 road segments out of 2,400 in the region to be congested. Last month, NOACA completed a complementary report that analyzed future congestion for the same 2,400 road segments. According to the study's findings, 57 road segments will experience congestion in the year 2035.  

The October report lists the top 10 locations for future congestion in the region, but also identifies traffic corridors where congestion persists under both existing and forecast year 2035 traffic conditions. NOACA recommends that detailed corridor studies be undertaken in these locations to determine congestion management strategies that will effectively reduce congestion and improve safety.  

NOACA systematically evaluates congestion on federal aid-eligible roadways to monitor congestion hotspots and recommend strategies to relieve persistent congestion. This process includes developing policies for the long-range transportation plan that address congestion. NOACA also supports strategies that reduce travel demand on the region's roads, including:

• Alternative modes of transportation, such as transit, carpooling, bicycling and walking.
• Flexible work hours and working from home.
• Traffic signal coordination, which promotes efficient traffic flow.

Mark Zannoni has joined NOACA as Director of Research, Analysis and Policy. Zannoni has more than 20 years of multidisciplinary transportation experience, spanning from planning and operations to research and strategy. He also has experience across a broad range of modes, including aviation, roads, rail, and ferries. From his initial hands-on experience at the New York City Transit Authority to providing consultancy services in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and across the United States, Zannoni brings a global perspective to NOACA on current issues and thinking in the transportation sector. 

Ohio Governor John Kasich has approved NOACA's designation as administrator of the federal Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. This program, which

merges the old Section 5310 Specialized Transportation and New Freedom Programs, provides capital and operating funding grants to communities, public agencies and private non-profits to provide transportation service to older adults and individuals with disabilities.

As program administrator, NOACA will develop policies related to procurement and grants management, develop a new grant application and select projects. Projects eligible to receive grant funding include wheelchair lift-equipped vehicles, mobility management and coordination projects and operations projects.

The Clifton Boulevard Transportation Enhancement project opened with fanfare on December 8 as RTA debuted its new Cleveland State Line 

A Cleveland State Line bus stops for passengers along Clifton Boulevard. (Photo courtesy of RTA)

bus service. The new line serves several West Shore communities, takes commuters into downtown Cleveland and ends at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center at Cleveland State University. During rush hours, buses operate in transit-exclusive curb lanes and leave every 10 minutes. NOACA contributed approximately $3 million to upgrade Clifton Boulevard and add enhancements, including new bus stops and shelters, landscaping and other amenities for pedestrians.

Support alternative transportation modes and go for the gold!  

At its annual meeting in September, NOACA presented Commuter Choice Awards to businesses and organizations in northeast Ohio that encourage environmentally friendly transportation choices for their employees. NASA Glenn Research Center received a  gold award, Tucker Ellis LLP received a silver award, and four companies collected bronze awards. Would your employer qualify for gold, silver or bronze status? NOACA identifies best practices for embracing alternative transportation choices in a new brochure. Check out practices that your company currently supports or plans to implement, and consider applying for a Commuter Choice Award in 2015.

NOACA wishes everyone happy holidays and safe travels!