ACHD Survey Results

Published on April 25, 2012 at 2:21 pm. 0 Comments

I thought by now the Idaho Statesman would have published something on this story, but alas, I would be wrong. At least, a search of their archive reveals…. nothing.

Earlier this year (2012) ACHD undertook a survey of the citizen’s to see how they felt about how ACHD was spending money and in essence doing their job.  A similar survey was done in 2006 and it was interesting to see how the answers in both matched up.

70% rated ACHD as doing a good to excellent job – in 2006 that only 48% did so.

85% were somewhat or highly satisfied with the level of road-building, maintenance and community projects – in 2006 only 62% were satisfied.

80% were satisfied with the services ACHD provides.

Those are very good numbers indeed.  However, only 66% were satisfied with how the intersections were managed for congestion.  Clearly more emphasis needs to be placed on moving traffic through intersections.  Some of the ideas ACHD is working on include more permissive left turn greens at regular intersections and turning intersections into roundabouts, which would allow mostly continuous flow and have been used successfully in Europe, other American cities and, surprisingly, Canyon County Idaho.

55% of those surveyed favored wider buffer strips between pedestrians and cars and 31% favored landscaping those buffer strips.  Personally, I favor landscaping.  If we view pedestrianism as a valid form of transportation, then we need to make it more attractive and safe feeling.

The most surprising answer came to the question, “would you favor raising revenues for transportation”. 60% favored taxing vehicles based on size.  Only 38% favored local option taxation, a seemingly cautionary tale for those who seek to put something like this on the ballot.  Respondents voted 3 to 1 against raising property or gasoline taxes.

All in all, the results were interesting but show ACHD has some work to do to live up to its goal of excellence in all it does.

What to do about Fairview Ave?

Published on March 15, 2012 at 3:15 pm. Closed

I’m sure anyone who has driven on Fairview Ave from its beginning at Orchard St in Boise to Linder Rd in Meridian eight miles away has been struck by its awfulness.  Every few feet,  it seems there is a driveway.  The intersections get backed up and sometimes it takes one or two light changes to get through.  The visual noise is appalling and renders signage basically invisible.  It’s just not an attractive street.

In fact, 80% of people surveyed indicate they avoid Fairview Ave.  However, it is an important commercial street linking the two biggest cities in Ada County.

Today, a joint meeting was held at ACHD attended by ACHD Commissioners, Boise City Councilmembers and the Mayor and Council of Meridian with the express agenda item of Fairview Ave Access Management.  This has been a project that has been in the works for years.  The concept would include limiting left turns along Fairview except at major intersections and perhaps every quarter of a mile.  U-turns would be allowed, medians would be constructed, (I would hope to see some median landscaping), driveways would be limited, there would be cross access agreements and eventually some frontage roads or some backage roads.  Obviously this would not all happen overnight.

While previous progress on this project was inhibited by the bad reaction to the State of Idaho’s concept of putting medians on Eagle Road, the attendees at today’s meeting agreed on a plan.  We will be bringing in some experts to help with the business economics side of things, working closely with the Boise and Meridian Chambers of Commerce to help get business input and perhaps, putting together a pilot project along one of the mile sections – most likely a pilot project in each city.  In addition, and most critical to the long term success of this transportation/mobility corridor,  the two cities will be working on  land use plans for development and redevelopment.

It is important for all the local governments in Ada County to work together.  This is a perfect example of how we do that.

Back in the Saddle

Published on March 8, 2012 at 5:31 pm. Closed

Yes, it’s been quite a while since I posted anything and I apologize. I hope to do better in the future.

Recently some ACHD employees went to the Rocky Mountain Asphalt Conference and Equipment Show. In keeping with our new Director Bruce Wong’s philosophy, any opportunity like this gets written up and reported back so that we might know if the conferences are worthwhile. This one appears to have been chock full of interesting and informative news.

While I think we all knew this, the conference proved that maintenance is critical and cost effective. For every dollar spent on prevention like chip sealing, crack sealing, pot hole repair and/or fog coats, $4 in rebuilding costs are saved. Obviously protecting what we in Ada County have makes a great deal of sense and that’s why ACHD is putting a lot of money into maintenance.

In the past, ACHD has chipsealed all roads on a 9 year rotation, working in two discrete areas per year.  This will be changed going forward.  We will not be chipsealing all roads in subdivisions or other less traveled areas as it’s been determined that it really is not needed.  Major roads such as arterials and collectors will continue to be chipsealed.  This adds about 5-7 years of life to the roadway before it needs to be resurfaced.

While chipsealing is not beloved, it is useful.  Think the sealing of the roadway akin to when the dentist sealed your child’s molars to prevent cavities.  Chipsealing prevents “cavities” in the road system, something we can all appreciate, even though I’ve heard dentists don’t like the analogy.

What Will They Do part 2

Published on September 30, 2010 at 10:50 am. Closed

In my last post, I discussed what might be in store at the next legislative session. At the latest meeting, held by the Chamber Alliance (multiple Chambers of Commerce from the valley), there was a presentation by Christine Donnell, former Superintendent of Schools for the Joint District #2 aka Meridian School District.

I actually thought her presentation was very illuminating. She’s now with the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence, a group of 75-80 businesses wanting to improve education in the State of Idaho. Apparently, there’s a lot to improve. Continue reading ‘What Will They Do part 2′

What Will They Do?

Published on September 27, 2010 at 4:06 pm. Closed

In recent weeks, I’ve heard a number of presentations on what might be in store in the next Legislature regarding funding for transportation, both roads and transit, as well as the budget in general. The Governor’s Transportation Task Force has made some preliminary decisions on what revenue sources to recommend for transit.

These are user fees and fares, local option sales tax, local option resort tax (extend to all cities), local option property tax and impact fees. Continue reading ‘What Will They Do?’

Transit Doings

Published on September 22, 2010 at 10:34 am. Closed

Valley Regional Transit (VRT) has been moving forward with a number of projects. VRT receives money from a number of different sources, local governments, rider fares, and the federal government. Some of the revenue can be used for operations and capital expenses, while other revenue, like grants from the feds, can only be used for specific things.

I’m sure one of the questions this essay will bring to mind is, why are they going forward with million dollar projects and then talking about cutting routes. The answer is in the funding source. Continue reading ‘Transit Doings’

Better Late Than Never, I Suppose

Published on September 16, 2010 at 1:54 pm. Closed

At the September 15, 2010 Commission meeting (not the recorded meeting, the unrecorded pre-meeting meeting) we had an item that entailed constructing a bikepath the length of Pierce Park from State St to Hill Road. The sidewalk will go in on the west side and will actually be quite expensive since drainage issues are involved.

Drainage is always a crapshoot. A lot of it is unknown and generally every project has a surprise with monetary consequences which are rarely to the good. Continue reading ‘Better Late Than Never, I Suppose’

How To Set Improvement Priorities

Published on September 13, 2010 at 12:01 pm. Closed

Last week, the Commission approved a new methodology for setting construction priorities for Ada County roadwork. Staff did a good job coming up with what is essentially a cost/benefit algorithm that is based primarily on congestion reduction and safety benefits. When all is said and done, intersection improvements score very highly.

Interestingly, intersection safety is most enhanced through the use of roundabouts. Property damage only accidents (PDO) are reduced by Continue reading ‘How To Set Improvement Priorities’

More Property for Sale

Published on September 10, 2010 at 2:21 pm. Closed

ACHD has declared four more properties surplus. We won’t be setting a date soon for auction since the market is so bad. However, if there is someone interested in one of the properties, that step can be accomplished quickly. At that time, if no bid is suitable, or no bid is offered, then an interested party can negotiate a sale.

The latest four properties are:

1. 7916 Hastings in Boise.

2. 10036 Ustick in Boise.

3. 1475 E Franklin Rd in Meridian.

4. 8960 W Midland in Boise.

A Sign of the Future?

Published on September 2, 2010 at 1:38 pm. Closed

Even the best intentions oftentimes have unintended consequences. Traffic signals are put in to make intersections safer, yet they do lead to traffic slowdowns since one never hits the lights at every intersection. Signs that provide cautionary notes or speed limits proliferate into visual noise that drivers often ignore.

A few small towns in Holland and Germany are experimenting with doing away with all traffic signage/signals in the hopes of decongesting the roads and making driving less confusing.

Yes, it’s totally counterintuitive. Some in Europe believe that by removing all the signs, drivers must pay increased attention to the roadway. Currently they feel that the proliferation of signs is caused by the fear of litigation rather than safety concerns. Apparently the lawyers have been unchained in Europe as they have here.

Bizarrely, in Drachten Holland, they have even built a children’s playground in the middle of the road to force drivers to slow down. (Wonder who lets their kids actually play there?) Continue reading ‘A Sign of the Future?’