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Top 10 traffic, transit stories of 2015 Top 10 traffic, transit stories of 2015
(about 1 hour later)
The state of the Washington region’s transit system was the dominant transportation story of 2015, and never in a good way. While Metro held center stage, it wasn’t the only attention-getting performance of 2015, and many of the other efforts were positive. The state of the Washington region’s transit system was the dominant transportation story of 2015, and never in a good way. Metro held center stage, but it wasn’t the only attention-getting performance of 2015, and many of the other efforts were positive.
Here’s a look back at the year’s most significant developments in local travel.Here’s a look back at the year’s most significant developments in local travel.
L’Enfant Plaza smoke incident. Carol I. Glover, 61, of Alexandria died and scores of passengers suffered injuries when their Yellow Line train became stranded outside the Metro station as smoke filled the tunnel on Jan. 12. L’Enfant Plaza smoke incident. Carol I. Glover, 61, of Alexandria, died and scores of passengers suffered injuries when their Yellow Line train became stranded outside the Metro station as smoke filled the tunnel on Jan. 12.
On that date, confidence in Metro’s “state of good repair,” “safety culture” and the recovery from the 2009 Red Line crash also went up in smoke. The transit system has yet to recover.On that date, confidence in Metro’s “state of good repair,” “safety culture” and the recovery from the 2009 Red Line crash also went up in smoke. The transit system has yet to recover.
While the stranded passengers waited for rescue, delays, confusion and mistakes characterized the response. A continuing focus of concern among riders and investigators is the performance of Metro’s Rail Operations Control Center, which directs train movements — similar to the way air traffic controllers do planes. While the stranded passengers waited for rescue, there were delays, confusion and mistakes that characterized the response. A continuing focus of concern among riders and investigators is the performance of Metro’s Rail Operations Control Center, which directs train movements — similar to the way air traffic controllers do planes.
Metrorail reliability declines. While Jan. 12 was a milestone in Metro history, the day-to-day experience of riders also became a top story. A key attraction of transit service over driving is supposed to be the reliability of travel times. In riders’ perceptions and in transit statistics, Metrorail service became less reliable.Metrorail reliability declines. While Jan. 12 was a milestone in Metro history, the day-to-day experience of riders also became a top story. A key attraction of transit service over driving is supposed to be the reliability of travel times. In riders’ perceptions and in transit statistics, Metrorail service became less reliable.
At mid-year, Metro officials acknowledged that opening the Silver Line had hurt on-time performance. And that was before a fire at a power station further disrupted schedules on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.At mid-year, Metro officials acknowledged that opening the Silver Line had hurt on-time performance. And that was before a fire at a power station further disrupted schedules on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.
Transit center opens. The much-delayed and problem-plagued Silver Spring transit center named to honor former senator Paul S. Sarbanes-- whether he likes it or not-- finally opened this fall. For several years preceding that, the $140-million Sarbanes Transit Center was the D.C. region’s answer to Boston’s Big Dig when comparing transportation projects that were overdue (four years) and over budget ($50 million). Transit center opens. The much-delayed and problem-plagued Silver Spring transit center named to honor former senator Paul S. Sarbanes — whether he likes it or not — finally opened this fall. For several years preceding that, the $140-million Sarbanes Transit Center was the D.C. region’s answer to Boston’s Big Dig when comparing transportation projects that were overdue (four years) and over budget ($50 million).
The best part of the opening was that the new center pulled in the bus stops that had been scattered across downtown Silver Spring streets during construction. At least in the early going, that may also have been the worst part. Many riders complained that bus schedules were thrown off by the time it took to get in and out of the center, and they wanted more benches in the waiting areas.The best part of the opening was that the new center pulled in the bus stops that had been scattered across downtown Silver Spring streets during construction. At least in the early going, that may also have been the worst part. Many riders complained that bus schedules were thrown off by the time it took to get in and out of the center, and they wanted more benches in the waiting areas.
Virginia gets HOT. The Virginia government advanced plans that will firmly embed high-occupancy toll lanes as a major feature of the D.C. region’s transportation system. During 2015, the Virginia Department of Transportation developed, explained and refined its plans to add HOT lanes on I-66.Virginia gets HOT. The Virginia government advanced plans that will firmly embed high-occupancy toll lanes as a major feature of the D.C. region’s transportation system. During 2015, the Virginia Department of Transportation developed, explained and refined its plans to add HOT lanes on I-66.
The unusual part of the plan, at least for this region, is the part that will add tolling inside the Capital Beltway. It would allow solo drivers access to a highway largely off-limits to them in today’s rush hours, but the interstate would not be widened immediately.The unusual part of the plan, at least for this region, is the part that will add tolling inside the Capital Beltway. It would allow solo drivers access to a highway largely off-limits to them in today’s rush hours, but the interstate would not be widened immediately.
Meanwhile, VDOT announced plans to ease the severe bottleneck in Stafford County where the I-95 HOT lanes merge with the regular lanes of southbound I-95. VDOT also wants to extend the northern end of the 95 Express Lanes eight miles up I-395 to the D.C. line.Meanwhile, VDOT announced plans to ease the severe bottleneck in Stafford County where the I-95 HOT lanes merge with the regular lanes of southbound I-95. VDOT also wants to extend the northern end of the 95 Express Lanes eight miles up I-395 to the D.C. line.
New boss at Metro. With luck, the Metro board’s appointment of Paul J. Wiedefeld to succeed Richard Sarles as general manager may become a positive story in 2016. But in 2015, the sad story was the long gap between the departure of Sarles in January and the appointment of his permanent successor in November.New boss at Metro. With luck, the Metro board’s appointment of Paul J. Wiedefeld to succeed Richard Sarles as general manager may become a positive story in 2016. But in 2015, the sad story was the long gap between the departure of Sarles in January and the appointment of his permanent successor in November.
Through no fault of his own, interim general manager Jack Requa wound up with one of the worst jobs in Washington, responding to crisis after crisis, while the board debated whether it wanted a transit expert or a financial turnaround specialist in the permanent job. Through no fault of his own, interim general manager Jack Requa wound up with one of the worst jobs in Washington, responding to crisis after crisis, while the board debated whether it wanted a transit expert or a financial-turnaround specialist in the permanent job.
[What Metro’s new GM is telling riders][What Metro’s new GM is telling riders]
Purple Line lives, sort of. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who likes roads, eased fears among the region’s transit advocates by allowing the Purple Line light rail project to proceed through further development, even as he killed the Red Line light-rail line in Baltimore. Purple Line lives, sort of. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who likes roads, eased fears among the region’s transit advocates by allowing the Purple Line light-rail project to proceed through further development, even as he killed the Red Line light-rail line in Baltimore.
It’s possible that Purple Line construction could begin in 2016, but more details of a complex package of public and private financing need to fall into place first. As Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn put it, this will be a Chevy system, not a Cadillac.It’s possible that Purple Line construction could begin in 2016, but more details of a complex package of public and private financing need to fall into place first. As Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn put it, this will be a Chevy system, not a Cadillac.
16th Street Bridge. The reconstruction of the 16th Street Bridge at the junction of two important commuter routes in the northern part of the District had the potential to create one of the worst traffic bottlenecks of 2015, delaying thousands of car and bus commuters. But efficient designs for construction and for traffic management from the District Department of Transportation made this much less messy than it might have been and one of the most successful road work projects of the year.16th Street Bridge. The reconstruction of the 16th Street Bridge at the junction of two important commuter routes in the northern part of the District had the potential to create one of the worst traffic bottlenecks of 2015, delaying thousands of car and bus commuters. But efficient designs for construction and for traffic management from the District Department of Transportation made this much less messy than it might have been and one of the most successful road work projects of the year.
Active traffic management. After several years of planning and setup, VDOT launched its Active Traffic Management program, a system of sensors, computers and lane controls on I-66 that may show us the way forward in highway design.Active traffic management. After several years of planning and setup, VDOT launched its Active Traffic Management program, a system of sensors, computers and lane controls on I-66 that may show us the way forward in highway design.
If the system works, drivers will get timely guidance on congestion or lane blockages ahead so they can make smart decisions about slowing down, changing lanes or finding alternative routes. But it’s way too early to declare victory for this new system. A road can only be as smart as the people controlling the signs and the drivers watching them, and everyone is still learning.If the system works, drivers will get timely guidance on congestion or lane blockages ahead so they can make smart decisions about slowing down, changing lanes or finding alternative routes. But it’s way too early to declare victory for this new system. A road can only be as smart as the people controlling the signs and the drivers watching them, and everyone is still learning.
Capital Bikeshare. A more robust infrastructure to support biking also is part of our transportation future, so the expansion of the Capital Bikeshare program during 2015 was a significant story. After enduring a temporary setback when an equipment supplier went bankrupt in 2014, the bike-sharing program announced plans this year to add 60 stations in the District and the suburbs, including Fairfax. Capital Bikeshare. A more robust infrastructure to support biking also is part of our transportation future, so the expansion of the Capital Bikeshare program during 2015 was a significant story. After enduring a temporary setback when an equipment supplier went bankrupt in 2014, the bike-sharing program announced plans this year to add 60 stations in the District and the suburbs, including Fairfax County.
Ridesharing services. Fans of the app-based ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft also will remember 2015 fondly. Earlier in the year, they cleared some regulatory hurdles that allowed them to operate more freely in Virginia and legally in Maryland and the District. Late in the year, the services got permission to operate at Reagan National and Dulles International airports. The companies also have been expanding their programs with such offerings as the uberPool and Lyft Line carpool services. Ride-booking services. Fans of the app-based ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft also will remember 2015 fondly. Earlier in the year, they cleared some regulatory hurdles that allowed them to operate more freely in Virginia and legally in Maryland and the District. Late in the year, the services got permission to operate at Reagan National and Dulles International airports. The companies also have been expanding their programs with such offerings as the uberPool and Lyft Line carpool services.
Next week: What to watch for in 2016.Next week: What to watch for in 2016.