Greenbrier Transportation Needs Assessment Study

1. Greenbrier Transportation Needs Assessment Study Prepared for Hampton Roads Transit July 2002 Prepared by THE MARKETING SOURCE

2. Purpose • Determine the impact of area traffic congestion. • Assess what local employers and commuters are willing to do to reduce congestion.

3. Transportation Needs Assessment Studies in Hampton Roads • Southside • Naval Station Norfolk • Lynnhaven Mall area • Norfolk Commerce Park • Downtown Norfolk • Oceanfront • Greenbrier • Peninsula • Hampton • Oyster Point • Oakland Industrial Park

4. Study Objectives • Identify current commute patterns and commuter programs offered. • Determine what incentives would best promote use of alternate modes. • Measure employers’ willingness to offer commuter programs. • Assess how likely commuters are to use these programs.

5. The Greenbrier Study Area Greenbrier Pkwy. Zone (S. of Volvo Parkway) Woodlake Dr. Executive Zone Woodlake Dr. Industrial Zone Greenbrier Pkwy. Zone (N. of Volvo Parkway) Independence Pkwy. Zone

6. Methodology • Conducted February - April 2002 Employer Interviews Commuter Surveys 30 One-on-One Interviews 927 Commuter Surveys

7. Employers Interviewed

8. What did we find?

9. The Workplace Area Commuters Area Employers

10. Commuting to the Study Area Area Commuters

11. Over a third of commuters are traveling from Virginia Beach.

12. Routes most commonly used. Route % Who Use I-64 57% Greenbrier Pkwy. 33 Battlefield Blvd. 31 Volvo Pkwy. 29 Military Hwy. 18 Kempsville Rd. 16

13. Commute Distance

14. Work start and end times vary.

15. Most are driving alone. Area SOV % • Oceanfront area 66% • Naval Station Norfolk 81 • Greenbrier 84 • Oakland Industrial Park 85 • Norfolk Commerce Park 86 • Hampton area 87 • Downtown Norfolk 87 • Oyster Point area 88 • Lynnhaven Mall area 91

16. Parking is a problem 13% Parking is sometimes a problem 25% Parking is not a problem 61% Once commuters arrive at work… • Consistent with what employers report. • Nearly half (47%) of commuters rely on the car for work-related travel at least one day a week. • Few have problems parking.

17. Area Employers Conducting business in the study area

18. About area employers • Varied industries • Manufacturing and distribution centers • Call centers • Retail/restaurants • Hotels • Diverse mix of work hours • Traditional work hours • 24 hours/7 days a week • Shift work

19. Extended peak travel periods • Truck traffic • Growth • Traffic flow patterns • Tardiness • Inconvenience and frustration for commuters • Decreased revenue for service-related businesses • Unpredictable problem Possible causes Possible results Employers agree that traffic congestion is a problem.

20. Employers point to specific problem areas. Problem Intersections Greenbrier Pkwy./Woodlake Dr. Greenbrier Mall Kristina Way / Eden Way Volvo Pkwy./Battlefield Pkwy. Executive Blvd./Volvo Pkwy. Battlefield Blvd./I-64 Live Oak Dr./Old Greenbrier Rd. Greenbrier Pkwy./Crossways Blvd. Regionally: Tunnels & Interstates

21. Suggestions from area employers. • Increase and improve bus service. • Encourage truck traffic to operate during off-peak hours. • Improve signal timing and re-evaluate congested intersections. • Promote flextime and ridesharing. • Reduce area growth.

22. Are employers and commuters willing to help ease congestion?

23. Employers Commuters • Most feel a responsibility to help employees with their work commute. • Most interested in vanpools, Guaranteed Ride program, and Preferential Parking. • 41% of SOV commuters are interested in sharing a ride at least once a week. (Higher than other studies.) Willingness to help.

24. Several employers have already taken steps to help. • Employers offering transportation programs to commuters: • Cox Cable • ICT Group • LTD Management • Canon Information Technical Services • Household Credit • Most often offered to recruit new employees or ease a relocation transition. • Preferential parking for carpools and vanpools was the most popular program. • TRAFFIX had helped in establishing programs with some employers.

25. Commuters interested in ridesharing Have past rideshare experience Work for large companies (500+) Have annual HH incomes < $30K More responsive to commuter incentives

26. Ridesharing incentives increase commuter interest. Employers are most interested in the Guaranteed Ride Program and Preferential Parking

27. Attitudes toward alternate modes

28. Carpool is the strong favorite.

29. Employers Commuters • Inconvenient • Hours of service do not accommodate shift workers. • Only 1% use bus to travel to and from work • 7% of SOV drivers interested in ridesharing chose “bus” as preferred mode. How do employers and commuters feel about current bus service?

30. Reduced bus service has affected businesses and commuters. • Service to the area was reduced in December 2001. • Some employers have been affected. • Competitive Media Reporting (CMR) • GC Services • Resulted in: • Loss of employees. • Reduced employment pool. • Increased concern about employees who have to walk long distances to area bus stops.

31. What would encourage bus ridership? More Drop-off Points 25% Access to Information 23% More Frequent Pick-ups 28% Nothing 45% Improve Bus Interior 6% Transit Subsidies 17% Mini Buses 13%

32. Interest in the Robert Hall Dr. van shuttle service is low among commuters and businesses. Employers need more information about the service. Interest and possible participation will depend upon operational issues.

33. However, commuters and employers are not sure where to turn for help.

34. Awareness of Rideshare Organizations Most commuters are not familiar with rideshare organizations. Organizations Named By those aware TRAFFIX 39% HRT 20 VDOT 6 Stop Transportation 2 Lean on Me Transportation 2 AAA 2 The Regional Transit Co. 2 Could not name 28

35. Many employers are unfamiliar with TRAFFIX. • Some have heard of TRAFFIX, but many are unfamiliar with programs. • A few had worked with TRAFFIX to ease relocation transition. Employers want to know more and are willing to share information with their employees.

36. What we learned…

37. Commuting patterns • Traffic congestion is a problem in the area, particularly in specific intersections. • Many businesses operate in shifts and commuters’ work hours vary. • Many of the area’s workers are commuting from Virginia Beach. • Vast majority drive alone. • For most, parking is not a problem.

38. Attitudes toward alternate modes • Carpools • Most preferred by commuters • Employers are most interested in preferential parking and guaranteed ride program. • Vanpools • Appealing to late evening shift workers and service staff. • Interest in the Robert Hall Dr. shuttle service was low. • Bus • Businesses think that current bus service could be improved and expanded. • Among commuters… • 45% say “nothing” would encourage them to commute by bus. • Others said that more frequent drop-off and pick-up times would encourage usage.

39. Employers are willing to help. • Want to help employees with their work commute. • Will provide information. Commuters are willing to try alternate modes. • High number of SOV commuters interested in sharing a ride at least once a week. Willingness to act.

40. Awareness of TRAFFIX is low. Most commuters could not name a rideshare organization. 2% named TRAFFIX.

41. Moving forward… Recommendations

42. Target Virginia Beach commuters.

43. Promote carpooling.

44. Where possible, encourage off-peak deliveries.

45. Investigate road improvements.

46. Increase awareness of TRAFFIX. • Maintain outreach efforts with area employers. • Promote preferential parking and staggered work hours.

47. Greenbrier Transportation Needs Assessment Study Prepared for Hampton Roads Transit July 2002 Prepared by THE MARKETING SOURCE