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I-66 Corridor: Westbound Traffic Issues Within the I-495 Beltway Community Involvement Survey

This survey was conducted to assess the traffic congestion and stakeholder perception of Westbound traffic within the I-66 Corridor. The findings provide valuable input for formulating context-sensitive solutions.

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I-66 Corridor: Westbound Traffic Issues Within the I-495 Beltway Community Involvement Survey

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  1. DRAFT Southeastern Institute of Research I-66 Corridor: Westbound Traffic Issues Within the I-495 Beltway Community Involvement Survey December 3, 2004 Pulsar Advertising G

  2. Agenda • Objectives II. Methodology III. Key Findings IV. Conclusions & Implications

  3. Research Objectives • Provide input to aid in formulating a context-sensitive solution to managing congestion in the I-66 Westbound Corridor: • Describe and document trips Westbound along the I-66 Corridor • Identify and assess stakeholder perception of traffic congestion in the Westbound I-66 Corridor • Explore the relative appeal of 4 concepts

  4. Research Objectives(con’t.) • Assess relative appeal of 4 initial concept categories that the Governor identified (as stated in Governor Warner’s letter dated September 4, 2003): 1. Bus or rail transit improvements 2. Changing the requirements for HOV and/or adding toll lanes 3. Roadway widening 4. Do nothing

  5. Study Methodology • A random telephone survey was conducted among residents along the I-66 corridor • In order to qualify for the survey, respondents had to live within a 10-mile long / 1-mile wide corridor along I-66. Some respondents lived inside the Beltway, and others lived outside the Beltway. • Outside the Beltway, the eligible area was defined by zip codes • Inside the Beltway, it was defined by carrier routes

  6. Map of Study Area

  7. Methodology (con’t.) • All respondents traveled Westbound at least 3 times per week, using either I-66, Metro or other roads running parallel to I-66 • Total net incidence of residents who qualified: 52% • Inside the Beltway Resident: 65% • Outside the Beltway Resident: 43% • 501 interviews were completed • 300 with residents inside the Beltway • 201 with residents outside the Beltway • These sample sizes were established in advance to ensure that sufficient numbers of these two groups were included in the total for individual analysis • A sample of 501 has a margin of error of 4.4% at the 95% confidence level

  8. Stakeholder View Of I-66 Westbound Corridor Traffic

  9. Commuters Believe that Westbound Traffic Is Becoming More Congested 77% Unweighted data Question: How would you describe the traffic issues you encounter when driving either I-66 West or the other westbound roads running parallel to I-66? Would you say I-66 or the other roads are … ? (Read answers.)

  10. Residents Both Inside and Outside the Beltway Believe that Westbound Traffic Is Congested 69% inside and 88% outside the Beltway believe Westbound traffic is congested. Unweighted data Question: How would you describe the traffic issues you encounter when driving either I-66 West or the other westbound roads running parallel to I-66? Would you say I-66 or the other roads are … ? (Read answers.)

  11. Commuters Believe the Congestion Is the Result of Too Many Cars and Not Enough Lanes for Westbound Traffic Question: What do you see as the cause of the congestion you’re experiencing on either I-66 West or the other westbound roads running parallel to it? Only most frequent mentions are shown. Unweighted data

  12. What Do Commuters Believe The Solution Should Be?

  13. 3 Ways To Assess Solutions: Open-ended questionAnswer to “What do you believe could be done to lessen congestion?” 2.Ranking of the concept 3. Calculation of a Concept Performance Index Possible Solutions: Bus or rail transit improvements Changing the requirements for HOV and/or adding toll lanes Roadway widening Do nothing Assessment Approach

  14. Assessment #1. Open-ended question Answer to “What do you believe could be done to lessen congestion?”

  15. Question: What do you believe could be done to lessen the congestion along I-66 West and/or the I-66 Corridor to improve its efficiency for your use? Commuters Propose Widen/Add Lanes and Improve Public Transportation to Resolve Traffic Congestion(Chart shows most popular commuter suggestions before hearing 4 alternative solutions) Note: The 4 options were not mentioned. Only most frequent top of mind mentions are shown. Unweighted data

  16. Assessment #2. Ranking Question:“Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?” (Rotate options to avoid order bias)

  17. Of Four Concept Categories Tested, Making Bus and/or Rail Transit Improvements Is the First Choice of Westbound Commuters to Reduce Westbound I-66 Congestion Graph reports the proportion selecting each option as first choice. Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  18. Those Who Live Inside the Beltway and Those Outside the Beltway Do Not Differ Significantly in Terms of Their “First Choice” Solutions to Reduce Westbound Congestion Graph reports the proportion selecting each option as first choice. Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  19. Those Who Drive Alone or Carpool Prefer Either Improvements to Bus or Rail Transit or Widening the Roadway to Reduce Congestion. Those Who Use Some Other Form of Transportation Prefer Making Improvements to Bus or Rail Transit. Graph reports the proportion selecting each option as first choice. Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  20. Those Who Believe The Congestion on Westbound I-66 Is Lighter and That It Is Easy to Travel on I-66 Prefer Bus and/or Rail Transit Improvements. Those Who Believe Westbound I-66 Is Getting More Congested and Harder to Travel Prefer Either Bus and Rail Improvements or Roadway Widening. Graph reports the proportion selecting each option as first choice. Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  21. The Majority Selected “Do Nothing” As The Least Most Popular OptionPercent who selected “Do Nothing” as their last choice (option) Graph reports the proportion selecting each option as fourth (last) choice. Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  22. Assessment #3. Concept Performance Index Assigning 3points for each first place choice, 2 points for each second place, 1 point for each third place and 0 points for each fourth place choice.

  23. Concept Performance Index • Respondents ranked the four congestion reduction options according to their first choice, second choice, third choice and fourth choice. • In order to assess how well the four options performed across all of these ratings, a Concept Performance Index was calculated. • This index was calculated by assigning3points for each first place choice, 2 points for each second place, 1 point for each third place and 0 points for each fourth place choice. The total points for each option were totaled. And, the grand total for all options was calculated. The proportions reported for the index represent each option’s share of the grand total of points.

  24. There Is No Clear Cut Winner. Making Bus and/or Rail Improvements Performs Best on the Concept Performance Index. “Doing Nothing” Indexes Least Favorably. However, widening the road and changing HOV requirements or adding toll lanes perform reasonably well, also. Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  25. The Four Options Tested Index About the Same For Inside and Outside the Beltway Residents Unweighted data Question: Of all of these options, which would you choose first; which one second, which one third and which one fourth?

  26. Rail Transit and/or Bus Improvements Are Rated Favorably Because They Are Viewed as Decreasing the Number of Cars and Reducing Congestion; and, Because They Would Move More People Only most frequent mentions are shown. Some concern for environment Question: Why do you choose “bus and/or rail transit improvements” as your first option for improving the efficiency of traffic flow along the I-66 Corridor? Unweighted data

  27. Respondents Support Widening the Roadway Because They Believe It Would Move More Cars and Increase Traffic Flow Only most frequent mentions are shown. Unweighted data Question: Why do you choose “roadway widening” as your first option for improving the efficiency of traffic flow along the I-66 Corridor?

  28. Open-ended Ranking CPI Possible Solutions Bus or rail transit improvements Changing the requirements for HOV and/or adding toll lanes Roadway widening Do nothing ConclusionTransit and Roadway Widening Are The Most Popular Assessment #1 Assessment #2 Assessment #3 1 1 2 3 3 3 1 2 2 NA 4 4

  29. Commuters’ Expectations For Information About Transportation Issues On I-66?

  30. Two-Thirds Have Received the Information They Want Regarding Transportation Issues Along the I-66 Corridor However, 36% would like more information. Unweighted data Question: How would you describe the level of information you and your household have seen or heard regarding the transportation issues along the I-66 Corridor? Would you say you have seen or heard … ? (Read answers.)

  31. Those Living Inside the Beltway Are More Likely to Have Received the Information They Want Unweighted data Question: How would you describe the level of information you and your household have seen or heard regarding the transportation issues along the I-66 Corridor? Would you say you have seen or heard … ? (Read answers.)

  32. Those Who Believe It Is Easy to Travel on Westbound I-66 Are More Likely to Have Received the Information They Want Over three-fourths, 77%, of those who believe it is easy to travel on I-66 have received the information they want. Unweighted data Question: How would you describe the level of information you and your household have seen or heard regarding the transportation issues along the I-66 Corridor? Would you say you have seen or heard … ? (Read answers.)

  33. Those Outside the Beltway Are More Likely to Want to Receive Information Via Television and Radio. Those Inside the Beltway Like Getting Information through Regular Mail and Public Meetings. Both groups are equally receptive to receiving information electronically. Unweighted data Question: How would you like to be kept informed on transportation issues regarding the I-66 Corridor? Do you want … ? (Read answers.)

  34. 5 Key Conclusions & Implications

  35. #1. Westbound Commuters Who Live Inside the Beltway and Those Who Live Outside the Beltway Differ In Their Usage of the I-66 corridor Conclusion: Those who live inside the Beltway are less frequent users of the Corridor. They are less likely than those outside the Corridor to be headed home, to be traveling in a car or other private vehicle, and to be commuting west in the afternoon peak hours than are commuters outside the Beltway. Implication: Not all Westbound commuters have the same needs and preferences. Inside and outside the Beltway commuters, for example, have different perceptions and different expectations. Consequently, they will not all respond in the same way to congestion management programs.

  36. #2. The Vast Majority of All Stakeholders (Inside And Outside The Beltway) Believe I-66 Westbound Is Becoming More Congested Conclusion: Stakeholders believe that Westbound traffic in the I-66 Corridor is becoming more congested. They blame that congestion on the number of cars on the road, not having enough lanes on the road and population growth and development. Implication: Stakeholders are sensitive to the growing congestion along the I-66 Corridor. They are ready to hear about plans for its management.

  37. #3. Of Four Alternative Concepts Tested, Making Bus and/or Rail Transit Improvements and Roadway Widening are the Most Appealing Overall Conclusion: Nearly one-half (47%) of commuters rated bus and/or rail transit option as their first choice as a way of reducing congestion. And, one-third (33%) said (without interviewer prompting –as an open end question) that the public transportation and Metro should be improved and expanded to lessen congestion in the I-66 Corridor. On a Concept Performance Index, bus and rail improvements also scored highest, indexing at 36%. Widening the roadway is also a popular choice with commuters. Over one-half of respondents suggested this solution in an open-ended question. Over one-third (37%) rated this option first. It scored well on a Concept Performance Index as well. Implication: From the perspective of stakeholders, making “bus and/or rail improvements” should be adopted as a plan – or at least as part of a plan – to reduce traffic congestion on Westbound I-66. Widening the roadway is also a strong contender and should be included as part of a plan that is responsive to the needs and preferences of stakeholders. Ideally, a plan that involves both bus and rail improvements and widening the roadway would be a context-sensitive solution.

  38. #4.To “Do Nothing” About The Traffic Congestion In The Westbound I-66 Corridor Is Simply Not Acceptable Conclusion: For nearly 6 out of 10 (57%) commuters, “doing nothing” is their last choice for how to deal with the traffic congestion. Those who live outside the Beltway are particularly likely to say that “doing nothing” is not an option. Two-thirds of this group (66%) – or nearly 7 out of 10 – rated “doing nothing” as their last choice. Implication: Stakeholders are receptive and ready for action to be taken regarding Westbound congestion on I-66.

  39. #5. About Two-thirds of Stakeholders Have Received the Information They Want Regarding Transportation Issues Along the 1-66 corridor Conclusion: Those who live inside the Beltway are more likely to have received the information they want. And, those who believe that it is easy to travel along the Corridor are more likely to have received the information they want. Implication: Continue to provide commuters with the information they want, targeting specific groups or areas in order to keep them aware of plans and progress and to generate their support.

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