The Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation Transportation Committee

Everyone is welcome! We discuss a range of transportation, transit, and streets topics, build connections with the agencies and organizations involved, and ensure that neighborhood input is included in plans at all levels! Participants do not need to be INC delegates. You are welcome to participate even if your neighborhood organization is not a member of INC, or you are not active in a neighborhood group. Please pass on this invitation to anyone who might be interested in joining the committee.

For our final meeting of 2020, we get a great update on two big City of Denver efforts — the Complete Streets Design Guidelines we all had an opportunity to provide public comment on recently, and the completion of the design for the first set of Community Networks.  We’ll also get an introduction to transit principles being forwarded by transportation equity thought leaders in our region that can guide us in rebuilding from the pandemic.  Finally, we’ll get a view into what Xcel may do to help electric personal transportation.

See the agenda below, and register for the meeting at https://bit.ly/INCTransportationOct2020 to join us on Thursday!

Agenda – INC Transportation Committee – Thursday, November 12th, 6-8 p.m

• Transit Justice Principles & Upcoming Denver Transit Justice Forum — Jill Locantore, Executive Director, Denver Streets Partnership
  As we look to rebuild our public transit systems from the devastating impacts of the pandemic on ridership and the pandemic recession on funding for transit, we have a little time to envision what the most equitable, sustainable, economically productive, safe, accessible and affordable transit system would be.  The Denver Streets Partnership and Mile High Connects are bringing this important conversation to the region, in the gap left by the pause in the Reimagine RTD effort, and will be hosting a forum on December 2nd. At our November meeting, we’ll get an overview of the Transit Justice Principles and a preview of what our mobility equity advocates see as our way forward.
• Denver’s Community Networks Process — David Pulsipher, Denver DOTI  City Planner Supervisor
  Denver is wrapping up the first phase of the Community Networks program, refining and detailing the plans for safe connections for people walking, biking, taking transit and traveling by other modes in the community. With the planning and design phases done and construction coming up for this significant part of Denver’s 125 mile expansion of its low-stress bicycle network by 2023, we’ll hear about how this community-engaged design process has gone. Have there been any surprises? What new types of changes to the road are being included in conjunction with the new “toolkit” in the Complete Streets Design Guidelines? Has public feedback changed the low-stress bike facility types proposed in Denver Moves: Bikes, and if so, is that an “upgrade” from what was planned or controversy-driven compromise?  Bring your questions and insights!
• Finalizing Denver’s New Complete Streets Guidelines & What’s Next – David Pulsipher, Denver DOTI  City Planner Supervisor
  At our August meeting, Riley LaMie gave a great presentation on the draft of Denver’s entirely-new entirely-new Complete Streets Design Guidelines during its public comment period. Now that public comments have been reviewed and changes made, we’re happy to welcome David Pulsipher to review the final draft’s changes with us, and give us a look forward to how and when these will translate into engineering standards and regulations used to design (and redesign) our streets for safe multi-mobility.
• What Might Xcel Do To Further Electric Mobility? — Danny Katz, Executive Director, CoPIRG
  The evening of our meeting, Xcel Energy will be holding a hearing on proposed funding for electric mobility options, which may include expanded availability of electric charging stations, financial support for electric micromobility (such as scooter and bike share), and more.  Danny Katz has been following this closely and will let us know how Denver’s mobility environment might benefit from this opportunity.

(September), we have two big topics — the new proposed Denver Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan, and a visit with RTD Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede. In our short topics segments, we’ll hear about the upcoming Streets for People Summit, the new Getting There Guide phone app in development, and the DRMAC Travel Training program, all of which may be helpful to share in your neighborhoods and networks. 

See the agenda below, and register for the meeting at https://bit.ly/INCTransportation Sept2020 to join us on Thursday!

Agenda – INC Transportation Committee – Thursday, September 10th, 6:30-8 p.m

• Short Topics – 10 Minutes Each
  • Denver Streets for People Summit Sept 16-19 — Denver Community Active Living Coalition
    The Third Annual Denver Streets for People Summit is a locally-hosted, globally-inspired conference centered on creating safer and more inviting streets and public spaces while reducing car dependency and fighting climate change. Over 4 days, the conference will explore opportunities and resources, consider best practices from around the world, and engage decision-makers, implementers, and each other towards action that encourages walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit while making Denver’s neighborhoods equitable, healthy and active.
    We’ll be joined by one of the organizers who will describe how the event is evolving during the pandemic and describe the very full line-up of virtual panels, shared studios global conversations, networking events, and in-person walk/rides. Learn more and register at https://www.denvercalc.org/summit
  • DRMAC “Getting There Guide” Getting an App — Kate Williams, DRMAC Executive Director
    DRMAC, the Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council publishes the “Getting There Guide”, which helps to bridge the transportation gap of Denver-region residents with mobility challenges, helping them live as independently as possible. When individuals and families in our neighborhoods need transportation choices, DRMAC’s resource is invaluable and our committee encourages all neighborhoods to help raise the awareness of this resource, which is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Somali. This year, DRMAC is planning to launch an app version of the guide, and we’ll get an early preview.
  • DRMAC Travel Training – Ashley Doty, DRMAC Program Manager
    DRMAC provides a program for Travel Training, to provide greater independence for older adults and people with disabilities in need of transportation options.  Participants get “hands-on” experience with bus and light rail, which can make all the difference in getting started for those who could benefit from — but are unfamiliar with — transit. Find out how to connect your friends, relatives, and neighbors to this program.
• Full Topics – 30 Minutes Each
  • Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan Proposal – Zack Wallace Mendez – DOTI Associate City Planner
    Denver has been working to develop a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan for the past few years, and there’s news to share! Zack Wallace Mendez will share with us the process to date in developing Denver’s proposed TDM Plan and the details of its requirements, including monitoring and compliance.
  • A View from RTD’s Board Chair – Angie Rivera-Malpiede, RTD Board Chair
    RTD is adapting in the short term and transforming for the long term. As we heard last month, the Reimagine RTD effort is building a consensus on a long-term transit network design. But in the near-term, as we heard at our previous meeting, RTD is struggling with greatly decreased sales-tax based revenue and ridership due to COVID-19.  At the head of RTD’s elected oversight, RTD Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede is helping the agency navigate the rocky present to get to a more sustainable and effective future. We’ll hear her perspective on the challenges and opportunities for this vital regional transit service.

Meeting Notes & Recording – August 2020

A video of the meeting is available on the INC YouTube Channel

Thanks to committee member Jonathan Pitocco for taking notes!  

• Bill Sirois, RTD Senior Manager and Julie Skeen, RTD Project Team presented on Reimagine RTD
  • COVID presents immediate operational and fiscal challenges RTD will need to face, as well as medium- and long-term difficulties. This will lead to tough choices as they invest in scarcer-than-anticipated resources.
  • RTD is continuing to seek input from the community on System Optimization Plan preferences and will use this to develop initial scenarios in the fall. Once these initial scenarios are drafted, RTD will request specific feedback on specific routes, frequencies, and types of services.
  • Bill and Julie shared answers to a variety of committee members’ questions, including updates on the status of the project as a whole, fare-setting within RTD, potential external partnerships, CARES Act funding, and targeted outreach for non-English speakers, the disabled, and the elderly.
  • Note: since our meeting, RTD has reached out to let us know the System Optimzation Plan and other long-term elements of Reimagine RTD will be delayed as they bring more focus to the immediate needs in preparing for 2021.
  • Presentation link
• Piep van Heuven, Bicycle Colorado‘s Director of Government Relations, provided a State Legislative Update, including:
  • Three primary elements of Bicycle Colorado’s legislative agenda in the prior session, and a review of transportation-related issues in the complete 2020 session.
  • Potential shifts in the legislative landscape moving forward, as well as potential 2021 legislative targets for Bicycle Colorado.
  • Presentation Link
• Jill Locantore, Executive Director of Denver Streets Partnership, introduced their 20 is Plenty campaign, sharing:
  • “We’re calling on city leaders to reduce the default speed limit for Denver’s neighborhood streets from 25 mph to 20 mph. People should be able to safely walk dogs, play with kids in their front yard, garden in the planting strip, walk to get groceries, or bike with their kids to school on neighborhood streets.”
  • Relevant data and case studies on the benefits of reduced residential speed limits, and successful programs elsewhere.
  • How you can acquire your own yard signs and postage-paid letters to support the initiative
  • How you can share details on this campaign with your local community organizations.
  • The INC Transportation Committee attendees passed a motion with a vote of 25 in favor, 1 opposed — the text of the motion was:
    • The INC Transportation Committee recommends to the INC Board that INC sign on to the 20 Is Plenty position, as it is consistent with INC’s adopted Transportation Platform, including:
      • 3.1.  Denver should commit itself, at the highest levels, to the Vision Zero goals of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, learning from the emerging best practices in other cities. This is a moral issue – life and health are of paramount importance, and the transportation systems and features should lessen the impact when inevitable human errors occur. 
      • 3.4.  Evaluate and revise lane width standards and speed limits using a detailed street typology and considering safety best practices from other cities. 
      • 3.5.  Traffic speeds in residential neighborhoods should be lower than speeds on main arterials between neighborhoods. “Neighborhood slow zones” are a promising design/policy response to the safety effects of cut-through traffic. The City should amend its design standards to include speed humps as an option for traffic calming. 
  • Learn more about the 20 Is Plenty effort and sign up for a yard sign at http://bit.ly/20isplentydenver
  • Presentation Link

• Riley LaMie, Denver DOTI Senior City Planner, shared an overview of Denver’s New Complete Streets Guidelines, including:
  • Key themes of community feedback gathered over the last year, as well as how you can provide feedback on the latest draft.
  • Answers to myriad Committee member questions on the scope, intent, and applications of this guide.
  • A timeline for finalization of the guide, and a timeline for later phases of formal rule adjustments within civic organizations.
  • The structure of the Complete Streets Guidelines, and how they should be used in practice by engineers and planners. He highlighted many key features of interest in the guidance.
  • Presentation Link

The Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation Transportation Committee

Everyone is welcome! We discuss a range of transportation, transit, and streets topics, build connections with the agencies and organizations involved, and ensure that neighborhood input is included in plans at all levels! Participants do not need to be INC delegates. You are welcome to participate even if your neighborhood organization is not a member of INC, or you are not active in a neighborhood group. Please pass on this invitation to anyone who might be interested in joining the committee.
This month (August), we have several topics that directly tie to goals in our INC Transportation Platform, including new street design guidelines,  slower vehicle speeds in our neighborhoods, and making our public transit system simpler, more frequent, and more useful to a greater number of residents. See the agenda below.

Meeting Notes from the most recent meeting in JUNE here.

Agenda – INC Transportation Committee – Thursday, August 13th, 6:30-8 p.m

• Short Topics
  • 20 Is Plenty – Jill Locantore, Executive Director of Denver Streets Partnership
    The Denver Streets Partnership has started distributing yard signs calling for a new default speed limit of 20 miles per hour for Denver streets. This is is consistent with our INC Transportation Platform, which calls for revising speed limits based on best practices from other cities, and specifically lowering speeds on local residential streets. Jill will share the specifics of DSP’s request, how would it work, and how it would lead to changing the speeds people actually drive in and through neighborhoods.
    • Learn more about the 20 Is Plenty effort and sign up for a yard sign at http://bit.ly/20isplentydenver
    • For more background on the importance of lowering speeds to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries, the Vision Zero Network has you covered.
  • State Legislative Update – Piep van Heuven, Director of Government Relations, Bicycle Colorado
    Each session there are several pieces of legislation that can affect the safety of the streets in Denver and around Colorado. Piep van Heuven, a regular at our INC Transportation Committee meetings, will give us a brief update on key transportation legislation in the last session including Bicycle Colorado’s 2020 legislative efforts, and what to look forward to next session.
• Full Topics
  • Denver’s New Complete Streets Guidelines – Riley LaMie, Denver DOTI Senior City Planner
    Denver has released a public review draft of its entirely-new Complete Streets Design Guidelines, so the timing is perfect for us to hear from Riley LaMie, a core member of the team developing these guidelines. INC and its member neighborhoods have called for new design standards that build in safety and comfort for everyone, no matter how you get around the city. We’ll explore how these draft guidelines, when translated next into engineering standards, can move us towards the goals in our Transportation Platform.
    • Comments on the draft guidelines are due by August 21st, 2020 — DOTI is asking that we use this form.
  • Reimagine RTD – Bill Sirois, RTD Senior Manager & Julie Skeen, Reimagine RTD Project Team
    Reimagine RTD provides an objective, data-driven process to engage our customers, regional partners, employees and community members in a discussion about how to address RTD’s current challenges, and to determine RTD’s role in meeting the long-term mobility needs of our region. The two main elements of the Reimagine planning effort are: Developing a near-term “System Optimization Plan” and creating a longer-term visionary “Mobility Plan for the Future”. Bill last joined us for a briefing on RTD’s current financial situation, and this topic will now orient us to the future of our regional transit agency and the goals behind the alternatives that are starting to take shape.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the INC Board of Directors selected the Zoom platform for remote meetings for committee, delegate, and Board meetings, and has subscribed to a “Pro” license for all INC meeting use. Committee meetings are starting up, and the Transportation Committee in May set their new format and cadence while maintaining their success at bringing timely, engaging and important topics to an open, citywide group of neighbors.

In the new format, the Committee will:

• Meet monthly (up from every-other-month), still on the second Thursday of the month
• Have 90-minute sessions (down from 120-minute meetings), 6:30pm-8pm
• Share recorded sessions for playback or revisiting (increased accessibility!)
• Continue presentation-with-Q&A style (with Q&A format changing to meet the online model and avoid the “Zoom bombing” disruption that some meetings have suffered from)
• Introduce interview-style discussions where that is easier for our invited guests who have information to share but no prepared presentation
• Introduce “lightning talk” short topics — 5-minute committee member presentations on challenges, successes, and ideas others can learn from or help with. Slides/visuals welcome where helpful. I’m a big fan of this format for a focused presentation of an idea without the pressure of developing a long talk.

Please send your ideas for discussion/topics to Joel Noble, INC Transportation Committee Chair using this email link — What do you want to hear about? Do you have a short topic on which you’d like to present? What advice do you have based on your online meeting experiences? How would you like to help?