From on-demand ridesharing services available today to futuristic pods that could shuttle passengers high above busy city streets, the Transportation Advisory Committee presented recommendations Tuesday on how to address Arlington's present, near-term and future transportation needs.
The City Council-appointed committee, made up of 31 Arlington residents and stakeholders, has spent the last year researching and discussing the latest innovations in transportation technology to develop its transportation vision. With Enhancing Regional Mobility as a key City Council priority, the Transportation Advisory Committee's recommendations are intended to serve as guidance for city leaders as they adopt policies and craft specific service plans to improve mobility and connectivity.
Council members thanked the Committee for helping develop a visionary transportation plan.
"Technology is changing so fast. We are just in a perfect position to be a leader in transportation and moving the workforce," Councilwoman Kathryn Wilemon said. "I think that's especially important with the economic climate we are sitting in that is booming."
In its report, the Committee identified populations to be served, key destinations that require service and six priority corridors to fully serve Arlington's transportation needs. The report also includes recommendations for specific modes of transportation, ranging from high speed rail to autonomous shuttles, to connect people to and from destination points within the six corridors.
For example, the Committee recommended a demand-response rideshare program as an option to provide people with efficient and cost-effective transportation between the Entertainment District and south Arlington via Cooper Street. Arlington is already working to initiate a one-year demand-response rideshare pilot project to investigate the viability of this type of service.
"We are at the beginning of a transportation technology revolution that is so exciting," said Williams, pointing to transportation trends such as rides that can be summoned through smart phone apps and the Milo autonomous shuttles currently operating in Arlington's Entertainment District as part of a pilot program.
"Every day, there are scientists and engineers inventing new inventions in transportation and we want to find the best ones to be tested here. We want them to know Arlington has its doors open and we don't mind being first. We are trendsetters and we're can-do people."
The City would collect additional public input and conduct further research before implementing recommended transportation services, council members said.
"We are not going to just take this and say "OK, this is what we are going to do.' We are still going to study, we are still going to have pilot projects," Wilemon said.
To read the report and learn more about the Transportation Advisory Committee, visit www.arlington-tx.gov/TAC.
Click here to learn more about the City of Arlington's efforts to Enhance Regional Mobility.
Other transportation news in Arlington
- Introducing the City of Arlington's Transportation Advisory Committee
- Arlington Among Texas Communities Chosen as Testing Grounds for Automated Vehicles
- City of Arlington Joins Waze Connected Citizens Program
- Arlington Exploring Innovative Transportation Technology
- Arlington to Roll out Milo Automous Shuttle Pilot Program August 26
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