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Transportation

RVARC's Regional Transportation Planning

The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) plays an active role in various transportation-focused planning initiatives. This includes offering staff support to the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and overseeing the planning services for rural transportation in the region. The commission’s responsibilities encompass tackling challenges related to different modes of transportation such as transit, pedestrian, bicycle, freight, rail, air, and trucking. In executing these tasks, the team ensures that human, environmental, fiscal, and economic factors are taken into account fairly and equitably.

Transportation Planning Organization

The Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO), established in 1974, manages federal transportation funds for the Roanoke area. It develops key transportation planning documents and programs, including the Roanoke Valley Transportation Plan (RVTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), focusing on creating an efficient and environmentally-friendly transportation system.

The RVTPO also addresses traffic congestion, coordinates annual transportation planning activities, and utilizes various federal funding programs. It adheres to federal requirements for collaborative planning and performance tracking, and implements the SMART SCALE system for transparent project prioritization and funding

Transportation Plans and Studies

The Roanoke Valley Area Regional Commission (RVARC) develops various plans and studies, crucial for transportation and regional development, focusing on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Traffic studies, an integral part of these efforts, analyze current transportation systems, identify issues, and propose solutions to reduce traffic and congestion. These studies are essential for effective roadway design and traffic control, ensuring safe and efficient movement.

The plans and studies cover aspects like existing traffic, crash history, and expected developments, leading to improved congestion management and accident prevention. RVARC’s commitment to comprehensive transportation planning significantly benefits the community by enhancing mobility and safety.

Bicycle And Pedestrian

At the Roanoke Valley Area Regional Commission (RVARC), we are deeply committed to fostering a greener, healthier Roanoke Valley through our bicycle and pedestrian planning initiatives. We aim to build a comprehensive network of bike lanes and walking trails, designed to connect communities, promote physical activity, and reduce environmental impact.

Our approach combines meticulous planning with community engagement, ensuring that our infrastructure meets the needs of all residents. By prioritizing eco-friendly transportation, we’re not just enhancing mobility — we’re cultivating a more sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive community.

Transportation Demand Management

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a set of strategies and programs designed to make transportation systems more efficient by reducing the demand for single-occupancy vehicle trips. Instead of focusing solely on building new infrastructure, TDM emphasizes using existing resources more effectively.

The RVARC TDM Framwork sets the following priorities for the Roanoke Region:

  1. Managing traffic emissions
  2. Supporting economic development
  3. Improving employment services
  4. Enhancing transportation options

RIDE Solutions

RIDE Solutions, is the RVARC Commuter Assistance program. It connects individuals and businesses to diverse transportation options, reducing traffic and improving air quality. The program aids commuters in exploring alternatives like carpools, public transit, and safe bike routes, potentially cutting commute costs significantly.

Employers receive technical assistance and marketing services to meet business and sustainability goals. RIDE Solutions also supports events promoting alternative transportation, contributing to safer, less congested roads.

Freight - Intermodal

RVARC’s commitment to enhancing freight and intermodal transportation extends beyond just streamlining movement; it includes a focused approach towards improving transportation efficiency and sustainability. This effort is achieved by not only reducing congestion and maintenance costs but also by strategically planning for the future.

Key studies, like the Western Virginia Intermodal Study and the truck diversion analysis from Interstate 81 to rail, highlight this commitment.These comprehensive reports, available in both summary and full formats, provide in-depth insights into freight traffic trends and potential rail diversions, offering strategic directions for future planning.

Public Transit

RVARC’s Public Transit planning efforts are pivotal in developing efficient, accessible transportation in the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany region. The commission focuses on long-range regional transit plans and short-range development, using innovative studies like the Bus Stop Accessibility Study to enhance transit efficiency

The Commission also coordinate federal transit funds and engage in multimodal facilities planning, ensuring that public transit services are seamlessly integrated with pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. This comprehensive approach to transit planning ensures a more connected and accessible community.

Rural Transportation

At RVARC, the Rural Transportation Planning Program offers specialized planning assistance to the region’s rural, non-urbanized areas. This involves collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation and a dedicated Rural Transportation Technical Committee.

The program encompasses a variety of activities such as developing Regional Long Range Transportation Plans, Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans, and conducting Corridor and Parking Studies. Additionally, it supports Enhancement Grant Assistance and Rural Transit Plans.

Public Participation

RVARC’s Public Involvement approach, anchored in the 2018 Public Participation Plan, focuses on meaningful engagement in transportation planning. The organization ensures that public input is not only diverse but also influential in decision-making.

Emphasizing transparency and education, RVARC invites varied viewpoints from the community, aiming for high-quality, practical input. Their commitment to broad public engagement strengthens the integrity of the transportation planning process and aligns with Title VI and ADA compliance.