Draft Memorandum for the Record

Regional Transportation Advisory Council Meeting

July 14, 2021, Meeting Minutes

2:30 PM–4:00 PM, Zoom

Lenard Diggins, Chair, representing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Ridership Oversight Committee

Meeting Agenda

1.    Introductions

Lenard Diggins called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM. Members and guests attending the meeting introduced themselves. (For attendance list, see page four.)

2.    MetroCommon 2050 and the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)—Emily Torres-Cullinane, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), and Anne McGahan, MPO Staff

Emily Torres-Cullinane, MAPC, explained that MetroCommon 2050 is a public policy plan being developed by MAPC that offers a vision and practical steps toward a more equitable and resilient future for the Boston region. She listed five action areas addressed by the plan:

·       Equity of wealth and health

·       Homes for all

·       Inclusive growth and mobility

·       Climate mitigation and resiliency

·       Dynamic and representative government

E. Torres-Cullinane focused on several goals of MetroCommon 2050 connected to the “Inclusive growth and mobility” action area; she also highlighted two of the plan’s many policy recommendations related to mobility:

·       Improve accessibility and regional connectivity

·       Reduce the need for single-occupant vehicle travel with transit-oriented development and walkable centers

A. McGahan discussed how MetroCommon 2050 will figure in the development of the next LRTP, Destination 2050, by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). She said the MPO is developing a new web page for the next LRTP (ctps.org/destination2050/).

Discussion

AnaCristina Fragoso, Boston Society of Civil Engineers; John McQueen, WalkBoston; Sarah Lee, MAPC staff; and E. Torres-Cullinane discussed whether the recommendations in MetroCommon 2050 around resiliency and smart growth were now redundant with the MBTA’s latest plans and efforts. They also discussed proposals for needs-based fares.

John Strauss, Town of Burlington, and S. Lee discussed the integration of payment methods, which would enable riders to pay bus fares on both MBTA- and regional transit authority-administered bus routes with the same card.

J. McQueen and A. McGahan discussed aspects of the MPO’s December 2019 memorandum “The Future of the Curb,” which examines the ways in which cities are addressing increasing and changing demands for use of the curb lane.

Jen Rowe, City of Boston, L. Diggins, and E. Torres-Cullinane discussed how the MAPC plans to push forward implementation of the recommendations outlined in MetroCommon 2050.

3.    Destination 2040 Needs Assessment Discussion—L. Diggins, Chair

L. Diggins discussed Chapter 9, Economic Vitality Needs, of Destination 2040, the Needs Assessment for the current Boston region LRTP. L. Diggins discussed how plans to transform transportation are interconnected with investments in economic vitality and housing.

Discussion

A. Reker, J. McQueen, and A. McGahan discussed whether additional attention should be given to three COVID-19-specific topics in this year’s update to the LRTP:

·       Impacts on the labor markets of hospitality and other service industries

·       Increasing home delivery services

·       Increasing remote work

4.    Chair’s Report—Lenard Diggins, Chair

L. Diggins discussed the recent meetings of the Transportation Improvement Program Project Costs Ad Hoc Committee. L. Diggins said he initially supported having the MPO help municipalities with design work; however, it became clear that this could result in the municipalities being required to repay funds spent on design work for projects that were later cancelled.

5.    3C Documents Committee—Chris Porter, Chair, 3C Documents Committee

L. Diggins and M. Archer discussed the need for a new committee chair, with the departure of Chris Porter, as well as more committee members. The committee agreed to meet next on July 23.

Discussion

A. Reker agreed to participate on the committee.

6.    Old Business, New Business, and Member Announcements

A. Reker discussed the Cambridge Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO) that requires the creation of almost 25 miles of separated bike lanes on many major streets according to a five- to seven-year timeline. He mentioned the City of Cambridge CSO web page as a good source of information surrounding this effort.

J. Rowe announced that, going forward, she plans to attend Advisory Council meetings on behalf of the City of Boston.

7.    Adjourn 

A motion to adjourn was made by the Boston Society of Civil Engineers (AnaCristina Fragoso) and seconded by WalkBoston (J. McQueen). The motion carried.

 

Attendees

Member Municipalities	Representatives and Alternates
City of Cambridge	Andy Reker
Town of Weymouth	Owen MacDonald

 

Member Citizen Advocacy Groups	Representatives and Alternates
MBTA Ridership Oversight Committee (ROC)	Lenard Diggins
National Rural Transit Assistance Program	Scott Zadakis
American Council of Engineering Companies	Fred Moseley
Boston Society of Civil Engineers (BSCES)	AnaCristina Fragoso
MoveMassachusetts	Jon Seward
WalkBoston	John McQueen

 

Agencies (Non-Voting)	Attendees
Metropolitan Area Planning Council	Emily Torres-Cullinane
Metropolitan Area Planning Council	Sarah Lee

 

Other Attendees	Affiliation
Jen Rowe	City of Boston
John Strauss	Town of Burlington
Laura Wiener	City of Watertown
Barry Steinberg	Association for Public Transportation
Aleida Leza	Resident

 

MPO Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff
Matt Archer
Anne McGahan
Katherine White