At its January meeting the TPB approved new members for the Community Advisory Committee. It also received briefings on a multi-sectoral study of the impacts Covid-19 has had on the region and on the Unified Planning and Work Program. 2021 TPB Chair Charles Allen presided over the first meeting of 2021.

In his remarks, Chair Allen noted that he is looking forward to continuing the work of his predecessors to bring the updated Visualize 2045 to fruition and continue important work on equity and combating climate change. He also highlighted the important work in aiding the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. He talked about the precarious position of the state of public transportation –both its funding and how disruptive and inequitable changes to public transportation service levels can be for residents, especially to those who are dependent on bus service He said that the survival, resilience and resurgence of transit and WMATA in particular in light of the fast changing what commuting to work means and taking advantage of what the incoming US Transportation Secretary has said a once in generation opportunity to invest in infrastructure will all be topics to tackle in the year ahead.   

“We will have to stay focused to ensuring that our recovery actions addresses the inequities that have been highlighted in the past year and also brings a renewed sense of commitment to other urgent matter we face such as sustainable and affordable mobility and accessibility. We must have a resilient transportation system that is able to respond to social and political disruptions and the impacts of climate change,” he said.

Watch and listen to the Chair’s remarks.      

A new CAC

The board’s one action item was to approve new members for the reconstituted and renamed Community Advisory Committee. According to the changes to committee’s operating procedures approved by the TPB in November 2020, the CAC consists of 24 members. Fifteen of these members are designated equally for each state—five each from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Nine additional members are designated to incorporate the perspective of communities in TPB member jurisdictions. These members also ensure that the committee reflects the region’s racial and ethnic diversity as well as different perspectives from people with different ages and experiences getting around the region. Chair Charles Allen also named Elisa Walton as the CAC’s chair for 2021.

The Community Advisory Committee membership for 2021. (TPB)

Watch and listen to the board discussion and vote.

Covid-19 impacts

TPB staff presented a compilation of data to show how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the Washington region. COG and TPB staff have worked together across sectors to gather data on transportation, the environment, the economy, and health. The presentation provided a regional perspective on pandemic impacts to inform long term planning and programming activities.

Watch a video overview of these impacts:

Watch and listen to the board discussion.

Reviewing the TPB’s work

As an introduction to the UPWP, the board received a briefing that reviewed what the TPB does. The presentation reviewed what a metropolitan planning organization or MPO does and included a discussion of federal requirements, regional coordination, and the subcommittees that work with the board. It also provided an overview of some of the work products TPB staff produce in synch with the board’s interests

At its February meeting, the board will learn more about the next year’s budget and work program and will take that document up for approval in March.

Watch and listen to the presentation and board discussion.

Learn more about the TPB

Public comment: Two organizations submitted letters to be reviewed during the meeting. One was a letter from the Coalition for Smarter Growth  about land use scenarios and climate change mitigation. The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance commended the TPB endorsing regional greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2030 and to continue prioritizing regional multimodal transportation improvements. Read the two letters. 

CAC Annual Report: Outgoing CAC Chair Nancy Abeles presented the CAC’s annual report. She reviewed the committees work weighing in on roadway safety and pressing the TPB to continue focusing on reducing serious injuries and deaths on the region’s roads. She also reviewed some advice for the next committee. Read the CAC annual report. Watch and listen to Chair Abeles’ report. 

Get the meeting materials and recording for the January meeting.

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