They hail from all corners of the region, they are passionate about their communities, transportation, the environment, and they use all modes of transportation. These volunteers are the new members of the TPB’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and they have just embarked on a new two-year term.

The CAC’s mission is to promote public involvement in regional transportation planning for the region, to advance equitable representation in regional transportation planning, and to provide independent region-oriented community advice to the TPB on transportation plans and issues. 

Learn more about the TPB's CAC.

At its January board meeting, the Transportation Planning Board approved the appointments of 24 members to serve on the committee for a two-year term. These members represent 12 of the 23 TPB member jurisdictions and represent diverse viewpoints on regional transportation policy.

The committee is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds representing a wide range of modal interests and perspectives. Some are cyclists and trail advocates, others want to see a more robust regional transit system, while others primarily get around by driving. 

Committee members live in jurisdictions across the national capital region, including the Cities of Manassas, Bowie. Greenbelt, Alexandria, and Gaithersburg. There are also representatives from Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun Counties in Virginia and Montgomery and Prince George's County in Maryland. Additionally, there are members representing 4 of the 8 wards in DC. 

Let’s get to know the CAC

We asked applicants to the CAC why they were interested in serving on this committee. One of the most common responses was that they want to serve their community. They want to give their communities a voice in the region’s transportation planning.

Many are also interested in the environment, in her application Audrey Nwaze of Greenbelt, said she is concerned about the effect transportation has on the environment. “As a member of the TPB’s Community Advisory Committee l want to help create a positive change by being involved in the planning process and being a spokesperson for my community, and for future generations,” she said.

Delia Houseal of Ward 7 in DC, is interested in ensuring that residents of Ward 7 have a voice and that the “perspectives of residents who live East of the River (EOTR) are represented when policies and decisions are being made regarding transportation.”

The membership represents 12 of 23 TPB member jurisdictions this term. Ten members previously served on the CAC and 12 graduated from the Community Leadership Institute. Fourteen people are new to the committee, and 5 member jurisdictions are represented on the committee for the first time. 

Returning CAC member Lorena Rios said it was important to her that residents in the outer suburbs be represented on the committee. Hailing from Loudoun County, she believes that it’s important for transportation to embrace technology and be open to alternatives to transportation problems.

Nancy Abeles is also returning to the CAC after she served as chair last year. She wrote that she believes in the committee’s mission to further engage the public in the planning process. She also hopes to “encourage my jurisdiction to align with those [regional] strategies and deepen its own commitment to public participation in its planning process.”

New member Ra Amin of Ward 5 in DC learned about the TPB through the Community Leadership Institute. He wrote that he wanted to give back by serving on the CAC. Since CLI, he has regularly attended TPB meetings virtually.

Elisa Walton, resident from the District of Columbia, is the new committee chair. She addressed the board at the February TPB meeting. Planning for the year ahead, she told the board that in 2021 the committee wants to put "a strong focus on equity, safety, sustainability, and implementing the Aspirational Initiatives."

The work ahead

Looking ahead, the 2021-2022 the committee expects to hear a lot about Visualize 2045. The TPB has begun the process to update its long-range transportation plan due in 2022. The committee plays an important role in the process. It will not only be called upon to provide input into that planning process, but members will be called upon to raise awareness about Visualize 2045 in their communities and encourage folks to get involved.

At the February CAC meeting, TPB Chair Charles Allen called upon the CAC to use their experiences to advise elected officials and think about how the region can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said it is important the region work together to become stronger, more equitable, and more resilient.

Join us for a meeting

The CAC meets monthly and is briefed on topics that are scheduled for a future board meeting. At these committee meetings, which are open to the public, the committee interact with staff to familiarize themselves on the topic. These discussions are summarized in the CAC report, which is shared at the monthly board meeting. Through these interactions with staff and the monthly report, the committee provides input from the community perspective.  

Learn more about the TPB Community Advisory Committee

TPB Communications Specialist Abigail Zenner contributed to this post.