Minutes of the
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Friday, October 8, 2004, 9:30 a.m.
DOT 5th Floor Conference Room
869 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

Member(s) Absent: Steven Wong (FAA, ex-officio), Gareth Sakakida (HTA, ex officio), Panos Prevedouros (UH, ex-officio)

Guests Present: Dick Kaku (Kaku Associates)

Staff Present: Gordon Lum, Shevaun Low, and Pamela Toyooka

The meeting was called to order at 9:34 a.m. by Chair Glenn Yasui. A quorum was present.

I.     MINUTES OF THE JULY 13, 2004 MEETING AND AUGUST 9 & 26, 2004 MEETING CONTINUATIONS

Randolph Hara stated that, on the top of page six, the following changes should be made to the first complete sentence (added text is underlined and deleted text is struck out):

“The current effort policy is directed at reversing that pattern trend so that….”

Vice Chair Toru Hamayasu stated that, in the last sentence of the fourth paragraph (after the indented text) on page two, “10 trees” should be replaced with “11 trees”.

Dick Poirier stated that, in the Members Present list for the August 26, 2004 meeting continuation, Hamid Jahanmir should be listed as an alternate for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Office of Planning (DBEDT-OP); and Dick Poirier should be deleted from the Member(s) Absent list.

Mr. Poirier moved and Vice Chair Hamayasu seconded that the minutes of the July 13, 2004 meeting and August 9 & 26, 2004 meeting continuations be approved as amended. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended.

II.    2030 ORTP – GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Chair Yasui introduced Shevaun Low, Project Manager for the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP). Ms. Low stated that the ORTP is a long-range plan for Oahu’s transportation system. The plan, which is updated every five years, ensures eligibility for federal funds earmarked for surface transportation systems.

The current update of the ORTP is to the Year 2030. It is intended to be responsive to local needs while satisfying federal requirements. The emphasis of the plan will be on accommodating growth and development on Oahu.

OMPO’s consultant, Kaku Associates (KA), is working diligently on updating the plan to 2030. Current work is focused on implementation of the community outreach program, development of the plan’s goals and objectives, development of performance measures, and identification of baseline projects that meet the baseline criteria [presented to TAC at its May 13, 2004 meeting]. Ms. Low noted that agencies can expect a call for projects, based on transportation system deficiencies, after a baseline travel demand forecasting model run is completed in late 2004 or early 2005.

Ms. Low introduced Dick Kaku, Project Director for KA. Mr. Kaku defined the following:

•    A “goal” is a broad declaration of a preferred state or ideal function of a transportation system.

•    An “objective” is a solid step toward accomplishing a goal, stated in a quantifiable manner.

Mr. Kaku stated that three goals are being proposed for the 2030 ORTP that address transportation services, environment and quality of life, and land use and transportation integration. TAC members have received copies of the proposed list of goals and objectives; and OMPO has already received comments from TAC member agencies.

Chair Yasui noted that all three goals encompass sustainability implicitly, and suggested that sustainability be addressed explicitly. Mr. Lum added that OMPO Policy Committee Chair Nestor Garcia is very interested in sustainability. As part of the ORTP effort, the Policy Committee will be discussing individual members’ visions for 2030 at its October 22nd meeting. In addition, the City’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) and the Land Use Research Foundation will be discussing transportation sustainability and Smart Growth at the November 17, 2004 Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting. Mr. Lum invited all TAC members to attend the CAC meeting.

Mr. Poirier passed out DBEDT-OP’s written comments on the goals and objectives and noted that, with the recent and upcoming changes in the City administration and leadership position modifications in the State Legislature’s transportation committee(s), wholesale changes to the goals and objectives should be undertaken. These changes would address the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) transportation planning principles, Smart Growth, and livability (versus drivability). Chair Yasui responded that the HDOT planning principles have not been endorsed; he asked Ron Tsuzuki to provide a response to DBEDT-OP’s comments after Mr. Tsuzuki confers with the HDOT Central Planning Office. Mr. Tsuzuki should provide these comments to OMPO by Friday, October 15, 2004.

Chair Yasui stated that, because of the diverse TAC viewpoints that are expected in discussing Mr. Poirier’s comments, TAC will not make a recommendation regarding the goals and objectives. Chair Yasui asked that TAC comments be presented to the Policy Committee. Mr. Lum noted that all comments will be considered on the goals and objectives, a summary of which will be presented to the OMPO Policy Committee at its October 22nd meeting. The Policy Committee needs to act on the goals and objectives to meet the current ORTP schedule to have the plan endorsed by April 2006. He added that the 2030 ORTP goals and objectives can be updated throughout project development.

Mr. Hara clarified that the TAC can revisit the goals and objectives at a future meeting. Mr. Lum responded that, if TAC wants to take the issue up later, it can do so. Vice Chair Hamayasu added that the technical work in developing the 2030 ORTP will not be affected if TAC does not make a recommendation at this time.

Mr. Poirier added that he thought the OMPO Policy Committee has the following options with respect to the proposed goals and objectives: (1) endorse the goals and objectives as presented; (2) re-write the goals and objectives; or (3) retain the goals and objectives and develop quantifiable policies that support each of the objectives. He noted that the schedule is not “everything”. Vice Chair Hamayasu responded that the schedule should be maintained; otherwise, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and other projects may be affected with sanctions, as had happened in the development of the 2025 ORTP.

Chair Yasui reminded TAC members to submit any additional comments on the goals and objectives to OMPO prior to the Policy Committee meeting.

III.    FY 2005 OWP AMENDMENT

Mr. Lum provided an overview of the fiscal year (FY) 2005 Overall Work Program (OWP) Work Element (WE) 202.31-05, Multimodal Travel Forecasting Training and circulated a description of the training session from the National Transit Institute (NTI), which will be responsible for its conduct. He noted that the training session is aimed at mid- to senior-level technical staff responsible for travel forecasting. Because of the limited number of people in Hawaii who meet this requirement, the training session will be open to consultants and mainland participants.

[Dean Fujita left the meeting at 10:15 a.m.]

Chair Yasui suggested that, in addition to listing the major topics that will be covered in the training session, a list of requisite skills be included to enable agencies to determine which personnel should attend.

Mr. Poirier moved and Vice Chair Hamayasu seconded that the TAC recommend Policy Committee approval of WE 202.31-05 for inclusion into the FY 2005 OWP.

Discussion of the WE followed.

Vice Chair Hamayasu suggested a peer discussion be incorporated within the training session for those who would like information and clarification regarding the OMPO models. Mr. Lum noted that this would be an official NTI course and could not deviate substantially from its course description. Mr. Lum did note that one of the presenters, Jim Ryan, offered to incorporate some of the OMPO model components into the course and possibly add another training day on the use of model outputs for the non-mid- to senior-level technical staff.

Vice Chair Hamayasu asked if the cost of the course was set, regardless of class size. Mr. Lum responded that it was. Mr. Lum added that attendees from City and State agencies would not have to pay the $450 course fee, but non-governmental employees would have to pay the fee.

Mr. Tsuzuki asked how many people from the City and State fell in the mid- to senior-level category. Mr. Lum responded that Mr. Ryan had estimated five to 10 people. He noted that University of Hawaii and local consultants would also be invited to attend.

The motion passed unanimously.

[Dean Fujita returned at 10:34 p.m.]

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.