OahuMPO TAC Minutes

OahuMPO Staff Present: Gordon Lum (Executive Director), Lori Arakaki, Marian Yasuda, and Pamela Toyooka

The meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m. by Chair Glenn Yasui. A quorum was present.

I. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 2, 2008 MEETING MINUTES

Glenn Soma moved and Raymond Sakai seconded that the July 2, 2008 meeting minutes be approved. The minutes were unanimously approved as circulated.

II. RECOMMENDATION TO THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON REVISION #1 TO THE FY 2009 OVERALL WORK PROGRAM (OWP) – INCLUSION OF WORK ELEMENT (W.E.) 201.67-09 ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES

Handouts: Draft W.E. 201.67-09 Energy Efficiency in Transportation Strategies; presentation handout from UHM

Marian Yasuda introduced Sharon Miyashiro, with the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), and Dr. Peter Flaschbart and Dr. Makena Coffman, both with UHM DURP (hereinafter collectively referred to as “UHM”). The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is the sponsoring agency who will provide oversight and administrative support. UHM will develop, present, analyze, and document the survey associated with this work element.

UHM gave a presentation on the proposed Revision #1 to the FY 2009 OWP – Draft W.E. 201.67-09 Energy Efficiency in Transportation Strategies. Ms. Miyashiro presented background information on the proposed project. Dr. Flaschbart presented the purpose and motivation for the study, the context of the study, and some background research that has already been done to look at what to focus on and the best use of the resources. Dr. Coffman presented the proposed methodology of the study, phase one and two.

Questions & Answers / Comments

Elizabeth Fischer stated that the study is missing high-density urban areas. She suggested that UHM check the Lincoln Land Institute website and the American Planning Association magazine for pictures of high-density areas. Ms. Fischer stated that UHM should also address language, cultural values, and working generations in the survey. Dr. Coffman noted that the survey instrument was not complete.

Ms. Fischer stated that survey questions regarding non-transportation modes (such as, telecommuting and alternative work schedules) were not included in the study; the survey needs to include these types of questions. Dr. Coffman replied that UHM had considered four-day work weeks and had two sample questions referring to non-transport modes. Dr. Coffman stated that UHM could also include Ms. Fischer’s suggested questions. Ms. Miyashiro noted that if too many questions are asked, people might not want to answer any questions; UHM must look at the critical questions, and critical and valid results.

Per Chair Yasui request, Ms. Fischer was provided with the draft list of questions for her review.

Dr. Flaschbart stated that UHM had compiled questions from PollingReport.com questions – compiling three years of questions (14 pages) in the energy section alone. He noted that these questions were generated in the era of rising gas prices. This survey must couch the questions in terms of “If gas prices are rising….”

Charles Carole asked that UHM show photos of actual areas, rather than just pretty photos.

Vice Chair Mark Au asked if UHM had looked at other surveys done in similar municipalities for best practices. Dr. Flaschbart responded that, in phase one, UHM looked at PollingReport.com; in phase two, UHM will look at a half-dozen different studies. Dr. Coffman stated that UHM has started a list of strategies in Hawaii.

Vice Chair Au asked if their department had conducted surveys of similar size. Ms. Miyashiro responded that UHM originally went to the State Legislature, requesting funds to do the study; however, they were not successful. The funds being requested in this proposed OWP work element would cover phase one of the study. UHM will need to pursue additional funds for phase two.

Dr. Ricardo Archilla asked what kind of recommendations UHM plans to make. Dr. Coffman responded that, in phase one, UHM would like to get a picture of people preferences based on strategies. In phase two, UHM can build an econometric model with weights and shock the model based on changes.

Dr. Archilla commented that it would be interesting to see what people actually did with the gas prices rising. Ms. Fischer stated that there is tracking of this by the HDOT Highway Planning Branch.

Abe Mitsuda stated that he hated receiving calls on land lines and cell lines, or being asked to take written surveys; he did not like survey people calling him during dinner. He suggested that an incentive is needed to get people to respond. Mr. Lum noted that, for a past OahuMPO survey, the average time people were kept on the phone was 45 minutes. Ms. Miyashiro stated that UHM was thinking about placing ads in the paper prior to survey, letting people know that someone may be calling them. Dr. Coffman stated that UHM was thinking about inserting an announcement in people’s Hawaiian Electric Company bill. Someone responded that not everyone looks at the inserts that are enclosed with their bill; also, some people view and pay their bill online.

James Burke stated that there is wonderful information on travel survey methods from a June 2008 webinar sponsored by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). Mr. Burke added that there is a need to overcome language barriers – noting that the Department of Transportation Services found an Eastern European language barrier when doing bus surveys.

Ms. Fischer stated that the visual part of this study is really important; she would share information and links with UHM.

Chair Yasui suggested UHM look at recent TRB reports on greenhouse gases. He questioned: 1) whether the public will accept speed limits on freeways, as gas prices go up and speeds come down; 2) whether non-governmental institutions should control working start and end times; and 3) with rising gas prices, what will people accept.

Mr. Sakai asked if the third sample survey question will include a query about “If gas prices drop….” Dr. Coffman responded in the affirmative. Mr. Sakai stated that the overall goal should be to change behavior, so it becomes a habit. Dr. Coffman agreed that this is an important point, and that they need to retool the questions.

Chair Yasui stated that people would ask to raise the speed limits; he noted that raising the speed limit from 55 to 65 miles per hour would only save a person seconds. Dr. Coffman stated that UHM needs to look at stated preferences and reality.

Ms. Yasuda went over the comments received from the intergovernmental review of the proposed revision, as well as the response to some of those comments.

Vice Chair Au moved and Mr. Soma seconded that the TAC recommend approval of the FY 2009 OWP Revision #1.

Ms. Fischer reiterated that non-transport modes need to be considered, suggesting that a choice could be to stay in place and not take a bus; these choices need to be addressed in the survey. Ms. Fischer stated that the work element needs tweaking before it is presented to the Policy Committee. Ms. Fischer stated that this is a valid study, and that she supports the project and would recommend TAC’s recommendation of approval to the Policy Committee.

Vice Chair Au asked if the cost of the study will produce these products. Dr. Coffman responded that this work element will do phase one, as a stand-alone study. Ms. Miyashiro added that phase one will get a representative sample. More funds will be needed to do phase two.

Mr. Lum stated that TAC could approve the motion with the understanding that the staff will make editorial changes and clarifications per Ms. Fischer’s comments, without providing a new direction to the study. Ms. Fischer requested that the minutes reflect this.

A vote was taken. The motion was unanimously carried.

III. PRESENTATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF YEAR 2035 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FORECASTS TO TRAFFIC ANALYSIS ZONES (TAZ) BY THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING (DPP)

Handouts: Comparison of DBEDT Year 2030 and Year 2035 Projections for Oahu and DPP Socioeconomic Projection Alternatives by Development Plan Subareas

Steve Young noted that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism’s (DBEDT) population projections for Oahu for the Year 2035 are lower than their Year 2030 population projections. In addition, the DBEDT’s projections for Wage and Salary jobs for the Year 2035 are higher than their Year 2030 Wage and Salary job projections. A major factor is due to DBEDT’s usage of Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) data for their Year 2030 projections and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data for their Year 2035 projections.

The BEA has a more robust database and takes into account multiple jobs per person. The DLIR data, on the other hand, includes information on each person’s primary job. Because a number of people have multiple jobs, the difference between the BEA counts and the DLIR counts is often large. The OahuMPO travel demand forecasting model is calibrated to accept employment data that includes a person’s main occupation.

The increase in Wage and Salary jobs is also attributed to a large growth captured during the 2000-2005 time period which influenced future projections; and assumptions relating to the labor force participation rate.

Eugene Tian suggested that DBEDT work with Mr. Young to come up with a forecast (for the specific use of the ORTP 2035 effort) that is more in line with the DLIR data. Mr. Young agreed. Mr. Young would then distribute the forecasts to Oahu’s traffic analysis zones and provide the matrices to OahuMPO staff, who would send the data to TAC members for review prior to a future TAC meeting.

Mr. Lum stressed the OahuMPO’s schedule to have TAC’s endorsement of the 2035 socio-economic forecasts by TAZs in December 2008. In response to a question posed by Mr. Lum, TAC members indicated support for Mr. Tian’s suggestion.

IV. PUBLIC OUTREACH COORDINATION NEEDS FOR THE OAHU REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2035 AND STATE TRANSPORTATION PLANS

Mr. Lum stated that the development of the Hawaii Statewide Transportation Plan, the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan, and the State Pedestrian Plan are occurring at the same time. Because of this, the public outreach programs need to be coordinated, so there is no duplication of effort and questions asked of the public. Coordination of these efforts is underway.

V. OTHER BUSINESS (ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLY)

Mr. Lum announced that the upcoming Citizen Advisory Committee meeting agenda item will be the feasibility of rail. Toru Hamayasu and Cliff Slater would be making presentations and answering questions.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Glenn Yasui, Chair	DOT	Steve Young (alternate)	DPP
Mark Au, Vice Chair	DTS	James Burke	DTS
Eugene Tian (alternate)	DBEDT	Elizabeth Fischer (ex officio)	FHWA
Abe Mitsuda	DBEDT-OP	Gareth Sakakida (ex officio)	HTA
Glenn Soma	DOT	Dr. A. Ricardo Archilla (ex officio)	UH
Ray Sakai (alternate)	DPP

Dr. Makena Coffman	UHM		Sharon Miyashiro	UHM
Dr. Peter Flaschbart	UHM		Charles Carole	Neighborhood Board #10 (CAC)