From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2024 4:39 PM
To: Nadeau, Brianne K. (Council) <BNadeau@dccouncil.gov>
Cc: Meni, David (Council) <dmeni@dccouncil.gov>; Rivero, Niccole (Council) <nrivero@dccouncil.gov>; Nava, Maricela (Council) <mnava@dccouncil.gov>
Subject: Re: Councilmember — Seeking Assistance —> Fwd: Thanks, One last clarification —> Re: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted

Will anyone at least acknowledge receipt of the email?

Dear Councilmember Nadeau,

I hope you are well and settling back into the fall Council session.

I’m reaching out regarding the Columbia Road Bus Priority project, which has generated significant concern among Ward 1 residents. I’ve been following this issue closely, as reflected in my correspondence with DDoT (included below), and I am troubled by the proposed elimination of bus stops along this busy commercial corridor.

The removal of these stops will have a particularly harmful impact on our most vulnerable neighbors—seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children—many of whom rely heavily on accessible public transit. Given these concerns, I’m wondering if you might be able to weigh in on the issue.

It’s difficult to reconcile the city's push for increased housing density with simultaneous cuts to public bus access and services, which seem to run counter to the needs of a growing population. 

Your perspective and involvement could make a meaningful difference in addressing these concerns, and I hope you are working to assess the impact this project will have on our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Chris Otten
Adams Morgan

 

 

 

 

 

 

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 29, 2024 at 5:57 PM
Subject: Re: Thanks, One last clarification —> Re: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted
To: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>
Cc: Carrington, James (DDOT) <james.carrington@dc.gov>, Sandra Reischel <sandrareischel@yahoo.com>, Virginia Johnson <dcvirginia@hotmail.com>

 

I'm sending this one last time. Mr. Harrison,

 

Are you ok?

 

Hoping to get one last answer below.

Please clarify perhaps why again you and DDoT may be using the “average” bus stop spacing number universally across the city regardless of “land uses” and density of any given area.  The result is less bus access to the very busy dense commercial corridor along Columbia Road for example.

 

Chris Otten

 

 

 

 

On Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 1:33 PM Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

Kevin?

 

On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 1:52 PM Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

Kevin, Hi.

 

Please if you can rebut or send me an answer to what appears as my conclusion:

 

DDoT seems to be suggesting (through you as their representative) that the average bus stop spacing number is somehow a universal number to be applied anywhere in the city similarly, making the average bus stop spacing the absolute bus stop spacing for the whole city.

 

Whereas the report you cited doesn't reference averages to be used universally across the city. Rather, “The addition or subtraction of bus stop locations need to take into consideration the existing transit network, trip generators, land uses, and pedestrian infra structure. Bus stops need to have adequate sidewalk connections and roadway crossing amenities (i.e. marked crosswalks, median islands, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, etc.).”

 

Please clarify perhaps for the last time why again you and DDoT may be using the “average” bus stop spacing number universally regardless of “land uses” and density of any given area.

 

This is a concern, because you are eliminating bus stops on the very busy commercial Columbia Road corridor making it harder to access the bus services for elders, families, and others.

 

Thanks.

Chris

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 15, 2024 at 4:32 PM Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks Kevin. For the explanation.

 

Ok, So I've read the link you've given me from 15 years ago.

 

At page 6. I think is the rub:

 

Accessibility Factors
The recommended bus stop spacing should serve as a guide. The addition or subtraction of bus stop locations need to take into consideration the existing transit network, trip generators, land uses, and pedestrian infra structure. Bus stops need to have adequate sidewalk connections and roadway crossing amenities (i.e. marked crosswalks, median islands, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, etc.).

 

The above section of the 2009 report you've given as substantiation for eliminating bus access in Adams Morgan is very important.

 

It explains why most jurisdictions including DC up to now don't simply average bus stop spacing and apply it universally across the whole city independent of land use needs (busy denser commercial corridor versus less denseresidential thru way).  

 

DC and most cities reference an average number for their bus spacing.  So in more dense areas the bus stop spacing is shorter and in more residential less dense thru ways the bus stop spacing is greater and they come up with an average.

 

But now, DDoT seems to be conflating this average numbers as some sort of holy grail number. That is DDoT and you seem to be suggesting the average spacing is somehow a universal number to be applied anywhere in the city similarly, making the average bus stop spacing the absolute bus stop spacing for the whole city.

 

The result as suggested at page 6 is a reduction in accessibility esp along DC's commercial corridors, thus forcing residents to choose other transit than bus. Likely a car. Thus defeating the whole point of a “Better Bus System.”

 

Please tell me I'm wrong and that you won't be eliminating bus accessibility along Columbia Road.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 15, 2024 at 4:10 PM Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov> wrote:

Hi Mr. Otten,

 

Here are responses to you questions:

 

1. Wait, we were just emailing, now you aren't at your desk until Monday?

Sorry, I leave work at about 5:30 most days and I was off on Friday.

 

2. Would it be the DDoT's position that the same bus stop spacing applies to say upper 16th street north of Arkansas, versus Columbia Road between 18th and 16th?

For the S2, yes. The S9 is limited stop service so the spacing is longer.

 

3. And, that the singular universal number bus stop spacing in DC is grounded because NYC does it that way?

No.

 

4. If at all possible, please explain more and I will most understand what you are saying.

I recommend taking a look at WMATA’s “Guidelines for the Design and Placement of Transit Stops” from 2009. Page 5 provides more information and also some related research for further reading about bus stop spacing standards.

 

Thanks!

 

Kevin

 

 

From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 1:56 PM
To: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>; Carrington, James (DDOT) <james.carrington@dc.gov>
Cc: Sandra Reischel <sandrareischel@yahoo.com>; Virginia Johnson <dcvirginia@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the DC Government. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know that the content is safe. If you believe that this email is suspicious, please forward to phishing@dc.gov for additional analysis by OCTO Security Operations Center (SOC).

 

Please respond Mr. Harrison or Mr. Carrington if at all possible.

 

Thank you.

 

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

 

 

Wait, we were just emailing, now you aren't at your desk until Monday?

 

Please Mr. Harrison, I truly want to understand DDot's position.

 

Would it be the DDoT's position that the same bus stop spacing applies to say upper 16th street north of Arkansas, versus Columbia Road between 18th and 16th?

 

And, that the singular universal number bus stop spacing in DC is grounded because NYC does it that way?

 

If at all possible, please explain more and I will most understand what you are saying.

 

Thanks,

Chris

 

 

 

 

 

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>
Date: Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted
To: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>

 

Hi, I'm out of the office and unable to respond to email, but I will reply when I'm back at my desk— Monday, July 15.

 

If it's urgent, please email james.carrington@dc.gov.

 

Kevin

 

 

Kevin Harrison
Transportation Planner

Transit Delivery Division
District Department of Transportation
250 M Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

m. 202.848.8829

f. 202.671.0617
e. kevin.harrison@dc.gov

w. ddot.dc.gov

 

On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 6:21 PM Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

So I want to understand as best I can Mr. Harrison.

Are you saying that parts of DC are not more residential and not more commercial?

Compare say upper 16th street north of Arkansas, versus Columbia Road between 18th and 16th.

Yet, would it be the DDoT's position that the same bus stop spacing applies?

 

And it seems you are comparing DC to New York, is that right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 5:35 PM Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov> wrote:

Hi Mr. Otten,

 

As I previously stated, the basic geometry of how people get to a bus stop does not change with increased population density. It remains a balance areas of duplicative coverage (slow) with coverage gaps (fast). I know that many jurisdictions have different stop spacing standards for suburban and urban locations, but that is primarily to account for sparse development and poorly connected street grids in suburban places. Take a look at Colesville Rd in MD or Wiehle Ave in VA for example.

 

New York City is implementing the same stops spacing as the District. The spacing between stops may increase for certain bus service types (local, express, etc.), but for local service they are recommending ¼ miles spacing, about the same as WMATA, regardless of land use. Except in some cases (similar to my description above) the distance may increase because , “The surrounding land use makes adding a stop infeasible (e.g. large parks, bridges, tunnels, busy or extensive driveways).”

 

I hope this information is helpful.

 

Thank you,

 

Kevin

 

 

 

From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2024 5:13 PM
To: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>
Cc: Sandra Reischel <sandrareischel@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the DC Government. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know that the content is safe. If you believe that this email is suspicious, please forward to phishing@dc.gov for additional analysis by OCTO Security Operations Center (SOC).

 

Mr. Harrison,

You have explained that DDoT is using an universal standard for bus stop spacing — about one stop every 322 meters or 1057 feet (5 bus stops every mile); So according to the DDoT claim, there is some universal standard requiring one stop every 322 meters.

 

And that this singular universal standard is being applied to Columbia Road NW and the result between 18th and 16th Street is an elimination of an existing bus stop from 2 down to 1.  Thus shrinking access to bus services along this dense commercial corridor.

 

My question is why is DC using this singular universal standard for bus stop spacing citywide no matter the density of any given route (commercial higher density corridor versus more residential pass thru corridor) when most major cities use a formula with a direct relationship of bus stop spacing to density as shown here: https://findingspress.org/article/27373-distributions-of-bus-stop-spacings-in-the-united-states

 

 

 

On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 4:12 PM Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov> wrote:

I’m sorry. I don’t think I understand your question:

 

“Why is DC the only city I can find that has some universal standard regardless of the types of use of the areas being served. Im curious?”

 

Can you please clarify?

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin

 

From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2024 3:40 PM
To: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>
Cc: Sandra Reischel <sandrareischel@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the DC Government. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know that the content is safe. If you believe that this email is suspicious, please forward to phishing@dc.gov for additional analysis by OCTO Security Operations Center (SOC).

 

Including now. 

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

Will you please respond Mr. Harrison?

 

I'm including an elder who will be harmed.

 

Please respond.

 

Thank you.

 

Chris Otten

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com> wrote:

Why is DC the only city I can find that has some universal standard regardless of the types of use of the areas being served. Im curious?

 

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov> wrote:

Hi Mr. Otten,

 

WMATA’s Bus Stop Guidelines (page 5) recommend four to five stops per mile, which equals 1,060’ to 1,320’ between stops. I’ll also note that this standard is being rolled out across the District through the Bus Network Redesign as described here: https://betterbus.wmata.com/downloads/Bus%20Stop%20Consolidation%202024-05.pdf

 

I think this article provides a useful description of the geometry around stop spacing: https://humantransit.org/2010/11/san-francisco-a-rational-stop-spacing-plan.html

 

That basic geometry does not change with increased population density. It remains a balance areas of duplicative coverage (slow) with coverage gaps (fast). I know that many jurisdictions have different stop spacing standards for suburban and urban locations, but I think that is primarily to account for poorly connected street grids in suburban places where there is no reason to have a stop for very long stretches along Colesville Rd in MD or Wiehle Ave in VA for example.

 

One interesting anecdote is that I have been told, but cannot confirm is that the bus stops on Columbia Rd were established when the streetcar was operating there. During that time, the streetcar only had to be faster than walking to be an attractive option. Now that the city is larger and the travel environment has changed, it only makes sense to update the spacing.

 

Thank you,

 

Kevin

 

From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 12:07 PM
To: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>
Subject: Re: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the DC Government. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know that the content is safe. If you believe that this email is suspicious, please forward to phishing@dc.gov for additional analysis by OCTO Security Operations Center (SOC).

 

You don't often get email from crotten2@gmail.com. Learn why this is important

Mr  Harrison,

Thanks for this response

Plesae help ne understand how you derived a standard of:

 
1,060’ to 1,320’ between stops.

 

Where does this source from.

 

Alsodoes this standard change at all basedon the land use description of the area the bus maybe serving at any given time, i.e. a bus traversing a residential thruway versus a denser mixed use commercial area?

 

Thanks forhelp.

 

Chris

 

 

 

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov> wrote:

Hi Mr. Otten,

 

DDOT takes bus stop locations very seriously and recognizes that these new bus stop locations will be an inconvenience for some people. However, there will still be a bus stop within a block and a half of any location on Columbia Road and this relocation will reduce travel time and improve reliability for all bus riders.

 

National best practice and WMATA bus stop placement guidelines recommend four or five stops per mile (i.e., 1,060’ to 1,320’ between stops) for local bus service to balance easy access to bus stops with efficient service. The proposed bus stop rebalancing would increase average stop spacing from 760’ to 1,140’, which is a distance that optimizes access to bus stops and reduced bus travel times. These bus stop moves also support safety goals of the project by placing the stops near signalized intersections, which are easier for crossing the street, and at the far side of intersections to improve visibility for people riding bikes and reduce right-turn conflicts.

 

The image below shows the current and proposed location of bus stops on Columbia Road NW and the NOI contains more information about the relocations.

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin

 

 

From: Chris R. Otten <crotten2@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, July 1, 2024 6:53 PM
To: adamsmorgan@groups.io
Cc: Harrison, Kevin (DDOT) <Kevin.Harrison@dc.gov>
Subject: Capricious & Harmful Re: [adamsmorgan] On the Col Rd plan: Class of People Most Impacted

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the DC Government. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know that the content is safe. If you believe that this email is suspicious, please forward to phishing@dc.gov for additional analysis by OCTO Security Operations Center (SOC).

 

You don't often get email from crotten2@gmail.com. Learn why this is important

I'm hoping Mr. Harrison, who I've cc'd and have been looping in prior emails can weigh in here.

 

So Lance's issues aside, I agree that more bike (rollerblading) lanes are great if they are planned as part of an overall strategy to INCREASE multimodal access to get around our city safely.

 

To the point I was raised when starting out this thread: 

 

I simply cannot find nor fathom I will find any documentation or anyone who says decreasing bus access (i.e. eliminating bus stops) makes any sense especially along this busy commercial mixed use stretch of Adams Morgan. 

 

So while bike lanes benefit the public generally, what is harmful is eliminating bus stops while increasing growth/density (see 1617 U Street for example). This isn't so smart and hurts those pedestrians who rely on bus stop proximity.

 

I believe those who have bad feet, or a creeky back, or are using walkers or have any kind of disability whatsoever should be as prioritized as those able to ride bikes.

 

Instead, what we are witnessing is a DECREASE in bus service access (bus stops) that harms the class of people in our neighborhood that I describe above.

 

As the APA explains: “Despite good intentions, planners and architects tend to design for the mythical five-foot-10, 175-pound, nondisabled male.” https://www.planning.org/planning/2016/mar/designforeverybody/

 

This is especially troubling because the other great bus planning ideas of putting buses in their own lanes and having bus stops projected out and situated across intersections is already known to speed up the trips.  So then why eliminate access to those speedier bus trips especially for those who rely on that access now.

 

It seems wildly capricious and out of balance.

 

Chris O.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 1, 2024 at 6:11 PM jeffrey w comer via groups.io <comer.jeffrey=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Lance's argument is that bikes are toys that are better suited for weekends and bike trails. Bicycles are not part of the multimodal transportation model that is common in growing, thriving urban areas. He has said as much here multiple times. 

 

More generally, the take is that WABA — the cycling lobby — is severely criticised for lobbying for cyclists. I still can't figure that one!?!

 

It's not a convincing argument at all and given the number of cyclists I see on a daily basis, it's myopic. Moving people through the network, no matter the mode, and with a minimal carbon footprint, should be the priority. 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 17:13 Maria Felenyuk via groups.io <maria.felenyuk=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

Lance, 

 

What is your actual argument? All the bike lanes, except for one block in front of Safeway, already exist. Do you want DDOT to get rid of them? 

 

 And the official project name is Bus Priority AND Protected bike lanes. It's not a secret, and they aren't trying to sneak anything. 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 1, 2024 at 4:56 PM lance via groups.io <salonial=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:

A bus priority project that doesn’t prioritize buses but is used instead as an excuse to stealthily build more bike lanes isn’t a compromise.  It’s a sham.  

And you’re going to have to accept that because it’s a sham, we’re going to stop it like we stopped the shams on K Street and Connecticut Avenue.  You’re going to have to accept that you’re no longer going to get things just because you want them.  Spoiled child days are over. 

 

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