ICCPb I\ Vol. 4 No.1 i Winter 1997 Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Planning ADMINISTIMT0R'SN01'ES I Happy New Year! As this is the first issue of OnTarget that we will publish in 1997, I want to share with you some reflections on the past year; and some exciting things the Office of Planning will be doing in the coming year. I would also like to thank my staff for another outstanding year. This past year has been productive, and often hectic. We have worked hard every day to surpass our goals. Many initiatives have been accomplished this year: the Department's Bicycle Plan, the Appalachian Scenic Corridor Study, and the GRIP survey. Local governments and sponsors have worked together closely to successfully administer a massive amount of TEA projects. A successful teleworking program has been initiated. Additionally, everyone helped make the Olympic Games a success through a tremendous amount of preparation and teamwork. Moreover, the Department has studied the reauthorization of ISTEA, and is prepared for the new year. In 1997, we will carry out plans, make recommendations, and study issues while taking on new challenges. Working closely with other STEP 21 states to ensure an equitable and fair distribution of transportation funds, a new Transportation Bill will be ushered in. Moving with the rapid pace of technological advances in planning, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) will help evaluate and display data more concisely than ever before, and a computerized multimodal planning tool will assist in planning for rural and smaller urban areas. This new year will see many more exciting projects, and we will continue to bring them to you through OnTarget, both in the mail and on the world wide web. Our newsletter cannot begin to cover all the work the people of this office accomplish during the year, but can only serve to touch on some projects. We have all worked very hard this past year, and there is no doubt that 1997 will be just as exciting and busy. Through the diligence of the Department and its many partners, we will make sustainable transportation for Georgians the safest and most efficient in the Nation. Thanks to all of you who partner with us in our many endeavors, we'll have a great year! T. Dunagan GUEST AUTHOR: SUSAN KIDD OF GEORGIA SCENIC BYWAYS From the Sea Islands to the Chattahoochee National Forest, from small-town main streets to Atlanta's skyline, Georgia is home to a remarkable scenic heritage woven together by an extensive system of roads and highways. Under the new Georgia Scenic Byways initiative, the state has the opportunity to conserve a legacy of treasured places in a way that enhances economic development. The Georgia Scenic Byways Project is an important public-private collaboration among the Georgia DOT, Scenic America, and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Funded by a private foundation for three years, the project will establish a series of scenic byways across the state and will implement plans for long-term conservation and economic development. The collaboration brings together important resources to assist the Georgia DOT, which has primary responsibility for developing the program and for continuing it after the collaboration ends. Scenic America, headquartered in Washington, D.C., contributes in-depth experience in developing state scenic byways programs. The Georgia Trust brings its expertise in advancing statewide historic preservation projects, and in creating effective educational programs. Currently, with input from a 45-member Advisory Committee, the collaborators are developing basic Page 2 materials on byway designation and the process for application. We have already heard from more than a dozen communities that are interested in scenic byway designation. We expect to hear from many more as we finalize the application process and get the word out to the public. Based on local interest and initiative, the project hopes to choose four roads for intensive planning assistance. The project goal is for at least three roads to be designated as Georgia Scenic Byways and one as a National Scenic Byway by December 1998. One nomination for designation has already been submitted by a group of volunteers from Coweta, Harris, Meriwether, and Troup Counties who have worked for several years to make the ChattahoocheeFlint Heritage Highway a reality. For information on pursuin~ a scenic byway in your community, or to learn more about the Georgia Scenic Byways program, please contact Susan Kidd at (404) 885-7817. S.Kidd IGEQRGIA.~. IN1'ERNA:I11()N~~EI The Office of Planning will be taking part in a multi-state study that includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. The study will evaluate the southeastern region's prospects for international trade with South America. This coalition of states will select a consultant to study trade opportunities with other nations, placing special emphasis on the growing economies of Latin America. Transportation, economic growth, and infrastructure investment are closely linked, and the southeastern region is strategically located to benefit from the expanding economies south-of-the-border. South America has experienced aggressive growth over the last decade: between the U.S. and our southern neighbors, we have had trade of over $200 billion, about 15.1 percent of all U.S. foreign trade. South America's market represents 700 million people with a total import trade volume exceeding $1.7 trillion. Strategic investments in transportation infrastructure to support trade will give southeastern states an edge in the expanding South American market. There are also opportunities for making innovative investments in intermodal facilities. Scenarios that will be considered include leveraging public funds with private investments, forming public/private partnerships, developing privatization concepts, and global financing opportunities. For more information on this study, please contact Marta Rosen at (404) 651-7603 (e-mail: rosen_m @dot.state.ga.us). M. Rosen GOVERNOR'S ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: SURVEY COMPLETE The relationship between the Governor's Road Improvement Program (GRIP) and economic development in Georgia has been the subject of considerable discussion. Transportation is a necessary component of economic development. The Governor's Road Improvement Program was enacted by the Georgia Legislature in the 1980s to expand economic development opportunities in rural Georgia. The GRIP system will place 98 percent of Georgia's population within 20 miles of a multi-lane highway. The Office of Planning conducted a survey to gather information on economic opportunities related to transportation access. The survey was conducted in cooperation with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and in consultation with the Georgia Municipal Association. Planning sent forms to County Commissioners and Chambers of Commerce requesting information on the impact of the GRIP program from 1990 to the present. Survey questions targeted the GRIP's impact in attracting new businesses, expanding existing businesses, and on the cost of lost opportunity due to the lack of transportation access. Survey responses from 50 counties were received. Reporting counties attributed a total of 166 new businesses and 9,573 new jobs to the development of the GRIP program. The majority, 61 percent, of the new jobs reported were in manufacturing. The largest portion of new businesses, 34 percent, were in retail trade. In addition, the respondents attributed 71 business expansions and 4,439 additional new jobs to the GRIP program. The economic impact from new jobs was calculated using data obtained from the Georgia Department of Labor's Georgia Employment and Wages Averages. Based on survey reports, a direct economic impact of $284 million in annual personal income is attributable to the GRIP program. Survey responses indicate the GRIP program has resulted in positive economic development for rural Georgia counties. The public investment in the GRIP system has helped to create jobs and expand the economic base of rural Georgia. For more information on the GRIP survey, please contact Adelee LeGrand-Smith at (404) 657-6695 (e-mail: adelee.legrand-smith@dot.state.ga.us). A. LeGrand-Smith I rELEW0RKINGampORTC():M!'i.ETEIIl Chaired by the Office of Planning, the Teleworking Research Team made its final report to the Georgia DOT's Quality Council in December of 1996. The report is a result of a two-year effort initiated by Planning to develop a pilot teleworking program for the entire Georgia DOT. The team recently conducted a survey of employees who have taken part in the pilot program, and have participated in an Olympic teleworking program. The team received many positive comments from pilot teleworkers, who reported productivity increases of 10 to 25 percent as a result of decreased distractions and interruptions. The team, with assistance from a consultant, has developed a training course that will use the materials developed in the pilot program. The course will be taught by the Georgia DOT's Training Office. The team has also developed a teleworking manual that provides forms and guidance for employees and their supervisors. The Georgia DOT's teleworking manual has been sent to other state agencies that have offices located in Metro Atlanta to help them develop their own programs. The Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources has used the Georgia DOT's program as a model for their own teleworking program. Page 3 If you have any questions about the Georgia DOT's Teleworking Research Team, please contact Bob Moore at (404) 657-6689 (e-mail: moore_b@dot.state.ga.us). B. Moore BALDWIN COUNTY PLANNING STUDY AND VALDOSTA TO MADISON, FLORIDA CORRIDOR STUDY The Office of Planning recently completed a countywide, multimodal transportation needs analysis study for Baldwin County. This study was conducted by the consulting firm of Day Wilburn Associates, Inc. The study evaluated the present Baldwin County transportation system, identified system deficiencies, and recommended potential improvements. The consulting firm collected data from many sources, including Baldwin County and the Georgia DOT. Interviews were conducted with local officials and citizens. Additionally, two public information meetings were held to gather public input. From an analysis of existing and projected travel conditions, both current and future transportation deficiencies were identified. All modes of transportation were evaluated---including rail, public transit, bicycle, air, and roadways. Based on the identified deficiencies, recommendations were made for immediate, mid-range, and long-range improvements. In addition, the Office of Planning is participating in a joint corridor study with the Florida Department of Transportation. This study was initiated by the Florida DOT, and includes the GA 31 and FL 145 corridors from Valdosta, Georgia to Madison, Florida. This study has centered around public involvement: a total of six public information meetings have been held at various stages of the study. If you would like further information about these studies, please contact Cindy VanDyke at (404) 6576696 (e-mail: vandyke_c@dot.state.ga.us). C. Vandyke Page 4 TEA CONTRACTS EXECUTED TillS QUARTER OnTarget is a quarterly publication of the Georgia Department of Transportation, Office of Planning, No.2 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 (404) 656-5411 Visit our website at: www.dot.state.ga.uslhomeoffs/planning.www/ planning/planhome.htm OnTarget is now available on the Web at the above URL. II. II. STIP UPDATE The update of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, and 2000 is underway. A video teleconference will be held on April 1, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In Atlanta, the conference will be located at the Twin Towers Building, 200 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, 30334 in room 1514 (in the West tower). The statewide sites have not yet been finalized, however, those interested in attending may phone the district representative for your area, listed below, or call Cindy Vandyke at (404) 657-6696 or Stacey Saha at (404) 657-6911 for more information. Doug Williams (Gainesville) (770) 532-5530 Deborah Pennington (Tennille) (912) 552-4631 Lewis Walker (Thomaston) (706) 647-1070 Larry Gunn (Tifton) (912) 386-3043 Zoe Hardenbrook (Jesup) (912) 427-5865 Andy Rikard (Cartersville) (770) 387-3620 Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Planning No.2 Capitol Square, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30334