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November, 1996
Mr. Abe Wong, Director, and Mr. Ray McCormick, Assistant Director
of the Hawaii Division of the Federal Highway Administration
presented the structure, programs, and direction of the agency
at the November 13 luncheon. There is an increased emphasis
on intermodalism, intelligent transportation systems and attention
to stakeholders as enunciated by the Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act of 1991. The Act is up for reauthorization
in 1997. "Tune, not toss," is what Mr. Wong predicted
to be the fate of ISTEA.
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September, 1996
A luncheon meeting was held on Tuesday, September 10, 1996
at the Nuuanu YMCA in Honolulu.
President Julian Ng announced that Mr. Robert Miyasaki will
serve as our representative on the Citizen Advisory Committee
(CAC) of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Ms. Ann Luong Cadavona will represent ITE on the Hawaii Council
of Engineering Societies (HCES) which publishes the Wiliki
o Hawaii. Members not receiving this publication should call
Ann at 587-2015.
Mr. Hugh Ono, Chief of Highways Division, Hawaii DOT, was
the featured speaker. He discussed the current directions
of the Division and the status of major projects. Mr. Ono
stated that DOT is emphasizing customer service and quality,
and early planning of projects included in the long range
plan.
He was pleased with the success and the public's reaction
to short closures of H-1 (at night) and Likelike Highway (on
a Sunday) to expedite maintenance activities.
Other items discussed included the following:
- The H-3 project is on schedule for completion in May 1997.
- An HOV lane employing movable barriers is expected to
be opened to buses and carpools carrying 3 or more passengers
in 1997.
- Austin Tsutsumi and HNTB have been selected as consultants
in the area of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
- Finally, as a member of the national committee on the
engineering license examination, he asked for volunteers
to help prepare problems in the areas of traffic operations
and analysis.
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June, 1996
New Officers
Past Directors Robert Miyasaki and C. S. Papacostas announced
the results of the elections for next year's officers. Congratulations
to:
President Julian Ng, Julian Ng, Inc.
Vice President Wayne Y. Yoshioka, Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Secretary Susan Uejo, Austin Tsutsumi Associates.
Treasurer Ann Luong Cadavona, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization
Modern Roundabouts
Mr. Peter Doctors, Ourston & Doctors, Santa Barbara,
Ca discussed the topic of Modern Roundabouts. According to
Mr. Doctors, the modern roundabout is a form of intersection
that provides both high capacity and safety, while not requiring
traffic signals. The modern roundabout is similar to America's
old traffic circles, but its geometry and traffic regulation
are considerably different. Modern roundabouts have been used
for four decades in the United Kingdom and more recently in
other countries. A dozen or so modern roundabouts have been
built in the United States in the last six years and many
more are planned for construction.
He suggested that Hawaii is an appropriate place to introduce
this technology: Because roundabouts provide high capacity
where it is needed, at the intersection, they will in many
cases reduce traffic congestion without widening between intersections,
thus protecting Hawaii's natural roadside beauty while enhancing
intersection beauty as well.
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May, 1996
Mr. Howard Takara, Acting Executive Director of the Honolulu
Public Transit Authority, was the featured speaker at the
Section's May 21 meeting. Mr Takara explained that the HPTA
is a semi-autonomous entity, established in 1991 by city ordinance,
following a charter amendment approved by the voters.
The HPTA has a 7-member Board of Directors nominated by the
Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. It is responsible
for operating Honolulu's bus system (TheBus) and Handi-Van
(a special service for elderly and handicapped persons.
The bus system was taken over by the city from the Honolulu
Rapid Transit (HRT) Company in 1971, following a labor strike.
The Handi-Van was established originally as a pilot program
in 1977. Operation of the two systems is contracted out to
Oahu Transit Services and Mayflower Contract Services respectively.
In 1995, TheBus carried over 80 million passengers, whereas
the Handi-Van served 680,000 patrons. TheBus fleet consists
of 525 buses and Handi-Van operates 92 vehicles. Current plans
call for fleet expansion to 650 buses (with 150 articulated
vehicles) and 125 vans. In 1995 TheBus was recognized by the
American Public Transit Association (APTA) as the best transit
system of its size class.
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March, 1996
The section met at the Nuuanu YMCA on March 19. Mr. Randall
Okaneku, Principal of The Traffic Management Consultant informed
the members about the planned traffic management and control
measures included in the EIS for the Honolulu Convention Center,
now under construction.
Mr. Okaneku indicated that the Convention Center Manager
is expected to use a Transportation Coordinator who will be
responsible for tailoring traffic management plans to suit
the needs of individual meetings. Among the possible measures
listed are off-site parking, shuttle buses, and coning of
Atkinson and Kapiolani.
For some of these measures, the transportation coordinator
would have to obtain street-use permits from the City's Deparment
of Transportation Services.
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January, 1996
The Section met at the City and County Planning Department
on January 16. Ms Cheryl Soon, Planning Director, discussed
the on-going revision of the Ewa and Central Oahu Development
Plans (DPs). For planning purposes, the island of Oahu is
divided into eight DP areas. A major innovation for Oahu was
the explicit definition of urban growth boundaries. Both plans
identify Priority Agricultural Lands to support diversified
agriculture, and provide for a network of green spaces.
The Ewa area has been designated as a secondary urban center,
intended to reduce urbanization pressures in the rural areas
of the island. Concentated primary employment activities are
planned along with a wide mixture of housing units with an
eye on a self-contained community respecting the principles
of open space and neo-traditional planning. The Planning Department
has identified needed transportation system elements, beyond
those included in the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP).
It has also exlicitly considered a transit corridor preservation.
Important issues involve the provision of privately and publicly
funded infrastructure and the availability of water.
The Central Oahu Plan emphasizes employment in existing commercial/industrial
areas, residential growth, and localized commercial areas.
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