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November, 1998
The November luncheon meeting was held at the Nuuanu YMCA.
President Susan Uejo announced that the first ITE Golf tournament
is being planned for either late April of early May, 1998.
Member Jayson Imai gave a report about the technical presentation
on traffic loop detection held on November 6 by Phoenix Pacific
Incorporated. He indicated that this useful workshop provided
operational information and hands-on demonstration of detector/controller
functions.
OMPO representative Julian Ng submitted his report via e-mail.
He reported that:
- Mr. Goro Sulijoadikusumo spoke to the OMPO Citizen Advisory
Committee (CAC) about planning for ferry systems.
- The results of the TIP survey to which attendees to our
October meeting responded have been forwarded to the CAC
committee for inclusion in their deliberations.
- A meeting of the CAC Transportation Enhancement Evaluation
Panel was held on Thursday, November 12. Input was provided
based on the results of the ratings provided as part of
the survey which was done at ITE's last meeting.
- The next meeting of the CAC is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 at the Honolulu Municipal Building
(6th Floor). Joe Migaldi, DTS Deputy Director, will discuss
the results of Round 1 of the public participation process
related to Trans2K.
- Mr. Goro Sulijoadikusumo of the Hawaii DOT Statewide Transportation
Planning (STP) office was the featured speaker. He distributed
information relating to on-going activities to implement
a viable, self-sustaining Ferry System.
He explained that this effort is closely related to a renewed
emphasis on ehnancing the state's economy by strengthening
Hawaii's maritime industry.
A steering committee was convened by the Director of Transportation
in the Spring of 1997 that issued a report entiltled "Preliminary
Investigation of Ferry Systems" in December of the same
year. The 1998 State Legislature passed Act 221 which authorised
the DOT to pursue an intra-island ferry demonstration project
for Oahu. At the federal level, TEA-21 provides funding to
support ferry systems as well.
In response to these developments, the DOT established an
interagency Task Force under the direction of STP to identify
the economic considerations for a viable ferry system on Oahu,
to identify opportunities to improve mobility and other issues
such as enviromental and community concerns. A request for
proposals was issued in July of this year seeking peak-period
commuter services by ferry between Barbers Point, the Airport
area and Middle Loch and downtown Honolulu. Park-and-ride
facilities at the leeward locations and special shuttle bus
collection/distribution services at both ends are part of
the system. Responses to the RFP are being evaluated. Mr.
Sulijoadikusumo described the 12-18 month demonstration as
an "operationa planning study" intended to provide
answers to relevant questions including service requirements,
marketing and off-peak commercial opportunities.
Beyond the Oahu demonstration study, the STP is looking toward
developing a Statewide Ferry System Master Plan that identifies
service requirements, administrative and regulatory structures
including public-private partnerships, as well as potential
funding sources. System implementation is the ultimate objective.
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October, 1998
President Susan Uejo announced that the section is cooperating
with the City and County of Honolulu to prepare an Engineers'
Week display. Clyde Shimizu and Keith Niiya are leading this
effort.
Mike Miyamoto is heading a committee to organize a golf tournament
next spring.
Julian Ng, our represesntative to the Citizen Advisory Committee
of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, distributed
a survey to be used for identifying regional transportation
and enhancement project priorities.
Fred Smoot of Phoenix Pacific, Inc. announced that a seminar
on in-ground loops and loop detectors has been scheduled for
November 6. Those who wish to attend should call him at 841-7617.
He will post additional details on the ITE web site.
The invited luncheon speaker was Abe Wong, FHWA Hawaii Division
Administrator. He introduced Sue Clecker, the recently appointed
Assistant Division Administrator who will take the lead role
in the area of planning.
Abe discussed the major provisions of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) the successor to
ISTEA. He explained that TEA-21 has a major impact in the
financial area but no dramatic change in program structure.
It provides $218 billion, or 40% above ISTEA's appropriation.
A special provision, known as the "minimum quarantee,"
ensures that no state receives less that 90.5% of their contributuin
to the Highway Trust Fund. Hawaii remains a donee state but
at a lower marginal rate than before.
Demonstration projects (now known as "high priority
projects") are included as part of each state's share.
Seven such projects amounting to $50.8 million are specified
for Hawaii. This allocation is apportioned equally to each
year covered by TEA-21 (1998-2003).
Safety is the area of top priority and includes an incentive
to states that enact a 0.08 blood alcohol limit. Hawaii has
already passed such a law and qualifies for a $700,000 reward.
Other areas covered by the law include research & technology,
planning, environment, ITS and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Conformance to the National ITS architecture and emerging
standards is required and design-build is permitted for projects
exceeding $50 million.
Finally, the conversion to the metric system is no longer
mandated.
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September, 1998
The meeting was held at the Nuuanu YMCA on September 22.
President Susan Uejo summarized the last two meetings of
the new executive board:
She reported that Clyde Shimizu, Technical Chair, is exploring
possibilities for next year's Engineers' Week display. Members
willing to help with this endeavor should contact him.
Clyde Shimizu and Julian Ng agreed to continue serving, respectively,
as our HCES and OMPO representatives.
The Board is exploring ways to encourage student participation
in ITE activities.
Vice President C. S. Papacostas has been selected to be the
Director of the Hawaii Technical Assistance Program (HLTAP)
at the University of Hawaii.
Costas described LTAP as an extension service/technology
transfer center sponsored by the State DOT and FHWA. He indicated
that it is one of 57 such centers (one in each state, one
in Puerto Rico and six addressing the needs of Indian Tribes).
He presented a brief history of federal participation in
roadbuilding technology transfer, beginning with the establishment
of the Ofice of Road Inquiry in 1896.
The national LTAP program was established in 1982 as a special
project funded as a "set aside" in FHWA's budget
request to the U. S. Congress. It was considerably stengthened
by the 1991 ISTEA, and has received continued support via
TEA21. Over the years it has established a large network of
local centers, partnerships with other entities (such as the
Office of Technology Applications, the National Highway Institute
and the National Technology Transfer Clearinghouse). It has
also entered into cooperative arrangements with organizations
such as the American Public Works Association, AASHTO, and
the National Association of County Engineers.
Each of the 57 LTAP centers is given considerable flexibility
(within general guidelines) to formulate its local agenda
to meet local needs and has access to a vast network of resource
centers.
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July, 1998
The annual meeting of the section was held on July 21, 1998
at the University of Hawaii.
Ms. Cheryl D. Soon, Director of Department of Transportation
Services, City and County of Honolulu, presented a comprehensive
picture of the City's vision for transportation within the
context of urban development.
Ms. Soon noted that the city's on-going revision of the its
development plans incorporates urban growth boundaries to
arrest sprawl, a thriving second city in Kapolei, and revitalization
of the urban core.
Major thrusts of what she characterized "rethinking
transportation" include:
- Traffic calming in residential neighborhoods
- Pedestrian and bicycle friendliness
- Re-examination of bus route systems including a hub-and-spoke
structure
- Application of intelligent transportation technology to
transit and highways
- Increased involvement of the public in identifying and
addressing problems
- Ms. Soon pointed out that a primary transportation corridor
study will shortly begin to examine incremental and affordable
options including an express bus or light rail service from
Pearlridge to the University of Hawaii at Manoa with supporting
feeder buses, the potential integration of ferry and bus
services and a general reduction in our dependence on automobiles.
Outgoing president Wayne Yoshioka thanked individually all
those who have served the section either as members of the
executive committee or as ITE representatives to organizations
such as OMPO and HCES.
Past presidents Julian Ng and Robert Miyasaki announced the
results of the election for next year's officers. Elected
were:
- Susan Uejo, President
- C. S. Papacostas, Vice President
- Pete Pascua, Secretary
- Terry Brothers, Treasurer
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May, 1998
President Wayne Yoshioka announced that ITE Secretary Ann
Cadavona has accepted a job in Southern California. He commented
that Ann has been the "spark plug" of the Section
and wished her well in her new position.
Julian Ng reported that the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization met last week.
Gordon Lum, OMPO Executive Director, discussed the relationship
between the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP) and the
Transportation Improvement Program. Two OMPO subcommittees
presented progress reports. The ORTP subcommittee's purpose
was to propose public involvement strategies for OMPO to consider
in its update of the ORTP. The TIP Review Subcommittee's purpose
was to identify ways to improve the TIP process.
Ms Jeanne Schultz, Marketing Manager of The Estate of James
Campbell, discussed the importance of good air transportation
system/services to Hawaii, especially to meet the global business
needs and to support the development of the City of Kapolei.
As Deputy Director of the Airports Division of the Hawaii
Department of Transportation from 1989 to 1994, Ms Schultz
had concentrated in three areas:
- Promoting new international routes to Hawaii
- Enhancing the efficiency of the Customs/Immigration procedures
- Integrating the operations of the Honolulu International
Airport with airports located on the other islands.
- In Hawaii the State Department of Transportation is overseeing
all airports in the state. The Airports Division belongs
to the Airport Operators Council
- International (AOCI) and the Lieutenant Governor's Office
is active in this area.
The establishment of international routes involves treaties
with other countries. Difficult negotiations involving several
federal departments, the airlines, the states, and the congressional
delegations result in what Ms Schultz described as "tenuous
connections." The various parties have different and
often conflicting objectives.
For example, the airlines are naturally interested in serving
high yield markets, where yield is measured as the ratio of
fare to passenger-miles of travel. At 61 cents/passenger-mile,
the New York City to Boston market shows the highest yield.
Typical business routes are at 38 cents/passenger-mile, whereas
leisure routes nationwide ehxibit a yield of 9 cents/passenger-mile.
Due to its geographic isolation, Hawaii's maximum yield is
around 7 cents/passenger-mile. Ms Schultz identified several
ways to ehnance this performance and thus increase Hawaii's
attractiveness to the airlines:
- Increase the demand for business class seats by attracting
new business, particularly taking advantage of Hawaii's
location with respect to communication satellites and fiber
optic cable connections
- Ensure a substantial and continuous air cargo market based
on diversified agriculture
- Encourage the involvement of the private sector to support
of Hawaii's vital air links to the rest of the world.
- Ms Schultz distributed a copy of "Kapolei: Hawaii's
New Business Address" to illustrate that plans for
the Second City are both consistent and interrelated with
these objectives.
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April, 1998
The section met at the Nuuanu YMCA on April 21.
Julian Ng reported that the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization met three times
since January. The main issue was the preparation of the Transportation
Improvement Plan. A presentation of the State's Congestion
Management System (CMS) that is currently under development
was made by Ted Kawashigashi of Austin Tsutsumi Associates.
Clyde Shimizu reported that the Hawaii Council of Engineering
Societies has decided to keep membership fees at current levels.
Pericles Manthos, the new Administrator of the HDOT Highways
Division was the featured speaker. In a free-flowing and stimulating
talk, he described a philosophical change from process to
product orientation. Other elements include functional reorganization,
a project team approach to scoping through implementation,
design that incorporates maintenance considerations, enhancement
of staff experise and training, a balance between in-house
and consultant services, and early involvement of the public
in project-related activities.
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March, 1998
On March 17, the section visited the H-3 Control Center. Blaine
Kawamura, engineer in charge, led a tour of the facility.
In addition to state-of-practice traffic surveillance and
control, the center monitors pollution concentrations within
the one-mile tunnel and coordinates with emergency-response
agencies within the state and county.
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January, 1998
The section met on January 20, 1998 at the Nuuanu YMCA in
Honolulu.
Clyde Shimizu, our new representative on the Hawaii Council
of Engineering Societies (HCES) reported that the major upcoming
activity is the Engineers Week which culminates with the Annual
Banquet on Friday, February 27, 1998. Additional information
will appear in the Wiliki o Hawai'i.
Julian Ng, ITE's representative on the OMPO Citizen Advisory
Committee, reported that the city and state agencies will
respond the the CAC Transportation Improvement Program recommendations
on January 21. The CAC is forming a subcommittee charged with
public involvement in the upcoming update of the Oahu Regional
Transportation Plan.
President Wayne Yoshioka encouraged members to join one of
three committee's established in response to a survey of the
ITE membership. The three committees are Newsletter, Technical,
and Governement/Legislative committee. He also announced that
the 6th Edition of the Trip Generation Manual is available
and that the 1998 National Conference is scheduled for March
1-4, 1998 in Monterey, California.
The main speaker for the day was Jan Yokoto, Acting Executive
Director, Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA). She
discussed the current development and transportation related
issues in the Kakaako/Waterfront area.
Ms. Yokoto explained that the Kakaako district covers about
700 acres. In terms of zoning and development permits, the
HCDA supersedes the City and County of Honolulu. However,
there is strong interest in cooperative involvement. The HCDA
is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the state
direstors of Transportation; Budget and Finance; Department
of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; and Department
of Accounting and General Services. Additional members include
three recommended by the City Council and appointed by the
Governor and four appointed directly by the Governor.
The Kakaako redevelopment district is divided by Ala Moana
Boulevard into Kakaako Mauka and Kakaako Makai. The HCDA owns
little land in Kakaako Mauka and ecourages mixed use/mixed
income development. By contrast, the Authority owns considerable
acreage and is the leasing agency in Kakaako Makai which emphasizes
waterfront development, passive parks and public amenities.
The initial plans, drawn 20 years ago, called for a 45-foot
podium emphasizing pedestrian circulation connecting super
buildings at that level. However, this has been toned down.
The pedestrian emphasis is still prevalent, but at ground
level. This pedestrian orientation guides planning of transportation
and other infrastructure.
The HCDA is providing infrastructure improvements to attract
appropriate development from the private sector.
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