Metro and DDOT to Host Public Meetings on Neighborhood Circulation Study

WMATA issued a news release today indicating that they and DDOT will be hosting public meetings to discuss the connectivity of DC neighborhoods to public transit. The neighborhood circulation study is particularly aimed at public transit service offered in the means of bus service, which seems like a nice stepping off point, though we'd like to see the discussion expanded to areas underserved by metro as well. No mention of other means of transit, such as the streetcar service pending for parts of Anacostia and H Street, NE. The full release follows (click on 'Read More!')

Metro and DDOT host public meetings on Neighborhood Circulation Study
Residents encouraged to participate in effort to improve transit connections in the District of Columbia

Metro and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) are asking residents to help enhance bus service in their neighborhoods. Metro and DDOT are conducting a comprehensive Neighborhood Circulation Study to ensure all District neighborhoods have the proper surface transit service to support mobility and accessibility.

The DC Neighborhood Circulation Study has four primary goals:

· To identify current deficiencies in neighborhood transit connectivity
· To improve local bus services to enhance neighborhood circulation and connectivity
· To identify new neighborhood services that will enhance circulation and connectivity
· To complement the long-range growth of the transit system in the District of Columbia

Metro and DDOT understand residents are critical to the success of the study and want to hear from you at one of the four public meetings scheduled this month.

Meeting Information:

What: Neighborhood Circulation Study Public Meeting
When: Wednesday, September 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Mary’s Center, 2333 Ontario Road, NW

What: Neighborhood Circulation Study Public Meeting
When: Thursday, September 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Southeast Hospital, 1310 Southern Avenue, SE

What: Neighborhood Circulation Study Public Meeting
When: Tuesday, September 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Trinidad Recreation Center, 1310 Childress Street, NE

What: Neighborhood Circulation Study Public Meeting
When: Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Hughes Memorial Church, 25 53rd Street, NE

Meeting locations are accessible. Anyone with special needs or need of translation services is asked to call the project hotline at 202-561-3700 or visit www.dcgetinvolved.com/circulationstudy.

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IN : Public Transport

In today's urban world, you cannot travel throughout the city's boundaries without encountering some pitch for going "green". What better way to contribute to this hip new movement of the moment, and hopefully a movement for the rest of today and the future, than to hop on the readily available mode of public transport nearest you? Finally, Washington has begun to take hints that it's means of public transport are shabby, outdated, and unfriendly to the sophisticated urbanite with sensitive taste buds for the world of design. New buses are on the streets with engines that minimize pollution and are even baring new elements of well executed design, such as more ergonomic interiors as well as more aerodynamic and up-to-date exterior detailing. Then there is the MetroRail system. At it's inception, the newly constructed stations, both exterior and interior flaunted high modernist expressions of the time. The cast concrete formworks underground have a unique and energized texture, and play with light and shadow. The cylandroid forms scream sleek, fast, and chic transportation. The Metro cars themselves also showcased shiny metal frames, housing trendy (for the time) interior finishes and color schemes. The burnt orange to chocolate brown range of color added a unique consistency to the interior design schemes. The colors may have been a bit trendy and later viewed as dismal and drab, but at LEAST they were consistent and period. Recently, the Metro cars have been updated and repaired. The orange/brown carpets have been replaced by a deep red colored carpet. I never understood the use of carpet in the Metro in the first place, let alone replacing the existing with a color that isn't even close to compatible with the original color scheme. I applaud the proposed new design to utilize a synthetic rubberized flooring in the color medium grey. Anything is better than carpet, especially carpet that doesn't match. Random seats have also been replaced with dark red and a pale blue/grey vinyl material. The orange wasn't exactly pleasant, but mixing in the worst red and blue shades possible to it just added to the offensiveness of the interior design. If in any way the colors of red, white, and blue in the new design were purposefully intended to represent the nation's capital, it failed miserably. People who take the Metro are doing so for varied reasons, ease of travel, urban convenience, or as an adventure for out of town visitors, and should be exposed to a vibrant, consistently designed, and informative experience. Metro is experimenting with various new options regarding accommodation, but they should also experiment with a cost effective way to design a consistent and exciting palate for the citizens of the 21st century. The current trainwreck of an interior has so many possibilities and potential to make DC proud. Photos courtesy WMATA
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