Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions

Freight Advisory Committee (FAC)

Freight and Land Use: Making the Connection

December 15, 2010Ms. Teresa Brewer, Freight Mobility Coordinator

I. What is AMATS & the FAC?II. How does the FAC integrate

freight/transportation planning into land use?

III. FAC activitiesIV. Questions?

FAC is an advisory committee to AMATS. Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions is as a multiagency team that works together to plan and fund the transportation system in the Anchorage Bowl and Chugiak/Eagle River areas when federal funds are being used.

•PLANS Anchorage’s long-term transportation system needs for all modes of transportation. 

•FUNDS implementation of the planning phases for long-term needs, by prioritizing projects and products through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

•COORDINATES with the federal, state and local agencies that have a role and responsibility for transportation planning and development, including environmental concerns.

•AGENCIES – MOA, State DOTs (Design, Traffic, Planning), FHWA

What is AMATS?

The Freight Advisory Committee comprises 11 representatives from the freight industry and public agencies, including:•Alaska Trucking Association•Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport•Alaska Railroad•Ground & Air Carriers/Shippers•Big Box Retail•ADOT&PF Commercial Vehicle Enforcement•Port of Anchorage•University of Alaska Anchorage Transportation Center•Other Agencies, including ADOT&PF, FHWA

Who is FAC?

FEDs REQUIRE…The 2025 Anchorage Long-Range Transportation Plan recommended the establishment of a Freight Advisory Committee to discuss local freight needs and potential improvements to the road network.

•Between 80% and 90% of all of Alaska’s freight moves through Anchorage via the Port of Anchorage & the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

•Freight needs safe and easy access to retail, commercial, and industrial sites throughout the Municipality of Anchorage and the region.

•Need to develop a multimodal transportation system to provide safe, cost-effective, and energy-efficient accessibility and mobility for freight.

• Need to establish statewide strategic priorities for transportation system development funding.

Why FAC?

•Freight is forecasted to double by 2020.

•Future freight requirements & transportation infrastructure needs must be addressed now to adequately plan for natural resource development projects, such as the natural gas pipeline.

•Transportation policy, design standards, & operation issues affect freight distribution and land uses.

Why FAC?

2025 Forecasted Average Daily Traffic

Most congested areas

•Freight Study for AMATS; Problem Intersections Area Survey (UAA)

–Phase I: Identify problem intersections and areas through stakeholder survey–Phase II: Recommendation, prioritization and tracking of projects to resolve problem areas–Phase III: Development of real time website

FAC Activities

•GPS Installation in Freight Trucks

–Real-Time Freight Tracking using GPS and Cellular Transceivers for Transportation and Community Planning. This project has been selected as a technology showcase for the American Planning Association’s 2011 National Planning Conference. Thanks to the Dr. Jeffery Miller, University of Alaska, Anchorage and the Alaska Trucking Association this project is moving forward.

FAC Activities

•Tractor/Trailer Computer Simulation Training & Forum (Carlile Transportation Systems)

– Federal, State, and Local agencies, engineers, transportation planners, drivers and industry experts

FAC Activities

•Road Project & Site Plan Review–Big Box Retail Expansion – Freight Access– Road Design, Signal Timing

•Proposed Roundabouts at International Airport Way•Port Access (Port Tour, Stimulus Application)•Improved Signal Timing

– Glenn Hwy/Muldoon Exchange •Oversized Freight unable to navigate median-

FAC Activities

FAC Activities

ProjectsIssue: Limited freight capacity at 3rd Ave.Project: Improved capacity; restriped 4-lane to 3-lane facility.

Issue: Limited capacity through to O’Malley/Seward/Old Seward Hwy. Project: C St. Extension to O’Malley Road. New 4-lane link; improved freight flow & capacity.

Issue: Limited freight movement and access.Project: Minnesota/C St. Interchange. New interchange; improved circulation, access, & freight movement.

Past Freight Success

Future Freight Improvement ProjectsH2H (Highway to Highway): This project will build the Glenn-Seward connection & provide critical links in support of state, regional, & local economies.

Traffic Signal Timing: The Municipality of Anchorage Signals Division is currently undertaking a system-wide signal time update for more than 268 traffic signals.

Moving Ahead

Questions?

Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation SolutionsFreight Advisory Committee (FAC)

Teresa Brewer, Freight Mobility Coordinator907-343-7994BrewerTM@muni.org

Photo Courtesy:

David Blazejewski, Alaska Railroad