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  Arlington, VA 22203

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Completed NVTC Research 

Two of NVTC's continuing goals are to work closely with area transit providers to coordinate public transit in the region and to support a coordinated regional effort to improve air quality, conserve energy, and integrate land use and transportation. In order to further these goals, the commission advocates innovations in transportation. From alternative fuels to an integrated regional smartcard based fare system, NVTC is continuously looking for new solutions to improve the transportation system in Northern Virginia. The following links provide opportunities for transportation research related to NVTC's mission.

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NVTC Document Archive

Bibliography of NVTC Studies (This links to a complete list of studies).  As we add the complete file for each study, they will appear below in chronological order from newest to oldest.

Note: Please keep in mind that many of these PDFs are large files and may take a short time to open.  
Please be patient.

  • Project Report- SmarTrip Regional Rollout, NVTC (February, 2007)
    This is an interim report on lessons learned from implementing smart card technology as NVTC managed the acquisition of 484 new fareboxes for Northern Virginia’s local bus systems.  The report was prepared at the request of the Federal Transit Administration.  It contains a history of the project which dates to 1997.  Eventually over $6 million in state and federal grant funds were obtained by NVTC.  Among the lessons from the complex project were: smaller transit systems may not have the resources to operate a full-fledged, smart card-based fare collection system without a larger, regional partner; also, in a regional network total independence is impossible and all must adhere to some common policies to ensure that the regional system isn’t compromised.
  • Coordinating Transportation Solutions in Northern Virginia- Best Practices and Lessons Learned, NVTC (September, 2006)
    In a PowerPoint presentation to a visiting delegation of elected officials from Gwinnett County, Georgia, the complex institutional architecture of the Washington Metropolitan region is described.  Commuting issues are discussed (congestion causes and cures).  Public transit’s success story is illustrated.  Funding issues are explained and solutions are offered.

  • Analysis of AM Peak Period Travel in Northern Virginia, MWCOG for VDOT/NVTC (June, 2006)
    Using a new methodology including detailed transit ridership counts compiled by NVTC, MWCOG completed its annual traffic counts for VDOT in September, 2005 at a screenline on I-66 inside the Beltway.  More than six out of 10 travelers are using transit or other multiple occupant vehicles.  MWCOG/VDOT/NVTC are continuing to use the new methods, having completed a count in September, 2006 at a screenline at Glebe Road on I-395 inside the Beltway and planning for another corridor outside the Beltway for September, 2007.
  • TransAction 2030 Update - April 20, 2006
    TransAction 2030, sponsored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, is a regional transportation planning effort to update Northern Virginia’s long range transportation plan.
  • Meeting the Transportation Needs of Northern Virginia's Seniors- Recommendations for Public Transit Systems and other Mobility Providers, WB&A Market Research and KFH Group (March 24, 2006)
    More than 1,600 residents age 75 and above were interviewed and additional focus group sessions were conducted.  Recommendations to encourage seniors’ use of public transit include: centralized information and referral services, travel training, low floor buses and new routes.  For seniors in need of supplemental services: volunteer services, taxi subsidies.  To increase travel options through improvements to the built environment: transit-oriented, mixed-use development; pedestrian-friendly streets.  By 2030, the number of Northern Virginia residents age 65 and older will double to one in seven.  Most growth will occur in suburban/ex urban areas that are currently not well served by public transit.  Seniors living in urban/town communities are more likely to go out than those living elsewhere and more likely to use transit or walk
  •  
  • The Case for Increased Funding of Public Transportation in Northern Virginia, NVTC (December, 2005)
    This report, in PowerPoint format, compiles current data on transit ridership, needs and sources and uses of revenues.  It illustrates that transit riders and local governments shoulder a staggering funding burden while state and federal governments need to do more.  It argues for dedicated funding for WMATA.  It also reports survey data on transit’s popularity.  It documents congestion savings per transit trip of $5.33, air quality improvement valued at $3.68 per trip, fuel savings of $1.05 per trip and induced economic activity of $6.98 per trip.  NVTC’s per job state tax total is 65 percent greater than the average in other areas of the state.  In Northern Virginia, local sources (general funds, fares, NVTC/PRTC gas tax) covered 65% of almost $500 million annual transit costs compared to only 36% in the rest of the state.

     
  • Falls Church Bus Final Project Evaluation - September 2, 2005 (PDF)
    The Falls Church bus project is a demonstration in which NVTC, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and the city of Falls Church are cooperating to reduce automobile vehicle miles and trips, cut pollution emissions, improve mobility and boost Metrorail ridership. The project uses exhaust gas recirculation filters for low-sulfur diesel-fueled 30-foot busses to cut emissions substantially, compared to conventional diesel buses. To learn more about alternative fuel technologies, visit the United States Office of Transportation Technologies web site.
  • Falls Church Bus Project- Final Project Evaluation, NVTC (July, 2005)
    NVTC began a demonstration project of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly neighborhood bus service in Falls Church, Virginia, with organizational meetings in February, 1997.  Two false starts followed as vendors of hybrid-electric small bus technology failed to perform as promised.  Service eventually began in January, 2003 on a system christened GEORGE using more conventional diesel propulsion but testing new exhaust gas recirculation filters.  By April, 2005, Falls Church assumed financial responsibility for GEORGE and continues to contract with WMATA to operate the service.  The report includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of the exhaust filters in reducing emissions.  Other technologies tested include: automated passenger counters, automated voice enunciators, electronic display signs and automated vehicle monitoring and maintenance systems.

  • Background and Recommendations for Improved Telework Policies in the Commonwealth of Virginia - July 20, 2005 (PDF)
    NVTC has agreed on 10 prioritized telework recommendations, which it is submitting to Pierce Homer, Secretary of Transportation of Virginia, for his further consideration.  The recommendations are listed in the last section of this report.  
  • Annual Fiscal Year Transit Performance Reports, NVTC (2003- Present)
     
    Each year NVTC staff compiles data and publishes the results on the commission’s website from eight regional and local rail and bus systems serving Northern Virginia. Tables and charts are updated showing such performance measures as ridership, vehicle and passenger-miles and on-time performance. The data are primarily from reports submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for the National Transit Database. Annual ridership is generally available each November for the fiscal year ending June 30th. Average weekday ridership and other measures are usually available in the following January.
  • Measuring the Effectiveness of Free Bus Fares on Forecast Code Red Ozone Alert Days (PDF) (12/2003)
    This report shows the performance of free bus fares in attracting riders to transit on forecast air quality code red days.  A telephone survey showed relatively little impact and spotty ridership reporting by some transit systems make estimates of cost effectiveness (measured by reduced air pollution) very low for the early years of the program.  For the last two years, however, sharp improvements were reported.  A lack of forecast code red days in Summer, 2003 prevented the planned on-board surveys from being conducted.  They will be administered in Summer, 2004 with the resulted presented in a final report in December, 2004.
  • Performance of Transit ITS in Northern Virginia (PDF) (12/2003)
    The study was designed to document the results of transit technology projects and to develop a process to continually monitor performance of such projects.  Interviews were conducted with project managers and a customer survey was performed (14,000 surveys, 2,300 responses fro a 16 percent response rate).  On-time arrival was the most highly rated purpose (71 percent), with SmarTrip fair payment the most highly rated ITS application.  Criteria were proposed for NVTC to maintain a web based ITS performance evaluation database. 
  • Northern Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/2003)
    What was originally a transportation services coordination plan is now a comprehensive document full of transportation facts and information.  This year's document is the eighteenth version of the Annual Update and continues the tradition of providing information on the most important transportation and transit stories of the last year.

  • Northern Virginia Transit Funding Resource Guide (PDF) (8/2003)
    This resource guide describes the many sources of funds available to sponsors of transit projects at various levels of government and in the private sector.  The table of contents can serve as a checklist of alternative components of financial plans.  For many of the program funding sources, amounts of funds available are listed in the text, together with contacts (program administrators, web sites).  This report is meant to provide citizens and project planners a seismic map for mining for transit capital project gold.
  • Northern Virginia Transit Funding Resource Guide (PDF) (10/2001)
    This resource guide describes the many sources of funds available to sponsors of transit projects at various levels of government and in the private sector.  The table of contents can serve as a checklist of alternative components of financial plans.  For most of the sources, amounts available are indicated together with program administrators and web sites.  Over 50 federal and 30 state programs are described, plus many additional regional, local and project-specific sources.
  • Northern Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/2001)
    What was originally a transportation services coordination plan is now a comprehensive document full of transportation facts and information.  This year's document is the seventeenth version of the Annual Update and continues the tradition of providing information on the most important transportation and transit stories of the last year.

  • Rt. 1 Bus Study Executive Summary (PDF) (5/2001)
    This study closely examines the transit and pedestrian needs for the Rt. 1 Corridor and provides recommendations for the ongoing VDOT Center Line study.
  • Route 1 Corridor Bus Study (PDF) (5/2001)
  • Results of the On-Board Survey 
    (Fairfax Connector, DASH, CUE, Loudoun, and ART) (PDF) (4/2001)
    • Introduction
    • Features to Improve
    • Conclusion
    • Appendix 1
    • Appendix 2
    • Appendix 3
       Using methods developed for NVTC, the consultants administered on-board surveys to gather information from customers.  The results are useful for managing these several independent bus systems.  The results were also used by WMATA together with data from a compatible survey administered to the regional authority’s customers.  Findings of NVTC’s survey included detailed information about origins and destinations and high approval ratings for public transit (68 percent rated it good or very good).

  • Northern Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/2000)
    What was originally a transportation services coordination plan is now a comprehensive document full of transportation facts and information.  This year's document is the sixteenth version of the Annual Update and continues the tradition of providing information on the most important transportation and transit stories of the last year.

  • Regional Payments System Partnership Plan (PDF) (9/2000)
    This study examined the potential for integrating various Smart card-based revenue collection systems throughout the Washington Metropolitan region, including parking, highway tolls and transit fares.

  • Mode Share Comparisons for Northern Virginia's Major Transportation Corridors (PDF) (10/2000)
    This report examined the corridors in whic major transit investments have been made.  The report indicates that in these areas transit/ridesharing performance is strong.  Includes cordon count data from MWCOG.

  • Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project Technology Implementation Plan (PDF) (12/1999)
    • Executive Summary
    • Background
    • Process
    • Coordination Concepts
    • Implementation Concepts
    • Monitor Concepts
    • Funding
    • Issues & Next Steps
    • Appendix
       The Technology Task Group, chaired by NVTC’s executive director, recommended four concept packages of technological investments (universal electronic payment, safety/security, traveler information, operations/service response).  For each component of each package, required funding for capital and operations was specified together with the phases of the Dulles Rapid Transit project during which the investments should be made and the level of benefits to be expected.  A total of 45 components were described in the four concept packages.  

  • Northern Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (10/1999)
    This fifteenth in the series of Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission reviews the issues that shape the region as well as the institutional and legislative settings within which transportation policies and programs are planned and implemented.  (Supplement to October, 1998 Update)

  • Mode Share Comparisons for Northern Virginia Major Transportation Corridors (PDF) (9/1999)
    In the 1999 report, using data from periodic traffic counts performed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on two cordon lines (Beltway in 1998 and Core in 1996), NVTC staff reported shares of inbound commuters in several major commuting corridors (I-95/395, I-66, VA 267 Dulles Toll Road, and U.S. Route 1).  Transit shares ranged from 14 to 60 percent and HOV shares from 25 to 40 percent.  When measured in corridors in which major transit and ridesharing investments have been made, transit/ridesharing performance is strong.  For the 2000 report, more recent data from MWCOG’s 1999 Metro Core Cordon Count and the 1999 HOV performance report were used, together with the 1998 Beltway cordon report.  

  • Development Plans for the Collection of National Transit Data and Transit Management Information (PDF) (7/1999)
    • Section 1
    • Section 2
    • Section 3
    • Appendix A - D
    • Appendix E & F
    • Appendix G
       The report provides two separate transit performance data collection plans.  First, plans are given to collect data to enable Northern Virginia’s transit systems to file reports to the National Transit Database.  This will generate additional federal formula funds for WMATA.  Sampling plans and estimation techniques are provided for this purpose.  The second work plan focuses on collecting ridership information needed by transit managers to increase transit efficiency.

  • Institutional Forms and Financial Mechanisms Facilitating Successful Public Transit Enterprises - Lessons From Japan and Hong Kong (PDF) (6/1999)
    This report focuses on institutional and financial lessons from a study mission to Japan and Hong Kong in which 21 transit systems, agencies and firms were visited in Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan and 10 in Hong Kong.  Both countries display high transit use and vigorous leverage of land use and transit.  Among the lessons for the U.S. are: 1) Methods for accelerated transit project planning and implementation; 2) Region-wide electronic fare payment using smartcards; 3) Transit safety features such as platform screen doors; 4) Customer service innovations; 5) Aggressive joint development by transit agencies; 6) Deregulation and competition among transit providers; and 7) Emphasis on new technology

  • Northern Virginia Annual Transportation Update (PDF) (9/1998)
    This fourteenth in the series of Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission reviews the issues that shape the region as well as the institutional and legislative settings within which transportation policies and programs are planned and implemented

  • Developing a Transportation Management Association and Shuttle Bus Circulator System for the Springfield Business District (PDF) (8/1998)
    This study examined the potential for the addition of a bus circulator service for the Springfield Business District to mitigate traffic congestion during rhe Springfield Interchange construction project and as a link between the newly established   Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and area businesses.

  • Transit Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (10/1997)
    This thirteenth in the series of Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission reviews the issues that shape the region as well as the institutional and legislative settings within which transportation policies and programs are planned and implemented

  • Transit Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1996)
    This twelfth in the series of Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission reviews the institutional and legislative settings within which transportation policies and programs are planned and implemented in Northern Virginia.

  • New Start Handbook - Tips and Resources for Planning and Implementing a Successful Commuter Rail Enterprise (PDF) (3/1996)
    • Report
      The handbook compiles information from experts at existing commuter rail systems in the U.S. and Canada to describe where and why commuter rail can be the best commuting alternative.  Ideas are given on how to plan a new system, with lessons on implementation and suggestions on how to create the capacity for growth.  Benchmark data are shown for existing systems and references are made to files of operating and access contracts maintained by the American Public Transportation Association.  Many of the experiences of VRE are documented in this report.

  • Transit Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (9/1995)
    This eleventh in the series of reports on the Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission reviews the institutional and legislative settings within which transportation policies and programs are planned and implemented in Northern Virginia.

  • Investment Analysis - Virginia Railway Express Versus Equivalent Highway Capacity (PDF) (4/1995)
    This analysis compares the cost of constructing and operating the Virginia Railway Express, a commuter railroad in Northern Virginia, to the cost of constructing an equivalent lane of Interstate highway in the I-66 and I-95 corridors in which VRE operates, and operating enough automobiles in those lanes to serve the same number of peak period commuters as are projected to use VRE during Fiscal Year 1996.  The analysis demonstrates that at present levels of operation, between 1992 (VRE’s start-up year) and 2012, VRE will cost $264 million less to build, maintain, and operate than would the lanes of Interstate.  While VRE is not a substitute for all highway construction and cannot solve all of the region’s commuting problems, the railway was and continues to be a very sound investment decision by the citizens of Northern Virginia.  
  • Fiscal Impact of Metrorail On The Commonwealth of Virginia (PDF) (11/1994)
  • Discussion Paper: Service and Finance Plan for initial Dulles Corridor Express Buses to Loudoun County in Fiscal Year 1995 (PDF) (10/1994)
    This paper examines the cost and service issues of adding a bus service to Loudoun County.

  • Study of Coordinating and Integrating NVA Interjurisdictional Bus Routes (PDF) (10/1994)
    The report describes how bus services in Northern Virginia could be better integrated and coordinated, especially those routes serving interjurisdictional travel.  Other factors were addressed such as garage facilities, characteristics of the bus fleets, potential us of private operators, suitability of public information and potential improvements to fare structures.  An additional study element was to investigate opportunities for new bus services in Loudoun County.  An executive summary describes the study process and highlights study results and recommendations while the main body of the report describes data collection and analysis

  • Transit Service Coordination Plan (PDF) (10/1994)
    This tenth in the series of reports on the Transportation Service Coordination Plans (TSCP) of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission reviews the institutional and legislative settings within which transportation policies and programs are planned and implemented in Northern Virginia.

  • Service and Finance Plan for Initial Dulles Corridor Express Buses to Loudoun County in Fiscal Year 1995 (PDF) (10/1994)
    This discussion paper sets forth a description of those issues, and develops a set of alternative service schedules and operating and capital budgets.  Also, a draft project implementation schedule is provided showing that it would take approximately a year before service could begin, depending on whether buses are leased or purchased and on whether labor-related issues can be resolved quickly.
  • History of the Virginia Railway Express (PDF) (4/1994)
    This excerpt from NVTC’s 30th Anniversary Program the history of VRE from 1964 to 1993.