RTC Transportation Group Report.

So the first meeting is in the books and it looks like this RTC group might be a really interesting and beneficial entity.  The long term goal (1 year out) is to have the group produce a version of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).  Our version will be passed on to the "official" board who will review it and incorporate it into their own plan.  It seemed the entire RTC entourage was in attendance last night and they provided a really well rounded review of their positions and how they are involved in the final RTP version.  They will also serve as guides as we regular citizens forge ahead.

So who the devil is this citizen group.  We went through introductions last night and some of the job titles I remember are: retired transportation planner, Tahoe transportation planner, architect, geologist, airline pilot, stay at home mom, land use planning student at UNR, engineer, and land use planner.  So while a rather diverse group, many are pretty familiar with the processes in "planning". 

With initial introductions, presentations, and some ground rules about our task we used up the slated hour and a half pretty quickly.  We did use an extended 1/2 hour to brain storm some of the things we were looking to accomplish personally.  I don't have good notes yet (we'll get a copy of the minutes shortly and I'll update), but topics thrown out ranged from continued improved walking and biking (complete streets) to a myriad of improvements to the bus system, to improving the coordination of land use and transportation planning.  This leaves out a lot of what was discussed, but needless to say a biking presence made clear by a few people and real interest in public transportation is present.  All in all, I'm looking forward to the next meeting.  I'll post the detailed minutes when their available.

RTC Transportation Group.

About six months ago I was alerted by a friend to an ad in the RGJ requesting applications for a "citizen" member to sit on a new RTC community working group.  My wife told me I might as well apply since I like to bitch about every road in the region with respect to bicycling.  A one page essay and 4 months later the phone rang and just like that I'm the newest board member! 

Anyway, this position is actually why I started the blog.  This way as the meetings start to happen (tonight), I can keep you up to date on what the RTC thinks is important for the region in terms of transporation.  In between these monthly meetings (and their subsequent posts) you can hear what I think (which is probably more than you want to hear).  Let the serious postings begin.....