Director Meeting

I met with our new BT Director Tom Fox 2 pm Monday, 11/23/15. Amongst various topics we discussed the BT system map, shelters and cans, Title VI, the Route Analysis and pending TDP, & the process of recieving, publishing, documenting public feedback on proposed route changes. He also aporoved and signed quotes for 12 Victor Stanley trash receptacles
& 5 bike racks I am going to summarize Title VI docs/policies and the route change/feedback process for him.

New 2015 BT system maps

A. Drain developed 2 versions so far of 2015 BT system maps based on 10/21/15 data. The simple map shows stops and routes. The super map also includes stop numbers and both BT and private bus shelters, & closed stops. Other versions can be created to show shelter #, evening/weekend/break service, and Christiansburg service. An FY17 map of proposed changes is in the works next.

First & Main cement pad, bus shelter, & can

A pad, bus shelter, & trash can should be put up soon. Onsite visits 11/20/15 determined location s. of new sidewalk and steps about 90 ft from current bus stop location (which is centered in front of pond).

New bus shelter to be inspected today

After several years of requests, resources have been aligned to have a new solar bus shelter installed at Prices Fork/Old Glade Rd near Hardees. This will greatly help customers going westbound after shopping, classes, or work.

NRV Transit GIS portal - communication lessons

At the GIS in Transit conference I was part of a 3-presentation group discussing collaboration and partnering to do good GIS/GTFS work. Reps from USGS and RTAP shared tips too on 9/3/15. See https://2015gisintransitconference.sched.org/mobile/#session:0b152390aec7456d9d80c919603042a2

American Planning Association-Virginia Conference

Off to attend (participate!) in the APA-VA Conference. Looking forward to new info and networking opportunities. Jim Bacon is the keynote speaker. 

The importance of Networking

I met an undergrad planning student downtown yesterday, gave him my biz card and encouraged him to send me an email to stay in touch. Very courteous and pretty friendly (nervous?) He is finishing up an internship and I might be able to offer him a position or a project(s) too. Hope he follows up. Do they train followup and networking skills these days to students in high school and college? I claim I have received much all of my jobs and grants as a result of networking, and by reaching out and talking. Interns at BT.