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2001 Oakland Industrial Park Transportation Needs Assessment Study

Sponsored by

A service of Hampton Roads Transit

Prepared by THE MARKETING SOURCE, INC.

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Study Area

Oakland Industria

l Park

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About the Study Area

Heavy manufacturing.

Few local services (restaurants, shops, etc.).

Large Wal-Mart Distribution Center 2.5 miles from Park.

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Overall Study Objective

To help reduce traffic congestion

to and fromOakland Industrial Park.

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Specific Objectives

Determine the perceived impact of area traffic on congestion.

Identify current transportation modes used.

Determine parking concerns.

Measure how willing employers and employees are to adopt and implement alternate transportation programs.

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Study Components

Employer Commuter Interviews Surveys

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Methodology

Commuter Surveys

402 completed surveys

Conducted March to April

Self-administered

Employer Interviews

12 one-on-one interviews

Conducted February to March

Interviews conducted with: small, medium, and large

employers Plant mangers and human

resource personnel

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Whom did we interview?

Employer Interviews

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Participating Employers

101-499 employees

Opton, Inc. Evercel Kinyo Virginia, Inc. Pepsi Bottling Group Wal-Mart Distribution

Center

500+ employees

AAFES (Dan Daniels Distribution Center)

<51 employees

Swisslog Silicone Technology

51-100 employees

Iceland Seafood Corporation

Pliant Corporation Amcor Rigid Plastics Custom Integrated

Technologies

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About the participating employers

Many are manufacturers.

Most have:

daily truck deliveries to their business site.

adequate parking for employees.

work in 8/9 or 12-hour shifts.

Majority of employees live in the Newport News area.

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Employer Interviews

Key Findings

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Key Finding #1

Employers do not believe that area traffic congestion is a

current problem.

At study onset, no employer offered commute

programs to employees.

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Currently, employers do not perceive traffic as a problem.

Traffic is only a problem in the evening (3:30-4:00 p.m.).

Currently causes few problems for their business.

Parking is not a problem.

However, there is concern for the future.

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Employers point out problem areas during peak travel times.

Warwick Road (Route 60) and Enterprise Dr.

Warwick Road and Pickett’s Lane

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Key Finding #2:

Most employers feel some responsibility to help

employees with their work commute.

Most are willing to take action.

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What are businesses willing to do?

Stagger shift schedules and offer flextime

Promote alternate modes

Offer transit subsidies

Work together with area businesses

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Employers are beginning to act.

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Whom did we survey?

Commuter Surveys

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Many of the commuters surveyed hold production or warehouse positions.

7%

4%

4%

5%

6%

14%

26%

34%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Other

Sales

Professional

Driver

Technical

Clerical

Warehouse

Production

(Base = 402)

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The vast majority of area commuters live in Newport News.

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Place of residence

Other17%

Hampton18%

Newport News54%

York County5%

Williamsburg6%

(Base = 402)

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Commuter Surveys

Key Findings

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Key Finding #3

Currently, single-occupant vehicle (SOV) usage is average compared to other areas, but willingness to occasionally use

alternate modes is higher.

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Drive alone 85%

Carpool 10

Bus 3

Combination 2

Current Commute Mode

Area SOV %

Oceanfront area 66%

Naval Station Norfolk 81%

Oakland Industrial Park85%

Norfolk Commerce Park 86%

Oyster Point area 88%

Lynnhaven Mall area 91%

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Willingness to occasionally rideshare

% Willing

Area to Rideshare

Naval Station Norfolk 42%

Oakland Industrial Park39%

Norfolk Commerce Park 33%

Oyster Point 26%

Oceanfront area26%

Lynnhaven Mall area24%

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SOV commuters interested in ridesharing

Begin work between 6:00-7:00 a.m.

Have previous rideshare experience.

Be more influenced by employer-sponsored incentives.

Be more willing to ride the bus to and from work.

Some-what Likely26%

Very Likely13%

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Most of the the SOV commuters interested in ridesharing live in Newport News.

52% live in Newport News

21% live in Hampton

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Employer transit subsidies and vanpool most interest commuters.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Guaranteed Ride

Ridematching

Park & Ride Lots

Vanpools

Employersubsidies

Ince

nti

ve P

rogra

ms

Willingness to Rideshare

Very Willing

Somewhat Willing

34%

27%

33%

24%

22%

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Key Finding #4

There is interest in improved and expanded bus service.

More stops within the Park (and at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center)

More frequent service

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Of these, 22% have

taken the bus regularly for their work commute.

Don't Know26%

Available34%

Not Available

39%(Base = 391 Commuters)

A third (34%) of commuters indicate that bus service is currently available from home to work.

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Current Morning Bus

6:35 Bus

5%

15%

13%

17%

37%

12%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Varies

9:00-later

8:00-8:59

7:00-7:59

6:00-6:59

5:00-5:59

Time arrive at work

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4:10 Bus

8%

20%

7%

16%

9%

40%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Varies

7:00-later

6:00-6:59

5:00-5:59

4:00-4:59

3:00-3:59

Current Evening Bus

Time leave work

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Willingness to Ride the Bus

12% SOV commuters say they would be willing to take a bus for work commute.

But many need more information.

Over a quarter (26%) don’t know if bus service is available from their home to their workplace.

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Recommendations

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Recommendations

Focus employer outreach on larger area businesses.

Iceland (have already re-established contact)

AAFES (DOD Transit Reimbursement Program recently implemented; interest in bus)

Consider expanding bus service.

Examine current ridership.

Meet with AAFES and Wal-Mart to determine needs (stop locations and times of operation) and their demand potential.

Advertise current bus stops and times.

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Re-established contact with Iceland and AAFES.

AAFES is offering DoD transit reimbursement program.

Fort Eustis has requested full study.

TRAFFIX is working with Newport News City Planning and area employers to discuss:

Sidewalks, bike paths, light signals, parking improvements

Accomplishments to Date

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2001 Oakland Industrial Park Transportation Needs Assessment Study

Sponsored by

A service of Hampton Roads Transit

Prepared by THE MARKETING SOURCE, INC.