2000 Lynnhaven/Oceana Area Transportation Needs Assessment Study

THE MARKETING SOURCE, INC

2000 Lynnhaven/Oceana Area Transportation Needs Assessment

StudySponsored by


Study Area


Overall Objective

To help reduce traffic congestion

around the Lynnhaven and Oceana areas.


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.


Study Components

Employer Commuter Interviews Surveys


Methodology

Commuter Surveys

740 completed surveys

Conducted April to May

Self-administered

Employer Interviews 40 one-on-one interviews Conducted March to May Interviews conducted with:

small, medium, and large employers

owners, managers, and human resource personnel


Employer Interviews


Whom did we survey?


Large Companies

500+ employees

M&G Electronics SAIC/AMSEC Stihl, Inc.

250-499 employees Lillian Vernon*

* Seasonal increases to over 4,000 from October to December:

100-249 employees

Hermes Abrasives Inchscape JC Penney Litton/PRC Montgomery Ward Trigon Healthkeepers VA Beach Industries


Medium and Small Companies

Bay Mechanical Chesapeake Bay Contractors E.C.I. Information Systems Support Labels Unlimited Lynnhaven Mall ProSoft Sports Authority

American Funds

Automatic Precision

Tech. Beach Chemicals Brooks Transfer Caliper Framing Success Global Technical

Systems HSMM IMPAQ K&M Environmental

Lockheed Martin Mariah Vision MC Direct Nationwide New Horizons Phar-Mor Printmark Progressive Graphics Rocket Direct Rutherford Controls US LEC

50-99 employees <50 employees


Employer Background

Businesses interviewed employ nearly 5,000 persons.

About half (22 of 40) of businesses interviewed were either a subsidiary of another organization or a branch location of a larger corporation.

Most employers said their employees live in the Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth areas.


Employer Interviews

Key Findings


When asked to identify the traffic problem areas...

Employers mentioned the following trouble spots:

Evenings

I-264 West Lynnhaven interchange

Viking Drive and Lynnhaven Parkway

International and Lynnhaven Parkway

International and London Bridge Road

London Bridge Road (from Shipps Corner to Potters Road)

Mornings I-264 East exit at Lynnhaven

Lynnhaven Parkway and International

London Bridge Road (from Shipps Corner to Potters

Road)


Employers point out problem areas.


Area employers agree that traffic congestion is a

problem. Over two-thirds of the employers interviewed

believed that traffic congestion is a problem in the area, especially in the evening (3:30-6:00 p.m.).

However, most noted that traffic congestion caused no problems for their business. Instead, they referred to the congestion as:

“An irritation”

“A frustration”

“An inconvenience”


Parking is not a problem for most employers.

Nearly all businesses stated that they had adequate parking for employees. On-site lots

A few businesses indicated that parking was barely adequate.

Problems during shift changes

Future expansions will lead to parking problems


Employer suggestions for improvement

Improve I-264 and Lynnhaven Parkway interchange Build flyover Add lanes at interchange Improve signal light timing

Widen London Bridge Road

Widen Lynnhaven Parkway

Improve International and Lynnhaven Parkway

intersection: Extend turn lane from Lynnhaven to International


Employers feel some responsibility.

Over a third of employers feel some responsibility for helping employees with their work commute.

However, only three employers currently offer transportation programs to employees:

Subsidizes carpoolers who travel to and from Peninsula

Offers rideshare matching

Provides preferential parking and van shuttle to and from bus stop


Will businesses offer transportation programs?

Some ways businesses are willing to help:

Stagger business hours of operation/ offer flex time Promote alternate modes

Transportation programs most likely to be offered include:

Businesses willing Flextime/Compressed Week 16 Ridesharing 8 Bus subsidies 2


Interest in Area Services


Physical Fitness Center

Two employers reported that they had their own physical fitness area.

Many employers noted there was a physical fitness center nearby.

Only a few employers said a physical fitness center in Lynnhaven/Oceana would generate much interest from their employees.


Day Care Center

Some employers noted that day care centers are already nearby.

Half believed a day care facility in the area would be very useful.

Hours of operation were of concern for manufacturers. Many facilities are not open early enough to

accommodate early work schedules.


Dry Cleaners

Only a few employers interviewed thought a nearby dry cleaning service would be convenient.

However, the remainder raised objections: A service is already nearby.

A service already picks up at their office.

Their dress is casual at work and services aren't required.

Their employees prefer the convenience of a service near home.


Mid-day Shuttle

Employers estimated the level of participation from their employee population: 28% great interest (primarily administrative staff) 13% somewhat interested 59% no interest

Reasons for little interest in the shuttle services were: Short lunch breaks, usually only a half hour Concern about schedule promptness


Commuter Surveys


Whom did we survey?


Commuters from various industries were represented in

the study.

Retail13%

Distribution Centers11%

Suppliers/Services 41%

Manufacturing13%

Other14%

Government Contractors

8%

(Base =740)


Many of the commuters who completed the survey held office

support, clerical, or administrative positions.

12%

10%

13%

17%

17%

31%

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

Other

Retail

Technical

Laborer

Professional

Office Support

(Base = 740)


The vast majority of area commuters live in Virginia

Beach.

Lynnhaven CommutersPlace of Residency


Place of residence.

Other5%

Norfolk12%

Virginia Beach70%

Portsmouth2%

Chesapeake11%


Commuter Survey

Key Findings


The Commute To Work


Currently, nearly all area commuters drive alone in their

cars to work.

Drive alone 91%

Carpool 4 Combination 3 Dropped off 1 Bus < 1 Walk 0

(Base = 734)


The percent of SOV commuters is higher in the Lynnhaven

Study (91%) than that found in the Norfolk Commerce Park Study (86%) and Oceanfront

Study (66%).


Three quarters (76%) of commuters say their trip to work takes less than 30 minutes. This

figure falls to 66% for the return trip.

5%

31%

30%

18%

15%

8%

39%

29%

15%

9%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

<10

10 to 19

20 to 29

30 to 39

40+

Min

ute

s

Home to workWork to home

The average one-way commute distance is 13 miles.


Nearly half (49%) of area commuters arrive at work between

8:00 and 9:00 in the morning.49%

25%

6%8%8%

4%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

6:00-6:59

7:00-7:59

8:00-8:59

9:00-9:59

10:00 -later

Varies

(Base = 740)

Morning Hours


The majority (72%) of commuters surveyed use

Lynnhaven Parkway during their commute.


Commuters most often

access Lynnhaven Parkway from I-

264.

45%

12%8%

2%

12%3%

10%

I- 26445%International Pkwy. 12Holland Rd. 12Princess Anne Rd. 10South Lynnhaven Rd. 8Independence Blvd. 3Potters Rd. 2


Four in ten (42%) of area commuters leave work between

5:00 and 6:00 in the evening.

42%

21%

11% 11%11%5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

3:00-3:59

4:00-4:59

5:00-5:59

6:00-6:59

7:00 -later

Varies

(Base = 740)

Evening Hours


Commuters most often stop at grocery stores, childcare facilities, and banks as they travel to and from work.

Number of weekly stops

0 1-2 3+

Grocery/Convenience Store 12% 55% 30%

Childcare Facility 62 5 17

Bank/ATM 21 66 4

Fitness Center 69 7 6

Dry Cleaners 60 23 1

Note: Totals do not include “Don’t Know” responses.


Parking and Use of Car for Work


The vast majority of area commuters

park at their worksite.

Commuters are parking at...

Worksite95%

Off-site parking lot 3

Do not park a vehicle 2

Side street <1

Parking site varies <1


Only 4% of commuters say area parking is a “very big problem.”

"5" Very big problem

4%

"2" 13%

"1" No problem at all66%

"4"5%

"3"12%

(Base = 728)


Only 9% of Lynnhaven commuters think that parking is a problem compared to 35%

of Norfolk Commerce Park commuters and 66% of Oceanfront commuters.


Nearly half (48%) of commuters use their car at least once a week

for work-related travel.52%

12%

6% 6%2%

17%

2%4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(Base = 699)

Days per week car is used for work-related travel


Willingness to Use Alternate Modes of

Transportation


A quarter (24%) of SOV commuters say they are willing to share a ride to work at least

once a week.

less likely to need their car for work-related travel.

more influenced by employer-sponsored rideshare incentives.

more receptive to additional area services.

Very Likely(3%)

SomewhatLikely(21%)

Not At AllLikely (48%)

Not Very Likely (28%)

(Base = 654 SOV Commuters)

These commuters are…


Willingness to use alternate modes is highest among Norfolk Commerce Park SOV commuters.

3%

21%

28%

48%

10%

23%27%

40%

6%

20%

30%

44%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Very likely Somewhatlikely

Not very likely Not at all likely

Lynnhaven Norfolk Commerce Park Oceanfront

(Base = SOV commuters; n = 654 Lynnhaven; 800 Norfolk Commerce Park)


Most of the the SOV commuters interested in ridesharing live in

Virginia Beach.


Carpools are clearly the favored alternate travel mode among SOV commuters interested in

ridesharing.

12%

2%

12%

13%

9%

52%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Multiple Modes

Walk

Bicycle

Bus

Vanpool

Carpool

(Base = 182)


If a bus were available, 1 in 10 SOV commuters say they would be at least somewhat willing to use it.

63%

14% 12%5% 5%

9% 8% 12%

25%

46%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

1 2 3 4 5

SOV CommuterAlternate mode user

(Base = 659 SOV commuters; 65 alternate mode users)

Not at all Very willing willing


Rideshare incentives increase interest in using alternate

modes.

18%

19%

20%

21%

22%

0% 10% 20%

Ridematching

Park & Ride Lots

Guaranteed Ride

Employer subsidies

Vanpools

(Base = 740)


For many, additional area services would not impact ridesharing.

13%

13%

11%

9%

6%

0% 10% 20%

Bank/ATM

Mid-Day Shuttle

Fitness Facility

Dry Cleaners

Daycare Facility

(Base = 740)


Key Findings and

Recommendations


Employer interviews show that...

Most employers believe that area traffic congestion is a problem, particularly in the evening. However, it causes problems for few employers.

Parking availability is sufficient for the majority of employers.

Employers feel some responsibility for their employees’ commute, but few have transportation programs in place.

Initial commitment to programs will likely be slow.


Commuter surveys show that... Many commuters work a traditional work-week (days and hours)

and nearly all drive alone to work.

The majority of commuters use Lynnhaven Parkway and access it primarily from I-264.

Most commuters park at their worksite and say that parking is not a problem.

Nearly half of commuters use their car at least once a week for work-related travel.

A quarter of SOV commuters are willing to share a ride to work at least once a week. Most live in Virginia Beach.

Carpools are the favored alternate travel mode among SOV commuters interested in ridesharing.

Rideshare incentives increase interest in using alternate modes.


Recommendations

Continue employer outreach to interested companies.

Consider transit service from Kempsville area to Lynnhaven/Oceana corridor.

Promote Park and Ride lot at Holland and S. Independence (Silverleaf) to current and potential carpoolers.

Establish preferential parking at worksites.


2000 Lynnhaven/Oceana

Transportation Needs Assessment

Study Sponsored by

2000 Lynnhaven/Oceana Area Transportation Needs Assessment Study

Documents

Transcript of 2000 Lynnhaven/Oceana Area Transportation Needs Assessment Study