October Quarterly Update

To say that the past three months have been busy here at COMPASS would be an understatement. The summer months seem to have flown by and nothing is more of an indication that it’s autumn than the end of our fiscal year. Last year’s projects are being wrapped up and this year’s projects are being prepped for action – read below to find out about some exciting updates.

Last Three Months

As I mentioned in our last quarterly update, much of the focus during the past three months has been on planning for the next regional long-range transportation plan, Communities in Motion 2050 (CIM 2050). In September, we kicked off the planning process with a public survey asking Treasure Valley residents how they see their lives changing in the next 30 years. If you haven’t yet, I strongly encourage you to take the survey, here. Your answers help us plan for the transportation needs of the Treasure Valley and the people and communities that call it home. The link will remain open through Sunday, November 3, 2019 – so you still have time to provide your input.

After months of patiently waiting, our electric cargo bike, or the COMPASS Data Bike, has finally arrived! This data bike will be used to collect pavement roughness and surface condition data. Recently, our staff has been testing out different pavement-roughness software programs to determine the best fit for our planning needs. By the end of 2019, a software program will be chosen and the COMPASS Data Bike will be fully operational.

A project mentioned in our last update was the Rails with Trails Feasibility and Probable Cost Study. The study was completed in September; it provides a cost estimate of trail development along the Boise Cutoff rail corridor and identifies barriers associated with trail development. Conversations with Union Pacific will continue with a goal of securing an agreement for a trail within their corridor. In the meantime, the completed study allows planning to continue, including selecting a preferred right-of-way alignment, finalizing the design, and seeking funding.

Another sign that fall has arrived in the Treasure Valley is the close of the 2019 COMPASS Leadership in Motion awards nomination period. The awards recognize people, businesses, and projects that demonstrate leadership in implementing Communities in Motion. Keep an eye on our social media and blog throughout the month of December for the announcement of our 2019 winners.

Finally, COMPASS hosted not one, but two, education series events in August and September. In August, Lisa Nisenson, Vice President of New Mobility and Connected Communities with The Wantman Group, gave a presentation on pilot programs and sustainable community design. In September, Joel Feldman, founder of EndDD.org, “End Distracted Driving,” shared his personal story of loss, along with simple steps for everyone to end distracted driving. You can find the presentation slides and videos of both speakers here. These education series events provide training to help implement Communities in Motion.

Next Three Months

For the next three months, we already have plenty of projects planned.

COMPASS will close the public survey for CIM 2050 on November 3, compile and share the results, and use them to develop potential “scenarios” of what the future of the Treasure Valley could look like by 2050. These will be provided to the public in spring 2020 for feedback.

Along with this, COMPASS will begin work on a complete network policy and a fiscal impact analysis, both of which will feed into CIM 2050.

While we’re sure to celebrate our accomplishments from the past few months, COMPASS is already looking ahead to prepare for what the next three months have in store. I strongly encourage everyone to also look ahead, about 30 years into the future, and take our survey by November 3, 2019.

Have a wonderful fall, Treasure Valley!