Public weighs in on how to improve Corridor travel

NORTH LIBERTY - Brady Dorman recently moved from Cedar Rapids, where he works, to Iowa City, where his wife works. So, both are familiar with the joys of commuting up and down the Corridor. 

If Dorman, 27, had his way, a public transit bus would run him between the two communities. He'd save on fuel and could read or relax for the 35-minute commute.

That was one piece of feedback Dorman had last night for Iowa Department of Transportation officials who are studying alternative transportation options in Eastern Iowa. 

"People are talking about expanding (Interstate) 380 to three lanes, but public transit needs to be prioritized before than happens," Dorman said. 

The Iowa DOT hosted on open house to share information and get input on two separate but related projects: an Iowa Commuter Transportation Study, which focuses on alternative transportation options in a seven-county area including Linn and Johnson counties, and a statewide Iowa Park and Ride Plan, which is being expanded.

Both projects were spurred by demand from the public for more transportation options. The goals are to reduce the number of cars on the road and increase mobility for the workforce.

Brian Comer, a planner with HNTB, a Kansas City-based architectural and engineering firm leading the commuter study, said one alternative mode that's been gaining popularity nationally is an interregional public transportation service. This would be a new service for Eastern Iowa and might have a handful of strategic stops across the region. 

Another option for discussion is a regionwide van pool service, likely with some partnership with major employers. The University of Iowa already has a successful van pool program the serves hundreds of people, but the caveat is it is only for employees, Comer said. 

Garrett Pedersen, a planner with the Iowa DOT, has been working on the park and ride plan, which is supposed to completed this fall and implemented early in 2015.

Pedersen said has been examining how close the parking lots would need to be to where commuters live to be viable. Pedersen said the first step is acquiring right of way to establish the parking lots in partnership with local jurisdictions or businesses. 

For a business, these facilities "can lead to as much as a 10 percent increase in business," he said.

More people are commuting outside their county of residence, he said. Commuting distances are increasing and commuting times are getting longer, he said in explaining why people are looking for new options. 

The study is assessing needs by examining current offerings and usage levels, what is desired by commuters, and the feasibility of a variety of alternative transportation options, including buses, van pools, carpools, park-and-rides, and an intercity bus service.

The Iowa DOT also is developing the Iowa Park and Ride System Plan, which will be used to identify, evaluate and develop state-owned and operated park-and-ride facilities. A separate survey on park-and-ride is underway through Oct. 16.  

The state has 26 facilities, largely developed through informal agreements. A draft of the plan includes 23 potential new park and ride facilities, including four to six in the Corridor.